The Miami Broncos

Chapter 9: Once Bitten Twice Bought

Written by Francois Guint-Riel (FGR)

Celebrations were in order as Estrela, Catherine and I entered our seventh month of cohabitation in out little studio. We’d done wonderfully well in the last few weeks, myself racking up a generous half-million in personal cuts on the assorted sales I’d brokered for Lagoon Estates. It wasn’t much of a surprise, as the Voodoo Family, the local mob, had become my best clients, and they seemed to have an unending need for terrain, buildings, what have you, and I was all too happy to oblige them. My base salary had also received a shot in the arm since my superior, a generous and good-hearted crow by the name of Alistair, had made me full partner in the company, which meant that I was entitled to some of the dividends of the company, the last of which were in very healthy shape considering the profits we were achieving and the accompanying reactions from the other investors. Catherine, a gypsy fortuneteller and psychic by nature, had been busy providing the Family with their dose of mysticism and superstition, reading palms and futures without relent, which gave her a good income as well.

Estrela had taken the post of homemaker, with didn’t bother the good jaguar. Quite the opposite, he was glad to fulfill the post and only took the occasional contract with Lagoon when a certain property needed his brand of hype and glam, something he seemed to be able to do with just as much mystery as Catherine. He’d been planning our little party for a while, and after having voraciously assaulted the cat’s stuffed turkey and champagne, we needed a long rest in the living room to recover. Being naturists by osmosis, as it had been a long-standing tradition for Cat, at least we didn’t have to worry about blowing a pant button, a detail she brought up as we slumped down.
-If I’d be wearing a belt, I’d pull it down a few holes, said the cobalt Russian Blue queen.
-Dido, I replied. Star-man, you really made too much.
-Not that there’ll be any leftovers from what I can see, chuckled the jag as he looked over at the dilapidated table.
-Apparently not, I seconded. Phone’s ringing?
-Yep, sighed Estrela, picking up the receiver. Hello?
-Estrela? It’s your uncle, boy! How are you?
-Uncle? What a pleasant surprise! We were just recovering from one of my home-cooked meals.
-You put your roommates through the tortures, do you? It’s good to hear from you.
-Without question! The resort’s doing well?
-Since you magicians came and fixed my books, I couldn’t have even dreamed that it would have gone so wonderfully! That coati, Carlos, Ulrich’s friend from the National Guard, pulled out last month with his men. Too bad! They were good business, friends besides.
-Sad to hear that, though the big seasons’ coming in hard and fast, isn’t it?
-Quite so indeed. Actually, I was hoping to talk to you about a phone call I got yesterday. Do you know a bat called Cherry?
-Not really, replied Estrela. Why?
-Well, she called and said that she was looking for Ulrich, and wasn’t sure who to contact to get a number or something. I thought you might have run into the panther, being back in the States and all.
-We haven’t sorry. Hermann, do you know where Ulrich is now?
-Not a clue, sorry, but I could find out, maybe.
-How..., uncle, I’ll pass you the old okapi, here.
-Hermann, asked the Coon, is that you?
-Honk, I said with a nice call.
-Ah yes! I remember that voice anywhere. So you could find out where Ulrich is?
-I think so, I replied. I have some friends in the local Family that could, fingers crossed, have some clue where he might be. After all, he is a Don-heir, so it’s in their business to know. If they don’t I really don’t have that many rabbits to pull from my hat.
-It’s worth a shot, replied the Main Coon. I’ll give you her number, it’s in Tijuana.
-Mexico? Oh, the hotel where Ulrich found his other job! He left one behind, eh? Hmm, I’ll have to pull his black tail for that.
-Good luck, whatever the outcome. Take care, and ciao!
-Ciao, signor Callao.
I hung the phone up and dialed out to Don Philip Gagne, the godfather of the local Family, a warm-hearted if not unfortunately a bit naive rabbit. He picked up swiftly, recognizing my number from the caller ID, ostensibly.
-Hermann? How goes my favorite okapi?
-All too well, I replied. And the greatest Don this side of the swamps?
-Same, same, assured the hare. So, what wind blows you my way? Not another estate I’ll have to buy, I hope?
-Not at the moment, but a little question that you and you alone might be able to answer.
-Oh, that sounds like trouble, laughed the Don. Go ahead, what is it?
-Well, remember how I said I knew Don Ulrich Luther? Well, I don’t have a clue where the panther might have stowed his tail nice he left his job in Tijuana. Would you and your associates have any idea how I could find out?
-That’s a hard one, grunted the hare. Actually, it might take a little work, but depending how much of a hurry you’re in that might or might not be a problem.
-I’m honestly not sure, I said. I guess I’d have to make another call to be sure, but it would be possible?
-Yes, no problem. I’ll get back to you when I have an answer, eh? You take care, Hermann, and don’t let the spooks get you!
-They haven’t touched me yet. Salud!
The hare ended the call with a giggle, though I was quite sure that he was serious about helping us. After all, we’d been through quite a lot, and I knew that though he had a certain sense of humor at first glance, he was all business and honor at heart. I hung my tongue out in a tease as I dialed the lengthy number to get a hold of the bat in Mexico, only getting an answer four rings later.
-Si, this is Cherry la Verde. Who is calling?
-This is Hermann Vitter, an old friend of Ulrich Luther. I was contacted by Juan Callao, from the Banco resort in Brazil about you looking for the panther?
-Si, I am, replied the bat, sounding relieved. Do you know where he is, or his number?
-Sorry, not right now, but I’m working on it. I was just wondering how much of a hurry you were in to get a hold of him. He’s a bit tricky to keep tabs on, unfortunately.
-Very much in a hurry, insisted the bat. You see, I’m in trouble. I helped Ulrich be giving him some information about the ex-leaders of the Family here so he could take them out and return things to normal. They were very, very bad people, and thankfully, he did what he had to without a second though. Unfortunately, everyone knows it was I who talked, and people are suspicious about me, especially the Family. Someone is trying to kill me now, and I have no idea who to talk to.
-Kill you? What do you mean?
-I’ve been getting threats for the last few weeks, regularly, but I’m careful enough that nothing has happened yet. If I don’t get out of here soon though, I don’t think I’ll make it...
