Let's Make a Deal (Bob and Nikki Book 11), стр. 40
“The Marines are built tough. They have more ability to override bad programming than most of us.”
“I just hope we can get through to Frank. He seemed so repentant the last time, I thought we had come to an understanding.”
Nikki said, “I think you may be looking at this in the wrong frame of reference, Bob. You’re thinking he’s just stepping out of line, because he thinks he can get away with it, aren’t you?”
“Yes, what am I missing?”
“I think it would be closer to the truth to say he’s addicted. At least, that’s the way he acts. He’s fine, until he gets his fix, and then all he can think about is getting more. He’s not acting up just to get his way, he’s trying to get his high.”
Julie said, “That sounds right, Ma’am. He even acted sorry when he got caught. It was like he couldn’t help himself.”
“Gee, that makes me feel just great. Frank’s a junkie, and I’m his pusher. Just what I needed to make my day complete.”
Nikki said, “You didn’t know, Caveman. Ease up on yourself.”
Scotti said, “Boss, you gave him what he wanted most. How were you supposed to know he wanted it more than was good for him?”
“I guess you’re right, Scotti. I think maybe I got wound up in things and forgot to eat, again. I’ll probably see it more clearly after I get around some food.”
Nikki said, “Now you’re talking, Caveman. Gus is about ready to gnaw his way out.”
“You really expect me to believe that line of crap about Becky being a polite little lady?”
“Nope, but it’s fun to wind you up.” I looked at Scotti. “Do you have things under control here?”
“Yes, Boss. I’ll go through his files on the server, and see if there’s anything useful. He may have gotten off on a wild goose chase.”
“Run whatever you find past Tikki. Could be she can see something different.”
“Good idea, Boss. I would never have thought of that.”
“I do need to eat, if I’m acting dumb enough to get you sarcastic.”
Scotti replied, “At least it’s easy to fix. Go!” Nikki and I headed for the transit. She said, “Scotti has quite the personality, doesn’t she?”
“That she does. Don’t know how we would run this ship without her.”
Scotti called out from behind us, “Poorly, Boss. Poorly.” We headed to the galley. Stella was waiting for us. “Unsweet tea, and a Coke?”
Nikki said, “Yes, please.”
“Do you know what you would like to eat?”
I asked, “What do you have today?”
“There’s a potato soup people have been saying nice things about.”
I said, “I haven’t had a good bowl of potato soup in I don’t know when. Let’s do that.”
“Ma’am?”
“If he thinks it’s that good, I’ll try it, too.”
We sat down, and Nikki said, “I better call Jimmis, before I forget.” She got out her comm, and called. That reminded me I had a call to make as well. I called Max. “Hey, Bob. What do you need today?”
“First, I need to tell you you’re a Grandpa again.”
“Isn’t it too early for Nikki to deliver?”
“Yes. We adopted a girl, named Janet. She’s from that planet we found with the bad air. She left her family behind to come to the stars, and she wasn’t doing too well on her own.”
“Good for you two. When do I get to meet her?”
“Tell you the truth, I’ve got no idea. Things here need to calm down before I can leave the system.”
“Do you think you can get it back under control?”
“It’s a slow process, but I’m beginning to think it’s heading in the right direction.”
“I know you have more to talk about, Bob. You never call about just one thing.”
“I need a couple of favors, I guess. Could you hold off on saying anything to your ex about us adopting Janet?”
“Sure. I don’t talk to her that often, anyway. What else?”
“I need Wilma Flanigan’s phone number.”
“I’ll text it to you. Something wrong with Frank?”
“We can’t seem to keep him squared away. I was hoping she might agree to come out and take over for the bot I have trying to do that job.”
“Shady Oaks won’t be happy to lose her, but she is the best person for that job. Hey, did you guys tell Jimmis he has a sister?”
“Nikki’s working on that, right now.”
“Good deal. I wonder how he will take it?”
“You’re asking the wrong person, Max. I just don’t know him well enough to guess.”
“I’m sure I’ll hear all about it, the next time I talk to him. Was that all you needed, Bob?”
“I think so. I know where you are, if something else comes up.”
“I need to go, I have supper on the stove. Gail is coming out, and I don’t want to mess it up.”
“Talk to you later, then.”
“Bye, Bob.”
I got the text with Wilma’s number, and called the relay at John’s. After I put the number in, it connected me.
“Hello, may I ask who is calling?”
“Bob Wilson, Ma’am.”
“Sorry, Mr. Wilson. Your number didn’t come up on my caller ID.”
“There are reasons for that, don’t worry about it.”
“Is my Dad okay?”
“That’s a hard question to answer. Physically, he’s fine. We just can’t get him to sleep like he should, and he keeps finding ways to get around whatever we do to make sure that he takes care of himself.”
“Gee, that sounds familiar. He’s a sneaky one, alright.”
“I was wondering if there was any way I could talk you into coming out and keeping him out of trouble? If he keeps going