Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
The trip to the hotel proved quiet and tense, and not just because of the pounding rain and whipping winds. What if Malone hadn’t been the one behind Tigger’s kidnapping? What if we were too late? What if I never saw my little orange dragon again because I’d failed him?
I blamed myself. I should have had him in a locked room. Should have stayed with him the entire time and let the workers wander at will.
Apollo reached over to grab my hand and squeeze it. “We’ll find him.”
“I don’t understand why I care so much. I’ve only had him in my life a week, and he’s been nothing but bossy and expensive and…” My voice hitched.
“There is no reason or timeframe for falling in love.”
A statement that startled. He had to be talking about my strong and quick attachment to Tigger, but a part of me wondered if he implied something else. A glance over at Apollo showed his gaze on the road.
“The moment I met Lulu, I knew I’d marry her,” Tutu stated from the back, showing he’d been listening.
“From what she told me, it took months before she’d agree to go on a date.”
“Bah, she knew we were perfect for each other. She just played hard to get,” Tutu scoffed.
“What made you so sure she was the one?” questioned Apollo.
“A combination of things. I mean she was pretty. Smart, too. She worked at the bank before we got married, and she took over the business side of the shop. But I think the thing that cemented it for me was her laugh. She laughed often. Always found the joy in everything, even a grumpy bastard like me.” Tutu sighed.
“I miss how she made everything seem so much brighter.”
Tears pricked my eyes. While my grandfather might be an ornery old man, he’d truly loved my grandmother, and she saw past his crude manners to the good man inside. Kind of like how Apollo looked past my abrasiveness and I’d chosen to give the outsider a chance.
“There’s the hotel up ahead,” Apollo stated, slowing down the SUV.
“What’s going on?” I asked, seeing people milling about outside. Fire trucks sat parked at the curb, lights flashing but sirens off. No hoses or smoke in sight.
“Looks like someone yanked the fire alarm and the place was evacuated.”
I leaned forward and peered at the crowd, hoping to spot Malone. “I don’t see the doctor, but then again, it’s hard to really see with all those people moving around.”
“Doubtful he’d have stuck around considering anyone who sees Tigger is going to have questions. Bright orange lizards aren’t exactly common, not to mention I don’t see our imperious dragon keeping quiet about his situation,” theorized Apollo.
“No, he likely will be putting up a big stink.” Part of his charm. “If he’s not here, then where? Do you think he went to another hotel?”
“With the storm starting to ease, I’m going to wager he’s gone to the airport.”
“No way will they let him get on a plane with Tigger,” Tutu stated. “Someone’s gonna take one look at our dragon and call the wildlife authorities.”
“I doubt he booked a commercial flight. More likely he’s hired a private jet.”
My lips pursed. “That narrows it down. There can’t be that many.”
“More than you think and we might waste too much time finding the right one, allowing Malone to get away.”
“Meaning we’re screwed.” I slumped in my seat as Apollo sped from the hotel.
“Don’t give up so quickly. I might have a way to narrow the number of jets down.”
“What happens when we find this crook?” my grandfather asked. It surprised he’d insisted on coming along. Then again, he and Tigger had bonded over the past few days.
“Once we know which plane he’s on, I know some people who can make sure that jet doesn’t leave the ground and that Malone is detained.”
“On what grounds?” I asked.
“Doesn’t really matter. The accusation itself doesn’t matter. We just need to ensure he can’t leave with Tigger.”
“If you call the authorities, how are we supposed to get Tigger back? Won’t they seize him?”
“That’s the only tricky part of the plan,” Apollo stated. “I’ll probably need to cause some sort of distraction with Malone so that you can grab Tigger and stash him somewhere safe before the cops arrive.”
It still surprised me how willing he was to risk himself to save Tigger, whom he’d known for only a few days.
Then again, look at me. I’d only known him slightly longer, and I couldn’t imagine him not being in my life.
It reminded me of something Tigger said that I’d taken for arrogance at the time.
About how payment wasn’t required because he’d honored me by choosing me as his servant.
In one sense, he kind of didn’t have a choice since I’d been the one to find him, but at the same time, he cared for me in his own selfish way.
Look at who he’d wanted by his side when he’d been scared by that drone.
I was special to a dragon, and I wanted to be a part of his life as he grew and…
took over the world? That part still seemed far-fetched.
“I don’t know if any of us should be confronting Malone. Didn’t he murder those thieves?” I reminded.
“Because he got close enough to inject them with something. Don’t worry. I plan to stay out of reach.”
