Three months later…

It was a Friday late afternoon and Illya and Napoleon were in their office finishing up paperwork in anticipation of having the next five days off. As usual, as soon as Illya put a noticeable dent in his paperwork, Napoleon slipped more into his inbox. The Russian was about to lodge a loud verbal complaint when a door knock was heard.

"Enter!" Napoleon called. The door opened to reveal April and Mark.

"Hi!" they said in unison as they moved to sit on the small couch against the wall. Mark crossed one leg over the other and told them, "April and I were just in a quick meeting with The Old Man."

Napoleon leaned back in his chair. "Really? About what?"

"He wanted to let us know that the FBI and the Treasury Department went to Colville to collect all the counterfeit money floating around the area."

"Okay."

Illya pulled his glasses off his face. "What reason did they give the populace to explain why they were there?"

Mark laughed. "That's why Waverly wanted to see us; to let us know that the people of Colville, Pinckney City and the surrounding areas were told that Adelaide and Colin Murphy were deliberately spreading fake money around."

"What?" Illya shouted in mock horror. "The Murphys are criminals?"

"Yes, they are," Mark said, "very smart criminals. Master counterfeiters, both of them. They've been two steps ahead of the FBI for months. You'll be pleased to know that, at first, no one believed it because (he held up his hands to make air quotes) 'They were such nice people!' but when the G – men started identifying counterfeit bills, their opinions about Adelaide and Colin changed fast enough to make your head spin. The good thing about it was that after the first fake showed up, everybody wanted their money checked, even the bank and when counterfeit money showed up there…"

"Let's just say it wouldn't go well for us if we ever went back," April interjected. "That's why Mr. Waverly wanted to see us; to tell us we must never go back there."

Napoleon nodded, "So, the FBI confiscated all the fake cash and the people were left high and dry?"

Mark answered, "That's usually what happens, but Waverly got Hoover to turn screws so that the Treasury Department replaced all the fakes collected with real money, so no one lost anything, except respect for the wife and me. Make you laugh; the FBI agents had lunch at Mary's and she told them she should have known Colin was low – class after she spoke to a couple of hunters who ate there because one of them had a 'beautiful English accent like royalty' while Colin's accent made him sound like he was from a slum."

Napoleon inclined his head at his partner. "Your majesty," he intoned with mock formality. He ducked the balled-up paper thrown his way in response easily.

April added, "We also followed up on the Pridgeon family. Ray enlisted in the Army a week after we left Colville and he's doing well. His cousin slash sister Sharon is currently pregnant and Esther and Frank are over the moon with happiness."

"That's wonderful news! Good for them," Napoleon said. "Isn't it, Illya?"

"If you say so."

"Oh, don't be so grumpy, Darling! Were you able to figure anything out from those photographs I took of the footprints?"

"Not really. I have been doing some research and there are two trains of thought about these creatures. One, they are an, as yet, undiscovered species of ape or two, they are an, as yet, undiscovered species of man. Whether they are a type of ape or man, there is a possibility that there are different types within the species."

"Like different breeds of dogs?" Mark asked.

"Yes, precisely. The Sasquatch in Washington State are considered different than the Skunk Ape of Florida and the Yeti of the Soviet Union."

"Well," April said, "we know they exist, even if no one else does. It's unfortunate I wasn't able to take a picture of the one outside the RV."

"What will have to happen, more than likely," Napoleon said, "is that one will have to be harvested in order to be studied."

"Harvested," repeated April. "That's a nice way of saying killed."

"Unfortunately, yes," the Russian confirmed.

"Then I for one, hope that never happens." April flipped her hair in annoyance. "There is still a place in this world for mystery."

"Be that as it may," Mark said, "are you two spending your time off together or what?"

Napoleon looked at his partner before saying, "I'm thinking that I want to cash in my chit for dinner at Peter Luger's Steakhouse. You and April were wonderful to treat Illya and me to the Homestead, but that was weeks ago and I'm really feeling the need for red meat."

Illya looked up from his paperwork. "And here I thought I would have a few days of freedom away from this clumsy ox." He took the sting out of the words with a wink and smile at his partner.

Mark tapped April's shoulder and said, "Don't worry about a thing, Mates; April and I will 'old the fort down until you return. Whatever you decide to do, 'ave a good time. See you later." And with that, the junior agents left the office.

"What do you think, Illya?" Napoleon asked. "I hadn't given it much thought beyond you taking me to dinner, but would you like to spend our time off together?"

"I do not know. The last time we took a vacation together, we ran into Clara and ended up in Terbuf. Is there a place in the world where we will not run into an ex of yours?"

"I'm sure we can figure out a place to go. What do you say?"

Illya looked at his partner and smiled. "I will agree with a few conditions. No forests, no fishing or hunting, no cabins and no THRUSH. I will consider beaches, cities, museums and nightclubs with jazz and beautiful women."

"That, my dear smart Russian, is a deal."