This time, he was on the news, accused of molesting the two preteen girls he and his wife were fostering. In fact, both adults were taking turns with the girls, and there was speculation they had been doing it to at least a dozen other children they had fostered over the past decade.

Buttons had known. There was nothing about the man’s appearance that screamed child molester! Andrew didn’t know how the beagle had known, but he was positive Buttons had sniffed out the man’s dark soul as easily as he could his treats.

So why wasn’t he going bananas now?

Because it’s just a kid and Buttons knows stupid when he smells it. You can’t get mad at stupid. Only feel pity.

The footsteps stopped.

Andrew waved his hand for Ryker to come over. He pointed at the dog.

“See how chill he is?”

“Yeah,” Ryker said.

“I think that’s his way of telling us to settle down.”

“Or he’s just too nice for his own good. Or too old.”

Andrew didn’t have time to go into the molester story.

Whoever was out there wasn’t far from the front door.

“I’m going out with Buttons,” Andrew said.

“Not without me, you aren’t.”

“Hold on a sec.”

Andrew went to the supply closet and dug into the back, where he’d hidden the rifle. When Nikki saw it, she screamed, “Have you lost the plot? A gun?”

Kate didn’t turn around to look or utter a word. That worried Andrew deeply. He needed to get rid of this moron and focus all of his attention on her instead.

“Seriously?” Ryker said, eyeing the rifle.

“I promise I won’t shoot anyone.”

“Oh, well, then that makes me feel better.” Ryker mopped his brow with his forearm.

“I’m calling the police before you end up in jail,” Nikki said. She ran to the bedroom to look for her phone.

“Buttons, come here,” Andrew said. The beagle looked up from his bowl, water trickling off his snout, and padded over.

Andrew grabbed the doorknob and was about to twist it when he stopped, suddenly unsure. He took a deep, steadying breath and tried again, heart thudding, skin crawling, at war with himself but knowing deep down he had to see. More than anything, he had to see what was out there.

“He’s right outside. It’s now or never.”

Ryker grimaced, balled his fists, and said, “Fine. Let’s scare him away, not blow him away.”

All Andrew could do was nod. His teeth were clamped so hard, it felt as if his jaw had locked.

Buttons stayed between them, sniffing at the door but still not raising his hackles.

So why am I so freaked out?