CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Mitxel Mendizabal’s yellow pickup truck rumbled along the mountain roads. He started by going down into the valley, but when they reached an intersection, he turned the truck right and drove uphill again, past a sign that said: COMING SOON—SCHMOKE-MENDIZABAL PHARMACEUTICALS. BECAUSE YOUR HEALTH IS WORTH ANY COST.

Uchenna was hanging out of one window of the truck. Jersey was in his special backpack. Mr. Mendizabal had stuffed fresh fish in its side pockets, and Jersey was sniffing frantically through the air holes. He seemed to be trying to find a way to open the zipper and get at the fish. Mr. Mendizabal’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel as he tried to keep the truck from running off the small mountain roads. Professor Fauna glared out the windshield in silence.

Elliot seemed lost in thought. After a while, he said, “If the Schmoke brothers really have captured the herensuge for its spit, and they want to make a medicine to cure all sorts of diseases, is that really so bad? I mean, they could help a lot of people.”

Professor Fauna inhaled and frowned. “Elliot, the oath I swore when I founded the Unicorn Rescue Society was simple. The creatures of myth and legend must be protected. They are few and rare and fragile. Without the society, there would soon be none at all. This herensuge may be the last of her kind. If the Schmokes harm her, no matter how honorable their intentions might be, it could erase a beautiful and noble creature from existence.” He sighed loudly. “And I do not believe the Schmoke brothers’ intentions are as honorable as you think.”

Uchenna gave Elliot a meaningful look. “Professor,” she said, “do you want to tell us anything more about the Schmoke brothers?”

Professor Fauna looked out the window and chewed his lip and did not answer. Elliot raised his eyebrows. Uchenna tried again. “Professor Fauna?”

The professor gazed darkly into the early evening.