Reed and Billie grace the pages of this series in a way that I find very touching. As a former Protestant Chaplain in a maximum security, men's prison, I have dealt with many on both sides of law enforcement. Most of them were those who made the profession necessary, but, at the same time, those who kept the former felons from getting back "on the streets."During the last few years of my time in Corrections, California introduced K9 Officers to the mix. They were the same breed as Billie. I had never heard of this breed before. After watching them work, I decided that, if I were to get a dog again, that's what I would get.On a regular basis a K9 and his/her partner would tell me to stay in my office where I would be able to watch them work the chapel, inmate office (each Chaplain is allowed an inmate clerk to assist in the day to day management of the chapel), the library and associated rooms. Inmates are masters of manipulation and of finding places to hide contraband, (homemade weapons (shanks) and drugs). Nothing seemed to get by these teams. I was often surprised by what they would find and where they would find it.In addition, I saw many Inmates in arguments with officers, some of the officers much less "buff" than the men that challenged them. However, not once did I witness an inmate, no matter how big, strong, intimidating or "buff", get in the face of one of those dogs.Dustin Stevens has done a very credible job of portraying the relationship of a law enforcement K9 and their partner/handler. His portrayal of Billie working a scene or scent brought back great memories of my time working within the fences, walls and towers of a state prison. As well as a feeling of thanksgiving that I was never the subject of a K9's attention.