"Why won't you tell Kera anyway?" He asked as we walked over to the door. "It's not that big a deal, at least it doesn't sound like it."

  "Because I want to forget every second of it. I want to pretend I never did any of it. It wasn't pretty and nothing I'm proud of." I looked at his puzzled expression, "Don't ask, it's a dirty, deadly business and you don't want to know!"

  I opened the door then and left.

  I took my time going home. I didn't know when the info I wanted would show up, or the money. So I just kicked back and cruised a while, taking my time on the trip home and stopping in at some of the shops on the way.

  I eventually came home and went upstairs to my small apartment. Opening the door I stepped in. I smelt him at the same time that I heard him.

  "Hello Onri. Oh wait, it's Pen now isn't it?"

  Turning quickly I saw my uninvited guest sitting in a chair across the room. He wasn't armed, or at least he wasn't holding a gun.

  "Jared! What a surprise!" I smiled without feeling, keeping my tail and ears under control. "What brings you here to my humble abode?"

  "A two room studio? Don't they pay spies in your country?" He didn't sound happy.

  "I quit, they ruined me. But if you know my real name you probably know that too. Why are you here? To kill me?"

  "I should you know!" He growled, his own eyes going to slits momentarily. "My sister was heart broken when you left. She really loved you, you know."

  "It wouldn't have worked Jared, I was after all, a spy. Sooner or later I would have been caught and executed. Probably by you."

  "You could have turned."

  "Then they would have come and got me!" I sighed, letting my shoulders and tail droop a bit. "Listen, don't think I didn't consider all of this back then.

  "I'm sorry about it okay? Now why are you here?"

  "I need your help I'm sorry to say," he said whiskers drooping and looking downcast.

  "Just you?" I asked incredulously.

  "Well, my country does." He looked back up and smiled craftily.

  "Can I move?" I asked.

  He nodded.

  "Thanks. Now why should I help your country?" I walked over to the kitchenette and made myself a drink. A stiff one.

  "How about me?"

  "Oh yes, where are my manners?" I made him one too. "This is all I have, sorry." I handed it to him.

  "That's fine," he replied and took a sip.

  "So why should I betray my country and help you?"

  "Because you're not betraying them and I'll pay you."

  "Let's see the cash."

  He pulled out a thick sheaf of bills. I walked over and took it.

  "Forty grand." He said.

  I pocketed it. "It'll pay for the interview. What's the job?"

  "You're familiar with the Harnian State Religion of course?"

  "Please," I sighed again, "don't insult me. The religion of the All-Father, the one mystical being that created us all. Each different yet the same. The separate parts making the greater whole." I paused, "Of course I am."

  "You sound as if you almost believe!" He said surprised.

  "I almost do," I smiled. "One of the qualities of a good spy. I like your country Jared. Even the government isn't all that bad. Not really any worse than what we've got here.

  "But what does this have to do with the job?"

  "Simple, our scholars have tracked down a very important document to our faith."

  "Scholars?" I asked surprised.

  "Scholars and Spies," he chuckled. "Anyway, it's a keystone to our dogma. The treatise on differing intelligences by the All-Father himself."

  My ears stood up in surprise. That was an important document I bet!

  "It was stolen two centuries ago from the Abbey of Stryj in the Carpathian mountains. The State and the Church finally tracked it here."

  "They've been looking for it for two hundred Years??"

  "The Church has," he admitted. "But the State got involved about thirty years ago."

  "How do you know it's here?" I paced back and forth a bit, sipping my drink and thinking while letting my tail wave lazily.

  "The manuscript itself was hidden inside a bronze statue of the All-Father. One of our agents saw it for sale at a secret auction four years ago. We finally tracked it here."

  "So what do you need me for?" I asked looking at him.

  "Its in the city, we just don't know where."

  "You-Don't-Know-Where?" I laughed, "Oh come on now! You really expect me to believe that?"

