"You better.” After a pause, she said, "I hope everything is okay.”
"Just a slight glitch in the matrix," I said.
We said our goodbyes, hustled downstairs, and pushed out the front door.
Storm clouds gathered on the horizon.
JD and I jogged down the walkway and climbed into the Porsche. He fired up the flat six, and we headed across the island to the old lighthouse. It wasn't the tallest structure on the island, but a fall from the top of it would put a damper on your day.
By the time we got there, a crowd of people had gathered, staring up at the two idiots on the top of the tower. News crews at the base soaked up footage. Paris Delaney and her crew were on the scene. Helicopters circled overhead, and Paris's team navigateda drone up to the top of the lighthouse to get up close and personal footage of the psychonauts.
We hustled onto the property, took the metal staircase that spiraled up to the top, then stepped out onto the gallery walkway that rimmed the lantern house. We took the ladder up to the top of the lantern house and climbed onto the sloped metal roof.
Flynn sat atop the roof, looking out over the ocean, smoking a joint. His eyes were narrow slits that peered into other dimensions.
The smell of herb wafted.
Mickey stood at the top of the spire, cradling a massive iguana in his arms. He stared deep into the creature’s eyes.
"Flynn!" I scolded.
"Oh, sorry." He flicked the joint away. The cherry glowed as it tumbled through the air and fell to the ground below. It was a long way down.
Flynn pointed to the iguana. "Meet Augustus, the Lizard King."
With cautious steps, we climbed up to the top of the spire. The sloped roof was not for the faint of heart.
"Hey, Mickey,” I said. “How about you guys come down now?"
"I'm not coming down until I have all the answers. Not until Augustus has spoken.”
"I'm not sure Augustus has the answers you're searching for.”
Mickey looked at me like I was crazy. "Augustus has all the answers to the known universe.”
A gust of wind swirled around the lighthouse, knocking Mickey off balance. He tilted forward to steady himself, but holding the large iguana carried him farther than he anticipated.
The last thing I needed was Mickey and the lizard flattened on the ground below.
43
Ithought Mickey might go over.
My heart leapt into my throat.
Mickey took a step to steady himself.
He caught his balance, wobbled for a second, then stood straight again.
Somehow, the lizard remained calm through it all.
It was going to take my best negotiation skills to get the three of these lizard brains down to the ground safely. "Sounds like you're on the verge of a breakthrough."
"I am," Mickey replied.
"Did you hear that?”
"Hear what?"
