a nod.
“Doc? Hashtag here. First thing… how long would it take to sedate a tiger enough for it to be handled?”
“If the purpose is to do it with as little risk to the tiger as possible, then you’ll need to use the least amount of sedative possible. With a tiger, that could take up to a half hour.”
“And how much would that be?”
“The sedative is like general anesthetic. It’s a mix, and it works the same way as heroin. Too much, and the animal overdoses. Too little, and it may get just sleepy enough for you to get within biting range. You have to get the balance right. What does the tiger weigh?”
Hashtag peered at Rael’s notes. “We estimate about four hundred fifty pounds, maybe less.”
“Doc?” Horvan interrupted. “I should say at this point that the tranquilizer dart is a last resort. We’re hoping to get the tiger out without it.”
Silence.
“Doc?”
“May I ask how you plan on doing that? What are you going to do—ask it nicely?” The doctor chuckled.
“Well, that’s kinda the plan.” Hashtag cleared his throat. “We’re hoping the tiger’s… mate can communicate with him.”
More silence.
“It’s okay, Doc. You’re among friends,” Horvan told him.
Doc Tranter coughed. “When you say mate… you’re not talking about the British variety, are you?”
Horvan laughed softly. “No, Doc. In fact, this tiger has two mates. And you’re talking to one of them.” His heartbeat sped up.
“Dear Lord.” A pause. “Where are you planning on taking it—him? Once you’ve got him out?”
Horvan chuckled. “Relax, Doc. You’ll get to meet him. Roadkill will fetch you once he’s safe. Be ready to move after Thursday.”
“Oh, I most certainly will. I’ll email Hashtag with the dart requirements and where to procure them. And then I’ll pray you won’t need them. Men? I wish you every success with your mission. You’ll be in my prayers.” The call disconnected.
“I think we gave Doc Tranter a slight heart attack,” Roadkill murmured.
“There we have it,” Hashtag said at last. “If we have to sedate Dellan, we could be talking half an hour before we can call for the chopper.”
“Not a good situation to be in,” Horvan had to admit. “Your idea of crowds looks like the best bet.”
Anything to cause pandemonium and buy them more time. Because they were going to need every minute.
Chapter Twelve
“CHRIST, CRANK, put some clothes on,” Horvan muttered as he entered the living room the following morning. “You’re making the place look untidy.”
“Fuck you,” Crank replied good-naturedly before helping himself to more coffee. “You said, ‘Make yourselves comfortable.’ Well, this is me, comfortable.” He swung his dick from side to side, slapping it against his upper thighs.
Horvan had more important things on his mind. “Where’s Hashtag? Has he gone someplace?” Hashtag had made no mention the previous night of not being around, which was kind of surprising the day before a mission. He was usually up with the birds, checking equipment over and over.
“Beats me,” Roadkill replied with a shrug, his eyes focused on his phone. “He was gone when I woke up, and that was at six.” He peeked at Horvan. “Speaking of which… what time do you call this? It’s eight o’clock already. I was beginning to think you two were planning on staying in bed all day.” He smirked. “Some of us have already had breakfast.”
“Wherever Hashtag is, he apparently doesn’t need his laptop.” Crank pointed to it on the coffee table.
One look at Rael’s face was enough to tell Horvan his mate was concerned by Hashtag’s absence. Horvan stroked down his back. “Don’t stress. He’ll be back. And in the meantime, we have plenty of jobs to be getting on with. You can help Roadkill assemble the headgear.”
Roadkill smiled. “Yeah, that’d be great. Me and my fat fingers can use all the help we can get.” He put down his phone.
“Have we run out of coffee?” Crank ran one hand over his buzz cut while scratching his ball sac with the other. “’Cause it’s flowing like mud around here.”
Horvan rolled his eyes. “I’ll make some more, Your Majesty, while you put some clothes on. Some of us have delicate stomachs, and the sight of your dick swinging around first thing in the morning is more than we can take.”
Crank grinned, grabbed his cock, and waved it at Horvan before reaching into his bag for a pair of sweats and a hoodie.
Horvan went into the kitchen area, Rael close behind.
“Where do you think he’s gone? I thought we had all the equipment.”
Horvan cupped Rael’s