“I ran off a group of kids loaded with open cans of spray paint.” Tyson scowled. “Caught them right before they hit the education building.”
“Did you call the police?”
“No, they were harmless enough and no damage was done.” Taking a drink, Tyson shrugged. “I doubt they’ll be back. Almost getting caught scared them good.”
“You’re probably right, but if you see them again, let me know.” Vandalism hadn’t been a problem so far, but one never knew what trouble a group of bored teens could find.
“Will do, Boss.”
“Our new cameras will be in this week. Could you come in Thursday to help install them?”
Tyson reached for his phone and checked his calendar. “I have an exam in the morning but could come after.”
Carl tended to forget Tyson was a college student, even though he worked the schedule around his classes. “How’s two o’clock?”
“Should be fine.”
“Let’s plan for that, and if anything changes let me know.” Silence fell as he dug into his meal.
Tyson finished and returned to work. Carl kept a discreet eye on Luna, waiting for an opportunity to speak with her alone. Although he was paying for Hope’s care, all contact with the vet was through Luna. For all intents and purposes, Hope was now her dog.
She went to the line and grabbed dessert. To his joy, she headed his way.
He darted a glance to the girls and saw one of the other residents entertaining them. They were good kids, rarely made a fuss over anything. Skye was two and a half and had a blooming personality. Mercy, a month shy of a year, loved the attention she received from being Hope House’s youngest resident. Five months of safe living in the shelter had given them a stability neither had known in their short life.
“Aloni sent me over with dessert for you.” Luna set a plate in front of him that had an oversized slice of pie heaped with vanilla ice cream.
“Thanks.” So, she’d come on a mission from Aloni, a small truth that dampened his excitement she’d approached him. Nonetheless, he wouldn’t waste the opportunity. “Care to join me?”
Her gaze drifted to her girls across the room. “Okay.”
It wasn’t an enthusiastic acceptance, but he’d take it. “Aloni makes the best pies.”
“I agree.” Luna sat next to him. She dragged a spoon over her dessert but didn’t dig in.
“Any word on Hope this morning?”
She rested her spoon against the bowl’s rim. “Dr. Scott called this morning. He said there had been little improvement.”
“But there was some?” He was surprised how much he cared about the dog.
Her shoulder lifted a nudge then fell. “Not enough to make him optimistic.”
“Don’t give up hope. Miracles can happen.”
“I know.” Her lips quivered. “It’s dumb, but I connected with her. I understand her.”
“Hey, now. That’s not dumb at all.” He caught her gaze and held it. “No matter what happens, Hope will know she was loved because you cared enough to stop and get her help.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” She wrung her hands but didn’t elaborate.
He gave her time, knew better than to push. Luna was anything but fragile, however, he didn’t want to accidentally open any old wounds or reignite any insecurities. The abuse she’d suffered from Manny had cut her deep, the level of which Carl would probably never know.
Finally, she spoke. “Dr. Scott gave me permission to stop in and see her today. They have a tech on staff twenty-four seven who could let me in.”
“That’s great. Are you going this afternoon?”
“Rachel organized a craft time for all the kids at four, so I thought that would be a good time to slip away.” She dropped her hands to her lap. “The thing is, my car’s acting up, and I can’t have it checked until I get paid Friday. The shelter van can get me to work this week, but not to the vet. Could you give me a ride?”
