Chuck snuck glances at Malachi all morning as she ate breakfast, on the drive to the station, and now on their patrol. Usually, they would sing along to the radio, or she would tell him about a favorite movie or memory. Today, it was silent; uncomfortably so. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore and whimpered, ducking his head. The noise brought her eyes to his, and she pulled over, sighing.
“I’m sorry, Malachi. I just don’t know what to make of all this. I mean… did I imagine the conversation last night? Are you really a person cursed into a dog’s body?” She shook her head in disbelief, her eyes tired and worried.
Sitting up quickly, he gave one short bark, an affirmative.
Chuck leaned her head back and lay it on the seat, rubbing between her eyes as if she had a headache. “Okay, it wasn’t just some messed-up dream then.”
Two barks, negative.
“Then here’s my problem, Mal. I can’t keep using you as my K-9 partner. You’re a person. Not a service animal.” Her eyes met his again; this time, tears welled in them.
Panic shot through his body at this unforeseen complication. A flurry of rapid barking broke from him.NO! Chuck no! I like being with you. I want to help you, don’t send me away. P-please don’t!
Startled, she jerked to the side, her eyes wide and lips parted. “Okay, okay, settle down, buddy. I didn’t mean I was getting rid of you. I would never. I feel like I’m taking advantage of you.” She opened the gate and let him jump to the front with her, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I don’t want to abuse you when you’re already in a tough situation.”
Two short barks, a negative.Chuck, you aren’t abusing me. I’m your partner. I want to do this.He put a paw on her thigh and stared deep into her eyes. Thoughts of Hyacinth and his threats the night before crept in, and he dropped his head low, shaking with fear.
“Oh, Mal, don’t do that! I’m sorry again. I promise, I’m not giving up on you. I want to figure out how to uncurse you and get you back to normal. I just… well… are you happy being my partner until then?” Her tone was uncertain and quivered just a bit.
Malachi sat up and barked one loud, happyYES!He began licking her face excitedly and bouncing on the seat. No small matter in the confined space.Yes, Chuck! I’m your partner. No one else, just me. I’ll keep doing this as long as you’ll have me.
“Okay, alright!” She laughed, trying to push him back a bit, her aura now sparkling pink. “I got it. You like the work. I appreciate that. And honestly, that makes me feel better, Mal. It tells me you’re a good person and you don’t deserve this!”
At her words, his ears dropped, and a small grumble escaped his throat. He hadn’t earned her high opinion of him. She didn’t know his ulterior motive.I’m not good, I don’t deserve your… f-f-faith,he managed to choke out the dirty word.
Rubbing between his ears, she smiled softly. “Yes, you do.” Her hand stilled. “Wait, how did I…?” Her eyes went large again. “Malachi…” she said slowly, “are you speaking to me in my head? I keep hearing snippets of words here and there, and I thought I was imagining it. But I’m pretty sure I just heard you say you don’t deserve my faith.” Searching the depths of his gaze, she asked, “Am I going crazy?”
No, Chuck, I’ve been talking to you all along, but I didn’t think you could hear me. Can you?He tilted his head.
A small nod. “Yeah, I can.”
Holy shit! This is incredible! Chuck, I have so much to tell you! Like how much I like being your partner, and what a douche Jaxon is, and that you don’t need to worry about Reena and…
Laughing, she put her hands on his shoulders. “Slow your roll there, turbo. I didn’t catch all of that. But I agree, Jaxon can be a douche sometimes. I can’t hear all of it. It comes in and out, like radio static.” She gestured towards the car’s radio face plate. “A crackling interference for some reason, but it’s getting clearer.” She leaned back and studied him, a small smile gracing her lips. “You have a very deep voice, it’s nice. Soothing almost.”
Malachi flinched as her subtle angel glow brightened momentarily. It did that when she was making monumental decisions.
“We are going to fix this. But we need to figure out how it was placed. Can you tell me—”
Her next words were interrupted by the squawk of her radio, a call to attach herself to an ongoing situation. She immediately shifted back intoofficer mode and confirmed she was en route. “Okay, Mal, more later, we’ve got to help out with a suspect who’s on the run. Hang on!”
The vehicle lurched forward, and Malachi stumbled a bit trying to keep his balance on the cushion of the front seat. He woofed happily at the action then loosed a small victory howl.
“Mal!” Chuck shouted, “Not in the car!” She chuckled at his sheepish grin.
Within minutes, Chuck pulled to a stop and leapt from the car to find out what the plan was. Shortly, she released him, and he heeled at her side.Who do I get to bite today? What scumbag am I taking down?
Chuck shook her head slightly, waving at him to quiet down. He sat with an exasperated huff and took small pleasure in the way her lips tightened, trying to fight off a smile at his reaction. Deciding to mess with her, he stuck his wet nose in her palm that was hanging at her side. Disappointingly, she didn’t flinch. He lightly bit one finger and licked her hand.
Squishing his nose in her fingers, she shook it slightly and cleared her throat at the arched eyebrow the scene lieutenant gave her.
“Problems with your K-9?” the man asked with a dry drawl.
“No, sir, he just knows there’s bacon when he’s successful, so he’s anxious to proceed.” Chuck turned to face him. “After… Malachi, not yet. Be a good boy.” She widened her eyes and frowned, silently telling him to cool it.
Malachi sat up straight and waited at attention as a good dog should.I’ll show her who’s a good boy once she sees my human form,he thought carefully so she wouldn’t hear it. Listening closely, he tuned in to the conversation. The suspect was a male who had taken a neighbor’s child hostage in an attempt to keep officers from arresting him on drug charges. He was now hiding somewhere in the neighborhood where they’d lost track of him. A helicopter buzzed overhead, but they had no line of sight either.
Chuck led him to the suspect’s car and let him take a good whiff. Scent firmly locked in his nose, Malachi woofed to confirm he was ready. Backing up, he closed his eyes and let his mind roam, sensing those around him, searching for a dark evil soul.
