Chapter 6 – Decision
The team moved right behind the stand over the tree, leaving nervous and expecting Frank Barker the publisher behind and headed right to the deep dark of the night forest. Only when they had been respectably distant from the stand and right then being alone and having some privacy, Wolf started.
"So...what do think all about this, guys?" Wolf whispered, still a bit stunned and uncertain from Franks explanation and the sudden unexpected offer to return back to reporting ways.
"Well..." Red murmured thoughtfully. "It sure sounds like a serious think indeed, Wolf."
"You are telling me." Granny added. "That poor publisher doggy really looked like almost a young boy begging. Literally." The old lady stated her voice filled with sympathy for Mr. Barker.
"And what about you, Nick?" Wolf right then shifted his attention to Nicky Flippers. "With your permission, I would really be up to help Frank out as an old friend of mine. You see, we have known each other since school and then actually began our journalist career together. It is true, that Twitchy and I have been working for Frank for over ten years, doing quite a good job, bringing him a worth and good story after story, photos after photos and we both experienced so much during our journalist career. " Wolf stated.
"The same goes for me too." Twitchy remarked seriously also. "I would like to help Mr Barker as well. He has always been nice and honest to me. He has always bought and liked my photos, though sometimes some were poor. Actually, he was something like my protector and I like a protégé to him."
"Yes, Indeed….." Nicky remarked nodding his head and massaging his chin. "It would be as another case for HEA, in order to make a happy ending for such story. And of course, it is also nice of you two to help your old friend."
However, Flippers expression suddenly and somewhat darkened. "However, I am afraid that would not work quite well that way…." The frog stated, quite for everyone collective awe. "By giving the happy endings of stories that not always go by the book, HEA usually does the job according fairy tale stories background and rules. Yet such issues as criminal activities, black market, corruption, threat to international peace or even terrorism on the other hand are rather side issues to deal with then. And therefore, by actually helping out to someone, like Mr. Barker for instance who on the contrary asks for help in order to save the reputation of Once Upon A Time, this would be rather irregular as well as going against the agency policy, not to mention of HEA being a secret organization, with its secrets being exposed."
"Come on, Nick." Red had to stand up for the issue with Frank Barker and Once Upon A Time. "There should be something we can do about this."
"Yeah, Nick." Now Granny added for her granddaughter. "We just cant let that honest nice guy loose it all."
"No!" Wolf suddenly said aloud after a moments of silence, also clenching a fists, much for Reds, Grannys and Nickys surprise and straightening up "We just cant let this be this way. Nicky….." The canine turned to the frog again "Me and Twitchy will do it!" The canine said by a slight rough, yet modest tone.
"Excuse me?" Nicky asked quite aloud, whole wondered.
"You what?" Now Granny asked also wondered.
Though Red, also very wondered as well, could see the gleam in Wolfs eyes and face with a mischievous, yet full of determination. During the time working and spend the time together, Red could already distinguish the moods and thoughts of her partner a bit. "I know this look of yours, Wolf. What are you up?"
Wolf had paused for a moments, still clenching a fists, however a bit eased off, spoke up quite aloud and also looked at Twitchy. "You have heard my right, guys. Me and Twitchy will take that case. We are gonna help Frank, no matter what. Because, if HEA cant do anything about that, we can!"
"Wolf…." Red stammered her voice was wavering filled with disbelief and uncertainty. "Are you sure about this?"
"I certainly am, kiddo. No joke." Wolfs stated, his voice lacking humour and sounding very serious and determined. "We will take that job, take care of the case, investigate the whole thing and reveal the truth about Jack and save the Once Upon A Time!"
"Dog..." Granny then admitted, sounding rather concerned. "I am really not sure about this. Your intents maybe noble, but that case about Jack Frost really seems serious. That guy, Jack Frost as you put it is rich as well as very influential and powerful man...This is really a job for more like an agent, yet for a reporter on the other hand…..."
"Exactly, Granny." Wolf got to surprisingly agree with Grannys concern. "I used to be an investigative journalist, yet right now I work for a secret intelligence services. Yet therefore, I am actually both of it. I am an secret agent with an instincts of reporter, still dabbling in journalism between cases by keeping up the news. Which might give me an edge about that case."
