Chapter Text
7:55 in the evening.
Almost time to turn the lights off.
She ran her hands through her blonde hair.
It had been a rough day for Tricia.
She'd seen to several cats, dogs, birds, even a snake.
All standard fare, but she was getting more and more despondent each day.
People were getting dumber and less grateful, as their pets were getting more and more neglected.
Oh sure, every fourth person through was well mannered and respectful, but the ignorance and arrogance from the rest was taking its toll.
She had always loved animals more than people to begin with, but the last three years had really reinforced this attitude.
As time went on, the sole reason to still open her clinic anymore was financial.
And she hated that, she swore when going into veterinary medicine that it would never purely be for the money.
But people wore her down, so what other motivation was there?
Adding on to that was the amount of money needed to keep the place running.
It was getting to the point where she was considering holding a staff meeting to announce cutbacks, possibly even a lay-off or two.
"Unless some of them were already planning to go work for Chelsea", she thought to herself.
Ugh.
She just had to go and think of that narcissistic twit.
Even though Tricia had gotten the highest grades in their year, Chelsea was still convinced she was the best to care for animals.
And with her father's money and influence, she was able to get a better location for her clinic, which only fed into her delusion that she was the most skilled vet in the business.
Sure, she wasn't terrible by any means, but she was more concerned with perception and connection, like animal care was something to showboat over.
And yet, she was taking clients away from Tricia, so clearly they fell for the act Chelsea put on.
If only they knew what kind of person Chelsea really was...
Tricia shook her head, trying to get back to working out what to tell her staff.
She stepped out to the reception area, making sure all was quiet.
She was about to switch the lights off and lock up when she saw someone coming from the staff kitchen.
"Oh, Dr. Peters! I thought you were going to call an early night?"
"You know me, Betsy. I always hold out hope for a last minute patient to bring a little more money into the place."
Tricia's plump receptionist looked at her with concern.
"Are we doing that badly this month?"
"We've had worse, but we've had better."
Betsy looked like she was going to say something else, but Tricia cut her off.
"No matter what, I'm not firing you, Betsy. You've been loyal since day one, and where would we be without our star receptionist?"
Betsy beamed, resisting the urge to fidget with her brown hair upon being complemented by her boss.
Whether or not Tricia knew Betsy had a crush on her, Betsy had not ascertained, but Betsy believed her boss just didn't want to jeopardize their working relationship, so she admired her from afar.
Though if she HAD been let go, at least she could confess her feelings...
Interrupting the conversation at what seemed like an instant confirmation of Tricia's thinking was someone walking in to the clinic.
It took a moment, but both ladies recognized who stood before them.
A tall, dark lady who looked like she stepped right off a runway was in their presence.
A regular of Tricia's, her name was Gwyneth and she often brought her dogs in for shots and other concerns.
Tricia liked seeing Gwyneth, as she had never failed to be respectful and grateful, often acting like Tricia was a lifesaver, even if it was just for something as simple as removing a splinter from a paw.
"Mrs. Preston, is everything OK?"
"I'm sorry to come in without calling first, but it's an emergency, doctor."
Tricia's face fell.
"Oh no, is something wrong with one of your dogs?"
Gwyneth nodded, trying not to cry.
"Can we talk in private?"
"S-sure. Betsy, I'll see you Monday."
"You don't need me to stay with you?"
"I'll be fine, you go on home."
Betsy nodded, before wishing Gwyneth good luck.
Gwyneth went on.
"One of my puppies needed immediate medical attention, but she's too heavy for me to bring here."
"Is this a new dog? Every other dog you've brought in-"
"Yes, this is a special kind. I'll tell you more on the way, but I need you to come back to my place to see to her."
Tricia was taken aback.
A house call? For a puppy?
Something didn't seem right.
"Mrs. Preston, I'm sorry, but I don't see animals outside of the clinic for le-"
"Please, doctor. I'm desperate."
"I want to help, I really do, but-"
Tricia stopped suddenly, noticing Gwyneth had produced a wad of money.
"I know this looks like a trap. That's why I'm giving you this. One thousand dollars cash."
"I-I, I haven't even said I'd-"
Gwyneth slipped the money into the pocket of Tricia's coat.
"You can keep that regardless of your final answer. But if you agree to come with me, there's another four thousand for your trouble. Also in cash."
Oh shit.
That was a lot of money for one simple house call.
