You can’t seriously think we’ll be able to trap one, do you?”
The thin Mexican cop stared across at the field. “Probably, yes, because this is the Tescara’s pool, and because it has to come here every might of the full Moon. Yes, we may possibly be able to lure it into the cage. I just hope the cage is strong enough. If I can knock the creature out with the darts, then we must quickly get it into the cage. I have no idea how long the tranquili zers will affect a Tescara.”
Carter nod ded. “That’s just it, we’ve no knowledge where these things are concerned, do we?”
“We do know a few things, John. We know whoever a Tescara attacks will die horribly and probably becomes a meal for the thing. I have no doubts it is capable of running up the hill carrying a full-grown dead man. I fervently hope it is not me. I hope none of us.
“We also know the Tescara will be here , because it has to be here. This is our only ace in the hole, so to speak. We think the creature must come here, but we are not certain if this is the only pool it uses. We do not know the territorial range of the Tescara, so even though I keep saying it has to come to this pool, it could be using another pool elsewhere, or even a toilet in one of those newly constructed houses up on the hill. But since it was not bothered last night, I see no reason it should not return here tonight. So this may very well be our only chance to capture one.”
“So it’s do or die then, right Pete?”
“I wish you would find a different metaphor, but essentially, yes.”
As t here wasn’t anything more to discuss, they went under the only tree in the area lending any shade, lying on the grass near where Sagano slept. John laid there for a long time in a cold sweat, thinking he’d never get to sleep, when suddenly, someone was shaking him awake. “Huh? What?” he asked as he quickly rose onto his elbows, his right hand reaching instinctively for his pistol.
A voice came to him from the dark, close by. “Easy, John. It’s me, Mark. You awake yet?”
Carter sat, shaking his head to clear the fog permeating his brain. He felt disoriented as he thought he’d just fallen asleep. Looking around, he noticed a few lighted lanterns shining from several surrounding campsites. But their campsite was pitch-black and he wasn’t able to read the dial on his watch.
Sensing more than seeing what Carter was trying to do; Sagano pushed the light button on his digital watch. “Ten minutes to ten. Sergeant Alvarez asked me to wake you up. I told you before to get a digital watch. At least then you ’d be able to tell the time in the dark.”
Grumpily Carter mumbled, Then why didn’t you get me one for my birthday?”
Reaching out, Sagano helped pull his groaning friend to his feet. “Yeah? And I suppose you’d wear it, right? You’ve never taken off the Elgin Flynn gave you for your birthday ten years ago. Never mind, I understand.” Stretching, Carter’s back let out a crackle/snap, and he moaned, loudly. Sagano patted him on his shoulder, saying, “Sleeping on the grass isn’t exactly what a sixty-year old man should be doing, buddy. Come over to the fire and have some coffee. Alvarez is at his Blazer, doing something, said to wait at the table for him.”
As Carter’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, he could discern people, without lanterns, fishing along the bank. He followed Sagano to the fire-pit, where he could see glowing coals, and smell fresh-brewed coffee. He headed toward the picnic table intending to take a seat, when he tripped over something heavy in the grass; falling face down on what he thought was a tripod.
Sagano helped him up. “Sorry John. I left the tripod there after Alvarez showed me how to use the video cameras. This is some setup your friend brought. I’ve never seen anything like these cameras before. That camera over there even
The thin Mexican cop stared across at the field. “Probably, yes, because this is the Tescara’s pool, and because it has to come here every might of the full Moon. Yes, we may possibly be able to lure it into the cage. I just hope the cage is strong enough. If I can knock the creature out with the darts, then we must quickly get it into the cage. I have no idea how long the tranquili zers will affect a Tescara.”
Carter nod ded. “That’s just it, we’ve no knowledge where these things are concerned, do we?”
“We do know a few things, John. We know whoever a Tescara attacks will die horribly and probably becomes a meal for the thing. I have no doubts it is capable of running up the hill carrying a full-grown dead man. I fervently hope it is not me. I hope none of us.
“We also know the Tescara will be here , because it has to be here. This is our only ace in the hole, so to speak. We think the creature must come here, but we are not certain if this is the only pool it uses. We do not know the territorial range of the Tescara, so even though I keep saying it has to come to this pool, it could be using another pool elsewhere, or even a toilet in one of those newly constructed houses up on the hill. But since it was not bothered last night, I see no reason it should not return here tonight. So this may very well be our only chance to capture one.”
“So it’s do or die then, right Pete?”
“I wish you would find a different metaphor, but essentially, yes.”
As t here wasn’t anything more to discuss, they went under the only tree in the area lending any shade, lying on the grass near where Sagano slept. John laid there for a long time in a cold sweat, thinking he’d never get to sleep, when suddenly, someone was shaking him awake. “Huh? What?” he asked as he quickly rose onto his elbows, his right hand reaching instinctively for his pistol.
A voice came to him from the dark, close by. “Easy, John. It’s me, Mark. You awake yet?”
Carter sat, shaking his head to clear the fog permeating his brain. He felt disoriented as he thought he’d just fallen asleep. Looking around, he noticed a few lighted lanterns shining from several surrounding campsites. But their campsite was pitch-black and he wasn’t able to read the dial on his watch.
Sensing more than seeing what Carter was trying to do; Sagano pushed the light button on his digital watch. “Ten minutes to ten. Sergeant Alvarez asked me to wake you up. I told you before to get a digital watch. At least then you ’d be able to tell the time in the dark.”
Grumpily Carter mumbled, Then why didn’t you get me one for my birthday?”
Reaching out, Sagano helped pull his groaning friend to his feet. “Yeah? And I suppose you’d wear it, right? You’ve never taken off the Elgin Flynn gave you for your birthday ten years ago. Never mind, I understand.” Stretching, Carter’s back let out a crackle/snap, and he moaned, loudly. Sagano patted him on his shoulder, saying, “Sleeping on the grass isn’t exactly what a sixty-year old man should be doing, buddy. Come over to the fire and have some coffee. Alvarez is at his Blazer, doing something, said to wait at the table for him.”
As Carter’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, he could discern people, without lanterns, fishing along the bank. He followed Sagano to the fire-pit, where he could see glowing coals, and smell fresh-brewed coffee. He headed toward the picnic table intending to take a seat, when he tripped over something heavy in the grass; falling face down on what he thought was a tripod.
Sagano helped him up. “Sorry John. I left the tripod there after Alvarez showed me how to use the video cameras. This is some setup your friend brought. I’ve never seen anything like these cameras before. That camera over there even
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