-This is serious, I said with a start.
-Please hurry! If I can’t get hold of Ulrich or someone I can trust, I’m done for.
-All right, this is what you’ll do, I said with a decisive tone. You’ll stay were you are, which is a hotel, I think, right?
-Yes, that’s right.
-All right, stay there. I’ll be down as soon as I can, and we’ll bring you back here.
-But the immigration...
-Won’t be a problem when you’ll be here, I insisted. I think I can make this work...
-You sound like the panthera, Hermann, sighed the bat. I’m waiting, but I hope you’re sure about this.
I hung up and throwing my head back, rubbed my face with a long honk, trying to explain to the two others what has going on.
-So you’re going to Tijuana, laughed Cat. Well, that’s very brave but you’re in just as much trouble as the bat when you’ll be there.
-I might- I started at the phone rang again. Hello?
-Hermann, this is Gyra, said the giraffe, point woman of the Voodoo. You were trying to find out where Ulrich is?
-Sure, shoot away!
-Malta.
-What, I called, my voice falling off. You mean Malta, as in the Mediterranean island?
-The very one, still working for Rockwell-Sheppard. You sound like you’re in bad way! Anything a natural cousin can do to help?
-Unless you’re in a rescuing maidens in distress kind of mood, probably not.
-It just so happens I might be. Tell away, o-kappa.
I took a while to explain the whole story to the giraffe, who seemed as concerned as I was for the bat, and after I’d gone through the resume, offered to accompany me to meet her.
-If you pay the tickets, I don’t mind the ride.
-Can Philip afford to let you go for a few days?
-Easily, laughed Gyra, it’s totally quiet here at the home. Boring, to be precise. I need to stretch my neck, mind the pun.
-Pun minded, I chuckled. All right, so when abouts?
-I’ll be over in a few minutes, so pack your things!
-All right, see you then!
-So you’re off already, said Estrela with a grin. Don’t worry, Cat and I won’t change the locks while you’re gone.
-Why don’t you come too? It’s not like we can’t afford the ride.
-Right on! NAFTA rules, called the jaguar. Call it business, and we’re good.
-The caravan rides, exclaimed Cat. Off we go!
Three suitcases couldn’t have been packed without as much of a hurry as we did ours, literally throwing in our things until we where relatively sure we hadn’t neglected anything. As I shut mine, Gyra popped her head into the apartment.
-How did you get in here, asked Cat. Aren’t there locks on the doors around here?
-Not that many, smiled the woman. Don’t ask, I’m just that good.
-I bet you are, I laughed, sneaking up on her and pulling her inside. We packed light.
-Same here, just an overnight bag, shrugged Gyra. I’ll just smell a bit funny if it takes longer then that. Oh, and an odd question like that...
-Yes?
-Just casually observing that none of you are well, that dressed up at the moment. Reason is..?
-Didn’t we tell you, startled Estrela. Oh, I guess not! We’re hippies here. Call it voodoostock if you will, we go au naturel inside these walls.
-Ah, now nice, smiled Gyra, and very confident of you.
-Confident? Yes. Comfortable? Even more, assured Estrela. What, do you have a crooked spot to hide?
-You mean, you want me to...asked the giraffe, blushing hard.
-Only if you want, we won’t be too long, I said with a grin. Hey, everyone here’s as open-minded as they come.
-First time to everything, said Gyra with a nervous giggle.
We turned to see the giraffe undo her jacket, then her blouse, putting them on the coat rack aside the door.
-You don’t give yourself enough credit, I said, taking a good look at her. You’re quite, quite the angel, Gyra.
-Oh, not really, she corrected. If anything, I find I look a bit odd.
-I don’t think so, said Cat, coming closer to unbutton her pants.
-You look like you could use some help, I offered, undoing the giraffe’s bra and pulling it off her arms. Wow, you’re lucky!
-Think so, giggled Gyra, testing her chest. Well, maybe...
-Hey, just look at me, shrugged Cat, hugging her and pressing herself against her, you beat me easy!
-Is it just me, or am I standing in my panties surrounded by three very dirty people?
-No, said Estrela as he crouched and pulled off Gyra’s last cover, you’re completely butt-naked, surrounded by three very kind people.
Gyra looked both giddy and surprised as we guided her to the sofa and together, explored every last spot on her body. Catherine massaged her horns while Estrela and I took over the rest of her elongated physiognomy. Before long, the point lady was squirming in pleasure, her loins drenched as we pushed on.
-Hermann, I don’t want to impose, said Gyra, but I would really, really like for you to fuck me blind right now.
-Are you certain, I said, opening her long, slim legs.
-Don’t argue with the Family, she laughed. Nike the giraffe.
-Just do’er, I smirked, easing myself into her. Kissing cousins we are...
-Sh-! That’s huge, whew! Oh boy, get going, Hermann! I can’t hold out long. Gahh!
The giraffe and I honked as we bounced away, Cat and Estrela batting at her wavy breasts until we finished in nothing less then the triple salvo of orgasms, both dropping like wet rags at our earliest convenience.
-Wow, exclaimed the giraffe out of the blue. That was great! Do you guys jump all your guests, or is it on a random basis?
-Well, you looked like you might appreciate it, said Estrela. After all, we never saw you with anyone, as far as I can remember.
-First time in three years, sighed Gyra. But the wait was worth it!
-Three years? Look, I said with a grin, if you need it, swing by anytime, I mean come on! Three years?
-Nymphomaniacs, laughed the giraffe as she got to her hooves, you’re all crazy. Get your bags ready...
-Right, I said, turning to leave before Gyra caught my arm.
-All except you, she said with a grin, pulling me down with her. You’re not quite done here...
-Help!
I must have pounded the long-necked lady for the better part of half an hour with the two others looking on with changing levels of amusement and compassion as they squared away the last of our necessities. Still, I survived my tour of duty, and lived to tell the tale as we dressed to go, Gyra still looking starry-eyed and relaxed as we got into her car to get to the airport. As we arrived, I hurried to get the tickets for our flight, giving a small honk when the stewardess told me the price, taken aback by the high toll.
