Caesar's Pearl Chapter 20
"Do you mind explaining to me what my daughter is doing in a cage, Mr. Landon," said Will. "And how she even got passed your security in the first place!"
"I was about to ask you the same thing, Rodman," countered Mr. Landon. "When I left this shelter I made absolutely sure everything was locked up tight."
"You sure about that," retorted Will, sarcastically, gesturing pointedly at his daughter. "She seemed to get in here easily enough! Obviously your staff isn't as vigilante or thorough as you think!"
That really made Dodge angry.
Radiating waves of hostility, Dodge snarled "It's not my fault. I did my job!"
In the middle of his short rant Dodge's furious eyes traveled over to the nervous Rodney. As a result Rodney ended up shrinking into himself, but shook his head, also, denying any wrongdoing in this situation.
Ha! Just like Dodge to point the blame away from himself, but Rodney wasn't admitting false guilt to anything this time.
"Enough," yelled Mr. Landon, out of patience. "There are more important things to deal with here than wounded egos! Rodman, we've been trying to get your kid out of the cage since we found her here, but neither one of them is cooperating. Since you're the only one you're chimp seems to respond to other than your daughter can you please get her out of there for us. I've avoided using a tranquilizer gun on him and your dog for safety reasons, but we're running out of options."
"Okay there's no need for that. I'll get them out of there. Just back away from the cage. You're stressing them out enough as it is," said Will.
Mr. Landon nodded and got his guys to step back while Will took their place sliding open the cage door.
Ranger stopped barking when Will gave him the command, but his posture remained protective.
Kneeling down so her was more on the level with Margo and Caesar, Will said "Caesar, you have to let her out."
Caesar stopped baring his teeth, but refused the request. He crouched lower over Margo so Will tried a different approach.
"Margo, your mother and I have been scared out of our minds for you. Come on, it's time to go home," said Will.
"No," said Margo, stubbornly looking away. "If Caesar's not coming home then I'm not coming home. I'm living here now with him!"
Dodge could be heard scoffing and his father aimed a reprimanding look at him to shut his mouth.
Shaking his head, Will sighed "Margo…Honey, you know it doesn't work like that. I want Caesar back home as much as you do, but running away isn't the answer. Margo, you're mom is worried sick. Won't you please come home for her?"
Margo wasn't budging.
Will didn't want to do this, but it was time for him to play his trump card.
"What about your grandfather," asked Will. "Don't you want to see him."
Now that had an affect on Margo. She loved her grandfather. She loved him so much. Margo knew he was sick and that her company was one of the few things that brought him joy during these days while he was stuck in the house. Not only that, but by how her mom and dad had been talking about him lately he didn't have much longer left to live. Thinking about him is what broke her resolve.
The same thing occurred inside Caesar too. Caesar loved the old man after all Charles had named him the first night he slept at home. He may be deprived of seeing him, but not Margo.
Caesar's posture steadily relaxed and he hooted gently at Margo to get her attention. Once he had it he pointed a little at the door telling her it was okay to go. He'd be all right.
Margo turned her head to look at her father and Will knew he had her. But she wasn't doing it for him. She was going home for Charles.
Ranger exited the cage to stand beside Will's feet while growling at Dodge, Rodney, and Mr. Landon to keep their distance. Margo was about to step out herself when she almost forgot some very important detail she came close to overlooking. Spinning on her toes she returned to Caesar wrapping her arms around him in a farewell hug. A bit surprised Caesar immediately wrapped her in a tight embrace savoring the contact. This may be the last time he sees Margo for the devil knows how long. But there was a purpose behind this. Saying goodbye to Caesar in a hug was merely the disguise. A ruse to distract everyone else from what she really was up to. None of them would have a clue whatsoever. Even Will brushed it off.
"Zero. Four. One. Six," whispered Margo, conspiringly.
Hearing the numbers Caesar's eyes widened a bit as he secretly discovered what Margo managed to relay to him. He was confused at first, but it quickly hit him that what his little sister was saying was the numeric code to all the doors in the facility. This included the ones in the rec area.
This would definitely come in handy in the long run.
When the two separated Caesar subtly gave Margo an understanding nod with the look in his eyes revealing to her that he was well aware what those not so random numbers were for. She smiled at him and then left the cage with Rodney immediately locking it behind her. Margo took out Ranger's leash and clipped it to the dogs collar.
Will, Margo, and Ranger then went for the exit with Mr. Landon leading the way. Dodge and Rodney would stay behind to start the work they'd been supposed to before Margo had interfered.
At the doorway Margo stopped to look at Caesar one last time. Caesar and the most of the other apes were watching her. She gave them all one last smile and when she got to Caesar she lifted the wrist that had her bracelet showing the locket. Caesar did the same with his in a loving brother and sister bond.
Margo then left with Ranger and her dad and they were out of there.
Authors Note:
Happy New Year!