Keanu’s mouth pinched before he nodded. “I am kind of curious what this charlatan has to say.”
Several minutes later, after we finished our treat, Keanu tucked me under his voluminous shirt and brought me to the main level. He set me down out of sight before he walked into the living room and said, “Who’s this?”
With them distracted, I scurried for the clay vase holding some kind of plant with drooping fronds. A quick scramble and I dropped into the dirt, out of sight.
“Grandfather,” Iolana didn’t sound pleased. “I thought you were sunbathing on the roof.”
“It’s too hot. Ooh, are those crab cakes?”
Wait, what? I almost popped out of my hiding spot, but I’d come to do reconnaissance. I’d eat the crab cakes after the doctor left.
Iolana sighed. “Sorry, Dr. Malone. Please continue.”
Malone… Why did the name send a shiver down my spine?
Probably just a symptom of my impending molt, but just in case I’d had a premonition, I remained hidden. Listening. And drooling because I really did like the smell of those crab cakes.
Chapter Fifteen
Soon as I saw Malone, I didn’t like him, although I couldn’t pinpoint exactly why. He appeared polite and pleasant enough, smiling as he shook Apollo’s hand and apologizing for showing up unannounced.
“I’d initially planned to do a stay-at-home vacation, but once I got your message, it occurred to me that my findings were best explained in person,” Dr. Malone stated.
“And here I expected you to call me crazy when I contacted you about those videos,” Apollo replied with a smile.
“Never,” Malone exclaimed. “I’ve had that word thrown at me too often to ever apply it to someone curious about inexplicable phenomena.”
“Why don’t you come inside and we can discuss what you think you’ve found.” Apollo led the way to the living room, where I cast a quick glance for Tigger. He’d been peeved I’d sent him away, and I didn’t put it past him to disobey my caution. His rash behavior proved why dragons went extinct.
“Have a seat while I grab us some snacks and refreshments.” Apollo hit the kitchen, leaving me alone with the doctor.
“We haven’t been introduced. I’m Dr. Barry Malone, and you are?”
I blanked. Girlfriend sounded juvenile and presumptuous. Explaining I was doing custom work for Apollo wouldn’t explain why I was present. I stuck to, “I’m Iolana, a friend of Apollo’s.”
“And what do you think of the dragon sightings?”
“I think that it’s very easy to fake. Just look at all the supposed Bigfoot videos.”
“Ah yes, there are quite a few, none of them real.”
“You’ve investigated them?”
“Each and every one. While larger, hairier humanoids did at one time exist, something wiped them out. And before you ask, I have seen proof. Remains have been recovered that, while sharing some human DNA, are different enough to class them as a different species.”
“I’ve never heard of anyone finding a Bigfoot body.”
“Things of that nature tend to be closely guarded secrets.”
“Why?” I blurted out.
“Because people are predictable beasts. Look at the gold rush years. One person finds a nugget and hundreds rush thinking they’ll do the same. Can you imagine the mountains full of inexperienced Bigfoot seekers, how it would tax search-and-rescue resources?”
“Hadn’t thought of it that way,” I murmured. “What other mythical creatures have you been able to confirm actually exist?” I asked just as Apollo returned with a large tray holding a pitcher of lemonade, glasses, and a plate with crab cakes, crackers, and dip.
“Bigfoot is real. Unicorns did, at one time, also walk the Earth, until they were driven extinct by people who hunted them for their horns.”
“What about dragons?” Apollo got straight to the point.