-It’s a charter, sir, said the Dall’s sheep ewe. I’m sorry for the price, but I have no say on it...
-Oh, think nothing of it, I said, giving her my credit card. I used to be a broke student, and I must have picked up a few habits in that time that don’t go with my present means.
-I understand, replied the ewe with a smile. I can offer you two window seats and two corridor, communicating.
-That’ll be great, thank you. Have good one!
I took the tickets with a smile and distributed them to my friends, making sure I gave one of the more spacious ones to Gyra, who checked herself before giving me a peck on the cheek in thanks.
-Not that many people think about that, she said. I appreciate the thought.
-Bah, I’m used to it. I had this friend in college, Cassa, a gazelle. We used to make sure that her horns fit where we went too...
-Good training!
The flight wasn’t due to leave for another three hours, which gave us time enough to rest a bit at the airport, Estrela entering his dumb foreign tourist act, answering any comment or question in Portuguese with a strong accent. Finally, we got onto the plane and got airborne, steadying out into a comfortable trajectory in a smooth transition. Estrela and Cat had taken neighboring seats, leaving me and Gyra to take those behind them, which allowed the jaguar to lean back and sleep for a while, the queen soon joining him in dreamland. Without their intrusion, I got out a pack of cards I constantly carried with me, and proceeded to thoroughly fleece Gyra for a while. Careful that the two cats were still asleep, I occasionally nibbled her neck, which turned out to be a very ticklish area on the giraffe, who didn’t mind it in the least, returning the favor as best she could once in a while. Still, it was a long trip, and we ended up leaning against one another and falling fast sleep, hearing a camera click as we dozed, the sight of two of the longest-necked creatures in the world catching z’s probably too much for anyone to pass on remembering. We came around as the captain informed the passengers that we were arriving at the airstrip, which was just visible out of the window, though we circled around in a long arc to come onto it with a good angle. The moment we unbuckled out seatbelts, the four of us worked the aches from our bones, numb from the long period of absolute lethargy.
-Welcome to Tijuana, I said with smile, looking around, tequila, sex or marijuana?
-How about bat, laughed Gyra. You got one of those too?
-At the RS, I nodded. I don’t figure there’s anything like the public transit we’re used to here, nor can we walk it. Cab?
-Cab indeed, seconded Estrela. I hope they take US currency...
We hired a ride to the downtown, the driver all too happy to take a few pictures of Churchill in exchange for the service, and promised to be back if we needed a return trip. The hotel was pretty obvious. It’s decor and prominent appearance contrasted with the other buildings vibrantly and the rich RS symbol was just whipped cream on the meringue. We strode right in, nodding to the doorman and dropping him a fiver as we passed, headed to the front desk. The attendant, a tall Arabian stallion, well-groomed and serene-looking, greeted us and asked how he could be of service.
-Good morning, and welcome to the Rockwell-Sheppard Tijuana. How may we help you?
-We’re looking for a good soul who works here, by the name of Cherry la Verde. Would you know where we could find her?
-I’m sorry, but I’m not sure if she’s expecting company. If I could have your names, I’ll ask her if she’s available.
-My name is Hermann Vitter, a friend of Ulrich Luther, I offered.
-Ulrich? Oh, I think I remember him talking about you. What was his mother’s name?
-Johanna, I replied.
-Then I know I’m safe, said a voice from behind us, revealing itself to be a cute, well-dressed fruit bat.
-Cherry, I assume, said Estrela as he took her hand. I’m Estrela Callao, and this Gyra Bambina and Catherine.
-Cherry, could I see those letters that you received, asked the giraffe. I’m with the Family in New Orleans, one of the front line, and I could perhaps have some insight into this.
-Here, said Cherry, getting a few envelopes form her purse and handing them to Gyra. There’s five of them, all on a typewriter. I can’t tell who it is and there’s no punctuation.
-Hmm, classics, grunted Gyra. This is definitively from an independent here in the city. You see, when someone in the Family goes AWOL, the word goes out about this person, everything. Writing samples, photos, anything that could serve to identify them. This is what they normally do when that happens. Completely anonymous, but effective.
-So it’s only one person?
-Yes, underlined Gyra, and seeing how you’re targeted, then that means that it’s someone that you must have known at some point and did something to irritate, bad. Oh, look at this! Moron! Hermann, look at the top of the page with the light.
-Letterhead, from the Tijuana PD, I said with a grin. Amateur!
-Neophyte’s more like it, corrected Gyra. We might have your problem right there, then!
-Ulrich and the rest of us rocked the boat hard, said Cherry. Plus, the chief of police had the panther look into Starlight, an investigator for the government, when she arrived in town.
-He must want anyone who had anything to do with that business clammed up or out of his town, said the jackal. That means Boreale’s in trouble too!
-I’ll call her up, said the bat, heading for the courtesy phone and calling someone down from the hotel’s offices. She worked with us, as Ulrich’s secretary.
-All right, all of you go to your rooms, recommended Gyra. Hermann, stay with me, we’re going to the police.
-Why just you, asked Estrela.
-Because when I start swinging my neck around, the place gets crowded, grinned the giraffe.
I walked with Gyra out of the hotel after we’d made sure that everyone was safe in the confines of their rooms. We took to the streets and got directions to the nexus of law enforcement, pounding the pavement hard as we strode on.
-So what’s the plan, I asked as we got near the building.
-We see how the Chief cooperates, replied Gyra. If he’s on the Family’s payroll, just getting confirmation that he’s the one sending the letters is enough, and we’ll just take care of him as a token of our friendship to the locals.
-Take care of?
-A good lesson, said the giraffe. They’ll decide if they want to go further then that...
We entered the department and asked to see the chief, serious and stern enough and no questions were asked as we entered the offices, guided by a lieutenant, who insisted on talking to us for a moment, warning us that he’d been acting pretty mean for a while.
-I don’t know why, he’s just like ‘get out of way’, you know, said the policeman. Man, I hope we get a new guy soon. He’s bad news, and it’s screwing everyone’s day up here.
-You all receive gifts from somebody, asked the giraffe, not directly mentioning the Family.
-Yeah, him too! I don’t know, maybe he wants more or something.
