Couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Jonathan touched his side.<\/p>\n
Kaiser whimpered.<\/p>\n
The young men were laughing.<\/p>\n
Jonathan looked up.<\/p>\n
Preston was still recording.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jonathan Hayes knew something was wrong when Kaiser stopped walking.<\/p>\n
<\/ins><\/div>\n
The old German shepherd froze beside him on the sidewalk, ears forward, body suddenly rigid.<\/p>\n
\u201cKaiser?\u201d<\/p>\n
The dog\u2019s eyes were fixed on the black SUV parked across the street.<\/p>\n
Jonathan followed his gaze.<\/p>\n
Three young men stood beside it.<\/p>\n
One held a phone horizontally.<\/p>\n
Recording.<\/p>\n
Another smiled.<\/p>\n
Not a friendly smile.<\/p>\n
Jonathan shortened Kaiser\u2019s leash.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, buddy.\u201d<\/p>\n
At sixty-eight, Jonathan had learned that the easiest fight to win was the one you refused to enter.<\/p>\n
<\/ins><\/div>\n
He turned toward home.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, old man!\u201d<\/p>\n
Jonathan kept walking.<\/p>\n
\u201cTalking to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Footsteps followed.<\/p>\n
Kaiser glanced backward.<\/p>\n
\u201cLeave it,\u201d Jonathan murmured.<\/p>\n
The dog obeyed instantly.<\/p>\n
That should have ended it.<\/p>\n
Instead, a hand grabbed Jonathan\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n
He turned.<\/p>\n
The young man couldn\u2019t have been older than twenty-five. Expensive jacket. Expensive watch. The careless confidence of someone who had rarely encountered consequences.<\/p>\n
<\/ins><\/div>\n
Jonathan recognized him.<\/p>\n
Preston Harrington.<\/p>\n
Everyone in Westport knew the Harrington name.<\/p>\n
His grandfather had built half the commercial district. His father owned development companies, restaurants, and enough property that local politicians attended his Christmas parties.<\/p>\n
Preston was famous for something less impressive.<\/p>\n
Videos.<\/p>\n
Pranks.<\/p>\n
Confrontations.<\/p>\n
\u201cSocial experiments,\u201d he called them.<\/p>\n
Mostly, he provoked strangers while friends recorded the reaction.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re filming the wrong guy,\u201d Jonathan said.<\/p>\n
Preston grinned.<\/p>\n
<\/ins><\/div>\n
\u201cRelax.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMove away from my dog.\u201d<\/p>\n
That made Preston look at Kaiser.<\/p>\n
The shepherd was twelve years old. Gray covered his muzzle. Arthritis had slowed his hips.<\/p>\n
But underneath the age was training that never disappeared.<\/p>\n
Preston stepped closer.<\/p>\n
Kaiser moved between them.<\/p>\n
Jonathan immediately commanded, \u201cStay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kaiser stayed.<\/p>\n
Preston laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s he going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing, if you leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/ins><\/div>\n
The phone remained pointed at them.<\/p>\n
Jonathan noticed another camera mounted inside the SUV.<\/p>\n
Multiple angles.<\/p>\n
They had planned this.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on,\u201d Preston said. \u201cMake him do something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jonathan stared at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is your last warning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Preston\u2019s smile widened.<\/p>\n
Then he kicked at Kaiser.<\/p>\n
Jonathan pulled the leash back.<\/p>\n
The kick missed.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/ins><\/div>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Preston turned toward the camera.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m literally standing here and this psycho\u2019s threatening me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jonathan\u2019s expression didn\u2019t change.<\/p>\n
\u201cWalk away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Preston lunged toward the dog again.<\/p>\n
This time Kaiser moved.<\/p>\n
Not forward.<\/p>\n
Sideways.<\/p>\n
He positioned himself between Jonathan and Preston.<\/p>\n
The young man swung his leg.<\/p>\n
His boot connected with Kaiser\u2019s ribs.<\/p>\n
<\/ins><\/div>\n
The sound was dull.<\/p>\n
Kaiser collapsed.<\/p>\n
Something inside Jonathan went completely still.<\/p>\n
He knelt immediately.<\/p>\n
\u201cKaiser.\u201d<\/p>\n
The shepherd tried to stand.<\/p>\n
Couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Jonathan touched his side.<\/p>\n
Kaiser whimpered.<\/p>\n
The young men were laughing.<\/p>\n
Jonathan looked up.<\/p>\n
Preston was still recording.<\/p>\n