Red Panda Chronicles

The Middleman, Part 2 The Flying Squirrel leaned into a low crouch on the fourth-story rooftop,

overlooking a parquet and a string of residential streets.

There was a jovial air that permeated the whole neighborhood,

with small merry bands formed on every porch and patio the entire length of the street.

But from her perch, the June breezes carried less giddy optimism than they did at street level,

and she clicked her tongue absent-mindedly as she gazed over the streets as if scolding a disobedient cat.

"'Who was her source on this?' she asked dubiously.

"'Archie Henderson,' the Red Panda replied from the shadows.

"'Euse to be a runner. Before that, he was a spotter.' Archie Henderson, the Red Panda replied from the shadows.

Used to be a runner. Before that, he was a spotter.

I remember Archie Henderson, the squirrel said with a toothy grin.

Gaptooth kid, lazy ours. He got a start in Harry Kelly's gang of her regulars back in the day.

The Red Panda smiled at the memory.

The Black Cap, he said dramatically, and shook his head fondly.

So, you had him watching a dead guy because why? she asked,

puzzled, but by no means surprise.

"'I had him doing no such thing,' the Red Panda protested.

"'He was off active duty.

"'Mother Hen says he still calls in every time he sees something suspicious.

"'She thinks he's trying to play his way back on the team.' "'Kit slid her right foot over the open space before the

rooftop and spun counterclockwise so she could face her partner. Wish more of them would try,

...