AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Was this kid old enough to investigate more than his comic bookcollection?
A waiter came over, so Sudo didn’t answer rightaway.
“Can I get youanything?”
Sudo shook his head and waved at his cup. As if the guy had been askinghim.
I started to also shake my head but thought of the colonel. “Do you have any bottles of that cold nitrostuff?”
“Yes. Sweetened orunsweetened?”
“Definitely unsweetened.” I had laid a five on the table, then wondered if that was enough for hoity-toitycoffee.
The waiter went to get the order withoutcommenting.
Once he was out of earshot, Sudo answered my question. “I’m an accountant. General Nash—Colonel Willard’s boss—ordered me sent in to see if everything is legitimate and agenuineexpense that the taxpayers need to foot.” He pinched his lips together as he regardedme.
“The taxpayers that don’t want to be eaten by wyverns, orcs, or trolls are probably okay withit.”
He curled a lip. The gesture reminded me of the dragon—Zav. But Zav, at least in human form, was handsome enough and old enough to make it look like that aloof haughtiness was perfect for him. Sudo just looked petulant, like someone had stolen the comic books he’d beeninvestigating.
Suddenly suspicious, I opened the envelope to see if there was actually cash in there. I never would have doubted it withWillard.
Sudo’s hand lifted toward it, but he dropped it. He glanced nervously around, as if afraid someone would see us exchanging bills. I couldn’t care less if an undercover police officer came over to talk to us. Sudo could impress the guy by showing him his military ID withaccountantstamped onit.
“This is only twenty-five hundred,” I said after counting it. “I usually get a five-thousand-dollar combatbonus.”
“I know. It’s completely unacceptable. Soldiers who go into war zones overseas don’t get that much nearly as often as you’re gettingit.”
“Soldiers who go into war zones overseas don’t have to buy their own magical weapons from people who don’t accept credit cards, not to mention traveling all over the Pacific Northwest and staying in hotels without TDY pay, which I don’t get because my position doesn’t officially exist. Willard’s whole office doesn’t officiallyexist.”
“Giving you that much money is ridiculous, and it’s one of the reasons I’ve started an investigation. Magical weapons.” Hescoffed.
I was suddenly certain he’d never encountered a magical being himself. Well, too bad. If he was going to work in Willard’s little unit, he’d learn soon. This wasn’t Fort Lewis out in the tree-filled boonies. Seattle was a port city and a hotbed of visitors of all kinds.Allkinds.
“I’m sure you’ll find that Colonel Willard keeps impeccable files.” I made my tone as reasonable and logical as I could. “And I hope you’ll find the contract she has for me, the one I signed that lays out exactly what bonuses and pay I get, because I need to buy a new Jeep. Unless you want to provide me withone?”
I’d intended to ask Willard if the army would lend me a vehicle until I could get the insurance claim straightened out. I doubted this kid would lend me abicycle.
His gaze flicked toward one of the big windows overlooking the busy street. I spotted a black sedan with government plates under a tree. I was almost more shocked that he’d gotten a parking spot around here than that someone in his office had deemed him worthy of acar.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “I’ll be investigating the various reimbursement papers you’ve submittedverythoroughly. And I’ll be investigatingyou. All the work you’ve done these last ten years. I find it highly suspicious that the government is paying for your services at all. You didn’t even bring proof that you’d completed the assignment. I’m hesitant to turn this envelope over toyou.”
“Colonel Willard thought it was gauche when I brought decapitated heads of monsters in and plopped them down on the table. This is her favorite place, you know. She likes the nitro coldbrew.”
“I will be investigating her too,” Sudo said coolly. “Do not think I will be intimidated by her rank or your reputation. If I find out that she’s been colluding with you and keeping half of themoney—”
I slammed my hand down on the table, startling the kid into shutting up. “Colonel Willard has been going above and beyond at her job since before you were born. Don’t you slander her in front ofme.”
Admittedly, I hadn’t known Willard for her whole career, but based on the last four years I’d worked for her, I was positive it was true. I wished I could make my eyes glow like the dragon had, and that the kid would wethimself.
“We’ll see,” Sudo said tightly, standing up, his keys jangling faintly with themovement.
I wanted to punch him. On an impulse—not awiseimpulse—I stuck my hand in his pocket instead, startling him like a deer with a semi roaring down on it. I tugged his keys out before he thought to try to stopme.
“Since you’ve cheated me on my bonus, and my insurance agent wants to stiff me on the Jeep, you’re going to lend me your car for a fewdays.”
“I willnot.” He lunged for myarm.
I caught his wrist and applied enough pressure to make him wince. I might not be able to kick a dragon’s ass, but after the creatures I had fought, someone with purely human reflexes was noproblem.
“Thanks for understanding,” I said politely, noticing a couple at a neighboring table looking our way. “I’ll bring it back when my claim goes through and I’m able to replace my Jeep.” Whenever thatwas.
As I turned, I almost knocked over the poor waiter. He thrust the chilled bottle of coffee at me and skittered back. I was three inches taller than he was, and even though I’d combed the ferns out of my hair, I could look intimidating when I was pissed. Which I always seemed to belately.
I waved and thanked him politely. The lieutenant didn’t try to chase me as I strode for the door. Instead, he lifted his phone to make a call. That was probably worse. What were the odds I’d make it through the day without beingarrested?
I wasn’t sure I cared. Right now, all I wanted was to see Colonel Willard and—I swallowed around the lump in my throat—figure out what was going on. With her—how could she be so sick out of nowhere?—and with Lieutenant Dickhead. He couldn’t possibly be in charge of her office while she was out. He was too young, too raw, and too much of anasshole.
