Storm Damage
Chapter 2
"We had better wash that first. Casino, will you watch the kittens while I tend to this?" There was no reproach in his tone, just a request.
Why, wondered the Guardian, wasn't he upset? Because of what Casino had done, now he had to look after his hand. But then Casino wasn't a Guardian. It was the Guardian's fault and Actor was probably waiting until they were alone before getting mad at him for grabbing the knife.
His anger rose. It was his knife and he could take it back if he wanted. "It's fine," he said as he pulled his hand back. There was not a lot of blood. The cut was shallow. And to show them all that he didn't need them he began applying the herbal mixture to the cat. Then in a final act of defiance he put some of the mixture on his hand.
Actor cringed. Putting that on the cat was bad enough but his hand? He had no idea what was in it or whether it would do any damage. What he knew was that by putting it on his hand he was refusing to accept the sulfa, a proven medicinal aid. There was nothing he could do so he closed the packet and put it with the cans. Maybe he should tell the Warden. Would he be able to insist on the proper treatment?
One of the saucers still had a bit of milky Spam in it so Chief took a bit and offered it to the mother. She licked a bit but refused any more. The kittens were finished and were now looking to play. The men backed up to create an area and they sat and watched as the little balls of fluff tottered, and cavorted and climbed over each other. Through it all the only face not smiling was Chief's especially when he looked to the mother cat. She lay so still. The green mash that was to help her looked terrible. Chief regretted his pique and wished he hadn't done it. It was probably the wrong plant. He had probably made it worse. Why? Why hadn't he let Actor fix her? Why had he been so stubborn? He wanted to look at his hand to see if it was worse but he did not want to draw attention to it. If his hand got worse then he would know that he had killed her. STUPID!
Eventually the kittens tired and began to fall asleep.
"You want fresh straw for the box?" asked Casino. The safecracker felt bad about Chief's hand. The kid had been especially quiet since. Was it because his hand hurt or was he worried about the mother cat? Probably a mix of both. He would make it up to the kid.
"Yeah."
"There's some in the stable. I'll get it," answered Casino.
"Better watch for the Warden too. Cover story?" said Actor.
Two blank faces and a quiet, "Don't tell'm."
The box was cleaned and the kittens replaced. It was time for the men to return upstairs as well. When the others stood Chief remained.
"You have to eat," said Actor gently.
"She's dyin'. Nobody should have to die alone." He sounded sad and lonely.
"All right. I shall return after I eat to spell you and then you are to go and eat." Chief nodded so he headed up the stairs and into the house.
At dinner Garrison looked around and seeing the empty chair demanded to know where the missing man was.
"Chief has found an injured animal and is trying to save it." Actor stated this casually in hopes that it would be accepted but it was not.
Garrison was about to object when he saw the look on Actor's face and the slow shake of his head. He did not understand but he trusted the Italian even though he was a con man. He trusted him enough to change his demand for him to come in for dinner to, "Take him a plate when you're done." He saw the looks of relief on the other's faces and knew they were all in on it. That bothered him. Was it because they were cons and often got into trouble or was it because they had not confided in him? Was it because what they were doing was illegal or did they not trust him? He was going to have to find out, one way or the other and soon.
Under their breath four men breathed a sigh of relief. First hurdle cleared.
After dinner Casino took the plate that Mrs. G had prepared down to the cellar. The two sat in silence. Casino was not one to just sit but he thought Chief might like some company. The kid seemed so sad while he sat here. Did he know she was dying? What was he going to do if she did? It just seemed right to sit here with him. Taking the little grey one from where it was nestled in the box he held it in his hands in his lap. He had never been a cat lover though there had been cats in the neighborhood. The neighbor had a dog that they kept in the back yard. He and his friends would go over there to play with it, throw sticks for it to fetch and try to teach it to 'shake a paw'. The dog was more interested in licking their faces but they loved that dog.
Hours later Actor and Goniff came down the steps.
"How is she?" asked Actor as he come closer and peered into the box.
