Page 74 of Mail Order Splash

“Fine, get a wetsuit on. We have at least five other dolphins to find. I feel like they have a target on their back.”

“Could it be someone trying to get at you?” Josh asked. “Could it be the city? But what would they gain from this?”

“I don’t care right now; I have lives to save.” She dove into the pool, slapping the water for Netty.

“This is our worst nightmare,” Josh grumbled.

“Come on, girl.” Netty swam over to her. “I need you to bring me to them. Are you ready?”

“You’re going in the boat, aren’t you?” Josh demanded. “No holding on to Netty.”

“If it can keep up. Where’s that speedboat of yours, Dalton?”

“Outside. We followed you in.”

“Let’s go, then. Josh, release Netty once we’re in the channel.”

“Kleine, this one is going to drown. Doc isn’t here yet.” Josh yelled in urgency.

“Come on, you’re right.” She turned back around. “What was I thinking? I can’t walk away from an injured animal to possibly save another.”

“I can help get the hurt one on the sling,” Bobby offered.

“Dalton, can you maybe keep Netty occupied?” She turned in a rush to go back in the water and right into Doc.

“What’s all the commotion?” He caught her from falling back.

“Two males, blade wounds, one is real bad. It appears to be on purpose. I’m going out in search of the rest of the pod.”

“Someone’s trying to get to you, Kleine. I’ve seen this behavior before with your dad. Take the protection being offered.” Doc held onto her shoulders, talking.

“I hate people. Why would they do this? It’s cruel.”

“It’s miserable, I’m here now, go get the pod,” Doc said.

“How’d you know I was going to do that?”

“Because that’s what your granddad would have done.” He turned her in my direction. Go on.”

“I’m going with you now.” Bobby grabbed his bag and ran along with us to the boat.

“Bobby, follow us in my boat. I need to be able to hear if Tony radios in,” Kleine yelled.

“Hold on, hold on.” Josh ran out, dragging the floaters. “You might need this.”

“Josh, release Netty now.” She yelled at the top of her lungs. “Come on, girl, stay close.”

As she had expected to find, the pod was swimming together, calling out. Netty heard them and brought us close. One of the smaller ones was injured, but swimming. I counted only four.

“Where is the other one? Netty, find it, girl.”

We didn’t have to wait long. Tony radioed into Bobby coordinates of the ninth one.

“Looks like a fatality, might be your ninth one. Your friend Tony called in,” Bobby told us.

“Take me to it.”

Thankfully, it was less than two minutes by speedboat. On approach, we feared they were right that it was gone but, when Kleine dove in and touched it, the fins moved ever-so-slightly. It was small with multiple cuts. We went into action putting it on the floaters then attached it to the speedboat to get back in faster.

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