“You're free aren't you? And he was the one that made it happen. So that's that!”
It looked as if Joann and Zoe would go on arguing the matter unless I butted in. So I did. “Look, Joann, Zoe.” I squeezed Joann's shoulder. “You're both right and wrong.” This earned me some odd looks from both. Zoe stayed where she was and Joann twisted to look at me. “I confess I haven't pieced it all together, but I feel it in my tail. Mr. Nelson is connected to the whole mess somehow.” My wounds might have been stitched up and I'd had a little time to rest, but that didn't mean I was up to strength to argue a matter standing up. I looked behind me and sat back down on the hospital bed.
“Explain, please.” Zoe leaned back on the wall and gestured for me to begin before she crossed her arms.
“First off, Zoe, you mentioned you heard an animal call for help in that warehouse before you got caught.”
Zoe nodded.
“Well, my nose tells me that someone was Mr. Sullivan.”
Zoe looked skeptical. “When were you ever close enough to Mr. Sullivan to catch his scent?”
“Never, of course. However, his workroom reeked of his scent.”
“Granted, but other animals have been in that room as well, police, family members and other investigators, including myself. Who's to say that scent isn't one of them?”
“I do,” I said with certainty.
Zoe's tail twitched. “Don't be conceited, Braxton. Just because our ancestors were predators, relying heavily on scents, doesn't mean you can pick out one among many unless you got it off the animal himself.”
“You don't know my arctic wolf,” Joann slipped in.
Zoe's eyes slid to Joann in annoyance.
“You can believe me or not, Zoe. I know I smelled Mr. Sullivan's scent.”
Joann ran her fingers over my head to get an unruly strand out of my eyes. I smiled at her and she wiggled her nose in her endearing way.
“At any rate, this leads me to believe Mr. Nelson is now involved in his uncle's disappearance.”
“How can that be? Weren't you working for him when you caught me in Mr. Sullivan's study?”
“No. I was working for his sister, Ms. Catharine Nelson. Mr. Nelson, as it would seem, has been trying to discourage or otherwise halt any investigation into his uncle's disappearance.”
Zoe's tail continued to twitch. “You'd have me believe he would do that to the red fox who took him and his sister in, raised and cared for them all these years? Even up to giving over his wealth to make certain they wouldn't fall on hard times? You'd sit there and spin a tale Mr. Nelson would forget all that and abandon his uncle?”
“You got it in one.”
Zoe looked incredulously at me. “You're nuts.”
“Whether you believe me or not is irrelevant. The fact remains Mr. Nelson had me drugged and sent to the same warehouse where Mr. Sullivan had been. This means he's either involved or knows the people involved.”
“Even if Mr. Sullivan was there, and I'm not saying he was, it could've been a coincidence,” Zoe reasoned.
“My bank notes are on Mr. Nelson being in on this. So you can follow what leads you have and I'll investigate Mr. Nelson.”
Zoe had a trump card to play and chose to lay it down. “You're forgetting, Braxton. Your investigating license is under Mr. Palan's name. You're his employee. You do as he says or he'll yank your work cardinals.”
“Let him.” I shrugged then regretted the move as my shoulder and chest wounds reminded me of their condition. “As long as that trumped-up murder rap is on my head, I'm fairly useless to him. So whether Mr. Nelson is involved or not, he is my number one priority.”
Joann and I watched Ms. Pierpont walk away, her gait, ears and tail belying her agitation.
“So what's our first move?” Joann asked.
“As much as I'd like to send you home or to your sister's it's unfortunately out of the question. I was already caged up and destined for wherever they were going to send me when Ms. Deville brought you to the warehouse.”
“As I asked, what's our next move?” Joann inquired, telling me in no uncertain terms she was not leaving my side.
I rubbed my muzzle, wishing I had an office to puzzle this out in, and my pipe to help quiet my mind. “I feel its time I called in some favors.”
****
Joann and I sat in Tanner's covered rickshaw as he pulled into his stable. “Make yourselves at home.” He waved his malformed left arm. “There's carrots and lettuce in the icebox. Some dried fruit in the cupboard. Cornmeal in a feed bag. Water in the tall jug above the icebox.” Tanner gave me an apologetic look. “Sorry, Mr. Snow, I've no meat around.”
