'A puppy?'
'Or a kitten. Not for me,' he extemporized. 'A young friend who needs cheering
up-- I thought maybe a pet...'
Polite smile. The man knew his store was being checked out: it amused him. Not
guns or drugs then. Politics? No. The atmosphere was tourist-trade 'Chinese':
incense, ceramics, cheap brocade. Aimed at the Japanese locals. Ah-hah.
'Perhaps you have more... exotic animals for sale?'
'I have all kinds of animals. I will accommodate your request.' He spoke as if
the transaction was finished.
Kou blinked, startled. The man's mismatched eyes smiled blandly.
'I think a cat will do.'
May 05