Gabby exhaled shakily, pressing her hand to her face. The midday sun felt hot on her skin, but inside she was still cold. Still vibrating. Still processing. It was over. The nightmare—the helplessness—the ache of not knowing. It was finally over. Juniper was safe. And Josh was gone.
An officer approached and crouched beside her. “We’ll transport the other dogs to the district’s rescue shelter,” he said. “They’ll get treatment, care, and proper fosters. You did the right thing.” Gabby nodded, grateful but quiet. She rose, lifted Juniper into her arms, and drove back to Angel Paws as the sun blazed overhead.