-Does anyone else have a typewriter here?
-Heck no, we have a good printer now! Saves time like crazy...
Gyra and I nodded as we walked into the Chief’s office, staring at the typewriter on the shelf aside his desk. The jaguarondi looked nervous, and our appearance did nothing to comfort his state. I pulled the door shut and closed the blinds as Gyra talked to him.
-We need to talk about that typewriter there, said the giraffe. You see, we have these letters that some of our friends got with threats, on stationary that comes from right here. You see where I’m going with this?
-We don’t like having people talking shit to our friends, I said, standing aside the giraffe.
-It’s none of your business, spat the Chief. Get out, or I’ll have you put in jail for longer then you’ll live.
-Gyra, he’s not being cooperative.
-No he isn’t, Hermann. We should... encourage him.
In a quick movement, the giraffe took the tape dispenser from the desk as well as a stress ball and gagged the cat with it, taping it in place. He reached to take it off, but I caught his hands, and she taped them as well. We let him calm down a bit, then with a positively evil grin, Gyra leaned him over his desk and tore the seat of his pants from under his tail, then his boxers underneath before motioning for me to get ready to party. The cat seemed in total shock, humming as much as he could, though nothing was coming out that could have warned anyone of his unenviable fate.
-You’re got a real attitude problem, Chief, I said. But don’t worry! It’s nothing a proper ass-fuck won’t fix. Relax, can’t you? It’ll just be more uncomfortable.
For the next fifteen minutes, the jaguarondi couldn’t possibly have regretted more deeply to have seen the light of day as I bopped him good, Gyra looking on with a giggling expression, finding some humor in his total discomfort. Finally, as we removed the gag, he gave a complete written confession as to the blackmail and threats that the girls at the hotel had received, even selling out two others in the department that had also played a part in it. All and all, he couldn’t have been more cooperative, as we’d hoped. Cutting his binds, we left, recommending that he keep the events of the hour for himself if he didn’t want his destiny to be decided quicker then needs be.

With the confession in hand, we took our leave to find the local Family and expose the story to them. The Chief had also been so good as to give us the location of their front restaurant, a seafood place that their Don had a great preference to, being a dolphin by genus. The ride in was quick, but getting anyone’s cooperation there was a bit tougher until we dropped the name of Ulrich to the servers, which seemed to hit a delicate spot. One of them disappeared in the back rooms behind the kitchens, but then returned with a content air to him, motioning for us to follow him. Gyra seemed to take it as good sign, and indeed, it proved to be. Tailing the employee up a flight of stairs to the second story of the commerce, we were shown into a large salon where the Don was waiting, slumped in a long sofa. He looked at us for a moment before signing for us to come closer and sit down.
-I remember Ulrich mentioning an okapi that he knew once, said the dolphin, and I don’t know that many myself, therefore, am I to believe that your name is Hermann?
-It is, I replied. And you are the Don of this city?
-Don Nereid, at your service, sir okapi. And the good lady is..?
-Gyra, point for the New Orleans Voodoo Family, said the giraffe, shaking the godfather’s hand.
-Far from home! So what brings you here? I take it that considering your affiliation, it’s something serious.
-Some problems in your backyard, I said. Two former colleagues of our friend Ulrich were blackmailed by someone, and one of them came into contact with us.
-The bat, yes, I knew about, nodded the dolphin. I couldn’t really bring myself to trust her all that easily. You know she sold out my predecessor, and though it was a good thing worthy of praise and gratefulness, once someone changes sides, it becomes a bit difficult to listen to anyone crying wolf for a while. Anyhow, it was clear that it wasn’t anyone with the guts to do anything on the short term.
-There was another, a jackal, added Gyra.
-Jackal? Didn’t hear about that one, grunted the Don. This is getting more... complicated.
-We did some work this morning and found out that it was the chief of police here that was responsible, said the giraffe, producing the confession.
-He’s done for, said Nereid, picking up the phone. Lemmy? You’re clear to take the Chief. Something quiet and discrete, yes. Give me a call when you’re done.
-That was quick, I said as he hung up.
-He also tried to cut into some of his friends’ gifts, and threatened to talk to the feds if we didn’t ramp up his ‘salary’. Not something to do if you care about staying on your feet for any length of time.
-So about the hotel, said Gyra. Are you already keeping an eye on it?
-Oh yes, of course, it’s a big deal in this neck of the woods. Plenty of our friends stay there when visiting, and the managers are in our good books too. You worry about the bat?
-If we vouch for her, will you also pen her in, asked Gyra.
-I don’t see why we wouldn’t, shrugged Nereid. It’s not that we would’ve stood by idly if someone was really after her, but we didn’t mind her having to remember that having friends watching your back isn’t a bad thing. I’ll have her under surveillance for a few days to make sure that nothing happens, and the hotel is constantly under our microscope.
-Good to hear, nodded the giraffe. While we’re here, is there anything you’d like to talk about, between Families?
-Hmm, just a few things, thought the dolphin. I have a few shipments I’d like to have sent out to clients up North, but there’s so much hassle these days at the border...
-...which could always be avoided by our channels, smiled Gyra. Give us manifests and numbers and we’ll make it work. Is there any word on the new seeds from down south, the rust-resistant cannabis that was talked about a few years back?
-Total bull, waved Nereid. Turns out that it was nothing else then a spoof, and the instigators were reprimanded for their guile.
The two talked for a few minutes before the dolphin received a phone call and excused himself, leaving us free to return to the hotel baring nothing but good news for it’s occupants. The bat was still in the lobby as we entered, which piqued my curiosity somewhat, interrogating her as to why she wasn’t with the others.
-I was just so nervous, said the flying mouse. I didn’t want them to be in danger if someone was after me.
-Well, that’s no longer a problem, announced Gyra. We just talked to the Don of the Family after having paid the police station a little visit, and the godfather put a contract out on the Chief as well as giving us his assurance that he’d keep an eye out for you as long as necessary.
-That’s wonderful, said Cherry, her eyes lighting up as the giraffe spoke. I’d just...
-Yes?
-I really would’ve like to come with you back home, said the mouse. I know that I have something here, but I feel like everyone distrusts me here, even if now they kind of put it aside.
