by Robin Roseau
"Not alone," she said. She conferred with Greg.
"You can't blow your cover," Greg said. "Do we need to discuss what that means?"
"I want to drive past first," I said.
"All right," said Lara.
"I'll take her," Elisabeth said. "Serena, are you busy?"
"No," she said.
"I'll ride in back," I said. We consulted a map. "It looks like this park might be wooded along the back side of the property. I want to see that, too. Let's drive in front of the house, then take a left and I can see the park."
* * * *
"Slow down," I said. "It's coming up."
"Slowing down draws attention," Elisabeth said. "And no, we aren't going to drive around the block a few times, either."
I looked out the left side at the house. It was a small rambler, perhaps two or three bedrooms, one bath, I guessed. The yard was kept up by someone who knew how to use a lawn mower, and the few bushes were trimmed, but the bedding in front of the house needed more plants.
"Grandma used to garden," I said. "Timothy does not."
The house was on the corner. We turned the corner, and immediately behind the house was a city park. The border between the park and Timothy's house was overgrown by trees and shrubs, and those came almost to the cross street. The back yard of Timothy's house was well sheltered from prying eyes.
"Drive away," I said. "I want to talk about this." I took a few photos. Elisabeth drove us a few blocks away then pulled to the side of the road.
"I want to get closer," I said. "In fur."
"No," said Elisabeth clearly.
"Listen, then if we can't agree, we'll call Lara. I can switch to fur in the car. I slip out next to the park, and it's only a couple of jumps into the bushes. Once I am in the bushes, no one is going to see me."
"There were kids playing in the park," Elisabeth said. "No."
"I stay hidden, I get close. I use my ears. If someone is inside, I might be able to hear them."
"No," said Elisabeth.
"Then you pick me up a few minutes later. I'll be visible only two seconds."
"No."
"Is calling me 'Alpha' just lip service?" I asked.
From behind her, I saw her back tighten.
"Please don't do this, Michaela," she said.
I pulled out my phone and dialed Lara. She answered right away. "Before I say a word, in the interests of full disclosure, Elisabeth is not remotely happy with what I am going to suggest."
"I suspect I am likely to agree with Elisabeth," Lara replied.
I explained my plan.
"In broad daylight?"
"Did you want to wait?"
"Put me on speakerphone," she said. Once I had done so, she said, "Elisabeth, can you offer a counterproposal to get her, in fur, next to the house unseen?"
"If a wolf can pass for a dog with a collar and leash, I wonder if a fox can," Elisabeth said. "We can play fetch in the park, and I can throw the ball into the bushes."
"I don't look like a dog," I said.
"People see what they expect to see," she replied, throwing my own words back at me. "Act like a dog, dress like a dog, they'll see a dog."
"A yappy dog," Karen said.
"A Pomeranian," Elisabeth replied.
"I don't look remotely like a Pomeranian!" I said hotly.
"But can you act like one?" Elisabeth asked.
"Are you two pushing my buttons? Or if I agree to this, will you let me do it?"
"Let?" Elisabeth asked.
"Yes," I said. "Let. I have no intention of going off half-cocked. If my plan is bad, let's come up with a better one. Get me next to the foundation in fur, and I don't care how you do it."
Lara conferred with Greg before saying, "We'll approve any plan all three of you agree to. Michaela, do not pressure Elisabeth. Please."
"I won't," I promised.
We hung up with Lara and I said, "I'm fine with this plan."
Karen and Elisabeth glanced at each other and nodded. "Let's go buy our props," Elisabeth said.
We hit the store. We bought a can of tennis balls, a collar that would fit my fox neck, and a lightweight leash. Elisabeth smirked at me and picked out pink. I looked away and let her buy whatever she wanted.
We got back in the car, I slipped out of my clothes, and shifted furry. Karen slipped in back with me and wrapped the collar around my neck along with a bright pink bow. I hadn't noticed them buy it.
