Riya’s eyes widened. “You wantmeto call him?”
“A man is injured. And you’re here.”
Riya hesitated only half a second. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Dhillon’s number. Now was not the time for awkwardness. This was purely professional. She wasn’t trying to find out what he was doing all dressed up on a Saturday afternoon.
“Hello.” That voice that had brought her comfort and angst came through the phone without the warmth she was used to.
“Hey. Uh, Dhillon. It’s Riya.” Duh, he knew that.
“Yeah. What’s up?” He was short.
“I’m at a scene, and we have a situation. Do you have any tranks for a dog in your vet-to-go bag? Looks like a seventy-pound German shepherd. Won’t let the paramedics near the victim.” She cleared her throat. “We need it quick.”
“Where is the scene?” Dhillon’s voice changed from hard and stoic to concerned.
“Bridge over Little Patuxent, but you’ll have to walk in.”Keep it clinical.
“No problem. I’m in the traffic backup. Be there in five.”
Riya tapped her phone off and turned to Ambrose. “He said five minutes. He’s here, in the traffic.”
“Okay.” Ambrose nodded and started to walk away.
“Anything else I can do?” Riya asked.
He turned and took in her appearance. “Not exactly dressed for the job, are you?”
She looked down at her sundress and shrugged. “I can manage.”
“Not what I meant.” He turned and went back to managing the scene. “Should have a trank here in a few minutes.” He nodded at Evans and Alvarez. “In the meantime, get the generator out. Let’s get the Jaws ready to go. Have EMTs standing by.”
Five minutes was a long time for that poor man to be sitting and waiting. Riya made like she was going back to her car but cut across to the vehicle with the dog. She could at least give it a try while they waited.
She walked over to the car with the dog. Sure enough, even Evans was unable to get close enough to the door with the Jaws of Life. Every time someone tried to get close, the dog lunged.
Riya approached. “Hey, Evans, Alvarez.”
Both men turned to face her, exchanging glances between them. “You can’t be here,” Alvarez said.
“The vet is on the way,” she said as she got closer to the car.
“Yeah, but you can’t—” Alvarez started.
Riya took a few steps closer to the car. The dog lunged again, barking, teeth bared. She had no food to distract him. She spoke softly and quietly, keeping her heart rate calm. The dog ceased barking for a second as he assessed this newcomer. She took another step, and he resumed his aggression.
“You’ll never get in without food.” Dhillon’s voice came from behind her.
She closed her eyes. No matter how long she lived, or how often she heard it, the sound of his voice would always make her melt inside.Damn it.She nodded but didn’t move.
“No sudden movements. He’s going to have to ingest the tranquilizer for us to get past him,” Dhillon said, softly and calmly.
She nodded again.
“I’m going to come up beside you. Then you can slowly retreat.”
He tossed a treat to the dog.
“Okay.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him take a few steps, speaking quietly. The dog responded to Dhillon, eating the treats and calming down just slightly. Dhillon got closer and closer, until he was within arm’s reach.
