He came around and stepped up to the next one to go, recognizing the goat that was just tossed in. Oreo slammed his hooves into the side of the cage when he spotted Reilly, foam brimming from his lips. Reilly didn’t flinch.
“I’m having the time of my life, did you know that?” Reilly's grin ran ear to ear.
“Why don’t you come in here and see just how much fun you can have!” Oreo screamed.
It was the first time one of the goats had spoken to him directly. Reilly was a little surprised that the creature had chosen to do so now.
“You know what’s really great? Everything in here is on camera!” He pointed to the ceiling, showing off row after row of suspended cameras.
Oreo jumped down from the cage, biting back his rage to act as normal as possible.
Reilly kicked at his cage. “I knew you were a coward.”
Oreo again launched his body at the cage, clamoring his hooves against the side. “Let me out of here, I’ll show you the coward!”
Two men came to move the cage. The first man double-checked the lock on the gate, while the second positioned a dolly under the cage. Together they started wheeling off the violent Oreo amid his continued yelling.
“If you harm any one of my friends, I will tear your head off!”
Reilly didn’t respond, he just crossed his arms, reflecting on his success thus far.
~~~~~~
Through the system of cameras the glum doctor watched. He caught the goat’s explosion and Reilly’s smug expression. He pressed a key on the laptop before him and the scene changed. Valerie Goldman was sitting with a cross look on her face and a phone in her hand. His own cell began to vibrate, the silver display illuminated “V.G.”
“Yes, Valerie?”
“What are you doing putting that monster in charge! I’m the one that got them here, I’ve already had to save his ass more than once. I demand you get him out!”
“Valerie?”
She huffed into the phone, shaking her fist to the cameras above.
“Now, now. Is that really necessary?”
“Why is he here, Fudge? You promised I was done with him.”
And you will be. “Things like these take time to fruit, Valerie. You must be patient. You must understand that Reilly is a big name in the news right now. His face is being thrown around everywhere. I had to put him out of the way."
“Why here? What about those dump jobs you’ve got out west?”
“Now Valerie, have I let you down before?”
“I’m sorry. He sets me off.”
“I don’t keep easy companions. Yourself included. I do however expect patience from my loyal employees.”
“Are you questioning me now?”
“Now why would I have any reason to question you?”
She held herself. Valerie could tell she was being read. “What do you want me to do?”
“Just sit tight, I will be back shortly. Unfortunately I got called away, it seems that Joaquin wanted to go over some things with me that couldn’t wait until morning. I’m guessing it has something to do with those reports I had you submit to him last week.”
Her fingers tapped at the crate, abruptly she pulled them back. “I will wait for you to return.”
“Stay close to Reilly, as well, just to be safe.”
“Of course,” her hair flew with the stroke of her neck.
Chapter 53
Basil huddled shivering in the cab of the abandoned pick-up. He had been dumped naked in the woods tied to the steering wheel. But now he was loose. His rubbed at his chaffed wrists in turn. Despite the goat's lack of skill with knots, it had taken some time to work free.
The cabin had been cleaned out except for a nasty straw hat. It had an indiscernible smell that tore at his nose.
Sitting in the cold morning air, his feet dangling from the edge of the cab, he dreamed up extraordinary suits. Custom cut to his frame, pressed and neat, very warm, and financed by his were-goat fortune.
It was just before sunrise now and the night was at its coldest. He would have to venture out in the near freezing air. He would have to get past the trees and the brush and find his way to the road. But he refused to let the goat get further away.
His mind turned to scheming how to explain this to the captain. Of course the attack was completely unprovoked. He had been hijacked, overwhelmed. He could figure out details later when it was time to get to the office. His clothes, his car, his phone and his files were gone. He must catch the goat. It was his personal vendetta now.
Basil looked outside, spotting the sky lighting with color. The rising sun would warm the air some, but hardly enough to be comfortable.
“Damn.”
He lowered his foot to the ground. It was soaked with dew. His toes retreated reflexively from the almost frozen soil.
“Damn.”
Bravely he dropped his feet to the ground and grabbed the straw hat. He held it over himself, covering his crotch against the loose limbs he would most certainly walk through. It was bad enough to be naked and cold, the detective did not want to add injury to insult. “Damn.”
Every twig and branch snapped him in the rear, some more painfully than others. He brushed his hand over to check for blood every few steps. He found it best to bite his lower lip as he went. Edging through the trees, he found his way to the road; morning traffic already moving. He stopped to survey it, shaking involuntarily in the cold.
“Damn.”
It was a good walk back to Denada, and he didn’t know at all how far the next city would be. Basil crept down to the edge of the tree line, cautiously. He took another moment to curse the goat for his predicament and for the cold wind that was now circling beneath his straw covering.
“Damn.”
Basil spotted a small car coming down the way, its lights piercing through the morning fog. He jotted down to the road quickly, holding the hat in place. He stepped to the edge of the road and started waving with his free hand. The car drove past.
“Thanks for nothing!”
He squinted to better pierce the gray coating of moisture in the air. His ears perked up to another rumbling; he tilted his neck searching for a car. But it was not a car; it was a breeze rustling the trees. The naked man quickly curled himself over to protect against the element.
