Page 32 of Serving my Dragon
My lips twitched in amusement. “You mean poor scammers. Mama is not one to be bossed around, even by the police.”
“If they weren’t real cops, who were they?”
“I don’t know, but until we figure out what’s going on, we’ll be staying elsewhere. I’m taking us to my aunt and uncle’s place. Mama is on her way there and Santiago is contacting Juan to figure out our next move.”
Kayleigh bit her lip and I could predict what she’d say next. “You should drop me off. I don’t want to bring trouble to your family.”
I snorted. “My family would disown me if I abandoned you. This is nothing compared to some things we’ve had to deal with. I should add, this wouldn’t be the first time we’ve helped someone disappear for a bit.” My in-and-out-of-jail second cousin, Luis, came to mind.
“First thing in the morning, I’ll try and call my bank. Maybe I can get them to wire me some money so I can get out of your hair,” she stated.
“Call if you want, but you aren’t going anywhere alone. It might not be safe and I don’t want anything happening to you.”
“This is so frustrating. I wish I could remember what happened. Why would anyone be after me?”
I revealed my recent theory. “I think this has to do with Polly.”
“Polly?” She sounded confused. “Why would you think that?”
“You said the clerk mentioned those other folks you were staying at the hotel with might be biologists. And that he even specified that they had a cage. Polly spoke of some people trying to trap her in?—”
“A cage! Goodness, maybe there is a connection. But there’s one thing that makes no sense.” Kayleigh’s hand on my thigh tightened. “Why would Sally and I have been with them in the first place?”
“Maybe Sally can shed some light on that when you manage to get through to her.”
“I hope so,” she muttered.
When we pulled into my aunt and uncle’s place, not a light shone. I circled around to the backyard and parked beside Santiago’s Toyota. We entered through the kitchen door and I stopped dead at the sight of a gun pointed at my head.
“You made it.” Santiago lowered the weapon.
“Expecting someone else?” My dry reply.
“Just being careful.”
“Where’s Mama and Pollita?”
“Living room. What’s up with the lizard, though? Your mama refused to leave it behind. Never thought I’d see the day she’d cuddle a scaly reptile.”
Me neither, but here we were.
“Carm is not too happy she brought it into the house,” my uncle added.
“Polly won’t be a problem,” I murmured. More like hoped. I trusted my family, but the fewer people who knew about the dragon, the better.
The house was softly lit, the lamps dimmed. The shutters had been latched over the windows, the drawn curtains blocking anyone from seeing anything, even light, from outside.
“Mama! Are you okay?” I rushed to my mother and dropped to my knees to clasp her hands.
“Fine, mijo. Those people weren’t interested in me. They were after querida.” Mama spoke in English so Kayleigh could follow.
“So we heard.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. Then more quietly asked, “Did they see Pollita when they came to your house?”
“No. Why?”
“Just wondering. Where is she?” I asked, not seeing her around.
“I put her to bed. She is, after all, only a baby and needs her sleep.”
