"Maybe you're right, Louie. I don't have the experience to get him out. In fact, I just might make things worse. I'm going to call this Dakota."
Louie nodded. "Do you really think there's a problem?"
"I do. I'm not sure why, but I have an awful feeling about what they've gotten into. If I don't go down there, someone has to. Can I borrow your vidphone?"
"Sure." Louie uncovered his vidphone from beneath several items and pushed it toward me. I dialed the number on the card, not really sure what to expect.
The face of a woman in her late thirites answered. "Yeah?"
It wasn't a formal greething, but I answered traditionally anyway. "Hi! I'm Chelsee Bando and I need to speak to Dakota Brown."
"That's me, unless you're trying to sell me something."
"No, actually. I need your help. Dalton told me to contact you."
"Did something go wrong with the assignment?"
"I think so." I told her the few details I knew, and she listened carefully.
"It doesn't sound like anything is really wrong, but if it'll make you feel better, I can go down there. For a fee, of course."
"I don't have a lot," I explained frankly.
She smiled at me. "We don't need to settle the account now. We'll figure out the cost when I get back, alright? It's not my normal way of conducting business, but Dalton is a friend of mine so we'll handle things a little differently."
I looked at her. "What's your business?"
"Acutally, I'm a bail re-enforcement officer. Better known as a bounty hunter. My business is finding people. I usually work for bail-bond dopes, but I've been known to handle other tasks as well, like this one. I'll have your Tex Murphy back before you know it."
After we hung up, I felt a lot better. It was late, so Louie let me sleep on the couch. I didn't really want to go back to my apartment.
It was a restless night. I worried about Tex and wondered if this Dakota Brown really could bring him home as promised. In the morning, Louie brought me breakfast, then I headed back home and waited by the vidphone for a call.
I didn't hear anythin until the following day. It was a call from Dakota, saying she was at the hospital with Dalton, Chance, and Tex. I rushed down there as fast as my speeder would go.
Dakota didn't tell me too much about her adventure, but I figured I could grill Tex about it later. I didn't have much to say to Chance when I saw him; I just told him to call Mom when he got home and apologized for breaking his window. I wasn't happy with him for bringing Tex into the whole mess, so I left it at that.
Tex was passed out on painkillers, so he couldn't talk to me. His shoulder was wounded, but he was otherwise fine and would be released the next day. I waited with him through the night, thankful to have him back again with me.
We have a dinner date planned for next Friday night at his place. I didn't feel too comfortable going to a restaurant after what happened on our last date, so the arrangement was fine with me. I'm looking forward to it. Everything has returned to normal. I work the newsstand and see Tex every morning now that he's back in his office.
I went and quizzed Rook about the receipt some more. When he found out that Tex was safe and sound, he didn't have anything to say to me. I'm no P.I., but I think I've got the mystery solved. And I have a good idea what Tex has planned for this Friday night.
Yesterday I took home a magazine from my stand--Today's Bride. It'll be my little secret for now. I've already rehearsed my surprised look for when he pops the question.
The future is looking mighty bright.
The End
(Nice ending, but wish you were part of the action? Go to 1 and try again.)