The Miami Broncos

Chapter 12: The Maltese Falcons

Written by Francois Guint-Riel (FGR)

I must have drained a good part of the country from coffee considering the amount I'd drunk in the last few days. It wasn't that I didn't like the thought of having become Don of the Falcons, but I just hadn't dreamed that it would have happened so fast. Two months ago, the good panther from the Miami Broncos, Don Ulrich, God bless his heart, came through on official business with the resort chain that he worked for and took some time off to basically set us up with the police... in a good way. We'd raided the stuffing out of a gang that had muscled itself into the ports of the capital of Malta, and in return, the police signed us on as long-term contractors to form the core of a security force that they called in when they were faced with a situation they couldn't handle. Other then that one time though, nothing had come to pass, and we'd simply gone on with our usual activities with the blind eye that they now turned to it. With that, my predecessor had been able to set up a nice little pass circuit between North Africa and Europe, which meant a ten percent cut on anything that passed by the port, in return for our help in keeping the merchandise from the local authorities. It was an honest offer, and there was no lack of people who took us up on it, meaning a massive inflow of cold hard cash that we'd never really had that much of before. Sure, we had been able to make ends meet, and we had a good few contractors on retainer in addition to two fronts, but our status rather came from strength of personality then actual holdings.

What had compounded the complexity of expanding our influence through these new funds was the fact that our leader, Don Fenneli, a gentle and wise fox dog of over thirty, decided to abdicate to me to basically retire from the seat and let another generation continue the legacy. I hadn't the experience to take the reins that quickly, but I tried to keep up appearances and accepted, though now instead of being surrounded by our loyal people, I was surrounded by business, pure and simple. I'd taken it stride, buying a new computer and accounting software to try and tighten up the expenditures of the family, because I had a sneaky feeling that with so much money going around, there was an awful good chance that some might not be followed quite as closely as it should. I did my best, but there was just so much that a single poor horse can do, and I soon found myself swimming in unknown waters. There was a solution though, and I was all too willing to try it out.

During the time that Ulrich had been here, he'd introduced me to pretty much everyone at the resort though the manager was someone I knew pretty well, being my kid brother Marcello. I put down my mug and turned off the CPU, shaking my head around to get my eyes back in focus as I left the office at our restaurant front. Before, I would have walked the way to the Rockwell-Sheppard resort, but as Don, everyone insisted that I wasn't really entitled to take that kind of risk. Wasn't I? I must have broken some old traditions, because I only got rides when the business was out of town, or if I judged that the situation called for it. I waved to the guards at the door of the front and told them my intended destination, and as usual, they looked on the edge of insisting that I accept a ride, but like very time they simply gave a nervous acknowledgment and wished me well, knowing that whatever they said, I wouldn't change my mind. Since becoming Don, I also had kept another habit, that is my Goth taste and dress, though with the salary of my position, I'd been able to afford a few more costumes, including the one I wore then, a black trench coat with more buckles and chains then I could shake a stick at, weighing probably a good twenty pounds. I liked the sound of the metal pinging as I walked, as well as the looks that I got from other pedestrians, who certainly couldn't guess what my occupation was from my uniform. Dons wore Armani suits and tailored clothes, not alternative wear like I sported, which sure made for a nice front. I reached the resort within the half-hour and walked in with a composed air, looking around for my brother or his assistant manager, a lioness named Lamia who I'd also met in a more then casual manner more then once. Truth be told, I'd rarely seen someone with loose morality like her, save for my middle brother Paul, but it wasn't anything that affected her work or life other then then fact she really, really like love. Nothing wrong with that...

I heard a cough from the front desk, looking over to see the attendant looking at me with a confused face, as if he wondered what exactly I was seeking. I strode over to him and shook his hand in a friendly manner, getting a polite smile from him and a greeting in return.
-Welcome to the RS Malta, sir.
-Thank you, I appreciate it. I'm looking for your manager, Marcello. Do you know where he would be?
-He's in his office at the moment, I believe. Would you like to see him, sir?
-Please, yes. Tell him that it's his brother Aquarius.
-His brother! My apologies, sir, I would have come sooner if I'd known.
-Your conduct was irreproachable, I corrected.
The attendant looking flattered as he led me past the conference rooms on the first level and opened a private door leading to the executive offices of the resort. The good lad left me to the care of the secretary at the office's reception, to whom I introduced myself and asked to see Marcello. She nodded and showed me to my brother's corner office, recently renovated, like the rest of the wing. My bro glanced over to see who was being announced as the secretary spoke, then sprung to his hooves and walked up to hug me.
-Hey bro, called Marcello. How's your new racket?
-Hell on the eyes, I replied. It's more accounting and financial analysis then actual family affairs, you see. I got a new number-crunching machine but I'll be honest, it's hard to keep track of everything that goes on.
-Fenneli didn't really keep tight books, then?
-He did what he had to so that things would run smoothly, but now with the money we have rolling in with the docks and import-exports, we're running one hell of an operation.
-Wow! I should have stuck around, laughed Marcello. Want a drink? We can take a break at the lounge.
-Hey, thanks! So things are good here too, Marcy?
-Marcy... fine, I'll call you Aqua then, grinned the stallion. Things are... things are kind of bad.
-What gives? Not enough guests, or just too quiet for you?
-Oh, we have enough guests and everything, but RS is going in a downwards spiral, fast. They cut some resorts at the same time we opened, but they also opened two more at the same time, so they didn't really regain any ground in their debts, they just shifted them elsewhere.
-So it's not a guarantee that things will stay as peachy here?
-It's rather uncertain, and they're talking about some more restructuring. Ulrich gave me a few good warnings about it before he headed back to his homeland too. I can afford it if this goes down...
-Yeah, I'll just hire you back, bro. Family positions have infinite callback periods.
-Yeah, chuckled Marcello as we took a couple of champagne sparklers at the bar. Well, the one person who would suffer would be Lamia. I'm really doing all I can here to make life easier for her, but I know that she's afraid of losing this position ever since Ulrich talked to her about RS' finances.
-Poor lioness, I sighed. She's a sweet kitten, isn't she? I wish that I could do something to put her at ease, though just hiring her out of this place and throwing her into a business that she knows little about isn't much of a favor.
-Make her? I doubt that she'd know where to start to find her way. I wonder...
-What? Out with it, Aqua...
-Well, like I said before, we're goddamn loaded right now with this cash we're seeing pour in, and there's no point to just accumulating it or putting it on little investments anymore. We have enough of those, and we don't need to peddle influence anymore since the police fell in with us. So I was thinking, just off the top of my mane here, that we could make a generous offer to RS to buy this resort off their hands. It would make a heck of a better meeting place then the restaurant, and sort of move us out of the last century into this one.
-Buy the resort? That's one mean investment, but there's a steady profit coming from it to compensate for the initial sum. The real question would be what RS would ask for it, if they're willing to let it go at all.
-Only one way to find out, I replied with a shrug. I'll contact their head office and see if I can make something happen. Or maybe I should call Ulrich first? He might know someone better.
-Why not? You have his number?
-I have the Bronco's so that should patch me through to the old cat in no time.
-Need a phone? I just got a this new cell.
-Cute little bat, I exclaimed as I looked at the vampire bat on the cell's cover. Do I need to dial anything?
-Nope, just go ahead and I'll send you the bill for the call, grinned Marcello. Just kidding.
-Right, I said as I dialed to the secure line in Miami from my wallet agenda.
-Who is calling, asked the digitalized voice on the other end.
-This is Don Aquarius of Malta, I replied.
-Don Aquarius, confirmed the voice, now returning to normal. This is Don Badger of Miami. It is an honor to talk to you, fellow Don.
-As well, Don Badger. I am looking for Don Ulrich, or at least a number I reach him at. Would you have knowledge of such?
-He returned here a few weeks ago and bought a hotel here, Don Aquarius. I can give you the number of the hotel, and you should be able to contact him directly.
-Wonderful, I said, noting the number. I am grateful, Don Badger.
-I am honored to have helped, Don Aquarius. Good luck and be well.
I returned the greeting and tried the number that the Don had given me, looking over to Marcello, the poor stallion sweating bullets from the tension of the moment. Seconds later, I hear an all to familiar voice pick up on the other end.
-Good morning, this is Ulrich Luther of The Black Stage hotel and cabaret. Who do I have the pleasure of talking to?
-Hello Don Ulrich, it's Aquarius, from Malta.
-Aquarius? Hey, how are things on the island?
-Fame and fortune since you brokered that deal with the police! We're swimming in dough, if you want a bit... but why am I asking? Give me an account number and I'll send you a belated Valentine's Day gift.
-Thanks for the offer, but I'm more then self-sufficient right now, Aquarius. You should see this place! This is going to be nice, as soon as I staff up the cabaret stage.
-Hey, if it's anything like this paradise, I can just imagine. Actually, that's sort of why I called, other then try and keep up with your fleet paws. We were hoping to buy this resort off RS, and we were wondering, what your take on that would be?
-I'd say your odds are good, they're still looking for some quick cash to fill holes in their accounts. The price would probably depend on how fast you can pay them. The quicker the cheaper, to be plain.
-We have enough, I laughed, no problem. To who do I address the check?
-That's the rub; you see, your chances of getting a big yes would be best if you presented your offer to the board of directors in a civilized manner, which means put the cash up front and cut the showmanship to minimum. The board meets every two months, and lucky you, this month's one of them. The meeting's at the corporate head office, on the third Monday of the month.
-That gives us four days. Thanks a bundle, Ulrich.
-Hey, I want the best for you all over there. I never forget a friend, Aquarius.
-Nor does anyone here, panther. Take care, and if you ever come by, it's on us.
-Same here, and bring the gang!
-So we're going to England, said Marcello with a dense Italian accent. Figure it's worth the shot?
-It can't hurt to try, but I recommend that I go with Fenneli and maybe a few other guys instead. You know, for your sake, because having a manager trying to buy off his resort if sort of kinky.
-Plus I can't really afford the time off either. All right, well, good luck, bro. Keep me posted!
-And you were complaining about overseas calls?

I took my leave from Marcello as we returned to his office and left for the restaurant with my mind at ease. As soon as I was back, I visited Fenneli in his office and presented the plan to the fox, who seemed very excited about the idea of getting a more visible establishment in the city.
-This would be nice, said the fox. Finally, we'd have a real place to start looking like a proper clan. Aquarius, since you joined this Family, you've made one heck of a difference for the better. I did my best to keep it alive, but you have the ambition to bring it to another level.
-But you were a wiser Don still, Fenneli. Things are easy when the authorities cooperate.
-Perhaps, shrugged the fox. But still, you are good son of the Family. Before you go and buy the tickets for our flight though, I was hoping you might be in the mood to help out your old Don.
-Ah, you want a stallion special?
-Just a quick little polish, if you might, replied the fox as he undid his belt and pulled out his member.
I nodded with a smile as I knelt behind his desk and fondled him, letting him caress my mane and ears as I pleasured him. These little favors, to my brother's blissful ignorance, was one of the reasons why he had selected me as Don-heir. The fox wasn't open about his orientation as Ulrich, but he was a shade pinker then the cat. Well, a deep shade, to be honest, and he just loved head. I'd found out very quickly through a few comments he'd made shortly after my arrival and assignment as point, but I hadn't protested, seeing beyond the act to what it meant to him. There wasn't anyone to share his affections to be seen, and to feel something pleasant once in a while made him a bit happier then usual. Plus, he was a slim, well-cut vulpine, which made his age hard to guess when he was in the buff... As soon as he finished and I had nibbled on his sack in my own special way, I left him be and ran off to my office to call the travel agency that we had on retainer to order a five-man group package for England. The RS offices were in Southampton, where the company had made their humble beginning as a cruise company long, long ago, and there was no lack of attractions to visit to fill the time before our meeting with the board if we took the flight the next day. I made the purchase and put together a presentation for the board, which devoured the rest of the day, until late in the evening.

I had returned to my apartments behind the restaurant to get a few hours of shut eye before gathering my three best guards and passing by to get our foxy Don to catch the ten-o'clock flight to the North. Though I didn't really mind his company, I gave Fenneli the spot between two guards on the other side of the 3/2 split alley, myself taking the window seat on my end. The vulpine was too busy with the headphones that the air hostess had passed him to comment about it, which meant that wouldn't at all. Good, I thought as I reviewed my figures to try and think how I'd present my idea to the board. Worst comes to worst, I'd just let Fenneli fondle all of them... that could work.

