Page 4 of Beaches

“What else do we have?” asked Mac.

“A strange call,” said Ghost. “A woman is flying in from California to speak with us about peculiar trash washing up on her private beach.”

“Didn’t she call the environmental protection group? Hell, it’s California, they’ve got more environmental groups than the rest of the country combined,” frowned Wilson.

“That’s what we thought, but Lily handled the call while she was manning the desk the other day. She said it was probably something we wanted to hear about. I trust her,” said Ghost. Bull nodded, knowing that his girl wouldn’t recommend a case unless it was important.

“Is it time to eat yet?” asked Alec, rubbing his stomach. His brothers were amazed that it was still flat, taut, and actually showed shadows of a six-pack.

“No. It’s not time to eat yet,” frowned Gaspar. “Do you ever not eat?”

“When I’m sleeping,” smirked Alec. “Even then, I’m craving food. I have snacks in a mini fridge near the bed. Lissa hates it, but I need my calories, and if it’s a particularly amorous night, I really need my calories.”

“Same. Lena tries to put fresh fruit and shit in there. I just dump it out, tell her I ate it and put the things I want in it.” Gaspar just shook his head. He took a deep breath, placed his hands on his knees, and smiled at the group.

“This will come as a shock to all of you, but I’ve given my permission for a few new animals.”

Shock wasn’t the word any of them would have used. Astounded. Flabbergasted. Amazed. Then, maybe, shocked.

“Are you ill? Is there something going on? Are you dying?” asked Miller.

“Fuck you,” he smirked. “No, I’m not dying. Not yet, anyway. Our giraffe was getting lonely. They’re used to being in family groups, especially with their young. We’re bringing a female and two young giraffes. A male and female.”

“That’s cool,” smirked Code. “I love our little zoo.”

“It’s not a zoo,” growled Gaspar.

“If you say so. More than a dozen animals of varying species, that’s a zoo. Or a farm.” Code could only chuckle at the look on Gaspar’s face.

“Fine. We have a farm. An exotic, multi-animal species, farm.” The others stared at him, and he threw his hands in the air. “Whatever. We have a fucking zoo. Anyway, we’ll have three new giraffes and two new dogs for the property. They’re both Mastiffs weighing over two hundred a piece. I can’t figure out why we never get a nice little Cocker Spaniel or a Yorkie. A Yorkie might be nice.”

“Why? Alvin would only eat it,” grinned Baptiste. “I’m kidding. But two hundred pounds each? That’s a lot of dog.”

Slow whistles and nods of appreciation were heard. Walking toward them was Sniff and Dex, both holding a dog on a leash. The beasts were massive. The biggest they’d ever seen.

“That dog ain’t stealin’ my food,” said Tailor. “I’ll fight him if I have to, but don’t make me hurt that dog.”

“He doesn’t eat your food,” said Dex. “He likes a very specific diet. We’re here to introduce them to you all so they know you belong here and on Belle Fleur. This is Goliath and Atlas.”

“They were puppies when we got them,” said Sniff. “They didn’t stay puppies for long. They are highly protective by nature, and we’ve watched them nearly go through doors at people attempting to get in. Hex took them up to the dress shop the other day just to get them used to all of the businesses. Someone walked in they didn’t know, and he could barely hold them. They take commands well, but there was something about the guy they didn’t like. He said he wanted to buy a leather jacket, but they smelled drugs.”

“They’re drug dogs?” frowned Nine.

“They are trained for all of it. Drugs, explosives, cadavers,” said Sniff proudly. It had taken them a while to get a routine down on how to train the dogs. For them, they found that if the dogs worked in one arena, they generally worked well in other arenas.

Each of the men took a turn, kneeling before the dogs and allowing them to see their faces clearly, smell their bodies, and just know they were friendly. When Mama Irene started coming toward them, they thought the dogs were going to devour her.

Instead, they broke free of their leashes, sliding to a stop in front of her as she handed each one a treat, kissing the tops of their heads. She commanded them to roll over, sit, and then shake. The poor old woman could barely hold their heavy paws.

“Dinner’s ready. Y’all come on when you’re done. We’ll be outside tonight, enjoyin’ the evenin’.”

“Be right there, Mama,” smirked Jean. Tailor looked at Alec and then at the others. Right there? They were hungry now and wanted food. Taking off in their version of a sprint, they looked behind them and yelled.

“Let’s go. We’re hungry!”

CHAPTER THREE

“Lily, what’s the story on this client today, hun?” asked Ghost.

---