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Mandy re-read the same paragraph for what felt like the hundredth time and sighed. I definitely can’t focus like I used to without the amulet. She stared warily at her coffee mug. It was almost empty already, and first shift hadn’t even begun.
There was a light knock at her door, prompting her to look up from the requisition form. Mandy plastered a sunny look on her face, hoping it covered up the exhaustion. “Come in.”
The door swung open just enough for her visitor to squeeze through. It took Mandy a second to recognize him outside of his blue SDN shirt and khakis. The happy-go-lucky chihuahua in his arms gave him away, and stood in stark contrast to the bags under his master’s eyes, apparent even through the Mecha Man mask. “Mornin’.”
“Robert, you sound worse than I feel.” Her mouth formed something between a grimace and a smile. “Sure you’re good to be back?”
He shrugged. “Just a cold. Nothing to worry about.”
“Uh huh. That’s why Visi had to spoon-feed you soup the last few days.”
He closed his eyes and coughed out a self-deprecating chuckle. “Shoulda figured she’d tell you, the damn snitch. I could have done it myself, but she insisted.”
“She was pretty proud of being able to take care of you.”
“Seemed more scared shitless from where I was sitting. Acting like I was gonna die every time I sneezed or some shit.”
Mandy smirked. “She cares about you.”
“I know.” Robert kneaded Beef’s head with calloused fingertips. “Can I ask a favor?”
Mandy finally noticed the tote bag hanging off Robert’s left elbow and eyed it suspiciously. “Depends on what it is.”
Beef started to wriggle in his arms. “Galen can’t babysit today – think he can stay in here with you?”
“Oh. Yeah! Of course.” Mandy stood and moved around her desk. “The company would be…” She looked back at the stacks of paperwork that just seemed to keep growing, trapping her here away from the team. “… Really nice, actually.” She held out her hands and Beef excitedly scrabbled into her embrace.
“Traitor,” Robert murmured. He set the bag down. “His bed’s in there, along with some treats and a couple toys. He’s pretty good about keeping himself entertained, but keep an eye on him – he’s been a bit of a troublemaker lately.” Robert got his face close to Beef’s and switched to a babying voice. “Haven’t you buddy? You’re just a little stinky fart gremlin, aren’t you?” Beef licked his nose, and Mandy laughed.
“He’ll be in good hands,” Mandy promised.
He offered her a nod and genuine smile. “Thanks.”
“Now go.” She glanced at the clock. “Your shift’s about to start.”
“Great.” Halfway out the door he called back, “Don’t worry. I’ll keep our little band of delinquents in line.”
“Good luck.” The door closed. Mandy looked down at Beef, who stared back with expectant eyes, tongue flopped out one side of his mouth. She laid out his bed next to her chair and placed him in it. He rolled over, exposing his fluffy belly, and Mandy gave him a quick couple scratches before returning to the task at hand. “Too bad the main office doesn’t accept paw prints as valid signatures.”
* * *
Mandy set a stack of files in the bin marked for Lana, and felt like she was finally making a dent. Even with all the distractions she’d allowed herself, mostly to pay her furry companion the attention he demanded, she’d gotten more done today than the last few combined. Realizing it’d been a while since she’d checked on him, she reached down with one hand. “You’ve been such a good—”
The texture that met her fingers wasn’t fur, but ratty cloth. Her eyebrows bunched in confusion and she looked down.
Beef was gone.
Oh, shit.
After a peek around her chair to make sure he wasn’t poised to wind up under one of the wheels, she abruptly stood. When a quick search of her office didn’t locate Beef, she glanced at the office door. It was slightly ajar.
Shit shit shit shit…
Mandy burst from her office and scanned the spaces between cubicles. Nothing. Cautiously moving forward she began to look under desks and in corners. He wasn’t at Robert or Chase’s desks, or curled up with Galen, who gave her a startled look and slid the headset from his ears as she ducked down next to his leg.
“What’s up, boss?”
