I should have slept.
Instead, I searched through the photograph sent to me.
I enlarged the image.
Behind Sombra was a cracked curb, a patch of weeds and the corner of a faded sign.
Nothing.
I looked through messages from residents.
Most repeated the same thing.
Dog near park.
Cannot walk.
Looks abandoned.
One message was different.
I think I’ve seen him before.
I called the number.
A man answered sleepily.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “You sent me a message about the black dog.”Shop Dog Food
A pause.
“Oh. Yeah.”
“You said you might have seen him before.”
“Maybe. I’m not sure.”
“Where?”
“Few weeks ago. Behind the old grocery store.”
My pulse changed.
“The one near Ridge Avenue?”
“Yeah.”
“Was he injured?”
“I don’t know. He was far away.”
“Was he alone?”
“I think so.”
“Could he walk?”
Another pause.
“Not right.”
“What does that mean?”
