“Lance Black,” Jasper read. He held out his hand. “Jasper Tiller, and again, thanks.”
They shook. “Don’t mention it.”
Parting was a bit awkward as they both wished each other a good night, Lance throwing in a comment about him getting better and hoping that he found his dog. Jasper remained in the doorway until the taillights of the pickup disappeared from sight. Only then did he shuffle inside and do exactly as he said, with one minor detail. After he’d popped his pain pills and retrieved his glass, he took his phone into the living room and sought out the number of the local shelter. If someone turned Noir in, he wanted them to know she was being looked for, that she was not some random stray. With that deed done, he piled some pillows on the far end of the couch and lay down, a light
