LOOSE ENDS.

As the title suggests, this is the sequel to SNAP, to tie up the loose ends. Warning: there is some mild language but otherwise the story is suitable for all ages.

Senor Eduardo Vasquez and Senor Philippe Rodriguez Alvermontarez lied to Tin-Tin Kyrano when they told her the pygmy alligator: sinensis palpebrosus, they sold her wouldn't exceed eighteen inches. Even so, at three feet in length they are easy to handle, aren't they?

- - - - - - - -

I'm dedicating this story to Ellie ET for her unstinting support and loyalty and for being a great fan. Thankyou, Ellie ET, I've loved every one of your reviews. You've made me chuckle on more than one occasion with your tremendous sense of humour.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to mention all those who left reviews for SNAP. Some I've been able to thank via email, others I haven't, so my acknowledgements go to the following:

Tikatu, FrankieC, Yvette, Liktra, Vorserkeien, Fellowriverrat, Quiller, Ellie ET, Purupuss, Rachie, Spense, darkhelmeti, Sweety The Chick and Amanda Tracy. Thankyou everyone, for taking the time to read SNAP and leave a review. All your comments were greatly appreciated. I'm glad you enjoyed my story. If you read Loose Ends I hope it meets with the same measure of enjoyment SNAP did.

- - - - - - - -

The throbbing tempo of the instrumental music reverberated through the high-tec multi speakers, permeating the cavernous interior of Thunderbird Five's main deck. John Tracy's eyes drifted shut and a lazy smile played around the corners of his mouth in pleasure as the rich mellow cadence filled the air. The soft leather upholstered chair creaked protestingly as the blond haired astronaut leaned back. Locking his hands behind his head, John stretched to an almost horizontal position as the music washed over him, relaxing him into a languid stupor. He remained like that for several minutes, swaying languorously from side to side in sublime bliss. The lazy smile deepened, as he indulged in the images of his younger brother's recent antics in his frantic search for that errant reptile, and the secret pleasure it had afforded him. Thunderbird Five's main pilot knew exactly where Eglantine had been ensconced for the past week, up until the moment she'd affected her escape. Suddenly his eyes flashed open and his whole body went rigid. His face contorted into a mask of horrified realisation as it suddenly struck him, he'd forgotten about the cage. In the furore to locate the missing reptile, he'd overlooked it. That incriminating piece of evidence was still languishing in his room.

"Holy s#!" he mouthed, halting abruptly in mid swivel.

The chair tilted dangerously backwards, creaking ominously under the strain, alerting its occupant that he was within a hairs breadth of overbalancing as it hovered on a knife edge. Aware of his imminent plight, John abruptly shifted his balance, snaking out a hand to grasp the desk top. Breathing a hard sigh of relief he righted himself before leaping from the chair and bolting over to the control panel, were he opened a link to base. He hadn't fully formulated what he was going to say if his parent was still on duty and answered. His tight pensive face relaxed as the clear cut handsome features of his elder brother blinked with unexpected surprise and welcome at him.

"Well now, can't keep away hmm? Missing me already?"

Observing the formalities before broaching what was on his mind, John strained to see past Scott. "You alone?"

Scott cast a cryptic look around the room, "Sure looks that way."

"No chance of Dad overhearing me?"

Scott snorted a laugh. "You're safe. He's fully occupied trying to round up that replacement Gordon bought."

'Replacement? Replacement for what? What's he on about?' "Replacement?" John arched a brow, inquisitively.

"Oh that's right; you have no idea, have you? Gordon lost Alan's 'gator."

Schooling his features, John muttered evenly, "Careless of him," as he mulled over that word 'replacement.'

"That's what I said when he told me."

"What's this about a replacement?" John queried, suppressing the hideous idea that had begun to germinate.

"Gordon shot off to the mainland just before you left, to buy a replacement 'gator."

John's eyes dilated in shock. "He didn't?" he gasped, his expression was one of dazed disbelief. His mind began racing at the bombshell that had just been dropped in his lap, and its implications. If Gordon ever found out………

"The idiot!" he breathed.

"Huh?"

"He was that desperate?"

"You didn't see him. He was that desperate he was even prepared to risk Dad's wrath by jaunting over there fifteen minutes before you were due to take off."

John paled. 'All the more reason to make sure Gordon never finds out.' "Things have been happening on planet Tracy," John whistled.

