Let's Make a Deal (Bob and Nikki Book 11), стр. 68

Natti asked, “It came out well, why worry about how it happened?”

“I’d like to know if it is something I can depend on in the future, or just a fluke. If I don’t know how it happened, I can’t figure that out.”

“I see. However it happened, I’m thankful. We’ve gotten a lot more done today.”

“Yes, we have, and I’m not nearly as tired as I was before. I knew your people were sneaky, but that was a neat trick. Do you think you have any chance of figuring out who did it?”

“We can look at the computer records, but I doubt that someone who was slick enough to pull this off would forget to cover their tracks. Before you ask, I doubt there is anything you could offer them, to make them consider coming to work for you.”

Nikki said, “I think you got ahead of him there, Ambassador. He hadn’t gotten that far yet.”

Snappi said, “He would have, though. The Commodore doesn’t miss many opportunities.”

I said, “You guys give me too much credit.”

Natti said, “I don’t think so, Bob. I think you try to project that whole ‘I’m just a hick’ routine, to make people underestimate you. I’m aggravated at how often it works on me, when I know to watch out for it.”

“How do you mean?”

“Oh, how about figuring out that if you were there as an equal, you shouldn’t bow to the Emperor? Some dumb hick, like you pretend to be, wouldn’t have gotten that one, would he?”

“Okay, Ambassador, you’ve got me. Does that change anything?”

“Just how carefully I need to read over everything, before the Emperor signs it.”

“If you would rather talk to Dee and Beatriz, I’m sure that can be arranged.”

“No, thank you, Commodore. Negotiating with you is just fine. Sorry if I gave you a different impression.”

Nikki said, “They scared him, didn’t they?”

“I believe they did. I wonder how they managed that?”

Natti replied, “Could we just agree that they did, and leave it at that?”

I said, “Of course. I didn’t know we were getting close to a sore spot.”

“It’s just that an experienced negotiator like me shouldn’t be that easy to manipulate. It’s embarrassing.”

I replied, “You shouldn’t be embarrassed that those two got the better of you. Between them, they have a shipload of experience. Look at it more as an opportunity to learn your craft, from a couple of masters.”

“They don’t embarrass you?”

“On a regular basis. I try to learn from it.”

“Do you succeed?”

“Rarely.” We got back to work, and the afternoon flew by. Stella came back in, and asked, “Did you want me to bring in another meal, or are you going to call it a day?”

I looked at Natti. He said, “I think we’ve gotten enough done for one day, don’t you? We’ve done more today than we had up till now.”

I replied, “That sounds reasonable. No reason to work ourselves that hard, now that we’re finally getting somewhere. I’ll walk you back to your ship.”

“I think we could find it by ourselves, Commodore.”

“I don’t doubt that. I just wonder how many other things you could find along the way.”

We grabbed a transit, and headed back to their ship. As they were getting aboard I asked, “What do you want to do about those sensor platforms you put out? You can pick them back up, or I can give my head gunner the practice, it doesn’t matter to me.”

Natti said, “What?”

“The sensor platforms your spy ship put out. We’ve got good coordinates on them, wouldn’t be any trouble to give you a little fireworks show.”

Snappi said, “I told those idiots you would find them. How did you do it?”

“That would be telling, wouldn’t it? Where’s the fun in that?”

Natti asked, “Why don’t you wait till we’re gone and disarm them, learn all our secrets?”

“My demolition people say the charges are more trouble to disarm than it would be worth.”

“I’ll see if I can convince them to clean up after themselves.”

“Thanks. See you tomorrow?”

“Yes. See you then.” They climbed aboard, and headed out. Nikki said, “That was dirty, Caveman. Waiting for the last minute to bring up the sensor platforms. Is Dee giving you lessons?”

“Just watching and learning, Space Cadet. Let’s go eat.”

In the transit, she asked, “You really don’t have any idea how Snitz figured out that thing in Natti’s briefcase?”

“Not a clue. Do you have any ideas?”

“Nope. He sure is a smart dog.”

“That he is.” We got to the galley, and Janet was there, waiting on us. I asked, “What’s up?”

She said, “Nothing, really. I just asked Gene to tell me when you were coming to the galley, so I could come and eat with you.”

I looked at Nikki. “Smart girl. You’d think she would have had better sense than to hook up with us.”

Nikki said, “You would, wouldn’t you?”

Janet asked, “If you two are through having fun, can we go eat now?” We went in and sat down. Stella brought out our usual drinks, and asked, “What would you folks like to eat this evening?”

I said, “I’m too tired to think. Just bring me the special.”

Nikki said, “Me too.”

Janet said, “Cheeseburger and fries, please.”

Stella said, “I’ll have that right out.” She turned and went back to the kitchen.

Janet asked, “Did you guys play with Snitz this morning? He was gone for a while, and then he showed up and laid down with Alice.”

I looked at Nikki. She said, “I can’t explain it any better than you, Caveman.”

I said, “He followed me around for a bit this morning. Once he had fixed the problem I was having, he left.”

“Gee, there has to be more to the