“Damn.”
Through the breeze he caught another sound. He gripped the hat firmly and started waving his free arm wide and screaming “Help, help!”
This car not only drove past, but upon seeing him had sped up.
Basil heard the air building up for another breeze. He tried to protect himself but it was no use. A tear formed in his eye and in the chill dawn he started to weep. “Damn goat!” His sound echoed in the trees.
He remained hobbled over as a third set of lights pierced the fog. The detective righted himself and tried to wave his arm, but he was too cold. Despite his lack of effort, the third car pulled over just past him. Through the fog he heard the door open. A man with a wide brimmed hat stepped free and called to him.
Basil couldn’t make out the words, but hurried over bracing the straw protection firmly against his frozen genitals. As the distance closed, his eyes fixed on the man’s face.
Sheriff Jeb looked over at the naked detective, spilling his laughter. Through his riot he pointed to the man and said something, but Basil couldn’t make it out.
He tilted his head back to curse the goat again, but he was too cold to say anything. Straining himself, shivering at the roadside, Basil looked squarely at the sheriff. His lips formed up and his lungs compressed.
“Damn.”
Chapter 54
Frank rolled about in the hay, still very much asleep. Sparky watched as he stirred, having been awake since just after sunrise. He had only slept a short while but felt very refreshed. The two had found refuge in a barn after hiding Basil’s car in some bushes. The barn had been full of sheep, which were good company for them. Sparky knew it was tim
e to go, but without gas or money, they were stranded. Meanwhile his loved ones could be on a table in a lab somewhere being dissected. Sparky shuddered.
One of the ewes wandered over to him and he stroked her neck gently. “There, there,” he whispered. “They’re going to be fine.”
She nudged at his cheek, forcing him to smile. “I’m sorry,” he said gently. “I’m not here for a date.”
The ewe trotted away.
“Hey, you’ll make someone very happy I’m sure!”
Sparky settled back down, realizing that the sheep was more likely startled with his words than upset at his rejecting her. He missed Princess more than ever. He looked over and saw Frank flopped on his back, eyes wide open.
“I won’t tell.”
“It’s not like that, I have a very fine lady that is waiting for me,” he caught himself before going further on the defensive. “Do you plan on sleeping all day?”
“We agreed to take a break, and unless you found us some money,” Frank rolled away into the straw away from the goat. He bumped into one of the resting sheep.
“Hey baby, wanna cross breed?” he put his paw on her. The ewe jumped up and bounced away.
“That’s just sick.”
“You were doing the same thing not a minute ago.” He made a smooching sound and threw the imaginary kiss the ewe’s way. “They dig me.”
Sparky looked to the ewe, expressing his apologies. She didn’t take notice. “Does this mean you are going to get up and help me think of a plan?”
Frank stayed on his back with his paws up in the air. He stretched and yawned at the same time. “No, not without some breakfast at least.”
“No money means no gas. It also means…”
“Um, don’t tell me, I know this.”
“No food.”
“Are you sure we’re out of cash? You didn’t eat it, right?”
“We spent some of it on coffee, gas and beer. I know the rest was in my coat. I’ve been over the car already before we came up here last night. Nothing.”
“You want to go check out the farmhouse? Maybe they have some money we can borrow,” Frank climbed up on all fours and rolled his head from side to side. “Bet they are loaded. Sheep’s big business, it’s bigger than that Teflon stuff.”
“I’m no thief.”
“You took that one guy’s wallet, and last night we stole a cop’s car, clothes, and his wallet. And you stole that paper.”
“You stole that paper.”
“You get the idea, save the long speeches for the judge. The point isn’t who stole what, or if stealing is wrong. The point is rescuing your family.”
“Frank, I took from bad people. I know it’s still wrong, but I, I, I am not going to just steal from someone who didn’t wrong me.”
“Ah, you are such a noble creature, but you’ll be singing a different tune in a few hours, goat. There is no honest job you can get, people control the money, you can con them or you can rob them, but you sure can’t ask them for help.”
Sparky stood up tall and crossed his arms, realizing Frank was right. They were out of options. He didn’t want to lower himself any further than he had had to already, but there was no point in coming this far to let his family rot on a moral obligation to a different species.
“I’ll help you.”
The voice was one step over a whisper. Hiding behind the crack in the barn door was a teenage girl. She had long blond hair streaked with pink highlights.
Sparky fell on all fours.
“Mahh.”
The girl slid the door shut behind her as she entered and stepped over to the goat.
“I know who you are. I’ve read the paper. You’re from space, aren’t you?”
“Mahh.”
“If you want the moral road Sparky, there it is,” Frank said.
Sparky was filled with disbelief at the dog’s betrayal. She turned to Frank and petted his head gently.
“Aww, aren’t you cute.”
She was speaking in the baby voice Frank knew all too well. Sparky turned and walked among the sheep. Frank was blowing their cover, risking everything. The police would come and haul them away. He dropped to the ground and sat stewing in his anger. Behind him he could hear Frank’s flapping tongue.
