Dog won’t stop barking at teacher — his instinct uncovers a chilling secret…

Southern accent. Honey sweet but sharp as glass, she said. Kane rubbed the back of his neck.

What about Carolyn? Currently working as a substitute teacher at Willow Creek Elementary. She’s been in that district for three months under a falsified background check. Moran’s voice was sharp now.

We’ve got a window, and we’re taking it. By 9 a.m., Kane was behind the wheel again. Ranger riding shotgun like always.

Willow Creek was two towns over. Suburban, quiet, soccer fields, sandwich shops, and PTA moms who smiled too wide. It reminded Kane of too many places he’d seen go.

Sideways. The illusion of safety made it easier for predators to hide. As they pulled up to the school, Kane noticed parents still walking their kids in.

No clue of the danger possibly brewing just a few feet away. Inside, the front office buzzed with the usual morning chaos. The receptionist barely looked up as she buzzed them in.

We’re not expecting any police visits today, she said. We’re not here to chat, Kane replied, flashing his badge. I need to speak to Ms. DeWitt now.

The receptionist blinked. She’s subbing in third grade. Room 104.

Kane turned to Ranger. You ready, boy? Ranger stood up, tail stiff, eyes sharp. They moved.

Room 104 was a cheerful space. Alphabet rugs, fish tanks, and posters that read, Mistakes are proof you’re trying. But the moment Kane opened the door, the air changed.

A woman stood at the board writing math problems in neat, even lines. Blonde hair. Mid-forties.

Glasses. Ordinary. Too ordinary.

The kids turned in their chairs to look at the uniformed man and the canine in the doorway. Ms. DeWitt turned, a smile halfway across her face. Can I help you? She didn’t finish.

Ranger stepped forward. One sniff. One look.

His entire body tensed like a coiled spring. Then, a low growl. Kane moved in.

I need you to step outside, he said, voice flat. Right now. Excuse me, she replied, her tone hardening.

Is this about a parking violation or- I said step outside. She started to argue. But then Ranger growled again.

Louder. Children shifted in their seats, uncomfortable. Ms. DeWitt swallowed and placed her marker.

Down. Fine. In the hallway, Kane turned to the two officers who’d arrived seconds later and nodded.

They cuffed her without ceremony. You have no idea what you’re interrupting, she hissed. No, Kane said.

You have no idea what he smells. Back at the station the interrogation didn’t take long. Under pressure and when shown Natalie Graves’ signed testimony, Carolyn DeWitt cracked.

She was supposed to deliver the next girl over Easter break, Moran said. She had the- child picked already. A girl named Emma Alvarez…