They slept the whole way home. When they got off the plane in Phoenix, Charlie’s mom, Mac’s dad, and Maria’s mom were there to pick them up at the gate. As Charlie ran to hug her mother, a TV monitor tuned to a news channel caught her eye. On the screen was a grainy photo from an airport security camera, showing two soldiers wearing bodysuits and face masks, getting into a limo. In the corner of the photo was part of a third person whose back was to the camera. All they could see was a swath of blond hair. The chyron at the bottom of the screen read, “Manhunt Continues in Guadalajara. American Suspects Armed and Dangerous.”
Charlie’s eyes widened. She pulled back from the hug and pointed to the screen. “Did you see this?”
Dr. Wilde nodded and gave Charlie a “boy do I have a story for you” look. “I’ll fill you in later,” she said as the group moved to the exit. Maria had seen it too, and she gave Charlie a wide-eyed questioning look. Charlie shrugged helplessly. They’d have to talk when Maria’s and Mac’s parents weren’t around. But now they were all excited to see their kids and hear about their work in Puerto Rico. The mystery would have to wait.
The families parted ways at the parking garage elevator, and finally Charlie was alone with her mom. They walked arm in arm, Charlie pulling her carry-on behind her. “What was that all about on the TV? Was that Kelly and the soldiers? It looked like Mega and Prowl.”
“That was them all right,” said Dr. Wilde grimly. “I’m not sure what they’re doing in Mexico, but they injured some customs officials at the airport and one of them is in a coma. They’re in big trouble. Nobody knows where they are, though.” She pointed out their car and they got in. “Your dad says Guadalajara has one of the best zoos in Latin America, which could be why they went there.”
“Wow.” It was a lot for Charlie to take in. After a week away from this mess, it was a harsh awakening. “What are we going to do?”
Mrs. Wilde backed out of her parking space and drove toward the garage exit. “Ms. Sabbith is trying to track them down. Once the news confirmed that they flew in from San Diego, she went down there and started looking for the van. She also finally got in touch with Captain Brenda Zimmerman—she was the one who originally hired Talos Global to work on Project Chimera.”
“Wow, Ms. Sabbith has been busy,” said Charlie.
“It’s amazing how hard it was for her to find them, but when the government goes top secret, they aren’t fooling around. Anyway, now Captain Zimmerman knows what Gray is up to. Whether she believes it to be as serious of a threat as we do remains to be seen.”
“Why wouldn’t she want to help?” asked Charlie. It seemed crazy not to.
“Maybe she’ll decide to.” Dr. Wilde didn’t sound hopeful. “But this whole situation turning people into hybrids and chimeras is one you have to see to believe, you know? We need to convince her that this project evolved into something crazy after she shuttered it all those years ago.”
Charlie let out a breath. “Wow,” she said. “So now what? When do you think Dr. Gray will come back with his soldiers?”
Dr. Wilde glanced at Charlie as she headed for the highway. “Honey, I don’t think they’ll be able to get back into the United States. They’re wanted . . . for a serious crime.”
“Even Kelly?” asked Charlie, looking fearful.
Dr. Wilde nodded. “Especially Kelly. The officer who is in a coma had a head wound . . . and a poisonous puncture wound to the stomach,” she said quietly. “It’s pretty obvious Kelly hasn’t stopped using her destructive powers to hurt people.” She let the words sink in, then added, “I’m afraid she’s gone too far to ever turn back.”