Old Jack scribbled, never given chance.
Old Jack watched as Shaw read the note and could see Shaw was thinking about what it meant. Shaw slowly turned and looked at the fat man in the corner, a look of disgust growing on his face. He walked toward the fat man. “Did you ask Old Jack any questions before or during the interrogation?”
The fat man stood silent, a look of confusion on his face.
“Did you ask him any questions?” Shaw yelled.
The fat man began to twitch. “No, sir, I didn’t think to.”
Shaw was outraged. “How stupid could you actually be?”
He grabbed the fat man by his ear, led him to the side of Old Jack’s chair and forced him to his knees. “The whole point of giving someone a beating is to get information out of them. If you don’t ask questions, how would that be possible?”
The fat man squealed as Shaw twisted his ear.
Shaw shot Old Jack a crazed look. “Oh, kind of sounds like a cute little piggy, doesn’t he?”
Shaw continued to hold the man’s ear as he removed a knife from his pocket with his free hand. He held the knife to the side of the fat man’s face. He slowly ran it across the dirty stubble, then in one quick motion sliced off the fat man’s ear. “You shouldn’t miss that, since you don’t like to listen.”
The fat man screamed as his body rolled to the floor. He reached up and covered the bloody wound with his hand, a look of sheer terror in his eyes. Old Jack watched as Shaw’s hand approached his face, then tasted the disgusting ear as Shaw shoved it into his mouth. “You’re both worthless.”
Shaw bent down directly in front of Old Jack’s face. “The Serengeti Casino opens in two days. The amphitheater show opens in five days. I’ve already sold five hundred thousand tickets at three hundred dollars a piece for the opening night show. And it all hinges on the main attraction, which was billed and promised to be a living, breathing, great white shark. All the shows we have been doing down here in South America have just been dress rehearsals for the main event.”
Old Jack, the disgusting ear still rotting in his mouth, again nodded his head in total understanding.
“I’ve got billions invested in the Serengeti, Jack. And the last thing I want to do is lose any money. I don’t care what you need to do, but you better deliver that shark to Vegas and make sure that he is a willing participant in my show.”
Shaw’s cell phone rang, and he stepped just outside the door. He spoke for a moment, then stepped into the doorway. “It appears that most of the animals have returned to the train on their own. I guess they figure it’s safer to live with me than on their own in the jungles of the Amazon. I’ll round them up and see you in Vegas with Shark, Jack.”
Old Jack gave Shaw a positive nod and watched as Shaw disappeared from view. He spit the disgusting ear out of his crushed mouth. He looked down at the fat man groveling on the floor and thought, One day I’ll take your other ear, fat man.
CHAPTER 18
The Mill
Shark played the big man in pool all afternoon. The big man won a few but Shark won the majority. By the end of the day he was up five thousand dollars.
“Care to go again?” Shark asked.
“No, I think I need to cut my losses. You’re too good,” the big man said. “I’ll have to get the rest of the money in the morning, after the bank opens.”
“The problem is that we’re leaving tonight,” Shark said.
The big man was silent, and Shark could tell that he did not know what to say. He knew the man would know that it was bad to bet money you didn’t have immediate access to. Shark could feel him squirming. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll make you a deal. Those bikes outside belong to you, right?”
“Me and my brother,” the big man said. “But they’re worth way more than five grand.”
“I know that—we were admiring them on the way in. Here’s what I propose. You and your brother lend us the bikes just for tonight. We’ve got to take a quick ride out to the Animal Mill, then we’ll bring them right back. If you do that, I’ll cut out the entire five grand you owe me.”
Shark watched as the big man looked over at his brother. Shark knew they would see it as a good deal, that even if they tried to steal the bikes, the guys would have no problem finding them.
The big man looked back at Shark and flipped him the keys. “You got a deal.”
“Thanks,” Shark responded.
