“That was never my plan. Besides, he only paid attention to Su-Ling. Those girls are all so gorgeous.”

“They just know how to distract him. You’re smart and beautiful. You have to —”

I stop listening to Morgan and stand up as Dr. Fielding comes into the reception area.

“Is, is … he okay?” I ask.

She smiles and nods. “He’s a very lucky dog. We stabilized him. His vital signs are good. He may have a small fracture in the pelvic area. We’ll need to take X-rays to see. Did you call your parents?”

“We couldn’t reach them. But it’s all right — I can pay for this. I have money in my bank account.”

“Well, he’s resting comfortably now. I’d like to keep him overnight in any case for observation. If your parents are good with it, you can fill out the forms for … Diesel, is it?”

I nod.

“And they can sign when they come in.”

“Thank you so much!” I clasp my hands together. Morgan has the overnight delay she wants. “Um, do you have an idea of how much this will cost?”

“Stabilization comes to eight hundred. With the overnight stay, X-rays, and any treatment, I’m afraid we’re looking at just under two thousand.”

I gulp. It will wipe everything out of my account, all my babysitting money, and I’ll have to borrow another twenty dollars. Still. I can do this, and if I can save Diesel, maybe this summer can turn out all right after all. “Thanks again. I’m so happy you could help my dog.”

She smiles. “It’s what we’re here for.” She waves and then heads back into the office behind the reception desk.

“Hurry up with the form,” Morgan hisses at me. “We want to get going as quickly as possible.”

I zip through the questions. My name, his name, his age, our address and phone number. Pet insurance: none. His breed. I begin to slow down. T. Rex, I can hear Morgan saying, but I write down Australian cattle dog. Weight … oh, around fifty pounds. Is he neutered? Yes. Shots, yes, but I don’t know the dates. Then I turn the clipboard in to the receptionist.

“What now?” I ask Morgan. “Do you know the bus routes for this area?”

“No. Let’s take a cab. If I’m right about this, the clock could be ticking.”

Confused, I squint at her a moment. “Where exactly are we going?”

“Westdale Avenue. I never told you, but I found that Smart Car we saw at the park there. It may have a dent or some of Diesel’s DNA on the bumper. We’re going to confront the driver.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea? What if he’s violent?”

“It’s a she. Do you have a better idea?”

I shake my head.

“I’ll get us a cab.” Morgan speaks into her phone, then turns back to me. “On its way.”

“See you tomorrow,” I tell the receptionist as we head for the door.