Odin (Alien Adoption Agency #5) - Tasha Black Page 0,46

is a non-profit organization,” Petryx said, sounding a little scandalized. “I don’t think they’re in the dog-tranquilizing and sheep rustling business.”

“Let’s check it out anyway,” Odin said, standing. “It’s the best lead we have.”

“It’s the only lead we have,” Liberty said, joining him.

“It’s been quiet this morning,” Petryx said. “Why not?”

They headed out of the station and into the murky morning light, where Main Street was coming to life.

A woman went into the café next to the station, releasing a fragrant puff of coffee and something like cinnamon.

Two men holding hands with twin boys passed them and waved.

“It’s such a nice little town,” Liberty said. “I’m glad the Sons of Sirius were caught before they could terrorize any more farmers.”

“Trouble is, we have evidence of trespass, but not rustling,” Petryx said. “To be honest with you, I’m not sure how long we can hold them without something more concrete.”

Liberty frowned and picked up the pace.

When they reached the lot for the transport, Odin got out the scanner again.

“That won’t work here,” Petryx said.

“Why not?” Odin asked.

“They have a privacy shield,” Petryx explained. “It’s an intergalactic requirement for sensitive patient information.”

“So we can’t get them to turn it off?” Liberty asked.

“No, but we can go inside,” Petryx told her. “The shield is external only. Inside, they need to be able to use scanning equipment.”

He flashed his badge and the line stepped aside to let them in.

“Can I help you?” a harried-looking, tentacled woman with a tablet asked. “Do you have an appointment?”

“We’re here as part of an ongoing criminal investigation,” Petryx said, suddenly sounding imposing instead of friendly. “Is there someone here who can authorize us to make a search of the facilities? It’s a matter of public safety.”

“Oh dear,” the woman said. “Just a moment.”

A minute later another woman in purple scrubs arrived at the door.

“May I see your credentials?” she asked.

Petryx showed her his badge and pulled her aside to speak quietly.

“Please come in,” she said. “So long as I shadow you, you are welcome to search our facility, with the exception of the patient treatment rooms.”

“Thank you,” Liberty said.

The woman’s face softened when she saw Colton in the sling around Liberty’s chest.

“He’s adorable,” she said with a wink.

“Thank you,” Liberty replied.

“So, where do you want to go first?” the lady asked.

“If you wanted to hide sheep in this transport, where would you put them?” Odin asked.

The woman blinked at him in horror.

“It’s probably only seven sheep,” he reassured her.

She did not look less alarmed.

“Uh, I guess maybe in storage?” she ventured. “Otherwise, I think we would… notice.”

“Makes sense,” Petryx said. “Lead the way.”

They followed the transport director down the well-lit hallway to a hover chute.

“Storage,” the director said as soon as they were all on the platform.

The platform plummeted and Liberty grasped Odin’s hand. She had never liked chutes. It came to a stop in another hallway that was decidedly dimmer and more narrow.

“Would they have transported sheep on a chute?” Liberty asked breathlessly.

“There’s a gangplank in the back that opens in the lot,” the director said. “But I doubt they brought sheep in that way either. I really don’t think there are sheep at—”

The scanner in Odin’s hand beeped loudly, the sound echoing off the metal walls.

“Sweet divinities,” the director breathed.

“This way,” Odin said, scanner stretched out ahead of them.

The director scurried in front of him to open the door to a small room.

“I don’t understand,” she said, struggling with the keys.

“What’s wrong?” Petryx asked.

“This room, the inventory staff manager said we have to keep it empty, for ballast,” she said.

Odin frowned. “This transport is too small to need a ballast compartment.”

The door opened at last to reveal a small warehouse-style space. It was mostly empty, except for some old metal shelves and a couple of boxes in the corner. Or at least it seemed to be empty.

The scanner beeped again, and Liberty raised her eyes to the high ceiling.

Seven beautiful rainbow sheep floated like clouds over the shelves, nibbling at the walls and the tops of the shelves as if hoping to find leaves growing there.

“Hello, sheep,” she said.

“Oh, my,” the director said. “Are they supposed to do that?”

“They only live on Lachesis,” Liberty said. “And yes. If we want them to sink, I have to feed them. Which means I’ve got to get them out of here.”

“Let me see about getting you some rope,” the director said distractedly. “You know, it’s funny, all these cycles we’ve left this room empty. And we could have filled