The Silence of the Llamas Read Online Free PDF Page B

up her professional persona. But Lucy could see it was a struggle.
    “Oh, too bad. I got held up on another story. But looks like you have something going on out here. Someone said the llamas were shot? Is that true?”
    Ellie’s eyes widened with alarm. “Shot with paint. A paint gun. It was probably just a bad joke, I’m sure—”
    “Yes, I see. When did this happen? Just now?”
    “We’re not sure. I really don’t have anything to say about this situation. We’d prefer not to have it in the paper.”
    “Sure, I understand. Mind if I take a few pictures?” The young woman had taken out a camera and had it positioned in front of her face before Ellie could answer.
    “I do mind.” Ellie took a step and blocked her view. “Did you hear a word I just said? It was probably just a stupid joke. Write about the festival and the farm, the positive side of the event. That’s the only story we’re giving out today.”
    She held her hand up so the picture would be ruined, but Lucy wasn’t sure that she’d succeeded. Jessica Newton seemed persistent on breaking this hot news. There wasn’t much excitement in Plum Harbor. This was a real scoop, from her point of view.
    “I’ll cover the fair, don’t worry,” the reporter promised. “But you can’t keep this out of the paper, Mrs. Krueger. People are already talking about it. Once the police get involved, it will be on the blotter, public record.”
    The police had not been called. Yet. But Ellie didn’t tell that to the reporter. She drew in a deep breath.
    “Look, young lady, I asked you politely not to put this in the paper. If we see an article, your publisher will hear from our attorney. Please leave. This is private property. Is that clear?”
    The reporter finally seemed to pay attention and cast Ellie an admonished look. Or was faking it just to keep the peace, Lucy thought.
    “Have it your way.” The reporter shrugged. “If it’s not me, it will be someone else. Count on it.”
    Ellie crossed her arms over her chest but didn’t say anything. The girl turned and slowly walked away, heading back to the tents and parking lot.
    Ellie had vanquished the media this time. But the reporter had been right. They might be able to keep the incident out of the newspaper for a day or so, but once they called the police it became public record. So far, however, the Kruegers hadn’t mentioned calling the police. Which seemed odd to Lucy.
    But she held her tongue and headed off for the barn, as she’d promised. The situation was complicated enough.
    •   •   •
    Matt arrived a short time later. Lucy saw his old red truck racing out to the meadow. He parked at the fence and jumped down, a black medical case swinging from one hand. Ellie and Ben met him at the gate and led him out into the corral, where they had kept the llamas with the worst injuries.
    Lucy, Dana, and Dot had washed down about six of the llamas. The paint did not come off completely, but they managed to remove enough so that what remained wouldn’t be harmful to the animals when they groomed themselves.
    Or so they hoped.
    Lucy rubbed one of the llamas down with a ragged towel, speaking softly to the animal as she worked. Her name was Daphne, she’d heard Dot say. “I guess Matt will know better about that paint,” Lucy said, musing aloud. “I’ll have to ask him.”
    “Ask him right now, here he is,” Dana replied.
    Matt walked into the barn alongside Ben and Ellie, who led the other llamas on leather leads. One had anadhesive bandage on its back leg, and Buttercup wore a bandage wrapped around her head and over one eye.
    The animals looked so pathetic after their medical care, Lucy felt tearful all over again.
    “Hi, honey.” Matt greeted her with a kiss. Lucy tried to kiss him back but was holding a large soapy sponge.
    “We’ve been washing down the animals,” she explained.
    “Yes, I heard. That was a good idea.”
    “Just common sense.” Dot shrugged and smiled