We landed at Heathrow by late afternoon, giving us just enough daylight to get to the four-star hotel in Southampton by train, enjoying the sunset over the flat countryside. At the hotel, I presented our credentials and obtained our keys, which I handed out carefully to have a room alone myself, just in case that I was lucky enough to find polite company sometime, and to save myself from a repeat performance of a trip in Italy where I'd woken up in the middle of the night with the fox Don sitting on my chest jerking off. I'd  gotten him back for that, doing the same to him the next night, and I'd really cream pied the vulpine, he he. I'd have preferred a good vixen instead, and this time, maybe I'd be so lucky to have someone more sensual. Oh yeah, that would be nice. Not wanting to ruin my chances of exploring the city, I left right after I'd unpacked my luggage, warning one of the guards of my departure as I took to the streets in one of my nicer capes. I decided to go ahead and see the Queen's Peace Fountain first, just to get a feel for the old city, as well as let my mind wander a bit in the cool night air. There weren't that many people out, to my disappointment, but still I continued through the streets, guided by a brochure I'd picked up in the hotel lobby on sightseeing in the historic department. Just as I'd hoped, the fountain was even more beautiful by moonlight, and I took a few minutes to sit aside it look at the glimmering drops hit the water. My meditation didn't last too long, unfortunately, as my attention cut to a muffled call from the other side of the plaza. I started towards the sound's apparent origin, and saw a figure pulling at what looked like a woman's purse in the darkness. I shouted for him to stop and step away, but the individual's reaction was anything but positive, the dim glitter of steel appearing in one of his hands. Fearing for the owner of the purse as well as the aggravation of the situation, I took my Beretta from inside my coat and level it at the figure's shoulder, releasing a single wounding shot at the location. From the twisting motion that it made, I knew that it had made contact as intended, and I moved into the fray to confirm my suspicions, keeping my firearm leveled at the fallen form. A female wolf in her late teens stood frozen near the shape, holding the purse I'd signed against her, looking at her attacker until I approached. By the time I'd made my way, a pair of bobbies who had been attracted by the shot had also made their appearance, and quickly took stock of the situation, but their reaction was to my advantage as the wolf bitch started to explain what the apparent victim had been doing to deserve his fate. Taking my testimony, they recommended that I stay available for the next few days and called an ambulance for the attacker, letting me and the wolf go on our way. I found the release a bit abrupt, and took the initiative to ask the bitch if she was all right.
-I hope no harm came to you, madam.
-No, I'm all right, thank you, she replied. Actually, thank you very, very much for coming in right there. I didn't know what was going to happen there for a while.
-My apologies that I had to use my firearm, but I didn't see an alternative. Could I offer you something to recover from this ordeal?
-Sure, smiled the she-wolf. There's a pub over there, if you'd like.
-By your command, I nodded as we walked to the restaurant.
The place wasn't too crowded, nor did it look very classy, but there were enough other being about to bring some manner of comfort for someone who'd been assaulted, and even better, some good cold bitter. I ordered us a paid of pints, handing one to the wolf as soon as the barmaid had passed by with them.
-To you, good lady, I said.
-And my rescuer! My name's Blizzard, Blizzard Black.
-Everyone calls me Aquarius, I returned. My real name's Benjamin, but it's been a while since anyone called me that.
-Aquarius? That's a nice name, giggled Blizzard. My name's real, though. My parents were creative, to say the least. From that coat, I'd say that you're into punk or something like that.
-Gothic, but punk could fit, I shrugged. I'm here with a few associates to meet with a resort company, just business, but I was hoping to see the city for myself before getting into that.
-Well, it's a nice place to live, save for the occasional incidents, like any other. I go the the Queen's Peace once in a while to relax myself, and there are dozens of old sites across the city where you can see walls and towers from past centuries. I'm into archeology, and I hope to study it when I get into college.
-So you're pre-freshman, eh?
-Eighteen, blushed the wolf, just legal in most places, and kind of why I was out tonight. I was trying to find some of my friends that come around these parts sometimes, but I must have missed them. I was on the way home when, you know, that happened.
-Then after this, I'll escort you, if you like.
-Thanks, that would be nice of you. Actually, you said you were here to meet people from a resort company, right? Would it be called Rockwell-Sheppard by any chance?
-Either that's an incredibly educated guess, or you've found a way into my head.
-I'm just asking because that's who my father works for. He's on the board of directors, vice-president.
-Doesn't this just beat all! Well Blizzard, it seems that we have just proved how coincidences do happen in this world.
-I don't really believe in coincidences, grunted the wolf bitch. I think most of the time there's a reason for meetings like this. For starters, I'm pretty darn glad you were there, though. Wow, looks like I was a bit thirstier then you!
-I'll finish up, I shrugged, draining my bock and putting it back down with a hiccup that made Blizzard burst in laughter. Sorry about that!
-That was cute, corrected Blizzard. So, you want to go?
-Right by your side, I nodded.
We returned to the streets with a quiet pace, continuing our conversation on superstition as we followed what seemed to be a very familiar circuit to the wolf. The path brought us into a better neighborhood, where the houses seemed to climb in value quickly until we reached one of the nicer residences, where Blizzard turned around and addressed me.
-Why don't you come in? I'm sure my father will be glad to meet you, Aquarius.
-I wouldn't want to intrude.
-Don't worry about it! He always has people over, so for once, it's my turn.
We walked to the front door, where she took out her keys and unlocked the ingress and pushed it open. Just the atrium, because there was a monster of an atrium right behind the door, would have been enough for me to live in comfortably, but from our point of view, there were a few more rooms on the first level even more lavishly decorated still. Blizzard had enough good laugh at my expression, but took me by the wrist and pulled me along as she called out to see if her father was anywhere within earshot. A deafened voice returned her interrogation, coming from a salon to the left, which we followed, though the overall tone of the situation was about to take a severe blow. Blizzard's father was hunched over on one of the sofas in the room, crying his eyes out, with a folded letter discarded on the ground, telling its contents were probably the cause of his distress.
-Dad, said the bitch as she walked over to hug her father, what's wrong?
-Honey, they kidnapped your mother! They said they had you too, but it's a miracle, you're here!
-Who... not the Bedfords, exclaimed Blizzard. Why, why do they always pick on us, dad?
-I'm sorry to intrude, I said as I took a step forwards, but perhaps I may be of assistance, sir.
-What? Who are you, if I may ask?
-He saved me tonight, said Blizzard. Someone tried to take my purse, and he shot them to get the cops' attention.
-Then you saved my daughter from this terrible fate! Bless you, stallion. My name is Walther, Walther Black, vice-president of Rockwell-Sheppard. You say you could help, but this letter says that should I try anything, they... they'll kill Martha.
-Who are 'they'?
-The Bedfords, sighed the wolf. They're rich folk from the north, and the father of the family, Pascal, was in the running for my position. It was discovered that he had tried to pay off some of the board members and they were dismissed. Since then, they've done anything they could to hurt us; trivial lawsuits, wild slanderous accusations, and now this! They're wretched brutes, nothing less, and I fear they would follow though on this, if I don't leave my position within a day's delay.
-Sir, my name is Aquarius, Don of the Falcon Family of Malta. I came here for other reasons, but I have with me a number of my best men, and we would be in measure to rescue your wife, if you could tell us where the Bedfords reside.
-Their mansion is a fortress! They're to the north, twenty kilometers out of town, started the wolf, getting a pen and drawing me a map. I don't know how you plan on trying this, but I would owe you everything if you would succeed!
-We will succeed, I declared, as well as eliminate these Bedfords. They will no longer be a problem for your family, and will meet the Lord's tribunal to explain their misdeeds.
-There's the father, and his two sons, continued Walther as he rose and embraced me. Bless you, sir.
I held the wolf for a moment, then asked for a phone to called the guards at the hotel, instructing for them to take all weapons in our rooms and steal a vehicle to come to the Black's home for an immediate ad-hoc rescue operation. I returned to the two canines and tried to settle their nerves by explaining how qualified we were with rescues of the sort, and reassured them that our affiliation was nothing that we wouldn't be proud to call out at Saint Peter's gates. I didn't expect much of a reaction from them though, but I still tried to keep them composed until the rest of my group arrived, simply helping themselves into the atrium and standing to.
-Quentin isn't with you, I commented. Is there a reason for it?
-Sir, our old Don was... busy with company when we tried to locate him.
-Indisposed, eh? Well, we're more then enough. Did you bring my rifle and silencer, Nate?
-Here, sir, said one of the men as he handed me my hunting rifle and a silencer for my pistol. We have a vehicle at our disposal.
-Then we'll go.
I fell into the group as we migrated to the beige sedan parked in front of the residence, and took off, following the map that Walther had given me. I debriefed the group on the situation, and ordered a weapons check before we entered the mansion, and for everyone to use silenced firearms unless it became necessary to do otherwise.

It was pitch dark as we reached the front gates of the walled-off mansion and stopped the car to disembark. One by one, we scaled the concrete wall and landed in bushes on the other side. Silenced pistols drawn, we made our approach to the building, taking out three targets patrolling the front of the home with precise head shots, two on my account. We flanked the front door as we prepared to breach it, and on the count of three, turned the handles and pushed it open, jumping in to take out four more armed targets inside. We patrolled the first level carefully, breaching each of the rooms in rapid succession, finding both of the younger Bedfords together sharing a glass in a private salon and doing away with them without further ado. Leaving only the elder of the three to be dealt with and Martha Black to be located, we sidestepped up the main staircase, taking out a pair of targets in the adjoining room before checking the smaller rooms one by one, each time disappointed. The last door led to the master bedroom, obviously, and I carefully cracked it open to get a general look inside before we made our entrance. The elder Bedford, a senile-looking terrier, was talking to three of his men, his last to our knowledge.
-So the bitch is tied, as I had asked?
-She is, my lord, said the guard. She was stripped, as you ordered.
-Very well. When I'm done with her, do away with her and leave nothing to be found, am I clear?
-Yes, my lord.
-Good. That old dog will see what getting in my way will win him! I am disappointed that you didn't locate his daughter, for I was hoping... well, nothing. Be on your way.
My mind must have entered an autopilot mode as I kicked in the door and sent four projectiles into the accursed skulls of each of the room's occupants, not even flinching, getting a few whispers of admiration from my group.
-I didn't become your Don because I'm just a good looking stallion, I replied. Xavier, police their weapons.
-Done, called my guard.
-Good, now avert your eyes and watch the door.
I walked to the door communicating with the anteroom, opening it to find Martha nude, tied by her wrists and ankles over the bed's foot board on the elder Bedford's mattress. Her sight turned to me as I entered and called out in mad reprimand.
-What, do you want to rape me? You must be one miserable spawn of hell to have to come down to this to get any! I hate you! Just touch me, and I swear I'll kill you!
-Are you Martha Black, milady?
-Of course I am! What you want to call out my name when you have your way with me?
-No, I've come to rescue you from here and return you home, Martha. Let me cut your bonds.
-You are! You have no idea what they tried to do, said the bitch as I cut her ropes and handed her a bed cover. One of them tried to take my breasts, but I bit the bastard! Are they... are they dead?
-Yes, they are, all of them. Where did they put your clothes, Martha?
-They tore them off, growled the wolf as she pointed to the discarded items aside the bed. I'll be fine, I'll just use this as a toga, like back in college.
-If you're sure, but we're heading straight to your home after this.
-My husband knows this flesh as well as me, grinned the woman as she draped the fabric over her shoulder, and my daughter comes from it. Could we?
We left the room and gathered the group as we returned to the first level of the mansion. I ordered for the bodies outside to be brought inside and a fire to be started, which my men did diligently, looking mighty proud of their work as we returned to the gates, unlocking them from the inside and climbing into the car in time to see our blaze spreading throughout the building, assuring that there wouldn't be much proof of our work by the time that the services arrived. We didn't stick around either, gunning hard back to Southampton to the Black home. Walther was waiting in the atrium for us as we entered, and ran to hold his wife the moment she walked in.
-Martha! You're safe!
-Walther, Blizzard! These people came and killed the Bedfords! I saw them, Walther, shot to death. This is that last time that they touch us, in any damned way!
-Aquarius, I don't know what to say, said the wolf as he turned to me and started shedding tears on joy. This is a miracle, you're a living Saint! A Saint Judith to come to the rescue of the helpless!
-It was an honor to help, sir, I replied as the two walked off to let out some steam.
-Thanks a lot, Aquarius, said Blizzard, coming over to give me a big hug. Why don't you stay? I could put you up.
-I wouldn't...
-Look, grinned the bitch, you're staying, all right? I know you're a good guy, but I'd like to think you're not walking away from us empty handed.
-Men, I'm extremely proud of you, I said as I turned to my guards. Now, I'd like you to dispose of our vehicle in a discrete fashion and stand watch over Quentin and make sure he doesn't gamble off, all right?
-Of course, we'll get gasoline, confirmed one of the men.
The group moved out to take care of the last details of the mission, leaving Blizzard and me standing in the atrium looking at each other. She took my wrist again and pulled me to the study on the first floor, pouring us a glass of fine gin from her father's reserve, toasting to the night's trappings. Two rounds after, we'd cooled down from our emotions, and more familiar then we'd tried to stay before.
-It’s good to have some time to think, said Blizzard. Most of the time, things just seem to go so fast around home that I can hardly keep my mind together.
-With your father in RS’ higher echelons, it must be a headache to cope.
-More lonely then anything, to be honest. He’s away most of the time, and mother has a lot to do as well, with our foundation to look after. We have a foundation, you see, for forest preservation in Great Britain, and she heads it herself, God bless her.
-Quite a position to fill indeed. But what about their girl, Blizzard? What does she do other then walk the cold streets on moonlit nights?
-She finished her prep school this year, grinned the wolf, and she’s waiting for replies from Cambridge and Oxford, in archeology, like I’d mentioned at the pub. Other then that, well, I follow my father on his trips once in a while, and I try to find friends to socialize a bit. But that isn’t where I have the most success, really.
-Sorry to hear it, Blizzard.
-It’s fine, waved the bitch, but everyone I’ve know save for a few, always look at me differently because we’re better off then most. It just gets tiresome, because I don’t ask my father for money at all, just what he gives me in my account as an allowance, and they always just expect that I can treat them to something for kicking about with me. Plus, I don’t feel comfortable doing it either.
-They just profiteer from knowing you, I commented. I can understand, I’ve had some rough times like that too.
-Really now?
-Well, being in the Family, yes. It gives a lot of influence and money, and there’s no lack of people that’ll try to get me to do them favors, give them a little cut of money or simply ask if they can pull a trigger some time.
-Good Lord! That’s monstrous, exclaimed Blizzard. Why would they ask that?
-Because they don’t have any idea why we do what we do. We don’t just walk around murdering anyone that get in our way or rubs us the wrong way, certainly not! People like the Bedfords, cruel, evil people that the police can’t do anything about, that will continue to ply their trade it no one does anything, those are the ones we take care of.
-Evil thrives when good men do nothing, smiled the bitch. But good men do act through you, Aquarius. –Thank you!
-Do you do it often, then? Is this kind of action often necessary?
-Not often, I corrected. Very, very rarely do we do anything like tonight, but we must.
-I think of you as brave and true steed for doing so at any rate.
-And I think of you as a curious young wolf for asking, I chuckled.
-The feminine for a wolf is a bitch, Aquarius, blushed Blizzard.
-I... I avoid its’ use for the meaning it often finds itself associated with.
-But I insist that you can, as I use ‘stallion’ to describe you. The associations that you mention don’t apply to me that well, though...
-Though..?
-After tonight, I feel like having another heart to listen to as I sleep, said Blizzard as she reached over and took my hand. Would I be able to listen to your strong, brave heart, Aquarius?
-Certainly, I replied, slowly leaning over and giving the girl a warm, passionate kiss.
-Oh yes, whispered Blizzard as we parted. Come on, stallion, we shall see what we shall see...
Blizzard got to her paws and led me up the atrium’s great staircase to the eastern side of the residence, where guest rooms as well as hers were to be found. She pushed open the door of her bedroom and let me in before closing it behind her, then sat on the majestic solid oak bed, throwing off her socks and flexing her paws. I smiled at her and sat as well, taking off the hard rubber sabots that I wore over my hooves, doubling as both socks and shoes, clapping them together to her amusement. Blizzard followed up by pulling her three-quarter-sleeve shirt over her head, humming as I wrapped my arms around her and caressed her soft fur as I nuzzled her neck. I was too distracted to notice she had undone by shirt buttons and peeled back the fabric, but as soon as I’d cast it aside, she took off her pants, fluffing her coat while my gaze traveled from her modest, subtle chest to the fork of her thighs, covered by light cotton panties matching her pale duvet. She looked a bit shy until I put away my twill trousers, her stare simply locking on my crotch as soon as it came into view. I chuckled and guided her muzzle back to face me and gave her a kiss as I voiced my thoughts.
-I take it that this is your first time, right?
-Yes, nodded Blizzard. I want it, Aquarius, but just be gentle, okay?
-I wouldn’t even think of any other way, I assured her, undoing her brassiere and pulling it back to see her cute breasts, topped off by hard black teats simply begging to be touched.
-Aquarius, this is wonderful, sighed the wolf as I suckled on her and massaged her hips. I take back something I said, though.
-Which would be, I asked, turning from her chest for a moment.
-I’m your bitch, she laughed. How big are you, down there I mean?
-This, I replied as I took off my underwear and loosely held my member.
-Wow, moaned Blizzard as she took it from between us as we lay down. Take off my knickers, pony.
-Off they go, I said as I pulled off her panties and ran my fingers on her clit.
-Oh God, she called as I touched her genetilia. Oh God, I want it, Aquarius! Do your bitch, pony, she wants you bad.
I could feel Blizzard’s crotch dripping wet as I worked three fingers in her vagina, normally enough for me. She howled twice just from that, but as soon as I penetrated her and lay on her beautiful body, she quieted down and simply moaned and whimpered. She smiled as her breasts started bouncing, holding them as I caressed and kissed her face, then asked to turn on her back for me to really, really get her there. My eyes dilated at the offer and I pulled out of her, letting her do so, then put myself in her again and took a more vigorous pace in my movements, stepping up the whimpers and groans of pleasure from the wolf. Finally, as our bodies were starting to fail our passions, I came in Blizzard, the warmth of my ejaculation the last provocation she needed to hit third orgasm. I slowly pulled out of her and slumped down on the bed, letting Blizzard put her head on my shoulder and cuddle up as we let our breaths return to normal.
-Daddy, I want a pony, giggled the wolf.
-But you’ve already got one here, I said with a hinny. You’re a godsend, Blizzard.
-As if you weren’t, she chuckled. This is perfect, Aquarius.
-I smell bedlam if your parents were to find us like this, though.
-Doubtful, grunted Blizzard. They kind of read into us when we were talking, I could tell.
-Then our dreams shall be one, I sighed, caressing Blizzard’s back. Good night, my canine angel.
-Your bitch, muttered the wolf with a smile as she closed her eyes.

