Reckless Creed by Alex Kava Read Free Book Online Page A

an invitation.”
    â€œThis is official government business.”
    â€œDid I forget to pay some sort of tax?” Creed tried to keep his voice casual for the dogs. When Tabor didn’t answer, Creed asked, “What’s this about?”
    â€œThose birds you bagged. I understand they may be carriers of a deadly virus.”
    Tabor hadn’t seen Creed bag up the dead robins. Sheriff Wylie must have told him. By now, Dr. Avelyn had joined Creed and Jason.
    â€œI have them sealed and isolated,” she said. “I can get them for you.”
    But Tabor didn’t seem interested in what she was saying. He waved at someone and more car doors opened. The four men who exited this vehicle wore white jumpsuits with surgical masks dangling at their necks. They crossed to the back of their SUV, opened the tailgate, and started pulling out equipment.
    â€œIt’s highly contagious. I’ve been told it’s a new strain of the bird flu,” Tabor said, while he gave more hand signals to a couple othermen who joined him. They ventured closer to the kennel yard where Creed, Jason, and Dr. Avelyn stood in front of the fence.
    â€œJust give us a minute and we’ll get the dead birds for you,” Creed told him.
    â€œI wish it were that simple.”
    â€œI sent off samples two days ago,” Dr. Avelyn told him. “They may already have the results.”
    â€œI’m afraid that’s not good enough,” Tabor said. “We’ll need to quarantine everyone.”
    â€œNone of us touched them,” Creed said.
    â€œBut one of your dogs did. Sheriff Wylie told me it had the robin in its mouth. If it’s the strain of the bird flu that we think it is, by now your entire kennel has been contaminated,” Tabor said. “And all of you might be, too.”
    And suddenly Creed realized what this was. He glanced at Dr. Avelyn and quietly asked, “They can’t do this, can they?”
    She looked up at him but didn’t attempt a response. He caught a glimpse of fear in her eyes.
    â€œWe’ll make it as quick as possible,” Tabor said, his demeanor distracted as he waited for the men in the protective gear.
    â€œNo one touches my dogs except my staff. If you need samples, my vet will get them for you.”
    Now Tabor shook his head at Creed.
    The realization hit Creed like a punch to the stomach. Tabor didn’t intend to take samples and quarantine the dogs. He was here to euthanize them.
    â€œI’m told it spreads very quickly,” Tabor said. “All of your staff will need to be put under quarantine. But the dogs . . . I’m sorry.From what I understand, even if they test negative they could still be carriers. I’m just following orders.”
    He glanced back at the men in white who carried cases and tranquilizer guns slung over their shoulders.
    â€œWhose orders?” Creed wanted to know.
    Instead of answering, Tabor said, “We’ll try to make this as quick and painless as possible.”
    â€œThey can’t frickin’ do this, can they?” Jason asked, fidgeting beside Creed.
    Creed moved toward the gate. Inside his head a wind tunnel had begun to swirl. Ice water rushed through his veins as his hands clenched the gate rail tightly. They’d have to shoot him first.
    When the first gunshot fired, Creed thought it was his heartbeat exploding inside his chest. Only when he saw Tabor duck for cover did he realize it was real.

12
    T he second gunshot sent the men scrambling back, diving behind their vehicles. Only then did Creed realize the gunfire wasn’t coming from Tabor’s gang.
    Tabor and the men closest to the fence crouched behind the trees. Even the men with automatic rifles stayed low behind car doors, their heads pivoting, eyes darting, trying to see where the shots had come from.
    Creed stood perfectly still. Dr. Avelyn was beside him. Jason had disappeared. The dogs were pacing.