departed quickly. Somehow Kennon got the impression that they were happy to leave.
“Just wait,” Douglas said. “You can’t boss me forever. Just wait. I’ll reach my majority in five years. I can vote my shares then—and then I’ll fix you. You won’t be so high and mighty then, Mr. Big. I’ll throw in with the rest of the Family. They don’t like you too much.”
“Don’t hold your breath waiting for the Family to help you,” Alexander said. “They wouldn’t have anyone else but me handle the finances. They love money too much. And until you get your inheritance remember one thing—I’m master here.”
“I know it,” Douglas said, and then curiously—“Who’s the oddball?” He gestured at Kennon with a pudgy thumb.
“Our new veterinarian, Dr. Kennon.”
“Oh—great! Now you tell me!”
“There’s nothing like making a good first impression,” Alexander said with ironic emphasis. “I hope he cuts you off from the Lani. He’ll have the authority to do it, since he’s taking Old Doc’s place.”
“He can’t. I’m an owner. I own-”
“You own nothing. You’re a minor. And under the terms of Grandfather’s will, you’ll own nothing except an allowance until you reach legal age. And that brings me to the reason I brought you here. Just when did you gain the right to reorganize the household staff? Just when did you get the power to interfere with the experimental program?”
Douglas flushed dull red and bit his lip. “Do we have to go into this in front of strangers?”
“Kennon’s my agent,” Alexander said coldly, “and he might as well learn about you and the others from the start.”
“Well—what do you want him to do—watch me crawl?” Douglas asked bitterly. “You’ll make me do it. You always do. Do you want me to beg, to say I was wrong, to promise I won’t do it again?”
“You’ve done that already,” Alexander said. “Several times. You need a lesson. I won’t have you meddling with valuable animals.”
“And what are you going to do about it?”
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