Small.
Metallic.
A silver whistle.
She pulled it free.
Victoria stared.
“What is that?”
Claire raised the whistle to her lips.
“Last warning.”
Victoria laughed.
For half a second.
Then Claire blew one sharp blast.
The sound was piercing.
Atlas instantly stopped moving.
His ears came forward.
His body became perfectly still.
His eyes locked on Claire.
Victoria blinked.
“What the—”
Behind her, the front gate slammed open.
The sound was violent enough to make her spin.
The camera of the neighborhood security system mounted above the porch light pivoted sharply.
Three black SUVs surged through the open gate.
The first stopped hard.
Doors flew open.
Several men and women in dark tactical vests rushed through.
Two working dogs jumped from the second vehicle.
Victoria stepped backward.
“What is this?”
One of the federal K-9 agents pointed directly at Atlas.
“Step away from our K-9, ma’am—he’s federal property.”
Victoria froze.
The baseball bat slowly lowered.
Claire closed her eyes.
For the first time that afternoon, she allowed herself to breathe.
Atlas didn't move.
He simply stood beside her.
Perfectly still.
Waiting for the next command.
The agent approached.
“Ma'am, put the bat on the ground.”
Victoria stared at him.
“You're federal agents?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you on private property?”
The agent looked at the broken signal box.
Then at Atlas.
Then at Claire.
“Because that dog is part of an active federal protection program.”
Victoria's mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Another agent stepped through the gate.
“Everyone stay calm.”
Victoria finally found her voice.
“I am the president of this HOA.”
The first agent didn't blink.
“I don't care.”
The words landed harder than the bat ever could.
Victoria stared at him.
“You can't talk to me like that.”
“I can.”
He pointed at the ground.
“Put the bat down.”
Slowly, Victoria lowered it.
The bat struck the stone with a metallic clatter.
Atlas watched her.
Claire kept one hand on his collar.
The second K-9 agent approached Claire.
“Mrs. Morgan?”
Claire nodded.
“Yes.”
“Are you injured?”
“No.”
“Is the baby okay?”
“I think so.”
The agent's expression softened.
“Good.”
He looked at Atlas.
“Good boy.”
Atlas remained motionless.
The agent smiled.
“Still working.”
Claire finally let out a shaky breath.
Victoria looked between them.
“Wait.”
Everyone turned.
“You know her?”
The agent nodded.
“We know both of them.”
Victoria's face changed.
“What does that mean?”
“It means you should have listened when she told you to stay back.”
Victoria pointed toward Atlas.
“You're telling me this dog belongs to the federal government?”
The agent looked at her.
“Yes.”