Page 205 of Sin City Dark
“I need your help.” No time for pleasantries.
“What’s up?” Marti immediately sounded concerned.
“Blake gave Rolf Xanax.”
“He gave himwhat?”
“Xanax. Alprazolam tablets. 0.25 milligrams. I have the bottle right here.”
“How is he looking?”
“Sleepy. Bit of ataxia. I got him to get up and drink some water.”
A pause. “OK. First, take a deep breath for me.”
“OK.”
“Are you positive that’s what he gave him?”
Jannie’s fingers tightened around the prescription bottle. “Yes.”
“You’re sure he only gave him one?”
She could always tell when Blake was lying. “I’m sure.”
“Good. He’s a German Shepherd; that’s a lot of dog. He ingested one Xanax. If he were a Chihuahua, it would be different.”
“What do I do?”
“Now, you know I’m obligated to tell you to bring him in,” Marti said. “But as long as he’s breathing OK and conscious and you feel comfortable watching him throughout the night, you can monitor him at home. If he starts to show any other symptoms, you’ll need to take him to the emergency vet.”
Jannie’s shoulders relaxed. “OK. What should I expect?”
“A very sleepy GSD.”
“That’s it?”
“Pretty much. There could always be adverse reactions, but you can watch for those.”
“How long before he returns to normal?”
“Twenty-four hours, thirty-six at the most. Just keep an eye on him and let him sleep it off. He probably won’t want to eat tonight. Don’t worry about that. He’s going to wake up very hungry but will still be ataxic in the morning. A bit sleepy when not interacted with until the afternoon. But he should be OK.”
Jannie finally exhaled. She rolled her shoulders. “Thank you, Marti. You’re the best.”
“Of course! That’s what I’m here for. And don’t be such a stranger. Let’s do lunch soon.”
“Sounds good.”
“Oh, and tell Blake he’s a douche.”
Jannie smiled. “Thanks again.”
She ended the call, then went to Rolf and gently massaged his thick neck. “You’re gonna be just fine, pupper.”
Rolf groaned and nuzzled her palm. Poor dog. Her stomach clenched at the thought of what Blake had done to him. Moreover, she couldn’t believe her ex had shown up here again.
In a yellow Speedo. And taking benzodiazepines. What the hell had happened to the husband she knew?