A strange sharp pain came from my shoulder as I woke up, my eyes opening to see Blizzard nibbling on me. Nothing malicious, of course, but her teeth were designed for effect, and those fangs I felt in her kisses poked at me until I tickled her side. That was sadly a very bad idea as the wolf was very, very ticklish and her first reaction was not to open her eyes to laugh but rather clench them, and her four canines pricked my skin. She looked in horror as she pulled back, but I was used to nips and cuts from my career, and I was quick to apply pressure to them until I asked for a dressing. Blizzard hopped to her paws and put on a night robe before speeding off to return with a length of dressing and a gauze pad, giving me time to put my pants back on. I smiled and stole a kiss from her as I applied it all the while trying to make her forget about it with jokes about what worst treatment my mortal coil had suffered through the years. She looked embarrassed at the incident, but she seemed to be willing to put it aside and gave me a long hug before I threw on my shirt and we left the room to try and find Blizzard’s parents. We heard them calling from the dining room to the back or the residence as we came down the stairs, and were welcome by the two wolves to a classic two eggs and sausage breakfast, though Walther’s first words were an apology for the meat.
-I wasn’t too sure about those, said the wolf. Is your diet omnivore?
-To an extent yes, I nodded. I take it you both feel better after all of yesterday’s unfortunate events?
-Fortunate, rather, that you were so close at hand, Aquarius, corrected Martha as she handed me a copy of the morning edition. It was on the front page, alas.
-We policed our casings, wore gloves, and wore soft soles, therefore if the police do find anything, it wouldn’t be anything that would implicate us, I shrugged. Ah, they found the car too, but there’s no connection between the stories. Well! I’d say that this went well. The official count is... thirty-two? I thought there were more then that. Oh well...
-Superman with a pistol, smiled Martha. Give us a hug, hero.
-Oh now, I just did what I could, I smiled as the four of us cuddled.
-While we’re talking, said Walther as we sat back down, were you here on business or leisure, Aquarius? I take it if you were here with your men, there was some reason why you came to Southampton other then be pulled down by a pack of grateful wolves.
-Pulled down, I said with a shiver up my back, I hope you don’t have that in mind! The Second Genesis was a few centuries ago, after all. Well, I was here to come present a proposal to your company, actually, sir.
-A proposal! My ears twitch in anticipation, stallion! What could it be?
-I understand that Rockwell-Sheppard has been through dangerous water in the last few months, underlined by the closing of some smaller holdings. I would have hoped to aid in whatever capacity I could to avoid further difficulties, as well as perhaps assist in liquidating a few more holdings that might have been overlooked during the closures.
-I am going to hug you again, and maybe even give you a wet one right on the nose, Aquarius, said Walther. Do you know what we were going to talk about at the meeting this week? Exactly what you’re proposing, you wonderful equine! What region were you thinking of?
-The Mediterranean, I replied, Malta, Italy, that side of the world. We could hold them until your basis is solidified, then re-transfer them to you at that time.
-Martha, forgive me my love, but I am going to kiss them stallion, said Walther and he grabbed my shoulders and gave me a tight embrace. If I need to, I’ll use my authority on the board to make this pass. I assume that to top it off, you have funds at hand for the handover?
-As it would be yes, depending of the importance of the transaction.
-I’m sure we could come to a sensible agreement, grinned Walther. Until then, I must insist that you are welcome under our roof anytime.
-Aquarius, started Blizzard, could I tag along with you for a while? I swear I won’t be a burden, but I could use the distraction.
-If you like, I can’t object. I was just planning to take in the sights today, as well as keep myself posted as to the investigation on our barbecue.
-Then you have a tour guide, said the young wolf, putting her head on my shoulder.
-It’s good to see you with someone, Blizzard, said Martha. I worry about you sometimes, with those... well, it’s good to see you in such company as our stallion here.
-I know mother, nodded Blizzard, but yet every lock has a key to be found.
We walked until the young bitch vanished to go change for our visit and Walther invited me for a spot of superior brandy to push on the sausages.
-I take it this isn’t outside your diet either, he joked as he passed me the glass.
-Thankfully not, I replied. A toast to your health, sir.
-And yours, said the wolf as he settled into his seat. Yes, it’s good to see my pup with such a good man. It frightens me sometimes when she goes out alone, as a father and everything.
-I can understand, there are all kinds of creatures on the streets.
-A sad reality to contend with, but such is the case. But with you, at least I know her to be in safety. Aside from those, what do you feel about Blizzard?
-Sir, I want only the best for Blizzard and would gladly pay any price for her happiness. For as long as God allows me, I would serve as a shield for her and strive to bring her joy.
-I couldn’t have wished for more! She’s a beautiful child, but to see her with nothing but only stones and relics sometimes makes me question if she truly feels a love for her prospective career or rather just something to pass the time.
-Has she ever considered an internship or a placement to explore the domain?
-No, she hasn’t, though it might be a good idea. There are quite a few sites in Malta, aren’t there?
-Old medieval fortifications and chapels, plus all manner of the like, I replied. So you suggest that she could return with me to the island?
-Like I said, in your caring arms, I know she’ll be safe and happy. And while you’re there, who knows? Maybe you and her, you know... anything’s possible!
-Where love grows, there can be no darkness.
The next two days couldn’t have gone smoother if I’d played God and scripted them myself. The Scotland Yard was delightfully forwards with their findings on the Bedford elimination, or the Bedford Bloodbath, as the media had coined it. The only connection that I’d truly been concerned about them finding would have been that between the bullet they’d inevitably retrieve from Blizzard’s assailant and those in the bodies at the mansion, but there wasn’t a peep about that, not even a single comment. Whatever the case, I was free to roam the city and countryside with Blizzard, or Blizz as I’d started calling her after she’d taken to calling me Aqua. Fenneli stayed out of our group though, excusing himself to go and party like a lunatic at the city’s gay bars and nightclubs, coming back far more tried and terrible looking then our historic tourism could have made us. My nights were beyond magical, staying with my wolf girl through the moonlit hours, our affection growing with each cuddle and embrace. I didn’t have the heart to tell her father right away, but his thoughts of us getting together in a more formal way were becoming much more realistic as time went by. I talked about it with Blizzard on the third night, as if was just a natural thing to discuss, and she replied that she’d say yes to a band on her finger anytime I put it to her.
-I wouldn’t even think of saying no, said the bitch. The second you propose, I’m hauling our tails to the altar!
-Aw well, I guess that it won’t be too long. In terms of timing though, maybe after your ‘internship’ in Malta, as your father had put it, we could come back here and…
-How about in Malta, period? I mean the sun would be better for the pictures there then it could ever be here. Either you and your folks all fly here, or my parents fly there, there’s travel involved either way.
-Malta it is, I shrugged, pulling her against me and nibbling her ears.
-That tickles, she growled, pulling the sheets over us as we took to bed. Grr…

The morning of the RS board meeting, I sat down with Walther and talked simple, pure business, both of us showing our hands to the other, admitting shortfalls, problems and loopholes with total honesty. I tuned my offer to the chain’s present state, wording it to their advantage for the most part and insisting that I knew that their troubles were only a passing cloud.
-You’re a shrewd businessman, Aquarius. I’d hate to have to compete against you!
-You have far more experience then me, sir. I don’t know contracts in a formal sense of the word, and I’ve never touched court.
-So you’ve always been spared lawsuits, then?
-We… try to settle out of court, whether it is through a generous settlement, or other means of persuasion.
-I underline my first comment!
-Well, you know…
-I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse, said the wolf with a pretty good Brando voice. Sorry, Aqua, I had to say it. Ah, we should get going. Will you be coming alone, or with your group?
-I might make a better impression alone, to be honest. They’ll think that Al Capone is paying them a visit otherwise!
Walther laughed out at the comment and called up a limousine to come drive us to the RS offices. I tried to time my exit from the car so that it didn’t seem like I was really planning anything too much in advance, which could have been seen as favouritism from the wolf. We walked the rest of the way to the massive conference hall where the board was to assemble, in which a few of its members were already scattered. Walther introduced me to them, explaining my purpose there, each time getting various levels of curiosity and passionate optimism. At last, the president of the corporation, a short wombat well into his sixties, made his appearance and came to greet Walther, turning his attention to me as the wolf explained my offer, just generally.
-My name is Steve Blackmore, said the president. If your offer is truly as grand as it seems, then I cannot wait to hear more from you! There’ll be some prattling beforehand, but be assured you will be the first to speak afterwards.
-Thank you sir, this is a great pleasure.
-Pleasure is always a part of business, smiled Steve. Come, and let’s see how our company has sailed the stormy seas as of late…
 We took our seats, myself taking one right aside Walther at the president’s insistence, and a long hour of figures, graphs and almost theological debates about the policy that RS should be aiming for to aid in its recovery. They’d done pretty well, from what I gathered, though there were sums missing from a few of the larger properties I would have sent a made man to look into myself if I’d seen such back in Malta. I commented as such to Walther, scribbling the words ‘funds being stolen from’ and the names of the companies on a piece of paper and sliding it to him, getting an astounded air from him, then a questioning stare I replied to with a sharp nod. He passed it along to Steve, who glared at it before looking at us with a grin and announcing that an internal audit should be done at the locations I’d noted, passing a unanimous motion to have it scheduled within the month.

I kept to my plan as I explained my proposal, answering questions as the board asked them. Blackmore was the most curious understandably and was very sharp when it came to the question of returning properties after the solidification of RS’ holdings. As I’d suspected, the moment I brought out the financial statements of our front in Malta, eyes were locked open on the projector, really making me wish that I’d cleaned the sheets to a shine and hadn’t left a suspicious number lying around. That didn’t seem to be the case and soon enough, the wombat had raised a supporting motion to accept the offer, putting it to a free vote. Hands raised one by one, reaching a fourteen to three acceptance, the dissenting minority looking a bit uncomfortable at having been in opposition. All in all, we were to take four resorts for a total of two hundred million dollars, which was about half of what the Maltese Falcons had in the coffers. As the agreement’s terms were negotiated and the secretary drafted its’ first version, I stood my ground steadfast, careful to protect the RS Malta from any clause which could had allowed for its’ seizure or eventual return, playing a bit hard perhaps. Still, after two hours of talks, the deal was more or less concluded, save for the final contract, which would be drafted during the afternoon as per the terms we had discussed. With nothing further to discuss, the meeting disbanded and I gave Walther a smile as we got up.
-Well done, said the wolf, careful that Blackmore had left. That was astounding, Aqua! How did you see the fraud?
-That kind of slow, increasing leak is typical when someone’s cutting into a take or a regular payoff. I’m used to looking for this kind of detail and recover the funds without delay.
-An internal audit will deal with it harshly, nodded Walther. Come, let’s go home and we’ll celebrate your contract properly, eh?
I called ahead without the wolf knowing to order a bottle of champagne to be put in the car for us to drain on the way back to the Black residence. The canine almost sat on it when we got it, laughing as I quickly pulled it out of the way and popped the cork out the window. Half of it was gone as we pulled into the driveway, and two quite jolly souls ambled out to meet the locals. Martha exploded in hysterical laughter as she saw her normally quite self-disciplined husband with his arm wrapped around me calling out cheers to the sun and sky with a bottle shaking about. I gave a better though quite short explanation about the outcome of the meeting to the wolves before escorting Walther to the salon and plopping his furry gray tail on his sofa to sleep it off. I took a moment to call Marcello and tell him to spread the word that the resort was in good hands, getting more then a little euphoria in response.
-So the resort’s ours now, bro? When will it be transferred to our hands?
-As soon as the contract’s signed, which should be tomorrow afternoon or the day after next early in the morning. We also inherited three others here and there, but here’s a wonderful coincidence; all of the cities where they’re located also have a Family! I was thinking of subletting to them as a favor, which we can pull from too.
-The Falcons are going international, laughed my brother. Well, as soon as you give the word, I’ll change the locks here and give the signs a facelift. Lamia’s here and she says that we could call it ‘The Falconer’.
-Nice one Lamia, I nodded. That would suit it quite nicely, plus hey, we could have a little bird of prey show once in a while if we find a zoo or something that keeps a few.
-That’s my bro, called Marcello. Hey, I’ll get on all this pronto. Keep me posted!
-Shall do; take care, Marci.
-Bye, Aqua.
I hung up and twisted the booze kinks from the nape of my neck, hopping up to find Blizzard and take her shopping as an excuse to fetch some clothes from my luggage at the hotel and check up on Quentin. The bitch was in her room, flipping through a book on the history of the Crusades, concentrating on Malta and the surrounding islands, trying to get a mental inventory of things to do and see while she was on her extended field trip. I snuck up behind her, kissing the side of her neck as I held her sides, sliding up my hands to take her breasts.
-Hello Blizz, I said as I put my chin on her shoulder. Looking for some real estate?
-Just trying to put myself through a refresher on this little corner of the world, replied the wolf. I’ll need some lighter clothing though, because this place looks hot!
-The thermometer never touches below twenty, indeed. How about we go buy you a few sets, eh?
-I’ll go see how much I...
-Hush, hush, Blizz, I’ll see to it. You won’t even look at the prices, okay?
-Fine, smiled the bitch, giving me a long kiss, it’s your credit history!
-Snuggly wolfie, I hummed, hugging Blizzard. Snuggle shunuggle.
The girl giggled and threw on a coat before we headed out downtown. I opted to make my stop by the hotel first, meeting with one of my guards to get an update on the situation. They had been enjoying the hell of themselves in the city, including the ex Don, and the Yard had been drifting further and further from us in their investigation into the Bedford case, all and all a perfect report. I warned that we were to leave as soon as the contract was signed with a new passenger, then hurried to jump into a black cape and matching pants from my stuff, tossing a few pants and underwear into a bag to bring along. That over and done with, I hopped along with Blizz into a handful of tailor shops she frequented, picking up a good dozen complete uniforms to mix and match, all making the wolf look screaming hot in my opinion, which I voiced every time she asked for my input. Evening was upon us by the time that we returned from the great shopping expedition, and after a light supp at the Black table followed by a listen to a few of the wolves’ favorite classical overtures over a glass of port, Blizz and I headed for bed.

