Shorts: The Furry Years by John Van Stry Page B

a simple Judo throw. Growling I moved inside and kicked the door closed behind me.
    "Don't" I said as he started to get up. "You really want to know?" My temper was not one of my better points.
    "You're not making any points with me Pen," He looked totally non-plussed. He didn't smell of fear either. That was good. Surprising for a 'simple club owner', but good.
    "I used to work for the Government." I started to pace back and forth, keeping my anger in check.
    "So you've told us."
    "What I told you wasn't exactly true."
    "That's obvious. Can I get up?"
    "Nope, I'm still mad and I'm trying to make a point." I let my tail lash to vent some of my anger.
    "Well I'm lost," he growled. Bruce may be old but he was still a tough customer. Probably figuring it would be easy to trash some averaged sized Leopard.
    "I stole things for the Government, from other countries. They needed an Engineer, because it was military stuff. They picked me 'cause I had a background."
    "Oh? What kind?"
    "Not important. But it was work for them, or else ..." I paused, the implications weren't lost on him.
    "Anyway, to put it briefly, I've been asked to handle one last case. I'm making them pay through the nose. Bruce, I need to do something with this money so I'll never have to do something like this again for them."
    "So why am I on the floor?"
    "Cause that's where I am dammit! And they're keeping me there too! Why do you think I can't find real work? I wanted out instead of dying on the job like a good little spy. They don't like people who quit Bruce." Suddenly I didn't feel so mad about the whole thing anymore. Maybe confession is good for the soul.
    "Sounds like a fun group."
    "Oh, a real garden party for sure. You can get up now."
    "Thanks."
    I helped him up.
    "But you're still not the Bar type Pen. Too much of a temper."
    "Well if you can think of something, I'd appreciate it. I really do care for Kera and I want to marry her. But I don't want to be dragging her down."
    "Everybody wants to stand on their own two feet," he agreed. "I'll look around. Will you be at work tonight?"
    "Sure," I smiled. "I'm looking forward to it."
    "Why won't you tell Kera anyway?" He asked as we walked over to the door. "It's not that big a deal, at least it doesn't sound like it."
    "Because I want to forget every second of it. I want to pretend I never did any of it. It wasn't pretty and nothing I'm proud of." I looked at his puzzled expression, "Don't ask, it's a dirty, deadly business and you don't want to know!"
    I opened the door then and left.
    I took my time going home. I didn't know when the info I wanted would show up, or the money. So I just kicked back and cruised a while, taking my time on the trip home and stopping in at some of the shops on the way.
    I eventually came home and went upstairs to my small apartment. Opening the door I stepped in. I smelt him at the same time that I heard him.
    "Hello Onri. Oh wait, it's Pen now isn't it?"
    Turning quickly I saw my uninvited guest sitting in a chair across the room. He wasn't armed, or at least he wasn't holding a gun.
    "Jared! What a surprise!" I smiled without feeling, keeping my tail and ears under control. "What brings you here to my humble abode?"
    "A two room studio? Don't they pay spies in your country?" He didn't sound happy.
    "I quit, they ruined me. But if you know my real name you probably know that too. Why are you here? To kill me?"
    "I should you know!" He growled, his own eyes going to slits momentarily. "My sister was heart broken when you left. She really loved you, you know."
    "It wouldn't have worked Jared, I was after all, a spy. Sooner or later I would have been caught and executed. Probably by you."
    "You could have turned."
    "Then they would have come and got me!" I sighed, letting my shoulders and tail droop a bit. "Listen, don't think I didn't consider all of this back then.
    "I'm sorry about it okay? Now why are you here?"
    "I need your help I'm sorry to say," he said whiskers