Read Online Pet Noir by Pati Nagle - Free Book Online

leaving home for the first time and all. But you know, Gamma’s a pretty decent place to live.”
    I didn’t say anything. I was angry, and I just had to pace it out so I wouldn’t destroy anything. I thought about Jill’s favorite pink sweater, the one she wouldn’t let me near because she didn’t want it to get snagged. Thought about ripping it to shreds.
    Thought about Ma and the sibs. That made me sad, and the anger all drained away. I was lonely, tired of being surrounded by strangers. I stopped pacing, then hopped down onto the chief’s lap.
    I couldn’t help it. Not only had I just learned I could never go home, but I had spent the night alone for the first time in my life when I was used to sleeping in a pile with my family. I needed some contact, even if it was just the chief.
    â€œUh,” he said. “Um, I’m sorry you’re feeling down.”
    I leaned against his chest, rubbing my face on his clingsuit. He shifted, then gave me a hesitant pat on the head.
    â€œIt’s OK, Leon. It’s OK.”
    I heard the door slide open and looked up in time to see Devin wipe a startled expression off his face, replacing it with neutral slouch. The chief quit petting me and shifted in his chair again. I took the hint and climbed back onto the desk.
    â€œHere’s your coffee,” Devin said. “Hope you like it black.”
    â€œThanks,” said the chief, accepting a lidded beverage cup from Devin. He took a sip, grimaced, and set it down on his desk. “You want anything, Leon? Some milk or something?”
    â€œNo, thanks.” I sat down and began grooming my tail.
    â€œOK. Well then, about the Stratoma guys. I want you to run backgrounds on them, Devin. Maybe it’ll turn up something we can use. I’m going to go ahead and set up the transport sting. That should be ready later today.”
    â€œWhat about Nu-Delta’s regular run?” Devin asked. “They have other cargo to take to the Fringe. Won’t we be delaying all that?”
    â€œWe’ll use the sting ship to shuttle the rest of their stuff to a pickup point. They’ll be able to complete their normal deliveries, they just won’t stop here for them.”
    The chief paused and looked at me. I had finished with my tail and was staring at my contract, still glowing on his screen. He cleared his throat.
    â€œUm, Leon, I think you should go on the sting transport. Devin’s cover in the warehouse makes it too suspicious for him to go, but you can stay out of sight and keep an ear to the deck for any bits of information the Stratoma goons may drop. Think you can handle that?”
    â€œDon’t have much choice, do I?” I said.
    He looked at me with narrowed eyes. I knew I was pushing my luck, antagonizing the boss, but I was in a foul mood.
    â€œYou’ll have some time before the transport is ready,” he said slowly. “Maybe a little R&R would do you good.”
    The chief looked at Devin, who shrugged. Something passed between them that I couldn’t interpret. Human stuff. I couldn’t care less, at the moment.
    â€œLet me make a few calls, then I’ll show you around the rotunda a little more,” the chief said to me. “How about that?”
    I shrugged. I’d go along with whatever he said until I could figure a way out of the contract. There had to be a way.
    â€œDevin, why don’t you and Leon go and, um, work on those background checks? I’ll come to your office in about half an hour.”
    â€œOK,” Devin said.
    He went to the door and was halfway out before he looked back at me. I jumped off the desk, hitting the floor as hard as I could to emphasize my dissatisfaction. Didn’t make much noise, but, oh well.
    I stalked out after Devin, my semi-extended claws clicking on the floor. It was the best I could do to express my disdain for Gamma Security and the human race in general.
    Devin led