Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Koala Killer Sixth Installment


She knew she'd feel better dealing with animals anyway. When she worked with them, a kind of peace came over her. Intrerns do not have permanent charges; they rotate care of the animals. In one way this is good because they learn about different species and get close to individuals. In another way, it's hard because you tend to want to stay with the ones you get attached to. Currently Mari had the feeding of the birds, both in the aviary, and the birds of prey in their separate enclosures. Everyday she tried to find time to visit her former charges. Today she would definitely check on the expectant mama giraffe, who was due in the next few weeks.

First, she took Owen on his 'short' walk, around the Taco Bell, down the alley and back. She felt like she was cheating him because he didn't get to check out new territory the way he likes to. She stopped to pick up the mail as they headed back to heir little nest. In the common yard, Owen sees Bea come out of her gate. He rushes over to her full of friendly joy. They are old friends and Bea greets him in her usual way.

"Don't jump up, there's a good boy."

He restrains himself to small no contact hops. He'd come a long way from the totally unrestrained leaper he'd been a year ago when they'd found each other.

"Mari did you get my message?"

"Yes, Bea. I saw it on TV too. Don't worry, the police will figure it all out."

"Are you in any danger, Mari?"

She dismissed the idea out-of-hand and patted Bea's back. She was now in a hurry to get back to the zoo.

On the short drive she thought about Bea's comment. She'd found Stan. He didn't shoot himself in the eye and he shouldn't have died from it. She supposed she could be in danger if the person who shot Stan thought she knew something. Which she was sure she didn't. Well, she knew the koala shouldn't have been there.

"I'll ask Jorge what he's found out about that koala."