Catching Reindeer

We headed down Highway One and into a residential area that seemed to be called Esmeralda. The horses were tightly packed and the roads mediocre, but we quickly located the little blue house surrounded by a high white fence and came to a stop. David called a phone number and said, "Hey Wings, we're here."

Several minutes later, small mousy haired girl came out the door and locked it behind her. She rolled a pair of suitcases behind her, each probably large enough that she could fit inside.

"Good morning," she said in some sort of European accent.

"Hey, meet Alex Douglas, with the FBI."

The girl gave a quick open and close of her hand in a wave of greeting.

"Alex, please meet Katja Reinders."

I almost said something rude, before remembering the previous day's admonition, and just saying, "It's nice to meet you," and extending a hand.

"Sorry, I don't shake hands until my friends get to know someone, otherwise it makes them nervous," she responded, clutching the handles of her luggage instead.

I just blinked. "Okay, sure, that's fine. Um, how long does it take your friends to acclimate to someone?" I asked, but really understanding the strange girl

"That depends, but I think that we should start now. David can take this bag and my friends and I will ride with you Secret Agent Douglas."

"Um, it's Special Agent, actually, or Agent, or just Alex."

She didn't respond, just walked to the back of the SUV and waited with one of her giant suitcases.

David grinned at me, undoubtedly amused by my introduction to Miss Reindeer. Then, he grabbed the bag she left behind and went to load it into his SUV.

Meanwhile, I went to the back of my vehicle and unlocked the trunk before Katja carefully slid her suitcase in. Then, closing the trunk, we entered the cab.

I think it was after passing through Ensenada that I finally decided to attempt a conversation with the woman, who I had decided was probably in her early to mid twenties and it was just a combination of her small frame and interviewed nature that made me call her a girl earlier.

"We'll be stopping for food in San Felipe." She didn't respond. "It's through the mountains, on the other side of the peninsula." Again, no response. "Would you like anything in particular?" I asked.

"Oh, I don't care. Just whatever my friends want to try."

I sighed and asked the obvious question, "Where are your friends?" And I prayed that is get a normal answer.

"I told them to stay in my suitcase."

At this point, I remember some comment about her befriending bugs and I have an **** shiver.

"You're afraid of bugs?" Cathy says, snickering at me.

"Stop interrupting," I say, giving her a weak glare as I try to remain serious, "but, yes, creepy crawly things scared me."

"They don't any more?"

"Katja's dragonflies don't."

"Okay, sorry, go on with your story."

So, uh, yeah, Katja crept me out when we first met. Which is why, I subtly hinted to David during our stop in San Felipe that she should ride with him. Or, more specifically, her bugs should ride with him. He acquiesced and the second part of the day's travel was a long, slow drive through the desert alone.