The Adventures of FireFox and BlackDog
Episode 6: The Empire Hotel Casino

Michael moved toward the sound of dripping water. It had gotten worse since yesterday. He padded smoothly across the basement in his old tennis shoes. Chief Kosaka had only asked him to track down the leak. But Michael felt more like a wild animal stalking his prey. And it was more fun to think of it that way anyway. He approached the pipes that were bolted to the wall on the far side. It couldn't hide forever and he'd find it today. He slunk along the wall, listening intently to the drip. He was getting closer.

"Michael, what are you doing?"

Michael was so startled that he jumped back against the pipes. He hadn't even noticed Robin coming up behind him. He didn't speak until he got his breath back.

"Geez, Miss Robin. You scared me to death."

"Oh, I'm sorry. What were you doing?"

"I was just looking for that leak. You know it's been going like this for days. Did you want something?"

"I've had something on my mind for a while and I wanted to ask you about it."

"Oh, yeah? Let's sit." Michael trotted over to the well and Robin followed him. They settled down together, leaning against the cold stone.

"Okay, tell me," he said.

"This thing happened while Amon and I were away. We were in Monte Carlo. We had run out of money again and that was the best place we could get to on the train. We thought that if we could somehow join an aristocrat's retinue, we would be taken care of for a few days at least. But when we arrived, we had no luck at all. We finally gave up late that night. We were sitting in the lobby of one of the big casino hotels, the Empire. We hadn't eaten in two days. Amon was dead on his feet and he was in better shape than I was. We noticed this older lady eyeing Amon as she passed. She was covered in jewelry. He noticed her too. I think she even winked. Amon stared at me for a minute and then he suddenly got up and told me to stay there. He caught up with the lady at the front desk and I saw him start up a conversation with her. I couldn't hear what they were saying but then they just walked off into the elevator together. I waited there for almost an hour. When Amon came back, he had 400 dollars with him."

"Okay, so what are you asking me?"

"What do you think happened?"

"I don't know. Wait a second, you don't think he…"

"I don't know."

"Did you ask him?"

"I asked him then. He wouldn't tell me."

"No, it couldn't be. He's not that kind of guy."

Robin said nothing. She just sat there frowning. Michael hated to see her like that.

"Don't worry about it, okay? Whatever Mr. Amon did, he did because he didn't want you to suffer. He couldn't just sit there and watch you starve to death, right?"

"I suppose you're right."

"Now cummon, help me look for this leak."

Robin smiled a little. "Alright," she said.

-

Well, that was episode 6. First, the Empire Hotel is fictional. I've never been to Monte Carlo so I couldn't use the name of a real hotel. Now, to the main thing. Even I don't know exactly what Amon did to get that money. It could have been anything. But come on, let's give him some credit. He's a tease, not a gigolo. But like Nagira said in the last episode, desperate times. Of course, you'll have to draw your own conclusions on this one. Thanks to all the reviewers.

PS. Congrats to FyodorD who won the Mystery Anime contest in episode 5. The answer is Hellsing. FyodorD wins this little paragraph and the cameo in the last episode which is already written and ready to go. The series is more than half over but more surprises await our heroes on their world tour. So remember to check back every week for the newest episodes.