"And that's not the half of it. Things started to liven up even more when Alan found out Gordon had tried to dupe him with a replacement." Scott then proceeded to fill John in.

- - - - - - - -

"It all kicked off after Alan told Gordon to use his initiative."

"It was using my initiative that got me into this in the first place," Gordon retorted. "Tell you what; I'll look after her while you go in."

"Like hell! D'you think I'd be mad enough to trust you with her after the last time you looked after my baby?"

"Your baby?" I don't think much to your gene pool if that's what you're producing." Gordon quipped, flicking a jaundiced eye over the reptile.

Alan's jaw jutted aggressively as several indiscreet sniggers erupted.

"I'll take real good care of her." Gordon tried the appeasement tactic.

"Not a chance," Alan retorted, as an image of a lethal hissing pile of bones flashed before him. It was an encounter he was in no hurry to repeat. "It's none negotiable. This is your mess, you clean it up!"

"I don't know what's gotten into you boys," Jeff intervened. "You've handled worse. You made short work of those giant alligators on the Ambro River; remember?"

Both sons faced him; feet planted firmly apart, both sporting equally stubborn looks.

"Oh for Pete's sake," Jeff growled, "It's not like you don't have experience," he said, observing the way the three foot docile gator was laying supine in Alan's arms. "One meek ineffectual little 'gator should be a cinch."

Gordon and Alan remained resolute and this prompted Jeff to snap, "Oh for heaven's sake, move aside." Squaring his shoulders and, with a determined look on his face, Jeff rolled up his sleeves and headed for the door. "I'll do it."

"Knock yourself out," Alan invited, airily.

"This I gotta see," Gordon said out of the corner of his mouth. "I'll bring the container."

"I'll give you a hand with that," Virgil offered, volte faced.

A few minutes later Alan witnessed an action replay of his earlier encounter with the cantankerous reptile. Jeff proved he still had what it took and that he was every bit as agile as his son by diving towards the container and vaulting nimbly over it, executing an impressive inverted rolling manoeuvre as he reached for the exit. He swung the gate hard, muttering something colourful as the sounds of snapping and hissing filled the air, a hairsbreadth behind him.

"Can't think what's gotten into it," Gordon drawled, sheepishly. "It wasn't like that when I bought it."

Jeff turned to his auburn haired son. "You and your bright ideas!"

"Don't know what your problem is, Dad," Alan said, unfazed. "It's only a little spirited."

Jeff straightened his clothes, ran his fingers through his dishevelled hair and turned. He gave his youngest born a calculating look. "Spirited eh? Well since you seem to know so much about it, crocodile Dundee, you deal with it."

Alan opened his mouth in protest, amid several sniggers, but was left addressing fresh air as his parent strode forcefully toward the house. His cocksure demeanour instantly evaporated as he noted the alligator watching him with a baleful glower. "Gordon Bennett!" he said, taking an imperceptible step backwards.

Mrs. Tracy, who had been quietly watching the proceedings, said casually, "It seems to me that if someone were to have asked my opinion, I'd have suggested using bait."

Gordon rolled his eyes and shook his head. At Alan's mystified look he said, "It's already been tried. It didn't work."

Mrs. Tracy, tutted. "'Course it didn't. You used the wrong bait."

Both waited expectantly, wearing insolent looks.

"Try using your 'gator. He's male. And, unless he's batting for the other side, her pheromones should drive him wild; long enough to entice him into that cage you're using as a shield." Having delivered the obvious, she headed off, in a no nonsense fashion, in the wake of her son, leaving her grandsons staring after her.

- - - - - - - -

Selecting visual, Jeff jabbed out the number on the business card that Tin-tin had handed him, glancing up briefly as his sons breezed into the lounge. He listened to the ringing tone and waited. Within seconds the screen sprang into life and he was looking into the dark Latin features of a middle-aged suited businessman.

With urbane smoothness Senor Eduardo Vasquez addressed the screen, "Good afternoon, 'Exotic Reptiles.' Eduardo speaking, how may I help?"

"You sold my son a lethal pygmy alligator," Jeff said, without preamble.

Senor Vasquez's suave façade slipped and a slight twitch could be observed afflicting his left eye as he registered the terse accusing tone. But ever the consummate salesman, he quickly recovered and, adopting a guarded expression of supreme innocence said, "And you are?"

