Smiling, Melifaro made himself comfortable atop my desk, knocking the self-scribing tablets on the floor and an empty cup in my lap. Melifaro didn’t even blink. Instead, he hung over me, wringing his hands theatrically and demanding attention. “Ever since Boboota ran out of those funny smoking sticks you gave him, his temper is even worse than it used to be.” “Impossible,” I said in a calm voice. “It can’t get any worse than it was. Nature’s resources are not limitless. The boys simply forgot what their boss used to be like before he stuffed himself on King Banjee. Now he’s completely recovered, that’s all.” “So, you don’t have any more of those smoking sticks?” said Melifaro. “Poor Apurra.” “No, I don’t have any at the moment, but I can fetch some more. No problem. Who’s Apurra?” “Right, you haven’t met him yet. Lieutenant Apurra Blookey. He’s been with the police since Shixola died. As smart as the late Shixola, and almost as nice. You’ll like him.
