Page 106 of Pied Sniper

A tiger.

A magnificent, striped cat with thick, velvety fur was stomping towards me on big padded feet, just a yard ahead of my pursuer. Then there were two, three, five, seven! “Why are there wild tigers in the forest?” I asked, my voice now thick and heavy. “They’re so pretty. I’d like to cuddle them!”

“Lexi? You okay?” Arms closed around me. “Just stay still and stop moving.”

“I want to hug them!” My tongue flopped in my mouth, the words sliding together.

“You got her?” asked Maddox, moving close to us.

The tiger stopped, turning its head. Then it split into five and back to one.

“It’s magic!” I cooed. “Here, kitty!”

“Yeah. If the vet doesn’t reload in time, you have to shoot it,” said Solomon.

“Help!” screamed the man. “It’s looking at me!”

I held the dart up, looking at it curiously. “Hey, my arm moves like light,” I said, wafting it back and forth. “I’m a glowstick!”

“Ouch!” yelled Maddox, his face contorting. “Is that the… oh, crap!”

“I can’t feel my legs,” I giggled. “I’m floating.”

“You okay, man?” asked Solomon. “Lexi, stay still, you’ve been drugged with a tranquilizer dart.”

“She stabbed me with the dart,” groaned Maddox.

I tried to stay still but everything was swimming around me. Solomon’s face loomed in and out of view, then Maddox’s. “Why are there so many Adams?” I asked, the words mashing together. “You’re cuuuuuute!”

“I don’t see too well,” mumbled Maddox, swaying. Or was I swaying? It was hard to tell.

“You drugged me once,” I giggled. “Now I drugged you. Hah! Revenge! At last! Sweeeet!”

“Jeez,” said Maddox as he dropped to his knees. “I think I’m gonna… oof!”

“How are you still conscious?” asked Solomon.

“I’m invincible,” I giggled.

The man broke into a run towards us, the tiger following fast. The man shot wildly and the tiger growled and broke into a run. Then, from the treeline came Tiffany, running fast. She stopped when she saw the commotion and started to turn.

“Noth sah fahst!” I yelled, pointing at her. Another dart sailed past me, the tiger whined, and I broke free from Solomon, staggering towards Tiffany. “Found her!” I yelled, my tongue filling my entire mouth as I dropped to my knees. “I found Tiffany Rose and she set the whole thing up!” Then I faceplanted at her feet, dead to the world.

Chapter Twenty-Two

We crowded around the television in the boardroom and watched Tiffany Rose give a tearful, breathy speech in front of a clutch of eager TV reporters. Gone was the mascara-and-tear-stained face I last saw. Instead was a pretty, young woman wearing a soft pink blouse with a plain, black, A-line skirt and kitten-heeled pumps. Her hair had been styled in tumbling curls and her makeup was so close to natural, I was certain it took a makeup-artist hours to perfect. Her arm, of course, was suspended in a sling. Next to her was Abigail, dressed in a smart, wool coat and pants. Noticeable by their absence were Davy, who was so head over heels in love with her, he was prepared to sacrifice his life savings, Jonathan and Grace who, I’d been told, got on a plane and took the cute, little dog, Elf with them, Flavia, and any member of Tiffany’s family. I wondered if all her lies were worth it, and decided, they probably were to Tiffany. She was famous now, a household name, just like she always wanted to be.

“I appreciate your support so much,” she said, her big eyes seeping a tear that slid down her cheek, “and I look forward to sharing my side of the story. Thank you again to my fans for helping me get home safely. Thank you from my whole heart. I love you so much!”

Next to her, Abigail leaned in to the microphone, announcing they wouldn’t be taking any questions at this time before ushering Tiffany inside.

“The nation’s sweetheart,” said Solomon.

“She’s already swaying public opinion before we even get her on the stand,” said Garrett.

“Damn, she’s good,” agreed Maddox.

“She’s going to get away with it, isn’t she?” I asked no one in particular.

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