Page 42 of Zane

“All you have to do is look at your empty cages and you’ll know it was real,” said Zane.“Her heart, her love of the animals is beyond your comprehension.She couldn’t allow you to do this.”

“What does it matter?What does any of it matter to all of you?This was my business!” he bellowed, suddenly finding his voice again.“I am the king of this jungle.Me!You had no right to interfere in my business.”

“We had every right,” said Ham.

“So, what now?” he smirked.“You’ll torture me?Turn me over to the police?The military?I own them all!You will be the ones behind bars and punished for daring to touch me.”

“I don’t think so,” said Ham.

“Your arrogance is astounding,” he sneered.“I own this country.Every man or woman in authority is under my pay, my control.Me!”

“What about the animals?You don’t own or control them,” said Zane.

“I will.You can be certain that I will own and control them all.I will get more, I will rebuild.You’ve stopped nothing.”

“Maybe we haven’t,” said Ham, “but they have.”

He nodded toward the double glass doors behind Marco and the man looked over his shoulders not seeing anything.

“Who?Who are you talking about?” he demanded.

“Look closer, Marco.You’re about to get exactly what you deserve.”

Turning once again he stared out at the still pouring rain, the faded gray light of dawn appearing at the horizon.Just when he was about to claim there was nothing there, the black discs stared back at him.Unsure if it was real, he touched the glass then saw the distinctive canines of the bear and growl that shook the glass beneath his fingers.

Pouncing through the glass to land on his chest, he sunk his teeth into Marco’s neck, tearing at the flesh while the man was unable to say a word.

Taking a step back, the men watched as the bear ripped at the flesh, tearing muscle and bone beneath its jaw and claws.

“I sure hope we don’t have to shoot him,” said Ham.

“You won’t,” said Trak.They jumped, cursing him once again under this breath.“Osiris?Finish and get back to the river so we can take you home.”

The bear immediately took one more bite, licking his lips and paws and turned back to the shattered door.Looking over his shoulder at Trak, he gave an imperceptible nod and walked into the diminishing rain.

“Please tell me that animal is not going to be on our transport,” said Pierre.

“He’s going the long route, via a ship.He wants to go home.The pacific northwest.He’s a proud animal.”

“And dangerous,” said Zane.“Are the others alright?Is Blake okay?”

“Of course,” frowned Trak.“Did you not trust me?”

“Oh, no sir, I trusted you completely,” he said raising his hands in the air.

“Good.Let’s go home.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

“How are the animals?” asked Blake two days later as they made their way to the animal sanctuary.

“Fine.They arrived frightened and hungry, but they’re getting along well with the others.Many, as you know, chose to stay behind.Some we’ll have to give to zoos or other notable sanctuaries,” said Lucy.“You did very well out there, Blake.You should be proud of yourself.”

“I have to admit, it was fun,” she smiled.“Don’t tell Zane, he’ll flip a lid over it.It was just exciting.I felt in control, something I haven’t felt in a long time.”

“Then it was needed,” said Lucy.

At the clinic, Jane stared down at the scarred face of the young woman brought to them by Matthew.He said she was important and that was all they needed to know.