“Tanner, please, I think it's high time you called me by my first name.”
Tanner backed up the rickshaw once Joann and I crawled out.
“Thank you, Mr. Snow. But until your reputation is restored, it might be best this way. I'd hate to be questioned and refer to you by your first name instead of your last.” Tanner waved then checked his pocket for the note Joann was sending her sister and the letter I wrote to my lawyer to settle on the apartments, as I needed some fast bank notes.
Joann puzzled aloud as I closed the door, “That's the weirdest thing. The Clydesdale gives us free rein of his stable but yet won't use your first name.”
I'd puzzled over the same thoughts, but as I secured the bar across the door, which was his lock, it came to me. “Actually, Tanner's smarter then I gave him credit for.” I put my arm around Joann to pull her close as well as to let her aid me over to two barrels that had been made into a chair. “If Tanner's questioned about me by police or some unsavory animals, using my last name wouldn't tip them off he knows me save as a paying passenger.”
Careful of my tail, Joann let me settle. “Ahh, I get it.” She put her paws on the arms of the chair and leaned into my face. “By the way, you, my wolf, are going to take a few days off to let yourself heal.”
“I already had that in mind.”
“Good, 'cause back at the hospital it sounded as if you were going to jump right back in the action.” She kissed my nose. “Besides.” She licked her lips. “Your nose is warm, so you may have a cold or fever. Most likely a fever, due to your injuries.”
“So you're going to nursemaid me?”
“You got it, buster. No horsing around. You get well first then we'll see where things take us.”
“Not even a little?” I licked her nose, eyes shifted to indicate a place behind her, my breath heavy on thoughts of her and I entwined.
She glanced at the pile of hay I was referring to. “Braxton, that's downright rude. That's your friend's bed.”
“He gave us free rein—”
“No, lover,” Joann cut me off. “Sexual release leaves very strong odors and even if his nose isn't as keen as yours, my cheeks would burn red should he smell us.” She stood. “I'm for making up a salad with those carrots, lettuce and dried fruit he offered. How's a glass of water and dried fruit for you sound?”
“Quite the letdown compared to what I want to eat.” I looked at her purple and green shorts, which she'd had no chance to change out of.
She saw this and lightly slapped the back of my head. “Down, wolf. First you heal. Then we'll play.”
I gave her my best leer as she walked off. After which I sat back, allowing myself to acknowledge my aching muscles and rent skin. Now the main question is what to do with the predicament Mr. Nelson has me in, I told myself.
****
Tanner was the best host. Since he worked nights, this gave Joann and I privacy to lie together at night. Sadly, sleeping was all we did. When Tanner returned for his turn in the hay, Joann and I would sit in the kitchen and quietly discussed options, which were few. First off, Tanner confirmed I was an animal wanted for murder. Second, I had no weapons for defense. Lastly, we both needed new clothes.
On the fourth morning of our hiding out, Joann sat cross-legged on the floor with her back to my bandage chest, and poin
ted out another problem. “You, lover, are far to conspicuous. Arctic wolves around here are far too few. So the way I figure it, we'll have to dye your skin and fur.”
“Say what?”
“You know, like I do my hair. Save you'll have to bathe in the color.”
“Oy vey.” I rolled my eyes at the thought of masquerading as another kind of wolf.
Joann turned her head and kissed my lips. “Don't worry, lover, it's not permanent.” She patted my muzzle and resumed her thoughts. “For your size, you could pass as an overlarge black wolf.”
“Great.” I moaned. “Nothing like hiding out as a lower life form.”
“Braxton.” She slapped my paw, which rested on her knee. “Black wolves are as intelligent as you. Besides they're plentiful in this city and the best choice to hide you in a crowd.”
“Fine…” I huffed. “But if I have to change colors so do you.”
Joann considered this. “My hair color, yes, but I think that's all.”
“If I have to bathe in the stuff, I think you should too,” I argued.
