Chapter 28

Katherine had stopped at Sam’s Club and picked up a supply of food. Five-pound cans of pork and beans, fruit cocktail, and industrial-sized peanut butter jars were spread out over his scruffy kitchen counters. A dozen loaves of bread sagged into the sink, and six cases of Coke leaned against one wall.

Steve, bearish with his dark beard and bulky frame, came through the front door, sweaty and dirty. He gave Jared a quick update; three of the lynx cages were repaired and he had a crew checking over the perimeter fencing.

“Tell them to be careful, especially at night. Have someone with lighting out there, okay?” Jared said. Steve nodded.

They slammed together quick sandwiches. “Here’s the game plan. We’ve got eight lynxes still missing and two cougars—Audrey and Pinhead—plus Sultan, all unaccounted for. Sultan’s priority one.”

Peter spoke up, eyes bright. “Duane and Darrell got in about a half hour ago; they’re already out in the field, covering the north side.”