Buster by Caleb Huett (ebook reader library txt) 📕

I’m not cut out to be … what, a secret agent? I’m not sneaky, or good at anything like that. I just draw.”

“You’re who I’ve got.”

It sounded too good to be true to Buster. “How will other dogs feel if we just … go back? And what will you ask us to do?”

“The official story will be that I’m putting the two of you under strict surveillance, but realized that pulling you both from Bellville would draw too much attention. I’m afraid it won’t make you any more popular, Buster, but it will keep you together.” The judge shook her head. “And as for what we might ask of you, that’s classified. I can’t say anything more. You’ll just have to trust me when I say that we act for the good of Dogkind. And hopefully Humankind, too.”

Tonio’s eyes fluttered around to the different dogs. He shook his head vigorously. “I can’t do this. No way. Why don’t you ask Mia and Mozart? Or Jpeg? Or … I don’t know. Anyone else?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind already, Tonio.” Sweetie gave him a long look. “You want to do good, right? Even if it’s not perfect?”

“I don’t know if that’s …” Tonio’s eyebrows pushed together.

“I think your sharp eyes and tendency toward caution will serve us well. But you don’t have to agree, of course. I can send Buster away, as planned, and send you back home with an officer on your tail. It’s up to you.”

Buster read over the contract. It was short, straightforward, and stated that as long as they stayed available to the Court, they’d be free to live the rest of their lives without any interference from Dog Court. He and Tonio would get to just be a kid and a dog. He turned to Lasagna.

“This is real? We can do whatever we want after this?”

“The Court might not even need you. But it’s the only way they’re going to let you back out into the world.” The corgi’s tail was wagging again. “And it’s some of my finest work, I’d say. Did you see the comma on line thirteen?”

“Uh, yes?”

“Perfect comma placement, if I do say so myself. This document is flawless.”

“Then I’m in.” He looked up at Tonio. What about you?

Tonio’s hands clenched and unclenched. “What happens if we can’t do what you ask? If we’re not good enough?”

“As long as you’re trying, you’re safe.” Sweetie pointed to that line of the contract with a claw. “I don’t need you to be perfect, Tonio. I just need you to try.”

The bandanna was sliding down his forehead. He pushed it back up. “Okay. Then I’ll do it.”

The judge didn’t have any pens, just an ink pad. She, Buster, and Lasagna all put a paw print on the contract. Tonio did each of his fingerprints in a line. Sweetie closed the folder and slid it toward Lasagna, who picked it up in his mouth.

“Well then, you’d better go talk to your parents.” Tonio’s eyes widened— Oh, right. They were going to wonder where he’d been all night, and all day. If Skyler had told his parents where he was, he was definitely in trouble. “I need you in Bellville. So your first mission is to not move.”

Buster’s ears shot up. “That’s not fair!”

Tonio gasped. “I forgot that— How am I supposed to … ?” He trailed off, lost in thought.

“You’ll be fine.” Sweetie waved a paw and the teacups began braking to a stop. “I’ve arranged for a car to take you back to Bellville. Talk to your parents, get some rest, and keep doing what you’ve been doing. I’ll contact you when I have more information.”

Lasagna hopped out of the cup and barked for them to follow, with the folder still in his teeth. Buster looked up at Tonio, who bowed to the judge.

“Thank you. For everything.”

“You’re welcome.” She winked as they turned away. “Show me it was worth it.”

A limousine waited for them outside the park, and Tonio spent the ride staring at the heavily tinted divider, wondering if a dog was driving.

“Hello?” he called to the front, with no answer. “Thank you for driving us!” The car stopped in front of his house. When he got out and looked back, the car windows were too dark to see inside.

He finally thought to ask Buster while they were walking up the stairs to the Pulaskis’ home. “Can dogs drive? Do you have special cars or something?”

Underspeak was hard to do while climbing the stairs. Buster bounded up to the top and answered, Dogs can do anything! I couldn’t smell who was driving, though.

Tonio checked the many pockets of his shorts for keys. “Have you ever driven?”

No, but I would. Cars are amazing!

“Wrong. Cars are scary.”

You only say that because you’ve never chased one. They run away like cowards!

“They don’t—that’s not—you’re joking, right?”

Buster rolled onto his back and kicked his legs up in the air. Yes!!!

Tonio laughed and scratched at his tummy. “I hope they’re not mad,” he whispered.

Buster rolled back over and shook himself off.

Just tell them what I told you to say.

“Your excuse is pretty complicated.”

It’ll be fine.

Tonio sighed, unlocked the door, and pushed it open. Buster lifted his nose to the air and sniffed the sickly sweet fake-flower smell from Mr. Pulaski’s cleaning, the powerful snack food aroma from Mrs. Pulaski’s office, and the calming smell of his own fur, where it survived vacuuming.

“Hello, my Tonio!” Mrs. Pulaski waved a knife in greeting from the kitchen. “Just in time for dinner!”

They didn’t even notice I was gone. A pang of shame shot through Tonio.

Mr. Pulaski peeked around from behind her, mixing something in a bowl. “Did you have fun at Mia’s?”

Tonio blinked. “Uh, what? Where?”

Both his parents laughed. Mrs. Pulaski shook her head. “Did you just wake up? That’s perfect, because it’s time for …” She used the blunt side of her knife and half a stick of butter to drum