“Mitchell, I got you, dude,” said Fieldston, cracking his knuckles. “I’ve seen ’em all, man. I deal with extreme cases. I’ve seen dogs that learn to turn on loud music late at night. I’ve had dogs who learn how to talk to Alexa. I had a dachshund last week? Kept dragging one of the kids in the household out of his bed at three in the morning. By the time I was done with him, he brought the mother of that family her slippers. Believe me, you’re not going to scare me one bit.” He glanced around the room. “Where is the little guy anyway?”

“He’s out on a walk with my wife and younger daughter.” Dad glanced over his shoulder worriedly. “They should be back any minute now.”

“Great,” said Fieldston. “This is smart. This way, I’m in the house before the dog is. He’ll know I’m the dominant male, that I can come and go as I please, while he has to be taken for a walk. Well played, Mitchell. You’re going to be happy you called me, my dude.”

Amy felt her anxiety build with every second she watched the athletic, enthusiastic dog whisperer pace and stretch in her living room. Just like she’d known to feel wary of Rover when he’d first started giving her those cold looks, she knew deep down that this guy was a bad idea. He obviously thought he’d seen everything—but that’s what everyone felt before meeting Rover. She wanted to help him, to warn him.

“This dog … isn’t normal,” Amy said.

“Amy,” Dad warned.

“It’s totally cool, Mitch,” said Fieldston. “Amy, you’d be surprised how often I hear that. And that’s exactly why I’m here—he’s not a normal dog. He’s a special case. Those’re all I deal with.”

“No,” said Amy. “I mean he has powers. He’s not just a dog.”

Fieldston cocked an eyebrow and opened his mouth—but then they heard the click of the front door.

“Hello?” Mom called out.

“In the den,” said Dad in a timid voice.

Mom, Katie, and Rover walked into the den. Mom froze, and Katie looked confused, but Rover seemed unfazed. He walked into the center of the room and stared up at Fieldston Kade with eyes that were calm, if not as cold as they usually were. Amy thought the look said, Well, well, what’s this?

“Mitchell, who’s this man?” asked Mom.

Before Dad could speak, Fieldston said, “Fieldston Kade. I’m a professional dog whisperer, ma’am. I’m here to take care of your problem.” Fieldston stared down at Rover and said, “Sit, Rover.”

Rover looked over at the family for a moment … and then he sat.