CHAPTER 142
The pack leader glared into the cage at Seth and Ms. Bolton. It had circled them several times and had now settled in front of the cage door. Seth and Ms. Bolton pressed themselves against the back of the tight enclosure. There was nowhere else to go and nothing else to be done. Neither one of them was about to try and keep the utahraptor from the door latch. If they got too close it would only take one swipe of its claws to turn their hands to ribbons. As Seth looked at the latch there was no padlock or extra security of any kind. If this utahraptor wanted in, Seth had a feeling she was going to figure it out soon enough. He hoped that whatever plan Gary was up to it would happen soon.
Seth got a crawling feeling as though he were being observed. When he looked up he was eye to eye with the pack leader. The utahraptor's pupils shifted from him down to the latch and then back to Seth. It was obvious that she was making the connection. Seth felt like a traitor to himself. He felt like if he hadn't been staring at the latch she might not have figured it out so easily. With what looked to Seth like an ear to ear grin the pack leader reached for the door with her fore claws. As they rested on the handle it twisted downward with a loud click.
It was here that Seth expected the door to open, but something else happened instead. There was a noise of rushing air and machinery. A high whining sound filled the garage. The utahraptor stopped. Its hand let off the latch. The door did not open.
The pack leader craned her head around. Her dense plumage ruffled as she twisted her body. She inspected the dark garage with a low purr and then swung her snout back to the cage. She gave Seth and Ms. Bolton a look as though she knew something suspicious was afoot. Nevertheless the utahraptor turned her body and walked off toward the noise.
Seth and Ms. Bolton exchanged looks. They didn't know what was at play here, but they were relieved to be out of danger for the moment.