Teaching time. “Did the dog look well fed?”

“Uh. No. It’s… He has a lot of fur, but he looks skinny. Shouldn’t he be more round-like?”

“He should. No one’s called the station with a missing dog report, so I’d guess someone abandoned him. He’s been living hard and is probably back here to raid the garbage bins.” Gabe didn’t add that the pup was lucky not to have been a bigger predator’s snack.

Niko glanced at the bins and nodded.

“Since we know he’s hungry, we’ll lure him out with some easy food.” Opening the lunchmeat, Gabe ripped off a strip of turkey and tossed it under the car.

A second later, gravel scraped. There was a chewing sound.

Niko got down on his belly to peer under the car. “He took it!”

“Now, we work on getting him closer.” The next piece of meat didn’t get thrown as far.

With each offering, the puppy crept closer and finally out from under the car to get the meat next to Gabe’s knee.

Gabe grabbed the little mite and held on through a frantic attempt to escape. When the dog settled, Gabe offered another piece of meat.

That was all it took.

Gabe gave the rest of the meat to Niko. “Your turn.”

The kid’s grin almost split his face.

“Will your parents let you keep him?”

To Gabe’s relief, the boy stopped to think before answering. “Uh-huh. We lost our dog during the winter cuz he was really old. And Dad was talking about getting another.”

Gabe eyed the pup who’d made itself at home in Niko’s lap…where the food was. Despite its hunger, the dog took the turkey strips politely. It would probably grow up into a damn good dog.

He had a feeling Niko would grow up into a damn good man.

“Can you get the dog to your car, or do you want me to carry him?”

“Uhhhh.” Niko bit his lip, looking awkward for the first time. “I can do it.”

Gabe eyed him. Might be his folks weren’t fans of the police? He shrugged. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d run into this. “Okay then. Please keep a grip on him so we don’t have to catch him again.”

“I will. Thank you, Chief!”

Smiling, Gabe headed out of the alley, crossed the street, and entered the municipal building.

“Hey, Chief. No messages, no disasters,” Regina reported with a smile.

“Good enough.” Lifting a hand, Gabe strolled past and into the station.

In the bullpen, Baumer was seated at his desk.

“What’re you doing in here on your day off?” Gabe asked. “Can’t stand to be away from the action?” Shoplifters, drunks, road-kill, fender-benders…

Baumer grinned. “Not that. But I’ve got something you should see.”

“Yeah?” Gabe walked over.

Baumer motioned.

Julie’s photo filled half the computer display.