Read Online Sea Monsters and Other Delicacies by David Sinden - Free Book Online

working.” He held out his hook, and Orson shook it with his finger.
    â€œGood-bye, Captain,” the giant said. Orson strode off down the dock, his boots squelching as he went.
    â€œYou should go and get dry too, Ulf,” Dr. Fielding said, feeling his damp T-shirt. It was still wet from when he’d been in the water.
    Ulf looked down at the sea monster.
    â€œDon’t worry, Ulf. I’ll make sure it’s comfortable, and we’ll do your inspection as soon as I get back.”
    Every month, before the full moon, Dr. Fielding gave Ulf a full physical examination, monitoring his transformation from boy to wolf.
    â€œGood-bye then, werewolf,” Captain Crab said.
    â€œThanks for your help, Captain,” Ulf replied.
    He walked to his ATV and kick-started the engine.
    Â 
    Captain Crab watched the werewolf and the giant leave. He narrowed his eyes and turned to Dr. Fielding. She was holding the venom extractor. “I’m still amazed that this worked,” she said.
    The Captain grinned. “Good old Professor Farraway,” he said. He followed her as she walked to her Jeep and placed the venom extractor on the backseat.
    â€œCaptain, can I ask you something?” Dr. Fielding said.
    â€œWhy, of course,” Captain Crab replied. “Is something the matter?”
    She took a piece of coral from her pocket. “Did you notice anything suspicious out on the Farraway Reserve?”
    â€œSuch as?”
    â€œPoachers,” Dr. Fielding replied.
    Captain Crab raised his bushy eyebrows. “Now why would you ask that?”
    She showed him the piece of coral. “This is part of the sea monster’s shell.” The coral’s edge was jagged and broken, and had black flecks of gunpowder on it. “It’s as if its injury was caused by a blast.”
    â€œWhat do you mean, Dr. Fielding?”
    â€œShock fishing,” she said. “It’s a method of poaching sea beasts. Explosives are used to stun them, causing them to float to the surface. It was outlawed over fifty years ago.”
    â€œI didn’t see any poachers,” Captain Crab told her.
    Dr. Fielding picked up her phone from the frontseat of her Jeep. She tapped a number into the keypad. “Hello, this is Dr. Fielding from the RSPCB. Could you put me through to the department for National and International Criminal Emergencies?”
    â€œNICE?” Captain Crab asked.
    â€œIt’s just a precaution, Captain,” Dr. Fielding told him. “Hello, is that the department for National and International Criminal Emergencies? I’d like you to check something. Could you send a boat out to the Farraway R—”
    Captain Crab knocked the telephone from Dr. Fielding’s hand and kicked it into the lagoon. “Oops,” he said.
    â€œCaptain! What are you doing?”
    â€œI wouldn’t worry about poachers,” the Captain replied. He stared at Dr. Fielding. “Now I’d like that venom extractor, if I may.”
    Dr. Fielding glanced at the venom extractor on the back seat of the Jeep. “What on earth for?”
    Captain Crab grinned. “Oh, Dr. Fielding, I’vewanted it all along. Why do you think I went to all the trouble of bringing you a sea monster? I needed its venom.”
    Dr. Fielding grabbed the venom extractor and held it behind her back.
    â€œYou see, I knew that the venom extractor worked,” the Captain said stepping closer.
    â€œStay away from me.”
    â€œProfessor Farraway wasn’t killed by a sea monster. He returned from his expedition safe and sound.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Dr. Fielding said. “I’d like you to leave now.”
    Captain Crab laughed.
    Dr. Fielding jumped into the Jeep clutching the venom extractor. She fumbled with her keys, trying to start the engine.
    â€œIn a hurry, are you, Dr. Fielding?” Captain Crab asked. The engine started. Captain Crab slid a wrench