The next morning, we headed out for breakfast at a nearby hotel, my treat, for a change. The conversation took a turn towards Malta, both of the parents hungry for information on the island where their beloved daughter would be visiting. Between plates or lavishly prepared tucker, I answered their queries, including a few on the Maltese Falcons themselves.
-So what exactly do you participate in, asked Martha, other then protecting the poor and the innocent? I don’t want to pry, but I do worry for everyone I know by nature.
-Well, I started as I looked around to be sure there wasn’t anyone suspiciously interested in the conversation, right now our main business is the port, in the capital. We’re serving as a go-between for shipments of what-have-you crossing the waters of the sea, mostly just petty smuggling and the like. Funny enough, most of the items we shuttle are actually quite mundane, and their proprietors just normal run-of-the-mill corporations that want to skip the red tape to get orders across. I calculated it out last week, and I came to the conclusion it costs about three thousand dollars a container less to smuggle through our port then to go through the usual barricade of bureaucratic banter. Aside from that, well, we control the majority of soft drugs and escorts in the city, though I’ve been seriously cutting down on that side or our business since we’ve acquired the leverage to enter real estate.
-So you buy and sell properties too, asked Walther, or manage them as well?
-Buy, hold and renovate, sell with a reasonable profit margin, I replied. I have to be honest and say that a lot of the smaller homes and businesses in the city can use a hand and a facelift for time has been anything but kind to them, and there isn’t all that much money flowing around town. We can afford to be a bit open about our work because the local police have a deal with us for mutual assistance.
-A deal? You mean you give them amounts for silence, asked Walther, looking a bit cross.
-No, nothing like that. We actually trade our help in keeping the island safe from encroaching gangs and organizations from other countries, as well as hard to touch particulars, in return for their lenience in our regard. We don’t abuse it though, not at all. It’s been quite a while since we’ve had to do anything, really.
-This is so strange, sighed Martha. I almost feel terrible for having ever felt any harsh feelings towards the mafia now!
-Strange, magical, call it what you will, I shrugged. I call it home.
The breakfast finished with a cute burp from Blizzard as we left the hotel, getting a giggle from me in reply while we boarded the RS limo to the head offices. Walther had received a phone call regarding the contract for the sale of the four resorts to us, and as soon as we made our appearance in the lobby, a security officer came to meet us and advise us of the document’s readiness at the legal offices on the third floor. Thanking the good lad, we took the lift up and stated our purpose to the receptionist, getting a plain brown envelope containing the contract and a signature pen to sign it with. We took our places at a little salon near the desk to review it, both Walther and I taking our time to consider the clauses of the agreement very carefully before I signed it, handing it to him to do the same. The signature of the president was already on it so therefore with no further ado, it became a binding agreement. I almost felt like saying something witty as I handed the envelope back, but stayed my tongue and simply thanked Walther for all his help as we took the cab to his office. There, we parted ways for the day, Blizzard and Martha returning to their home while I made my way to the hotel to pack up my group and be ready to move out around eight, when the plane for Malta was to leave. I called Blizz to inform her of the flight number and time, and set a rendezvous her place so we’d be able to pick her up. Well, that and for me to actually give her a ticket for the flight, as it would be.

Around 6 o’clock, we rolled by the Black residence in a rental cabriolet, saluting the wolf couple as they exchanged farewells with their daughter. As she boarded the car, I gave her a tight hug and shook Walther’s hand through the window, promising him to come back soon. He waved at us with Martha as we headed out to the airport, making very good time. We surrendered the vehicle at the agency desk near the main entrance, and then hurried along to get our tickets and survive customs. All our weapons were packed together in a special briefcase in the cargo, and we could hardly keep in laughs as the flustered guards tried to find something, obviously aware who we were somehow. Nonetheless, they came up deuces and after ten minutes we walked through to the embankment area. The flight board read that our plane had landed way ahead of schedule, and was already taking on passengers, seeing us jogging along to get on as well. Being with Blizzard,  I forewent my tradition of making the hostesses turn pink with dirty little comments, and simply plopped down to cuddle with the wolf girl instead, huddling until the bells came on to buckle up for takeoff. Having put in the extra cash to be in first class, we were offered three in-flight movies, as well as extra pillows, which was just as well, because both me and Blizz had accumulated something of a sleep deficit over the last few days, and the night flight offered an opportunity to make up for it.

By the time we woke up, the plane was about to start its landing procedure, and the buckle light was back, blinking a happy rhythm. Before we knew it, we were at the airport, looking at the luggage parade by on the carousel. As I was hauling mine off the threads, I felt a hand on my shoulder, spinning around to almost collide with a great uniformed figure. Looking up, I saw the friendly face of Rebeka Svensekova, the tigress from the city’s police department.
-Detective, what a surprise!
-Good morning, Aquarius, said the cat. It took the liberty of asking Marcello where you’d disappeared off. I hope you don’t mind, though?
-Not at all, my good lady. If you weren’t concerned about me at all, I’d be much sadder.
-Well spoken! You see, there’s something I needed to talk to you about, but maybe somewhere a little more private?
-At the resort, then. We’ll get drivers for our groups here.
I called two cars from the homestead, one to drive the rest of the Family group home, and another to bring Rebeka, Blizzard and me to the former RS. I called ahead as we were on the road, to get a hold of Marcello, inviting him to join us in exchange for a something resembling a snack. We ran into the resort and up into the room that my bro had designated, finding him munching on an egg salad sandwich from the snack trolley that had been parked aside the living table.
-Make yourselves at home, said Marcello. After all, now it’s ours, eh?
-Lock, stock and barrel, I snickered.
-Sorry, asked Rebeka, I don’t understand?
-Oh, the reason I was off in the UK was to buy this place and three others from RS to have a nice place to call home. That’s where I met Blizzard here, too.
-Blizzard Black, said the wolf girl, shaking the tigress’ hand. Good to meet you.
-Same, same. I’m Rebeka Svensekova, detective.
-So there was something up that was putting your stripes in a loop?
-Right, laughed Rebeka, it’s turning me into a jaguar. Yes, there was. You see, there’s an exhibition coming home to Malta, to be displayed in a private estate out in the subs. We have information that point to it being part of a looted site on one of the western islands of Malta, in an old Teutonic fortress, stolen years ago.
-And you’d like for us to recover it?
-It would be coming through the port, nodded Rebeka. The owner of the exhibition and the estate is very influential in Europe, and he basically somehow got Interpol to disallow us from executing the international warrant on this robbery. Of course you know, I’m the chief’s go-to detective for hard cases since the port gang takedown, and I was put on this assignment. Since he did, the pressure’s been just pure Hell, and I really just want to take care of this quick.
-If recover it like that, it would be illegal and any evidence we collect would be inadmissible.
-I know, sighed the tigress. It’s just that, goddamn, I don’t know what to do about this and I know that this is the sort of case that ends careers, fast and furious. I don’t want to lose my job, Aquarius, but I don’t know where to turn anymore either.
-I’ve got it, I exclaimed. We’ll kidnap the owner and then stage things so it seems that the key evidence is on the boat so you can get a warrant to search it through and through. You’ll be able to build a rock solid case against him by the time we mysteriously dump him ass naked by some deserted road outside the city.
-A giant cat couldn’t ask for a better friend, declared Rebeka, reaching over to hug me. Looks like you saved my stripes again!
-I do what I can for those I care about, I replied with a smile. So, I’ll call the boys as soon as you give me a name, and we’ll pop this guy in a car trunk somewhere. Is he well guarded normally? Do you know?
-He doesn’t have anything more then a bodyguard or two, replied the tigress.
-Sweet, I grinned, picking up my cell phone. Paul, bro! You up for a little pickup and run? The name’s…
-Fernando Rotti.
-Got that, bro? Yeah, just pick him up and stuff him somewhere safe and isolated until I give the green light to throw him back… yeah, nature’s tuxedo on the main road. Call me when you have him, eh? Bye!
-Damn right, sighed Rebeka as she slumped down in the seat. You guys rule.
-I never thought I’d hear that from a policewoman in uniform, said Marcello with an exasperated air of puzzlement. I have to admit I like it though, especially from such a distinguished and beautiful tigress like you, Rebeka.
-Oh, you dog you, blushed the cat. I suppose I could stay a while, if you’d put me up.
-Hey, welcome to the Falconer’s, I called. Marcello, you wouldn’t leave her stray outside in the cold rain, would you?
-Would you, seconded the tigress, turning with a cute little face that could’ve made anyone who would only have seen her face believe she was a little six-year-old kitten.
-Oh God, you could ask for my wallet and car keys with that face and I’d hand them over, replied the stallion.
-Would you give me your wallet, keys and a room, please mister?
-Here, said Marcello, getting out the instructed items. Room 26 is free, and it’s yours as well.
-I’ll take the room, bellowed the tigress, rubbing the horses’ mane. You’re fun, you know that?
-Hey Marcello, I said as I stood to go with Blizzard, watch your tail around that cat, eh?
-Purr, hummed Rebeka, mimicking clawing at my brother with extended claws. I’m going to cook you with onions and a good bottle of red...
-Aquarius, said the stallion, play wrestling with the disproportionately stronger tigress, a hand here?
-We’re off to start moving people and operations here, I replied. Good luck!
The last thing we heard as we took off was a roar and a long hinny as the policewoman pounced on Marcello, getting a good long laugh from the two of us. I called the front and started getting key contractors to route their calls through the resort, and have some of the more exotic items we kept at the front sent over to be stored in the cellar. At the same time, I called a construction we had on retainer to plan an extension to the basement, further and deeper down, to make something of a bunker of the resort. Although it was expensive, it would assure the safety of the Family for the long run. As we sat in Marcello’s office to work, another familiar face walked into the workplace, that of Lamia the lioness, one of the original staff of the resort.
-Hey Aquarius, said the lioness. Who’s your friend?
-I’m Blizzard, from England, said the bitch, shaking her hand. I came back with Aquarius to something of a hands-on internship on the island in archeology.
-Nice! We have a little Lara Croft, giggled Lamia, that and someone my age, to boot. Where’s Marcello?
-Getting some rough love from Rebeka most likely, I replied. He should be in room 24, if you want to steal a peek.
-Rebeka, wow, grinned the cat. Let me tell you, she’s pretty well armed.
-How do you... did you... that?
-You’re only asking because you want to see it, chuckled Lamia, walking over to poke my muzzle. I’ll send some pictures, pronto, but don’t tell her, eh? I don’t think she knew I’d put up a camera. Anyway, I’m off to get some rags to replace this uniform, eh? See you later!
-She’s special, laughed Blizzard. She’s... Lamia Rapone, assistant manager? 
-And a very nice soul, albeit she has the sex drive of a springhare on LSD.
-Right, chuckled Blizzard. Say, how about we find a room, eh?
-One of the suites on the second floor will do for my new pad, I said with a nod. If you can put up with me, you’re more then welcome, unless you want your privacy.
-The only ‘privacy’ I’d like right now is your black muzzle in my ‘privacy’, if you get my meaning.
-Off we go then!
I swooped Blizz up and gambled off to the elevators to reach one of the executive suites on the second, jumping on the bed with her. The wolf girl didn’t stop giggling as she undid her blouse and opened her bra while I unbuttoned and pulled down her pants, faking a deep breath as I shot forwards and starting eating her out. By the time she’d hit a nice high, she’d managed to pull off my own shorts, and twisted on her axis as she jumped up. Pushing me down, she started giving me a sweet, though quite inexperienced blow. I didn’t say anything though and let her do her best, just letting the young bitch rub herself on me and licking at me like a Popsicle. I was just beside myself after a few minutes of the treatment, and just grabbed Blizz by the waist, hugged against her on the mattress and raising on of her legs, penetrated her and started long, passionate love with the girl.
-Aquarius, do me harder, moaned the bitch. Deep, horsy!
-You nubile wolf you, I whispered. So soft, so soft...
A few long whimpers later, Blizzard hit her ultimate bang, and seemed to pass out with a smile on my shoulder, licking my face as she settled down. We eventually wandered back to the lobby resort’s offices in time to catch a phone call from Paul, advising us that he’d grabbed the exhibition owner and was holding him in a farmhouse in the back country until he had word that we were ready to have him return.
-So it wasn’t too hard then, I asked, capturing him and all that?
-Not in the least! He had two bodyguards in his car when he pulled out of his place, but we tailed him nice and slow until they stopped at an intersection. We just pulled a fishtail on them and whipped out Uzis, which was apparently enough to make his guys fill their pants and run for dear life.
-I wish all our work was this easy, I laughed. Well, I’ll tell the police they can start sacking his properties now. Thanks a lot, bro.
-Hey, you’re the Don! Talk to you soon.
I hung up and jogged with Blizz to the front desk, trying to get an update of Rebeka and Marcello’s last known whereabouts, getting a grin from the attendant as he called up one of the rooms, informing us that the two should be down momentarily. I held the wolf girl’s hand as we stood aside the elevators, migrating into a hug as my brother and the policewoman made their appearance, both nice and red in the face.
-Hey there Marci, I called. Rebeka, I got a call from Paul, my brother, who caught your mysterious antique thief. Whenever you want, we can go take a look around the boat.
-It’s only charted to arrive tonight, smiled the tigress. Well, a little more discomfort for mister Rotti isn’t that bad considering the stress I’ve been through. Isn’t that right, Marci?
-You seemed stressed at first, smirked the stallion, but thankfully…
-Hold it horsy, growled the cat with a half-smile.
-Hey, that’s fine, we’re both dangerous in our choice of friends, I commented to Marcello.
-Something for predators, giggled Blizzard. Marcello’s in worst trouble, then…
-Indeed he is, nodded Rebeka. I need to pass by the office to have a warrant issued to search the boat, if you’re all in for some fresh air.
We grouped up and followed the tigress out of the resort and down to the police station, where she led us to the chief of police’s office to get the warrant for the boat. I couldn’t help but smile and wave as the goat looked past her in the doorway to me, recognizing me all too well. He tried to pry something of an idea of what was going on, but when Rebeka insisted that there was a possibility to get to the exposition without any red tape whatsoever, he all too happily clambered over to his filing cabinet and drew out a form for the tigress to fill and bring to the office clerks for filing and processing with a rush order. The cat saluted her superior before stuffing all four of us into her office, filling out the form while Blizz and I took it easy and Marci gave her a shoulder rub, combing her whiskers and crown at the same time. By the time we were done, I could have sworn that there was a diesel engine in the room, so loud was her purring, but I didn’t say anything, for my part quite contempt in Blizzard’s affectionate whines as I nuzzled against her. The tigress handed the paperwork to the designated desk jockeys before calling up a SWAT team to come meet us at the port to welcome the ship around eight. It was already late afternoon, which meant that we just had time to catch supper before the intervention team’s van swung by to get us and roll off to our game of hide and seek with the boat crew. We decided against anything too heavy, calling in a bag of Chinese food instead, and rested easy until the head of SWAT unit popped by for leftover spare ribs and a head-up that his people were ready to go. Thankfully, the leader had taken the extra measure of having a second van for us, so we didn’t have to sit with our knees in our necks for the trip, rather enjoy the personal escort to the docks instead. We disembarked ahead of schedule, time enough for Rebeka to pay the dock master a visit and show him the warrant for the boat’s quarantine and search, which he cooperated with completely, ordering the boat to a quieter corner of the installation and wishing us good luck. The boat seemed to take an eternity to come into port, but a few minutes after we’d gotten into position, the gangway came down and the SWAT team boarded the craft, escorting the thirty crew members to a nearby warehouse were they were to be processed for identification and released, though of course not allowed onto the boat for as long as we weren’t satisfied that the exhibition was clean. The four of us followed two of the interventionists into the cargo hold of the ship, where over twenty crates sat along side display units. We opened four of them, reading off items from a list of the stolen objects Rebeka had brought along, confirming our suspicions that they belonged to the pilfered site. As soon as Blizzard had made her own inspection of the artifacts and deemed them to be either the real thing or astoundingly good fakes, the tigress called the dock master for the boat to be marked as impounded, along with its content, as evidence of grand theft. With the boat under police protection in the remote dock and its crew detained for questioning, I called Paul to have its proprietor dumped outside of town with a cotton dress, just to have some more extra fun with him when he had to put it on, not to come into the city stark naked. Rebeka already had her notepad out, marking out the scene and writing up the scene with a swing of her arm, looked all too happy to have the business over with.
-Over and done with, called the tigress, finally! I just have the damn report to scratch and this’ll be just another chapter in history.
-Paul gave your accused a shot of morphine when he caught him, so he might be a bit drowsy when you bag him.
-Why did you drug him?
-Well, no resistance, plus it really blows your sense of time, so he couldn’t tell if he was away from home minutes or hours, even days. I expect that he’ll be passing by your offices to talk about having been abducted by aliens and getting anal probes, so you’ll be able to find a chance to throw him in.
-Yes, strange horse-like beings with long steel objects, laughed Rebeka. Darn, those always seem to pop up when you need them the most, eh?
-Anyway, it’s a bit late, Marcello said with a yawn. How about we head on back? I’ll throw you my laptop when we get there, kitten.
Rebeka chuckled at the pet name, rubbing Marcello’s mane as we moved off the boat and took a cab back to the resort. As before, as soon as we arrived, Marci and the tigress bounced off to the stallion’s pad, leaving Blizzard and me to make our way to mine. Funny enough, when the two of us started to get comfortable, the young wolf casually got up and stripped to her fur before going back to her reading on crusade-era costumes and culture.
-Comfortable, I asked, or can I get you a drink?
-My parents wouldn’t let me do this, she said as she looked up, but call me curious, I wonder how it feels to just be free of everything, eh? You don’t mind, though?
-Do I mind having a beautiful young wolf in her full splendor sitting aside me? No, I don’t think that it’s a problem, I said with a laugh, hugging Blizzard. How about that book of yours? Pretty good?
-If you’re into history, it’s a pretty good read, nodded the wolf. Hey, I’ll just lean on you and you can shoulder-read, if you like.
I grinned as she turned and laid down aside my chest, looking over to get a smooth kiss before sighing and turning a few pages before eventually dozing off. Looking at Blizz, I grinned and cocked my head back to black out too.
The four of us somehow managed to come to the same conclusion that it would be just wonderful to have a quiet breakfast at the resort’s lounge, and Blizz and I almost ran right into Rebeka and Marcello as we were looking around. I laughed off the incident and suggested that we invite Lamia as well, as an excuse to get some news from the lioness at the same time. I got hold of the cat at her home and pitched the offer, which she jumped on without a second thought. Pushing a few cups of coffee, we waited for her in the restaurant at one of the nicer tables, chatting up attendants as they checked on us and making sure that they were doing well with the transition, each time getting an affirmative answer or just a few minor complaints that could certainly be smoothed out in time. Eventually, I saw Lamia enter the lounge in a red and black faux renaissance outfit, and waved for her to come over, pulling up a chair as soon as she was close enough.
-Thanks for the invitation guys, said the lioness as she pulled herself in. So how are things with the bunch of you?
-Good, nodded Marcello, and we were pretty curious to know how things were on your side of the world too. I hope that the transition to hands other then RS isn’t too much of a shock?
-Nothing like it! It’s a relief, if anything, to know that we’re not under the axe all the time. Well, unless you guys have a problem with running this place, that is.
-It isn’t anything resembling a problem, I corrected, be certain of that. So what are you up to these days? Still keeping busy in your own special way?
-Well, laughed Lamia, that’s a given! Yeah, that’s the case though I’m really getting eager to settle on something I can really sink my teeth into, something special.
-I’m backing off, muttered Marcello with a grin.
-Right into the tigress’s arms, growled Rebeka as she leaned over and caught the stallion. So much safer!
-So you mean a career goal, asked Blizzard, or a hobby?
-One or the other, shrugged Lamia, just something to get my head back straight. I guess that being alone and having too much free time is more then I can handle without losing my marbles, and it might be enough to turn my attention from... other things, let’s say?
-I see your point, I said with my fingers arched on my muzzle. What’s your background, in terms of interests and formation, Lamia?
-This sounds like a job interview, giggled the lioness. Well, I don’t have anything formal on paper, to be honest, and I was pretty surprised when RS took me in as assistant manager. I have a feeling that Wendell, the former manager, thought that I was a dumb squeak toy or something of the sort, but I turned him off with my whole Goth thing hard and fast. Probably why he tried to have Ulrich sack me, I suppose. Digressing, I’ve always had a morbid curiosity with forensics and law.
-That settles it then, declared Rebeka. If you like puzzles and you can handle late shifts, I think I could get you a part-time position at the coroner’s office. One of the laboratory assistants took his retirement last month, and people haven’t been rushing to apply for the position. It’s just Wednesdays and Thursdays, plus the occasional Saturday morning call when things get too busy.
-Plus I can sort of push things along when you guys need a case to hit the garbage can faster then usual, grinned Lamia. You wouldn’t tell, would you kitty?
-Don’t you think I don’t do it too, replied Rebeka, reaching over to hold the lioness’ hand. Well, come with me this morning and we’ll get this settled, eh? I’m sure that the chief will be glad to welcome you aboard the force.
-Hug, called Lamia, getting up with Rebeka to cuddle a bit. Thanks, Titania, you’re a real pearl.
-This is so hot, Marcello whispered to me as the two held, isn’t it?
-You should see what I have in my email, I replied in the same tone. Anyway, I’ll be at the front to contact the other Families and sublet the other resorts. Right now they’re all banking on our payroll, but hopefully I can persuade the locals to get into the deal with us and reap some of the benefits.

