I invited the officer and Mrs. Miller inside, trying to maintain composure as I led them to the living room. Lili, sensing the tension, sat silently beside me, clutching her favorite teddy bear. The puppies were now nestled comfortably with Marsa in the corner, oblivious to the brewing storm.
The officer’s face softened slightly as he watched Marsa with the puppies, but his voice was still firm when he spoke. “We’ve received reports of missing puppies from the local shelter,” he began. “They believe someone has been taking them one by one.”
Mrs. Miller chimed in, her voice a mix of accusation and concern. “I saw Marsa on my way back from the market,” she said, her sharp eyes shifting from me to the basket. “She was crossing the street with a little one in her mouth. It was unusual enough for me to mention it.”
I looked at Marsa, who was now sleepily purring with her makeshift family. It made no sense. Marsa had always been our gentle companion, never showing any signs of mischief apart from the occasional stolen sock. But this was different. This was entirely out of character.
