They said their goodbyes to Sophie and Hirano, and followed Ryan around as he collected a bucket of fish and led them out of the building. He kept up a steady stream of informative chatter as they went—apparently taking his duties as tour guide to heart—and it was a while before Cooper got an opening to casually turn the conversation back toward James.

“I hope we’re not putting you out, showing us around like this,” Park said. “Things seemed a little hectic before.”

“Oh, not at all. I think we’re all just a little wound up,” Ryan said, cheerfully swinging the bucket as they walked. Cooper couldn’t help but wince at the slapping sound the dead fish made against the sides and the intensity of the smell wafting up at him. “Niko—uh, Ms. Hirano—has put a lot on the line to make this happen. Add to that a film crew, the Genevieve Crane from Labyrinth of Love, and the gala tomorrow night...well, it’s the most excitement we’ll see around here for a while. Sometimes it feels like more work keeping the staff out than the animals in.”

“Is that what you meant before about one of your keepers showing up on film days? Is he hoping to get discovered?” Cooper asked brightly. “Dreams of Hollywood?”

Ryan laughed as they approached the sea lion exhibit. It was sort of an arena shaped exhibit with two levels: one where you could sit on cement benches and watch above ground, and the other where you could follow the trail into an artificial cave where a huge glass viewing window revealed a snippet of their underwater world. “Discovered? No, no, I don’t think so. But James is one of the most talented handlers I’ve ever known. Animals just listen to him and do whatever he says. I think Ms. Crane...appreciates his presence.”

Cooper could hardly hear what Ryan had said as they walked up to the pool because the sea lions were barking so loudly. A cacophony of angry, sonorous yelps that reverberated in your throat.

“Do they always do that?” Park asked, gesturing around them.

“Or is this what you meant by getting grumpy if they’re not fed on time,” Cooper added.

But Ryan wasn’t looking at him. He was frowning straight ahead, listening as they walked downhill into the artificial cave and below-water viewing area. Up ahead the bright blue glass was the only major source of light and Cooper’s eyes took a moment to adjust and take in the low fake rock ceilings and the stone steps directly across the cave that led back to ground level and presumably toward the back of the pool.

“They’re raising an alarm. Something’s riled them up. In nature they use it to signal a predator is near, but—” Ryan stopped short and Cooper nearly walked into him.