(Switch to Lamia)
I waited with the tigress until the two stallions gambled off to their business before nodding my head to signal for us to get under way. Rebeka smiled and stood to her paws in a quick, fluid movement, leading me out of the resort and onto the streets of the city in a relaxed pace. After all, she wasn’t assigned to any cases right now, the big hit on the stolen exhibit having been the only one monopolizing her desk as of late.
-I’m not in any hurry for the chief to toss me another for a few days at the very least, sighed the tigress as we turned the corner of the police station. I need a breather to get my emotions back in order, to put it simply.
-Sort of upside down kitten, eh?
-Well, yeah, shrugged the giantess. After all, maybe it didn’t show, but I sort of took it a bit hard when Ulrich left for America. Sort of why I... talked with you that night.
-Talked, for starters, I said with a grin. Well, I’m happy to be there for you, Titania. I don’t really have anyone to spend my time with these days, so good company’s always welcome.
-Is is now, smiled the tigress. Well, you come back with me to my office, and we’ll talk again, eh?
I gave a devilish purr as I tailed Rebeka back to her workplace, the tigress looking over at me until we reached it. Carefully closing and locking the door, I waited until she had turned the blinds to take a pace forwards and hug her against me, rubbing my head against her generous breasts. The kitten took my chin with a lazy hand and guided to face hers as she brought her head down and kissed me long and hard, slipping a firm hand behind my neck as we savored the embrace. I deftly reached a hand under her shirt to caress her brassiere, brushing the fur that overflowed from her cups.
-Oh you bad lioness, giggled the tigress as she placed one of her large hands on my left breast and squeezed at it through my clothes.
-Purr, as if you were any purer, stripe, I retorted as I unbuttoned her pants. Just stand up against that wall there and we’ll take your mind off work, eh?
Rebeka pulled down her pant and panties, propping herself against the wall as I’d instructed, and squatting down between her legs, I raised my head and ate her out slow and smooth, the tigress coming like a fountain until I pulled back from my work. Finding the principle simply marvelous, she had me do the same as she had, and she returned the favor, though the sigh of the giantess lying on the floor naked from the waist down as she masturbated me was almost hilarious, though I was far too busy keeping back roars of ecstasy to let any laughs out.

Titania and I eventually snuck out of the tigress’ office, heading to the recruitment desk, getting a placement form to simply plant me in the position without further ado. No one said a word, both out of respect for the detective as well as simple desperation to fill the seat. The form was stamped the moment that it hit the desk, and with a kind gentle paw on my shoulder, Rebeka guided me to the basement of the station, where the forensics labs were located. The section was rather modest, only a pair of offices and an examination room, the latter only honored by two workstations and a number of cupboards filled with equipment and supplies for testing. In front of one of them stood a male brown bat, apparently taking inventory through his thin frameless glasses. The mammal ruffled his wings when Rebeka called his name, then turned from his work to greet us.
-Oh, hello detective, said the bat. Who is your new friend there?
-This is Lamia Rapone, replied the tigress, your new assistant since a few minutes ago.
-I didn’t get to pick, eh? Well, I couldn’t have made a better choice. My name is Juancarlo de Namur, but everyone calls me Wings.
-Wings?
-Casual observation reveals that I’m a bat or course, grinned the mouse.
-But that’s now why you got that nickname though, right?
-Good Lord! Where did you find this lioness? She speaks others thoughts, in tongues! I was called Wings during my time as a medic in the RAF, back in the days. You’ll hear me ramble on about those times, I’m sure. But yourself! What qualities do my new assistant hold?
-I’ve been into this line of work since I was a kitten, I replied. I didn’t have the chance to go to university though, but I picked up all I could from textbooks I bought here and there. Other then that, I spend my free time indulging in Gothic romance.
-I could tell from your state of dress, smiled the bat. Nice purse, by the way.
-Oh that, I said as I looked at my black leather purse bearing a red bat motif. Sorry, I hope you’re not offended.
-Not at all! All of us flying mice revel in our mythical affiliation with the occult. Even us bookworms get our share of it, which I suppose is simply fun. Now, let me give you a tour and pass you keys to your office.
The bat showed me around the lab, pointing out the instruments and substances that I’d likely be working with, kindly instructing me as best he could as to the subtleties of each. I did my best to be a decent student and listened close, trying to answer his questions without too much guesswork. Around three, we finally stopped at his desk and the mouse gave me the keys to my own office.
-I think you’ll enjoy this, said Wings. After all, each case is a nice puzzle to solve, with the prize of justice at the end of the line. I find it keeps my mind busy through the most boring evenings.
-Your kin don’t mind hearing about your latest piece of the enigma?
-I don’t worry much about that, considering that I have no kin to talk about to, sighed the bat. I live a bachelor’s life for the time being, for though the aforementioned affiliation with the dark is quite nice for bats, we aren’t on anyone’s list of desirable mates, not very high if at all.
-That’s a rather sad way to face solitude, I said with a frown. Let me change that! How about a little nine to five right now? I take it that you’ve pretty much wrapped things up for the day anyway.
-I am, grinned Wings. Well thank you, milady, I’ll just grab my coat and we could go.
-Need a hand, I asked as I saw the bat fumble with the flap that came up between his wings at the back of his garment. Here, I’ll get it.
-That’s right kind of you. My wings don’t bother you too much?
-Why would they? They’re very nice, I commented, feeling the fur up one of the member’s fingers before sweeping down the skin next to it, and I bet that flying beats just plodding around all the time.
-I’m not very graceful when I do, but it sure is fun indeed. Shall we?
We left the basement through a side exit especially designated for the forensics lab, and quickly walked to La Bella’s Tower, which Wings apparently had never heard of. A short hop from it, the bat looked over at me with a smile before jumping off his feet and spreading his wings, lifted off the ground, flapping the rest of the way to the club. I growled and started into a run, which with feline reversed feet, was nothing at all, almost running him down the moment he landed. Wings gave a start as he saw a mouthful of fangs roaring, but then settled and let out a supersonic call as I switched to a laugh.
-I may be decent in the air, but you cats are dangerous on land! Liked the demonstration?
-I did! And you?
-I’ll never challenge you in track and field, you can be sure of that! Other then pole vaulting, because I think I could manage without the pole...
-Funny batty, I said with a purr, rubbing the fur between the mouse’s large ears. Is it true you hear further up the spectrum, even with generations after the Second Genesis?
-Gives me headaches, giggled Wings. Oh, this is a nice place!
-Lamia, welcome, said Darkness the raven as he left from behind the counter to greet us. Ah, a new soul again? And a child of the night as well!
-My name is Wings, said the mouse. I take it you are the owner of this fine establishment? My compliments, sir.
-I am quite far from a sir, cawed the bird. I am a poor raven known to this world as Darkness and who has seen fate bring to open this club. Please, have a seat! It’s quite early for the crowd to roll in, but if you stay, I’m sure you will have many admirers tonight.
Wings grinned at the last comment as Darkness walked off to tend to his business, leaving behind an open offer for a free drink of our choosing and half-priced meals. We didn’t shy up on enjoying the gift and filled our stomachs to capacity, though our tastes obviously differed, the bat keeping to either fruit or insect-based plates while I took to my good old Devil’s Steak, a 8 once iron-seared slab that always hit the spot. We stayed for over an hour, just kicking back and yakking it up, a few of the clients indeed coming by the table to pay homage to Wings as the raven had predicted. The bat took it with a sense of humor and tried to put on a persona that sounded like some mix between the original Nosterafu and a gargoyle, nonetheless effective in sending chills through anyone’s bones. After dessert, we took off with a final thanks to Darkness, who invited us back anytime, the reactions from his clients enough to make Wings an instant celebrity.
-That was fun, commented the mouse as we left the club. Thanks for the sortie, Lamia.
-Hey, call it what it was, Wings. This, batty, was a date.
-Sort of, conceded the bat. It feels good to get out for a change, and the role-play was entertaining as well.
-Maybe I’m too forwards, I started, but when we were sitting down at the beginning, I couldn’t help but notice you kept readjusting your pants back there. Did you like being with a lioness kitten?
-Oh that, laughed Wings, well yes, of course I do! What a question to ask!
-Then how about we see if I can make you squeal a bit, batty?
-Do you mean... you do mean it indeed?
-I mean I’m going to ride that fluffy body of yours until your screeches have shattered all the China on the block, I purred. Unless you don’t feel like having a sweaty, horny lioness in a leather bikini giving it to you...
-Lord, hold my heart, gasped the bat.
I took Wings’ hand and pulled him along back to my place before he could formulate any sort of intelligible response. He looked around with certain confusion as we entered my place, but came around quickly enough as he took off his coat and threw it over a hook aside the door.
-This is quite nice, said the bat as he gazed about. I see what you meant by romance! You have quite a warm heart, Lamia!
-I’ve heard that every time anyone’s come into my lair, I replied. I’ve always loved love, to put it simply, and the surreal feelings that come over me when pleasure at its peak. How about you? Any particles of lust energy in your veins, doctor?
-Ah, I have to confess it’s been a while, but when I was going through college, I was quite the Casanova, if you can imagine that.
-Oh, I’m sure you were. What was your favorite?
-Either vampire fantasies or some matter of medieval scenarios, grinned the bat. The former I didn’t enjoy all that much, though. I prefer to be myself, to some extent, for those who seek my love to take me for what I am rather then the symbol that I find myself linked to.
-Deep! And that’s the way I like it too... Take that shirt off, batty boy.
Wings’ eyes lit up as he took off his white-collar top, showing off a nice, firm mortal shell indeed. His thick fur masked most of the details, but through a few slow caresses, I could tell the mouse could have been an athlete if a medical career hadn’t worked out for him. I reached around him in a hug, letting him take off my blouse while I felt his back.
-Parallel scapulae with archaic shoulder bone-type support, hummed Wings. If you can imagine having two arms growing from mid-back with twice as much muscle mass, it’s pretty much the same.
-Nice, I said, turning him around to nuzzle between his wings. Soft batty boy...
-That tickles like you can’t even imagine, moaned the bat.
-Is anything else ticklish on you?
-Well, there was some talk about a kitten in a leather bikini a while back..?
-There was, I nodded as I took off my brassiere, but then again, we could skip over that for some other time and simply fast-forward to the kitten giving it to the bat part.
-That could be a viable option, giggled Wings as he kneaded my breasts. What a wondrous nymph you are, Lamia!
-I bet you say that to all the lionesses, I chuckled while I undid his pants. So what kind of wienerschlocken do you pack, batty?
The mouse almost yelped in surprise as I reached down in his trousers and inspected his equipment, but settled into a laugh. He took a defeated air and dropped off his shorts, looking quite proud of what nature had graced him with, with reason. Still half-soft, I found myself holding a good handful of cock, about an inch in diameter, though nothing over eight inches long as well, with a mean, and I do say mean pair of balls, together about as big as my fist.
-Really now, that’s got to be illegal in some places, I commented as I took off my pants. If you want it, you’ve got to catch it...
-Then I shall swoop forth and do so, replied the bat, chasing after me to my bedroom before diving in a half-glide and pushing me on the bed.
-Now that’s cheating, I laughed as he held me down and kissed my shoulders. I guess you’ll stay on top then?
-If it’s all the same to you, grinned Wings as I felt him pull down my panties. Oh, now! My heart, Lamia, you’re quite... productive!
-Never had a problem with that, I chuckled as I reached down and fingered my damp channel. Sit up on my chest for a sec, and I’ll make sure you never forget this...
The mouse’s eyes glimmered as he knelt over me, settling as I rubbed his penis between my breasts and slowly sucked on it. Wings closed his eyes as he enjoyed the treatment, cradling my head as his wings beat slowly, something of a natural reaction, I surmised. As I could taste the bat’s pre-cum from his member, I pushed his knees back to ease him in position over me as I wrapped my legs around his waist, leaving him the care of penetrating me, which he wasted no time on indeed. Before long, we filled the room with our voices as I felt Wings travel in me, the mouse occasionally giving a high-pitched whine only he could fully perceive, probably. At last, he finished in a warm release, having made me miss a few heartbeats during some rather impressive orgasms, then pulling out slowly, retracted his wings and slumped down aside me, caressing my face as he kissed me.
-So, I whispered as I reached over his back and pulled myself against him, was it good for you too?
-I’d say! Angels on high, you have a gift, Lamia!
-Let’s just say I study up and I go my homework, I replied with a laugh.
-I hope it wasn’t uncomfortable, though. Bats are usually, say, wide, and-
-No worries, I replied, fumbling one of the drawers aside the bed and pulling out one of my favorite dildos. Beat this, and then it would have been uncomfortable.
-I see! Well in that case, I’ll say nothing more but that you are truly the embodiment of Aphrodite herself, lioness.
-Right, I smiled as I pulled cover over us. Don’t you fly off...
-I’d be lucky to have the stamina to crawl, grinned Wings. Good night, Lamia.
I fell asleep a few moments after the mouse, who had probably unconsciously wrapped a wing over me, his thumb claw resting on the mattress behind me. He was a warm airborne rodent, he was. Cushy mouse....

