Several in the gathered crew chuckled or outright laughed, causing Shay's easy-going smile to disappear. Not helped by Arthur shaking his head. Damien couldn't help joining in with the chuckles, remembering his first experiences with the station. Of finding the place he belonged, and it being nowhere near the area he thought it would be.
"Sorry, Shay, not the bots. The station takes care of the bots or they take care of themselves," Arthur said. "I'm talking about the garbage systems."
Shay's face went white and slack. "What?"
"Refuse department?" Zane suggested.
"Perhaps recycling systems would be a better description? That's what the trees were doing." Damien said, taking pity on the poor man. So big and strong, with the appearance of muscle-builder, and he was being given something he probably didn't equate with his personal self-image.
"Wait, you want me to be the garbage man?" Shay took a step backwards and started shaking his head. "No. Weapons, or station systems. What about working with the transport tubes?"
"Sorry, the station has spoken, and so have the bots," Arthur said. "I think Damien's wording is best. Congratulations, Shay. You are our first maintenance engineer ever in the Recycling Systems department of Redpoint One."
"It won't be all garbage," Zane said, gesturing towards Vallory with a finger, grinning at Shay's outraged face. "You will also be working with Vallory's daubpups."
"Speaking of my daubpups, I heard you solved the mystery? Who tried to kill them with the heat?" Vallory said, sitting in one of the chairs on the raised central platform. Shay looked ready to explode, but with all the attention already diverting to Vallory, he clamped shut his mouth. Poor man. Hopefully he would come to accept his new place on the station without too much trouble.
"The pet-nappings and the heat settings are unrelated," Officer Redsong said. At Vallory's outraged expression, she added, "The heat setting was done by a vendor of one of the other missing pets, angry that we did not arrest you after the last pet-napping. A basic act of revenge. He's been charged with the intended harm of your pets and the vandalism inflicted when forcing open the environmental controls. He will not be allowed to return to the show."
"And yet, he was a victim as well," Vallory started.
"He intended to kill your daubpups," Officer Redsong said, her voice hard. "Let us deal with the intent. Yes, he lost his animals temporarily, but he had no right to go after yours."
"Temporarily?" Damien repeated. "You found all of the missing animals?"
The story was short and sweet, but clear. Damien shook his head at Tish and Rachel's actions to gain entry to the warehouse. All animals still there, but on the verge of getting shipped out. Once the members in the warehouse were caught, the small group had started blaming each other, revealing the full extent of the four-person group.
Of a member rigging a hacking signal into the regular pet show security system, masking the first few thefts. How they used the freight elevator in the utility room of Vallory's building at the pet show to smuggle pets out without anyone seeing. Using the carts for carrying supplies to move them through the crowds without anyone noticing.
"The maintenance area requires a pass to enter," Damien said as the story paused. "That means an inside person. Who was it?"
"A vendor," Rachel said from where she leaned against the railing surrounding the raised portion of the central platform.
Vallory's lips compressed together and thinned. "Mr. Pyman!"
Officer Redsong softly chuckled. "No, Mr. Pyman is simply the local grouch and instigator of trouble. We found no connection with him and any of the criminal activity. The inside person is someone named Ruth Mishley."
Damien knew he was staring, but he couldn't help it. "Little Ms. Mishley?"
"She wouldn't hurt a fly," Vallory added. "And from what I understand, she's been at the show forever. Everyone knows her."
"The perfect person for an inside position. Our preliminary investigation indicates a worsening financial situation. We'll know more soon," Officer Redsong said. "I believe one of her pets won a prize. The prize has now been revoked and awarded elsewhere."
Little Ms. Mishley. Yeah, no one would suspect her. Damien would have never done so.
"In any case, Ms. Schist, your name is officially cleared. And we thank you for volunteering to help us with the case," Officer Redsong said. "If there are no more questions, I'll return to my department. I want to tidy up this investigation as fast as possible. And, it appears you have a new arrival."