"The same," was the quiet reply.
"It will soon be time for bed."
"I'm stayin' here."
"The Warden is becoming concerned." That got a reaction. Chief's head came up and turned toward him. "Come to bed. There is nothing more you can do tonight. Come and get some sleep."
Chief looked to the sleeping cat. Gently he stroked her and in his mind he told her that he would return. Slowly he stood and followed the Italian out of the cellar. Garrison had been waiting for their return. When he asked about the animal Chief said she was hanging on. Garrison had nodded and they each went on their way.
Garrison headed for his own room. He now had his answer. Actor could say anything with the appropriate face, Goniff was pretty transparent but was sneaky, Casino would cover with anger but Chief would cover with stoicism. What he saw tonight was sadness. This was what he expected of someone tending an injured animal. Now the question of why he had not been told before needed to be answered. Tomorrow he would go looking or maybe he would twist Goniff's arm, figuratively, or literally.
Chief sat on the edge of his cot. So much had happened in the last few days. It felt like he hadn't had a good night's sleep in a week. First it had been meeting Katherine. He couldn't get over how that had happened. Actor told him he had found someone to help stop the nightmares. No one could help him really, he was a Guardian, but if he could make the dreams stop then he wouldn't have to worry and then maybe he would not be so afraid to sleep . He had gone along with Actor to make his Handler…, No, to make Garrison happy. Garrison was his Hearth, not his Handler. His Hearth was good to him; he would do anything to please him. He had also done it for Actor. He treated him good too though he had no idea why. That reminded him that he had not worked on his reading the last few days. Actor was going to be mad. He had better do it in the morning before breakfast.
He lay down on his cot and closed his eyes. That bed had been so comfortable until Katherine had come in and he realized that he, a Rogue Guardian had slept in her bed. He had felt so bad and had started to get down on the floor but she had touched his arm and told him to stay. That had confused him. She said she was going to work with him as often as she could and then she was going to work with the others so they could help each other work better together as a team. That sounded like a lot of trouble but he was grateful that she wanted to try. He was going to have to find a way to show his appreciation. He would like to take her some of the flowers that grew out in the meadow but she would laugh at him for that. Maybe if he could get to the flower shop and buy her some real expensive flowers. His thoughts drifted off until the sound of a kitten crying in his dream woke him.
By morning Casino woke and was not surprised to see Chief's bed empty. The kid probably left as soon as they were asleep. He was going to make himself sick if he kept this up. Throwing on his clothes he headed for the cellar. Chief was there and best of all the mother cat had her head up and eyes open. She was propped up in the corner of the box but she was alert.
"She's looking better."
"Yeah, she ate some too."
"Well then, you go get a shower and eat and I'll stay here with her." Chief tried to protest but he told him that Garrison insisted. That did the trick. Once he was gone he picked up the little grey kitten.
"Come'ere you little fur ball." He held him up in his palm and the kitten had the audacity to hiss at him. "You are an ungrateful little cuss aren't you?" Having defended himself the kitten meowed at him. "Yeah you better apologize. No one ever told you not to hiss at the hand that feeds you, did they? Well you just behave yourself and grow up big and strong and you'll never have to apologize again." He lowered the kitten and unbuttoning his shirt he tucked him inside like Chief had done. Instead of settling down he tried to climb his chest. That elicited a squawk from Casino and he quickly took him out and put him down to play. Casino laughed as he toddled over to the orange one and pushed him over. The little furball was just like him.
Goniff came down the steps and over to the box where he sat down. "Are you 'ungry, Tiger? I brought you something to eat." He unfolded his napkin revealing a few lumps of scrambled eggs. Picking up the orange kitten he put him down beside the food. Tiger sniffed the offering but Furball had followed him and was now trying to bite his tail. Tiger turned around to play but Furball had caught sight of the food. He came to investigate.
"Look out Tiger, 'e's going to get your breakfast." Tiger tackled Furball and the two set off to run and play. Not wanting to waste the food Goniff picked up a chunk and ate it.
