I stepped forward, and that’s when I saw it.
A dog. Small. Underweight. Curled tightly against the wall as if trying to disappear. My first reaction wasn’t sympathy.
It was frustration.
“Mr. Hale,” I said, keeping my tone firm, “you know pets aren’t allowed in this building.”
He didn’t argue. Didn’t try to deny it. He just nodded slowly, his eyes never quite meeting mine.