Page 73 of Mail Order Splash

“Yes, I’m fine. Let Bobby know I’m running behind schedule. Have chef make me fresh food to go.”

“Will do, sir.”

What is wrong with me? I never oversleep, I’m always the first one up. Last night took a harder hit to me than I thought.

“I missed twelve calls,” I groaned into the room.

“Hey, everything okay?” I left Kleine a voice message when she didn’t answer.

“Delores, as you can tell, I’m running late. Has Kleine called in?” I checked my watch. It was ten minutes after nine.

“I haven’t heard from her, sir, but you might want to turn on the television.”

“What’s going on?” My stomach sank.

“There is a helicopter hovering over her in the water. It appears to be a rescue of sorts.”

“Whatever station it is get them on the phone, now,” I said as calmly as possible. “I want the boss. I need to go. Tell them I will bring the full force of everyone I know in media down on them if that chopper isn’t gone in ten, five minutes.”

“Bobby, where is Charlie? Why is Kleine out on the water again?” I hurried into the dining room. “Did you see what’s going on?”

“Charlie is on top of it. Apparently, he told her to wait but she left without him. He got another boat and is on his way.”

“Ben, ready the speedboat. I want to go in five minutes.” I released the call button. “What a zoo this has turned into. Those maniacs are going to get her killed.”

“Bobby, grab some tarps from the engine room.”

“Josh, thank God you answered. What’s happening?”

“Two more dolphins injured, same as last night. Kleine’s trying to get them both in but the chopper’s stirring the waters and startling them.”

“Tell her to stay out of the water, help is on the way,” I yelled. “No, tell her I said please stay out of the water for five more minutes. The cavalry is coming.”

“Gotta go. I’ll tell her; not sure she’ll listen.”

I ran to the speed boat with Bobby right on my heels. We sped out of the marina, I’d pay the fines given later. No one was in any danger at that moment other than Kleine. When we arrived on the scene, the chopper was backing away and Charlie was in the water with Kleine.

“Wow, look at those wounds. Looks like blade wounds,” Bobby said. “Someone did that on purpose.”

“How? They could swim away; it doesn’t make sense.” I jumped onto Kleine’s boat and helped Josh get the floaters ready. “Are you both alright?”

“We’re fine, Dalton. These two aren’t.” She swam closer to the boat. “Someone is doing this on purpose. They’re part of the same pod. Maybe they are being too trusting and people are terrible.”

“Why didn’t you wait when Charlie told you to? This isn’t the same everyday rescue if someone is hurting innocent animals.”

“Time is of the essence, and you know that. One of those two males may not make it.” She swam away upset. “Might as well get in and help.”

“Let me. I know you’re a little out of sorts from last night.” Bobby pulled his shirt over his head. “I’ve missed this anyway.”

An hour later, we had both males safely in the inside pool. Netty whistled and clicked, pushing at the gate to go out into the outer holding pool. I only knew this because Kleine had been teaching me.

“She’s going to hurt herself. We need to go find the rest of the pod.” Kleine tried for her attention. “She knows something is wrong. Josh, how many were in this pod?”

“Not sure. I thought we counted nine.” Josh counted.

“Alert Tony for more of them and tell him what’s happening. I need to call Doc.”

“Kleine, you can’t go back out there, not without us,” I urged.

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