“Braxton, that won't be necessary, there are plenty of jackrabbits around with my coloring.” Joann leaned back into me and took up my paws to wrap around herself. “Besides, coloring around my white fur and skin would be hell to do. A slip up here or there would make me more conspicuous then simply dyeing my hair red, orange or light blue.”
“So if you get to choose your hair color, why can't I?”
She wiggled to gain more connection between us. “Because I said no.”
“You never said no.”
“So now I am. No.” She giggled.
When Tanner stirred from his well-earned rest, he listened in on our thoughts. “That's good thinking on your part, Ms. South. There's an old wooden washtub I use out back. I'll go shopping and gather the supplies, plus more fruits and vegetables.” Tanner looked at me like he did every trip out. “Sorry, Mr. Snow, it's still too unnatural for me to pick up any meat.”
“Thanks anyway.” I grimaced like usual.
At dusk, while Tanner worked at his job, I stripped out of bandages and clothes. Joann did a once over on my healing skin with eyes and paws and nodded. “As long as you don’t over stretch, these wounds should not open.”
As I was reluctant to become a black wolf I did my own inspection. “Umm…Shouldn’t I wait a few more days?”
Joann had started to work the handle on the well pump to fill the tub. She turned her head with a thoughtful look. “In truth yes, but Tanner is taking a big risk in housing us. So it’s best for all of us that you change color as soon as possible.”
“But what if I open a wound or two?” I lamely argued.
Joann stopped pumping the handle and stood straight. She put a paw to her hip and said crossly. “Braxton, stop you’re bellyaching. You and I both know why you’re arguing about this.” She took up the handle once more. “Just take it slow and you'll be fine.”
Joann was right of course on all points, yet it rankled my self-worth to hide like this.
Once the tub had enough water, Joann abandoned the pump and headed back to the house. “I'll be just inside the stable so I won't get splashed by accident.”
I watched her fluffy tail step inside. She's probably smart in that.
For about a minute I stared at the black ink in the container next to the wash tub. I hate this. Regardless, as black wolves were known to be all black while all other wolves tended to have multiple colorings, a black wolf I'd have to become. I sighed. I dumped the ink in and after stirring the mixture with a broomstick; I sat my butt on the edge, closed my nose and fell in. After soaking for five minutes I used my old clothes to sop up the inky water before using Tanner's old hay. After that, towels finished the job of drying off. Joann came out and pointed to the tub.
“Best see to dumping the water before anyone else gets the ink on them. Also, you'll need to stay out here until you're completely dry or you'll smear ink on everything you touch.”
“Oh, thanks, now you tell me,” I griped.
Joann blew me a kiss. “Now you know what we females go through to make ourselves adorable for you males.” Before I could respond that I never required her to do so, she closed the door.
The next morning, Tanner arrived home with a bank check from my lawyer. The sum was more than I thought, while still far below market value. This whole issue set in and I sat, despondent.
“Braxton?” Joann inquired. “What's wrong?”
I gave her the check, as it was in her name per my request. After all, I couldn't cash it if it were in my name. “Everything I built these past twenty-five years was all for nothing.” I gestured to the check she looked at. “This is the sum accumulation of everything I have left because of this case. And a twentieth of that will be used to get clothes, food, supplies, a new pistol, a license and walking-around bank notes.”
Joann gave me a comforting hug. “In all fairness, my thoughts have traveled down paths that say we animals are too beholden to material things. Our ancestors didn't need all this stuff. Even the Amish have proved we're over-dependent on creature comforts. Why, take a look around Tanner's stable. Hay for a bed. Icebox. Wooden boxes for cabinets and chairs made out of barrels. All simple possessions he could leave on a whim and rebuild elsewhere. This is how we animals should live. Closer to nature and our true strengths.”
I eyed her. Joann had unknowingly dredged up old memories. Unwanted memories. I tried to push the thoughts aside, but they flooded the corners of my mind like an irritating cricket who'd made its home under the icebox, just out of reach. For a brief moment I was back in the clan, struggling day by day to fit in.
