Take a breath, Faith.You need to be in control when you talk to him.
She took several breaths, leaving Turk to enjoy his cake while she put on a television show for him.Their local channel was doing a marathon ofThe Dog Whisperer, one of Turk’s favorites.She switched it on and called Turk into the living room.“Okay, buddy!It’s your special day!Enjoy your super special show!”
Turk barked happily and plopped on the floor in front of the couch.He wagged his tail, excitedly watching an anxious bichon frise learn how to interact with people without trying to bite their fingers off.When Faith left the living room, he turned to her and barked questioningly.
“Be down in a minute!”she called.
He watched her for a moment, butThe Dog Whispererwas on, and he’d already made sure no one was trying to hurt her.She’d tell him if something was wrong, so he turned back to the tv and let himself enjoy his show.
Faith glared at David and pointed up the stairs.He shuffled up, head down.Like he was a goddamned child.
She waited until they were both in their bedroom with the door closed, then looked at him, arms folded across her chest.He stared at the floor and said nothing.David, so help me God…
“Well?”she said out loud.
He swallowed.“I’m sorry.”
“Screw your sorry,” she said, her tone calm but her demeanor conveying her anger.“What’s going on?”
He swallowed again and started shuffling his feet.She gripped her arms, resisting a disturbingly powerful urge to shake him.For God’s sake, he was thirty-nine years old.“David, what’s going on?”
He sighed.“You remember that military working dog I told you gave me odd signs?”
“Uh huh?”
“Well… I told you that I examined her again, and she looked fine.”
“Uh huh?”
“She… didn’t.I lied.”
Faith nodded.“Hmm.And then what happened?”
His brow furrowed.“Damn it, Faith, what was I supposed to do?They’re abusing those dogs.”
Theyare theUnited States Marine Corps,” Faith said.“Andtheywarned you to stop.Then you, apparently… Are those pictures of youspyingon Marine Corps Base Quantico?”
“They’re doing it there,” he insisted.“Whatever they’re doing—”
“Whatever they’re doing is clearly classified, David.That email… ‘take steps to ensure you can’t?’Did they threaten tokillyou?”
“I don’t know.”
“Oh, don’t be a fucking idiot, David.They threatened to kill you.That’s what a death threat looks like.You stepped in shit, and instead of bringing it to the attention of the people whose job it is to take care of shit, you waded even deeper and started rolling around in it.”
“I can’t let them keep abusing those dogs!”
“No one’s asking you to!”Faith snapped.
A questioning bark came from downstairs.Faith rolled her eyes and called back, “In a minute, Turk!”She glared at David.“You should have told me.I could have gotten you help.”
“What, the FBI?They’re just going to call the Corps, and the Corps is going to sweep it under the rug.It’s going to go to bureaucratic hell and die.Sierra’s going to keep being abused, and no one’s doing anything to stop it.I thought you’d be on my side.”
“I am on your—” She pressed her lips together and tapped her foot.She looked over his shoulder so she didn’t tear his goddamned head off and started over in a calmer voice.Well, a quieter one.“Iamon your side.Had you come to me from the very beginning, I would haveshownyou that I’m on your side.”
He shuffled his feet.
“David, stop acting like a kid caught with his hand in the damned cookie jar!You’re a grown man.Act like it.”
