Page 35 of Mail Order Splash

“Foul play? Like someone is personally out to get her?” Josh asked. “Is she in danger? Is the facility in danger? She lives there.”

She lives there?

“Josh.” She stopped his talking.

“No, dear, not that kind of foul play. The city can be bought.” Aunt Victoria looked to me. “We’ll get to the bottom of it.”

“Thank you, but you don’t have to do this.”

“Yes, we do. I want to and it’s the right thing. No one else is out there rescuing animals from humans,” I demanded. “There needs to be more education about what is happening and it starts with the youngest all the way up.”

“I did tell you he feels strongly about it all. You have our support, Kleine.”

“I don’t know what to say, other than thank you.”

“Our support is usually enough, but it depends how far they have gone,” I added. “One requirement for our help.”

“Okay, what is it?”

“I want to see Netty,” I tried for a stern look, “today.”

Chapter Eleven

KLEINE

No, please don’t say what I think you’re about to say.

“Okay, what is it?”

“I want to see Netty,” he stared at me, “today.”

“The place is terrible. I promise, you don’t want to.” I closed my eyes behind my sunglasses to stop tears. “You live like this; it will be even worse for you. I’m used to it.”

“We know what the city can do when they are squeezing you. We realize you are out of money to fight and I personally commend you for trying, but I won’t waver on this small request.”

“Kleine, he is using our help to get what he wants. I’m sorry,” Aunt Victoria inserted sternly. “He was not brought up to be like that. You have our help either way.”

“Please, may I see Netty?” he pleaded. “I’m not the snob you think I am.”

“I don’t think you’re a snob, just raised different, accustomed to different. It’s not being judgmental to know one way of life versus the other,” I demanded. “It’s me; I’m embarrassed.”

“Now I feel like a jerk. Fine, I don’t have to go. Can you send me a video of her?”

“Kleine, let him see her. He spent hours helping us,” Josh added.

“Alright, alright, whatever it takes to save my granddad’s place.” I put my head down on my hands. “I’m afraid you will change your mind when you see the place, is all.”

“We’ve seen bad, we’ve brought bad back to life to be great, and I’m passionate about the rescuing. Let me help; let us help.”

We spent another hour talking while eating then went back to our boat. I’d hoped and prayed they would change their mind on the visit, but they didn’t and, like it or not, I was about to be exposed. They followed us in on a smaller boat until we reached the dock outside the outer holding tanks.

“I can bring Netty out here so you don’t have to go inside.” I tried my best to stop what was about to happen.

“Kleine, give it up, we’re going in,” he whispered as he went by. “Suck it up and get the help.”

“I know, I know.” I put a smile on my face. “Are you sure about this, one last chance to change your mind.”

“Netty, please,” Dalton smiled back. “I promise, I won’t beg to swim with her, not today anyway.”

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