Chapter 4
The arrival at the police station turned the tables instantly. The black sedan sped off the moment they saw the flashing lights of the patrol cars. Eli handed over the evidence he had been quietly gathering—not just the sensor logs, but the timestamps and shipping manifests he’d been tracking since his reinstatement.
The investigation blew wide open. The "smuggling ring" was tied to a high-ranking executive at the national corporate headquarters. It wasn't just about kittens and birds; it was a massive, international network. The press frenzy was unprecedented. Eli and Wren became the faces of a movement.
However, the strain began to take its toll on Eli. He hadn't slept in days, and he was constantly looking over his shoulder. The emotional weight of knowing how many animals had suffered in the dark began to haunt him. He spent long nights at the clinic, helping Renata with the rehabilitation of other rescued creatures. Wren never left his side, acting as a constant anchor, a reminder of why they had started this journey. The dog’s presence provided a quiet, steady rhythm to Eli's chaotic life, and in the small, shared moments of silence at the clinic, Eli found the strength to keep fighting for those who couldn't speak for themselves.
