Page 45 of For the Love of Animals

I turned to Nestor, and he shrugged. “Better do what he says. Look on the positive side—we don’t have to battle with the mosquitos now.”

On the tarmac, I expected to be taken to headquarters along with Nestor to unravel this new mess, but the smallest of the three policemen pointed me towards a separate jeep.

“Where are we going?”

“Just load your equipment into the back. Not the rifle. That stays here.”

“But where are you taking me? Why am I not going with my colleague?”

“I’ve been instructed to drop you at the front gate.”

“Why? By who?”

He ignored me and climbed into the driver’s side. I wasn’t scared, more curious, mainly because I had a gun on my hip and I’d bet a thousand pesos I was faster on the draw than Mr. Charisma behind the wheel.

“Are you taking me for questioning?” I tried again.

Nothing.

At the gate, we pulled over into a space beside the guard building, and my new friend pointed at the road outside.

“Just give me your weapon, and then they’ll let you out.”

“You want me to leave the base?”

“That’s what my orders are.”

“I don’t understand. Where am I supposed to go?”

He shrugged. Not his problem.

Well, fine. I had my phone, and I had money in the bank. I could call a cab and go to my parents’ house. Mamá’s food was better than anything the mess hall served up, anyway. Yes, I’d stay at home until somebody graced me with a proper explanation, because if this was how they acted, then they could make the effort to call, not me. Fuck the army and everyone in it.

Except I didn’t get that far. When I got past the guard building, I saw a familiar SUV parked at the side of the road, and my feet started running towards it before I’d properly processed what was happening.

“Nate!” I wrenched the door open. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Picking you up. Get in or we’ll miss our flight.”

“What the hell is going on?”

“Seat belt, querida.”

“Will you answer the damn question?”

“You’re free. Your service in the army is done, and we’re flying to Virginia.”

“Today?”

“Today.”

“But my family…”

“I already spoke to them, and they’re all very happy for us. Your grandma’s coming to visit once we’ve got a spare room with furniture in it.”

“She doesn’t even have a passport.”

“Teo’s helping with that.”

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