Chapter 17 Holt #2
The casual reference to his old habits sent a warm flutter through Holt's chest, but he tried to focus on the practical aspects of their conversation.
"Since you're here and clearly have nothing else urgent to do," he said with a teasing smile, "would you be interested in helping me go through some of these files?
I haven't even started on that pile over there.
Those are all complaints about veterinary services, insurance claims from tourists who had pet emergencies, and general correspondence related to animal care in the area. "
"Of course I can help," June said immediately, pulling the stack of files toward her side of the desk. "Do you have a spare notepad and pen so I can take notes on anything that seems relevant?"
"Absolutely," Holt replied, opening his desk drawer and retrieving the requested supplies. "Here you go."
"Thanks," June said, pulling a pair of reading glasses from her purse and putting them on before opening the first file.
Holt had to force himself not to stare at her as she settled into the familiar rhythm of document review.
The glasses gave her a scholarly, professional appearance that he found unexpectedly attractive, and the way she focused intently on the pages reminded him of countless evenings they'd spent working together on various projects during their marriage.
"Oh, before I forget," Holt said, reaching for another folder on his desk, "I got the analysis back on the gas canisters that were used in the clinic attack.
" He pulled out the official report and scanned the key findings.
"I was right about them being police grade.
They're specifically designed for crowd control and tactical operations, the kind of equipment that's restricted to law enforcement and military personnel. "
"So whoever used them either works in law enforcement or has military experience," June said, looking up from the file she'd been reading.
"Or has connections to someone who does," Holt added. "These aren't the kind of items you can purchase at a sporting goods store or order online without proper credentials and background checks."
"There aren't that many current or former police officers and military veterans living in Sandpiper Shores," June pointed out thoughtfully. "It should be possible to create a list of people with potential access to this kind of equipment."
"I've already started compiling that information," Holt confirmed, taking a bite of the excellent meal Margo had sent. "The list is shorter than you might expect, which could work in our favor if we can cross-reference it with other evidence."
Their conversation was interrupted by June's phone ringing. She glanced at the screen and immediately answered.
"Sorry, it's Lacey," she told Holt as she accepted the call. "Hello, Lacey, is everything all right?"
Holt couldn't hear Lacey's side of the conversation, but he could see June's expression shifting from casual concern to focused attention as she listened to whatever was being explained.
"A manatee rescue?" June repeated, obviously surprised by the request. "How many animals are we talking about, and how serious are their injuries?
" She paused to listen, then looked up at Holt.
"Lacey wants to know if you'd be willing to come help her and Dean with an emergency manatee rescue operation. "
"Oh," Holt said, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected request. "I have to admit, I've never participated in a manatee rescue before."
"Is that a yes or a no?" June asked, covering the phone's mouthpiece.
"Sure, I'm willing to help," Holt decided quickly. "When and where do they need us?"
"Right now," June replied, then spoke back into the phone. "What kind of equipment or supplies should we bring?" She listened for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, we're on our way."
"Do we need to bring anything specific?" Holt asked as June ended the call.
"She said just to get to the clinic as quickly as possible," June reported. "They're organizing the rescue operation from there and will have whatever equipment they need."
They quickly gathered their things and headed out to Carmen's car, with Holt taking the driver's seat for the short trip across town to the new veterinary clinic. As they pulled into the parking area, Holt noticed that Harvey was just arriving in his pickup truck.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Peltz," Harvey called out as he approached Lacey, who was waiting near the clinic entrance with Dean. "This old pickup is all I could find on such short notice."
"Thank you, Harvey," Lacey replied graciously. "We'll make it work. We just need to create a safe transport area in the truck bed in case we have to bring any of the manatees back here for treatment."
She turned to address Harvey and several of the construction workers who had been helping with the clinic renovation.
"We need to line the truck bed with something soft and waterproof, and we'll need a way to keep the animals wet during transport.
Can you help us improvise something that will work? "
"What about those tarps we've been using to cover the building materials?" one of the workers suggested. "We could line the truck bed with those and use some of the foam padding from the equipment crates."
"That's perfect," Lacey said. "And we'll need containers for water and maybe some kind of pump system to keep the animals' skin moist."
"Will we need anything else back there, Dr. Peltz?" another worker asked.
"If you can find some rope or straps to secure everything safely, that would be helpful," Lacey replied. "And maybe a cooler with ice to help regulate the water temperature."
Once they had everything they needed and the back of the pickup was kitted out, Holt took the wheel with June beside him, Dean and Lacey in the back.
They took off toward the lake. They pulled up where Lacey instructed them to, as she and Dean jumped off the back.
She asked Holt to spin the truck around and reverse it so it was ready in case they needed to load a manatee on it.
Holt did as he was instructed. Once he was parked, he and June climbed out. As they walked around the truck, Holt froze as he looked to where Dean had started walking.
Holt found his attention drawn to the people standing near the water's edge, where the injured manatees were located. A sleek speedboat was moored nearby, and he could make out several figures beside it.
"Is that who reported the injured manatees?" he asked Lacey, who was grabbing her kit off the back of the truck.
"Yes," Lacey confirmed as she glanced to where Holt was pointing. "They called it in right before I called June."
Holt's eyes moved to June, who was helping organize supplies and hadn't yet gotten a clear look at the people waiting by the water.
"June," he said quietly, walking up beside her.
"What is it?" June asked, looking up from the equipment she was checking.
Holt nodded toward the water where the figures were standing. June followed his gaze, and her expression immediately changed as she recognized who they were looking at.
"That's Clive Morrison and his sister Sienna," June said quietly.
"Exactly," Holt replied grimly. “They were the ones that called this in.”
“Do you think this might be a trap?” June glanced at Lacey, who was busy slipping on a wetsuit as her eyes scanned the water. "We need to keep our eyes peeled on Lacey.”
"Agreed," Holt said. “I don’t want to believe the worst of those two but…”
“We can’t be too sure,” June said. “And it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
"Everyone ready?" Lacey called from the side of the lake, looking back at them. "Let's go help these animals.