The girl rubbed Frank's ears.
“That feels so good. What’s your name, lady?”
“Sherry.”
The idea of talking animals had left Sherry’s imagination long ago. At seventeen she would not have believed it plausible. That it was directly in front of her left her without a choice, she could not deny it. The treat lit up the girl inside.
“You know where I really like to be rubbed, Sherry?” Frank rolled to his back.
Sparky stood and looked at the lady. “Knock it off, mongrel. Look please, just don’t tell anyone you saw us. We’ll get out of here.”
Sparky aimed for the door, waving for Frank.
“I insist you stay. I can give you some help.” she stood and blocked his path, her eyes level with Sparky’s. “I heard you say you needed some.”
Sparky spent a moment reminding himself how many times he had had problems dealing with people. His review of Frank showed that the mutt had already given his trust. The girls round eyes held sincerity that he remembered only from the farm.
He extended his hoof.
“Sparky.”
Without a hesitation the young woman grabbed his hoof and shook it.
“A pleasure.”
Chapter 55
Sparky was sitting at a bar stool in her kitchen. The spacious room was decorated with many fine things. Overhead, pots and pans hung from a rack. The silver refrigerator was littered with photographs; he recognized Sherry in some of them. Tying the space together was a quaint floral wallpaper.
“Your parents leave you alone out here?”
“They are just gone for a few days, it’s their anniversary,” Sherry was standing on the other side of the counter, Frank sniffing at her feet. “Can I help you?”
“You smell so nice,” the dog nuzzled his snout into her pant leg, scratching it against the denim. Sherry raised an eyebrow and looked over to Sparky.
“Before you ask, yes he is always like this.”
“Did you want to shower? Shave? Maybe eat some breakfast?”
“No. No. Yes.”
“Shower?” Sparky asked. “Indoors?”
“Sure, yeah, the bathroom is upstairs at end of the hall. Towels are in the closet on the right just before you go in.”
Sherry was buried in the fridge. Sparky hopped down from his seat and pointed toward the visible set of stairs.
“There?”
“Yup.”
The stairs were covered with pictures. Just as many with Sherry as without. The hallway above was the same, a shrine to the family and their friends. He rounded a bend at the top of the stairs, nearly clipping the wall, and found himself in the bathroom. It was luxurious just like the kitchen; high ceilings, marble counters, silver faucets.
Sparky tested the shower stall, opening and closing the door. The elaborate handles inside were hooves and the shower head was in the shape of a cow. Sparky climbed in and turned on the water.
Downstairs, Sherry was still digging through the fridge.
“I could make you some bacon or sausage.”
“Both would be nice. Do you have any pig?”
Sherry pulled the packaged meat from the drawer and looked over at the dog, nodding.
A loud scream peeled through the air. Sherry dropped the meats and ran upstairs. Sparky was standing outside the shower wrapped in his arms. Water was dripping from his fur as he shivered.
“Are you okay?”
“You like your water that cold?” The goat turned and pointed to the shower. “It’s a damn torture chamber.”
Sherry reached into the shower, adjusting the knobs.
“You just have to set it where you want it, it’s better to do that befor
e you get in.”
Sparky cautiously stepped into the shower and relaxed when he felt the warmth of the water.
“Much better.”
“I’ll put an extra towel on the counter for you.”
Frank was sitting in the middle of the kitchen, awaiting Sherry’s return.
“Did he burn himself?”
“Too cold.” She picked the dropped meats from the ground. “Does Sparky eat meat?”
“Nah, he’s a total vegetarian. He loves hash browns and pizza though.” The dog trotted out of the kitchen and into the large living room. “You got cable out here?”
“What?” She had just tossed the dog’s choice meats into the skillet and the sizzling masked the distant question.
Frank settled into the couch. He dug at the remote with his paws. The TV sprang to life and was instantly back off. He pressed the button again more carefully and succeeded in turning the set on. Slouched back in the cushions of the couch, he started surfing for entertainment.
Sherry was still busy sorting through the pantry. Her goat guest was a hard one to pick a meal for. She doubled back to the freezer and moved the contents side to side. Buried in the back she discovered a package of freezer burned whole-wheat waffles.
She smiled contently and proceeded to toast all four of them.
Sparky emerged from the shower, refreshed like never before. He wrapped one towel around his waist and tossed the other around his shoulders. He inspected his hazy image in the fogged mirror. He extended out the towel and wiped clear a small circle, staring at his head in the reflection.
He stuck out his tongue and then pulled it back, giggling. Out of curiosity the animal peeked into the drawers. Not sure what most things were used for, he did recognize a brush he found. Sparky pulled it through the hair on top of his scalp. He smoothed over his fur and then surveyed the look in the mirror. He toweled himself a little more making sure to get the thicker patches of hair.
Seeing his image he lit up with delight.
Investigating further into the cabinets led to the discovery of an array of ties and clips. One striking barrette had a little green butterfly on it. The goat tested it in his hair but thought better of it.
He jostled his hair again to strike down appearing too formal. With the towel still wrapped around his waist he moseyed back downstairs, the smell of meat strong in the air.