"They been fed yet?" asked Goniff.
"Chief said the mother had eaten so he probably fed them too. The saucers were there with bits of dried muck on them so he asked, "You gonna be here for a bit?"
"Yeah, why?"
Casino collected the plates and got up. "I'm going to wash these and I'll be back." He left and Goniff sat and laughed at the antics. Pulling a bit of string from his pocket he dragged it about and had the kittens following it around or until they were distracted which was very quickly. He tried petting the mother but she hissed at him so he went back to playing with the kittens. Casino returned and stacked the dishes out of the way by the cans of Spam and the milk pail.
A little later Chief returned. As he silently crept down the stairs he could hear the two men laughing. They were sitting here on the floor in a cellar playing with some kittens. They sounded happy. That was not what he expected. Maybe Goniff, but Casino? His idea of fun was gambling and drinking and women but here he was laughing and playing with kittens. Then he got another shock. Actor was here as well and from his tone he was enjoying himself too. He could not picture these rough and tough men sitting playing with kittens. Suddenly the thought struck him and he hurried down and over to where the box was. No, there they all sat watching and playing with the kittens. He would never have believed it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes.
A creak of a floorboard above reminded him of his latest worry. Garrison had not been there when he came down from his shower. Mrs. G had kept a plate of eggs and toast for him but Garrison was not around. What if he had gone to London and they had a mission coming?
Would Mrs. G feed them? He could not picture her here in the cellar. He would have to take them upstairs. Would she agree? If she did then he would have to slip them up into the kitchen just before they left. Would she turn her back on these helpless creatures? How could anyone? At that moment the little black and white female looked up at him and squeaked. He smiled and reached over to pick her up. Cuddling her to his chest he stroked her. As much as he hated to ask, he was going to have to. They would not survive long without help.
He watched the mother cat pull herself up to sniff the kitten that had come over to the box. Satisfied, she got stiffly to her feet. After a moment she peered over the side of the box and then carefully stepped out favoring her injured leg. After pausing to sniffing another kitten she made her way over to the corner. Her step was determined but she limped badly. While he watched, Actor poured the last of the milk in a saucer and added the last of the Spam. Two kittens came to investigate.
Chief's breath caught as the mother cat stumble and almost fell as she tried to cover her urine. He would have to bring in some dirt for her. She began to make her way back stopping twice to try to lick the dried poultice from her side but shook her head to rid her mouth of the taste. Bits fell off as she walked. He would have to clean it off for her if she would let him. She paused to sniff the saucer and then settled in to eat. When she was finished she washed her face and then called to her kittens. They were having too much fun so they ignored her. She sat patiently for a minute then stepped into the box. Silently she washed her face and her front paws again. Most of the poultice had dried and fallen off but whenever she licked any from her paw she tried to spit it out. Satisfied at last she sat watching her kittens once more. Finally she called to them again. Chief knew she was calling them to nurse but they had already eaten. They would tire soon so he picked up the white and black one and placed it in the box. Mother called again and the kitten answered. Casino placed another kitten in the box and she licked its face. Gently they returned all the kittens and they quickly settled down to sleep. Mother looked content so they headed upstairs.
Mrs. G had seen the activity at the cellar steps, the sauce pans of milk, the basins of water and she knew something was going on. This morning had been the topper. She had arrived as the two men, the Lieutenant and the quiet one called Chief, went for their run. They were no sooner out of sight when there was a knock at the back door. When she opened it there was a young lad from the farm down the road. He stood there looking very uncertain then he handed her a small pail. Always gracious she said thank you as she took the pail. She had hoped for an explanation but he bobbed his head, turned and ran. Once she peeked inside the pail, she knew. It contained raw milk, still warm from the mornings milking. She had not asked for it so it had to be the lads. She tucked the pail away and finished making breakfast.