"The name's Tracy. Jefferson Tracy."

"Tracy, Tracy?" Senor Vasquez stroked his chin thoughtfully and presented a slightly puzzled countenance to the screen. "The name does not ring a bell. Tracy you say?"

"That's right."

"One moment, sir." Senor Eduardo quickly pressed the privacy button. The colour drained from his face as the significance of the name finally registered and he realised who he was dealing with. This man would not be the pushover his son had been. He withdrew a crisp white linen handkerchief from his top pocket and carefully mopped his brow.

'Tracy, or not, I'm not having that damned reptile back! I'd rather risk a dose of botulism every Sunday for a year; courtesy of my Mother-in Law's cooking than allow that thing back on these premises!'

Taking a deep breath and plastering a slick salesman's smile on his face, he recommenced the call. "You wish to extend the seven day cooling off period?" he offered, urbanely.

"No I do not!" Jeff emphasized each word staccato fashion.

"Then how may I help you, sir?"

"I want it returned."

"There is something wrong with it, sir?"

"Apart from the fact it's breathing, you mean?" Jeff retorted, archly.

"I beg your pardon, sir?"

"The animal's lethal."

"Sir, we do not sell dangerous animals." Senor Vasquez pressed an index finger to his left eye in an attempt to stem the twitching.

"I suggest you redefine your descriptions of dangerous. Had I not been agile…….but I'm not here to debate the issue with you. I want the animal returned."

"I see, sir," Senor Vasquez replied, stiffly. "You have a bill of sale?"

"Naturally."

"One moment then, while I check my records."

Jeff was left looking at the swirling interlude pattern on the vid-screen. Several minutes later the salesman's face reappeared, sporting the same slick smile. "We do not appear to have a record of any sale for a pygmy alligator to anyone by the name of Tracy," he said airily. "You are sure you bought it from here, sir?"

Jeff pressed the secrecy button and turned to Gordon. "Well?"

"Yeah, it was them alright."

He lifted his finger off the button to reveal the smooth Latin features waiting expectantly. "My son is certain."

"Perhaps some receipt of purchase might help?"

Jeff again disconnected the link, "You've got a receipt I take it?"

Gordon slowly lifted his hands from his pockets and shifted his weight nervously onto his other foot. Casting a sideways look at Alan, he replied, "Erm not exactly."

"What d'you mean, not exactly?"

"I threw it away."

"You did what?" Jeff thundered.

"But if he checks the reference number," Gordon helpfully held out a crumpled slip of paper he'd forgotten to dispose of, from his pocket, and handed it to his parent, "that'll prove I bought it there."

"Your credit card will have the transaction registered."

"I paid cash." Again Gordon cast a furtive glance at Alan. "I didn't want it traced back to me," he supplied.

Jeff rolled his eyes and reconnected the call. "It seems it was a cash transaction. My son has given me the reference number of the animal. It is 694032795."

"I'm afraid that won't suffice, sir," Senor Vasquez bluffed. "Anyone can quote a reference number. Without a receipt we don't do refunds."

"I don't want a refund. You can keep the money. Just take the reptile back…..hello? Hello! Well how d'you like that? He cut me off," Jeff said, staring at the blank screen.

"Sooooo, what's plan B, Dad?" Virgil enquired, lightly.

Jeff gave him a quelling look. "You don't think I've got one eh? I'm gonna put out a call through to the Australian Reptile Zoo at Beerwah in Queensland. I seem to recall they have a rescue programme for unwanted pets. I'm sure he'll get a good home there."

- - - - - - - -

"So, Dad made the call and they confirmed they'd be happy to take him, said they ran a specialised rehabilitation programme just for reptiles with his er….hang-ups. All we had to do was deliver him. That's why they're all busy outside right now. Grandma's organizing them as we speak."

"Holy s#!" John breathed. "Things really have been happening on planet Tracy, haven't they?" he repeated.

Scott grinned. "'Knock yourself out', Alan had said to Dad. And he almost did just that. You'd have been proud of the old man if you'd seen the way he outmanoeuvred that 'gator earlier…….but I'm getting away from the reason you called. So, John, what can I do for you? Go ahead, spit it out. What's on your mind?" Scott prompted, as John hesitated. Was it his imagination, or was his brother studiously avoiding eye contact with him. Scott had noticed the abashed expression on his normally calm controlled brother's face as he'd listened to the unfolding narrative.

