His gun hand quivered. “Go now,” Cesar said, pushing Barquero in the back. “Go!” Barquero walked down the hall. On the way he turned and looked at Avery standing in the doorway. Avery readied his sticks.
“I know you,” Barquero said. “I remember you.”
“Yeah, sorry about all that,” Avery replied. “Complete misunderstanding on your part. Don’t feel bad. Could’ve happened to anyone. Besides, I’ve decided not to press charges.” Barquero stared into Avery’s eyes for a moment. The hair on the back of Avery’s neck stood on end. Barquero turned and disappeared down the hallway without looking back. Cesar’s men pulled the Padre to his feet. “Now, Colonel,” Avery said to Cesar. “About that reward…”
Ziggy could see the saliva hanging from the gleaming jaws of the beasts as they approached the pit. Their blood-chilling growls filled the air. Ziggy held Nancy in his arms.
Private Foxtrot adjusted his Spanish conquistador’s helmet. All three Fire Team Leaders looked at each other and nodded solemnly. Private Zulu and Private Tango shook hands. General X-Ray prepared to give the order to attack.
Then, suddenly, for some reason, the largest of the animals lifted its head and looked up at the night sky. It let out a long, wailing howl at the moon. Slowly, the pack retreated into the darkness…
Back in New Orleans, Mae Mae sat in her rocking chair. Her headache had faded. After a while, she got up and went to her table. She rolled the bones. Then she took out her tarot cards and began dealing them out. Examining the cards, she smiled.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Occasionally, Lost Cats Found
The men of STRAC-BOM and Ziggy sat at the kitchen table of the big white house in Austin. Avery was expected soon. The men were starving and ate whatever Aunt Polly gave them. Her crazy mane of clown-red hair bobbed as her high heels buckled in an attempt to keep her upright.
“Jell-O salad with mayonnaise, pimento cheese, also with mayonnaise, bacon, and grits.” Polly smiled. “Go on. Eat up, boys!”
“Thanks, ma’am,” Private Zulu said.
“Be sure to put some butter on those grits, sugar.”
“Yessum, ma’am. Thank you kindly.”
“Why, General, your men have such nice manners.”
“Thank you. Militia policy. But don’t pay no mind to the private. He thinks a seven-course meal is a possum and a six-pack.” The General tried his Jell-O hesitantly. He managed to choke it down. “Delicious.” Bennett stood in the corner of the kitchen and tried not to laugh. Max, the feisty French bulldog, was on his leash. The end of the leash was tied around the kitchen door handle. Max’s paws scampered in place as he tried desperately to get at Nancy, who was under the table, chewing on a carrot stick. The sight of the big iguana in his favorite spot under the table was driving Max crazy, like an itch right in front of his tail — one he couldn’t reach.
“So, Avery is some kind of hero down in ole Mexico,” Bennett said as he lit his pipe. “You don’t say.” He waved out his match. “Hell, Polly, order these boys a pizza or something. Don’t make them eat that stuff.”
“Bread today is better than cake tomorrow. You boys eat up.”
“You sound like a damn fortune cookie, woman.” Bennett puffed on his pipe. “General, what’s going to happen to you and your men now?”
“Well, sir,” the General said as he wiped his mouth, “we had a bit of good fortune down south. Came back with some artifacts of value. Plan on selling them and re-outfitting the unit.”
“That so?”
“Top of the line, all the way.”
“Flamethrowers?” asked Private Zulu.
“And Tasers,” the General replied.
A horn honked outside. Bennett walked to the front door and saw Avery climb out of a taxi parked behind the mud-stained school bus. He was wearing a tan suit, a skinny black tie, and dark sunglasses. He carried a silver-colored metal briefcase.
“Ma’am,” Private Zulu said, “got any more of them pickles? From last time?”
“Why sure, honey. They’re even better once they sit awhile.” She leaned down to his ear. “It gives them more of a kick,” Polly whispered. “You just stay right there. I’ll get you some.”
“Two is his limit,” the General said, looking at Private Zulu. “I mean it, Private.”
Avery climbed the front steps to the house. Bennett opened the door and let him in.
“What’s going on with the getup?” Bennett asked. “No more tracksuits?”
“Bloodstains don’t come out of yellow.” Avery walked straight past his stepfather. “Polly!” Avery yelled out. “Dew me!” Polly unwrapped a straw and pulled a can of soda from the fridge. Avery walked into the kitchen and took the can from her. “Bad dog,” he said to Max. Max growled. From under the table, Nancy hissed. “Jesus!” Avery yelled at Ziggy. “How’d you get that monster through customs?”
“We, like, took the river route again, dude.” Ziggy reached down to pet the big iguana. It bit his hand before he could get close. Avery opened his briefcase and took out some money.
“General, consider our business concluded.” Avery drained the Mountain Dew in one long pull as he handed over the money. “Save the straw.” He handed it to Polly.
“Thanks. By the way, on our trip home, the boys and I chipped in and got you a little something.” The General handed Avery a gift box adorned with a camouflage bow.
“Go ahead, open it.” Private Zulu could barely contain his excitement.
Avery opened the box.
“A grappling hook. Honestly, you shouldn’t have.”
Private Zulu beamed. “I knew you’d like it.”
“You know, we never did get your chupa…whatever it was,” the General said. “What’re you going to do now?” Avery removed a newspaper from his briefcase and opened it to the sports page.
“According to this,” Avery said. “The New York Yankees are in last place in the American League East. Dead last. This season is a hopeless waste for a chupacabra spawning.” He put the paper down. “It just wasn’t meant to be this time. But…the day will come. Oh, you trust me, it will come, and I’ll be ready.” Avery sighed. “Until then, I have more important business to tend to.” Bennett stifled a laugh as he chomped on his pipe stem. “Where’s Kip?” Avery asked.
“He’s out,” Bennett replied. “Gone to see his girl.”
“Was he in my office while I was gone?”
“Can’t say.”
“Think. At any time during my absence, any time, was he in my room?”
“Can’t say.”
“That rat bastard!”
“Well, thank you for the hospitality, sir, ma’am,” the General said as he rose from the table. “But we’ve got a piece of highway to cover before we get home and return that bus to the depot. Planning on getting a used Croatian amphibious vehicle to replace it.” The General winked at Avery. “Don’t worry — we’ll drop the hippy off on the way.”
Private Zulu grabbed his pickles and shoved them in his pocket. The men of STRAC-BOM got up from the table and, one by one, thanked their hosts. Ziggy reached down and picked up his squirming reptile. Max growled again, his stubby tail pointed straight in the air. His hackles were standing up. Nancy ignored him. The General led his militia outside, and they loaded up. He cursed at Private Zulu and Fire Team Leader Charlie as he pulled another parking ticket from the window of the bus.
“Drive safe, y’all.” Bennett and Polly waved goodbye.
Upstairs, Avery stopped at the door to his office. Below the SKUNK WORKS sign, he used a single thumbtack