-I think I understand, commented Gyra. There’s a very quick way for you to get your citizenship, if you really want it.
-What is it, asked the bat, staring at the giraffe. What do I need to do?
-Simply put, just marry one of there fine gentlemen, smiled Gyra. Then I’ll have a friend of mine in the Department rush your certificate through, and you’ll be in for good. Then, I think it would be possible for a job to open up with the Family, in one of our companies, so you’d be set up for the long run.
-I don’t know what Estrela would say, I said with a chuckle. I’m all for helping out, but...
-If you need to, called the jaguar, appearing from behind me as he hugged my sides. We don’t mind, do we, Cat?
-A friend in need is a friend indeed, smiled the queen. Come on Cherry, we’re going for supper in the restaurant...
We enjoyed a nice, full course meal on the restaurant’s expense, the horse at the reception joining us as another took his place. He seemed glad that the bat would be able to realize her dream of starting afresh, and thanked us thoroughly for our gesture. I took off during the dessert to get a ring somewhere close by, finding a small jewelry store three blocks away, where I bought both engagement rings and bands, through quite modest, being a marriage of convenience, after all. As the group was finishing up, I walked up the Cherry, and dropping to a knee, proposed to her in front of everyone. The flying mouse obviously hadn’t expected me to go through the trouble of getting anything more then what was necessary for the celebration, and stared at the small white gold quarter karat ring for a moment before accepting and giving me a long kiss, which I must definitively admit I enjoyed. She was cute, and looked childishly innocent for her twenty-something years, and having her hugging me in the middle of the restaurant was enough to make me blush deep for a good while still. Alex, the horse, looked at us with a grin as he took his cell and called the local congregation to have a priest come marry us pronto. He hung up with the same air and nodded that the celebrant would be here shortly.
-In the convention room, offered Alex. There’s room enough for all of us there.
-I’m so happy, smiled Cherry. That was pretty romantic of you, Hermann...
-Well, a marriage is something serious nonetheless, I declared. I know that maybe it’s a bit odd, the circumstances being what they are, but still, you deserve good memories.
The bat grinned and rested her head against me as we sat around in the room and I put an arm around her, which gave Estrela and Cat a good excuse to do the same. A few minutes later, the priest arrived, another horse, but a pinto from his breed.
-Hello brother, said Alex. Thanks for the sudden calling...
-Oh come on Alex, this is a beautiful occasion, returned the equine, hugging the stallion. So these are the two lucky souls?
-Yes, said Cherry with a smile, getting up with me to greet the man of the cloth.
-Fireworks, he sighed, I can see it in your eyes. Well, let’s begin, shall we?
The pinto seemed to take his time with our marriage, ending with a lingering kiss between me and the batty with drew a pause from the onlookers. With the religious part over and done, he got Alex and Gyra to witness for us as we filled the paperwork, and accepted an offer from his brother for a little something at the bar. Cherry and I looked at the certificate with our friends, giggling a bit with the satisfaction that we were doing the right thing all around. Cherry insisted that we continue the party upstairs, occupying two vacant rooms as we recovered from our emotions. Gyra was the first to retire, yawning discretely before commenting that she needed a bit of rest, lying long and hard on the bed of the neighboring suite before going out like a light. The bat seemed in no hurry to part our company, hugging and cuddling with total trust and affection. I took her against me for a moment as Cat and Estrela took their leave as the sun was falling to join the giraffe next door, and exchanged another embrace with her, humming as our lips joined. She flexed out her wings and closed them around me in a double-layered hug before talking, her voice sounding a bit more melancholy then during our previous conversation.
-It’s been a while since anyone held me, said the mouse. It was wonderful when Ulrich was here, he was so kind, Hermann. But since then, I’ve felt so alone, completely alone. Boreale and I slept together for a while after he moved, but it wasn’t the same.
-I’m sorry Cherry, I know how hard it can be. Ulrich’s a wonderful soul, and when he left us in Brazil it was just as difficult.
-So you, started the bat, also did... with him?
-Like I said, he’s a wonderful soul, full of surprises, I chuckled.
-As if you weren’t, laughed Cherry, holding me closer. This feels good... you’re warm, okapi.
-So is the batty, I replied, stroking her hair. You’re so sweet, Cherry.
The bat smiled and without a word, took off her shirt as I unbuttoned mine and falling to the mattress, we held each other, nuzzling and licking whatever we saw. Eventually, I reached across her shoulders and pulled down her bra, suckling on her gentle, modest breasts, buried in dark black fur. Cherry closed her eyes and held my head against her, humming in pleasure as I worked on. Distracted, I was able to take her pants off without protest and caressed her long legs, nibbling on her toes as she returned my subtle gesture and pulled my tail out of it’s hole in my seat and cast my jeans aside. “Sweet batty”, I said as I took hold of her panties and pulled them off. Cherry looked down at herself and holding my face, pushed me towards it, enticing me to eat her out. I pleasured her long and fast, raising her to a minor climax before she doubled over and reaching into my briefs, took my solid member and licked at it, sucking on my foot-long rod and rubbing my scrotum passionately. Before long, I couldn’t take any more provocation and laying her back, opened her legs and penetrated her slowly, feeling every muscle contract in her against my dick as I entered deeper and deeper.
-God you’re huge, she mouthed as her eyes watered. Go as far as you can, it’s so good.
-Oh mousy, I whined, it’s so tight.
-Finger my ass, grinned Cherry, go all the way, ‘kapi...
I massaged the bat as I slid myself in her with no less then six inches of travel, our chests heaving with breath until I flooded her loins with a hinny and she answered by grabbing the sheets and releasing a sharp, probably partly supersonic cry.
-Hermann, you’re a god, she said as I pulled out of her and fell on the bed. It was like getting a giant. Let me see... what-! That fit?
-Apparently, I said, rubbing her clit. I hope it didn’t hurt...
-It was... amazing.
-Glad to oblige, I said as I passed out.