The morning continued as usual except Casino arrived for breakfast just as the two early risers returned. She watched him as he kept eyeing the door. Was he waiting for farmer's boy? He looked a little worried. Was this delivery a secret? All through breakfast nothing was mentioned about milk or the farmer. Knowing she had the answer to his worry she waited. The Lieutenant seemed unconcerned. Did he know? Actor appeared the same but she thought she had seen him go into the cellar. She wished she had paid more attention. Casino knew, that was for sure. The Lieutenant was the first to finish up and leave but he told his men to "stay put." From his tone and their reaction that meant something. Actor was the next to leave and then Chief. The two remaining seemed to be waiting for something or somebody? Taking pity on them she told them about the morning's visitor. They were immediately interested so she pointed to the pail. They thanked her and hurried outside with their prize. As she washed the dishes she wondered what was in the basement. To her knowledge no alcohol was brewed using milk. The basins of warm water suggested an injury. Babies required milk and bathing but no one, not even these strange Americans, would keep a baby in the cellar. That meant it was an injured animal. What kind of animal was it and was it dangerous? Was it a fox that might get lose and make its way upstairs? She was glad that there was no direct connection from the cellar. What would the owners think about a wild animal in the basement? And what about fleas and disease? She put the kettle on. A little more hot water in the dishwater would be a good idea.
"Mrs. Greeves?"
"Yes luv?" The men, even the Lieutenant called her Mrs. G so hearing Actor use her proper name meant something was going on. This was not a curious inquiry about what was being served for supper.
"Do you like cats?"
"They're good for keeping the mice down but the lady of the 'ouse don't like animals. She said that cats were too secretive and they carried fleas and disease."
"But do you like cats?"
The use of her full name and his persistence warned her to be careful. "Why do you ask?"
The Englishman piped in with an explanation. "'Cause Chiefy found some kittens in the stable."
"As long as they stay there, that's fine. They go after the mice." His guilty look and the activity in the cellar made sense now. "That's what's in the cellar isn't it?" The look on both men's faces confirmed it. "Oh dear," she said sadly as she shook her head. "You can't keep them in the 'ouse, 'erself will have a conniption. She doesn't like animals especially cats."
Chief had been waiting and listening outside the door. Hearing the words he turned and headed for the cellar.
"She is not here and she will never know," said Actor smoothly.
Goniff took his hand from behind his back and handed her a tiny orange ball of fluff with big blue grey eyes. The kitten opened his mouth and a tiny squeak came out.
Her stern face melted as she accepted the offering in spite of her insistence that, "'Er ladyship does not like animals in the 'ouse."
Down in the basement, Chief approached and squatted down beside the box. "I am sorry Little Mother. We tried but you will have to take over the feeding. We'll leave lots of food but you're going to have to do it now. I'm sorry." Gently he lifted the box but the Mother did not like the motion. She jumped out of the box. Knowing she would follow her kittens he slowly headed for the steps. She would be safe in the stable where she could come and go.
Actor came around the corner and saw Chief heading for the side of the building.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm takin' them to the stable. She can hunt from there."
"Take them upstairs."
"No, she'll kill'em. I won't let her." He knew what people did to kittens they didn't want.
"Chief."
"No. They lived this long. I gotta give'em a chance. Mother's strong enough now she…"
"Mrs. G has a place for them."
Angry eyes flashed. "I promised the Mother that I'd help her."
Actor remained where he was. To follow would give him reason to continue walking. "Mrs. G will help."
A very cynical, "Help how?" was thrown in his face. "No animals in the house. Guess I'll be sleeping out here with'm."
"Mrs. G has agreed to look after them for us until we return. The lady of the house is a fool and she is not here." His tone turned angry. "On top of that did I not hear you promise not to refer to yourself like that?"
That stopped him but did not totally convince him. The mother cat had come and sat near him watching the box intently. He knew she wanted her kittens safe and so did he. The stable was not safe. There were other predators out there including foxes. If one found the kittens while she was hunting, they would all be killed. She might be killed and they would... He did not want to think about that. A slow death would be horrible, their tiny cries growing fainter until… What was he to do? He turned to face the second man he had ever trusted. "You trust her?"
