She did not sound happy. Nothing new, David thought. Mel waved a limp hand. “Yo, Mama, how’s it hanging?” Walked hissed. “How is what hanging, Detective Burnett?” “Uh—” “As if I do not have the knowledge.” David sighed. This was not getting off to a good start. Mel squinted at her. “What is it you think you do not have the knowledge of?” “Is crude reference to drooping prongs.” Mel grinned. “More like drooping d—” “Mel,” David said. “Yeah, yeah.” “Let’s go inside.” David had forgotten that in an Elaki restaurant there would be no chairs. He leaned against the table while everyone went up to get tacos. The food smells made him nauseous, particularly the sweet and tart odor of lime and cinnamon that permeated any area frequented by Elaki. David swallowed hard and wondered if he could stand to watch them eat. He glanced around the restaurant. The establishments in Elaki-Town were unusual in that they employed Elaki for the scut work, instead of humans.
