Chapter 13 - WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN THE PARK
The full story came out over the next forty-eight hours.
It was uglier than any of us expected.
Colin Carter had stolen more than three million dollars from his brother’s law firm.
Auditors were closing in.
He needed chaos.
A crisis big enough to distract Daniel, frighten investors, bury financial questions, and create a public battle that could last months.
He knew Daniel hated negative publicity.
He also knew Emily frequently visited Centennial Park with Natalie.
Through a mutual contact, Colin found Ethan Vale.
Vale already hated Titan.
The plan was simple.
Release a harmless snake near Emily.
Film Titan detecting it.
If Titan charged, the video could be edited into a sensational “police dog attacks child” story.
Daniel would sue.
Colin would push the lawsuit publicly.
While everyone fought the city, he would erase financial records and disappear.
Except Vale changed the plan.
He brought a real rattlesnake.
A Western rattlesnake illegally collected outside Seattle.
He wanted Titan to be bitten.
Or better yet, he wanted Titan to panic, attack someone, and be put down.
But Titan did what trained dogs do.
He identified the real danger.
And protected the child.
Lucas Bennett had been hired to film the incident.
He claimed he believed the snake was harmless.
When he learned what Vale had actually done, he threatened to go to police.
Vale kidnapped him.
Everything after that unraveled quickly.
Colin was charged with kidnapping, conspiracy, embezzlement, child endangerment, and a list of federal financial crimes.
Vale survived the rattlesnake bite.
Barely.
When Marcus told me, I felt nothing.
Not disappointment.
Not relief.
Just exhaustion.
Daniel publicly withdrew every threat of legal action.
Then he did something unexpected.
He called a press conference.
I watched it from Titan’s hospital room.
Daniel stood behind a bank of microphones.
Natalie beside him.
Emily holding her mother’s hand.
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
Good.
He should have been.
“My first reaction to the incident involving Officer Jack Mercer and K9 Titan was anger.”
Camera shutters clicked.
“I saw incomplete footage. I saw my daughter on the ground. I assumed the worst.”
He paused.
“And I spoke publicly before I knew the truth.”
That alone was rare.
A lawyer admitting he was wrong.
Daniel continued.
“K9 Titan did not attack my daughter.”
Emily smiled.
“He saved her life.”
I looked at Titan.
He was asleep.
His shoulder surgery had gone well.
Dr. Patel expected a full recovery.
Daniel continued on television.
“Twice.”
The reporters erupted with questions.
Daniel raised one hand.
“I also want to say something to the people who demanded that this dog be destroyed based on a thirteen-second video.”
The room quieted.
“I was one of you.”
Another pause.
“And I was wrong.”
Rachel squeezed my shoulder.
“That should help.”
“Maybe.”
Then Harris entered the room.
He carried an envelope.
“What’s that?”
“Your review.”
I stared at it.
“Already?”
“Internal Affairs finished analyzing your body camera.”
My stomach tightened.
The body cam had captured everything.
My failed commands.
Titan’s charge.
The child hitting the ground.
The snake.
All of it.
Harris handed me the envelope.
I didn’t open it.
“Well?”
He crossed his arms.
“Read it.”
I tore the top.
One page.
My eyes moved quickly.
Then stopped.
Rachel leaned forward.
“What does it say?”
I looked at Harris.
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
Because Titan had been cleared.
May you like
But I hadn’t.
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