Chapter 4 — A Foreign Object Near the Hinge — The Brightly Colored Chew Toy
Paul’s fingers brushed against the smooth rubber surface.
He pulled his hand back from beneath the cabinet door.
Resting on his palm was a bright yellow and blue rubber chew toy.
It was coated in a layer of fresh saliva.
Tiny puncture marks dotted the soft material.
They were clear impressions left behind by sharp canine teeth.
Toby stopped crying for a fraction of a second.
He sniffled loudly and stared down at his father’s hand.
That’s Rusty’s toy, Toby whispered, his voice trembling.
I left my toys in the living room.
I didn’t bring them in here.
George frowned, crossing his arms over his chest.
The old man looked down at the colorful object in Paul’s hand.
That doesn’t prove anything, George muttered stubbornly.
The dog could have dropped it there anytime today.
Paul did not reply to his father’s objection.
Instead, he turned his attention back to the lower cabinet structure.
He leaned in closer to examine the narrow gap between the bottom of the door and the hardwood floor.
The steel hinge mechanism appeared slightly bent out of alignment.