2 weeks later..
Kitty was in her office trying to piece together everything. She knew all too well that her job came first before her own opinions, but she couldn't stop wondering. If Jack was a TRIPLE agent, why didn't he tell her when she was working with Dudley? And those times he targeted her were just a show, but for who? All this time, Dudley had been hanging out with Donnagon as usual, and even though Herbert tried preventing it, one way or another, Dudley found a way around it( like he normally does). And as much as Kitty wanted to intervene as well, she had other things to worry about. She remembered all too well that being the new chief of TUFF ment she had to focus on everyone who was working for her and not just one person. Just then, Dudley's phone rang( the one on his desk again) and Herbert wasn't around this time so Dudley knew it was safe to answer.
"Hello?"
"Hey son, you up for yet another play date?"
"Dad, my old boss claims that I favor you over my job. Is that true?"
"What do you think?"
"Well..I do trust you even though everyone else doesn't."
"Then there's your answer: you favor me. Why don't we talk over lunch?"
"Sure thing Dad.", Dudley answered and as he hung up, Herbert hopped over and landed on his desk.
"Who was that Dudley?"
"Uh..nobody", Dudley answered trying to look innocent.
"Really?", Herbert asked raising an eyebrow.
Just then a car horn honked outside and Dudley knew exactly who it was.
"Well, there's Dad again."
"You're going to spend the day with him AGAIN?!", Herbert asked in shock, "Dudley, he still hasn't said anything..sketchy, did he?"
"Chief, Dad would never do such things. Why is it you still don't think Dad has changed his ways?"
"Dudley, your dad is not what he seems to be. I know for a fact that-"
At that moment, the elevator dinged, and the doors opened to reveal Donnegan all jovial and ready to go.
"Hey Dudley, I've been waiting for the past five minutes."
"DONNAGON?!", Herbert screamed as he whipped around fast, "What are YOU doing here?!"
"What? I'm just picking my son up so we can spend the day together."
"Actually, Agent Puppy's very busy today with paperwork so he can't spend the day with you."
"Oh that's too bad. I was thinking of taking Dudley to Dessert Island to see if he can beat me at who can eat the most sugar before he gets a sugar rush again. I'm still the best."
That was all Dudley had to hear.
"That settles it, I'm spending the day with Dad."
And before Herbert could stop them, Dudley and Donnagon were out the door, in the car, and driven out of sight.
Kitty at this time was now working on some evidence that her newly discovered TRIPLE agents have provided her( mostly Jack). Now it was starting to make sense on where TUFF got it's information before a crime was committed. As she was going through some files when something caught her eye. It was Jack's original record. According to it, Jack's new post was in secret from everyone except the chief who was assigning the position. So Jack was probably dispatched to keep a close eye on someone really bad. Still, Jack was doing a good job of it. And by dispatching agents to specific posts, she was doing her job rather well.
"Jack, have you been working with me even after we split?", she often asked herself.
While this was going on, Herbert had hopped in and landed on her desk.
"Chief, what's wrong?", Kitty asked seeing he looked upset.
"Agent Puppy's spending another day with Donnagon again. What does it take to split these two up?"
"Why are you so concerned about Donnagon?"
"Kitty, I know that man's true colors, but Dudley still refuses to see past his exterior form. Donnagon can't change. He just can't."
"Chief, we can't force Dudley to see the truth, he needs to figure it out on his own."
"Who told you that?"
"I learned that when I was working with Dudley."
Kitty knew Dudley better than most people and she knew that. And these new crimes that were arising were keeping her on her toes.
Dudley at this time was spending another glorious day with Donnagon. First they went for a surf lesson at the beach. Even though Dudley never surfed before, Donnagon was the perfect instructor for him. The skies were blue, with hardly any clouds in sight, the beach was clean, and the pleasant breeze was the perfect installment. After that, Dudley and Donnagon then dried off, and were in the car again.
"Hey Dad, I never knew what a wonderful surfer you were."
"You could say I get my exercise when I work on my job", Donnagon answered as jovial as ever, "By the way, you didn't mention the "special secret" did you?"
"No Dad, I didn't say a thing."
"Perfect. Say how about a little ball?"
"Tossing a tennis ball? Been there, done that."
"Not the way I play", Donnagon told him giving him a sneaky smile.
At the park, Donnagon showed Dudley how to really play a ball game. Donnagon tossed the ball, Dudley chased the ball, and the ball kept spinning and turning and avoiding him. It bounced off the sidewalk, slid down ramps, got thrown into the air by water spouts, and rolled through construction sites. Although Dudley had chased it, he was bushed when he finally got back to Donnagon.
"Whew, that was some ball game Dad", Dudley said breathing heavily.
"Yep, gets the old juices flowing. Say, you want a fighting lesson?"
"Sure thing. Hey, watch this."
Dudley had walked over to an old brick wall and then punched it. A few pieces of the wall broke off, but the wall still stood.
"What was that son?"
"Puppy Punch", Dudley answered as Donnagon walked over.
"Let a pro show you how it's done", Donnagon instructed as he slid Dudley aside.
Donnagon then pulled his own fist back and paused a minute. Then with one swift motion, he punched the wall. At first, nothing happened. Then the wall shook, cracked, and fell as nothing but rubble.
