Page 38 of So Savage

“They were all K9 handlers.”

Dr.Hayes shook his head slightly.“Why would that be a motive for me?Do you think I dislike K9 handlers?”

He seemed genuinely confused and a little upset.He didn’t seem guilty or afraid at all.Faith feared that she was barking up the wrong tree again.

What an unfortunate analogy.

“You were forced out of the Army, right?”

Dr.Hayes stiffened slightly.“I suppose you could say that.I was informed that I wouldn’t be considered for promotion to Brigadier General and asked to retire.”

“And that stemmed from your failed attempt to reform the military’s protocols when it comes to handling K9s.”

He stiffened a little more.“Yes.The Army feared that I was too diametrically opposed to its vision and would serve as a poor example to younger veterinarians.”

“How did that make you feel?”

Dr.Hayes sighed.“I wasn’t happy, but that doesn’t mean I’m a murderer.”

“But you have access to a very specific synthetic hormone.That hormone was present at all three crime scenes in all three canine victims.It’s not the sort of hormone that just anyone could have.”

His eyes widened.“Wait.Are you saying Primax was found at all three crime scenes?”

“If Primax is the synthetic hormone you guys created to shorten the time of onset of tranquilizing sedatives, then yes.”

“Oh my God.”Hayes leaned forward and steepled his hands, resting his chin on his thumbs.“Oh my God.”

“Oh yes.So, can you tell me where you were last night?”

“I was here.I’m actually coming to the end of my shift.”

Faith frowned.“Really?They work you guys overnight?”

"At the moment, the senior researchers rotate to different shifts every few weeks.I happen to be on the night shift now."

“And you can prove that?”

“I can.It will require a visit to our security office.”

“Then let’s go.”

Hayes got to his feet and led them out of the office.He was far more subdued now than he was before and kept glancing furtively behind at the FBI agents.

Still, he wasn’t showing guilt.The anxiety he showed was more general.He didn’t look worried for himself, just upset to hear the news Faith had brought him.

She began to worry that she had once more found a lead, only to walk right into a dead end.

Dr.Hayes knocked on a door marked security.A voice inside called, “Who is it?”and Dr.Hayes called.“It’s Nathan!”

“What do you want?”the irritable interior voice called.

“I’m here with Special Agent Faith Bold of the FBI,” Hayes said.“She needs to see security footage from last night to prove that I couldn’t have killed someone.”

“What?”

The door opened, and a pudgy man who looked like he needed to show ID every time he ordered alcohol stared in shock at the three of them.His eyes fell to Turk, and he swallowed nervously.

“Don’t worry,” Faith said.“He’s harmless.Unless he needs to be otherwise.”

---