Chuck said, “Okay, Boss. We have all the stuff moved inside. Ruth said you would want to figure out where you wanted things put.”
“Thanks for your help, Chuck.”
Nikki and I went inside. Ruth was working on getting things out of boxes, and deciding what needed to be where. Nikki asked, “Why did you run off all your help, if you were going to unpack anyway?”
Ruth replied, “I know a little more about how you had things arranged, back on Earth. They would just want to get it done, and we might not find some things for months.”
I asked, “Where are your brothers?”
“They’re figuring out where to put the safes.”
Nikki said, “They don’t waste any time, do they?”
Ruth said, “We have missed working closely with you folks. We wanted to show you that we were glad to get the chance to do it again.”
I said, “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather be stuck in the mud, than flying all over the galaxy, finding new people who want to shoot at us?”
“Very sure, Boss. Flying the Gene is the most fun I’ve ever had.”
Nikki started helping Ruth decide where things needed to go, and I wandered off to find the boys. When I got to the bedroom, Topper said, “Boss, there just isn’t a good way to hide it like we did at the old place. The best we can do is set it into this wall.”
“There’s enough empty space back there?”
Taz said, “We called when they started redoing these houses, and made sure they left us a place for the safe.”
I said, “What would I do without you boys looking out for me?”
Ozzie said, “We’d rather not find out, if it’s all the same to you, Boss.”
“That’s just fine with me, Ozzie. How have you been? I haven’t seen you for a while.”
“I’m doing alright, Boss. Scotti keeps me busy.”
“What’s she got you working on?”
“Sorry, Boss. It’s a surprise.”
“This big secret in Engineering is beginning to worry me. You building a bot captain to replace me?”
“The story I heard is you’re trying to get Sally to take that job.”
“It’s amazing how fast stories get around the Gene.”
“Don’t worry, Boss. If we can get it to come out the way Scotti wants it to, you’ll like it a lot.”
“I’ll take your word for that, Ozzie. Do you fellas have this part under control?”
Topper said, “I think so, Boss. If you see Mr. Bailey, you might send him in. There are a couple of the finer points we’d like his input on.”
“If I see him, I’ll send him your way. Thanks for your hard work, guys.”
I got a chorus of “No problem, Boss.”
I went back out to where Nikki and Ruth were working. Nikki asked, “Is it about lunchtime, Caveman? Your kids are hungry again.”
“I could stand to eat. Is the galley on the Evans stocked?”
Ruth said, “Yes, Boss.”
We went out to the Evans, and went forward to the galley. Jim and Janice had beaten us there. Jim said, “Will and Fred have a good stock of supplies. We’ll have to make a run over there and stock up, so we can cook in the houses.”
I replied, “Maybe we can get that done by suppertime. Topper has some questions for you, when you get done eating.”
Jim asked, “What about?”
“I’m not sure. I got the impression he didn’t think I had the right skills to tell him what he wanted to know. They’re in the middle of installing the safes they had made up. If I had to guess, I’d say they’re having trouble with how to trim it out, since they weren’t able to hide them like the last time.”
Janice asked, “They hid your safes? How did they do that?”
“There was an old chimney that had just gotten walled in, rather than being torn down. They were able to use that space to hide my gun safe. You ought to have a look, when we get back to Earth. They used a loose knot in the paneling for a button to open it with. Slickest job I’ve seen. When Jim and those boys get together, good things happen.”
Janice said, “Sounds like he likes your work, Jim.”
“He must. I told you the story about him rescuing me when I got snakebit, didn’t I?”
“You mean that was true? I thought you were just pulling my leg.”
Nikki asked, “How do you think Molly got so much pep?”
“Good grief! That whole story was true?”
Jim said, “Yes, dear, it was.”
I should have known better, really I should, but my mouth started moving before my brain engaged. “So, he didn’t tell you about all the fun stuff we found in the chimney?”
Jim said, “Are you trying to get me in the doghouse, Boss?”
“Nossir. Just stirring up a little orneriness. I’m guessing you’d rather I quit it?”
“If you don’t mind. I’d rather sleep indoors, if it’s all the same to you.”
“I think we brought a couch, if you wind up needing it.”
Nikki said, “You might need it, if you don’t quit giving him grief.”
I said, “Sorry, Jim.”
He replied, “No problem, Boss.” We almost got away with it. I was managing to maintain, till Jim cracked a smile. Then it was all over. I laughed, and that cracked him up. Janice looked at us like we were out of our minds. Jim said, “At least we got all the booby traps defused, without anybody getting hurt.”
“Yep. Even Odie lived to fight another day.” The look on Janice’s face said Jim had some explaining to do, when she got him alone. Jim said, “I better go see what Topper needs.” He got up to