The first thing I felt in the early morning light was a smooth leathery surface come down on my chest, and it didn’t take much conjecture for me to understand it was Wings who had deployed one of his flight-giving members and wrapped it around me. I opened my eyes to see the mouse staring back, briskly retracting his wing with a grin. Returning the friendly gesture, I turned on my stomach and swatted at him with my tail a few times until the bat managed to catch it.
-Got the kitten, said Wings. What do I win?
-A chance to get pounced on, I replied as I hopped over on his back. Pardon the question if it seems rude, but how do you manage not to roll over when you sleep and pinch one of your wings?
-Old trick, laughed the bat. I pull them in like this, see, with my thumb claw out a bit, so if I start moving, it gets stuck and I stabilize. I just get a bit of a kink in the shoulder, but a little flap or two gets that right out. Is that your phone?
-I think so, I growled as I got to my paws and strode over to the device. Hello?
-Hey Lamia, how’s the new job, called Aquarius’ familiar voice. I heard that you got right into it from Rebeka.
-It’s great, I love it, I replied. How are things at the resort?
-Ah, Marcello’s got everything under control, and the guests are apparently as happy as always with your establishment. I have a feeling that you’ll be at the station today, though.
-Just a feeling, or is there something to it?
-Well, you see, there was this guy on a boat that came in last night who had a… special warrant out for him, for a string of murders in Turkey. We did the world a favor with Ulrich’s old sniper rifle, because he gave it to me before he left, and I think that it was found. Think as in we made sure it would be, so that the families of the victims of this guy’s crimes would have closure.
-So that’s going to be on my table today, I giggled. So how does a .303 round just magically drop from the sky at a low angle into someone?
-Heck if I know! Bar fights always end up in professional snipes, I swear.
-Yeah, a drunken guy with a dozen drinks in him gets rooftop access and can still line up a shot at half a kilometer. All right, I’ll do something after I talk to Rebeka about it.
-I distinctly heard something about a sniper caliber round in there, mumbled the bat as he sat up a bit on the bed. Sorry for eavesdropping, but it isn’t every that you hear that sort of thing.
-Well, my answer depends a bit on how you view justice, either as something that the police strives for in the name of the people who cannot find it themselves, or as some of the many souls out there who believe that there is a universal order that needs to be maintained through honor and bravery.
-We get enough cases of people taking things in their hands to right wrongs done onto them that the first definition is far too pompous to be considered valid. So you mean that there was a vigilante shooting then? By whom? I don’t mean to pry, Lamia, but I am very concerned.
-That’s a very heavy way to put your thoughts, I replied. That ‘concerned’ seemed like a burden on your back.
-You see, I do my job, sighed the bat, flapping his wings a bit to stretch. I examine the bodies that are brought into the lab, and I give my report with my findings, as thorough as I can make them. Still, since a few months, a number of cases that I distinctly remember looking at don’t echo upstairs, and when I ask, no one seems to have paid attention to them. Actually, I’m starting to wonder if I’m making mistakes in judgment, if I’m being sloppy, to the point that I make it impossible for evidence in the cases to be processed. I try my utmost, however and hopefully, these aren’t the first signs that I’m loosing my mind or something!
-They most definitely are not, I sighed, sitting aside Wings and wrapping an arm around him. Batty, I know something that you don’t that only a few people in the force know, probably, because I doubt that any of the others who do spoke out about it at all. I know I can trust you with it, but I need to know that you won’t tell, all right?
-What a way to start a day, giggled the mouse. I swear to you kitten, I don’t have any reason to tell anyone about this secret.
-All over the world, there are Families, Familia, you know? Organizations that once depended on shady doings to strive, though with time, have become policing forces of their own, with duties that include taking care of very dangerous people that the regular corps wouldn’t be able to, either because they’re too powerful, too well connected or things like that. Here in Malta, there’s a Family too, centered around a good, wonderful Don who struck a deal with your chief to back the police in any intervention where they don’t have the punch to make it, in return for their good graces. Those cases you refer to are part of that deal. They’re murders, thugs; all the worst that walk the land, who the Family eliminates to keep Malta safe from harm and that the police could never hope to act against otherwise.
-So they’re dispatched forthwith and their deaths simply become cold cases no one really cares about, nodded Wings. I understand, I do! And you know this how, if I may ask?
-Well, that’s another secret, I answered with a smile, a pretty big one.
-Lamia, I love you, stated Wings, leaning over to hug me. I would place a sword in your hands and turn my back to you a thousand times, knowing that you wouldn’t even think of using it, so is my trust. Perhaps this is quick to say, after so few hours between us, but I... well, I feel it deep inside my heart. Trust me to protect you, to tell me what danger you find yourself in to keep so many things locked away.
-I’m not in any danger, I said, kissing the mouse. I love you too, Wings. All that stuff about people and bats, I don’t really understand at all, because you’re a sweet batty I’d gladly hold day in and day out.
-So that big secret..?
-You know the RS Malta down the street? I work there as assistant manager.
-All right, so far so good....
-A Don from the USA, who also arranged for the deal between the Family and the police, opened it and a few days back the Family itself bought it. I know almost everyone in it too, and they’re wonderful people, Wings, simply wonderful. Oh, and Rebeka’s in on this too, by the way, and she’s kind of in it with the Don’s brother.
-Doesn’t the world change from one day to the next, laughed the bat. All those times I could have simply wrote off the case as a suicide and gone home early! I’m glad to know, Lamia, and thank you. I was starting to wonder why such professional murders weren’t being investigated, after all!
-Then since today’s case is a suicide, I said with a grin, what about taking it a bit easy, eh? Where do you stay, Wings?
-Oh, it’s not much to look at, waved the bat, just a little shack on a rooftop that I rent. After all, I don’t usually have anyone to impress, you know. What, interested it a visit?
-Why not? I bet the Archbishop of Canterbury would condemn it a lot less then my little love shack.
-It’s a short glide away from the station, so from here it isn’t too far either. By your leave?
-Tally ho!
The bat was quite right for it wasn’t a long walk before we found ourselves at the foot of an imposing twenty-and-then-some story building, I couldn’t make out the suite that Wings pointed to me, but he promised that it was there nonetheless. We hired an elevator cab to reach the roof last level of the structure, then took a sharp turn up a flight of stairs to reach a rooftop access door to which the bat had a key. The moment we stepped out on the partially paved roof, we came in plain sight of his residence, a four-room affair that seemed like a cross between a greenhouse and an apartment, offering a 360 view of the city, even beyond. Wings smiled as he saw my gaping look, and invited me to follow him inside, which bore no similarity with the cold appearance of the tower. Rather, its colors echoed those of a forest, and the volume of plants inside it made it feel the part furthermore. The mouse showed me a sofa as he fetched a beer for each of us, offering a toast to the visit.
-To my beautiful visitor, offered Wings. How do you like the place?
-Nearly airborne, I said with a chuckle. Couldn’t stay away from the sky, eh?
-Well, I was in the RAF for, what, five years? I already had my medical degree from Oxford, but I couldn’t find any employment, so I joined up as a doctor with the airmen. I never really left the ground though, I was the staff medic on base, which actually is where I got the name Wings. Everyone found it very funny that I was the only actually winged creature working there that actually had wings, and one of the only who didn’t have his pilot’s license. Still, the planes sort of grew on me.
-So then you found this job, right?
-My sister actually lives right outside the city, with her husband and three kids. She had a friend in the force that told her that they were looking, so she passed along the tidbit to me and I applied. It was a big change from Britannia, but then again life’s sweet on the island.
-Is that the station down there, to the right?
-Twenty seconds in the air, nodded Wings, five minutes on paws. Seeing as how it’s already eleven, maybe we could go forth and expedite this little suicide by bullet?
-Sure! You’ll fly?
-Oh, I could use the walk, shrugged the bat.

We wrapped up the case after a quick autopsy, nothing too extensive, but enough to fill the report for the files and slam-dunk the paperwork into the cold case drawer. Rebeka looked at us with a grin as she saw us do it, nodding with a grin, getting the same reaction from Wings as he closed the cabinet.
-So you found out, said the tigress. I hope that you don’t take it personally, Wings.
-No, I think I can rest easy with this kind of thing, said the mouse. After all, I saw the copy of this fellow’s record in the folder and I don’t think that anyone will be shedding tears at his funeral. Just come down and give me the word when one of these little cases come up, eh? I’d hate to miss a good day to be gliding about my garden for nothing.
-Garden? You have a garden, asked the tigress, I didn’t know!
-He has quite the green thumb, I commented. Believe me, it’s a tidy little jungle.
-I won’t ask, but good luck to you two, eh? Oh, I have to go meet Marcello! The stallion promised me a lunch at the resort, and I’d feel bad standing him up.
-Really, I wonder what else could happen to this poor island, giggled Wings.
-Never ask for more, because you’re sure to get it, I chuckled as I squeezed the bat. Squeaky mousy!
-Squeak, replied the coroner as he gave a little screech.

(Switch back to Aquarius)

It took quite a bit of work to get a hold of all the Dons of the cities that we had now a hotel in, but as soon as I gave the particulars about the deal that we were asking for, that is a rental agreement of sorts that included reasonable payments for the use of the old RS places in return for their use. I was very generous is my terms, though I got my head together with Marcello to make sure that they were sufficient to be able to replay the investment that we had made within five years, a sensible delay in my opinion. In the meantime, I also signed for the specialized underground expansion of the resort, which started a week later, the excavation company using a water jet system to cut through the soft stone without making much noise at all, so little in fact that I had a number of entertaining conversations with guests who were certain that someone in their vicinity had forgotten to turn off their sink taps or something of the sort.