"That", Donnagon said to Dudley as he turned to face him, "is a Puppy Punch."
Dudley was spellbound. How could Donnagon be that strong? Could that be on the flash drive that he now had? Donnagon noticed Dudley's puzzled expression, and thought up a cover up. And he thought one up quick.
"Well the day's still getting to the afternoon, how bout we have lunch,and you can tell me about what's going on at TUFF these days."
That sounded fair. Dudley and Donnagon stopped by a deli where they got hamburgers. Dudley got his with extra bacon. Besides that, the afternoon seemed to go by rather slowly. Dudley then decided to inform Donnegan about his problems.
"Hey Dad, can I tell you something?"
"Anything son. Just ask me."
"Well, here's the thing, I met this copycat who's been solving my investigations lately and that really annoys me."
"Really? What kind of copycat?"
"I don't know. Never got his name, but he's one heck of a crime fighter. Only now he just vanished and these new crimes show up."
"Well son, I'll say this: every day a TUFF agent must face the ups and downs of life. If your fellow agents want to ignore and replace you, you can try, but sooner or later, this new guy might get the spotlight."
Donnagon saw his words really hurt Dudley's feelings and he thought fast.
"Not to worry though, you still have time to prove this new guy doesn't have what it takes. If you can show you're not what your fellow agents think you are, then maybe they'll ignore the new guy."
That made Dudley feel better. Then had to use the bathroom so he headed to the nearest outhouse on the sidewalk while Donnagon stood by waiting.
"Enjoying your time with Dudley eh, D?"
Donnagon turned to see Herbert nearby and boy did he look mad.
"Oh, Small Fry. How much did you see?"
"I've seen enough considering I've been following you all day", Herbert answered rather harshly, "I know exactly what you're up to."
"What exactly do you mean?", Donnagon asked sounding hurt.
"Just hand it over!"
"Hand what over?"
"I think you know what I mean. I don't know what sick, twisted little game you're playing at, but I know for a FACT what you truly are! Dudley may be too stupid and short sighted to see past your outer looks, but I can see right to-"
"CHIEF!", Dudley screamed as he walked over.
Dudley had finished in the outhouse, but overheard every word that was occurring.
"For shame. How could you even threaten Dad like that?! He's trying to make up for all the times he didn't spend with me while I was growing up, and you're trying to keep us APART?! It's bad enough you've been spying on me and Dad, but THREATENING him is where I draw the line!"
"Dudley", Herbert said in surprise, "please listen to-"
"NO!", Dudley yelled, "You listen to ME! 'Don't believe a word he says', 'he's not what he says he is', IS THAT ALL I HEAR FROM YOU?! Dad is loving, caring, always there for me and proving he's changed his ways and YOU'RE NOT ACCEPTING IT!"
Herbert cringed while Donnagon just stood there in silence. Dudley had never been so cross. Just as Herbert was about to complain, Donnagon reached out and crushed Herbert under his hand.
"I believe we are done entertaining your company.", Donnagon answered as he lifted his hand and turned to Dudley, "Shall we?"
"Yes, let's.", Dudley answered with pride. And just like that, he flicked Herbert so hard, that Herbert hit a brick wall and made a dent while Dudley and Donnagon stuck their noses in the air and walked away in a very prideful like way.
"Well played son, well played."
Back at TUFF, Kitty was just getting some last filing in when Herbert rolled in. That blow really messed him up. Kitty saw this and almost screamed. In all the years Herbert had this job, he had never looked so beaten up before. He had to get to the medical ward immediately and she decided to escort him there since she was available.
"Chief, what happened to you?"
"Agent Puppy happened.", Herbert answered rather cross, "I try to get information out of his dad, even put up with his "antics" all these years, and even kept an eye on him, and he STILL takes his FATHER'S SIDE!"
Kitty couldn't believe it, Dudley would never hurt his fellow agents on purpose. True he's lied, manipulated, and even skipped work days, but this took the cake.
"Dudley did this?", she asked.
"Not just that, he refuses to listen to anything I say. I overheard Donnagon tell him one time that if he was still a TUFF agent, he'd deploy Dudley on solo missions just to boost his image. That was a downright dirty lie and he KNOWS it! But WHAT happens?! He plays with that man like their BFF's and they shut everyone else out or ignore them."
By this time, they had reached the medical ward and Keswick was there modifying the recovery equipment. Kitty helped Herbert into a bed while Keswick did a scan.
"Bad new everyone. The chief's go-go-gon-gonna be in here a while. Really bad damage too."
"He will recover won't he?", Kitty asked hopefully.
"Oh he'll recover alright.", Keswick assured her, "It's just gonna be slow."
Keswick helped Kitty bandage Herbert up while Kitty was in a fix with her mental thoughts. How could Dudley become so cruel and mean like this. Maybe Donnagon wasn't all he appeared to be. Was she so stupid to not notice it before. Why oh why didn't she spend more time focusing on Dudley when she could? Now he was slipping away and further away with each time. If she didn't do something fast, she would run the risk of losing her ex-partner.
"Oh chief, I'm the new head of TUFF and I don't know what to do", Kitty told Herbert as she started to tear up a little.
She hurt really bad to be crying like this and Herbert knew it. After being with someone for so long and losing them to somebody who's not at all nice. That would break any good agent's heart.