“Oh, great, a dogfight,” Rob said.

“Call them over so I’m not in the middle of it,” I said. “If I can just have a minute or two of peace and quiet, I think I can cut myself loose.

“Paris! Julie!” Aubrey called. “Treat!”

“Here, Spike!” Rob called. “Fingers! Fingers!”

The dogs couldn’t decide whether to come when called or fight, but at least they milled a little farther from me. After a couple of false starts, I managed to slice through the duct tape around my wrist—not without giving myself a few minor lacerations.

“Good job!” Arroyo said. “Now cut me loose.”

I did as he asked, and then moved on to Aubrey and finally Rob.

“I was getting there,” Rob said, as I lowered the box cutter to his tape.

“I can leave you to get on with it if you like,” I said, pausing. Perhaps he didn’t realize his escape efforts had only produced a barely visible dimple in the duct tape.

“No, that’s okay,” Rob said. “I’d better rescue Spike.”

Arroyo had pulled out a cell phone and retreated to a corner to talk to someone. Aubrey and Rob waded into the fur tangle and hauled away their respective dancing partners.

I heard a car start outside.

Thirty-Two

Freddy was still here? What was taking him so long? Not that I liked the idea of his getting away, but it shook me up a bit, knowing he could have walked in at any moment during our dog-enabled escape. I ran over to flatten myself against the wall beside the barn door, ready to jump him if he came in. But after a few seconds, I heard the car begin to bump and rattle over the rutted dirt driveway. Maybe he hadn’t heard the dogs, or assumed their barking came from the stall. And he had said something about loading something up at the house. After all, if Dr. Blake was right, he probably was smuggling a few things other than birds.

Whatever had delayed him, it was a break for the good guys. I glanced over to see if Arroyo had noticed. He was still on his cell phone.

“He’s driving off,” I said.

“Good.” Arroyo didn’t even look up.

“He’s getting away,” I said. “Aren’t you going after him?”

“He has my gun,” Arroyo said. “I’m calling for backup.”

“We’re in the middle of nowhere,” I said. “Backup will take forever.”

“I’m working on it,” he said.

“I’m going after him,” I said. I grabbed my purse and sprang for the door, fishing out my car keys and my cell phone as I ran.

“Wait!” he shouted.

“Tell your backup I’m following Freddy,” I called over my shoulder. “I’ll try to reach Chief Burke and tell him where we’re going.”

Outside, I saw taillights disappearing rapidly down the dirt lane. I scrambled into my car and pulled out. I didn’t turn the headlights on—I figured that could wait until I was on the road and Freddy wouldn’t know for sure it was someone following him.