Page 87 of Refuge for Flora

“Sure. Whatcha got in mind?”

“It’s what we’ve got for you. We can set you up to breed alligators.”

Barrett heard Conor say, “Aren’t those illegal here?”

“So’s a lot of other things, but they’re still here. You interested?”

“I dunno. They’re really large and?”

“Okay, what about caimans?”

“What’s a caiman? I didn’t see any of those in there.”

“That’s because they’re illegal too. They’re smaller alligator-kinda lizards.”

“Why would I want to get involved in something like that?”

Barrett could hear Darryl laugh. “Because there’s a lot of money in it. Folks want them big lizards. Makes people look at ‘em. They feel special ‘cause they’ve got a big secret. Or maybe they’ve got somebody they want to get rid of. Those things will eat about anything that’s meat.” The idea made Barrett feel a little nauseous as he thought about what Flora had told him.

“Hmmm. So how much would it cost me to get started?”

“We’ve got some juveniles. We could sell ‘em for, I dunno, two fifty apiece? Then when you breed ‘em, you’ll have more. And we’ve got more, so if you help us move ‘em, you’ll make some money too. Think you might be interested?”

“Could I see them?”

“Sure. How ‘bout we get together tomorrow and talk about it?”

“Sounds good.” There were handshakes and, to his surprise, Barrett watched and listened as Darryl gave Conor his phone number. In seconds, Frankie and LeeLee came out of the building, arguing aloud, and all three men watched them. “Wow, I wouldn’t want to be him,” Conor said as Frankie and LeeLee climbed into Frankie’s truck.

“Yeah, I don’t put up with that shit. I ain’t got no time for women who ain’t got no sense. So we’ll hear from you tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I’ll think it over tonight and give you a call.”

“Sounds good. Jump in and you won’t be sorry. Later, gator,” Darryl called as he headed to the truck, laughing at his own joke.

Conor walked toward his truck and watched as they pulled out of the lot. They’d no more than rolled out of the parking lot when Frankie and LeeLee pulled out. “Hey, Barrett, you there?”

“Yeah.”

“Frankie and LeeLee just rolled out. We’ve got ‘em unless he loses them.”

“Good. Now all we can do is sit back and wait.” That was going to be hard to do. If he could get by with it, he’d snap Darryl in two with his bare hands.

* * *

Flora lookedout the back door of the little house at the weeds and brush. There was a path, but who knew where it went? It had been a yard at one time, but it had become a thicket. It was doubtful that Mrs.Murphy had been out there in the previous ten years, much less taken care of it. Gazing farther back, she could see a field and behind it, a tree line. She’d never paid much attention so she hadn’t asked what was back there. It was behind Barrett’s house too, and being a conservation officer, she bet he knew the area like the back of his hand.

Mrs.Murphy was fussing about something, so Flora cut her gawking off and headed back toward the front of the house. “What did you say?” she asked when she cleared the doorway.

“I said, there’s a truck out there. I ain’t never seen it afore. Dunno whose it is.” She pointed out the front window, so Flora stooped to look. There was someone in it, but they weren’t getting out, just sitting there.

“How long have they been sitting there?”

“I dunno. Maybe two hours?”

“Two hours? Why didn’t you say something before then? Shit.” Flora pulled out her phone and hit Barrett’s contact.

“Hey, babe.”