I cut a deal with a local historical society in my time off to get Blizzard a job as a intern in one of their research teams, something that the young wolf just couldn’t stop talking about in the evening, though she knew that most of her stories passed kilometres over my head, as most of the subtleties that she was investigating with the society were things that only those who studied the history of the island in detail would know about. Lamia enjoyed the talks though, coming over to crash with us as often as she could. The lioness couldn’t get enough of the tales, though I was all too conscious that she like the company more then anything else, and we did everything to make her feel as welcome as possible. It was a nice home life, a sharp contrast compared to the pace that I kept at the hotel. As soon as the expansion was finished, I was able to offer more storage and more security to my clients at the port, which caught the attention of a very particular group of people that I don’t ever remember having ever contacted a Family anywhere. Specifically, the Russian Mafia.

I was sitting in my office, looking over the recent numbers from the loans that the other families had started paying, making sure that the first payments were all right and I could tuck them away in one of our front without too much trouble. As I was squaring it away, the phone rang, nothing too exciting. As soon as the conversation started though, that changed very quickly.
-??????? ????, said the deep, cavernous voice on the other end. This is Aquarius of the Falcons, ???
-This is indeed Aquarius, I replied. Who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?
-This is Vladislav Ivanovich Treshka, Prince of the Russian Federation… how do you say, ?????, family, ??? I have heard that you have a port in Malta that offers interesting arrangements for foreign voyagers.
-I do indeed, I said as I took a pen and got ready to jot down some serious notes.
-??????, for we do have need of such. You see, Don Aquarius, we have friends in the Balkans that we usually have no trouble sending freight to, but recently things have gotten complicated and we must send these things by sea. I thought that if we could come to an arrangement for us to be able to quietly, it would be very nice.
-I must say that this is a great surprise, Prince Treshka. I would be interested in such an arrangement indeed, but there is a question of trust that must be seen to beforehand. We come from different traditions, and I cannot recall a time when we have ever worked together.
-Nor can I, but since when have you become oriented towards the outside of your cities? We have a saying here, which I hope will not offend you, that while Dons look at their cities and their countries, we look the oceans and skies that connect them. If you are to become so serious, we would be quite glad to better our relations.
-Then I offer to you an invitation to Malta, to review the facilities we offer and talk man to man about these things.
-I will come indeed, said the voice. Would tomorrow be too early?
-No, it will do quite well. We can meet at the hotel, and I shall have a room ready for you.
-??, I will be there, Aquarius. Be well!

I hung up with a grin, unsure what to make of the whole affair, but quite enthusiastic as to make contact with the Russian Prince, as he called himself. Well, it might be pompous, but their organization was a lot, and I mean a lot, more involved in everything in the East then us. It was a sort of understanding that we Dons were the power in the West, in Europe and the Americas, and the triads and the Russian Mafia took care of the East, and there wasn’t much interaction at all, safe for the occasional chance meet or summit to keep everyone happy and the good relations going. For this sort of cooperation to be established was more then a little thrilling, solidifying both our establishments in a way. I called around to clear the day in case I’d need it all with my visitor then took off early to get some rest, eager to hit the sack... with Blizz of course, hehe.

I was more then a little surprised to see a limousine parked in front of the resort the next morning as I arrived to start my day after a quick breakfast with my canine lady, who’d tricked me into accepting to tag along with me at the resort. I was a few feet from the limo when the window rolled down and a head popped out, looking straight at me. I turned to see a polar bear scanning me closely before rolling the window back up and getting out with his hand to me.
-Greetings, Don Aquarius, said the ursine as she shook my hand. I see that you are as much a man of your word as I would have hoped. I came with my wife, Vanessa. Vanessa, you can come out now!
-But of course, said the tall mink female as she unfolded from the passenger side of the vehicle. I see that the good Don also has the chance of having a woman with him.
-My name is Catherine, said the queen a she greeted the two. Shall we head inside?
-We should indeed, nodded Treshka. I am not untrusting of you, friend, but there is much more police here then home, and I do not know them.
-They’re friends as well, I announced. You needn’t worry about them in the least.
-Call me Vlad, insisted the bear as we took a table in the lounge. I’m sorry for the long introduction on the phone, but it’s a habit more then anything. You see, things are hard over in our holdings, and discipline needs to be tight for anything to work just right. A moment’s inattention is all it takes for millions to simply vanish from plain sight, and no one talks.
-It sounds like a hard situation to deal with, said Catherine.
-It is, certainly. I haven’t ask, for I thought it rude, but you are also in the Family, Catherine?
-I am, nodded the queen. And Vanessa is in yours?
-As well, smiled the mink. I take care of those who do not seem to understand the value of loyalty and honor, to be polite.
-That was my position before I became Don, I grinned. But I digress! I don’t think you came here to hear us prattle about old times and memories, Vlad.
-Bah, think not like that, Don Aquarius! I love stories when my friends are the heroes. Still, it would be a comfort to get business out of the way, ??? Now, we would need to have at least eight full containers a week passed along to our associates, and the proper paperwork to go with it as to be able to enter port at their destination without any indiscrete prying by the agents there.
-The usual package, I said with a reassuring grin. We can of course do so, Vlad, as that description suits most of the contracts we get here. We ask for twenty-five thousand dollars a container, and offer storage for five thousand a day per container here if you need for it to be held back. All papers are adjusted if they stay over, and are produced upon their departure.
-And people? Can you also provide services to... expedite immigration?
-Well, to some extent, I can, but not that many. Passing cargo is one thing, the paperwork is light, but particulars are more work-extensive.
-It would only be on the rare occasion, nodded Vlad. It happens that we need to deliver a few friends to safety once in a while, and we register them as sailors on our boats to get them home. Do not be concerned about their nature though, for we love our country passionately, as much as you do yours, and we only seek to make a life for ourselves and sometimes better the lives of others through our means. Most often these people are politically persecuted or victims of a failing legal system, and require help to find a new life.
-I try not to pry, but thank you for telling us, I said with a grin as I signed to an attendant. Well! It seems that we will do much business, friends!
-Did you order something, asked Vanessa, with that signal?
-What is a deal before it is sealed with vodka, I chuckled as the waiter brought a bottle of Russian Prince and four glasses, but meaningless words?
-Ah, you are a brother without peer, laughed Vlad as we filled the glasses and toasted. To you health, Falcons!
-And yours, Ruski! I hope this is the start to a long friendship, which I know will have the most astounding results.
-It is, I can assure you, said Vlad. Anytime you wish, we would be most pleased to host you as you host us, though you might find the accommodations more dated then this.
-One does what one can, I nodded. How is your situation these days?
-Unpleasant, sighed Vlad, looking at the bottle before turning to take Vanessa’s hand. You see, the government isn’t too glad to have us, especially after the strong involvement we had during the regime. It was another era, you know. We didn’t shy from much, just because we were actually pressured to by well-placed people who had more then enough assets to cause us immeasurable harm. Plus, it was surreal to be in a position with so much chaos and fear, and every time we did something more daring we were reminded we were still alive. I lived through the transition, though I only took this position ten years ago. Now, we concentrate on survival, to be able to continue our tradition, though the arrests and interventions have become more and more concentrated towards us, Vanessa and I. I believe they know who we are, and are eager to be rid of us.
-Sounds like an unenviable position, I sighed, leaning back in my seat. I wish I could be of help with that too, but I’m afraid I don’t know the first thing about the police and government in your country.
-Money is all they listened to for a long time, which was just fine with us, but since the fall of the regime, they’ve become rather diligent. Why is that you ask? I don’t know, not even a clue. If we’d know that, maybe we could do something to try and ease the tension.
-That sounds like what another Don did for us to set us up here, I said with a grin.
-Do you think you’d be up for it, asked Blizzard, eh Aquarius?
-You cannot imagine the gratefulness that we would feel if you would be able to, insisted Vanessa. We are returning tomorrow, because though we did want to come here, we prefer to keep a close eye on things to make sure that all Hell doesn’t break loose.
-We’d be ready to go then, I said with a definitive nod, eh Blizz?
-Sure would be, grinned the wolf. In the meantime, how about a tour of the island?
-We can take my limousine, offered Vlad. I think it’s a very nice ride, I’m sure you’ll agree.

Blizz and I gave our visitors the royal tour, passing through every nook of the island that we thought was any fun at all, including an extended stay at the docks to show Vlad and Vanessa the warehouses that we used to hide the containers and a few samples of the documents that we procured with them normally, allowing for them to compare them with real samples. They seemed very impressed, to say the least, looking all the more confident that they’d made a good call in contacting us. By the time we left that location, the sun was setting and a few wide yawns from the polar bear prompted me to guide them back to the Falconer’s for a good night’s rest before another day’s worth of flight back up north. My wolfie Blizz insisted on basically summing up the last two hundred years of Russia’s history, though I just couldn’t get enough of listening to her as we cuddled on the sofa in our room and tried to be a good audience, trying to make an educated comment on a few points she brought up. Eventually she drifted off and fell asleep on me, just the cue I needed to black out too.

Vlad and Vanessa were waiting for us outside in the corridor, inviting us to get ready to go as they’d arranged for breakfast to be ready on the plane for everyone. I didn’t give any protest as I dragged Blizz back in our room and packed up our things for the trip, myself getting two opposite handed Berettas as well as a Colt revolver and enough ammunition to stay alive in a military firefight for a good damn while. Though she protested, I also had Blizzard take a magnum for the trip, indicating that, heck, we couldn’t even tell if we weren’t going to land in the middle of a field of policemen. She raised an eyebrow and grunted her approval of the move and tucked it on her waist. By the time we walked out to group up with our Russians, we had enough bulges at our waists and breast pockets to tell him that we were very aware of how much of a volatile pit we were walking into.
-I’m glad that you understand what we live with, said Vanessa as we took our places on the plane and breakfast came out. Personally, I have a minimum of two handguns on me at all times.
-And I have my own means as well, nodded Vlad, letting the handle of an Uzi glimmer tucked in his lower back.
-You never know, I nodded. So, do you have any friends anywhere in the police in, hum, where are we going?
-Moscow, replied Vlad. Sorry, I should have specified. No, we don’t really have anyone we can really trust. What would be your approach?
-I think I’ll take my concerned citizen angle on this, I replied.
-Concerned, grinned Vanessa, that says it for all of us...

As soon as breakfast was over with and we’d taken to the skies, Vlad and Vanessa turned in for a few more hours of sleep, looking more tired almost the when they’d arrived in Malta. I would’ve liked to talk to them at greater length though, but out of respect, I kept it to myself and turned to my wolfie instead. The flight was too short for me or Blizz to make any headway in figuring out any more details on our strategy in Moscow, but one thing was sure, that we didn’t know enough about Vlad’s people to come to a conclusion just yet. Our arrival, though, severely underlined the security concerns that they had to contend with. As soon as we landed at an airstrip a few kilometres from the capital, looking more like an improvised affair then an official port of passing, a jeep broke out of a nearby shack and pulled up aside the aircraft, apparently waiting for us. Vanessa waved for us to hurry and follow them as we left the warmth of the cabin to face the rugged cold of the winter air until we locked ourselves into the car and tried to regain some warmth. The plane didn’t wait too long to take off again, though we didn’t stick around to see it go as the jeep made for the city.
-What was that about, I asked the polar bear with a confused expression, was this necessary?
-Very, clamoured the ursine. You see, the police are able to find us very quickly whenever we move, and we have to get to one of our safe houses before they have a chance to. Landing at the airport would have meant immediate arrest.
-So you’re always going around clandestine, commented Blizzard. That must be hard!
-Like I said before, our situation isn’t too enviable. We will stop at the safe house then you will be driven to a hotel to stay. You may come to visit us, but please be certain that you aren’t followed before coming.
-Do you have a phone there?
-No, we don’t. That’s another risk we can’t afford to take, sighed Vlad.
-Well, as soon as I’ve been able to make progress, I’ll come to tell you, I promised as we pulled into the streets.
-We’ve arrived, announced the mink as we stopped in front of a small brick building. Until we meet again, God be with you.
-And you as well, I replied.
-Damn, this is ridiculous, grunted Blizzard as we took off again. I was sure that this would be difficult, but this is horrible!
-That’s a blatant understatement, I chuckled. I guess the best thing we can do for now is to meet someone from the organization and get a better picture of the situation. Driver, do you know anyone we can talk to?
-Of course, I take you to him now.
-Have you got that bad feeling too, Blizz whispered in my ear, or is it just me?
-Oh no, I’ve got it too, I answered, but I don’t think we’re in trouble just yet. Driver, you’re from the police, aren’t you?
-No sir, I’m not, refuted the squirrel at the wheel. I’m completely loyal to-
-Cut the bullshit, I said as I took out my revolver at poked at the back of his head with the barrel. The truth, now, or I’ll be driving the rest of the way myself.
-I am to bring you to Constable Dmitri Balakov, who wishes to speak to you. We… we hope that you would aid us to bring justice to Prince Vladimir for the crimes he has committed. We…
-I’ll discuss the rest with your constable, I grunted. How many are at our destination?
-Five, said the rodent, but I assure you they do not have any ill intent towards you.
-We’ll see about that, I sneered.
-So we’re going with this, startled Blizzard, are you sure?
-Hey, we wanted the truth, we’ll get it, or at least half of it anyway.

