The split second twitch of the man's body was all the sign Nick needed to know it had taken effect, it was a tic that was always implanted, to ensure ...ick could know that the trigger word had been heard and understood. It was also a tic Richard would never even realize he had."I don't understand sir..." was all Richard said, confusion in his expression. After all, he didn't know the effect the word had, and it must have seemed a strange statement for Nick to make."Sorry, Richard, I was just. Can I, uh, see her stats?”The guide was back by then but he barely looked over the sheet before moving on. No, he had to see more, had to really think about his choice, which dog would stay with him. If she was to defend him, he needed someone strong. He would need her to be tall too, intimidating, a breed that made others back off...Kael shook his head minutely. Oh, as if he had not known.So I’m getting a female...It probably went without saying, with his curious attraction, the heat tingling. He began to talk very early and using whole sentences! Starcheer said that he should have his own partner. Pam and Frank invited us over for supper and to talk. Frankie joined in the discussion! He regularly talked to Starcheer. While there, Stargazer talked with him through Starcheer and directly. We could hear the thoughts passing. I had figured Frankie was smart but, with the head start from Starcheer, he was making the most of that intelligence.Lisa and I agreed that a partner would be. "Finished that remodelin' job early," Hub began. "Me and the boys tipped a few to celebrate. When I got home, it was in the middla the afternoon, Sue was takin' a nap. She was layin' on the couch. All she had on was a pair'a panties and, well, I couldn't help gettin' me an eyeful, now could I?"Doug began to squirm uneasily. "Aw hell, Hub," he said, trying to make light of it. "I don't guess you seeing her that way hurt anything. She shouldn't have been on the couch, anyway. If she wanted to.