Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“What the fuck kind of animal attacks a blind man?” I growled.
“It’s disgusting,” Officer Purdy agreed, “But unfortunately, Sterling isn’t the only one; over the past few months, we’ve answered calls like this all around town. The victims have all been disabled in some way, or of advanced age, and the perpetrator is always gone by the time we get to the scene. We believe the crimes are all connected, but we haven’t been able to catch the bastard yet.”
The thought of someone preying on disabled people made me physically ill. I swallowed a few times to make sure nothing came up when I asked, “How’s Cooper? The dog,” I added when I realized the officer wouldn’t know him by name. “Sterling was worried he may have gotten hurt.”
“He looked okay when we arrived; he was walking without any signs of limping or pain, though he wouldn't leave Sterling’s side.” That didn’t surprise me; no matter how he was feeling, Cooper’s number one priority was his master and friend.
Just then, a second policeman joined us on the porch. He told me, “I’m Officer Long. I’ve taken Sterling’s statement, so you’re free to go in now. I’ll just need-”
I didn’t wait around to hear what he needed, because I knew my sweet man needed me more. I hurried inside, and the sight I found broke my heart. Sterling’s belongings were strewn across the floor in disarray, and he was seated on the couch with Cooper snuggled up close, both of his paws on Sterling’s thigh in a protective stance.
“Beck?” he asked when I entered the room.
I was at his side in a blink, and wrapped my arms around him. “I’m here, sweetheart. Are you okay? Are you sure you’re not hurt?”
He shook his head against my shoulder. “I was just terrified that something happened to Cooper.” Even after everything he’d been through, his worries weren’t for himself. “When I heard him whimper-” he burst into tears again and I held him tighter.
“I know. That had to be so scary and I’m so sorry.” I kissed his head before giving Cooper a good once-over. “But he looks really good; even the police officer said so.”
He nodded as he sniffed his nose. “Can we take him to the vet, just to be sure?”
“Of course we can.” I would do anything to bring him comfort. I wanted to get a second opinion as well; I couldn’t live with myself if we missed an injury. Besides, the dog was so important to Sterling, and protected him, which made him a hero in my book. I would make sure he was taken care of.
“Mr. Rice?” a voice asked from behind me, and I turned to find Officer Long standing next to me. “I’m sorry, but I need you to take me through the home to recount any missing items for my report. My partner and I will also collect evidence, and then we will leave you two alone.”
I nodded my understanding and turned back to Sterling. “I’m going to help the officer, but I’ll be right back.” He sniffed again and moved his arms from around me to around Cooper’s neck, burying his face in the dog’s fur.
I led Officer Long through the home, and he wrote a list of what the robber took. The main things missing were electronics; including both of Sterling’s televisions and his voice-controlled tablet. They were expensive items, and I wondered if that was another reason why Sterling was targeted. Kitchen appliances were also gone, and the bastard even took Sterling’s designer sunglasses when they fell off as he was pushed to the ground.
Once the list of missing items was complete, I sat on the couch and held Sterling once more as the officers took photos and dusted for fingerprints around the house. They also took a stamp of my and Sterling’s fingers so that they could be ruled out of evidence.
Finally, the policemen thanked us for our time, and promised to do everything they could to find the man responsible. Their next move was to question the other people in the neighborhood if they’d seen a strange car nearby, since the thief would’ve needed somewhere to put the large items. I wasn't sure they'd learn anything helpful, since Sterling didn't have any neighbors who lived close by, but I hoped I was wrong.
Officer Purdy gave me his business card and asked that we call him if we thought of anything else that could help them with the case, and then they were gone.
As soon as we were alone, Sterling asked, “Can we have Cooper looked at now? There’s an emergency animal hospital only a few miles away.”
“Let’s go.” I would have driven any distance for his peace of mind.
When Sterling walked Cooper to my car, I noticed that the dog stayed even closer to his leg than normal. And when I tried to put him in the backseat, Cooper wasn’t having it, so I opened the passenger door, and the big pooch climbed right onto Sterling’s lap for the ride. I wondered if it was the dog’s need or if he thought it was his master’s, but then decided that it was probably a little of each.