The Flock by James Robert Smith

seen one of these.”
    â€œHey. Vance is a wealthy man. He buys only the best.” Kate tooted the horn and Ron saw two fellows appear from the shadows to unlock the gates and let them out. She waved at them and muttered thanks, even though they couldn’t hear her through the raised windows. In a moment the compound was a couple of distant lights in the darkness, then gone. They were on a single lane road that was merely a couple of sandy tracks in the wiregrass, a narrow gap that led through the woods, meandering back and forth. “I like driving this little road,” she said. “We didn’t cut it through here, you know. We just cleared out a couple of loblolly pines and that was all the construction needed. The big trucks that brought in the building materials did most of the work for us, and the forest has even repaired most of that damage .”
    Ron nodded. “He seems sincere about saving this place. I have to say it’s an important site. But I don’t know if he’s going to get what he wants.”
    Kate glanced his way just as the dirt road met up with one of the paved roads that marked the current boundary of Salutations. “You might be right. But it would hurt my heart to see him fail. You’ve seen a little of it. This place deserves to be saved, despite shoddy impact statements from the government, high powered lawyers from an entertainment conglomerate, and the slippery good ol’ boy politics of a thinly veiled neo-Nazi.” There was an edge in her voice. The truck bounced as it climbed up from sand to asphalt.
    â€œI agree with you. It’s a big place. Lots of varied habitat.”
    â€œRon, I don’t think you have a grasp on this place. Not really. You ought to take a look at it. I mean, a really good look. It’s one of the largest unprotected roadless areas in the eastern United States. It has to be preserved. As is.”
    In the dark of the cab Ron looked at Kate’s face outlined from the bluish glow from the lighted dash. He was finding himself more attracted to her the longer he was with her. “Sorry about what I said today. In Levin’s lab, I mean.”
    There was a moment’s silence. “That’s okay. Don’t mention it.”
    â€œI just wanted to apologize. The reason I said it, well, that guy Levin was getting on my nerves. He was baiting me. Maybe he’s jealous that I was out hiking around with you, or something.” He cleared his throat, feeling nervous again. “Are you two… attached? ”
    â€œAttached? Me and Levin? Heavens, no.” She glanced his way. “What was he saying? Did he say something about me?”
    â€œNot in so many words, no. It’s hard to describe. He was just giving me a hard time. Making innuendoes. I’m not making any sense, am I?”
    â€œSure you are. Look, I’ve known Adam for nine years, and I know exactly what you’re talking about. He can be quite irritating.” They were going through the center of Salutations. The lights were bright, the quaint mall bustling, people walking down the streets. The place looked very nice. She slowed the truck to a crawl, to avoid hitting any of the kids who might dart into the street. She’d seen kids do that here in the past.
    â€œApology accepted, then?”
    â€œNo need for one, but if you feel like giving one, then sure. Apology accepted.” Kate smiled at Ron and accelerated gradually through a green light.
    â€œThen how about going out with me this Friday? I know some nice places to eat. Some nice clubs. I was thinking about driving over to Melbourne. How about it?”
    Kate was quiet for several seconds. It seemed like minutes to Ron, and he was beginning to become uncomfortable. She reached over and flipped a switch, letting in cool air. Finally, she spoke. “Look. You don’t know me that well. There are some things happening for me right now that are keeping me