Marcus had accepted the explanation.
The dog had been nervous during their first meeting, but after several weeks, they had become inseparable.
Now, standing in the hospital corridor, Marcus began to realize that there were details about Rex's past he had never been told.
Emily held the metal tag carefully.
"Marcus, I need you to understand something. I didn't ask you to come here."
"I didn't say you did."
"But somebody wanted you to find me."
Marcus looked toward the dog.
"Who?"
Emily glanced at the sealed corridor.
"I think Rex knows."
4. ROOM 417
Suddenly, Rex pulled against the leash.
His ears lifted.
He stared toward the end of the hallway.
Marcus tightened his grip.
"Easy, boy."
But the dog didn't settle.
He took another step.
Then another.
His breathing became faster.
Emily looked at Marcus.
"What's wrong with him?"
Marcus studied Rex's posture.
"He recognizes something."
"What?"
"I don't know."
Rex suddenly barked.
The sound echoed through the hospital.
Several nurses turned.
A patient near the reception desk stood up.
Marcus tried to calm the dog.
"Rex! Stay!"
But Rex refused to move backward.
Instead, he pulled toward a restricted corridor marked:
AUTHORIZED MEDICAL PERSONNEL ONLY.
A nurse hurried toward them.
"Sir! You can't take the dog down there!"
Marcus showed her his military identification.
"I need access to Room 417."
"That room is closed."
"Open it."
"I can't do that."
Emily stepped forward.
"He's with me."
The nurse looked at her.
"Doctor, you know that room isn't part of the current patient wing."
Emily nodded.
"I know."
"Then you also know we need authorization."
Before Emily could respond, a deep voice came from behind them.
"Nobody is opening that room."
They turned.
A middle-aged man in a white coat stood near the nurses' station.
His name was Dr. Richard Lawson, the hospital's chief medical administrator.
He looked directly at Marcus.
Then at Rex.
Then at the metal tag in Emily's hand.
For a fraction of a second, his expression changed.
Marcus noticed.
"Do you know what this is?"
Lawson adjusted his glasses.
"It's an old identification plate."
"Whose?"
"I wouldn't know."
Emily held it up.
"Then why did you just recognize it?"
Lawson's face hardened.
"Doctor Carter, you are interfering with a restricted hospital matter."
Emily stepped closer.
"This is a medical emergency."
"No. It isn't."
Rex suddenly growled.
The sound was low and unmistakable.
Lawson took a step backward.
Marcus looked at him.
"Why is this dog reacting to you?"
"I have no idea."
"Then perhaps you should stop standing in front of the door."
Lawson glanced toward the security cameras.
Then he looked at Marcus.
"Sergeant, I strongly recommend that you leave."
Marcus didn't move.
"Not without an explanation."
Lawson's expression became colder.
"You're not in command here."
Marcus nodded.
"You're right."
He looked down at Rex.
"But he might be."
5. THE EMERGENCY
Rex suddenly lunged forward.
Marcus barely managed to hold the leash.
The dog charged down the corridor, pulling him toward the restricted doors.
"REX!"
Emily hurried after them.
Two nurses stepped aside.
Dr. Lawson shouted.
"Stop them!"
But nobody moved quickly enough.
Marcus reached the corridor entrance.
A security door stood ahead.
It was locked.
Rex scratched at the lower edge.
Then he barked again.
Emily looked at the electronic panel.
"That door is connected to the old medical wing."
Marcus turned.
"Can you open it?"
"I need an access card."
Lawson appeared behind them.
"Nobody is entering that wing!"
Emily faced him.
"Then tell us what's inside."
"That's confidential."
Marcus took a step toward him.
"Confidential from whom?"
Lawson didn't answer.
Marcus pointed at the metal plate.
"My brother's name is on this."
Lawson's face tightened.