"Come with me." Actor turned and headed for the back door.
Chief was torn. He looked from Actor to the kittens and back. He had to do what was best for them. He began to follow the Italian. When he entered the kitchen he stayed behind Actor clutching the box protectively. One wrong word and he was gone. His face revealed his determination to defend.
Mrs. G saw the look but decided to ignore it. She came over and said, "Lemme see," as she peered into the box. "Oh aren't they just darlings. They're so cute." She looked up to the man's face and she saw the distrust. She never understood this one, so dark, so suspicious but with a hurt buried deep in his eyes. Taking it slow she raised her hand and asked, "May I?" He nodded so she picked up one of the black and white ones and held it up for a closer look at his face. The kitten meowed and she put it to her bosom and stroked it. "She's so soft."
Chief watched anxiously fearing for the little one's life. She was holding it right. The kitten was sitting there gazing up into her face. Actor looked to be all right with her holding the kitten. He was smiling at her. Was it all right? Then she turned and walked away and he panicked. Where was she going with him? Actor was still unconcerned. He trusted her. Could he? He watched her move to the back corner by the stove.
"I'll get a box and put them here. I know where there is one I can use."
"They gotta box." Why did she want another?
"That one's dirty, luv. It's been in the cellar. I'll get a clean one. Be better for them."
Chief looked at the box. There was nothing wrong with it. The kittens liked it but looking closer he saw that it did have some dirt on it and the hay needed changing. He looked to Actor again for reassurance. He must have noticed because Actor turned to him smiling and he nodded. Actor was all right with this.
The sound of the front door opening alerted the Guardian that Garrison had returned. Unconsciously he pulled his shoulders in protectively and said, "Warden's coming." Actor headed out to stall him as Goniff put the orange kitten back in the box. Casino took some newspaper from beside stove and put it on the floor. Chief to put the box down on it and then looked to Mrs. G's face. She was smiling. Was it going to be all right? He was going to have to trust her. He had no choice now. With that he headed for the Office where the briefing would be held.
Garrison notified them that they had a mission coming but they were not to leave until the next day. They had time to eat and sleep before they left. That was good because there was a problem. Actor had assumed that the mother cat would stay with the kittens. Chief had hoped but he was not surprised when she refused to enter the house and he thought he knew why.
"She knows it's bad in there. I gotta take'm back to the stable. They need her."
"Chief, she is feral."
"No. She knows. She kin tell they ain't safe here."
Actor thought he understood so he explained that, "Feral means wild. She is afraid of coming in because she has never been a house before. She fears what she does not know."
"So whata we do?"
Actor was pleased that he said we not I. He was letting the others help him. This was a big step for a man who had previously not trusted anyone. He was learning. Could the cat learn too?
"Come; let us have a word with Mrs. G." The two men headed for the kitchen where their housekeeper was sitting having a cup of tea. When they entered the room she grinned and pointed to the corner. She had placed a vegetable box in the corner with an old blanket in it. The sides were high enough that the kittens could look over the top but could not quite climb out. Two furry faces were watching them and they meowed when they saw the men. It would not be long before they were out.
Actor explained what was needed and Mrs. G, the kind soul that she was, agreed to his plan. The kittens were taken back to the basement with the mother following. At dusk she was enticed in the door using one of the kittens and the door closed behind her. Chief agonized with her when she realized that she was trapped. He desperately wanted to free her. He could hear her heart pounding, her breath ragged. He knew that feeling intimately. It was Actor's hand on his arm that stopped him when she became her most desperate. With tears in his eyes he watched her as Casino picked up one of the kittens and put it on the floor. He was desperately wanted to open the door for her but she stopped and turned to the kitten and went to it. Her mother's heart had won over the feral heart. She picked up the kitten and began looking for the way out. Actor told Casino to get another one which he did. Little Mother was now faced with a dilemma. She could not carry two kittens and she could not escape. Her frantic search began to ease with the addition of a saucer of milk and Spam. Chief wanted to help her but all he could think of was escape. That was all that registered in his mind.