"But….But Wolf…." Red stammered in an attempt to talk her partner out of that idea.
"I am sorry, guys. But I had already opened up my mind." Wolf however simply declared with a very decisive manner, not let himself to by discouraged, evidently being deadly serious about this.
Right then, Red shifted her attention to Twitchy, who so far remaining quiet for a while yet also looking somewhat stunned and baffled by Wolfs bolt speech and decision alike. "Twitchy. And what about you? Are you really going to go ahead with Wolf?" Red hoped that at least the little squirrel would have a way more sense a bit and try to talk Wolf out of his rather crazy idea.
However and much for everyones collective surprise, Twitchy released a soft sight as the little squirrel edged closer to Wolf. "I am terribly sorry...Red. But if Wolf wants to do this...than, I am with him! Wolf and me are partners, always standing up with him. Besides, Mr. Barker is also somewhat a friend and means a lot for me and I want to help him as well." The hyperactive squirrel stated determined being about to support Wolf on his decision of his idea.
"Twitchy. Not you too?" Red muttered now quite exasperated.
"Oh brother…." Granny sighed.
"Twitchy! Thanks little buddy, I knew I could count with you." The canine appreciated the willingness and determination of his little furry hyperactive friend by also standing up for his canine longtime partner.
"Anytime, partner." Twitchy squeaked and playfully bumping his little hand into a fist with Wolfs as a sign of their mutual agreement and respect towards each other.
Red, now quite distressed and hopeless by realizing that she couldn't make a reason with her partner, the girl right then shifted her attention to Nicky. "Nicky? What about you? Are you really let Wolf and Twitchy to go on with their idea?"
Mr. Flippers who meanwhile remained quiet for some time not intervening, yet remaining calm and taking in everything, the frog detective opened his deep green eyes bearing an innocent look on his face before trailing out. "I am sorry Red, but unfortunately…..I cant do anything about it."
By pronouncing these words, all, Red, Granny including Wolf and Twitchy were quite taken aback by Nickys statement as the frog detective actually was turning and supporting Wolfs and Twitchys side. "Really?!" Wolf and Twitchy both gasped out of sudden joyous surprise by their boss statement.
Red and Granny both gasped in a collective awe, and they looked like even more baffled and taken aback then before well, it is uncertain if it would go far more then that way. "Nicky….." Red gasped muttering by being about to protest.
"I am sorry, Red." Nicky went on, his voice remaining calm, even and mattered of fact. "Look ladies, as much as I don't like this either just like you, yet unfortunately, Wolf and Twitchy just might be on to something with that journalism matter about Jack Frosts case. Besides, HEA had also been monitoring Jack Frosts activities for some time, yet not being quite justified and even I got some reason to think, that something is not quite right about this."
"Is that so…." Granny murmured by considering Mr. Flippers suspicions.
"Mmm…." Red also murmured for herself.
"Boys…" Nicky right then turned back to both Wolf and Twitchy, his voice although gaining into a way more urgent tune yet remaining tranquil and even. "At normal circumstances, I wouldn't be too sure much being up for that idea of yours to take the case against the HEAs policy. However…." The frogs tone then tuned itself down into a way more positive. "I do respect your decision boys about to do the right thing. By also having some old friends asking me for help, I guess I just also couldn't help myself and also willing to help them, either if it were against regulations or not."
"So….Are you saying, Nick….." Wolf murmured like actually getting an idea where Mr. Flippers was heading at.
"Indeed, boys…." Nick smiled warmly and winking his eye. "I will let you go to investigate that entire matter with Jack Frost and his business by helping Mr. Barker and possibly saving Once Upon A Times reputation, as it is actually yet another story that needs a happy ending as well. It would be a great honour for HEAs own image."
"Wow! Thanks, Nick." Wolf thanked to his frog boos and friend alike being charmed by Nickys permission and shake his paw with him.
"Thanks, Mr. Flippers." Twitchy thanked charmed alike.