“Don’t mention it. Like I said when we met, I like what you did for that zebra. You seem like stand-up guys, and I don’t mind helping you out. I don’t know what kind of business you got out there at the Animal Mill, but if there is anything we can help you with, just let us know.”
Shark heard the sound of vehicles pulling up in front of the hotel, and he could see armed men approaching the front door of the bar. He looked at the big man. “It’s funny you should mention that favor thing, because right now, we could use a place to hide.”
“Follow me.” The big man led Shark and Wolf to a small utility closet. “You should be safe in here.”
Shark checked the closet for any type of additional exit but did not find one. He then listened to the conversation on the other side of the door.
“We’re looking for a shark and a wolf,” a man yelled. “Has anyone here seen them?”
There was total silence. Nobody answered.
“You there? Big man? You’re sure you haven’t seen a shark and a wolf.”
“Nope, can’t say that I have,” the big man responded.
Shark heard the armed man take a few steps toward the table and the closet. “Who do all these empty beer bottles belong to?”
“They’re mine,” the big man said. “I’ve been a little thirsty.”
Shark listened closer as he heard the man’s steps, which sounded like he was approaching the closet. He watched as the doorknob started to slowly turn and braced himself for attack. All of a sudden a phone rang and the doorknob stopped turning. He listened as the man answered the call.
“We’re sure they’re back there,” the man said. There was a short pause. “I’ve got it, sir. We’ll meet you back at the train immediately.”
“Let’s move!” the man yelled to his counterparts. “Most of the animals have returned to the train. Shaw wants them loaded and on the move to Vegas immediately.”
Shark listened as the armed men left the bar, and after a few moments, he exited the closet.
Wolf looked over at him. “Why are the animals going back to the train?”
“I have no idea,” Shark said. “But at least it keeps those men from searching for us.”
Shark thanked the big man and his brother. He stepped outside the bar and jumped on the bike. He looked over at Wolf as he jumped on the second one. Shark revved the engine and headed down the road toward the mill.
Old Jack looked out the window of his hotel room and watched as Shark and Wolf sped off on the two motorcycles. He knew exactly where they were headed. He retrieved his phone and with his injured fingers, delicately dialed the number of the mill. When his call was answered, he simply mumbled the word, “Execute.”
Shark raced down the dirt road, pressing the bike to move as fast as it could. Time was a luxury that he knew he did not have. Vixen was only a few miles away. He would save her even if it cost him his life trying. Shark looked over at Wolf and noticed how well he handled his bike. He could tell Wolf was an experienced rider. Shark revved his engine and sped out in front, with Wolf quickly following behind.
The road meandered through open plains and dense jungle, then climbed steeply. Shark found himself on top of a large mountain that gave him a grand view of the massive operation taking place in the valley below.
There was a giant barbed wire fence that surrounded the cold concrete compound. The main buildings were old and grey. Outside the main area were miles of fenced-in grazing fields with thick herds of wildebeest, gazelle, zebra, and buffalo, all roaming and feeding on tall grasses. On the othe
r side of the compound he could see separate fenced areas that contained hundreds of lions and cheetahs.
“There must be fifty thousand animals down there,” Shark said.
“I can’t tell how many,” Wolf answered. “But it’s definitely a massive operation. What do you think they’re doing with all of them?”
“Looks like Shaw is looking to increase the size of his show,” Shark said. “Like those guys on the train said, he’s breeding the animals here just to slaughter them.”
“Killing this many animals would leave a lot of blood on his hands.”
“Yes, it would,” Shark replied. “But I don’t think he cares. Neither do the customers who pay for the tickets.” Shark got back on his bike and looked at Wolf. “Let’s go find the ladies.”
Wolf jumped back on his bike and revved the engine. “I’m ready to roll.”
Shark gave him a nod, and the two started a slow descent down the twisting road toward the valley floor.
They were about halfway down the mountain when they turned a blind corner. Directly ahead was a row of armored vehicles, and there were armed men with guns pointed directly at them.
Shark and Wolf stopped their bikes.
