Brad came home early, riding a bay stallion straight down the mountain 
from the New Atlantis Clave, angling through the greenbelt and piercing the 
dog pod grid with scant consequences as the authorities knew him. Harv 
approached him with a formal mien, harrumphing phlegm out of the way as he 
prepared to offer up an explanation and a plea. But Brad's eyes merely glanced 
over Harv, settled on Nell, appraised her for a moment, then looked away shyly. 
The verdict was that they could stay the night, but all else depended on legal 
niceties that were beyond his powers.