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against his chest as he would a child. “Right, let’s get out of here.”
    As they made their way back to the front door Rick contacted TJ on the radio. “We’re ready for pickup, Pops.”
    The radio crackled. “You’re ready for a punch in the face.”
    Rick laughed as they paused at the door and waited for the minivan to pull in to the parking lot. Once it stopped at the entrance he slid open the door and they loaded Axe inside.
    Mike waited as Rick reactivated the alarm and locked the front door. Then TJ passed a wrench through the driver’s window. Rick used it to smash one of the windows. As he leapt into the van a siren wailed.
    “That’s your plan?” Mike asked.
    As TJ drove the van out of the parking lot Ernie leapt in through the open door and Rick slammed it shut. “Damn straight. And might I add it’s pretty much the best plan ever.”
    “Not bad, Rick. Now shut your pie hole,” snapped TJ.
    Rick whispered, “He doesn’t like his call sign.”
    Mike cradled Axe’s head on his lap. “Guys, you’re the best.”
    “You’re not going to cry are you?” asked Rick.
    “Rick, shut your pie hole,” Mike said.
    Twenty minutes later, Axe was sleeping on a duvet at the end of Mike’s bed as the men discussed the dog’s future over a beer in the living room.
    “What’s your plan now you’ve got him here?” TJ asked as he sucked back a Coors .
    Mike let his shoulders drop as he sat on the couch. “I guess I’m gonna have to do something about his temperament or I won’t be able to leave him with anyone when we’re on jobs.”
    “So you’re going to keep him?” asked Rick.
    “I can’t trust him with anyone else.”
    “You need to take him to the vet I told you about. She’ll sort him out,” said Ernie.
    Rick grinned. “Any luck–”
    “Pie hole, Rick,” said TJ.
    Laughter filled the room as Mike took a swig from his beer. For the first time since Axe had been shot he felt hopeful. “OK, I’ll take him in to see her first thing tomorrow. TJ, do you mind if I’m a little late for work.”
    “Take the day off.”
    “What about us?” Rick asked.
    “Ernie can have a late start. You and I are going running, got to burn off all that pie you’ve been shoving in your hole.”
     
    ***
     
    “ Well , this is it, bud.” Mike opened the passenger door of his pickup and lifted Axe out. He carried the wounded dog across a dusty parking lot into the waiting room of the Iron Canyon Veterinary Clinic.
    A female receptionist looked up and smiled. “Hi.”
    “Hi. We’re here to see Doctor Alison Taylor.”
    “Perfect timing. Her last patient finished up early so you can take him straight through.”
    “Thanks.” Mike pushed the door open with his foot and carried Axe into the examination room.
    Doctor Taylor greeted him with a bright smile. “Hello. You can put him down over there.” She gestured to a table.
    Mike saw immediately why Ernie’s brother thought she was cute. A brunette with a button nose, lush mouth and green eyes, she wasn’t what he’d call a stunner but more the girl next door. He judged her height at around five-foot-six. Not short, but by no means tall. And, while she wore baggy scrubs, they couldn’t hide her curvy figure. Not really his type, but then this wasn’t about him.
    “Mike, isn’t it?”
    “Yeah, you must be Alison.”
    She nodded as she washed her hands. “On the phone you said he was shot?”
    Mike kept a close eye on Axe as the dog surveyed the room, every muscle tense. “Correct, he’s a Military Working Dog. Discharged as a result of the injury.”
    “And it was a little over two weeks ago?”
    “Yes, he’s recovering well but–”
    “His temperament has changed?” Alison added as she dried her hands.
    Mike nodded.
    “I see that a lot with heavy trauma. I get a lot of dogs with PTSD from being hit by cars or attacked by another animal.” She approached Axe. “OK handsome, let’s have a look at you.”
    The dog’s ears flattened