peered into the car. He noticed me and smiled. “Ms. Carpenter, how nice to see you again. Any additional animal visions to report?” His mocking tone was far from admiring.
A stab of humiliation sliced through me. This was the same man who’d claimed to believe me following my puppy interrogation at Will’s.
I struggled to keep my cool. Forget testosterone, hormones could be blamed for the sour words threatening to spew from my mouth. Sensing my dilemma, Zane dropped a bomb.
“You may want to make a note, Agent Green. This lovely lady is no longer a Carpenter.” Zane paused for effect. “She’s a Marshall.”
Outside the car, both men did a double take. I couldn’t help myself. I had to smile.
“That’s interesting.” The agent took Zane’s advice and jotted something in his little black flipbook. “I need to ask both of you to keep us informed of your whereabouts.
“With your animal-inspired story being so farfetched, Mrs. Marshall, we may need to ask you some additional questions. I’m sure you understand that with an ongoing murder investigation we need everyone to remain available.”
I felt Zane tense beside me. He was starting to vibrate. Not a good sign. Fur, claws, and fangs would put an additional damper on our already deteriorating conversation. It was time for my diffusing thing.
“No problem officers. I’d be happy to talk with you again. We need to help Luke down at the park. Are you going to give us a ticket?” I tried to sound sweet and unconcerned about his veiled threat.
Agent Green spoke again. I wondered if the other guy could talk. “You know something … I’m feeling generous tonight. I do like animals, especially the zebras and the wolves. You two go ahead and take care of your business. But, slow down.”
“Yeah, slow down,” the patrolman added for emphasis, shattering my mute-officer theory.
I nodded vigorously and smiled so big my cheeks hurt. I was mystified by the whole incident, especially the agent’s reference to zebras and wolves. What did he know about the wildlife park?
As far as I knew, there’d been no public information about the zebra attack, unless something about tonight had found its way onto Agent Green’s personal radar.
Concern for our friends replaced my agonizing over what the agent knew or didn’t know. I had to believe that Michael was all right all right, Alcuin too.
Zane gunned the motor and swung back onto the highway, picking up speed right where he’d left off, taunting the agent to stop us again. Mercifully, their vehicle had vanished over the ridge heading the opposite direction.
Luke, his foot tapping, was waiting for us by the front gate. Noticing headlights in the side mirror, I was relieved to see Mack pull in. Luke’s persistent calling had paid off.
“Hey!” I called to Mack. “Glad you made it.” He looked worried.
“Thank God you’re all here!” Luke exclaimed. “Let’s get inside the park.” He glanced over his shoulder.
In the courtyard, we formed a small circle. Luke had turned on all the outside lights illuminating the shadowy grounds. On an average night, we kept the lighting low for the animals. Tonight Luke had the place lit up like Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
I noticed both Zane and Mack trying to remain discreet while sniffing the air.
Unaware of their unusual antics, Luke rattled on about how he’d tried to follow Michael but couldn’t keep up.
“Don’t you feel bad, boss. My son can run like the wind.” Mack gave Luke a quick pat on the back.
“I’ll say,” Zane agreed, his nose still twitching. “I doubt many men could keep up with that kid.”
Luke explained the events leading up to Michael’s mad dash into the darkness.
Michael had been making his rounds when he’d heard unfamiliar growling and scratching. Following the sounds, he’d found himself outside the Zebra’s enclosure. He’d radioed Luke for assistance.
Grabbing the shotgun he kept hidden in his office, Luke had hurried out to help him investigate. He was too late. Michael was already pursuing something into heavy foliage behind the park.
“You should have seen him!” Luke boasted. “He hurdled over the electric fence without missing a step. I didn’t think jumping like that was possible. “
My eyes darted to Zane, who shrugged.
“Adrenaline can do some pretty funny stuff,” Mack offered. “You know the story about the five-foot mother hoisting a car off her child. Things like this are documented. I sure hope adrenaline finds me if I ever need it.”
“Luke, why don’t you take watch up front? Mack and I will see what