Then, because Tigger and I had this conversation recently, I couldn’t help but ask, “What if he’s got a gun?”
“Then I hope his aim is shit.”
It shouldn’t have surprised that Apollo knew an entrance into the airport not accessible to the general public. Guess billionaires got some kind of pass because, with a flash of a card Apollo pulled from his wallet, the guard at the gate let the SUV through without issue.
Once inside the airport enclosure, Apollo drove slowly and pointed. “As you can see, the private jets are parked all over. If you don’t mind hanging tight for a few minutes, I’ll hit up my contact. She should be able to tell me which ones are scheduled to leave first.”
She? Unfamiliar jealousy filled me.
As if Apollo sensed it, he squeezed my hand. “Her name is Rhonda, and she’s almost sixty. We met when I started flying here regularly. She’s what you might call a liaison for VIPS.”
“And you think she’ll give you the info you want?” I couldn’t help but sound dubious.
“Maybe. Guess it will depend on how convincing I am. I’m going to tell her Malone stole something when visiting my home and I want it back without involving authorities.”
“Hold on, I thought your plan was to call the cops on Malone,” Tutu interjected.
“I’m rethinking that idea. I’m not sure I want Malone singing like a bird to authorities about Tigger.”
“He probably would out of spite,” I murmured. “But letting him loose isn’t a great plan either.”
“When are you both going to see that dropping him in the volcano is the best idea?” Tutu reiterated.
“We are not murderers,” I snapped.
“He is,” Tutu countered. “If Tigger were bigger, I’d let him have a go at this evil doctor.”
“If Tigger were bigger, we probably wouldn’t have to ride to his rescue.”
“While you two figure out a plan for Malone that doesn’t have us arrested for manslaughter, I’m going to try and charm Rhonda into coughing up flight info.” Apollo exited the vehicle and strutted off with a confidence I couldn’t help but admire.
“Who knew adopting a lizard would be so complicated,” I grumbled.
“More like he adopted us,” my grandfather stated. “Which is why we need to do what’s necessary to protect him.”
I whirled in my seat. “We are not killing Malone.”
“What if he just happened to wander too close to a cliff or stepped out into traffic?”
“Tutu.” I injected a warning note.
“So long as that man is alive, our dragon will be in danger.”
“Since when is Tigger our dragon? Aren’t you the man who tried to clobber him with a broom?”
“That was before I realized he was special. Now, as his Grand Vizier, it is my duty—”
“His what?”
“Grand Vizier. I told him if I was going to work for him, I needed a more impressive title than chief strategist.”
“And what does a Grand Vizier do?”
“We’re still hammering out my duties, but I’m pretty sure handling his enemies is part of it.”
I rubbed my face. “I can’t believe this.”
“I’m sure if you ask, he’ll give you a nicer title too.”
“Not that. The fact he got kidnapped, hell, the whole fact I even know a talking dragon.”
“It is pretty incredible.”
It truly was. I glanced out the window. The storm had eased enough that regular operations had begun resuming. Airport workers bustled as they got planes ready for take-off.
One jet in particular, a smaller craft parked not far from us, for some reason drew my eye. I couldn’t have said why. It had no unusual markings. Nothing about it set it apart, and yet I found myself saying to Tutu, “Stay here while I check something out.”
“Where are you going?”
“To follow my gut.”
“I should come with you.”
I shook my head. “You couldn’t be stealthy if you tried. I’ll just be a few minutes. It’s probably nothing.”
Calling myself all kinds of foolish, I exited the SUV, pulled up the hood of my sweater, hunched my shoulders, and tried to walk like a man—AKA as if I had some big balls between my legs while controlling the roll of my hips. Did I succeed? Nobody yelled at me, which I took as a good sign.
Ding.
I glanced at my phone.
Tutu: Did you shove a stick up your ass? Why are you walking funny?
Sigh. Okay, maybe I should just act normal.
As I neared the jet, its engine began to rev and the exterior lights blinked on. No airport workers hovered nearby, but under its belly, I could spot a staircase still in place. Waiting for a passenger?
A few paces away, over the hum of the engine, I could barely make out someone talking. Whoever it was began shouting.
“I don’t care what you have to do. I want that MRI machine in my lab before I land.”
Malone! I almost hit the tarmac face-first, as if that would hide me. If I couldn’t see him, he couldn’t see me. Even better, he’d not yet boarded for take-off. I still had time to save my baby dragon.
