Page 35 of Seamus: Unconventional
Anchor’s shoulders drop. “They’re not going to want to work service.”
I shake my head and point to Sarge. “He is. He wanted a job with kids but asked about elderly. Nagíla said he needs a slower pace. The hardware she put in won’t last for Ops.”
Anchor turns fast. “Sorry, Brother. I can come get you for a visit when they release you.”
Sarge chuffs and puts his paw up. Anchor bumps it.
I sit smiling like the nut I am. Shadow sends a salute and Light a thumbs up. I like emojis better than the AI little gif movies.
I’m surprised when Raid comes in with Keylan. “Brothers.”
“Sarge is interested in the job for the elders.” Anchor is, apparently, happy about the partner showing for them.
Raid smiles. “Cort said you’d need a new job. I have a list but don’t know what you’re looking for. We have Ops but you’d need control training, Zion has PTSD, kid and anxiety therapies, we got kids needing Security but kids run or some are freaky.”
I stop him as Sarge sends me elderly. “He wants to see elderly. It’s going to take him time to heal and he can look at different jobs when he’s healed or stay with what he likes.”
Sarge barks once. I reach over and put a hand on his shoulder. “You get to choose, Brother. If you want to change later, you can. If you want to stay, stay. It’s your life, live it your way.”
He chuffs softly. I give him a one-handed cranial scratch.
“How long is he here?” Keylan asks.
“Two weeks unless Katie takes him. Nagíla was going to ask her.”
Raid sits in the chair he pulled closer. “Katie is at Phoenix.”
I nod. “Nagíla has an appointment there and was going to have lunch with Katie and Lorelei. There’s a military K-9 that isn’t responding well to something.”
Raid nods looking relieved. “One of the new rescues is listed as Ops but he’s not responding to commands like the others.”
“Language. Sometimes the Ops K-9s took a minute to follow English,” I tell him.
Keylan nods in agreement. “Harky said he tried four. MB tried two Harky didn’t know.”
I send it to Light. “Asa said they used a language test for the new Bits. I sent it to Light. He’ll get Donny on it.”
Raid laughs. “He’s really your second and Donny is his second.”
I nod, not sure why it’s funny. He was here when Cort brought the new cut for Light.
Keylan jumps in the awkward moment. “Nike, find out where the Prospect is with lunch.”
I don’t mention we’re early because lunch is due here in less than five. The awkward is broken and Anchor talks to Sarge. I ask Keylan about the Club doors.
“They’ll open with your tracking. An alert will open them automatically even if you’re walking. The chair has a slide button that will open doors on other compounds and in the offices for you. Here, outer doors are automatic thanks to Alder.”
That wasn't a complete waste of time. “I’ll thank him. I’m glad we didn’t spend more than an hour on the button.”
He smiles pointing to Nike pushing a covered cart out in the hall. Badass crazy is fun sometimes.
***
Maestro Club
Sailing through the afternoon in Ops has me feeling good about my decision to bow out of doing Ops for a while. The team did great and we got recognized by Luke Rayne for the FBI. It wasn’t a hard job but it was detailed and long. The partners ran seamlessly. I don’t think the Officers have seen the teams run without handlers.
Just as I spin to leave, Cort shows on the board. “I’m on my way. Alder and Stella finished the skeleton.” He looks distracted.