As if reading her mind, Gwyneth answered the next question before it could be asked.
"If I had nefarious plans for you, I wouldn't expose myself like this. You can trust me. Please?"
The situation was unusual, but Tricia saw the spark of sincerity.
She was feeling more at ease.
And again, that was a lot of money for something that would probably be couple hours, tops.
"I'm not saying no, I just... you came out all this way for me?"
"You take such good care of my babies, there is no one else I would put all my faith into."
Despite the circumstances, Tricia was touched by this admission.
She knew she was taking a big risk, but the money was too good to pass up.
And as Gwyneth said, she wouldn't put herself at the center of something underhanded out in the open like this.
"Alright, I'll come with you. I'll follow you in my car-"
"No no, you can come in mine. I'll bring you back here once we're done, you have my word."
Tricia's suspicion was starting to rise a little again.
But she figured it was for her safety, since she'd no doubt be too fatigued to drive back to her apartment after seeing to her patient.
"Let me just grab a few things and I'll be right out."
Gwyneth smiled with joy.
"Oh thank you, Dr. Peters! I knew I could count on you!"
Gwyneth went to start the car while Tricia grabbed a few medicines and implements.
She had no idea what could be so bad that Gwyneth came to fetch her personally, but she wasn't going to let a dog suffer.
***
The trip was quiet until they were about ten minutes from where Gwyneth intended to go.
Tricia had been replaying the events leading up to this, trying to get her bearings.
Now that Gwyneth was slowing down, she took the chance to ask a few questions.
"So, this new puppy... how long have you had them?"
"The better part of a month, but everything's been fine up until now."
"What's wrong, exactly? Injury? Illness?"
"They're vomiting and looking pale. Oh God, they're not dying, are they?!"
Tricia immediately started soothing Gwyneth.
"I'm sure it's just an allergic reaction. Did they eat something right before?"
"Y-yes... you think that's the cause of it all?"
"That's where I'll start once I've taken a look. Your dog will get better, don't worry."
Gwyneth sniffed.
"I just don't want anything to happen to my little girl, she's so special to me."
Tricia gently touched Gwyneth's shoulder.
"Trust me, everything will work out."
Gwyneth smiled a little.
More quiet ensued until they reached the countryside.
Gwyneth drove off to a small road, Tricia noticing what looked like a booth just up ahead.
Gwyneth stopped, turning her head towards the booth.
"Good evening, Mrs. Preston! Is everything OK?"
"It will be soon, Steven. Enjoy the rest of your shift."
Steven nodded and raised the boom gate attached.
"Drive safe!"
Gwyneth drove on, her destination mere moments from the security booth.
Tricia gasped as she saw a white, two-story mansion in front of her, looking like it was used on the set of some TV drama like Revenge or something else about rich people who constantly hold glamourous parties to hide their own pity party.
Gwyneth parked right out front, and Tricia saw people rushing out.
"How is she, how's my baby?"
"Still vomiting but she's being seen to, Mrs. Preston."
"Toni, this is Dr. Peters, please take her straight to Precious."
"Of course, Mrs. Preston. Please follow me, Dr. Peters."
Tricia let Toni lead the way into the east wing, passing opulent art and divine furniture.
"Gwyneth knows how to live" Tricia thought to herself.
Upon reaching the east wing, Tricia noticed a sign hanging above that said "the Puppy Palace".
Tricia assumed they let their dogs have an entire wing of their house to themselves, musing they probably lived better than she did.
The doors opened wide, and Tricia noticed a blonde woman sobbing over someone.
She knew right away that was Donna Preston, Gwyneth's wife.
She had seen more of Gwyneth at the clinic, but Donna had been there on occasion, and was just as nice and personable as her wife.
Being rich didn't seem to make them snobby or petty, something she wished Chelsea could see for herself.
"Mrs. Preston, the veterinarian is here."
Donna looked up, eyes full of tears.
"Oh Tricia, I'm so glad it's you! I know our Precious is in the best possible hands!"
"Thank you, Mrs. Preston. I only wish I was here under better circumstances."
Donna nodded then pointed down.
"Please, help our baby. She needs you."
Tricia set her bag down on the arm of the sofa, ready to see to her patient.
She gasped at what she saw.
Lying on the newspaper covered floor was what looked like a person in bondage gear, arms and legs completely bound and covered, panting and coughing.