Diablo issues his most raucous squawk, which makes both officers leap back. Believe me, I’ve been on the receiving end of that sound, and it does make you sit up and pay attention.

Jakob, unfazed by the commotion, slides the zipper across and seals in the evidence. Done with his mission, Diablo flies toward the door. I walk over and hold it open so he can leave.

“Wait, the bird can’t go,” says one of the officers.

“Why?” Whitney as...