Page 12 of Delusional

Rob fielded a few questions about what his life in New York was like but hesitated when Lillian asked, “So you have a girlfriend back in the big city?” He wasn’t sure how to answer such a direct question.

She seemed to misinterpret his pause and quickly added, “Or a boyfriend. It doesn’t matter to me at all.”

Rob slowly said, “There’s a girl I’m interested in. But I’m not sure where it’s going. She’s way out of my league.”

“That’s nonsense. The right girl is the right girl. There are no leagues,” Lillian said.

Rob liked that and was about to say more when he heard an odd noise behind him. It sounded like a giant tire hissing.

He glanced behind him and almost jumped out of his seat. This was the last thing he had expected.

CHAPTER 14

“WHAT IS THAT? An alpaca?” Rob almost shouted.

Behind him was a snow-white animal with a long neck, which moved its lips like it was sucking its teeth. Its stare was as disconcerting as the agitated noise it was making. A curtain across the back of the van had previously hidden it from view. Now its head popped through the curtain and seemed to assess Rob.

“He’s a llama, not an alpaca.” Gary chuckled. “I thought cops were supposed to be observant. Fido’s been standing back there quietly. Can’t believe you didn’t notice him when you got in the van.”

“Why do you have a llama?”

“It started off as an advertising gimmick, but Fido’s kind of turned into my therapy llama. I’m even trying to get him certified as a service animal.”

“What service does he provide?”

“He keeps me calm and reduces my anxiety.”

Lillian added, “And he spits on customers who get obnoxious.”

Rob looked at his brother. “Is that true? Will he do it on command?”

“Sort of. If I rub his hindquarters and tug on his fur, he spits. When I have a customer I want off the lot, I’ve used Fido a couple of times to hurry their decision. It’s kinda cool.”

Rob suspected the so-called therapy llama was really more of his brother inheriting the independent streak that seemed to run in the family. He could picture his brother bringing the full-grown llama into a grocery store just to see people’s reaction.

He looked over at his grandfather. The older man was gazing out the window, watching the scenery. Rob lowered his voice so Chet wouldn’t overhear and spoke directly to his brother on the back bench seat. “What’s going on out here, Gary?”

“It’s the guy who wants to buy the car lot. He’s some Los Angeles hotshot. He won’t take no for an answer. Something’s not right. I can feel it. I didn’t know who else to call.”

“Is that the guy who gave you the black eye?”

“Not directly. I got jumped outside of Hildebrand’s bar. They didn’t take anything. Just punched me and knocked me off my feet. But I’m worried because some of the guys who work with him look like gangsters. That, along with some subtle threats, has made me nervous as shit.”

“Did you file a report with the sheriff’s office?”

“I didn’t bother. Little incorporated Palm Island is not exactly high on their priority list. So it’s kind of an odd situation.”

From the front seat, Chet turned to Lillian and asked, “Where are we going?”

Lillian answered, “To the car lot.”

“In Palm Island?”

“Yes.”

“You know my father incorporated the town of Palm Island back in the fifties.”

“Really? That’s interesting.”