The White Sheep and The Black Wolf Part 31

Grimacing, Elle touched the tender skin about her swollen ankle. Luckily it wasn't that bad as Chico's condition. The poor dog had his left front leg in a cast. She reached down and scratched him behind the ears. Chico looked up and wagged his tail weakly. She leaned back as Rosa replaced the melted ice pack with a new one.

"Now don't you fret, hon," Rosa smiled. "Auntie Rosa will get you back on your feet soon enough. It's the least I could do after you nailin' that slimy lizard for me to take a whack at."

Elle glanced over at Hutak who sat still unconscious on a folding chair opposite of hers. His arms and legs were chained by handcuffs that Jay had left with Rosa. And several more secured his tail behind the chair. His snout had turned a bruised dark gray in contrast to his green scales. Elle knew he was sure in for a major headache as soon as he awakens.

Lisa bounced unto the sofa next to Elle. "That was so cool! I bet that lizard didn't stand a chance against you!"

Elle laughed. "No, I guess he didn't."

Mary stood away from the excitement though. Despite the fact that Laurel had indeed taken down that hideous monster, she still felt that she was hiding something. She tightened her left hand, in which she clasped unto something that she stole from Laurel when it fell from her pocket yesterday as Xavier brought her in. In her other hand was what she had treasured for 4 years. Should she bring the subject up now?

Swallowing her fear, she approached Laurel, who still had Lisa bouncing happily next to her.

"Laurel, can I ask you something?" Mary asked timidly.

Elle looked up. "Of course Mary what is it?"

"What does MiB stand for?"

Elle's expression bore a look of puzzlement. She frowned. "I don't know. Is that some kind of new music group?" She had to play it cool. Maybe then Mary would drop the question. But hearing the girl ask the question still made Elle jumpy inside.

Rosa looked at Mary, hands on her hips. "Mary," she said sternly. "Where did you get that wallet?"

Mary knew that if Rosa gave the wallet back to Laurel, it was over. She decided to press her luck before then. Scowling at her, she asked again, "What does MiB stand for?"

Elle shrugged as if the letters had no meaning to her. "Don't know kiddo."

Instead of giving discouragement to her questioning, Mary became enraged at her lie.

"Mary," Rosa warned. "Give me that wallet." She sent an icy glare at the girl, and her large hands moved suspiciously.

Mary shook her head. The truth had to come out. "Aunt Rosa, Laurel is not who she claims to be!"

Lisa glanced at Elle, a quizzical expression on her face.

Rosa's anger abated. "Honey, what are you talkin' about?"

Elle felt the anxiety in her grow. I'm so screwed.

"Laurel's not from the FBI, she's with something called the MiB," Mary said quickly. She held out Elle's wallet in one hand and a small crumpled-corner white card in the other. "This card was what James left before disappearing 4 years ago. It has MiB on it just like the card in her wallet has."

Rosa looked at Elle, her face bearing mixed feelings. She knew Mary wouldn't come up with such stories. But she couldn't come to believe that Laurel was one of her nephew's kidnappers. She seemed so nice. But then Rosa had been fooled by supposed beggers before.

Besides the hard evidence was right here in hands.

Sighing Rosa gestured her head toward the dining room. "Mary, call the police. Tell them we have two to turn in.

Mary rushed away.

Little did they know that Elle had slipped her hand into her coat pocket. Her fingers slid around what she was looking for. Using her index finger, she adjusted the knob setting.

"Now would you tell me who or what MiB is and where my James is?" Rosa asked, stating it more as a demand. Her face was hard, showing that she wouldn't hesistate wringing someone physically for information.

Elle whipped her glasses on and flashed the neuralizer.

Before Rosa or Lisa could react, the whole room was washed with an unearthly bright light, accompanied with just as eerie hum.

Elle shook her head. She had wished it wouldn't have to come to this. They were nice folks. If only they were like the other nosy people she had to deal with everyday. She inspected her ankle and determined that it was fit to walk upon.

Snatching up all her belongings, as well as the card and her carte noir, she headed for the living room. Apparently, she had worn out her welcome.

"Aunt Rosa?" Mary called. "The cops want to speak to you. They think I'm just pulling a pr..." That was as far as she got before she was subdued by a bright flash.

"Sorry she was bored," Elle said quickly into the phone before hanging it up.

Working quickly she place the levitator belt upon Hutak. His body rose and she began to pushed him ahead of her towards the front door. She looked back once more, making sure she had everything.

Seeing that see did, she vanished into the night, leaving no trace of ever having been there.