Fortunately Actor and Casino were thinking how to ease her fear while keeping her here. Someone suggested tenting the blanket over the box and leaving her alone. Maybe then she would feel safe. Actor steered a reluctant Chief out and they all went into the dining room. Actor wanted to ask Chief how she was doing; he knew he would be listening but did not want to tip Mrs. G to his abilities. From the way he was sitting he knew he was tracking her. As long as he stayed here there was hope. When Chief relaxed and sighed he knew they had won that battle.
Later that night Garrison headed for his men's room. It was time for lights out. As he approached he heard a flurry of activity but when he entered he saw four men all sitting and laying about looking suspicious.
"What are you doing?" he asked knowing he was not going to get a straight answer but he asked anyway.
"We were just discussing…" started Casino.
"Casino's…" added Actor
"Fear of flying," finished Goniff with his customary grin.
"I'm not afraid of flying," insisted the safecracker angrily.
"Then why do you…"
"That's enough," said the Officer. "The mission has been put off for another day and we have a visitor coming tomorrow morning." He saw the flash of fear from the youngest man. The last time they had a visitor had been terrifying for him. To ease his fear he added, "The Vicar called. I think he's going to ask for help repairing the church roof." To that he had expected groans and complaints but instead they were very agreeable though no one moved.
"Yeah, we can do that."
"Certainly though I have never done that before."
"Sure, we'll 'elp."
Garrison knew something was going on but there was nothing that he could definitely pin it on. The men had been acting strangely for a few days. He gave them his, 'I know you are up to something' look and he left but only went a few steps away. He listened but nothing happened. There was no sound at all. They knew he was there. Too bad he had not thought to turn on the intercom. He did want to know what they were up to.
Inside the room six kittens reappeared from in a box under the bed, from a bureau drawer, the wood box by the fireplace, the back of Goniff's shirt and under a blanket. They would have to sneak them back to the kitchen but for another minute the men delighted in their antics.
The next morning Garrison drank his glass of water then headed out the door with Chief following behind. At the bottom of the steps he stopped and turned.
"What's in the basement?" His tone said he knew the answer.
Chief was worried. He did not want to lie to his Hearth but in this case he did not have to lie. He said, "Nothin'" It was the truth as of now.
Garrison gave him a stare then turned and began their usual morning routine. They did not speak during their warm up or the run. This was usual but Chief was worried. His Hearth was like a dog with a bone. He would not leave it because that look said he did not believe him. It was true now but he knew and his saying 'nothin' was lying and he did not want to lie cause then his Hearth would not believe him and that mattered. On and on it went in his head as they ran. He was in the wrong.
When they reached the stone wall of the courtyard on the return leg, they slowed and walked back to the house. This was their cool down. By the time they entered the courtyard their breathing was close to normal. Chief knew he had to do it now.
"Warden?"
As much as he wanted to go in, shower and shave, Garrison knew this was important. He also wanted to make his point so he waited.
"That rain we had with the thunder and lightning; the lightning hit the tree out back of the stable." He had been looking around and down but when he paused he took a quick look at his Hearth's face. He wasn't angry, that was good. "The topa the tree got blown off an' fell on the roof of the lean-to out back." He took another quick look. "There was a cat livin' in there."
Please, he thought frantically, figure it out and be all right with it. A quick look told him he was still waiting. Usually people figured it out once you got started. He would have to keep going.
"She got hurt when it fell in." Another look showed still no comprehension. His anxiety was building. Garrison was going to be mad. He should have left it alone but he couldn't lie to his Hearth. Chief feared the thought of him being mad at him but he couldn't go on knowing he had lied to him by keeping something from him. In a rush he blurted out, "I couldn't leave her there to die alone. I had to do something." He hated begging but right now he was pleading for understanding, pleading for forgiveness. His Hearth had told him that he would never hit him but that was before he had kept a secret from him and lied to him. Lying to your Hearth was the worst thing you could do. To lose your Hearth's trust was to lose your Hearth.