“That’s some pretty serious fire power,” Shark said.
An armed man yelled at them through a bullhorn. “Halt your approach or you will be fired on.”
Shark and Wolf raised their hands into the air. Shark watched as Cahira and Frenchie emerged from the back of the vehicles. Shark stretched his neck, frantically searching the area for any sign of Vixen.
“What are they up to?” Wolf asked.
“I don’t know, but whatever it is, we need to be careful. Anything Old Jack is behind is not what it seems.”
The man yelled through the bullhorn. “We will be sending the poodle and the panther over to you. Look through the package.”
Shark watched as Frenchie and Cahira walked toward them. Cahira had a package tied around her neck.
“How do we know it’s not a trap?” Wolf asked.
“We don’t, but obviously they knew we were coming. If they intended to take us out they could have done so already.”
As the ladies approached, Shark could see the fear in their eyes. He looked down and noticed the bump on Frenchie’s belly. We’re too late, he thought. These bastards have already impregnated her.
As they got closer the ladies ran toward them, and Cahira jumped into Wolf’s arms. Shark gave Frenchie a big hug and again looked down at her swollen belly.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t get here sooner. It looks like we were a little late for you,” Shark said.
“Nothing happened here like that, Shark. My babies belong to Dog Z Boy.”
A slight smile formed on Shark’s face as he ran his hands over her belly. “Dog Z Boy would have been so excited.”
Wolf undid the metal cord that held the package around Cahira’s neck. He looked through it, then handed it to Shark. “You need to read this.”
Shark checked the package and removed plane tickets. He then read the note, which was from Old Jack.
I give you these two as a gesture of goodwill. I will return Vixen as well, after you complete the task at hand. Enclosed are four tickets to Las Vegas. You have rooms booked at the Serengeti Casino. I will contact you once you arrive. Old Jack.
“What do you make if this?” Wolf asked.
“I’m not sure what Old Jack is up to. But it looks like the only way to find Vixen is to do what he says. We’re headed to Vegas.” Shark looked over at Wolf. “Let’s drop the bikes and head to the airport.”
Shark and Wolf helped Cahira and Frenchie onto the back of the bikes, then sped off, back toward the town of Matadore.
Old Jack watched from his hotel window as Shark and Wolf pulled back into town. He turned and looked at Vixen who was quietly sitting in a chair. “Don’t worry, my dear, as long as your Shark gets on the plane to Vegas, all should be well. If not, well let’s just say that the pharmaceutical company I’ll sell you to will make the Animal Mill look like a country club.”
CHAPTER 19
The Serengeti Resort and Casino
Shaw strolled through the massive marble lobby of his new casino. He stopped for a second to admire the artwork that adorned its walls. He had spent a small fortune acquiring authentic African art from all corners of the continent, and now, as he looked at it hanging on the walls of his masterpiece, thought it was an investment well suited. He smiled. His dream was close, very close, to becoming a reality.
He glanced through the lobby, past the hordes of artisans putting the finishing touches on his grand vision, and could see the glistening lights of the casino floor. He listened for a moment to the sounds of slot machines being tested by his engineers. It sounded as if they were all going off at once. Soon, he thought, that sound will represent a symphony of money being made. It will be sweet music to the ears.
He followed the corridor around to the left and looked up at the electric sign above the door to the conference room, which read: Serengeti Casino Press Conference – 4:00 p.m. He checked his watch and noticed the time: 3:59 p.m. He was right on time.
Shaw entered the room and took his reserved seat in the very last row. He watched as his assistant and public relations spokesperson, Jones, stood in front of the podium, ready to address the packed house of journalists from around the world, all eager to get the inside details on the most extravagant casino ever built.
“Hello, I would like to thank you all for coming,” Jones said. “The Serengeti is the newest mega resort and casino on the Las Vegas strip. As you are all aware, it has been the only one built during the last five years and was quite a project to undertake in a city strapped by a major economic downturn. Mr. Shaw, the owner of the Serengeti, hopes its opening offers a sign of rebirth. I would like to ask Mr. Shaw to stand.”
