Case Files of Officer Penelope

Chapter 5: Midnight Run

Coming home from work, all I wanted was to crash, but Hunter wasn’t himself. He sat by the couch, his tail barely twitching, eyes glassy. My chest tightened.

“Hunter, what’s wrong, boy?” His nose was warm, his usual energy gone. The nearest 24-hour vet was in Bridgton Bay—thirty minutes away. I hooked his leash and gently coaxed him into the truck. “Hang in there, buddy.”

The rain slicked the roads as we drove, Hunter’s head resting on my lap. His soft whines made my grip tighten on the wheel. At the clinic, I keyed in my details at the kiosk, stealing a glance at him. He looked so unlike himself, it hurt. “We’ll figure this out.”

The vet’s diagnosis—Sizzle Paw—hit me hard. She explained it wasn’t life-threatening but needed immediate treatment. The cost? $750.

I rubbed my neck, swallowing hard. I’d have to juggle finances, but there was no question—I’d pay it. Hunter was family.

As the vet began treatment, I placed a hand on his head. “We’ve been through worse, haven’t we, boy? You’ll be okay.”