The car drove into the underground parking of a hotel I didn’t have time to catch the whole name of, though I remembered seeing the word ‘Imperial’ and a second word that started with an R. I didn’t like the way this was playing out just now, but Blizzard and I followed the squirrel to the elevator and took the lift up to the top floor, all the while reminded that if I found out he was lying to us, he’d be telling the story to the angels next. My suspicions were unjustified though, for as we came out of the elevator cab and entered one of the luxurious rooms of the hotel, there were indeed five police officers waiting for us, a European lynx and four others, though I was rather convinced that the cat was the Constable our driver had mentioned. The most important was to come on strong and unwavering…
-Constable Balakov, I called as I held my hand out in greeting to the lynx, it’s good to meet you. I understand you knew that we were coming to Moscow?
-And you know my name and I have no idea how that can be, replied the tomcat, shaking my hand as well as Blizzard’s. Still, very impressive! Yes, I knew you were coming, for the co-pilot of the airplane that brought you here is familiar to us. I hope that you don’t hold a grudge for this unconventional meeting, but I wasn’t sure what your reaction would be, and hadn’t expected for you to be so receptive!
-I know the value of justice, I stated with a colder air. Tell me, on the subject of justice, let’s be plain and honest; what do you hold against Vladimir?
-Vladimir is a snake, deviously intelligent, said the lynx. We turned a blind eye for many years when we were separated by ideology with the world, though he quickly started to abuse this long leash in the last few years.
-He intensified his activities?
-Not so much intensified, but diversified into a market that we cannot ignore. You see, drugs and prostitution, money laundering and all that is common coin, nothing that we really concern ourselves with. People choose to make use of their trade, and live by that choice. Then, from right under our noses, innocent women started being kidnapped from the city to simply vanish. They didn’t show up in brothels or anything of the sort, therefore we are left with one conclusion, specifically they were sold on the black market, in the white trade.
-This is personal, I said with narrowing eyes, isn’t it?
-They took my sister, called the Constable, three weeks ago. She has two kittens, sir, two young kittens that I fear will never see they mother again! They have no father, so my wife and I took them in. Still, every night I return home to them and have to tell them that I still have no idea where their mother is, and that her kidnappers are still free! How do I sleep with this, sir?
-Constable Balakov, I started, if you are a man of honour as I surmise you are, then I may trust you with some information that may help, and may even be able to lead to the arrest of these people.
-Sir, I am a man who misses his sister, the blood of his blood, moaned the lynx, his eyes watering as he spoke. A man without family is a lonely soul, sir.
-Then first, I will tell you that I am Don Aquarius of the Falcon Clan in Malta, I stated. We are as present across the world as civilization itself, and value honour before anything. We do not let those who transgress honour ply their trade anywhere within our reach, and strive to maintain a certain order where we can. Two months ago in Budapest, some of our people intervened in the attempted kidnapping of a group of tourists, women, mind you, and interrogated those responsible. What they found out was that the group was from here, in Moscow, but was not affiliated with any group, operating independently. I suspect that Vladimir know of them as well, but with your determination to break apart his organization, he has been unable to do anything about it. With open cooperation between all parties, we may still be able to find your sister, Constable, and put an end to this traffic.
-How do you know this, sir? How can you know all this while we are blind to it?
-First, because it was a fellow Family who intervened, and Families protect Families, working together closely to prosper in this complex world. Second, laws do not bind us in our investigations; therefore we often have more… leeway. We even have our own information networks, for our purposes. When we need to know something, we can make calls to find out, and with total honestly we have an answer.
-Still, I cannot see working with the Mafia, sighed the lynx. Perhaps a blind eye is within our power, but more would be very dangerous for us to afford.
-A blind eye is all that is needed for us to take care of this issue.
-When I think that we made it easy for them, growled Balakov. By turning our attention to the Mafia immediately, we stopped the very ones who could act with eyes open! Very well, friend Aquarius, I will hold all actions regarding Vladimir and his people for the time being, and should this come through, put them to rest once and for all. I truly hope you succeed, truly so.
-Then we will, Constable, I said as Blizzard and I stood up to leave.
-Call me Dmitri, smiled the lynx as he gave us a hearty farewell. This is my number; when you have news, please call. Any news is great hope for us… for me.

The squirrel that had drove us in was all too willing to give us a ride back to Vlad’s hideout, giving us a few minutes to gather our thought again, looking a little less stunned then before. He bade us well and sped back off, leaving us to find our way into the three-story residence, though the amazing number of shady-looking enforcers checking us out when we reached the third was more then enough to tell us we were getting warm. We were lucky enough that Vanessa was standing next to a door down the corridor and called for us to come in, ushering the pair of us into the apartment where Vlad was staying. The polar bear was slouched in an old sofa, sleeping off the morning comfortably. Vanessa gently gave him a shake, enough to get him out of his stupor as back on his paws with a smile.
-Well friends, this was quite impressive for you to come back so quick! Did you already find something out?
-We have good news and bad news, started Blizzard. Which first?
-I need good news more then anyone, said Vlad. Go ahead.
-We basically met a group of policemen, including a very high-ranked officer that offered for us to eliminate a white trade group here in the city and rescue the women they kidnapped, especially one of them who would be his sister. In return, it’s back to business as usual before all this started.
-I don’t need much more convincing then that, sighed Vlad. So we have free rule to undertake the little operation, yes?
-Completely free rule, I nodded. Do you have enough resources to put together a few teams?
-Maybe a twenty-man group, at the most, said Vanessa, including myself if you don’t mind, Prince.
-If this fine mink is with you, friends, you need not worry at all, smiled the bear. So you know where they are to talk of this, Aquarius?
-Well, I was working under the assumption that you might have some information of their location, or at least enough intelligence for us to put something in motion and confirm it.
-I had some information for sure before the police started their work, yes, but since then I have only a few people scattered through the city, though their eyes have been more on our opposition then on the kidnappers as of late. Anything that I can offer is over two months old, which I fear might be very old indeed for these groups.
-They tend to move around, I seconded. It would certainly be a start to track them down, and from there we’ll see what kind of a trail they left behind them.
-Here then, grunted Vlad as he got to his paws and ambled over to a filing cabinet, getting a few files from the drawers. In there are a few reports that I though were important regarding these people. It is all I have, to be plain.
-At least we have a possible location, I said as I sight-read one of the documents’ front pages. I’d like at least five people, if you can spare them.
-I’ll get them, said Vanessa as she took off like a ghost.
-Blizzard, I said as I turned to hold my wolfie’s hand, I don’t know about bringing you out on this one. I don’t know what we’ll run into, and the last thing I want is for you to get hurt, okay? Maybe you could stay here until I come back, if Vlad doesn’t mind.
-Hey, Rebeka said it first, grinned Blizz, I’m your modern day Lara Croft. If you go, I go, and don’t you worry about me, I’ll be just fine. Of course I won’t be leaving your tail for the whole thing, but hey…
-If you wanted a change from the London town life, you’re sure getting it, I laughed. Ah, there’s the mink again.
-This is Philip, Gregor, Stovich and Pavel, said the woman as she pointed out the made men who walked into the room. We are ready to go when you are, Aquarius.
-What are you carrying, I asked to the group.
One by one, the men showed me the small arsenal they had on them, mostly pistols and a pair of sub machineguns that I knew would be a staple if we ran into really unpleasant. I asked if they had something a bit more aggressive, as a worst-case alternative, and with a wide smile Vlad opened a cabinet aside the filing drawers and took out an assault rifle I hesitated to place as a Fabrique Nationale FAL.
-FN-FAL, I asked, or a cousin?
-What the Germans think it should be, chuckled the bear as he tossed it to me, a Steyr Stg.58. Here, three magazines will have to suffice, for it is all I have.
-I hope it won’t come to that, I commented though a giddy grin still climbed on my muzzle. I think I can hide it under my trench coat here…
After I’d taken off my coat and covered the rifle up my back, Blizz and I led the group out with the files Vlad had given us to guide our way. Vanessa held back a laugh as we passed in front of policemen walking their beat, themselves looking more then a little uncomfortable to see us march so openly, though bound by the promise their Constable had made to us. We slowed to a crawl as the motel that the files indicated as being the main drop point for the kidnappers, where the women were kept until they had a reason to be moved, mostly a sale, I supposed. Scattering around it over a few minutes, we stayed put and surveyed the place carefully, seeing a few guests come in and out freely through the doors as well as a number of more suspicious creatures, two of which I spotted in photographs from the reports.
-That’s them, I said to Blizz, who had kept to her word and stuck to me like glue. That means they’re still operating out of that place.
-So what do we do? There are a lot of people in there too!
-Find a back door into the motel and scout around in force, which means we don’t let them get in the way. If one does, we take care of him, though I’d much rather interrogate the locals then simply send them along to heck.
-If my father would see me now, he’d have a heart attack, giggled Blizzard. Fine, lead the way.
I signaled for the Russians to come back in a group as we walked around the block, eyes peeled for a fire escape or any other way into our target. All I could see was a rooftop access, three stories up, though the next building wasn’t so far as to make it inaccessible. The only word I could think of to describe the latter was a slum or at least a very disabused commune, and none of its inhabitants minded as we passed through to get ourselves on the asphalt roof, looking across a four-meter gap to the motel. One by one, we took a running leap for it, each doing quite a good job of either landing on the gravel or mantling up the ledge, though Blizzard made most of us look like kids at a fat camp as she launched herself to land perfectly on her paws, looking over to me and sticking her tongue out. I gave her a quick hug before we breached the door we’d spotted and started down to the top floor, trying to look rather friendly though our state of dress clearly did nothing to take away from our intimidation. Soon enough, one of the faces from the photographs turned a corner and froze as he saw us, his hand dropping to his side to draw steel. Vanessa was quicker though, quicker then me even, and popped a silenced round into his shoulder, taking his attention away from his previous gesture long enough for me to run over to him, grab his legs and as soon as one of the group had forced open one of the room doors, I dragged him inside, thankfully not leaving that much of a trail to be seen. Stovich and Pavel wasted no time to grab the covers from the bed and roll the guard up in them, keeping him immobilized as we started our… conversation. As soon as I had taken out the FN clone and poked at his muzzle with it, he became wonderfully talkative and spilled his guts about the operation, almost too quickly for me to jot down, though he didn’t mind repeating when we asked either… figure why. The women they kidnapped were all kept in the basement in locked cells, though he couldn’t tell if the Constable’s sister was one of them, and closely guarded by half a dozen men. All in all, it was much more manageable then I would have imagined, and as soon as Vanessa had knocked him out, we went on our way to pay the rest of his cogs a visit.

I decided that it was worth it to keep the rifle out and have the rest of the group draw their best steel just to stun the gangsters long enough to get a certain sense of the situation before they could react. We thankfully had some cooperation from Lady Luck and didn’t run into any guests, cleanly walking to the stairs that led to what would have been the basement of the building if it hadn’t been turned into a prison block. As we’d have expected, three of the guards were standing to near the doors at the bottom, though the sheer number of barrels pointed at them and the number of bullets just waiting to turn them into Swiss cheese was enough to convince them to put their weapons down and lie down silent as the dead. Two of the team stayed to watch over them and police their guns as we advanced and breached the door to find the rest of the boys looking simply defeated seeing us all smiling with our tins out. With the same level of cooperation as their buddies outside, they hit the tarmac to be searched, giving up a few knives. I had Blizzard and Vanessa cover me as I checked out the rooms, evacuating about six women, one of them thank God, a lynx. A half dozen-plus-one bastards to deliver to the police and six zoned out and rather distressed women calling for their families was rather more then a handful for us to take care of, something I realized quite quickly and prompted me to use a cell phone we’d confiscated to call up Constable Balakov and have him send hither rides for the respective parties. Vanessa and I played camp councilors until the police came around, myself quite busy trying to bring the Constable’s sister back from the dizzying abyss that she’d been thrown into. She wasn’t that fluent in English, but I didn’t know a word of Russian, hence we tried to find some half-sign language, half-spoken version that we could work with.
-My brother he send you, asked the lynx, he tell you I here?
-No, we had to find out otherwise. I’m sorry for your capture here.
-You not responsible, said the car as she managed a smile. They are! ???????? ??????! Aquarius, may I have your…
-That’s a choice you don’t want to make, I said as I pulled the rifle out of her reach. Justice will be done, or do you not trust your brother?
-???, I do trust him.
-Aquarius, visitors, called Vanessa as a group of policemen appeared down the stairwell, led by a familiar face.
-Dmitri, I said I saw the Constable, you’re a welcome sight.
-Lidia, called the cat, running to hug his kin.
-That’s cute, sighed Blizz as she took my free hand. Is it all right for me to put away my gun?
-Perfectly, go ahead, I replied. Want me to take it?
-Sure, nodded the wolf, giving it to me to tuck at my belt.
-Friend, we owe you everything, said Dmitri as he turned to return to reality.
-These good people are as much responsible as I am, I said as I waved to the Russians. Are you people able to manage with everybody here?
-Not a problem, grinned the lynx as one of the policemen gave a good kick into one of the more temperamental detainees.
-Dmitri, where are Ivan and Natalia? Can we go see them?
-Of course, sister. Aquarius, could you come to the hotel tomorrow? I’d very much like to talk to you about things.
-I’ll be there, I nodded as I gave the lynx a handshake before he followed the last of his men out of the building. Vanessa, I think we can go?
-Certainly! Lead the way, steed.
-Like being called a steed, I giggled as I took Blizzard’s hand.

I cloaked my rifle under my coat before we walked out of the motel and took to the pavement in the direction of Vlad’s hideout, wasting no time at all. The men that had joined us for the project took their leave when we entered the building, looking quite satisfied with their participation overall. Vanessa stayed with me and Blizz until we entered the Prince’s office to find him asleep again, letting the mink do the honours of walking over to him and giving him a poke in the ribs.
-What the..! Oh, hello friends! You work with incredible speed to be back so soon. Did everything go well?
-Only a single shot was fired, grinned Vanessa. Aquarius’ persuasiveness was enough to see this through.
-Along with this, I laughed as I took out the rifle and handed it to the bear, which I’ll give back to you.
-Keep it! I have others, waved Vlad. It’s but a small token in tribute to you and your friend, certainly. In the meantime, I find myself careless to not have given you a room here. Vanessa, could you show our great friends to a guest suite? You must be tired after such work.
-Mostly hungry, I think, I said as I looked over to Blizz to get a nod.
-Hungry? For our friends to go hungry, what a shame! Come, called the bear as he got to his paws and led us out of the room. We have caviar, still fresh from the sea, which you must absolutely taste to believe it exists.

The rest of the day was just paradise, gulping down ridiculous amounts of caviar and medium-grade champagne with the Russians sharing jokes and simply living the high life until we couldn’t even put two thoughts together. At that point, Vanessa managed to show Blizzard and me back to a nice suite to sleep it off but before I turned in, I placed an order for a little gift for the mink in return for her help in the intervention. Through my massive network of contacts in the Family, I’d learned that one of the clans in Canada which had formerly been the ruling class in Tijuana, actually produced a line of suppressed pistols that were available with an unimaginable number of upgrades, from IR sights, variable scopes, screw-on stocks and almost everything under the sun. I placed an order by phone for an express delivery of one of the sweetest numbers they made, fully loaded, though I couldn’t remember the price until a week later when I received my credit statement. At any rate, it was a thoughtful gift, in my opinion, which arrived two days later, sort of signalling the end of our vacation in the North. Blizz and I had been running around the capital, playing tourists, escorted by Vanessa and another of her associates, and things played out so the package arrived as we were turning in from our daily run-around.
-Here Vanessa, I said as we walked into the safe house, a little something to say thanks. I hope you like it!
-What could it be, smiled the mink as she shook the nondescript box. It doesn’t make any noise, but it’s a bit heavy. Hmm, all right, it’s a carrying case for something...
-Keep going, Blizzard insisted as Vanessa opened the composite case. Surprise!
-Oh God Almighty, gasped the mink as she saw the eight-piece instrument of defence. This is too much, Aquarius! This isn’t anything I recognize! It must have cost a fortune to have such a customized gun made!
-It’s from another Family, I corrected, and the price is nothing that you need to loose sleep over.
-All right, laughed the mink as she put down the case and gave us a hug. Are you sure you can’t stay for a few more days?
-Hey, I’m a Don, I said with a grin, and things get backed up like crazy when I’m not around. I’m sure we’ll come back sometime if you’d have us.
-Anytime, nodded the mink, and that’s from Vladimir too. It’s nice that we’re finally working together, you know, the Mafia and the Families. Now for the Triads, I don’t know...
-We’ll see, I shrugged, you never know.
-And that’s a fact, laughed Blizzard. And Aqua...
-Yep?
-If my parents ask, we were in Malta, eh?
-Funny how much snow Malta gets some years...