Stan remained on the terrace for another minute, wanting to finish his coffee as he watched the sun climb higher above Velaris.
But as he took one more sip, immediately regretted it, and carried the mug inside.
At 6:11, his phone rang.
[Commissioner Hale.]
Stan's smile faded a little as he answered. "Commissioner."
"Mr. Harrison." Hale sounded exhausted. "I hope I'm not interrupting your morning."
"Not really. What's happened?"
A brief pause followed.
"Damien Bale was found at 4:10 this morning. An alley behind a cold-storage warehouse in the industrial district."
Stan leaned against the kitchen counter. "Found by whom?"
"The K-9 unit. They were searching the area when one of the dogs picked up his scent."
Hale stopped briefly, as if deciding how much to say next.
"Actually, that's not entirely accurate. The dog tracked him to the mouth of the alley and then refused to go any farther. Wouldn't move, wouldn't follow commands. The handler eventually went in alone."
