“Pah.” Easton said. “That's just legal mumbo jumbo. We'll pay off that other thing, why now, it's chicken feed to the dollars they're pushing at me.” He said. “Best news I could get, you saying you're cutting out of there, Dar. I was feeling bad, don't you know? About taking the work away. Would have anyway, but still, this is better.”
Kerry rubbed her temples. “Dar, you want me to have boxes of Scotch sent to the board for your next meeting with them?”
Dar sighed. “Gerry.” She said. “Of the two offers I got today, believe me, yours is the one I'd jump at. But I can't just... “ She paused. “I've got a pension and out package coming to me.”
“Ah” Easton nodded. “Understand that, Dar. I really do. Got mine in my back pocket too, don'tcha know? But the fact is, the boys upstairs don't want us to put our fannies where someone might take a shot at them.” He said. “I know, how about we just draft the two of you? That'd get around your lawyers, eh?”
“Whoa.” Kerry held a hand up.
Dar sighed.
“C'mon now, Dar. I know you filled out a draft card.” Easton chuckled. “But we'll find a way around it. Long as I know you're bound to get off their payroll, we'll think of something.”
Dar propped her head up on her hand. “Got any whiskey? It's been that kind of day.”
“Now, Dar. Relax.” Gerry patted her knee again. “What did the executive branch want from ya?”
“Don't ask.'” Dar slid down in her chair and put her arm over her eyes.
“They want Dar to be the technology czar for the government.” Kerry supplied helpfully. 'She doesn't want to.”
“Hell no!” General Easton straightened up. “That's a scapegoat looking for a place to be shot in. Heard them talking about that. Let em find some politico to fill that slot.”
Dar sighed. “I just want to go to the Grand Canyon.” She said, in a mournful tone. “Play with my dog, watch Kerry take shots of the sunset, and park my RV downwind from the barbecue grill. Is that too much to ask?” She looked over at Gerry. “After we leave ILS in March, we're going on a tour.”
Easton studied her.
“The agreement that Dar is going to sign requires her to stay out of our industry for a period of time.” Kerry explained to him. “So we're going to take time off and go travel.”
The General sighed. “Soldiers don't get vacations, ladies. Not when we're at war.”
“We're not soldiers.” Dar slid upright. “I had the chance to do that, and I turned it down.” She met the General's eyes. “If we can work out a way to work together, that's great. If not, Gerry, I'm sorry if you don't want to continue with ILS. They're a good company, and they have a lot of good people who have done a very good job for you this last year.”
“It's politics, Dar.” Easton said. “Nothing personal, you know? I'm sure we can work something out. I've got no quarrel with your people, in fact, I like that McLean fella a lot. Got a good head on his shoulders. But I trust you.”
Dar sighed again.
“Victim of your own success, sweetheart.” Kerry had, at this point, to find it almost funny. “You said it.”
“I said it.” Dar agreed mournfully. “Now I wish I'd stayed a technical manager running saturation reports on the tenth floor.”
“I”m glad you didn't .We would never have met.” Kerry said. “General, I”m sure we can work something out. Even if Dar can't participate officially, there's no reason I can't sign a deal with you.”
Easton beamed at her. “That's the ticket!”
“Kerry.” Dar eyed her.
“You were the one telling me to get moving on setting up the company.” Kerry reminded her. “Fish or cut bait, Roberts.” She watched Dar's hands, waiting for any sign of the fidgets she knew meant she'd pissed her partner off. But they remained relaxed and open on her knees, until one lifted to prop her head up. “Dar, someone has to do this. You know they need it. If not us, who?”
General Easton sat back in his chair, sipping his coffee, his eyebrows wiggling around as he listened.
Dar remained silent for a minute, then she half shrugged. “We'll work something out.” She conceded. “I”d feel a lot better about bringing the military into the 21st century than dealing with politics.”
Kerry patted her knee.
“Great.” Gerry said, after a bit of silence. “Well Dar, how are your folks? I tried to give them a call the other day, but no one was home.”
“Ah.” Dar took a sip of coffee. “That reminds me. Can you get them to leave my dad alone?”
“Eh?”
“They're trying to drag him back into active service.” Dar said. “He and mom took off for a while to get away from it.”
Easton frowned. “Hmph.” He considered. “I suppose he's inactive retired... I know they're doing some stuff with retention, but surely he'd not be in line for a call back?” He said. “I'll sort it out, Dar. Should only die once for your country, eh? He's put in his time.”
“That's what I thought too.” Dar said, in a quiet voice. “Gerry, I don't want to lose my father again like that. Tell them to lay off, please?”
There was an awkward little silence, then Easton leaned forward and put a hand on her arm. “I'll take care of it Dar, I promise.”
“Thanks.” Dar exhaled. “And I'll do my best to sort out this contract.”
“Deal.” The General stood up. “Tell you want, c'mon to dinner, the two of you over at our place. We've got a pile of puppies there, don'cha know? Alabasters. I think one's going to your family.” He looked over at Kerry. “Jack's carrier's out in the Med, but the wife'll be glad for company.”
“Sure.” Dar answered. “That'd be great.”
“Never say no to puppies.” Kerry smiled. “We'd love to.”
The puppies were as adorable as she'd imagined them to be. Kerry sat with her legs sprawled out in the utility room of the Easton's house, as the litter of eight puppies climbed all over her, snuffling and squeaking and bringing back memories of Chino when they'd first gotten her. “Oh my gosh.”
Dar was in the living room with Alabaster and the Eastons, and Kerry had tactfully elected to spend some time with Alabaster's litter to give them some privacy. The puppies were eight weeks old, and in a week or so one of the little girls would be leaving for Michigan.
“Sweetie, you'll love it.” She told the chosen one, who had a little red collar on and a perfect black button nose. “There are two little kids to run around and play with, and a big, big yard for you.”
The puppy sat back and stuck her u shaped tongue out at her, small silky ears flopping around as she rocked her head back and forth, squeaking with delight when Kerry picked her up and cuddled her. “You're such a cutie.”
Curled up next to her was a large black Labrador, who, she'd been told, was Buford the puppies father. He seemed very relaxed and dignified, his muzzle resting on her thigh as he watched his puppies gamboling around.
Kerry chuckled softly, as she felt a tug on her shoelaces, and a nibble on her ear at the same time. The puppy smelled clean and dusky ,it's breath holding that indefinable scent of new life and she had a sensation of being surrounded by that steadfastly trusting adoration she'd come to associate with her own pet Chino.
It soothed her soul.
“You know what, you little baby you, I want you to be good friends with my niece and nephew.” She informed the puppy. “I know Sally's going to love you, so try not to eat all her toys before you grow up, okay?”
The puppy made a squeaking, growling noise as she snuffled down the back of Kerry's collar, making Kerry bite her lip to keep from giggling. She looked down to find another puppy, a chocolate brown little boy climbing up on her leg to sniff at her kneecap. “Hey, I'm not your bed!”