Shaw stood and smiled at the mention of his name. He felt thrilled as journalists turned and photographers took his picture, the bright flashes making him momentarily dizzy. He waved to the crowd and took his seat.
Jones continued, “The theme of the new resort is Africa, specifically, the famous plains in northwestern Tanzania that extend south to Western Kenya. The Serengeti ecosystem spans nearly eighteen thousand square miles and plays host to the largest animal land migration in the world. In early October, some two million animals leave the grazing lands of the northern hills and follow the rains to the southern plains. In April, after the raining season has ended, the migration is reversed, and the massive herds of gazelle, zebra, buffalo, and blue wildebeest head back to the hills, all the while being stalked, hunted, and killed by predators lining the route. This is just as nature intended.”
Shaw looked around the room, checking the journalists’ reactions. They were all taking furious notes and seemed to be on the edge of their seats. So far, so good, he thought.
He refocused on Jones as he continued. “The Serengeti Resort and Casino is the largest man-made structure ever built. Its hotel boasts a staggering fifty thousand hotel rooms, and its casino floor is three times the size of its nearest competitor. In addition, the Serengeti also houses the largest amphitheater ever constructed by man that in our opinion makes the coliseum in Rome look like a small-scale model. The floor space of the new theater covers a little over one and a half square miles while the building height stretches over a half-mile into the blazing Nevada sky. The first row of seats sit on top of an eighty-foot wall, then the rows climb on a steep vertical slant some one hundred rows high. We have designed special high-speed elevators to move the capacity of more than five hundred thousand spectators quickly from the over sixteen hundred refreshment areas to their seats.”
Shaw heard some shocked reactions from the reporters as they did the math in their heads. Amazed, no doubt, he thought, at the sheer numbers involved and size of my project.
Jones took a sip of water and cleared his throat. “As a true marvel of modern engineering, the ceiling of the theater is a
series of intricate screens that are designed to project and recreate almost any type of image, from a realistic African sky, to an amazing view of a star-filled universe, to large images of the animals of the Serengeti.”
Jones again took a sip of water and cleared his throat. “For spectators sitting in the seats and viewing the immense floor area, it will be like looking out over the plains of Africa, complete with groves of trees, thickets of brush, open plains and roaring rivers. The underworld of the amphitheater is a labyrinth of tunnels lined with cages, props, and elevators that will quickly propel any animal or set decoration into the live show above. Since plans for the new show call for action to take place throughout the entire space, special binocular headsets were designed that follow the pupils of the spectators’ eyes and allow them to zoom in on events taking place anywhere in the arena, simply by looking in a certain direction. The headsets are like automatic zoom binoculars. They also have night vision technology that will register the body heat and outline of all the animals on the show floor during periods of darkness. The entire experience will be as close to being on an actual safari as one can get, without going to Africa. With the advanced technology of the infrared binocular headsets, spectators will feel as if they are only a few feet from the battles they will pay three hundred dollars each to see.”
Shaw again heard murmurs from the crowd as they ran numbers in their head. He raised his hand signaling Jones to pause, so allowing the audience time to catch up. He then gave his man the signal to resume.
“The show is called Predators and Prey and is designed to give visitors a firsthand account of the struggles of survival that take place on a daily basis on the African plains.”
Shaw noticed a spectator stand up in the back of the room. The man wore a t-shirt with a slogan that read: Protect the Animals.
Jones paused as the man started to scream in what seemed to be a Scottish accent. “Struggles of survival? That might be the case in Africa, but what the hell is really going on here? The battles you are orchestrating are nothing more than executions. The hunts are man-made and unnatural—they have not been evolved by nature.” Shaw watched as his Masai warrior security guards quickly grabbed the man and escorted him out of the room.
Shark & The Wolf: Predators and Prey Page 14