Vallory looked surprised to find so many staring straight at her. She turned questioningly towards Damien, who pointed at the floor at her feet.
"How did they get down here so fast?" Arthur demanded as Vallory quickly zeroed in on the new arrivals. "We aren't in a ring here. We're in the main body of Redpoint One."
"How did they move so far from the pet show this last time? Or any of the times?" Damien answered. "How do they do what they do with the station? I don't think anyone knows."
Vallory reached down and pulled first Penny, and then her baby, to her lap. "Damien's right. I don't know how they move so fast, as I've never caught them doing it."
"I believe Vallory is the current expert on the animals. If she doesn't know, then the answer is unknown." Damien shrugged.
"Another reason we should talk about your future on this station," Director Stemski said, with a nod at Vallory. "We need your expertise."
"Then I'll leave the situation in your hands." Officer Redsong left, with several of the other maintenance crew drifting off to continue their own duties, the main points of gossip finished and the rescue over.
"It's not as if other things on this station are strange or outright weird. This is just something else. Like we need more strange and weird," Tish said with a grin that revealed the dimple in her right cheek.
Rachel frowned, and pointed at a nearby console. "Speaking of weird, why is there an alarm in Tech Block 69. Isn't it still closed off?"
"It is," Arthur answered. He mounted the step onto the platform and moved to the console. "Power? Did someone send anyone into the area?"
No one owned up to it, but not only could Damien see the readings for the power usage in the area, but he could also see the sensors picking up at least three life-forms.
"Do we have another group of squatters?" Damien asked. "We've had a big influx of new visitors to the station during the show. Some may have decided to see if they can stay without paying rent."
"Not again," Arthur mumbled. "I'll take care of this."
"I'll tag along, just in case you need backup," Officer Redsong said, turning to follow him as he headed out of the room. Zane closely followed.
"It's too bad the rooms aren't fixed up," Damien said, smiling at how the daubpup baby had climbed onto Penny's back and was dozing off even while clinging to its mother's long silky fur. "Close to where I work, but they were designed as family housing instead of secure locked-down small apartments."
Vallory pulled Penny closer to her chest, rising from the chair. "Family? As in, more than one person? Are you suggesting something?"
Another subject he would have shied away from just a short time ago. He leaned forward to whisper in her ear, not caring how it looked to anyone else in the room. "Something else to talk about. Perhaps an apartment somewhere for two?"
Vallory's face turned red, but her smile didn't diminish. Then he noticed her glancing off to the right.
He turned to find both Tish and Rachel leaning against the rail watching them both. Tish sighed happily, while Rachel's mischievous expression told him that she would soon pay him back for all his past teasing.
"Are you two done?" he demanded.
"It's about time you found someone who can handle you," Rachel said. Yep, she intended to torment him. Too bad she'd forgotten he could still torment her about her new love in Ignacio.
"It really is too bad those apartments aren't usable," Tish said, propping her head up in the palm of her hand. "It s
eems like there are going to be several families around here before too long."
"What's wrong with them, anyway?" Vallory asked. "You are the maintenance crew. Can't you fix them?"
Hopefully she asked because she had in mind what he did. The daubpups belonged here at Redpoint One, which meant Vallory did, as well. So many of his worries and concerns no longer applied.
"I always wondered about that. Has anyone put together a list of things to fix?" At the shake of their heads, Tish pushed off from the rail. "Then I say we do it. Let's see what it would take to get it usable again. Our crew needs the extra room, and they deserve to have somewhere to live where they can have a family life."
Tish didn't wait to hear anyone else's opinions. She called for her bots, grabbed a maintenance epad from off a console, and headed for the door.
"I'm in. Looking around to see what needs fixing isn't lifting a finger," Rachel said, closely following. Her two bots closely followed.
"Any reason we can't join the inspection crew? I want to see this place." Vallory didn't wait for an invitation. She adjusted Penny and baby in her arms, and headed out the door after the other two women.