"Has Grandma been in my room yet?"

Scott thought it an odd question but answered evenly that she hadn't, yet.

"Thank God for small mercies," John mumbled.

"Huh?"

"Listen, Scott? I want your word that you'll treat what I'm about to say in the strictest confidence."

Scott arched a brow, intrigued. "Go on, you have my full attention."

It wasn't his imagination, Scott concluded, as John rubbed the back of his neck in a gesture Scott recognised well as meaning his brother was edgy about something..

"I need you to do me a er small favour."

"What have you been up to?"

Just promise me you won't say anything."

"Where have I heard that before?" Scott drawled, dryly.

"Just promise me."

"Okay; you have my word. Now, what's going on?"

John cast Scott a sheepish glance, "You know how boring it can get at times, between rescues?"

Scott nodded in agreement. "Sure. Go on."

"I just wanted to relieve the boredom, and besides, no real harm was done, or it wouldn't have been, if he'd kept his cool and not panicked."

Scott's eyes narrowed. "Who panicked?"

"Gordon. I can't believe the idiot went out and bought another 'gator", he muttered wryly to himself. Look, Scott, there's something in my room, something I forgot to put away before I left."

Scott waited with a look of burning curiosity on his face.

"It's important no-one finds it, and there's no-one I'd rather trust to keep this safe than you. I want your word you'll tell no-one and that you'll hide it in a safe place until I return."

"Do I want to know what you've been up to?"

"Just promise me, Scott, that whatever happens, you won't let Gordon find out, or Alan for that matter."

"I could just go along and take a peek right now, what's to stop me?"

"I changed the combo, as a precautionary measure. The only one who can override it is Grandma when she goes to do the bedding and dust round. Scott, are you going to help me or not?"

"Sure, I'll help. What is it you want me to dispose of?"

John hesitated before quickly mumbling, "A cage."

"Cage?"

"Don't worry; it folds into a compactable shape for easy storage," he rushed on. "And don't ask; you don't want to know."

"A cage? And yeah, I do want to know. What d'you want with a cage?"

A sudden alert look came into Scott's eyes, "You didn't? Eglantine?"

"It was just a bit of fun." John shrugged.

"You had the 'gator in your room the whole time?" Scott asked, incredulous.

"Things would have worked out too, if Gordon had kept his cool. How was I supposed to know he'd panic and go out and buy another 'gator?"

Scott threw back his head and laughed at the irony of the situation. "Wake up and smell the coffee. This is Gordon we're talking about. You should have had all your bases covered, knowing you were dealing with him."

"You understand now why it's imperative he never finds out about this?"

The urgency in his tone transmitted itself to the eldest born, who knew exactly how Gordon would react if he ever discovered that one of the worst weeks of his life on the island had been courtesy of a prank, instigated by the quietest of his brothers.

"If only that damned 'gator hadn't escaped!"

"It's not like you to be so sloppy."

"There must have been a fault with the cage door, it's the only explanation."

- - - - - - - -

Postscript:

4:37am the following morning:

"Easily manoeuvrable, my eye!" Scott groused, as he struggled to get a suitable grip on the cage. Having reached the lower floor, and approaching the elevator to the basement, he lifted one end, loosing his grip on the other, which hit the floor heavily, releasing the spring loaded mechanism with a decisive click. The titanium and carbon steel cage unfolded, springing crisply into life before his eyes. His attempts to suppress it by stamping a foot on it proved futile. While battling to close the cage, he noted the appearance of a pair of sandals entering his line of vision. Slowly his gaze travelled upwards until they met and locked with a pair of curious amber ones. Scott heard the defective cage door creak ajar and snaked out a foot to restrain it as Gordon continued to monitor him. Anyone looking at it couldn't fail to conclude what the contraption was, or what it had held. He shuffled uncomfortably and braced himself as he watched Gordon mentally working it out. Gordon's eyes widened in shock. He unfolded his arms, stepped away from the wall and he raised himself to his full height as he reached the right conclusion. He transferred his gaze from the cage back to Scott. "You wouldn't? You didn't?"

Having given his word, Scott realised he had little option but to take the wrap. 'John, you owe me, big time!'

THE END.

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