Bred in the Bone (Widow's Island #4)(14)

“Return to the front,” Gunderson’s voice crackled. “Keep an eye out for the dog.”

“I’d rather face a human than a dog any day,” Cate told McClure, who agreed with her.

They joined the other two at the front. Ferocious barking started inside.

“Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department! Hold your dog!” shouted Gunderson.

The barking continued.

“Please exit the barn! One hand on the dog and the other where I can see it!” Gunderson tentatively slid open the large barn door.

The two deputies stood on each side of the opening, weapons ready, and Cate held her breath. Deputy McClure was between her and the entrance, but she felt fully exposed.

It’s just a child.

Maybe.

“You have ten seconds to exit the barn, and then we are entering! Your dog will be shot if it attacks.”

“No!” shouted a young voice. “Don’t shoot my dog!”

“Is there anyone else in the barn?” asked Gunderson.

“No!”

The officers exchanged a look, not believing the child. “It’s time to come out! Hang on to that dog, and we won’t hurt him.”

Rustling sounded inside, and the boy spoke in quiet tones. Cate thought he was calming the dog.

“Come on out, son,” said Gunderson in a gentle voice. “We’re not here to hurt anyone. We just want to make certain no one was injured in that explosion.”

“No one was hurt.” The boy appeared in the opening, a black-and-brown mutt on a tight rope beside him. “I was careful.” The dog was quiet, but its fierce eyes studied each of them. The boy’s red hair looked as if it had been cut with dull scissors three months ago, and he wore rubber boots, dirty jeans, and a heavy coat that was much too large. The coat hung open, revealing a thin torso, and Cate wondered how he wasn’t freezing. His gaze shone with curiosity and caution as he looked at each of them. McClure slipped into the barn behind him to clear the space.

“You set off the explosion?” asked Tessa. Cate looked up at the sky; all the smoke had cleared.

Definitely a distraction.

His shoulders rose and dropped.

“Why?”

He didn’t say anything, his gaze on his boots.

“Is your dog nice?” Cate asked. “Or does he bite?”

“He’s good.”

“Would he let me hold the rope?” she asked. The boy was small, and the dog wasn’t large, but it had a powerful wide chest. Cate easily imagined the dog ripping the rope out of the boy’s hand.

“No. Me.”

The rope was wrapped several times around his hand. It would have to do for now. “What’s your name?”

“Mickey.”

“Where are your parents, Mickey?” asked McClure as he reappeared, giving Gunderson a quick shake of his head, indicating he’d found no one in the barn.

The boy did the shoulder movement again, looking unconcerned.

The four officers exchanged a look. “Is anyone in the house?” asked Cate.

“No.”

“We’ll go double-check,” said McClure. “Keep the other two outbuildings in sight,” he told Cate and Tessa. “We’ll clear them next.”

The two men strode toward the house, and Cate spotted Henry watching intently from the SUV. She waved him over, wanting his opinion on Mickey, who appeared much too thin to her. Relief was in Henry’s eyes as he approached.

“This is Mickey,” Cate said. “Henry is a doctor.”

The boy shrank away, putting his dog between himself and Henry, fear blatant on his face.

He’s terrified.

Henry froze as he took in the boy’s reaction. He crouched down and held out his knuckles to the dog, who carefully sniffed them. “What’s your dog’s name?” he asked, keeping his gaze on the dog.

“Bishy.”

“Cool name.” The dog pushed its head against Henry’s hand, and he scratched its ears. Henry finally looked at Mickey, his eyes assessing, missing nothing.

“Why did you decide to make the explosion?” Cate asked, phrasing the question in a softer way than Tessa had asked him minutes ago. Henry’s brows shot up at her question, and his focus on the boy intensified.

“Because you came.”

An answer at last.

“Why did you want to greet us with something so loud? It made us nervous,” Cate continued. Both Mickey and Henry were petting the dog, Mickey risking quick glances at Henry.

“Was supposed to.”

“Who told you that?”

“The commander.”

Tessa caught Cate’s eye. What the hell?





6


“Where is the commander?” Cate asked, struggling to keep her voice nonchalant.

Mickey said nothing.

The deputies stepped out of the house, giving the others a signal that it was clear. They headed directly for one of the other outbuildings.

“Do you need some lunch, Mickey?” asked Tessa. “Let’s go inside and find something for you to eat.”

The boy ignored her, watching the deputies as they reached the large shed. “They shouldn’t go in there.” His hands twitched, and he wiped one across his mouth.