Let's Make a Deal (Bob and Nikki Book 11), стр. 65

“Gene can call him, when I get ready to head to the cabin. See you in the morning.”

“Night, Dad.” She headed out, and it struck me how quickly she had settled in to being family. It seemed odd, but I sure didn’t know enough about kids to tell if it was a problem or not. I went into the galley, and Stella said, “You finally decide to come eat, Boss?”

“Yep. You trying to tell me I need to be more regular about my eating habits?”

“Just want you in good shape, Boss. Never can tell when Murphy is gonna come around and show us the error in our ways.”

“Ain’t that the truth. What’s good?”

“People have been bragging on the meatloaf special.”

“Let’s do that.”

“Tea to drink?”

“Yes, please.”

I sat down, and waited for my food to come out. My comm rang. “Commodore Wilson.”

Topper said, “Thought you might want to know, Boss. Rikki just left the ship.”

“Good deal. Be sure that any messages he sends back are routed to me, please.”

“Sure, Boss. What’s the big secret?”

“I’ll tell you the next time we’re in the ready room together.”

“Okay. You don’t want it distributed through the fleet?”

“Not yet. It remains to be seen if it is going to amount to anything, or not.”

“Good enough. Any special instructions?”

“Wake me if the Squirrels do anything odd, or we get other ships in the system. Other than that, I can’t think of anything.”

“See you in the morning, Boss.”

“See you then, Topper.” By that time, Stella was bringing out my meal. I dug in, and tried not to think about having to start negotiating with Natti again in the morning. I finished up, and Snitz was waiting on me when I left the galley. I said, “Nicely done, Gene.”

“Thanks, Boss.” We went to the grass room, and Snitz took care of business. Bill wasn’t there, so I guessed Gene thought I was doing alright. We headed to the cabin. Nikki didn’t wake up when I got in bed. I fell right to sleep myself. All too soon, Snitz was licking my ear, and it was time to start a whole new day. I got cleaned up, and we headed for the grass room. Bill was waiting, this time. He asked, “I hear you have a new mystery mission going. What is it this time?”

“Need to know, for now, you nosy old fart.”

“Did you at least tell your wife what’s going on?”

“Haven’t had the chance. She was asleep when I got home last night.”

“You are going to, though, aren’t you?”

“I’m hoping to read her and Topper in before the Ambassador gets here to start negotiations again.”

We headed off to the galley for eggs and the elixir of life. Stella brought us out some coffee, and I said, “Bless you. Just what I need.”

“We try to please, Boss.”

After breakfast, Snitz stayed with me. It seemed a little odd, but I figured he had a reason. I headed to the ready room, to train. Jeeves met me there. “What’s up, Jeeves?”

“Gene saw you headed here, by yourself, and you didn’t have him page anyone to meet you here. He assumed you wanted to train. Was he wrong?”

“No, but I think I can manage, without help, if you have something else to do.”

“Sally told us that you should have supervision when you train, so that you don’t get in trouble one way or another.”

“She did, did she? Well, no harm in a little extra safety, I suppose.”

Snitz decided he needed to sit in my lap, while I trained. I still hadn’t figured out why he felt the need to watch over me so closely. When I came out of it, Jeeves asked, “Feel okay, Boss?”

“Feel fine, I just hope that course helps me get the hang of negotiating with the Squirrels. So far it’s just plain hard work, and I’m not sure why.”

“Couldn’t tell you, Boss.”

Gene asked, “Boss, Mrs. Wilson has finished her breakfast. Would you like her to join you?”

“Yes, please. Could you ask Topper to come in as well?”

“Yes, Boss.”

“Jeeves, do you have the ability to scan for recording and transmitting devices?”

“I do, Boss. What would you like scanned?”

“Scan Snitz. He seems to want to be with me today, and I want to make sure he’s not carrying anything.”

Jeeves took a look, and said, “All clean, Boss. Do you need anything else?”

“While you’re scanning, take a look at me, just for fun.”

I stood, and he went over me. “You’re clean, too, Boss.”

“Go ahead and take off, then. Thanks for everything.”

“You’re welcome, Boss. I’m guessing you need your dress uniform for meeting the Ambassador?”

“Probably best. Give it a scan, too, while you’re at it.”

“Okay, Boss. Any particular reason you’re being more cautious today?”

“Nope. Just a feeling.”

“Should I inform Topper? I’ve heard about your feelings.”

“Go right ahead, I don’t think this one will amount to much, but if it makes you feel better, go right ahead.”

Jeeves took off, and met Topper on his way in. They stopped to exchange data, and Topper came on in. He said, “You’ve got a feeling, Boss?”

“Yep. I think it’s just because Snitz is acting odd.” I reached down and gave him a pet.

“How do you mean, odd?”

“Usually, he wanders off and finds something to do during the day. Today, he’s sticking with me.”

Nikki came in. “What’s the matter with Snitz?”

“Nothing, that I know of. He’s just hanging out with me today, instead of wandering off like usual.”

“Is that what you called the meeting about?”

“Nope. Gene, tile the lodge, and make yourself scarce.”

“Okay, Boss.”

“Gene, where is Janet?” No answer. “Okay, I called you both here because I need to tell you