Page 29 of Serving my Dragon
If he believed me.
My uncle laughed so hard he almost cried.
“I’m serious,” I hissed. “I didn’t know what Pollita was until I brought her home and she talked to me.”
“Talked?” Juan sounded incredulous.
I nodded. “When I found Polly, she chattered but I didn’t think it was words. After watching television, she learned Spanish and English. Says she’s a dragon, recently hatched, but here’s the important part. She claims there were people trying to capture her but she escaped.”
Juan took on a pensive expression. “Animals in the canyon are protected, which means if Kayleigh came across poachers, they most definitely wouldn’t want witnesses.” He paused before asking, “Where is this supposed dragon now?”
“With Mama.”
He arched a brow. “She hates lizards.”
“Lizards, yes, but apparently dragons are acceptable. She’s offered to care for Polly when I’m busy.”
“That might not be safe. If there are people seeking this creature, then who knows what they’ll do? I mean, look at how they made sure Kayleigh can’t get any help in leaving Peru or finding her friend. They could decide to come for this lizard and not be gentle about it.”
The more Juan spoke, the deeper it seemed the conspiracy spread. It led to me shaking my head. “This is ridiculous. If Pollita were in danger, we’d have seen some sign by now.”
“Only if they knew where to find the creature.”
I poked a hole in his theory. “If someone did intentionally wipe my calls to the police and embassy then they have my address. Surely, they’d have done something by now.”
“Could be they’re waiting for the right moment.”
My lips pinched as my uncle infected me with his paranoid worm. I turned from him and glared at the hotel. “What’s taking so long?”
“Relax. She’s only been gone a few minutes.”
It felt like a lot longer. “Maybe I should check on her.”
“I’m surprised you let her go in alone.” My uncle didn’t even try to assuage my anxiety. Nope, he decided to make it worse. “You know, it’s possible these poachers don’t realize you have the lizard in custody, which would explain why they’ve not visited you yet. But if they do start looking because of your lady friend, they’ll soon notice the lizard too.”
“Way to reassure,” I muttered.
“Don’t be whining because I’m giving it to you straight. My advice? You should think about relocating for a short time.”
“I can’t, my work?—”
“Will be there when you return.”
“Where would I go?”
“I know some places.”
Of course my uncle did.
“She’s coming back.” I couldn’t help the elation that filled me at the sight of Kayleigh sashaying in our direction. When she got close enough, I asked, “How’d it go?”
Her nose wrinkled. “Good and not good. The clerk actually recognized me and asked if I’d changed my mind and wanted my room back.”
“He confirmed you were staying there?”
“I was, along with Sally and some other people.”
“What people?”
