“Picking anything up yet?”
“Nothing human. Coupla cats.”
“How do you know they’re cats?”
“How do you know they’re cats? If it looks like a cat and meows like a cat, it’s a cat. These guys think like cats.”
“And different from dogs, yeah?”
“Just like the difference between red and blue. Besides, they’re both normally like, uh, I dunno, a soft glow ... until something lights ’em up. But it takes different things to do it. Cats light up when they see some kind of small critter they can chase, but dogs only do it for people. In f.... Oh, wait! What’s that now?”
“What? Let me see!”
“Don’t get your panties in a twist. Give me a second to focus in.”
“Is it them?”
“Not sure. Could be. Here, take a look.”
“They’re big enough to be human. But how can we tell if they’re the guys we’re looking for?”
“Let’s see what happens when they see the bait. If they light up, we’ve got ‘em.”
“What are you using for bait?”
“Like I said, they think like cats, so they’re looking for something small that they can hunt. But they’re bigger than cats, so they’re gonna want something a little bigger. Hang on, I think they spotted it.”
“That? Oh my god, what did you - you didn’t!”
“I told you, they needed something to hunt.”
“But it’s a child! How could you?”
“Don’t worry, we won’t let them hurt it. Besides, they like to play with their food first.”
“They play with it? That’s sick!”
“That’s why we’re here. We’ll get ‘em before they hurt the kid.”
“We better.”
“You worry too much.”
“I can’t help it. I’d like to have kids myself someday, you know.”
“You? Yeah, right! That’s rich. Carlos, they’re on the move. Get your team into position.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just that I have never thought of you as the parenting type. You’re always focused on the job. I bet you don’t even date, do you? Well?”
“All right! I admit it. I haven’t made a lot of time for myself recently, but that doesn’t mean –“
“When’s the last time you went out on a date?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Come on. You can tell me. I promise it won’t leave this room. Get ready, Carlos, they’re almost at your position.”
“Well… fine. The last time I was out on a date was right after I graduated from the Academy.”
“After… Holy crap, that was, like, eight years ago! No wonder you’re wound up so tight.”
“I am not!”
“Oh, please! You walk around like you’ve got a broomstick rammed up your ass. Ramrod straight and ready to snap.”
“… I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Where are our targets?”
“Don’t worry about them. Carlos took them down ten seconds ago. And look. There’s the kid, safe and sound.”
“So is it them?”
“Just a sec. Scan results are coming in now. DNA…Kirlian…Psychotron…. Yep, we’ve got ‘em!”
“Finally!”
“How long have you been after these guys?”
“Three years.”
“Wow. Must be a relief for it to be over.”
“You have no idea.”
“So what are you going to do now?”
“I’m not sure. Whatever the Director wants, I guess.”
“Can I make a suggestion?”
“Sure.”
“Take some time off. It doesn’t have to be long, but it wouldn’t kill you to take a vacation.”
“I don’t know…”
“Just think about it. I usually take a couple weeks off between gigs myself. I’m planning on taking my boat out for a tour of the islands.”
“That sounds nice.”
“Damn straight. Nothing but the wind and the waves for two whole weeks. If that doesn’t recharge your batteries, nothing will. So what do you say?”
“Are you inviting me to come with you?”
“Sure, why not?”
“Because we work together, that’s why!”
“That’s the worst excuse I’ve ever heard. You know damn well that interpersonal relationships are allowed. And besides, I think we work well together, don’t you?”
“Well, yeah.”
“So think of it as a team-building exercise. There’s nothing like sailing to get people more in sync with each other.”
“…”
“Come on! It’ll be fun!”
“All right! It’s a date.”
“Okay! You won’t regret it.”
“I had better not. Now let’s get this mission wrapped up. I’ve got to go shopping for a swimsuit.”
“Yes sir!”
