"Better watch out!" A red head was thrust from the door of another room. "Ed's monkey is meaner than he is." It was Rick Saunders.
"Glad to see you safe!" The big redhaired man grinned easily, and waved.
"Hullo," Johnny said. He didn't smile. If Rick were here, it meant only one thing. These were the same men who had stolen the colony's marva claws! He all but glared at Rick Saunders standing in the inner doorway.
"You don't seem too happy about being rescued," Rick said with a laugh.
"I wasn't rescued. I...." Johnny stopped. He knew he shouldn't have said that.
Rick's eyebrows went up. "It seems I heard something about a leopard."
"Well, I guess I was rescued—sorta," Johnny admitted lamely.
"I guess you were!" Rick paused, looking at Johnny. "You sure don't sound very friendly."
"I don't like thieves and traitors," Johnny said defiantly.
"Wait a minute!" Rick began.