"Revenge is a dish best served cold," she told me. I sat still and even posed when she took pictures.
Elisabeth drove us to the park. Karen attached the leash. I got my final briefing. "Remember," Elisabeth said. "You're a dog. A yappy dog. Act like one. But you are also exceedingly well-behaved. You never bite or snap at anyone, even little kids that want to pull on your ears."
She wouldn't. That was going too far.
"If we call you, you will come. You will sit and heel."
I chuffed.
"We'll play ball for a while. The first couple of times I throw the ball into the bushes, you'll bring it back. I will tell you when I am willing to let you check out the house. Agreed?"
I chuffed.
We got out of the car.
I immediately began acting like a dog as well as I could; I pulled on the leash, then ran around in a circle and wrapped it around Elisabeth's legs.
She untangled herself then said firmly, "Mischa! Heel!" She gave the leash a little tug, which I didn't appreciate at all, but I moved into place at her side. "Good dog," she told me.
She kept me in a heel as we walked through the park, coming to a stop periodically and popping the leash every time I got out in front of her. Pretty soon I found myself focused entirely on staying in position rather than looking around.
Karen took pictures. I didn't particularly care. I was a fox on a mission.
Elisabeth didn't go out of her way to draw any attention to us. She didn't drag me past the kids. But a cute dog with a bow in her hair garners attention, and a couple of little kids ran over, their mothers in tow. When they got close, Elisabeth put me into a sit, then said, "Down!"
I dropped to my belly.
The kids tried to run straight to me, but their mothers grabbed them. "Is it okay?" one of them asked. "Does she bite?"
"No," Elisabeth said. "She's very friendly."
I let the little kids, a boy and a girl, pet me. But when one of them tried to climb on me and ride me, that was pushing it. I yipped a couple of times and waited for Elisabeth to rescue me.
"She's not a pony. She's very small and easily hurt."
The mother pulled the offensive child off of me.
"What kind of dog is she?" the other mother asked.
"A mutt, I'm afraid," Elisabeth said. "It's amazing how just the right combination of parents can produce the most surprising results."
"She looks a little like a fox," the other mother said.
"I know. And she knows what a pretty dog she is, too. But high strung. Wow. If we don't exercise her often, she turns impossible. We were going to play fetch for a while, and let her wear herself out."
Elisabeth reached down and unclipped the leash. Karen threw a ball, but I was in a "down".
"Misha...." said Elisabeth. "Fetch!"
I bolted into action, yipping my head off. I picked up the ball then ran around with it a couple of times, getting it as slimy as I could, before spitting it out directly on Elisabeth's shoes.
One of the kids pounced on the ball and threw it. It went about ten feet. I ran after it, both kids chasing me. Yipping, I ran them around, then doubled back and let them run into each other. I dropped the soggy ball on Karen's shoes, then backed off and yipped at her.
We kept the game up for a while before the ball disappeared under the bushes. I tore off after it.
Yipping, of course.
It took me a minute to find the ball. It had rolled well into the bushes. When I finally found it, I discovered it was covered in dirt. I star
ed at it but realized if I left the ball, I would be breaking cover. I picked it up and ran back with it.
I dropped it while still running. It bounced off the grass then bounced off Elisabeth's leg, leaving a dirty mark.
I yipped at her to throw it again.
It was three more throws before the ball disappeared into the bushes again. I found it right away this time. When I brought it back, Elisabeth scooped me into her arms, holding me upside down.
I hated being held upside down.
Then she fluffed my belly. I gave her a droll look. Seriously?
"Had enough, Mischa?" she asked. Then she said quietly into my ear, "I'll overthrow in a minute, but you won't have long."
I yipped twice, and Elisabeth set me down. There were two short throws then finally she said. "Here's a long one, Mischa." She threw it and said, "Go get it, girl!"
The ball flew all the way into the back yard of Timothy's house. Yipping, I chased after it.