"Right now?" Damien asked.
"Of course, right now. Now that the daubpups have a place, I need to find one for me," Vallory said as she reached the door of the maintenance platform.
Damien's bot whistled at him, looking first after Vallory and then to him. As if wanting to follow, but not wanting to leave him behind.
Damien stepped off the platform, knowing when to give in. "Okay, fine. We'll go."
The bot took off after Vallory in response. Yep, they better get their situation resolved soon. Even his bot wanted her around. As for the station, it probably already thought of her as a denizen.
It didn't take long to catch up. Out of the maintenance platform, turn right, up a flight of stairs, and to the left. The door that usually sealed the section lay completely open. Just inside another set of stairs led to a second story of other apartments, but he didn't have to search for the source of the invasion.
Not with Zane's loud, "What did you do?"
Followed by Rachel's loud laughter and, "I knew they were up to something!"
Which also clued him in on the culprits.
Damien's bot stopped with a small group of other bots in front of a ground-floor open door with light streaming out into the wide hallway between the apartments. Vallory stood just outside, staring into the room. So did Penny, who still lay cradled in her arms. Tish stood on the other side of the door with the same shocked expression.
He arrived to find Rachel inside, silently laughing, while Arthur and Zane's expressions alternated between shock, amusement, and outrage.
Three older woman stood at the back of a living room filled with padded chairs and a couch of all shades of brown. Not one of the pieces of furniture filling the space matched the others. Same with the chairs around a dining table to the right. Large paintings of blocky children playing hung to the side of the entertainment system cabinet. On the opposite wall a tall painting of a wilting flower drooped over the couch.
A couch Daisy was still trying to tug a bright flower cover over and tuck the edges into the cushions.
Velda crossed her arms, glaring right back at them. Siggy did the same thing from in front of his igloo at the end of the couch. "We aren't ready for you yet."
"You aren't supposed to be in this area," Arthur said. He pointed at the door. "How did you get in here?"
"The door opened for us, of course. How does anyone get into a room," Eddie said crossly. "Did you think we broke in?"
"Really, Arthur. As if we would do that," Velda said, transferring her glare to him.
"The station again." Zane shook his head. "I always said it gave the three of you too much leeway."
"Go, get out." Velda pointed to the same door. "We'll call you when we're done, even if it won't be a surprise any longer."
"Arthur is boss here, Velda. This area is closed for a reason," Zane said. "Are you aware most of the systems in this area aren't functioning properly?"
"Including life-support," Damien said. He felt the heat of Velda's glare, and chose to remain with Vallory, far out of reach.
"Why are you doing this? Why are you in here?" Zane demanded.
Daisy blinked fast, as if blinking back tears. "We want you to stay. We thought this would help."
She continued to tug at the couch cover with one hand until she gave a big sniff, and turned to do it properly. Siggy came over to try to help, grabbing a corner of the cover in his teeth and pulling. Daisy shooed him away after all he managed to do was pull some of her work out from under the cushions.
Shaking hands pulled and tucked until the cover was tucked in properly. Now the dirt-brown couch was brown along the sides and along the floor, but bright white with fuchsia and yellow flowers down the middle and over the bottom cushions. Siggy jumped on top and promptly fell over. He jumped right back up and started jumping along the length of it, growling at the material.
What strong words could not do, Daisy's quiet heartfelt ones did. Zane paused, letting his arms drop. "What do you mean? Help how?"
Vallory set Penny down, glancing back at Damien. "I bet you could fix the life-support systems."
"It's not a matter of if I can, it's a matter of finding the time," Damien said back quietly.
"Out with it," Arthur said, but Damien noticed his voice had also softened.
Velda and Eddie stood tall and firm in front of them. With stiff lips, Velda said, "The station is glad Zane is back, and so are we."