Red eventually turned to her Granny. " Um, Granny? And what about you?" Red murmured glancing upon Granny unable to conceal her awe yet still somewhat hardly believing Nickys actual permission for Wolf and Twitchy to go of with their idea.
"Honey…." Granny trailed out. "Believe me. As much as I think as Wolfs and Twitchys idea sounds crazy and by Nicky actually supporting boys like that, yet….Nicky is quite right about this, as well as Wolf actually wanting to help Mr. Barker his old friend in need by return to journalism for him, I also believe that boys should take that case and even I got to respect their decision too."
"Thanks Grann." Wolf thanked Granny for her quite unexpected support on this.
"That is nothing." Granny smiled. "Yet, if you truly wish and want to do the right thing by helping Mr. Barker out boys, then just go for it and don't let anyone else to discourage or telling you otherwise." Although Grannys words sounded simple, yet they bore lots of meaning and wisdom, much for Wolfs and Twitchys encouragement.
Ehm...Red?" Wolf asked softly by averting his attention to Red aside. "And what about you?"
Finally and right then, Red approached the gang and to Wolf and Twitchy after couple of moments, with her face filled of innocence, modesty as the girl finally managed to recuperate from her astonishment and clearing her mind a bit. "Wolf. Twitchy. Boys..." Red started with her voice though sounding rather unreadable. "If you, Granny along with Nicky take this entire journalism staff with Mr. Barker and about Jack Frost matter that way, then….I am also up for your decision by supporting you on that matter too, guys." Red declared with her expression cherishing expressing her support to her partner.
"Thanks, Red. I know we can count on you." Wolf thanked by also appreciating his partners support.
"And..." Red went on, shifting into her more assertive side. "By fully proving my respect and understanding of your decision, I would come with you guys on that mission of yours to investigate the entire thing about Jack Frost to help you."
Wolf and Twitchy were once again quite taken a back but also nonetheless charmed and impressed by Reds willingness to help alike, yet they both exchanged mutual and rather wary looks before though Wolf trailed out. "Well...Red…." The canine started somewhat hesitantly. "It is very nice of you, that you want to help us with the investigation and we both really appreciate that. But, this time….no."
"NO!?" Red blurted literally freezing by both awe and disbelief by her partners rather offhanded excuse, as instantly started to protest. "What do you mean, NO?! You just cant go on that mission all by yourself, Wolf!"
"Red. Please, no hard feeling….." Wolf spoke off with his voice softening a bit. "But, Frank has actually asked me and Twitchy for help to take that case about Jack Frost, being really more like to connected with journalism stuff than HEA having some business with it. So that is why me and Twitchy got to take it, being a personal matters."
"But Wolf! We are partners. I cant let you go alone." Red had not let herself to discourage.
"Hey, listen, kiddo." Wolf cut Reds persistent protests short, speaking up with a way more reasoning and motivation tone and placing his furry paw over Reds shoulder. "I once again and appreciate your willingness and I really wish you to come with us, more like anything else on the world, but you just got to stay behind this time, because if anything unfortunate happens and there is yet another story that needs a happy ending, the agency will need you more here for you to take care of it while me and Twitchy are gone."
"Wolf may have a point there…." Nicky stated in agreement with Wolfs judgement.
"Besides…." Wolf went on. "It is just not that we are leaving forever, not moving on another end of the world or quit the job at HEA. We are just going to take that case, investigate by making everything clear, make a good story about that, and if everything does well, it might by another happy ending. Although, only by half of HEA."
"This...This is so much to take in." Red murmured, still being in awe, yet though feeling herself a way more calmer now, Red, listening and taking in Wolfs rather motivating speech, the brunette yet strangely felt also somewhat encouraged.
"Honey…." Now Granny gently spoke up, edging closer and placing her hand over her granddaughters shoulder, massaging it soothingly. "Just let it go."
"Listen, guys…." Wolf then finally spoke off to the gang. "That rich boy, Jack Frost is sure some big animal tycoon with his own multinational company, arguably being up to something big. Other secret agencies has not been able to find out what he is up to, yet. And right now Frank and Once Upon A Time needs our help to crack up that case. Besides, years of journalist experience and right then in HEA, with our talents, abilities and skills, me and Twitchy can do it. I believe we can!" The canine stated firmly and determined by giving making his final decision.
