Page 42 of Shenanigans

I backed up a step and put extra power into the command,“Stay.”

Elvis’s malevolent gaze fixed on Tinkerbell.

The Yorkie barked and tried to wriggle free.

“Enough Tinkerbell. Stop challenging the damned alligator.”

Woof.

“I don’t care if he’s calling you names. It’s not smart to piss off an alligator.”Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Ralph cautiously moving toward Elvis with the harpoon held ready.“I’ve got him. Get the cage ready.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He hurried off.

“Jana, I need you to take Tinkerbell and get in the van. She’s aggravating the alligator.”

“No kidding.” She grabbed the dog and ran. I heard the car door slam.

Ralph called, “The cage and the chicken legs are ready.”

“Look Elvis. Yummy chicken.” A trail of chicken parts lead into the cage.“I know you’re hungry. Go on. Go eat.”

Elvis hissed again.

“I don’t care if dogs taste better. It’s chicken or nothing.”

Letting out a low-pitched, hollow snarl, the alligator scurried toward the cage and hungrily snatched up the chicken parts.

“C’mon, just one more step,” I muttered.

Ralph tossed a whole chicken into the cage.

Elvis lumbered inside, and Ralph quickly dropped the door.

I glanced at my watch. Ten minutes. Not bad.

Using a winch, Ralph loaded the cage into the back of his truck.

“How did he get out this time?”

“Water pipe broke and flooded his habitat.”

“In other words, he swam out,” I said.

“Yup.” Ralph held out his computer tablet. “Sign there.”

I scrawled my signature on the zoo’s capture document. “Until next time.”

“Hell, I hope I never see you again,” Ralph replied. There was a slight pause before he added, “No offense.”

“None taken.”

Shooting me a smile, Ralph climbed into his truck and drove off.

Yay! I was a thousand dollars closer to getting my roof replaced.

Whump. Whump. Whump.

Damn. That sounded like the old Huey helicopter my Dad’s team used. I shaded my eyes and searched the sky for the dragonfly shape. Huh? It was headed our way.

---