Yolks on You Box Set

Chapter 18-1

Chapter 18

The explosion wasn’t loud from so far away, but the noise from the people on the farm was enough to alert Kiko. The commotion outside the barn was panicked, loud; Kiko tugged on Mother’s lead and they left the building, stood with others peering across at the breakfast barn. People were running out of it, shouting, while others held hands over children’s eyes or carried the younger ones with faces pressed into shoulders.

Kiko understood immediately what had happened. It had occurred enough over the past few days. His second thought was Dom—he’d been poking around about the bombs. Kiko had no idea what the odds were that he’d set one off, but he worried nevertheless. He tossed out thoughts of going over to the barn; even if he could get in through the crowds of people trying to push their way out, Dom might not be there. And even if he was, Kiko was not about to either take Mother in with him or leave the goose with anyone at the animal barn here.

He pulled out his phone. He didn’t even bother texting.

“I’m going to have to call you back,” said Dom when he answered.

“Wait,” said Kiko quickly, glad to hear his voice. “Are you okay?”

“Fine, fine, just dealing with people,” said Dom, then hung up before Kiko could say another word. He stared at the barn, tempted to toss Mother in the truck and force his way in there, but it would take too long. Instead he called Katie.

“Hey,” he said, “How’s it going there?”

“Nice and quiet,” she said, sighing. “There was one grandmother in here and that’s been it, though there’ll probably be more after people start finishing up eating.”

“Maybe sooner than you think,” said Kiko. “There’s been another explosion.”

“On the farm? Oh, no, Kiko…is anyone…?”

“I don’t know,” he said, squinting at the breakfast barn, but there were too many people swarming around everywhere now. “But if they’re not scared away from everywhere in Mount Angus by now, there are bound to be some of them showing up at Yolks on You. If you can, encourage them to still show up to the Grand Hunt.”

“Kiko. What if there are more bombs?”

He didn’t know what to say to that. His hope that whoever had made the explosives had been scared off by a death clearly was not the case. Still, if the culprit was setting them at the farm, would they have had time to also set them at the egg hunt grounds? And more than that—what could be gained from that? The farm, at least, made sense, assuming the explosions were to make a place undesirable to receive the prize money. Another person Dom could cross off the list.

“I want to say I don’t think there will be more,” he said. “But if your conscience doesn’t want you to encourage anyone over there, I understand.”

He distinctly heard Katie breathe out in relief.

“This is just terrible,” she said. Kiko was shoved as a family passed by him and he retreated away from the swarm of people, losing visual with the breakfast barn. He told himself he’d call Dom again when the police arrived.

“I hope it doesn’t ruin the Eggstravaganza,” said Kiko. “Mount Angus depends on it.”

“They should give us all the award this year for dealing with this. Some of the businesses have been exploded. But you know what I’ve heard? The Chamber of Commerce is considering not giving out an award at all this year, due to the circumstances. This entire thing is a disaster and a tragedy.”

Kiko wondered at that. It made little sense to him, but then, maybe it was the town’s way of trying to get the explosions to stop. If the responsible party heard there was no award to win, they might stop. It was actually not a bad idea, using the Mount Angus rumor lines like this. Probably something the police thought up.

“As long as it’s not canceled permanently, I think it’ll be okay,” said Kiko. “We just need to get through this Grand Hunt…”

“Oh, about that,” said Katie. “Dill was in here asking about it.”

“Dill?” asked Kiko, confused. “Why?”

“Oh, well, you know, not Dill; his son, Dill.”

“Right,” said Kiko, though he was still confused. “What did he want?”

“Kept asking about the Grand Hunt. He said he knew it was late but he wanted to volunteer. Something about he felt bad about Chad—they’re in school together—and wanted to help? I told him he’d have to talk to you, of course, but when I refused to give him a direct yes or no he went off in a huff.”

“Interesting,” said Kiko, tucking Mother behind him as more families went by.

“He does not seem like a happy kid,” said Katie, tone implying he was a troubled youth. Kiko shrugged though she couldn’t see the gesture.

“His mother just left,” said Kiko. “It’s hard to lose a parent. When my father died I was angry for a while, too—and his is still alive, just not there anymore. I remember hearing she wouldn’t call the house because she didn’t want to talk to Dill.”

“And he won’t let his son have a cell phone, right,” said Katie, though she seemed reluctant to accept Kiko’s explanation. “I’m sure they email each other. They must. She’s his mother. I couldn’t go without talking to my kids.”

“Well, okay,” said Kiko. “I know it’s near ten now, but I’m not sure when I’ll get back there. I’ll have to grab Dom, and currently he’s—what?” he asked as she giggled.

“Grab him? So then, how did last night go?”

“Very well, thank you, and no you can’t hear all about it. Maybe when he’s gone back home. Thanks for managing the store for me.”

“You’re very welcome, Kiko. Give me a call when you’re coming back?”

“Of course,” said Kiko, and hung up. He glanced down at Mother, who was looking very agitated now. He sighed, bent for the goose. He’d have to fight his way through the crowds, but the best place for a small creature that could get trampled underfoot was back in the safety of his truck, so back to the truck he went.