  "The statue was stolen from its last owner. Its gems turned up on the open market. As the Statue itself was bronze we figure it's still intact, its secret safe. So we need the help of a local. You."

  I thought about it. I could help them and not get in trouble for it. Probably that is. The All-Father was very popular in this country too.

  I could also charge Charilldel a fortune for 'spying' on them while I did. It would really piss him off once I told him the whole story, that's for sure!

  "I'll do it." I frowned, "But I want some more cash, and your word."

  "My word on what?" He asked, nose twitching suspiciously.

  "That no 'Hit Teams' will ever come looking for me." I smiled, "I have enough problems worrying about my own countrymen already. One less group would be nice."

  "That presents no problem." He smiled himself then and got up. "After all, it is the 'game of Foxes' and as a Fox I salute the only Leopard spy I ever met."

  "Ever met and didn't kill you mean."

  "That too!" And he smiled even wider, whiskers twitching again.

  I showed him out, damn if he didn't poke me in the stomach as he walked by too! Then I sat down and gave in to the urge to shake violently for a while.

  "That was too close for comfort!" I mumbled quietly to myself and looked at the new grooves my claws had dug in the floor. A few minutes later a thought hit me and I searched for bugs. Surprisingly I found none.

  The files didn't show up till I was on my way out to the Silver Moon. They were delivered by a courier service and the envelope contained thirty grand, cash. I hid the files in my stash and went to work.

  I took the bus this time so I wouldn't be late. It was packed of course, though most people were on their way home and I was heading out. I looked around for a tail, didn't spot one of course but that didn't mean there wasn't one. I'd have to start keeping my eyes open again.

  I walked in the front door of the club just before six.

  "Hi Pen," Said a large white Wolf who was one of the regular bouncers.

  "Hi Jason." I walked over, "What's the drill?"

  "Simple, anyone causes trouble with the performers or the other patrons, you give them a warning. If they don't behave then, they leave."

  I cracked my knuckles thinking.

  "Violence is a last resort" He warned growling slightly, his tail lashing once. "We don't want fights, it's bad for business."

  "Oh okay," I sighed jokingly. "Actually I've never seen anybody really misbehave in here before Jason. I expect this to be an easy job."

  "Hah! Not hardly. You're supposed to find trouble and stop it before it starts. Plus play go-fer for the Barkeeps, the Performers and Bruce." He led me to the stage entrance.

  "Plus never sit down. It looks bad."

  I nodded and made a few mental notes. "So where do I start and what do I do?"

  "Front door, help the cashier with the cover charge, and don't let anyone in you think'll cause trouble."

  "How should I know?"

  "The cashier will point them out." He chuckled, "But I doubt we'll get any."

  "What will you be doing?"

  "Watching the dressing room entrance mostly. And circulating. Once the crush at the front door subsides, make sure you do that too."

  "Okay."

  "But first follow me."

  So I followed him down into the basement, where I was loaded with cases of beer by Witnauer to take up to the bar. After four trips I was sent to my station at the door.

  The night went pretty well. Kera came in about seven and gave me a real big hug and kiss.

  "Thanks Pen," She smiled, her tail dancing in obvious delight.

  "No, thank you Kera," I purred back. "I appreciate the help."

  She purred as well then and headed for the dressing rooms. Phil, the Rabbit working the cash register shot me a grin too.

  "Made her day."

  "Yeah, mine too."

  The other employees showed up over the next hour as the patrons started to fill the place. There were quite a few employees of the Silver Moon. A four piece band, seven other performers, another bartender, two waitresses, a waiter, one cook and a busboy.

  I had been coming here for years as a customer, but I never realized there were so many working here.

  It was a busy night, and things moved along fairly quick. I only had to ask two people to behave; it was a quiet night in that aspect. I did stop and watch Kera's first act. It was good as always, though the song she sang and the way she winked at me made it obvious that the first one was for me.

  Too bad I was working now, I couldn't meet her in her dressing room after her first act!

