Apocalypsis 04 - Haven

“Mmmm-mmm-mmm … the plot thickens.”
    My face flamed red. “Shut up. I was only joking. I knew you were talking about Trip.” I pulled my hand away. “And I’ll have you know …”
    My next planned attempt at throwing suspicion off myself was interrupted by the frenzied barking of Buster at the door to the prison. Someone had let the little pink beast out, and he was streaking across the open space to the gate.
    “Oh shit. What’s he doing?” I asked. We had a few dogs with us, not to mention all those other animals. I hoped he wasn’t about to get eaten or trampled.
    I got my answer when he launched himself into Trip’s arms, lick-attacking him so enthusiastically he was practically crawling up the guy’s chest vertically to get to his mouth.
    “Gah! Buster! Down , you mangey mutt!” Trip shouted. He didn’t sound angry at all.
    Peter put his fingers to his mouth, his eyes getting all shiny. “Oh my god, would you look? Is that not the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen in your entire life?” His voice had gone up into the high soprano ranges.
    “Uh, no. It’s not. It’s pretty gross, actually. I hope you don’t plan on kissing his doggy drool mouth. And the whole thing is offensive too, now that I think about it. I got nothing from that naked poodle, did you see that? Not even a hello. How come Trip gets all the poodle love? When did I fall so low in the ranks around here?”
    Peter arched an eyebrow at me. “Oh, you want some poodle love? We can take care of that.” Before I could stop him he started clapping and calling out, “Oh, Busterrrr! Someone over here wants to say hello!”
    Buster heard his name and turned. As soon as he spotted me he launched himself with a sharp bark out of Trip’s arms and came streaking across the grass towards me.
    “Thanks a lot, butthead,” I said, crossing my hands in front of me, trying to block the inevitable tongue bath.
    Peter bent down with me when Buster arrived, and we let him dance and bark and whine between us.
    “Yes, okay, Buster. I’m happy to see you too. Yes, yes, yes, you’re a happy guy. A happy naked poodle who stinks like rotten snails. Yes, yes, I’m happy to see you too. Jesus, lay off the licking would you? You’re going to run out of saliva and dry up like an ugly little raisin.”
    He was panting so hard I was afraid he’d have a heart attack. He started choking and gagging, but struggled to keep licking me anyway.
    I picked him up and walked him back to the front door out of sheer pity. Poor little guy was going to love me until it killed him. Buster left no doubt in my mind; no one does a welcome home party like a poodle does.
    As I approached, Kirsten and Bodo split apart. She looked very happy to see him, but his posture and expression told me he felt a little uncomfortable. That seemed more like the appropriate response for a guy who’d been kidnapped, drugged, and nearly raped, so I was happy to see it. I stopped next to him, letting Buster down before addressing Kirsten.
    “Kirsten. Nice to see you again.” I held out my hand.
    She ignored it and pulled me into a hug. My sore arm stayed awkwardly at my side, but I patted her back with my other hand. “Whoa. Enthusiasm. I like it. I think.”
    She pulled away. “I’m glad to see you survived your trip.”
    “Thanks for coming to Haven’s rescue. I heard about the EWS. How’s the baby?”
    “The baby’s great, thanks. And good, I’m glad you heard about the system, because I’ve come bearing gifts. Have you picked your code reader yet? My sister sends her regards by the way and says thanks again for the trade.” Kirsten looked over at Bodo and the expression on her face made me sick to my stomach. There was regret there or my nickname wasn’t ball-biter.
    What the hell?
    I ignored my irrational desire to punch her in the head. There was no need to get the Amazon nation all up in my grill over a stupid boy, but now I really wanted to have a private conversation with her to pick her brain a little about Bodo’s stay at chez Amazon. Something wasn’t squaring right for me. Bodo’s penchant for secrets combined with her overly affectionate reunion made my ass hairs stand up.
    I snapped out of my jealous haze and answered her. “No, we haven’t picked a code reader yet, but we will. We’re totally in with the birds. Seriously, it’s like the best news I’ve had in a year or more.”
    “Kirsten wouldn’t tell us anything until you got here,” said