“Not yet…wait. I think I see some movement.” The heads of the tall grass moved behind the trees. “They’re coming up close to the buzzards.”

“What about that one in the tree?” Paco asked.

The boy squinted. “He’s turned around, looking at the barn.”

Malcolm and Clementine sneaked low through the tall grass.

“When we get to the edge of the grass,” Malcolm said, “the buzzards will be close. You lay on your side and slowly move your rear-end out in the open. Give ‘em your best dead-pig impression.”

Clementine gulped. He didn’t much like the choice of words. “Okay.”

“If I know these buzzards, it won’t take them long to come over to eat on you.” The pig’s eyes widened. “And that’s when I come out of the grass and take them out!” He smacked his fist against his palm.

“What does that mean?”

Malcolm picked up some rocks. “You won’t see it happen, so don’t worry.”

Clementine sighed. “Is this where you want me to lay?”

The raccoon peeked above the grass and saw the three buzzards busy talking, ignoring their surroundings. He moved the pig closer to the edge of the grass.

“Remember, slowly move that behind of yours out in the open… and look dead.”

“Got it.” Clementine lay on the ground with his eyes closed tight.

“Once I take them out don’t make any sudden moves. There’s still one in the tree.”

“Just tell me when it’s okay to get up.”

“Sire, can you see what’s happening now?” Roscoe asked from behind the hedge tree.

“Nothing so far. The buzzards are talking to each other. Nothing else.”

Paco was getting impatient. “I wish they’d hurry up. The sun is going down and I don’t want to be in that barn when it’s dark–”

Benjamin gasped. “Hold on! Clementine’s legs are sticking out of the grass!”

“Here we go.” Roscoe took a deep breath. “Don’t mess this up, boys.”

Clementine’s tongue hung halfway out. He slowly used his fat belly to roll out of the grass until he felt a light breeze blowing on his bottom. Malcolm hid under a big cluster of tall grass and weeds, waiting for the moment to ambush his prey. Minutes went by slowly but Clementine kept his composure, taking little breaths so he wouldn’t look like he was alive. Flies landed on his legs and big rump, and it took every ounce of willpower he had not to swat them with his wiry tail.

The buzzards still hadn’t noticed.

“No way, I’m not going back in that barn to check on Baron or Mordacai!”

“If what Baron said was true, the boss is gonna start eating us soon. I’d leave here if I could but I know he’d find–” Sniff, sniff.

“What’s that smell? Do you smell that?”