The wilderness was a harsh place, especially out on the glacier living with animals I felt alienated by. It mattered not how I tried to fit in, or that my skills were improving. What mattered was that I balked when it came to hunting on the glacier. Hunting normal un-evolved animals had never been a problem for me. My problem was with the pledge the clan stubbornly held onto. A demand the clan hunt the glacier to keep it bare of all sentient life. Though that in itself hadn't driven me out. It was what the clan did in the lean years. What they did with the sentient animals they caught.
Backing up to her words, I reevaluated them and said, “If I don't clear my name you'll get your wish.”
Joann's ears drooped. “Braxton, I've been thinking. Why don't we give it a try?”
“Give what a try?”
“Join an Amish community. We could travel north until we run out of land. Then look around for a group. We could trade in our skills for a place to live. I know a lot about food preparation and you, well you know the law. You could be a justice of the peace. I'm sure even the Amish need officers.”
I turned Joann enough to look at her. “Where is this coming from? I thought you wanted to clear my name?”
She lowered her head and her ears dropped as she picked at the hem of her shorts. “I do,” she said slowly but quickly looked in my eyes, raising her ears, and touched my face. “But not at the cost of losing you.” She turned and threw her arms around me. “I love you too much to take that chance.”
“What about adopting? You stated you wish to have a family. Parents are investigated before they can adopt.”
Joann drew back. She bit her lip and lowered her eyes, her ears laid back behind her as she considered this. “Umm…you could father a cub by a surrogate wolf. Or I could look up a strong jackrabbit to impregnate me…” She raised her eyes to look into mine. “That is, if you could accept another jackrabbit's litter as your own?”
“As we were going to adopt, that point is moot.”
She brightened and her ears came back up. “So you'll do it? I mean, we can do this?”
I took a deep breath. “May I have some time to think on it?”
Joann turned away and stood. “Braxton, I hope you're not saying that to lead me on. I understand male egos well enough. If my carrying another jackrabbit's litter bothers you, say so.�
�
I sighed. “I will admit the notion of another animal touching you bothers me.” I shrugged. “As a wolf, I'm territorial, I guess. It grinds my nerves. But I understand the reasons.” I got up as well.
“Enough for us to do this?” Her eyes searched mine.
“If I agree. It might be best if I didn't know this jackrabbit.”
“Would you agree faster if you had a cub first?”
“Joann, please let me think on this.”
Joann huffed. She laid her ears back and walked away. “Fine.” She picked up the bank check and without a glance at me headed for the door. “I got some shopping to do. You do what you want.”
I followed. “Joann, don't be like this…”
She wheeled around. “Like what?” She stabbed me in the chest with her finger. “For the past days I've tried to help you understand any plan we come up with will have a fair degree of danger. Well now I need to clear my head and think on our relationship, as you plainly are not. I'm going to my sister's. I'll be there a day or so while you”—Joann waved her arm and paws in the air—“figure this out.”
“Joann!”
She slammed the door.
Tanner walked in, stretching his arms. “Ms. South has a point.”
I turned and raised an eyebrow. “You overheard us?”
“In point of fact, most days I do.” He blink his eyes, looking guilty. “Sorry, I'm naturally a light sleeper.” He went to the water jug and poured himself a cup. “If I may give advice here?” He looked a question at me. I gestured to go ahead. “We Amish folks keep tabs on one another. Our communities are small, so to prevent inbreeding we do this. I know of three good Amish communities northeast of here who would gladly take you in. That is, if you're serious in living the life.”
As he drank his water, I scratched the back of my neck. “I possibly could with little difficulty. Joann, however?”
Tanner poured more water in his cup then bit the handle so he could open his cupboard and pull out a bundle of carrots. He put the bundle under an arm and took up the cup with his good paw, motioning for me to follow. “I'm not one for overstepping my bounds, Mr. Snow, but even if she can't deal with the hardships, you'd both be well out of Furlton City.” Tanner sat in his barrel chair and settled his cup on a tall wooden box acting as an end table. He looked around his stable and unbound his carrots. “Truth is, I'm ready to move on. The animals around here are too prejudicial on looks.” He showed me his left arm then dropped it in his lap. “You were a real bright spot in my life here.” He bit down on half a carrot and chewed. He looked at me still standing and shrugged.
Braxton Snow P.I. (The Snow Adventures Book 1) Page 17