The pair of us woke up to a call from the bedside phone from the front desk, apparently a courtesy call asked for by out friends next door who hadn’t wanted to intrude on our privacy. I thanked the voice for the thought and shook Cherry awake, the bat all to recalcitrant to relinquish the sheets. I ended up picking her up and giving her a shower, the mouse not giving an ounce of resistant as she enjoyed the treatment I was giving her. She giggled as we dressed, announcing that she wouldn’t have met someone like me if it hadn’t been for the extraordinary circumstances. I thanked her for her thoughts and hurried us along to breakfast where we found the rest of our team already tucking into their eggs and ham, the giraffe nodding to us as we took our places.
-I faxed ahead the certificate, announced Gyra. It ought to speed things up a bit My contact was certain that it would be possible for our batty to be a landed immigrant by week’s end, and in the meantime, she was to accept this temporary visa.
-Thank you indefinitely, said Cherry, accepting the faxed message from the point woman. So this means that we can go?
-Absolutely, nodded the giraffe. Unless you want to relish in the wonders of this somewhat legendary location...
-I think this was a business trip, called Estrela. After all, we did what we set out to accomplish, didn’t we?
-True, I concluded. I guess the sooner we get our paws back in our home turf, the sooner we can close this chapter. Do you have any preparations to do, Cherry? Some packing, I take it?
-I’ll maybe have a few things to box up, shrugged the bat. I don’t have that much since I moved into the hotel. My apartment was a mess, and when I cleared it out, I only kept a minimum. Too many memories of a sorry age, I guess.
-I can understand, I said with my arm around her, hugging her a bit.
-So batty, what do you like to do, asked Grya, putting her own hand across Cherry’s shoulders. There’s a lot of possibilities back in New Orleans, and a lot of openings I know of.
-Well, I kind of like the restoration and hotel business, said the bat. Since I started here, I really learned a lot, and I think I could pull my weight.
-No doubts there, assured the giraffe. There’s a old-style hotel that we opened a few weeks back, in that old building in the downtown you sold to us, Hermann. There’s still a few holes to fill after the first wave of demission.
-Demission?
-It happens, I said. When people find out who’s really the owner of their business and signs their checks, a few people get squeamish and give up their position rather then join the party.
-I’ve already been in the party for a while, laughed the bat. I don’t have any problem with it as long as the Don is a good man...
-A kind rabbit, stated Gyra, a true knight, I can vouch for in full. His name is Philip Gagne, from Tampa. We basically grew up together, so I’d know if there were a single crooked bone in his body, and there isn’t.
-Thanks, smiled Cherry, giving her a hug. I promise I’ll pay you back for this, somehow.
-I think that if anything, Ulrich owed you a debt of gratitude for your part in the fall of the old leaders of the Family here, I offered. Consider this a way for your good karma to return, eh?
-Speaking of which, you really have no idea when I’d be able to see him again?
-Who knows? In the meantime, we have a flight to catch, said Estrela, pulling a place schedule from his pocket. The nest flight’s in three hours, so by the time we pack you up, batty, it’ll be time for us to take to the skies.
The bat seemed to fly by another power then her natural wings as Estrela and I returned to the employee level with her to offer our aid in packing her things up for our return trip, and her immigration, in short. She had spoken true as to the amount of worldly goods under her name, and a few cardboard boxes pilfered from the hotel were more then enough to contain them. She pressed on hard, a cherubic smile stuck on her face as we worked and all too glad to make her goodbyes to her friends as we put the boxes into a taxi which Gyra had been so good as to hail on the phone in preparation for our departure. Within the hour, we were back at the airport with a new friend in our midst, who asked all there was to know about the city that she would soon enough call home. I was certain that she would be able to fend for herself, should she choose to break away after our arrangement’s end, but I insisted that she meant more to us then just that.
-Cherry, you understand that we’re here for you, I said. Whatever you think, go ahead and tell us, eh?
-I know, smiled the mouse, and don’t worry, I don’t keep much to myself when I know there are some friendly ears about.
-That there are, chuckled Catherine, eight in all! Give me your hand...
-Which one, this one?
-Yes, muttered the queen, tracing the lines in the bat’s palm with her fingers. You have more luck then most I’ve met in my time, but you’ve had a very troubled life to date. Don’t worry, it settles from now on, if I trace this point as being today, or at least this year.
-So everything’s fine?
-Insofar as I can tell, shrugged the cat. Lucky, restful batty!
-Ah, nothing but good news, smiled Cherry, hugging the gypsy.
An hour later, the charter landed to fuel up for our trip, for which I’d fetched tickets, placing it well ahead of schedule, thankfully, as we had little to do in the boarding area then wax philosophic, something that proved most interesting nonetheless, there being so many points of view and backgrounds in our group so to make it a vivid discussion. I sat with Estrela for the trip, the jaguar resting his head on my shoulder and dozing off in a purring sleep as I stoked his head and kissed him softly. “Buenas noches, kitty”, I whispered in his ear as I felt myself drift off as well, sandwiching him against me.

The landing was just as soft and gradual as the takeoff had been, and we barely noticed that we had become one with the dirt until the attendant came by and announced that it was all right for us to undo our seatbelt and stretched while we taxied to our port. Estrela poked me with a little kiss from his gold muzzle to make sure I was awake, which I returned in the form of a discrete roadrunner, tearing a little yowl from the poor unsuspecting feline. A taxi had been waiting for us, apparently sent straight form the Don of the city, Philip Gagne. I didn’t ask any questions, knowing just like Gyra that if we were summoned so urgently by the rabbit it wasn’t our place to start arguing. We climbed into the limousine, throwing our bags in the back as quickly as possible. The driver was from the Family as well, therefore was able to fill us in as to the details of the unexpected business.
-We’re in some trouble, said the driver, keeping his eyes on the road. You see, there where three different Dons that had an eye on this city, and one of them announced to Philip that he’d better be ready to prove that he has a hold on the city.
-He’s planning to try and take it, I asked with a gasp. You mean...
-Yes, we’re on the verge of a Family conflict, nodded Gyra. I was keeping an eye on this before we left, but I didn’t think we had to take care of it for oh, maybe a year or so. We’re still not that solid here, as good an image as we’ve been projecting to the other Dons.
-What can we do to avoid it, asked Estrela, is there something to be done?
