Hybrid Vigor by John Lee Schneider

Author:John Lee Schneider [Schneider, John Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severed Press
Published: 2019-03-24T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Daniel woke the next morning to Wesley calling him, his cell-phone buzzing on his nightstand like a jumping bean.

“Someone broke into the park last night,” Wesley said. “That big croc we caught? Someone killed it. Shot it right between the eyes.”

“Well,” Daniel said. “That didn't take long.”

“Quinton's boys?” Wesley asked.

Daniel sighed. “Only three of them went to jail. One of the brothers. I don't know how many hired hands that leaves.”

“Enough,” Wesley said. “Listen, Daniel, I'm beginning to think you should just get out of there.”

Daniel was beginning to think so too.

What would be the harm?

If what he really wanted was the croc out of the water, Quinton would certainly get it done. Barnes was not wrong.

So why did Daniel find himself resisting? Just for the sake of Law and Order? Or dutiful determination to 'do his job'? Or perhaps even pride at how good he was at it?

None of that felt right – although pride was probably a closer call. Maybe it was as simple as 'this is my turf' and he wasn't going to be put off of it.

Or maybe... just maybe... he didn't want to let the bad guys win.

Perhaps even that was an offshoot of pride – the idea of taking it upon himself – wanting to be a hero.

Was that it? And a hero for who, exactly?

Last night he had acted without thinking. And if he was honest with himself, he should have realized – dense as he could be – there had been potential for a moment he had been pining over for ten years.

He had turned away from that moment – consciously – perhaps even with a touch of hostility – maybe even resentment.

Or, could it be preoccupation with certain tattooed swamp-minx?

“Daniel?” Wesley said. “What do you think?”

Daniel sighed. “Look,” he said, “we already have traps out. God willing, that big croc's sitting in one of them right now, and it's over after today.”

Another day, he decided. They were already out here.

“Be careful, Daniel,” Wesley said.

“Start making your calls, Mr. Wesley,” Daniel said, and hung up.

Abigail and Jen were both waiting at the dock.

Jen huddled over a thermos full of motel coffee, glancing up only briefly as Daniel nodded good-morning.

Abigail had settled in her seat at the head of the boat – lounged in that catlike way that managed to turn the rustic and menial into luxury.

As she turned her green eyes on him, Daniel actually felt a little chill.

She was almost stunningly beautiful – in an aggressive, predatory way that Daniel was unaccustomed to.

He would be utterly lying to himself if he didn't admit to some very basic man-thoughts about her. But this was not warm, summer-breeze attraction – more like winter wind and goose-flesh. Witchy woman.

Jen was eyeing him coldly over the steam in her cup.

“Hey! Are we working today?”

Daniel tossed his pack, and clambered aboard after it.

Jen took her middle plank as Daniel started the motor, steering out into the main river. Without being told, he turned in the direction of the lagoon.

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