As soon as I was in Timothy's back yard, I shut up. I ran straight to the corner of the house and began listening.
I heard the kids in the park. I tuned them out.
I heard Elisabeth and Karen talking to the two mothers while the kids were wondering where I was. I tuned them out.
I heard birds in the trees and rustling of branches. Two blocks away a squirrel was chattering at his mate. I tuned them all out.
I listened to the house.
The faucet in the upstairs bathroom was dripping. I heard the fan of a computer. There was a light turned on, and it was buzzing slightly. I heard the whirr of the electrical meter and, faintly, the pilot light on the hot water heater.
I didn't hear a single sound of life. No sounds of breathing, no hearts beating.
I would have bet money that Timothy Anderson had no pets and no one living in his home.
I found the ball and ran back to Elisabeth.
"Naughty dog!" she said as I emerged from the bushes. "Come!"
I dropped to my belly then inched forward slowly, my ears laid back against my head. As soon as I got to her, I dropped the ball and rolled over on my back submissively while she scolded me.
"I think you've had enough fetch today," she said finally. I stayed where I was while she reattached my leash. She stood up, tugged once, and said, "Misha. Heel."
I climbed to my feet and assumed a perfect heel position off her left leg. She and Karen said goodbye to the two mothers and their oh-so-delightful offspring, and I walked alongside Elisabeth as she led me to the car. I hopped into the back seat. Elisabeth removed the leash and collar before closing the door on me. "Stay in fur until we're well clear."
I didn't need to be told.
I waited until we were a block away, then shifted into human and pulled my clothes on.
"Did you get what you wanted?" Elisabeth asked.
"I believe I learned what I set out to learn," I said. "What I wanted was to hear Virginia's heartbeat. I did not."
"I didn't think you would," Elisabeth said. "It was worth finding out."
"She could still be there. The room could be soundproofed. We still need to check it out."
"Agreed," she said. "But you don't think she's here."
"No, I don't."
"Damn," Elisabeth said.
"You believe me?"
"Yes," she said. "When have you been wrong about something like this?"
"Elisabeth, we always have to believe I could be wrong."
She glanced over her shoulder at me and nodded.
"Pull over somewhere, I need to ask you both something, and I want your attention for it."
Elisabeth found a spot and put the car in park.
"This alpha thing," I said. "I need to know whether I really hold that sort of authority."
Elisabeth looked pained. I sighed.
"Then stop calling me that," I said.
"No, that's not it. I'm worried where this is going."
"How about this? If I offered orders that Lara would not override, would they be followed?"
"Yes," said Elisabeth. "But it may be a while before we all get used to it. You might have to remind us you are Alpha."
"It isn't your natures to take orders from someone my size."
Karen laughed. "No."
"All right, thank you. I will strive very hard to never put you in the position of deciding which alpha's orders to follow. If I ever push it, tell me."
They both nodded.
"All right. I am going to ask a few other questions. I am asking as the alpha. I expect honest answers or you may refer me to Lara."
"What is it?" Elisabeth asked me with caution in her voice.
"Karen, did you take photos at the park?"
She laughed again. "Yes. A lot."
"Video?"
"Yes. Are you going to order me to delete them?"
"No. I am going to order you to send me copies. I do not believe Lara would override that order."
Karen snickered. "No, I don't believe she would interfere. Do I need to send them now or may I send them after I have downloaded them into the computer."
"Whatever is easiest," I said. "I would ask you to send me everything without filtering them, but I am not going to check up on you."
"Of course, Alpha." They were both smiling.
"A pink bow? Seriously?"
"You looked so cute," Elisabeth said.
* * * *
We arrived back at the motel, and once I reported in, I was again faced with nothing to do.
Karen downloaded everything from her phone into a laptop, and bored wolves clustered around to laugh at the images.
"Are my copies on the way, Karen?" I asked.
"Yes, Alpha," she told me.
