Disclaimer: Disney owns all their characters and I am borrowing them for the fun of telling their adventures and practice in writing stories. I receive NO money or other compensation except sharing the Ducky Madness in my brain with other people so please Do review or otherwise respond if you feel so inclined. It makes my day when I know someone has read my plots. I do use two swear words in this chapter but Barrister Beagle kind of insisted and I figure he's entitled just this once so please excuse the naughty language. If anyone feels it is out of place or inappropriate for a T rating please Do tell me and I'll change the swear words to something else. Your Friend Irual. Also, please keep in mind that I LOVE the Muddlefoots and eventually everything will be better for them I PROMISE. So stick with me for the next couple of stories and you'll see.

---

James Gander Hooter carefully hid a wince as his visitor finally left the office. Mayor Minya had been particularly trying, and he had come armed with the raw footage of Darkwing being forcibly dragged off the badly injured suspect and that hadn't been pleasant OR easy to deal with.

Fortunately there had been numerous witnesses to the fact that most of the suspects injuries had been inflicted before the caped and masked vigilante had become physically involved but it was still a public relations nightmare. Or it would have been had not SOMEONE leaked what the suspect was being charged with to the press in the middle of his meeting with the mayor.

Benji came in his office and looking almost sheepish she offered, "the news media are waiting in the main conference room Director. I took the liberty of offering them exclusive first access to the information we are releasing about the case Darkwing is involved with and all of them have signed the necessary papers."

Straightening his tie Hooter said, "Thank you Benji, I shall meet with Police Chief Glover now and then we will handle the reporters."

The burly bulldog like fellow, outfitted in his dress blues parade uniform entered and offered in his usual calm way, "I'm glad to be included in this little show of solidarity Hooter. In spite of his Honor the Mayor, the police department knows what it owes to Darkwing."

He looked a little uncomfortable and continued, "I have a fine line to walk. The beat officers appreciate his involvement especially with the more; unusual criminal types we have here and the precincts are always more chaotic when he's not around. Contrary to what I have to do for the politico's; I have kept tract of how much he does to back up our people and I understand just how many of my people have been helped by him and his example."

Hooter offered a small smile and a handshake before they moved to the elevator. Quietly he said, "It's been in our best interests to support Darkwing's efforts for years Chief Glover. It IS a pity that Mayor Minya is so set against Darkwing and his efforts, but considering his position I can't say that it's something that I expect to change anytime soon."

---

In Duckburg, Darkwing was pacing back and forth just outside the private hospital room currently holding one Fenton Crackshell also known as the armored superhero Gizmoduck. First Agent Grizzlikof was stationed just down the hall and fully armed pairs of S.H.U.S.H. agents were prominently stationed at regular intervals throughout the hospital. Grizzlikof was actually quite worried but outwardly he maintained a stoic calm. Darkwing was alternating between his usual dramatic flailing and ranting and a far more ominous silent pacing as he tried to pull himself together before reentering the room with Gizmoduck.

Grizzlikof watched and waited without trying to influence Darkwing, the younger agent was far more likely to reject any offer of comfort or consolation from him at the moment anyway. The burly bear and his agents had arrived shortly after Launchpad had reported in to S.H.U.S.H. about the incident at the airport. His own personal feelings aside, Grizzlikof was very concerned…Darkwing was understandably upset but his personal reactions were not in keeping with his usual character. Granted, that animal Frank Muddlefoot was alive, and in spite of Darkwing's efforts capable of standing trial but the caped and masked operative had reacted very badly to the news of Gizmoduck's being incapacitated.

Darkwing had gone to Fenton's bedside and when he had regained consciousness Darkwing had been silent but supportive, letting Launchpad do most of the talking. Very shortly afterwards though Darkwing had escaped into the corridor and this pacing and ranting had begun. The few medical personnel who were authorized to care for H.E.R.O.'s operatives here in Duckburg had reacted well to all this. All of them were still carefully ignoring the spectacle in the hall, but Grizzlikof wanted to understand what was going through Darkwing's head so he stepped over and intercepted the duck as he turned back toward the corner of the corridor.

Clearing his throat Grizzlikof said, "What are you thinking this will help Darkwing?"

The caped and masked figure stopped short and spun to face the suit clad bear. In spite of the fact that he was over two feet taller than the Avian and a good two hundred pounds heavier than Darkwing; Grizzlikof had to force himself not to react as the dangerous operative in the corridor reacted to the interruption.

Sputtering a little Darkwing hissed, "HELP!? I can't DO anything right."

Suddenly deflating the duck actually slumped against the hallway wall and admitted unhappily, "I just don't know…."

Caught more than a little off guard at this sudden bout of very personal recriminations from the notoriously confident seeming duck; Grizzlikof started to say something when he was interrupted by the arrival of a group of people. Leading the charge was young Gosalyn Mallard dressed as Quiverwing Quack and just behind her was the tall, regal form of Morgana Macabre and her familiars. Gosalyn and Morgana had been very worried since the alarm had sounded on their phones to warn them that one of their team members needed backup.