-All we can do is both use politics and the leverage from the other families to force them to withdraw their threat and apologize, or get rid of the Don. You see, it’s like chess in these conflicts; take the king, the game’s over.
-So you mean if the Don of the aggressing Family is assassinated, then it’s back to the usual pace, I said.
-You’ve got it, confirmed the giraffe. I also have some suspicions that it was him that placed Midnight in his position of point man to have a good option against Philip. I found a bit of evidence to support that as well, so it’s not just an empty accusation.
-So you know a lot about him, grunted Catherine. Does that information include where he is?
-You seem very interested, giggled Gyra. Well, I suppose that I could get you into this operation, if you’re that curious. Then again, I hate to put people on the line for nothing.
-Hey, we’re not letting our giraffe poke her horns out alone, nudged Estrela. Tell, tell.
-Last I heard he was in an RV park outside the city, as preposterous as it sounds, grinned Gyra. Nice hideout, eh?
-Hey, some of those things a nicer then most hotels, commented Estrela. I lived in one for a few months when I was younger.
-Nicer still, most come with a nice supply of propane, laughed Gyra.
-Boom, I said with a smile.
-Boom indeed, nodded the giraffe. Ever use a firearm, Hermann?
-No, never, I replied. I take it that it’ll change?
-Only if things don’t go as planned, shrugged Gyra. I’ll cover you if needs be, I’m used to it more then you, perhaps.
-I couldn’t ask you to do that, I corrected, I’ll be right there with you. It’s just point and click like in movies, right?
-Wait until you fire your first bullet, grinned the giraffe. Imagine popping a balloon right next to your ear, but just a twinge louder then that...

The car didn’t slow for a moment as we bolted through the downtown to the Family’s mansion, banking hard to take the driveway, which automatically blocked itself from the street as a long semicircular plate raised from the ground. “Philip’s idea”, smiled Gyra as we got out and followed the giraffe into the building. Estrela and I felt a bit more giddy then usual, never having been to the home since it’s renovation. Sure, the Don had invited us, but we’d kind of felt out of place to visit such an institution. Cherry had a different air to her, as if she was walking back into a dream that she’d lived in another life. The tales that she’d told on the plane had been quite convincing that she’d been anything but happy as a member of the mob, and hadn’t given it a second thought when the possibility of leaving had presented itself. That changed a bit as Don Philip appeared, leaning on the doorway and waved to us. The hare was still in his usual three-piece, and gave Gyra a tight hug as she came to greet him.
-Hello you all, said the Don. I take it everything went well down south, other then that little call you gave me, Gyra-scope?
-Not much, save for a new friend, said the giraffe, introducing Cherry and bringing the bat forwards to shake Philip’s hand.
-Ah, so this is the mouse? Great to meet you Cherry, said the rabbit. So, you like hotels, eh? The assistant manager’s seat at one of our hotels is empty, and I’d like to know that there’s someone trustworthy sitting in it.
-About trust, I hope Gyra didn’t-
-I know about that, nodded hare as we walked inside to his study. It’s all right, for I understand how a reasonable, good soul reacts when put in such a terrible position as you were in Tijuana. After all, there was nothing else that you could do, and I admire your courage for having done so. So, how about scotch all around?
-Thank you, I said as the Don handed out shooter glasses and took out a bottle from his desk. Gyra told us about the challenge that arose as of late...
-I thought she might, smiled Philip. So you want to help?
-If I can, in any way, I’d be honored to.
-And I’m not letting you go either, seconded Estrela.
-Nor am I, protested Catherine.
-Well, it looks like you have your team there, Gyra! It doesn’t take long for you to gather a fan club, does it?
-All right then, shrugged the giraffe, but in that case, it’s an afternoon at the range for the bunch of you.
-I’m game, I said with a smile.
-I have a vision, joked Estrela. Cat picks up a gun, fires it and drops it startled...
-Oh be quiet, grinned the queen, I’ll be plenty better then you...
-While you’re doing that, Cherry, how about a bit about yourself..?

Leaving the bat and hare to chat, we discovered that either Gyra was a great teacher, or we were gifted from birth with firearms. The three of us started hitting the mark into the first hour, and the next two where just as good, somewhat surprising the point woman. We had a coffee in the lounge after our practice as she commented that since we were so hot, there was no reason for us to wait any longer, and that we’d go ahead with the mission as soon as the sun had set. Our jaguar was about to protest, but seeing an air of proud defiance from Cat, he subsided and supported the idea with a bit of machismo. We rested and talked away until dusk, when the giraffe told us to get ready to go, and grabbing a weapon from the armory each, we boarded Gyra’s car in the driveway. As we were strapping in, a guard came and put a long tube-like object in the trunk, getting a thumbs-up from the giraffe.
-What’s that, I asked as we pulled out.
-A rocket launcher, replied the point woman.
-A what?
-When you said boom, laughed Gyra, I hope that you didn’t intend on sitting around and praying to the good Lord to strike the traitor’s RV by lightning, eh?
-I won’t even ask how you buy one of those, sighed Estrela.
-Are you neighbors that noisy, joked the giraffe, or are you going on a fishing trip?
It took two hours to get to the camping site, not that we parked there, not even close. Gyra pulled out into a small lookout next to it, devoid of tourists at this time of the day, save for a few submarine watchers, far too absorbed by their trade to notice us sneaking into the woods with our equipment. I felt like Joker in Full Metal Jacket as we crept in the woods, unsure exactly what to listen for but all too sure that our leader was. Gyra pointed towards a huge campsite, where four RVs were parked in a closed box, with a good number of people apparently standing about, though it was clear that they were actually busy keeping a lookout for people like us that would threaten.
-I count ten guards, commented Estrela.
-Fourteen, there are two over there, by the road, and another pair walking around.
-I was close, defended the jaguar.
-Kudos, it was close, just forty percent off, I called.
-Let me see, if I get that first trailer, it should take out the other two then the fourth will probably flip in flames. Those cars are something else tough, muttered the giraffe as she looked through the scope of her launcher. Their Don’s there, in the middle one, those are his bodyguards near the door.
-Those two wanderers are coming, I commented. I think they saw us. They’re looking right at us!