She smiled sheepishly and tried to pretend nothing was wrong. “Oh, just looking for something. Not a big deal.”
He crossed his arms and swiveled to better face her. “I heard Robert drop Beef off with you this morning. Don’t tell me you already lost him.”
Mandy collapsed into the open chair next to Galen and stared at the ceiling. “This is why I don’t have pets.”
Galen let out an unworried huff. “He can’t have gotten far on those stubby little legs. Go. I’ll hold down the fort.”
“Call me if you need anything?”
He waved her off and put the headset back in place.
An idea formed. Mandy sped back to her office and grabbed Beef’s treats, returning to the middle of the dispatch center. She pried the seal open and shook the bag, slowly spinning so she could see him coming no matter from where.
A couple dispatchers looked up from their computers, staring at her like she’d gone mad.
After a few moments with no sign of Beef, she lowered the treats. I need a new plan.
* * *
Beef trotted happily down the hallway, following a peculiar smell. He put his nose to the carpet as it got stronger. The trail ended at a cracked door. Inside was only darkness and muted voices. Beef stopped and tilted his head to the side as if deciding whether or not to proceed, then squeezed through the gap.
* * *
“I’m tellin’ ya, Coupe. It took me eight months to get these tickets. I thought you’d always wanted to see La traviata.”
“I do, it’s just…” Coupe shook her head as Punch Up watched her carefully, perched on the counter, short legs sticking straight out. “It feels like a bad omen.”
“A bad omen?” Punch Up combed a hand through his hair. “Christ, and I thought I was superstitious. Just because it’s a tragedy doesn’t mean—”
Coupe pressed her lips into a thin line. “What if it does? Malevola is always telling me about curses.”
Punch Up nodded. “A bad habit, that.”
“The sweater curse is… more mundane than I expected.” Refocusing on the topic at hand, she said, “Why should we risk such a thing so early?” She was about to continue when a rapid jangling noise drew her attention. Her voice grew low and dangerous. “We are not alone.”
She and Punch Up looked silently in the direction of the door, not sure who to expect. The janitorial closet had seen many unseemly things, she was sure of that, but it was far from private.
“Identify yourself,” she growled.
Around one of the shelves emerged an excited, sausage-shaped creature.
“Beef, my boy!” Punch Up threw himself from the counter. “What’re you doing over here?”
Beef tilted his head at exactly the same time Coupe did. “Peculiar.”
Punch Up tried to scoop the little dog up, but Beef was surprisingly quick. His tongue lolled out as he panted, paws splayed in anticipation, watching Punch Up with mischievous eyes that nearly boggled out of his head. “Think he wants to play. Got anything I can throw for him?”
He and Coupe looked around for something that wouldn’t make Beef sick if he chewed on it. Coupe tossed Punch Up a rag from the clean bin. “Try this.”
Beef, however, had already disappeared.
With a shrug, Punch Up reached up and offered Coupe his hand. “Ah, well. Best we get back to work before Robert gets wise.”
“You’re right.” Coupe gave him a slight smile. “Thank you for purchasing tickets for us. I’ll… consider it.”
* * *
Mandy hung up the phone, slapping it a little too hard into the receiver. Royd hadn’t seen Beef. Neither had Lana.
“What am I gonna do?” Mandy groaned to herself, rubbing her temples.
Her door flew open and Galen appeared. “Boss, Punch Up and Coop just saw him a few minutes ago in the janitor’s closet.”
Mandy’s eyes narrowed. “What were they doing in – you know what, I don’t want to know. Thanks Galen!” She rushed past Galen to Beef’s last known location. Maybe he’d left a clue.
* * *
Beef continued down the hall. A large, orange, anthropomorphic cat approached from the other end. They met in the middle and stopped directly in front of each other, the oversized cat head tilting forward with curiosity. Mr. Whiskey’s cloth eyes seemed to look more at the walls than at the small creature before him. After a moment of uncertainty, Beef let out a friendly little yip. Mr. Whiskey nodded back, and they both continued on their separate ways.
