The Huntsman by Rafael

belong in
zero-g harnesses, neither looked the worse for wear. They pranced and nipped at
their leashes, eager to run and exercise.
    Over
the sea of bobbing heads, he spotted Miranda’s red hair faced away from him.
Rather than accompany him to claim the dogs she’d remained before the Arrivals
entrance to meet their contact. Now he saw why. A man approached. Hands on her
shoulders, he leaned down to kiss her cheek. They chatted a moment before he wrapped
his arms around in a tight hug. The stranger’s expression left no doubt he
enjoyed the moment. Janesh went cold. Heart frozen and emotions stilled, he
squatted down to pat and scratch the dogs. Sensing his need, they pressed
closer and licked his face.
    “Janesh.
Janesh. I’m over here.” Janesh rose, his expression a lifeless mask, eyes flat,
unreadable. “Janesh, this is Ben Wolford our contact. Ben, this is Janesh
McKenzie.” Ben extended a hand, tried to crush his in its grip. Janesh fixed
his eyes on Ben but did not press back. His hand gave no indication of the
strength holding it stiff.
    Miranda
wiped a tear away. “Dawkins and Cross are dead, Janesh. I can’t believe it.
This is horrible.” Janesh remained impassive but he felt the peril surrounding
them inch closer. Ben looked down.
    “Wow.
They told me you were bringing dogs not horses.” He reached toward Duncan’s
head. The placid Ridgeback disappeared. He pulled back and crouched. Menace
growled from its barrel chest. A snarling Ronan joined him. “Whoa, whoa. Easy
boys. I’m a good guy.” Janesh remained still. Miranda looked at Ben then
squatted between him and the dogs.
    “Hey. What’s that about?” She stroked
and scratched. The two quieted, greeted her with face licks. “I know, I know.
You didn’t like being cooped up. But that’s no reason to misbehave.”
    “Well.
I guess you are a zoologist.” Ben exclaimed. He picked up Miranda’s bags.
“C’mon. I’m under orders to bring you right to the site.”
    They
weaved their way through the Center’s teeming crowds to the parking lot where a
Job Utility Vehicle flashed and chirped at their approach. Its doors unlocked
along with the rear hatch. Ben guided Miranda into the passenger seat, threw
her bags in the rear storage area. When Janesh and the dogs settled into the
cramped back seat, he turned the ignition and resumed the weave through the
local traffic. Once on the highway, he threw his arm around Miranda’s seat. She
gave him a side-long glance. Icy stares emanated from the rear.
    “We’re
about ten miles north of Tacoma’s port facility on Commencement Bay. I’ve been
here a week turning shifts on a warehouse we had under surveillance. Cross and
Dawkins’ relief discovered them early this morning inside the building along
with six others we’re still trying to identify.” Ben rubbed Miranda’s shoulder.
“Are you alright?” She gave him a side-long glance and nodded. Icy stares
continued from the rear.
    “It’s
been chaotic since this morning when they made me site Agent-in-Charge and
right now you two may know more than I do. I had no need-to-know and until the
Washington bureaucrats process the paperwork giving me access to Dawkins and
Cross’ encrypted files I won’t know. Two members of the Agency’s forensic team
who want to consult with you are at the warehouse. Tacoma PD has no idea what
happened. We want to keep it that way so we’re keeping a low profile around the
warehouse. We’d like to wrap up our investigations by tonight so we can remove
the bodies before the port workers return tomorrow morning.”
    Wolford
exited the highway and at a red light again placed a hand on Miranda’s
shoulder. “I came to meet your arrival and haven’t been to this warehouse yet.
From the initial reports it’s worse than Honolulu. You had a tough time dealing
with that. Maybe you shouldn’t be alone afterwards? How about I take you to
dinner?”
    Miranda
shuddered before giving him a mirthless smile. She