Chapter 198: Princess Gator Phoenix

Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Princess Gator Phoenix

Faye Wyatt took off her sunglasses, a wry smile on her face. "So concerned? Never thought I’d see the day."

"Director Lowell’s orders," Henry Stark said, his expression impassive, but the tips of his ears were quietly burning.

Faye Wyatt eyed him, her smile widening. "Got it. I’ll be sure to bring her back to you safe and sound."

Sawyer got out of the car, walked over, and greeted her through the window. "Hello."

Henry Stark made the introduction. "This is Sawyer; he’s in charge of protecting Renee Jennings. And this is Ms. Wyatt, director of the Zenvia Wildlife Park."

"Nice to meet you, Sawyer." Faye Wyatt pushed open her car door, got out, and shook his hand. "Thank you for doing this."

Sawyer was struck by how soft her hand was. He gave a slight nod. "It’s no trouble. It’s my job."

The villa’s ornate aluminum gate was opening automatically.

A slender figure slowly approached. She was a young woman with long, curly hair that fell casually over her shoulders, dressed in a cool black leather jacket and jeans. She had a small black backpack on, and trailing behind her were two dogs and two cats.

Seeing they had already arrived, Renee Jennings picked up her pace, and the cats and dogs scurrying behind her did the same.

"Have you been waiting long?"

"We just got here," Faye Wyatt said, beaming at her.

"That’s good." Renee then turned to Henry Stark and raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"

Henry Stark explained calmly, "I was dropping Sawyer off."

Faye Wyatt chimed in, "You should’ve told us. We could’ve just swung by the station to pick him up."

Henry Stark glanced at her. "Weren’t you in a hurry?"

"That’s true," Faye Wyatt said with a laugh. "We’ll have plenty of time to chat later. Let’s get going."

She pulled open the rear passenger door and gestured for Renee Jennings to get in. "After you, Renee."

"Thanks." Renee Jennings looked back at her fur babies, who were staring at her with wide, expectant eyes. She couldn’t help but smile. "Guard the house, you guys. I’ll be back soon."

With that, she ducked into the car and waved at Henry Stark. "We’re off!"

Faye Wyatt shut the door, then patted Henry Stark on his muscular arm and chided, "Stop staring. Come open my door."

A flicker of resignation crossed Henry Stark’s dark eyes. He walked around the back of the car and opened the other door for her. "Ms. Wyatt, after you."

Sawyer got into the passenger seat as well.

"Go on back, I’m closing the gate," Renee Jennings said, watching as her four pets turned and headed for the house. Only then did she close the main gate using her phone.

Lynfell is adjacent to Zenvia City, but the drive from Eastgate Villa to Lynfell Wildlife Park was still an hour and a half long.

They arrived at Lynfell Wildlife Park at 4:10 p.m.

The director, a woman named Quincy, was fifty-two years old with short, permed hair and silver-rimmed glasses. The moment she saw Renee Jennings, she rushed over and grabbed her hands, her voice filled with emotion. "Consultant Jennings, thank you so much for coming..."

"Quincy, save the thank-yous for later," Faye Wyatt interrupted, frowning. "Business first."

"Right, right!" Director Quincy released Renee’s hands and led them toward the Alligator Pavilion. "The city’s entire fire department and police force have been mobilized," she explained as they walked. "Our biggest fear is one of the alligators hurting a member of the public."

"How could such a massive blunder even happen?" Faye Wyatt asked, ever one for preventative measures.

Director Quincy sighed. "This morning, the employee in charge of the Alligator Pavilion had a sudden upset stomach. He rushed to the restroom and didn’t shut the gate securely."

"I..." Faye Wyatt was at a loss for words.

Renee Jennings and Sawyer listened in silence.

When they reached the Alligator Pavilion, they saw only five alligators soaking lazily in the pool.

Faye Wyatt said softly, "If the gate was just left open, then the alligators who stayed behind probably won’t be able to tell us anything useful."

"I agree," Renee Jennings said with a nod.

Director Quincy’s face was deathly pale, her mind reeling with panic. "Then what are we supposed to do now?"

Renee Jennings said, "Well, since I’m here, I might as well ask them a few questions."

A keeper used food to lure one of the alligators over to the barrier.

"Hello, Mr. Alligator," Renee Jennings began, trying to communicate with it. "May I ask you a few questions?"

The alligator, which was busy eating, cracked an eyelid to give her a look of contempt and grumbled, "Annoying human. I ain’t no ’mister’!"

Renee Jennings blinked, then tried again. "My apologies. Beautiful Miss Alligator, what’s your name?"

Only after finishing its fish did the alligator answer, "Name’s Phoenix."

Drawing on her experience with animals, Renee Jennings guessed this must be a rather vain alligator. She adjusted her approach. "Princess Phoenix, might we have a little chat?"

"How’d you know I’m a princess?" Phoenix the alligator asked, suddenly thrilled.

Renee: "..."

She pursed her lips, doing her best to sound sincere. "Because you look so noble and elegant. You have an exceptional air about you."

These words clearly had the desired effect on Phoenix.

It narrowed its eyes in smug satisfaction. "You speak the truth."

Renee ventured, "In that case, may I ask you a few questions?"

Phoenix: "What questions?"

Renee: "A lot of your friends are gone. Have you noticed?"

"I know." Phoenix looked around and nodded.

"And do you know why they’re gone?"

"I do."

"Can you tell me?"

Phoenix clamped its jaws shut and fell silent.

Renee pursed her lips in thought, then tried a new tactic. "Princess Phoenix, please, could you tell me? If you do, I can get you a princess’s crown."

"A princess’s crown?" Phoenix’s eyes lit up. "For real?"

"For real," Renee continued to coax. "Once you wear the crown, everyone will know you’re Princess Gator."

Phoenix was clearly tempted. Its eyes darted back and forth as it seemed to mull over the offer.

Renee even pulled up photos of crowns on her phone to show it. "Princess Phoenix, do you prefer this golden crown or this pink one?"

Phoenix pressed up against the barrier, its eyes glued to the phone screen. "I like ’em both!" it exclaimed.

"Alright!" Renee said with a smile. "Then you can have them both."

"Wow, you’re so nice!" Phoenix was pleasantly surprised.

Renee raised an eyebrow. "I’m being so nice to you. So, don’t you think you can tell me now why your alligator friends are gone?"

"Uhm..." Phoenix started to hesitate again.

Renee tapped her phone a few more times and showed the screen to the alligator again. "There’s also a beautiful princess’s veil."

"I like that too!" Phoenix chirped happily. "Gimme!"

This time, Renee didn’t immediately agree. "Answer my question first."

"Sigh!" Phoenix suddenly sighed, its eyelids drooping. "Those other alligators..."

As Renee listened, her brow furrowed deeper and deeper.

Director Quincy was so nervous her palms were slick with cold sweat.

When Phoenix finished its story, it turned its back on Renee, its tail facing her. "So that’s how it is," it said, its voice muffled. "I’m so disappointed in them."

The tight furrow in Renee’s brow slowly relaxed. She knew she shouldn’t be laughing at a time like this, but she couldn’t help it. She lowered her head, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter.

Sawyer stared at her, dying of curiosity.

Faye Wyatt couldn’t hold back any longer. "Renee, what did Princess Phoenix tell you?"