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Maddock looked back and saw flashing lights coming around the corner in the distance. Traffic was heavy but flowing steadily. It wouldn’t take long for the Gardai to catch up to them. He glanced at Bones who was looking from side to side.
“What are you doing?”
“Checking for the cord you pull to make the driver stop the bus,” Bones said.
“I doubt they have that on a tour bus,” Maddock said, grinning ruefully.
“You got a plan?”
“Wait for the bus to slow down, then we jump off and make a run for it, I suppose.”
He glanced back again and saw a white van barreling toward them. The driver honked and waved.
“That’s Orla,” Maddock said.
Orla brought the van alongside the tour bus. The logo of the Dublin Zoo was emblazoned on each door above the words EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. Paintings of reptiles adorned the sides.
“Hop on!” Orla shouted.
“Don’t you mean ‘hop in’?” Bones said.
“There’s no time. Jump!”
Bones looked at Maddock, a twinkle in his eye.
“You heard the lady. Let’s go.”
The big man vaulted the rail and landed hard on the top of the van. Maddock followed suit. Just as he landed, Orla hit the brakes and the two men slid forward.
“Holy crap!” Bones shouted.
They flattened themselves out atop the slick roof and reached around for something to hold on to but found nothing.
“Sharp turn coming up!” Orla shouted.
“Are you kidding me?” Bones called back.
Maddock grabbed the top of the door frame with his right hand and seized Bones by the belt with his left as Orla made a hard right. Brakes squealed and horns blared as they cut across traffic and onto a side street. Maddock held on tight, his tenuous grip the only thing keeping the two men secure.
“Turning again!” Orla’s upbeat tone was badly mismatched with the situation.
She whipped the van around another tight turn, Maddock’s shoulder was badly wrenched as he struggled to hang onto his friend.
“Did you have to grab me by the belt? I think my jeans are coming off,” Bones grunted. “And I’m going commando today.”
“That’s just great,” Maddock said.
They were now on an empty side street. Without warning, Orla hit the brakes. Maddock lost his grip on Bones who slid down the windshield, tumbled over the hood, and landed in the street.
“Are you all right?” Orla asked sweetly.
“No.” Bones clambered to his feet. “I’ve got a rip in my favorite Johnny Cash t-shirt.”
“I’ll buy you another,” Orla said. “Hop in.”
“Tell me you didn’t steal this van,” Bones said.
“Of course not. My cousin is on staff at the zoo. This is her work vehicle.”
“Good enough for me.” Bones moved to the passenger door, but Orla snapped her fingers and pointed into the cargo area.
“You lot ride in the back where you won’t be seen.”
Maddock and Bones climbed in. As soon as they slid the door closed, Orla hit the gas and peeled out.
“What is the deal with everybody being related to you?” Bones said.
“Not everybody, and most of them are not blood relations. We’re kindred spirits dedicated to the same task.”
“What task is that?” Maddock asked.
“Protecting history and nature,” she said. “Right now, too many powerful people are happy to erase those things in pursuit of just a little bit more money. Short term economic gain tends to win out over preserving our history and our planet. My family choose jobs that keep us connected and informed. We’re tour guides, naturalists, academics. It lets us keep an eye on things and share information.”
“What do you do to protect those things?” Bones asked.
Orla grimaced. “What we can.”
“Is Michelle part of your family?” Maddock asked.
“She would like to be.” Orla cocked her head. “Where shall I take you lads?”
“I don’t suppose you’re related to anyone at Saint Michan’s Church?” Maddock asked.
Orla’s only reply was a wink in the rearview mirror. She made a sudden, hard right and stepped on the gas. With a squeal of burning rubber, the van took off down the street.
