Really,” Janet said, her voice warm but firm. “You did the right thing, telling someone. You helped save her.”

It wasn’t long before the paramedics stabilized the woman enough to transport her to the hospital. The boy insisted on riding with her, his small hand clutching hers the entire time.

Janet stood on the curb with Max, watching the ambulance pull away. The adrenaline that had carried her through the last half hour began to ebb, leaving a deep ache in her chest.

She looked down at Max, who was sitting calmly now, tail swishing gently. “You knew,” she murmured. “Before I did, you knew.”

Max gave her a slow blink, as if to say it was just part of the job.