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“We understand, but it’s worth a try. Can we take a look at the cage? We might be able to get prints or other information from it.”
“Be my guest. I’ll keep working on these little guys and see what comes up.”
They dusted the cage for prints, then noted the name of the brand and looked at the newspapers that were at the bottom of the cage. They were from the New Orleans paper within the last two weeks. That told them that their animal enthusiasts were from the area.
“We’ve got what we need,” said Pork. “This is our e-mail address. Reach out to that e-mail, and we’ll make sure to send you a check for the care of the puppies. We’d also like to donate any food or kennels you might need.”
“That would be amazing,” said the tired man, shaking his head. “I came to the shelter after I retired, hoping for something a bit quieter. It hasn’t turned out that way.”
“Well, if we can help in any way, please let us know,” said Pork.
The man smirked at them, jerking his head toward another cage. There was a massive albino anaconda curled in the center of the large cage.
“Any chance you want to help me retrieve an antique broach from that big guy.” Both men stared at him, then looked at one another.
“No fucking way in hell, sir. Anything but that.”
Otto and Pork headed south toward Katherine’s bungalow, weaving along narrow roads that had seen better days. No doubt the parish didn’t see a reason to repave roads where very few people travelled.
Venetian Isles was a small, quaint community surrounded by bayous and lakes. With mostly apartment buildings and houseboats, Katherine’s little home was an anomaly. She had a wooden bench swing on the front porch with small decorative pillows. On her door was a summer wreath with flowers and a ‘welcome’ sign. The begonias and azaleas were in bloom, the large cypress tree in the front yard heavy with moss.
“Pretty,” said Otto.
“Yeah. I didn’t expect anything different.”
Pork started to walk toward the house, then noticed tire tracks in the dirt driveway. They were fresh as if someone had pulled in this morning. He nodded at Otto, who gave a slight nod as well. Approaching the front door, they used Katherine’s key and slowly opened the door.
It wasn’t hard to hear someone shuffling around inside. Pushing the door further open, they could more clearly hear the direction of the disturbance. Since it was a small bungalow, they knew it was coming from the kitchen.
As he rounded the corner, his weapon held high, Pork was ready to fire. Otto snuck quickly behind him, ready to fire as well.
“Get out!” yelled a man. He held a large butcher knife in his hand, waving it toward the two men.
“Who the fuck are you?” growled Pork. “Put the knife down.”
“N-no! You put the gun down!”
“I’m only going to ask one more time. Put the knife down, and who the fuck are you?”
“I’m Katherine’s husband. Who are you?” he said proudly, jutting his chin out. His eyes were crazed, almost as if he were on drugs.
“You’re not Katherine’s husband. She divorced that piece of shit years ago,” said Pork. “Now, put the knife down.”
“No, no, we’re still married. She’s not well. We’re married,” he said, staring at them.
“Dude, you’re gonna put that fucking knife down, or I’m going to put a bullet between your eyes. You left her. You left that perfect, wonderful, beautiful woman because of your fucking insecurities. Now, put the damn knife down.”
“Sheriff’s on the way,” said Otto behind him.
The panic on the man’s face was evident as he slid the knife across the counter. He stared at the two men, a mix of anger now coming through.
“Who are you? Are you one of her so-called patients? Are you two fucking her?” he asked.
Pork moved so quickly that the man didn’t have a clue what was happening. He slammed his arm against his throat, dropping him to his knees. Gasping for air, spit drooling out of his mouth, Pork gripped his hair.
“If you ever say anything so vile about her again, I will kill you and bury you in the bayou.”
He was still sitting on the floor, his face flame red when the sheriff walked in. Otto and Pork gave their statements, the sheriff speaking to Katherine on the phone. As her ex-husband was removed in handcuffs, Pork gathered her clothing, carefully packing it in a suitcase from the closet. When he emerged, the sheriff and his prisoner were gone.