"So, we decided to make it even better. To give him a place he could live and be comfortable. A place designed with security in mind but also for families," Eddie finished.
"And this is the result?" Zane asked, the shock back in his voice.
Daisy jerked upright, whirling on him. "Listen, I know the furniture is not the best, but we had to work with what we could find at the current yard sales. Just give me a few weeks, and I'll have all this traded out and looking great. Don't insult the effort."
"I'm not insulting you, Daisy," Arthur said, suddenly sounding weary. "But, seriously, this area is not safe for you. Not as it is now."
"Then make it safe." Velda said, tapping the toe of her high-heeled boot on the floor in a fast rhythm. The movement captured Siggy's attention, as if it were hypnotizing him. "You're supposed to be the station maintenance crew, and you won't make time to even house yourself? Sounds a bit upside-down, Mr. Bossy."
"Or too giving for their own good," Daisy said even as the baby on Penny's back woke up and chittered.
"Oh no," Damien heard Vallory whisper. Responding to the same tension he could feel weighting down the very air of the room.
Eddie glared at Zane alone. "Well? Are you staying or not?"
CHAPTER TWENTY
THE ROOM WENT silent, the question hanging in the air. Even Arthur turned to Zane, waiting.
Zane froze, staring at the three woman, his face a canvas of shock. His gaze slowly slid to the side to take in the rest of the room. Taking in the furniture, the wall hangings, the geometric patterned floor rug in front of the couch. Of Siggy sitting in front of his igloo doghouse with one ear straight up, and the other seeming to have a seizure, to judge by the way it twitched.
A roaring laughter split the room. His face filled with mirth, Zane nearly doubled over as the laughter consumed him. Through laughter and watering eyes, he demanded, "You did this all for me?"
Which caused the women to shift nervously, but Velda answered with a firm, "Yes. You belong here."
The laughter diminished as Zane started shaking his head at Arthur. "I forgot what a helpful nuisance they are."
"A kind way of putting it," Damien mumbled. Rachel elbowed him.
"They belong to the station as much as any of us do," Arthur said, smiling himself. "But, they are right. You do belong here. The question is, do you want to stay?"
The laughter stopped.
With a smile still in place, Zane shook his head at the women. "I believe you are the voice of the station, at least in this matter. Yes, I do want to stay. So much is the same here, yet I see positive changes, and it pleases me."
A slow pleased smile spread across Eddie's face. "Really? You'll stay?"
"I don't see how I can do anything else."
"Good, then give me a few weeks, and I'll find some good deals," Daisy said, giving the couch a sad smile. "It'll be much better next time."
"Oh no, ladies. If I stay, we bring in the people to do this area up right. That includes decor." Zane raised an eyebrow at Arthur. "Time to settle our people into the rooms they deserve."
"You'll have our help," Rachel said, raising her hand.
"And ours," Eddie said.
"Also time to talk about restructuring the maintenance department," Arthur said. "If you are staying, then I need to step aside."
Tish sucked in her breath, going rigid. Rachel squeaked an incomprehensible objection. Vallory backed into Damien, hugging the arm he wrapped around her middle. Damien held her tight, not believing the words he'd just heard. Arthur stepping down? After so many years? Didn't the man know how good of a job he'd done all this time? Keeping an understaffed department humming along, no matter what obstacles rose in the way?
"You will do no such thing," Zane said, voicing the same outrage Damien felt. "You earned your position and I will not take it from you."
"I also saw what you can do with this station and the bots since your return. Can still do, even after so many years away." Arthur shook his head, taking a step back. "Things I still cannot do. You have a stronger connection than I. That makes you the best head of the department."
"And I've seen that you've grown tremendously in your connection to the station since last we met." Zane shook his head again. "Don't discount yourself. Nothing in your abilities compromise your ability to run the department."
"Zane is right," Velda said, her face stern. "The station wants you as much as anyone else."
Once Upon a Pet Show (A Redpoint One Romance) Page 19