Dropping into a crouch made movement slightly more challenging but allowed me to traverse under the jet, the stairs camouflaging my approach. When I reached the rear of them, I dared to take a peek. Malone had his back to me as he tapped on his phone.
A man in a pilot’s uniform exited the hangar. “Sir, looks like we’ll be cleared to leave within the hour, possibly less.”
“About time,” Malone snarled. “I was ready to depart hours ago. Stupid storm.”
I think he meant fortuitous.
“If you’re ready to board, I can seal us up so we’re good to go soon as controllers clear us to go.”
“In a few minutes. I’m going to use the bathroom first.”
“There’s one on the plane, sir.”
“I don’t think either of us want to marinate in what I’m about to eject from my bowels.” Crude, but also to the point.
“Appreciated, sir. In that case, I’m going to pop into the office and see if they’ve got any donuts left. Just give me a holler when you’re done.”
Malone needing to have a stinky shit provided the perfect opportunity for me to get on board.
Soon as the pair disappeared into the hangar, I flew up the steps and stepped into the jet.
It wasn’t a big one, four seats in total.
A briefcase lay across a spot in the first row, while the one behind held something square covered in a blanket.
I whipped off the fabric to reveal a cage holding my orange dragon. “Tigger!”
“About time,” he grumbled, looking annoyed but unharmed.
“You know, you could say thank you,” I muttered, but without rancor.
“I’ll thank you once we’re away from this place.”
“That is the plan.” I grabbed the lock holding the door of the cage shut and pursed my lips. “I don’t have a key to unlock it.”
“Break it.”
“With what?”
“Can’t you like twist and snap it? It’s not very big.”
“It’s metal,” I pointed out as I gave the small padlock a tug and turned it side to side.
Tigger sighed. “Did you not bring any tools to my rescue?”
“No. But you know what, we don’t need to break you out this instant. The important part is getting you off this plane.” I grabbed the cage and hoisted it before heading for the exit.
An exit that suddenly held someone.
Malone pursed his lips. “Well. Well. If it isn’t the local woman who hatched a dragon in a kiln.” He snorted. “Have to say that wouldn’t have occurred to me, but good to know for future reference.”
“Out of my way. Me and Tigger are leaving,” I stated with more bravery than I felt.
Malone’s brows lifted. “Tigger? What kind of ridiculous name is that?”
“A special one given out of affection because Tigger’s my friend and, as such, you are not taking him anywhere, so please move.”
“I don’t think so.”
A response I’d expected but which left me with a dilemma. How to escape? “If I were you, I’d be hightailing it. Apollo’s fetching airport security.”
“That would be a very bad idea because then neither of us would get to keep the dragon.”
“Tigger isn’t a thing to be owned but a living, sentient being.”
“Who is extinct and will be of great interest to many organizations. I imagine, though, that zoos and animal protection groups won’t be the ones who get to keep him.
Most likely, he’ll end up in some Area-51-type location, a creature of curiosity for the scientists who will experiment until he dies. ”
“I won’t allow that to happen,” I huffed.
“As if you’d have a choice. Tell you what, why don’t you come with us? The creature is attached to you, and it would save me paying for a caretaker.”
“No. I won’t allow Iolana to be your prisoner,” Tigger exclaimed, finally joining the conversation. I’d been surprised at his restraint thus far. “You will let her go free.”
“You’re smart enough to know that’s not an option. She and her boyfriend know too much.”
“I’ll be a model prisoner if you do,” my dragon offered, leading me to exclaim, “No, Tigger. I won’t leave you.”
“While this is all very touching, the pilot will be here soon, and the last thing I need is for him to balk before we’ve left the island.” A gun emerged, and Malone pointed it in my direction.
“Put the cage down.”
I didn’t see I had much choice.
Being a smartass, Tigger whispered, “Told you firearms would pose an issue.”
“Not the time to say I told you so,” I huffed as I set the cage on the floor.
“On your knees, hands over your head,” Malone ordered.
I hit the carpeted floor and locked my fingers atop my hair.
“I’m going to tie you up and tuck you in the bathroom. If you try anything, I will kill you. Understood?”
Since he had a gun—that I suspected he wasn’t afraid to use—I had no choice. I gritted my teeth and nodded.
Malone undid his belt and held it in one hand as he approached. I saw no way of avoiding becoming his captive.
So much for rescuing my dragon.
Guess my only hope was Apollo returning in time or my grandfather realizing something was amiss and coming to my rescue.
Instead of a miracle, Tigger farted.