  As it was a Thursday night, the Club closed relatively early. By two o'clock, the last patron was ushered out and the doors were locked.

  "How'd it go?" Bruce asked coming up to me as I waited by the door letting the last few customers out.

  "Fine. How late do you need me?"

  "Just help Jason put the chairs up and lock the place. Then you can go."

  "Okay."

  It didn't take long and Kera was waiting for me when I finished.

  "Hey stud, what's up?" She grinned.

  "Obviously you!" I laughed.

  "Oh? And you're not?" She purred sliding closer to me.

  My tail stood up a little higher and my ears perked up.

  "I didn't say that love!" And I gave her a little nip. "Want some company?"

  "I thought you'd never ask!" She purred again.

  We left together for her place.

  The next morning I gave her the money. All seventy grand worth.

  "Pen!" She gasped, "Where did you get this?"

  "I've been asked to help someone recover some stolen property." I smiled.

  "Seventy grand worth?" She growled warningly, her ears laid back along her skull.

  "Probably more actually," I sighed. "And yes it could be dangerous. But that's only where half of that came from."

  "Oh?" Her ears not only went back down, but her eyes were getting slitted and her tail was starting to lash back and forth.

  "The rest is from my old boss. He wants me to spy on these people and I'm making him pay."

  "I thought you used to work for the Government." It was a simple statement. She didn't seem clear on what was going on, or very happy about it either.

  "I did, and he still does. They work for a different one. It's all legal, safer than what I used to do - at least I hope it is. And I don't want to go into debates. At least not now."

  I looked at her pleadingly, "Please?

  "Why?"

  "It involves a lot of stuff I'd rather forget. But if you really want to know," I sighed then, "I'll tell you."

  "Later," She smiled her ears perking back up and her tail curling around my waist. "Just as long as you're not a criminal."

  "I'm not," I smiled. After all, a spy is a legal occupation, at least in your own country's eye that is!

  "What should I do with this?" She asked eyeing the stack I had given her.

  "Save it, deposit it, whatever. Just be discrete. I don't want people wondering where you got it from. But your folks had money so I figure you won't get asked too many questions."

  "My folks had money!" She laughed. "Where'd you get that idea?"

  "Well compared to mine they did!" I laughed back. "Probably why I never learned to save."

  We cuddled a little while longer, then I kissed her goodbye and left.

  "You be careful," she gently reminded me as gave her a parting nip.

  "Of course!" I grinned back.

  I took the early morning bus back to my place, when I got there Jared was waiting inside.

  "You keep this up and I'll have you arrested for breaking and entering," I growled annoyed.

  "Sorry, old habits die hard," he grinned. "Besides, I'm here on a diplomatic passport. I'm immune."

  I threw my hands up at that. "Still, I'd like my privacy. Okay?"

  "Don't worry, I didn't look around."

  I went to the next room and checked my stash. It was undisturbed, so I took him at his word. Pulling out the documents there, I walked back into the other room and collapsed on the couch.

  "Where were you last night anyway?"

  "Ask your tail man," I growled flicking my tail in agitation.

  "Didn't bother with assigning one."

  "Then why ask?"

  "Old habits," he sighed. "What's that?" He indicated the envelope that I had emptied and was going through.

  "Nosey bastard aren't you?" I laughed and handed him a photo of himself. Obviously taken as he left the local Harnian mission one morning.

  "Lousy shot," he observed. "I thought you quit?"

  "They asked me to take a special job. I needed the cash." I looked up at him, "And frankly when I heard you were in town I got concerned about my health."

  "When was this?"

  "Two nights ago. Before you showed up."

  "This complicates things then."

  "Not really. I won't turn in my report till after you've gotten your statue. I was just told to spy, not steal."

  "How can I trust you?" He asked eyes narrowing.

  "Cause I hate them," I snarled. "But I like you, more or less."

  "Oh really?" He said sarcastically.

