"It's not funny. I've got to get those neutroids. It's in connection with the Delmont case."
Yates stopped laughing. "Oh. Well, I'll take care of it."
"It's a rush-order, Sheriff. Can you get the warrants tonight and pick up the animals in the morning?"
"Easy on those warrants, boy. Judge Charleman can't be disturbed just any time. I can get the newts to you by noon, I guess, provided we don't have to get a helicopter posse to chase down the mothers."
"That'll be all right. And listen, Yates—fix it so the charges will be dropped if they cooperate. Don't shake those warrants around unless they just won't listen to reason. But get those neutroids."
"Okay, boy. Gotcha."
Norris gave him the names and addresses of the three unwilling mothers. As soon as he hung up, Anne touched his shoulders and said, "Sit still." She began smoothing a chilly ointment over his burning cheek.
"Hard day?" she asked.
"Not too hard. Those were just three out of fifteen. I got the other twelve. They're in the truck."
"That's good," she said. "You've got only twelve empty cages."