"Carry on, then."
Angel looked at me dubiously, but then I heard a video playing featuring me running around, yapping, and everyone cracked up. Even Lara wandered over to watch, and I caught her grinning. She tried to hide it when I glanced at her.
I waited until they'd had their fun. I didn't comment, just took an aloof expression when they tried to tease me. Once they started to wind down, I asked in a casual fashion, "So, Elisabeth. This was your plan. Did I carry off my role to your approval?"
She studied me for a moment before replying. "Yes, Alpha, you did."
"Your plan was for me to go undercover as a yappy little dog."
"Yes."
"The pink bow was a good touch," I said. "Nice costuming. It detracted attention from my otherwise far-too-foxy features."
Elisabeth didn't say anything.
"Clearly, we can't share those pictures with the entire pack just yet," I said. "Operational security must be maintained. But when this is all over, I do hope we have somewhere to put those up for everyone else to see." I smiled sweetly. "I think I did a good job playing my part. And we all know how vain I am."
There was another round of viewing the photos and videos. Lara joined me, seated on the bed.
"Did I ruin their fun?" I asked quietly.
"Maybe some of it. Elisabeth was deliberately trying to push your buttons. I think she is disappointed she didn't get a rise out of you."
"She thinks I intentionally embarrassed all of you yesterday," I said. "I didn't. I intentionally made you all look tame and well-behaved. It's not the same thing."
"I know," Lara said.
"I think we need to leave her out of the operations if she's going to get her back up," I said. "I'm not trying to push her buttons. I have only tried to stay in character. That's what I was trying to show her now."
"Let it remain her decision," Lara said. "If you drop her from the operations, it will look petty." Lara studied my face. "You're really not embarrassed?"
"Why should I be? I agreed to play a role. I think I played that role well. Elisabeth took steps to make that more challenging, and I think I took them in stride. What do I have to be embarrassed about?"
Lara hugged me.
"But we have a problem," I said.
She sighed. "What?"
"I'm bored."
She laughed. "There is nothing for us to do until after dinner, unless Greg's people find more information for us."
I pulled out my phone and checked the time. "I know where there is a kayak with my name on it, but I don't even want to look at my old house."
"I'll drop you off at the marina and you can wait for us there."
I smiled at her. "I love you."
* * * *
Kayaking turned out to be me, Lara, Elisabeth, Angel, Karen, Serena and Eric. We called Scarlett and asked permission to use her kayak, which was readily granted. Benny rented the rest of what we needed.
I didn't get pulled into any of the competition the wolves engaged in. Instead, I fished. I didn't catch anything, but it gave me something to do.
We had been out for an hour before Elisabeth smoothly paddled over to me.
"Alpha," she said.
"Enforcer."
She sat in her kayak, studying me. I cast my line again.
"I am sorry," she said.
I glanced at her. "For what?"
She didn't have an answer.
"I think I should apologize," I said. "You felt I embarrassed you, and you felt it was intentional."
"I did. I was wrong."
"Yes," I said. "You were. I may have been a little playful about it, but I was thinking on my feet and trying to play a role. I am sorry I didn't find a way to play that role without embarrassing you."
"I shouldn't have been embarrassed, and I know you weren't doing it intentionally."
"So I accept your apology for being embarrassed, and you accept mine for not finding another way?"
"Yes."
I cast the line again.
"But I was intentionally trying to embarrass you," she said finally. "And I endangered the operation because of it."
I looked straight into her eyes. "Are you going to do it again?" I asked.
"No."
"All right then. But you still feel guilty?"
"Yes."
"Then, perhaps I should let you make it up to me." I turned away, reeled my line in, and cast again.
"How?" she asked.
I looked back at her. "Continue to keep me safe. Continue to help me find my friend. And try to understand that sometimes I will need to do things that are contrary to you keeping me safe. Work with me when those times come up. If you work with me, I will work with you."