  "Actually it's a favor to your sister." I looked up at him again, and showed my fangs. "I don't want her to wear black."

  "What makes you think that you could?"

  "There's a mine under your butt."

  "What, that small thing under the cushions? I disarmed it yesterday"

  "There's a claymore under the floorboards, I'm not stupid you know."

  "I guess not," he stood suddenly, "and if I killed you and she found out.... Well it wouldn't be pretty. Even if she has found another."

  "I'm glad to hear that," I smiled slightly. "Now, show me what you've got and give me another thirty grand."

  "Rather steep isn't it?" He pulled out an envelope like the one I was going through.

  "Then leave."

  He dug out the cash instead, tail fluffed in annoyance. Now that he was standing he was much easier to read.

  "Let me think a bit okay?" I told him and started going over what I had.

  He dragged the chair to a different spot and sat down. I smiled at that and started looking through all the info.

  The stuff from my side was mostly pictures of everybody who had recently arrived in the area. Other than Jared's picture I only recognized two others. One was Jared's assistant, the other was his muscle, a Badger named Reg. Somebody I usually avoided.

  "Has Reg really killed all these people?" I asked trying to goad him as I looked over the stuff.

  "Them and more," he smiled craftily.

  Smart ass Fox.

  "Keep him away from me, okay?" I growled. "Any of his kind of trouble and the other agencies will be all over the place."

  "I understand."

  "Good"

  I fished through the rest of what 'my side' had provided. There was a badge and an ID inside as well. I pocketed those, they might come in handy, and it made me official too.

  Next I examined what he had given me. There were several drawings of the statue. One was what it probably looked like without the gems. That was good. Then there was some info on who had sold one of the gems from it. That was good too.

  Especially as I knew him.

  "Okay, let’s go." I tossed it all in the sink and burned it. Except the one drawing I wanted.

  "Both of us?" He looked surprised.

  "Sure, why not? Somebody has to pay for my expenses!" I chuckled, rumbling deep in my throat.

  "Where to then?"

  "This fence who sold the stone, Rundle."

  "You know where he is?" He asked surprised.

  "You could say that," I chuckled again. "You bring a car?"

  "Of course."

  "A driver?"

  "No."

  "Good, give me the keys. I'll drive."

  He grumbled a little, but handed them over.

  A half hour later we drove into the less respectable part of town. I kept far away from here myself. Too many bad memories.

  Things hadn't changed much and I quickly found the alley I wanted. I parked in front and got out. Jared followed.

  "Here?" He looked around with disgust. "I think we should go get Reg, and maybe a Marine or two as well!"

  "The Marines wouldn't last." I commented as I walked into the alley. Jared followed cautiously.

  I followed the route by memory and the door was still there. I checked it, it was unlocked so I opened it and stepped in.

  There was a young tiger standing behind the counter with a shotgun. He growled and looked at the two of us. "Get your pampered police asses out of here before I shoot 'em off!"

  "Cool it kid. Tell your boss that Penknife is here."

  "Penknife?" He asked still growling. "I've never seen or heard of no Penknife!"

  "Then I suggest you ask Runner before one gets jammed through you neck," I purred. "We'll wait."

  He eyed us both then left the room for a minute. I could hear him use a phone of some kind, but it had some kind of a hush screen on it. I couldn't hear what he said.

  When he came back he had a whole different attitude.

  "Follow me," he said.

  A few doorways later we ended up in a nicely furnished room. It had one occupant, a Pack Rat.

  "Penknife! Long time guy! Where you been?" He said getting up and shaking my hand.

  "Here and there Runner. How is everybody?"

  "Lets see, been a long time since you disappeared. Lev, Kenny and Crants are dead. Crants OD'ed, the others got it in fights. Cherise left town when Lev died, I hear she's doing well. Stoc and Terr both left town and haven't been heard from. Your brother died in a holdup back around when you dropped out. Everybody wondered why you weren't at the funeral. Where'd you go anyway?" He eyed me curiously.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10