* * *
Prism checked her socials and ran a tube of lipstick along her lips, needing a touchup after getting back from her most recent call. The comments weren’t treating her kindly. She’d botched a radio interview, and some trolls were calling for SDN to kick her to the curb. She knew Robert and Blazer would never, but it still stung. No matter how good a front she put up, her confidence was far from absolute.
There was a nudge at her leg. Arching one eyebrow, Prism looked down, ready to be annoyed. What she saw caused the opposite reaction.
“Ohhhhh, hey cutie!” she crooned at Beef, who wagged his butt vigorously at the sudden attention. “Who let you go runnin’ round all by your lonesome?”
Beef got a weird look in his eyes then sneezed directly on Prism’s boot, his whole body seeming to jump.
She couldn’t help the loud laugh that escaped her throat. “Gross, gettin’ your nasty ass snot on me.” Worried he might’ve somehow understood her, she added, “I’ll let it slide though cause you’re just too damn adorable.”
Beef’s ears perked up. Suddenly he spun around and scampered away, disappearing around the corner.
“Where you goin’, Beef?” Prism called, then shook her head when he didn’t return. She shrugged and finished up, and had to admit she felt a little better.
* * *
Mandy struggled to slow her breathing. She was in good shape but sprinting up and down hallways still took a toll. God I miss my amulet.
Prism rounded the corner, eyes buried in her phone as she almost bumped into Mandy. “Shit. Sorry, Miss Blazer.”
“Don’t… worry… about it.”
Prism dropped her phone into her purse, worry etched on her face. “You dyin’ on us? What’s up?”
“Just… working on my cardio,” she lied. “You wouldn’t have happened to see Beef, would you?”
“Oh, yeah actually. Just down that way.” Prism gestured over her shoulder with one thumb. “But he ran off a while ago. Why? He lost?”
“No!” That had come out a little too desperate. She course corrected. “No, not missing or anything like that. Was just curious.” She tried to look as innocent as possible.
Judging by the look she got, Prism didn’t buy it. At least she didn’t pry. “Oh… kay? I better get going. Don’t push yourself too hard.”
Nodding her thanks, Mandy waited for Prism to get out of sight before frustratedly hissing, “Beef, where the hell did you go?”
* * *
Flambae set the bar back in the rests with a reverberant clank. He sat up and looked at the squat rack, but instead of standing, let his shoulders droop. “Fucking bullshit, man.” He checked his watch. It would be starting in about an hour. Flambae growled at nothing in particular and kept muttering under his breath.
Something caught his eye. He glared over and saw a little, goofy head poking around a stack of weights. “What the fuck are you staring at?”
Way too excitedly for his tastes, Beef scuttled over to him and sat at his feet. He could swear the little shit was grinning.
“What, did Bob Bob send you to gloat?”
Beef’s tail started wagging against the gym mat.
“Figures.” Flambae felt heavy as he stood and tried to move to the squat rack. Beef almost tripped him in the process. “Hey, watch it! You want to get punted or something, bitch?”
Dutifully, Beef moved out of the way, still wagging.
“That’s right, you heard me.” Flambae grumbled a little as he slid weights onto either side of the bar. “You’re dumb, but you’re not stupid at least.”
Beef barked excitedly.
“Oh shut up, I wasn’t actually going to punt you.” Flambae got into position and gripped the bar, easing it off the hooks. “Now stay out of the way unless you want to end up looking like a crepe.”
Flambae put in a few reps, but his heart just wasn’t in it. Feeling defeated, he set the bar back in place.
“I’m just having a shit day, you know? My niece, she’s in this play. Promised I’d try to go, but I’ve got this thing called a job. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you, you lazy little potato? Fuck. Am I really talking to a dog?”
Beef kept clear of his feet as Flambae relented sitting down on the bench again.
“Whatever. It’s not like it really matters anyway. Bunch of little snot-nosed twerps pretending they’re Lin-Manuel Miranda or some shit. Who wants to see that anyway?” He kicked absently at the mat beneath his feet.
