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“Hugo is not answering my calls,” said Ahmed Samaan to his cousins.

“Do not worry about him. Once this is done, we will kill him as well. He serves no purpose for us.”

The four cousins were seated toward the front of the oversized van. The other men they’d brought with them were huddled in the back. For decades, their fathers and grandfathers spoke of the men who had destroyed their plans, killed their people, and took back their hostages. Every grand plan they had was destroyed by a group of men that no one could find and no one could stop.

That would end today. They would destroy these men and bring justice to their families.

“I need to stop and urinate,” said one of the men in the back. Ahmed frowned at them but nodded. Up ahead, he spotted a store. There were not many people around, so it seemed a safe location to stop. As the men got out of the van, they entered the store.

“May we use your bathroom facilities?” asked the young man.

“Of course you can,” smiled Claudette. “It’s right over there.” He nodded at the woman, surprised at her pleasant demeanor.

“I’m hungry,” said one of the men, whispering to another. Claudette smiled, pulling out the platter of pralines she had below the counter.

“Oh, honey, we don’t let anyone go hungry around here. Try this. It’s a sweet, but it’s delicious. Melt in your mouth,” she smiled.

He looked at one of his leaders, and the man gave a short nod. The men each took a piece of the delicious candy and smiled as they bit into it. It was much sweeter than what they were used to, but it was every bit as good as the woman claimed.

“It’s delicious. Thank you,” he smiled.

As the men left, Jake walked out and grinned at his wife.

“You’re becoming more like your mama every day,” he said, kissing her. “And I love you more for it.”

“Well, by the time they realize I put sleeping drops in them pralines, they’ll be staring at all those men, and animals, on the island. We’ll see how they react to that.”

“Did they all eat a piece?” asked Jake.

“No. Only about half of them, but it’s enough to give the boys a bigger edge than they already have.”

“They’re on their way, and Jake said about half of them took the candy,” said Gaspar. “My sister is a devious woman.”

“Get the animals ready,” said Nine, looking at Gabe. They weren’t sure how it happened or when it happened, but Gabe was almost as good with the animals as Irene was. Gabe looked at the other men and smiled.

“Don’t worry. The animals know what they will need to do.”

“What’s with that?” asked Antoine, pointing up at the strange hawk flying above them.

“I’m not sure,” said Gabe, frowning at them. “He’s not part of the animal sanctuary, and, in fact, he’s not really indigenous to this area. He’s been flying above us for a while now.”

“Do you think he belongs to the Samaan family? I mean falconry, the use of hawks in hunting is a common practice in other countries,” said Ian.

“I just don’t know. I don’t get any feelings of evil or ill intent. I just don’t know why he’s here in this place now.”

Gaspar stared at his little brother, then looked at Miller, Antoine, and the others.

“Gabe? You get feelings from the animals now?” he asked.

“Don’t worry, Gaspar,” he smiled.

“I’m not worried. I mean, I am, but not about you, just for you.” He smiled at his younger brother and hugged him. “Everything done with Hugo?”

“Yep,” said Miller, Trak echoing the sentiment as he walked forward as well.

“Alvin took care of him. He is no longer an issue. His intentions were to sell some of the moonshine legally if it were legalized. But the rest he was going to sell with additives that would force the drinkers to do what they were told. Sick bastard,” frowned Miller.

“He was that,” said Nine. “Let’s get ready. They’ll be here soon.”