-Shit, cursed Gyra. Here comes trouble! Everyone, draw and go, we need to take them out, now.
Even if we had suppressed pistols, the number of popping noises that we made, added to the guard’s screams as they went down would have been enough to wake the dead. Gyra concentrated on compensating for our novice aim, looking someone happy with our participation. She pointed to the rocket launcher and absently called for someone to fire it, forgetting whom she was with, apparently. The giraffe seemed too busy to care though, and giving a shrug and a sigh, I picked up the heavy device and pointed it at the central vehicle of the camp and centering it in my trembling grip, flipped the safety from the launcher and tripped the switch. I lurched a bit as a red bloom flared from behind the tube and the rocket left it’s home with enough noise to cover the already impressively loud discharges from our opposition. Gyra shot a glare at me as she realized that someone had indeed followed through on her request, then followed the projectile as it crossed the distance between us and the camp, touching it’s intended target’s center of mass scant seconds later. The result was nothing less then a miracle: the trailer came apart at the seams as the charge released it’s energy, the two next to it also partially disappearing from this plane of existence. The fourth took enough of the blast to lift off the ground a few inches and loose a wall as it burst on fire. Then, as if it wasn’t enough, the last vehicle’s back propane tank shot off to the horizontal like a bottle rocket and plowed into the three parked cars in the entrance of the camp, the sedans combusting as the low-inertia explosion blew out their windows and doors.
-Holy Hell, gasped the giraffe as the last guard dropped from a small jog with a small blaze hitching a ride on his clothes, the last of which was apparently so ungrateful as to take his life in the process. Hermann, can I have that back?
-Here you go, I said, handing the warm weapon to Gyra. Wow, that was... surprising.
-Hail the king of understatements, chuckled Cat. Mighty his voice be!
-Okay, enough fun, said the point woman, still a bit stunned. Let’s go home before anyone comes to put out our bonfire, eh?

Our drive had been as silent as if the weight of our hit settled and good cheer took over, as well as a certain boisterous pride in our work. Even Philip looked at me for a moment after we told him what had happened before bursting into an uncontrollable laugh and hugging me.
-Well Gyra, no worries! You had some fellow heroes of light with you there! Damn, Hermann, damn it okapi boy, you’re dangerous. All right, you’re all guests here, I insist! The whole camp in one shot! What the Heck, you’d fry a city with a grenade, I bet.
-Is there a pool table here we could use, asked Estrela, just for a while?
-In the game room, said the Don. Actually, how about a match against me? I’m a bit rusty, but I bet I could give you a run for your money.
-I’d hate to win this one, I grinned. No grudges?
-I can’t even hold any when I try, shrugged the hare. Cherry’s already there, beating the devil out of a pinball I had installed last week. She’s a champion, I tell you! I didn’t see her lose her ball for the ten minutes I was there.
The Don lead the way to the basement-level room, dimly-lit like the place should be, with a half-dozen pool table lights hanging from the false ceiling that he had put in to cover the otherwise quite unattractive plumbing that spider webbed across the boards before. The table was free when we arrived. The only three other people in the room busy looking at the television with drinks from the communicating lounge, visible up the stairs we’d taken to reach the subterranean lair. Cherry gave a grunt as her third ball fell into the gutter, but cheered up just as quickly as Cat gave her a hug from behind.
-Hey batty, how was the game?
-See your yourself, smiled the mouse, pointing a claw at the LED screen, blinking her high score. Not bad, considering the last time I played I was at the local bar with my dad back in Mexico, and let me tell you, I barely saw over the controls.
-Hardly shows, seconded Philip. So, is the cat or the okapi my opponent?
-I’ll bite the bullet, announced Estrela. Your break?
-I’ll get some drinks, I said as I took off up the stairs. Millers all around?
We monopolized the game room for the rest of the evening, the Don giving a nice performance overall, though tying his victories and defeats with Estrela and me. I bested my jaguar though, pocketing a full rack with almost no interruption, save for a foolishly overpowered bank shot that failed to yield a pleasant result. Cherry fell asleep against the pinball, to which she’d pulled up a couch to get more comfortable, so long did her dark eyes train on its glass, the only other sign of life from her the flexing her wings with her mood and the occasional screech to try and make me miss a shot. Philip showed us to the upstairs bedrooms, apologizing that there were only two available, though only getting a laugh in return as we split up in two groups, mine consisting of Catherine and Cherry while Estrela stole away with Gyra, the giraffe blushing as he gave an inaudible comment to her twitching ear.

I woke up with vague memories of the cat and mouse having played just that for a while before ganging up on me and abusing my mortal shell until I’d lost consciousness. Other then that, the picture wasn’t all that clear, but nonetheless, it was just unthinkably wonderful to come around with two beautiful creatures huddled up against me in the warm Featherdown bed. I leaned over and gave them both a peck on the nose to wake them up, both reacting in the same way, that is to say smile and ask for me to tease them a bit before getting up. My duty over and done with, we hopped into something decent and rejoined our friends downstairs for breakfast in the lounge. Gyra was still a bit starry eyed as she sat between Philip and Estrela, the jaguar obviously having shared some of his joie de vivre with the giraffe, for the better of the point woman. The news on the television set in the room was blazing about the explosion at the RV park, confirming that no one that had checked in with the splinter group had walked out of the incident, somewhat of a comfort for us overall, insuring that the Voodoo Family was safe, least for the time being. While the servers took away the plates, the rabbit slid over a first paycheck to Cherry to help her settle in, as well as the particulars about the hotel that she’d be working at. The bat almost cried as she read the details, pay rate and benefits, but settled with giving Philip a long hug, the Don grinning and enjoying the act of kindness.
-Now this isn’t much, I know, said the hare, but eventually, I expect that you’d be in measure to take the posting of manager, because the good fellow that will be showing you the ropes is quite close to retiring. Consider this your training run.
-This is plenty already, insisted the mouse, I couldn’t ask for more then this.
-You wouldn’t be asking, I would be, smiled Philip. Oh, and also...
-Yes?
- I’ll have a pinball delivered to your place as soon as I can convince you to tell me where that’ll be...