Beef got up and cautiously headbutted Flambae’s ankle.
“I want to see that. She looks up to me. Not just because she’s a runt like you. I mean figuratively.” Flambae ran a hand over his face. “She put in a lot of work, you know? Got the lead and everything.” A disgusted sigh blasted out through his nose. He muttered some more as he leaned down to tousle Beef’s ears. “You’re an irritatingly good listener, you know that? Must be why that idiot keeps you around.”
Sneakers squeaked from down the hall, followed by hurried footsteps.
“Ah fuck. Who now?”
Mandy appeared, breathless, hanging onto the door frame for dear life. It took her a second to notice him. When she did, her eyes went wide. “Hey Flambae, I was just—” Her gaze moved down. As she saw Beef, the breath hitched in her throat.
Flambae squinted, not sure what to make of the scene unfolding before him.
“Oh thank god!” Mandy ran over and wrapped both arms around Beef, holding him tightly as he squirmed. “You found him!”
“What do you mean ‘found him?’ I was taking my break when he just showed up.” Something connected in Flambae’s mind. His lips curled up in a toothy grin. “Oh-ho-ho, don’t tell me Robert really trusted you to pet sit.”
Mandy placed her fists on her hips. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Full offense – I know you, and wouldn’t trust you with my goldfish.”
Mandy recoiled a little in surprise. “Wait, you have a – nevermind.” She tucked Beef under one arm and held up a hand in warning. “You cannot tell Robert about this.”
“And why not?”
“He’ll kill me.” She waggled her head side to side. “… That is, if Chase doesn’t kill me first.”
“Sounds like a you problem. To me, it sounds like the perfect thing to tell him next time he bitches about me taking too long of a break. Like right now, actually. See ya!” Flambae headed for the door.
“Wait!”
Flambae stopped then blurted out, “I get the rest of the day off.” Met with silence, he explained. “That’s my offer. There’s a… thing I wanted to do today, but I had to work, so I was gonna miss it.”
Mandy sounded confused. “Uh, sure? Why didn’t you just put in PTO?”
Flambae looked at her like she was speaking a different language. “PT-what now?”
* * *
It was difficult to keep one eye on the pamphlets in front of her and the other on Beef, but damn if Mandy wasn’t trying. He hadn’t made another escape attempt yet. But now she was paranoid.
Her door opened and Robert strode through, his face immediately lighting up as Beef charged him. “Hey buddy, you miss me? I bet you did!” Then in his normal, kinda dry tone to Mandy, “Thanks again. I hope he wasn’t too much trouble.”
She dismissed the thought with a wave of her hand. “Oh, no. Not at all. He’s a bit needy, but I’ve dealt with worse.”
“More needy than this little rascal? Maybe I don’t want to know that story.”
“Probably not. Anyway, looks like it was a smooth day out there. Good job.”
Robert started gathering up Beef’s things. “Yeah. Was a little weird that you pulled Flambae off the roster, but it all worked out.”
Mandy breathed a sigh of relief. “Yeah. It did.”
“Say, with me being in the field more now, would you mind if I left Beef here more often? Galen’s cool and all, but I’m afraid he’s gonna wander off.”
Mandy felt ice run through her veins. Does he know? “Y-yeah, I would love to do that.”
“Great!” He grabbed the door handle. “See you tomorrow.”
“Have a good night!”
With him gone, Mandy flopped into her chair. What have I gotten myself into?
* * *
Flambae stood and clapped, the pride on his face for once not directed at himself. “Way to fucking kill it, Aziza!” he shouted as the kids bowed.
A teacher hurried over to him, mortified. “Sir, I’ve told you three times already – this is a family event. Please stop swearing in front of the kids.”
“Pssh. Whatever.” He sat down.
His sister elbowed him in the ribs. “You’re a bad influence Chad.” Yasmin’s stern expression softened. “But I will say, she did fucking kill it.”