That was a jab at his intelligence.


    Drake sulked, "Who are you insulting? Of course, I noticed."


    "You did?" Debra said. "I thought you were scared of Fermin''s status, so you


    didn''t kick them out."


    "I was just being kind for your sake," Drake stated. "If they were not your friends, I


    would have kicked them out long ago."


    Unhappy about her challenge, Drake turned to leave.


    Debra quickly stopped him. "Take it easy. I was just kidding. I''m sorry, okay?"


    "It''s toote. Apology unepted," Drake scoffed, shaking off her hand.


    But then, something urred to him, and he asked, "Wait. You''d never apologize


    to me for no good reason. What do you want?"


    "Well, I need a favor," she replied.


    "No way." Drake covered his ears. "Whenever youe to me, it''s never for


    anything good. I''ve already been more than generous in letting you and Marion


    stay here. Don''t push your luck."


    "I won''t be so absolute." Debra swatted his hands away from his ears. "Isn''t


    Orkgate your territory? Do me a favor and list all the businesses here."


    "What? Are you out of your mind?"


    Drake eximed. "Do you know how


    many businesses there are? It would


    take a mountain of paper to print all


    that. Are you trying to exhaust Kale


    or me?"


    "Neither," Debra exined. "I think


    the person behind all this has a base


    here. That''s how they managed to


    infiltrate yourpany and sell off


    your machines. Your employees


    wouldn''t have been bought off so


    easily otherwise. I think you still


    haven''t found the mastermind, or


    you would''ve been bragging about it


    already."


    Drake snorted, "Even if I haven''t, I know more than enough. Sooner orter, I''ll


    take them out."


    "That doesn''t concern me," Debra blurted out of eagerness for the list.


    Ignoring Drake''s annoyance, she


    continued, "Anyway, if I can find their


    hideout, you can take them out more


    easily. Just leave the investigation to


    me. Don''t worry. I won''t charge you


    any money."


    "No need." Drake cut her off. "It concerns my family, and I''ll have Kale handle it. If


    I find out anything, maybe I''ll tell you. Just stay out of it."


    "Well," Debra paused, "investigation takes a lot of brain work. I''m afraid..."


    Drake red at her. "Are you going to say I can''t handle it or even mess it up?"