Page 30 of Outside the Veil
“Not at all. Go right ahead.”
The officer slid the cover back, poked around for a few moments and closed it again. He sauntered back to Diego’s rolled-down window, tapping the passport against his palm. “What’s in the back seat, sir?”
Diego turned to look without thinking. “Oh. That’s my dog.”
“Your dog.”
“Yes. He doesn’t like the car, so he hides under there. Finn, could you stick your head out so the nice man can see you?”
Finn nosed the silk far enough aside to expose his head but instead of waving them on, the officer’s mouth drew down further. “Pull over to the side, please, sir.”
“Is there a problem, Officer?”
“Just pull over there, sir. We’ll be right with you.”
Oh, God, please, please let this be a random search.He parked the truck, turned off the ignition and sat paralyzed, both hands clutching the steering wheel.
“Diego?” A wet nose nuzzled his ear. “You’re going to throw yourself into a fit. Deep breath. Another. That’s my braveheart. If we’re in a bad spot, you must tell me what needs to be done.”
“Don’t do anything, Finn, please. You’re a dog. Act like a dog.”
Finn growled.
“A nice dog.”
Diego turned and let out a nervous laugh. Finn sat on the back seat, tongue lolling out, tail wagging, with the bathrobe still around his shoulders.
“Perfect.”
The border guard had brought reinforcements. Four uniformed men surrounded the truck.
“Step out of the car, sir. Hands on top of your head.”
Diego eased out as instructed, hoping his knees would hold him. “Officer, if there’s something I’ve done…”
“Anything on you I should know about, sir?” The officer ignored the question as he patted Diego down. “Weapons? Needles?”
“No. Look, I’ve…”
The officer pulled his pills and the bottle of ginger root out of Diego’s jacket pocket. “What’re these?”
“The prescription’s seizure medication. The other bottle the vet gave me for my dog.”
“Run that, Mark.” The first officer tossed both containers to a second, who disappeared inside the customs building.
“I… Excuse me. Please. I need those.”I did take one this morning. Didn’t I?
“All right, Mr. Sandoval. If that’s really your dog, call him out here.” The officer opened the back door.
Diego tried to whistle but his mouth was too dry. “Finn, come out here, boy. Out here by me.”
A scrabble of claws and a whimper told him Finn was trying, but the truck frame must have given him pause. After two more tries, he jumped out and landed in a heap on the concrete.
“Please, he’s sick. This is cruel.”
“Call him over.”
“Finn, come here to me.” Diego crouched and had no sooner held out his arms than they were full of wriggling, black-furred canine. Finn licked his face with pleased little whines, his tail flailing back and forth like a windshield wiper on speed.
