Chapter 14

Professor Moriarty continued to lead the carriage down the dirt road after he had sent both Todd and Smiley ahead to his hideout so that the two could clean it up before their "guests" were brought to it. However, the gray furred wolf let out a growl of annoyance knowing that Hound would most likely be by Cinderella's side like glue upon catching sight of him. Which meant there was not way he could attempt to kidnap her now. Although he knew that his chance to strike would come sooner or later, it was just a matter of bidding his time and waiting. But while he continued to lead the horses down the dirt road the red nosed thief thought about perhaps figuring out a way to get Lady Tremaine and Drizella to join him since he knew that they wanted to get some kind of revenge on the young woman. And who was he to judge them since he too wanted to rid of Sherlock Hound no matter the cost. So why not join forces?

Of course that topic was one meant for a later time as the Professor brought the carriage to a stop by pulling back on the reigns causing the horses to stop upon reaching a lone dock with a boat tied to it.. Once he had done this he then jumped off the driver's area of the carriage and proceeded to open the door when he explained, "I'm afraid that we're going to have to leave the carriage behind. Now we must go the rest the way by boat followed by walking once we have reached a small island in the middle of this area."

At first the gray furred wolf saw an annoyed look on the elderly woman's face before she smiled at him and replied, "Very well. Come along, Drizella."

"Yes, Mother." The dark brown haired woman replied before she and her mother stood up.

And when each of them walked out of the carriage Moriarty made sure to offer them his hand to which both women took one at a time. The three then proceeded to get into the boat that was by the docks. And upon getting into the boat the red nosed wolf proceeded to row the boat to the small island. Once there Moriarty made sure the boat was pulled up on the sandy shore after Lady Tremaine and Drizella had gotten out of it. He then led the two women through a dense forest until they came to a tree. The white cape and capped wolf then pulled on a hidden lever which revealed a hidden doorway in the trunk of the tree.

Upon seeing this he heard both of women gasp in surprise as Drizella let out, "Well, that was unexpected."

"This way." Moriarty urged them on before he led them down the underground pathway. This continued until he had brought the two to a metal door that he then opened up and added, "Please come in."

After he had said this the mastermind criminal walked inside and turned on the light to the main room. Upon doing this he heard both of the women let out a second gasp of shock upon seeing his hideout. The wolf's right ear even twitched when he heard the dark brown haired woman's voice when she commented, "Wow. Now this is really nice considering the fact that it's underground."

"Yes, it is somewhat impressive." Lady Tremaine remarked to which Moriarty did his best to ignored her sarcasm.

And once he had closed the door Moriarty removed his top hat and cape and hung them up on the nearby coat rack which revealed his blue suit and red bow tie. He then bowed at the two as he told them, "Please make yourselves at home, madams."

"Oh, I'm certain we will." Lady Tremaine replied with a smile on her face.

"Oh Professor you're back." Todd remarked while both he and Smiley poked their heads out from inside the kitchen.

Once they had this the tall skinny anthro dog asked, "Professor, could you please come here for a moment?"

Moriarty let out a tired sigh when he answered back, "Alright, I'll be right there." But before he walked into the other room he did a quick bow to both Lady Tremaine and Drizella as he kept on going, "Please excuse me for a moment."

"But of course." The green eyed woman replied before she and her daughter walked over to a nearby couch and then sat down.

After they had done this Professor Moriarty walked into the kitchen and looked at his two lackeys while he muttered under gritted teeth, "What's the problem you two? Can't you see I am trying to be a good host and entertain our guests?"

"We're sorry, Professor. But you see we have a bit of problem." Todd began while he rubbed the back of his head with his right hand.

Smiley then added on to that with, "And that's that we don't have a lot of food left."

"WHAT?!" The gray furred wolf shouted to which he quickly covered his mouth with both of his hands. He then moved his eyes from left to right before uncovering his mouth and then grabbing the two anthro dogs by the collars of their shirts. He then added in utter anger, "What do you mean we don't have that much food left?!"

"We're sorry, Professor." Smiley apologized fear clear in his voice.

Todd then chimed in with, "But that's only because we don't have enough money left to go and get more."

Hearing these reasons though only caused the gray furred wolf to become even more angry. But right when he was about to shout at the two even more he heard footsteps heading towards the kitchen. This prompted he to let go of the two when Drizella walked into the room with a confused look on her face as she asked, "Um is everything alright in here?"

"Yes, everything is fine. I'm just having a conversation with my hired help." Moriarty lied while he gave her a calm smile and messed around with his thin mustache.

After saying this Todd gave her a big smile as he told her, "Y-Yeah, he was just telling us what a good job we did cleaning up around here. Right, Smiley?"

But when all of the gazes were brought over to the tall skinny anthro dog it was clear to see that he was about to burst. And so both Moriarty and Todd tried to stop him although it proved pointless when he confessed, "We're sorry miss. But we don't have enough money left to go and get more food since we're almost out."

Upon saying this all three males looked on as the brown eyed woman gave them a shocked expression as she asked, "You're kidding right?"

"No, I'm afraid he spokes the truth." Moriarty admitted followed by letting out a light sigh. He then looked over at Drizella while he added, "If you and your mother wish to leave then I completely understand."

At first Moriarty saw the young woman let out a heavy sigh before she said out loud to herself, "I guess I have no choice." She then looked from left to right before she reached into a dress pocket and pulled out a small sack. She then walked up to the professor and handed it to him when she continued, "Here, take it. But you better not tell my mother that I gave you this. And to be honest she doesn't know that I had that with us the whole time. So don't go ratting me out, alright?"

At first the red nosed wolf had a very gleeful expression on his face up until he saw a confused look on Drizella's face. He then composed himself before he told a hold of her left hand and kissed the back of it while he said, "I am truly grateful for you generosity my lady. And worry not for I won't tell your mother about this. For it shall be our little secret. I will also make sure to pay you back as well."

"Alright. But I'll be holding you to that. And it better be something good too." The dark brown haired human woman commented once Moriarty stood back up straight.

Upon doing so he grinned at her while he fixed his bow tie and told her, "Don't worry my dear. I promise to get you the best jewelry available."

"Oh yeah, and how exactly do you plan doing that?" Drizella asked with attitude clear in her voice.

Hearing this only caused the anthro wolf to laugh before he told her, "Why I'll steal for you of course."