Chapter 16

Not yet sure why he’d been lingering near the front gate, a fair distance from his normal patrols of the feline exhibits, Carl watched, anxiety rapidly tightening his gut. These were not school kids or, if students, they had to be college age. Most carried backpacks and bundles under their arms, which might contain weapons, protest signs or even burglary tools such as pry bars and bolt cutters. A sensation like an ice cube sliding under his shirt descended his spine.

Once all seven busses had discharged their passengers, well over a hundred visitors gathered in a knot. Soon a couple who looked older and were clearly some kind of leaders began to talk in low urgent tones, grouping their charges and waving in various directions, as if telling them what were to be their duty stations or posts. Carl had seen enough. He took off at a dead run for the security office.