Junkyard Read online

  McCall thought he was telling the truth, but she also hadn’t sensed that he’d been lying when he’d told her he knew nothing of the theft. If he was being truthful about this, then who had dropped Junkyard into that prison? Would she ever find out?

  “You’ll take care of him?” Louis asked, his eyes full of concern.

  “I will.”

  “Good. Thank you.”

  The guards nudged him, and the group walked toward waiting ground vehicles.

  When McCall stepped into her ship’s cargo hold, she found Scipio in a new suit, hat, and shoes, his face and hands already scrubbed free of soot. He must have used his preternatural android speed to change so quickly.

  Junkyard was snoring on the deck next to the syrup drums, which they would need to secure before liftoff. She vowed to buy him a dog bed so he wouldn’t have to sleep on the hard textured metal.

  “I have decided to accept your offer, Captain,” Scipio announced. “To become your business partner. Would you like me to research the proper documentation? Androids being given stakes in companies is unorthodox and may even be without precedent, so you may have to hire a contract lawyer. We may have to.”

  “Having a good contract seems wise under any circumstances. What made you decide to accept? Did you realize you have interests you wish to advance, after all?”

  “Indeed. I saw a silver pocket watch and chain that would look fabulous with the cufflinks I intend to purchase. There’s a matching cane too. I have also been contemplating that display case built into my cabin and thinking about starting a collection that will represent our travels to the various planets and moons in the system. I am deciding between mechanical banks, stuffed animals, and decorative ceramic eggs.”

  “So… the interest you’re choosing to advance is shopping?”

  “Yes.”

  Looking pleased with himself, Scipio headed over to secure the drums.

  McCall decided not to point out that Junkyard would likely see a cane as a chew toy.

  * * *

  THE END

  If you enjoyed this adventure, you can read more about McCall, Scipio, and Junkyard in Fractured Stars, a novel set a couple of years after this adventure.