Garrison kept his face impassive but inside he felt his agony and he was struck by the dichotomy. Here was a man who could shoot or stab a man to death without emotion but could not leave a cat to die alone. The Officer was not heartless but as much as he wanted to ease his agony he still needed to make his point. He stood waiting but it seemed his Guardian had run out of steam. He now stood, slightly hunched, eyes lowered with his head back and slightly turned. He was waiting for the blow either physical or verbal.
"And…" he prompted.
That was not what he expected and Chief's eyes jerked up but not as far as Garrison's face before he caught himself and lowered them again. He was making a mess of this. His Hearth was about to leave he had to get this off his chest. "I took'em down in the cellar.
Garrison was watching and listening intently so he caught the word.
"Took'em? Is that took her or took them?" He had not thought Chief could look more miserable.
"She had babies," he said meekly and then added, his voice gaining strength, "I couldn't leave'em out there." He had to know so another look and he saw Garrison's face was still stern but not angry. He looked back down. Not all people liked cats or even kittens. Following that thought was another that took his breath away. Some people got rid of kittens by drowning them. His eyes snapped up to Garrison's eyes as his mind was swamped with questions. He wouldn't would he? If he tried he had to stop him even if it meant… What would he do to stop him? What could he do? He couldn't hurt him but he couldn't live with himself if he let him kill the kittens.
Garrison was surprised by the sudden look of shock and horror. What was he thinking? Time to end this.
"Chief, I'm not angry that you brought them into the cellar." He paused to let that sink in. It did easy the anxiety a bit. "What I am concerned about is that you didn't trust me enough to even ask. You should have come to me."
"I did," his protested, his voice, shaky. Garrison just tipped his head as if to ask so he said, "I asked if I could bring in one a the dogs an' you said no." That's not the same, his brain screamed at him. It seemed reasonable at the time but now it sounded stupid.
"As I understand, correct me if I'm wrong, but there is a difference between a stray dog and an injured cat with kittens." Chief looked suitably chastised.
Chief's breath caught as his Hearth mirrored his thoughts then taking a deep breath he plunged in. "You mean, if I'd asked, you would a… let me bring'em in?"
"Yes Chief, if you had asked I would have said yes." He struggled to keep the smile off his own face at the look of relief on Chief's face. Maybe it was the devil in him but he just had to add, "I assume this is where the missing milk went." The sudden change in Chief's expression was almost comical and he had to do something to keep from laughing.
"Let's go look at the kittens." He had almost turned when something in the Indian's expression warned him. His smile faded. "They're not in the cellar are they?" Why did he have to make this so difficult and what had he done with them?
Chief wanted to just blurt it out but his Hearth had just said he should ask so he would ask. "Uh, would it be all right if we brung'em upstairs, in the kitchen?" He watched Garrison's mouth. "Mrs. G said she would look after'em when we're away." He looked down, worried that he might see the anger.
"You asked her straight out, no coercion, no promises?"
"Actor did."
Hearing it was the conman made him extra suspicious. "He didn't con her, or force her?"
"No, uh…"
"What did you do?" he asked exasperated.
"Goniff showed her a kitten."
"But she was willing to look after them?" Damn, all he wanted was a straight answer. Finally Chief nodded. "A bit late but I did say to ask." Chief did not squirm under his glare, he stood waiting, resigned.
"Let's go see the kittens." He paused to see if there were any more problems then headed for the back door. He was relieved when he saw Chief follow. As they reached the door he asked, "What're you doing about food?" Another warning when he did not receive an answer. "You're not expecting Mrs. G to provide are you?"
"No…"
"Well?"
"Actor made a deal with the farmer 'cross the road."
"A deal?"
"He didn't tell me."
"So Actor's in on this." He saw the nod and added, "And the others?" That earned him another nod. All he could do was shake his head and marvel; they were a team. One more time to make sure he got the point. "Next time…"
"I'll ask first." He looked relieved.
Garrison nodded and they entered the kitchen.