"You betcha, Wolf." Twitchy added by fully supporting Wolfs decision, being on it with canine no matter what.
"Wolf, Twitchy..." Red right then spoke up after a minute of silence yet her expression seemed to be rather unreadable, like hard to expect what she was about to say. "I still don't like that, letting you two go on that mission alone, without any backup nor me coming along just because those are personal matters." Yet however, Reds expression somewhat softened with a positive smile forming over her face. "But, anway...I am and I will also respect your decision and fully support you on that, just like Nicky and Granny does boys. Though you are taking it rather wild card, yet you on the other hand mean well at the end…..Do it, boys."
"Thanks Red. To all of you. For understanding and your support." Wolf just couldn't thank enough.
All, Red, Granny and Nicky were smiling, honestly looking on Wolf and Twitchy as a duo looked at each other also smiling, nodded their heads approvingly and slapping heir paws together, that it is finally decided.
Meanwhile, back at the snack stand, still excited, expecting, but also cautious Frank Barker was sitting on seat at bar and drinking his third cup of coffee, still staring at the direction of the dark forest where Wolf, Twitchy and rest of the gang went to, expecting and waiting for them to come back any soon. At bar was also a very gloomy, miserable and despondent looking Sandwich Man wearing a rather cartoonish or more like a goofy costume of white tiger, serving the coffee to a bulldog.
Frank although waiting patiently, yet the bulldog publisher was apparently nervous and uncertain, also evident by his trembling hand after drinking so much caffeine, concerned and hoping what kind of decision are his former employees and old friends Wolf and Twitchy going to make. Either the boys will take it, investigate the entire matter and save Once Upon A Times reputation by that, or they just refuse and everything is lost.
"Chm! Nothing but a little pressure." Mr. Barker murmured to himself uneasily, but as he had been just muttering to himself, that it was taking somewhat a way too long, in the same moment, Wolf and Twitchy emerged from the dark of the forest, joyously smiling with Red, Granny and Nicky were following accompany them from behind.
The bulldog immediately and swiftly straightened up yet by the looks of the smiles and happy looks of Wolfs and Twitchys faces made the publisher feel a little more confident and hopeful for then. "Well..." Frank stated hopefully yet though still feeling a little cautious. "Have you already decided, boys? How it will be? Will you take it, or what?"
Without a second though and long thinking, both Wolf and Twitchy glanced upon each other before trailing out simultaneously their final decisive response. "We will."
"You….You will?" Franks gasped as his heart literally jumped up by hearing Wolfs and Twitchys agreement, his eyes widened with a joy as he jerked out aloud: "Do you really mean that?"
"Yup." Wolf and Twitchy both replied simply with a smile.
"YUUCHUUCHUUU!" Mr. Barker literally cheered out very loud and joyfully. "YEAH! I know I can count on you, boys! CHACHACHA! They are gonna take it! They are gonna take it!" Frank was singing and cheering aloud joyfully and also slightly dancing and hopping in the process with the white tiger costumed sandwich guy, who was quite stunned by dogs rather excessive astonishment. "Eeehhh!" After a while of joy and astonishment, Frank had eventually got himself together by calming down and recuperating his senses, when he realized, that he was rejoicing with the snack guy, who didn't look much thrilled and enjoying this theatrics too much.
Quite surprised Wolf, Twitchy along with Red, Granny and Nicky were watching the whole performance with a collective awe. "You see? This is exactly, what will happen, if you just let get it over your head." Wolf whispered sarcastically, while the rest of gang only smiled in response.
Finally, when Frank had romped and cheered out as Wolf and Twitchy and gang sat back on their seats behind bar, Wolf stated. "So, Frank? Now….would you give us some clues, which we could grab to start our investigation anyway? We wouldn't find out much this way, a basic rule for investigative journalism. "
"As usually, you are apparently right, Wolf." Frank stated in agreement as he started thinking to come up with some lead before eventually coming up with something. "Well….hmm….maybe...Yes!" Wolf and Twitchy instantly straightened up to listen.
