Free Highlights to Heaven by Nancy J. Cohen Page B

shipment was delayed. It should be in early next week.”
    “I paid you to have it ready today.”
    “I can’t control what happens on the other side. You’ll have to be patient.”
    “Be patient, my ass. My sponsor is expecting them tonight.”
    “Look, I’ll throw in some extras. I’ve got an Anegada Island iguana coming in. Should be some new macaws, too. You tell him he can have his choice.”
    “No way. We had a deal. You don’t deliver on time, you don’t keep the cash, buddy.”
    “What is this?” Cutter broke in. “Listen, cuz, you told me you’d finished with this stuff.”
    Marla crept closer to where she could discern their outlines through the trees. Squinting, she wished her vision allowed her to see more clearly. Maybe it was time to visit the eye doctor. Beside Cutter stood a brawny fellow. Together they faced a shorter, wiry figure.
    “I have your parakeets, Wake,” said Cutter’s cousin. “I promise I’ll call you as soon as our other shipment comes in. It’s not my fault. I’ve always been reliable, you know that.”
    The short man clenched his fists. “I’ll discuss it with Tiger. We’ll get back to you.” Abruptly, he turned on his heel and left.
    Afraid he’d come in her direction toward the exit, Marla slinked back against a prickly tree trunk. Instead, he walked the opposite way, making her think there must be another entrance to the property. That made sense, especially if the rancher lived here. He’d want to drive up to his house. Did this place belong to Cutter’s cousin?
    “You’d better not mess up our project,” Cutter warned the man named Evan when they were left alone.
    “Don’t worry. I can handle those guys.”
    “You’re risking our enterprise by screwing with Tiger. If he decides you’re a liability-”
    “He won’t. I’m his main supplier. He won’t cut off the hand that feeds him. Now follow me to the lab. The results of our latest tests are exciting.”
    “You’re able to proceed without Verkovich?”
    A heavy sigh. “It’s necessary. Have you had any success tracking our friend?”
    “Nope, but I have in mind someone who might lead us to him.”
    As they strode away, Marla strained to hear more, but she couldn’t make out their words. Darn! She sidestepped along the path, intending to trail them, when she stepped on a particularly large twig. A loud crack made the two men glance over their shoulders. Marla froze, praying she blended in with her surroundings. After a moment suspended in time, they shrugged and resumed their pace.
    She watched a lizard scurry up a papaya tree, waiting until the coast was clear before she proceeded after her quarry. She came upon a few buildings that looked like work sheds. Peacocks strutted across the grass, eyeing her warily. Rounding a corner, she stopped, confused. The two men were nowhere in sight.
    She stepped onto a concrete path and entered an alley between huge wire enclosures. Each mesh cell was labeled and appropriately designed for its occupants, with rocky prominences and tropical foliage. But this was no zoo, and Marla wondered at its purpose.
    Her nostrils wrinkled as she stepped carefully around a splotch of bird droppings. The stench reminded her of dead lizards she sometimes found at home. Curiosity compelled her to peer into some of the enclosures. At least the labels helped to identify the residents. Two red-tailed hawks kept each other company next to a cage harboring prairie owls. A Mississippi kite, with a gray body and black tail, gave a high, keening cry. Marla hoped its noise wouldn’t draw attention. Osprey, eagles, and a collection of vultures stared at her as though they knew she was an intruder.
    Were these creatures for sale, or were they part of a private collection?
    The air grew hot and still. Just as she considered clapping a hand over her nose to filter out the odor of death, someone else did it for her.
    “Whaddya doin’ here?” hissed a male voice in her ear, a strong