Page 313 of Mangled Memory
I pry open the SD compartment and pop out the card.
Franklin stretches from his bed in the sitting room, curious about what I’m doing. “Want to go see what’s on this card? It could be a grand reveal or it could be empty. What do you think?”
His muscular tail swishes, and he pounces for the card.
“You can’t eat this, silly boy. That’s not how you want to meet your vet.”
I ascend the stairs slowly, laughing at his determined little hops. Christian wasn’t lying when he said fearless and intelligent, though in this dog’s case, I think fearless is at the forefront.
His short legs mean he takes the stairs one at a time, but it won’t be long before he takes them two or three at a time. I’m enjoying all the stages. “You can do it, Franklin. Ten more.”
“What are you two up to?” Christian stands outside his office watching our interaction.
I raise the SD card between my fingers.
“I found my equipment from the ridge that day. I don’t know whether I’m hoping it’s empty or has something on it. Either way…” I leave the thought dangling. Both ways have their good and their bad. The question is which is worse.
“Want some company?”
“Sure, but prepare yourself. It could be anticlimactic.”
“And if it’s not?” He grabs my hand when he makes it to the stairs, scooping up Franklin in the other, and leading us both to the studio.
Christian
My wife slides into her chair, and Franklin runs for the blue sofa, missing the seat and faceplanting into the cushion.
“Down.” The dog sits, but mostly he does that with any word we say.
My wife may not know the breed, but I do. They’re notoriously hard-headed, but they’re protective as fuck. If Ayla wants to traipse with bears, Franklin will pull out its throat before it has a chance to growl. Same with any man, woman, or child who wants to fuck with her… in a field, near a lake, on a ridge. Give the command and he will execute.
Without training, though, he’s just a terror on four paws with a perfected puppy dog sad-eyed expression to get his way.
“Stay.”
He doesn’t do that either.
I stand at his side looking down my nose, making sure he knows who the alpha is. It sure won’t be my wife.
She’s feisty and sharp, but she’s mush for any baby of the canine variety, so someone needs to step up.
Her face registers surprise. “The disk is full.”
That doesn’t make sense unless her camera filled the card on the day of her accident.
Then her face blanches of all color. Her hand flies to her mouth before sliding up to her temple to stroke the now-healed scar.
“No fucking way.”
44
picture perfect
Christian
“What is it?”
She shakes her head but leans into the monitor as if getting closer will undo what she’s seen. She clicks several buttons and voices comes from the computer speakers.