"Now listen up, boys." Frank started yet this voice though tuning itself into a whisper. "We have obtained the information and found out, that Jack Frost will throw a great social party on his winter castle, somewhere eastwards from the Frostskow in the Freezestria land in a few days. Plus, according the secret intelligence services, that party might be camouflage of secret meeting of conspiracy. Maybe that, could be your first clue there and start of your investigation boys. I do not know anything more yet."
Wolf and Twitchy looked at each other again thoughtfully. "A party, huh?" Twitchy squeaked.
"Besides," Frank went on curious. "When exactly do you intend to set off anyway, boys? I would recommend as soon as possible due to that party schedule by the way. Approximately…..Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow?" Red, Granny and Nicky simultaneously murmured in awe above whisper.
"By the way, Freezestria is pretty far away from here. The flying tickets there are quite expensive, and….well….with our budget and money problems, I am not quite sure if….." Mr. Barker went on by giving more details.
"Sounds good, Frank. Tomorrow it would be just fine." Wolf replied in agreement not to postpone the task very long. The sooner the better. "And don't worry about money. Just leave it to us. We got some resources of our own."
"Yeah." Now Twitchy added. "Plus, also some very good friends to aid us." Wolf and Twitchy glanced upon Nicky with a hopeful look in their faces, yet the frog detective only smiled modestly and winking his eye, like actually getting what the boys had on mind.
"Well…." Still a bit astonished Mr. Barker went on. "If you really put that that way, boys, then...Deal?" Frank stated by finishing the whole conversation and extending his right paw.
Wolf and Twitchy only smiled honestly in response. "Deal!" They both stated simultaneously as they shake their hand with Mr. Barkers for a deal, plus Wolf and Frank gave each other a friendly hug, meanwhile Red, Granny and Nicky were just watching the performance with sympathy and content.
"So its settled then…." Mr. Barker stated as he took his reporter hat before saying his farewell to the gang and being about to leave. "See you guys tomorrow in the afternoon on the small airport, boys. Besides, I am going to provide some more bases and information for your investigation, Right?"
"You betcha!" Wolf replied and winking his eye in agreement.
"So long, Mr. Barker!" Twitchy replied saying farewell to Mr. Barker.
Wolf and Twitchy were watching satisfied and waving for farewell how Frank Barker left the stand before disappearing in the dark of the Forest, the same way he came.
"Well, guy…s" Wolf though stated a little bit tired and somewhat offhandedly. "I guess, we should better be on our ways now, because it is already too late. You know, we got things to do, to get ourselves ready for this all. Besides, it has been quite a long day and first thing of all, we would do is, that we will take a good beauty sleep for it, right Twitch."
"Yeeeaaahh." Twitchy yawned tiredly as well. "I also would not mind to take some nap at all."
"Agreed. Very well then, boys." Nicky stated by agreeing with Wolfs and Twitchys suggestion. "Lets dot this. You boys go home, carefully prepare yourselves for it, while I will fix everything necessary for you to need for the travel, including plane, money, permission and some equipment. I will call you in the morning, okay?"
"Okay, Nicky." Wolf replied modestly nodding his head.
"Right, Mr Flippers." Twitchy replied understood.
"We also should be on our way home, then. There is no time to lose." Red suggested gently with a smile as she stood up from her seat of the bar.
As they had been agreed and paying for the whole refreshment in the snack stand, as right then the gang was about to go towards the direction back going their separated ways, where they left their motorbikes to ride their way home.
"Would you like to take a lift, Nicky?" Granny suggested for Nicky to take a ride.
"Ehm, no thanks, Granny." The frog murmured by politely dismissing Grannys offer." I usually prefer walking to riding. I will just enjoy peaceful and quiet night walk home.
"Very well." Granny replied modestly
Still however for Red, despite the girl actually agreed with Wolf by respecting his and Twitchys decision by taking that rather offhanded case about Jack Frost in an attempt to make a good story in order to save Once Upon A Time and by supporting the boys on that, yet deeply inside, the girl had some strange, grudging and unpleasant feelings about this all….
To be continued…