Gosalyn's Spell Chain was a comforting weight on her wrist and thanks to it's efforts she hadn't even considered that her father might have been with Gizmoduck. In fact, she was looking for Honker and Launchpad in hopes of finding out more than her father was likely to tell her about the emergency he and Launchpad had rushed away to deal with. Gosalyn HAD figured out that the signal they had received had originated with Gizmoduck and she had explained about the different signals to Morgana as well as showing the beauteous Mage-born how those functions worked on her phone.

But both females were very worried about the armored hero since there wasn't much that should have been able to harm him while he was wearing the Gizmosuit. Gosalyn gasped and at the sight of her father's anxious body language and the expression on his face, she flung herself on him in an exuberant greeting.

Both Gosalyn and Morgana were suddenly overwhelmed by the need to hug him and convince themselves that he was unhurt, but Morgana kept herself focused. The situation here was actually even more complex than it had been and First Agent Grizzlikof needed to know that Scrooge McDuck had insisted on accompanying them to the hospital.

Archie was still ridding in Gosalyn's hair and trying to counteract a little of her anxiety but he too felt the surge of emotional energy from Darkwing and Gosalyn. Squeek was still secure in Morgana's hair but he and Eek both acted to support Archie as he handled the extra energy sending it to Morgana's mage reserves. All three of the Kin had noticed the energy humming from Gosalyn's Spell Chain and could SEE that it was fully powered up and active but none of them knew exactly what it was supposed to be doing since their ties to Gosalyn were just passive. As far as they could tell, the only physical side effect of the Chain's activity for the duckling seemed to be a marked increase in her appetite.

Since she was already an active, athletic duckling and her family was used to fulfilling Launchpad's enormous need for fuel, no one had noticed the increase yet; although Archie was betting that Drake would notice as soon as he ate a meal with her. Mrs. Beakley HAD commented on how Gosalyn had cleaned her plate at lunch eating seconds as well as finishing a large plate of Morgana's snacks and desert but her fit and trim body meant that the gentle housekeeper hadn't been concerned by the unusually large lunch.

Squeek and Eek SAW that the Spell chain around Drake's neck was just as active as Gosalyn's and Eek had already decided to keep a close eye on Drake so he fluttered to the caped and masked figure and landed on his hat with a little series of reassuring clicks. Darkwing swiftly wiped the guilty look off his face and started to say something but Gosalyn's welcoming hug, and his sudden lack of oxygen prevented him from talking right away.

Eek could tell that Drake needed food, but the stubborn duck was ignoring his own needs since he was fully preoccupied with what was happening to his loved ones. Concerned by this self destructive pattern the threesome of familiars began to plot ways to influence Drake to take better care of himself and so were distracted from the fact that the tiny kitten shaped spirits that had been lurking around Scrooge's estate were in fact trying to look in on them.

Morgana spoke quietly to First Agent Grizzlikof and said, "Scrooge McDuck was with Gosalyn and I when our phone's alarms went off and he insisted on coming to the hospital. In order to keep the rest of his household from finding out about Quiverwing we agreed to his accompanying us. I didn't know how serious Gizmoduck's injuries were and…."

Grizzlikof stiffened at her hurried explanation and started to reach for the activator to his ear bug to warn the rest of his agents. Unfortunately he was a bit behind since Scrooge McDuck was already stomping his way down the hall. The wealthy duck was completely ignoring the S.H.U.S.H. agents and hospital personnel that were trying to impede his progress.

From the look on Scrooge's face he wasn't going to be easy to deal with, but the possibility of having to deal with this sort of complication was one of the reasons Grizzlikof had assigned himself to this task force. The senior operative was glad that Morgana had tried to give him some background, evidently Darkwing was trying to adapt SHUSH procedures to his team; even if it was in a fairly roundabout way. He glanced again at the tall figure of Morgana and observed the bat-like creature landing on Darkwing's hat and reflected wryly that considering how unusual the Justice ducks were he was lucky that any of them managed to work within procedures.

Meanwhile Fenrick's littermates, the nearly identical pair of girl kittens; were watching Gosalyn and the rest of her family avidly from the Oracle pool while their mother gave them their baths. Sekhmet was trying to be patient but the entire litter had been in a frenzy once Fenrick had bonded to his chosen duckling. Finally, unable to get any rest OR calm the others; she dragged the other six of her litter away from the pool over the kitten's objections but not before the twosome had tagged the girl and her family so they could look in the pool and find her later even if their mother wasn't with them.

---

Morgana started to say more in an attempt to give Grizzlikof the background he needed; but Grizzlikof shook his head and muttered, "I'll talk to Scrooge, you stay with them. Darkwing needs his team and you are far more likely than me to keep him balanced. Launchpad is with Gizmoduck and it might be best if Quiverwing…."

Grizzlikof realized he was running out of time as Scrooge was rapidly approaching and cut himself off to avoid saying anything sensitive around the civilian duck. Planting his substantial bulk firmly in Scrooge's way he stopped the billionaire and began speaking quietly while pulling the irate duck further back away from Quiverwing so he could try and keep the details from her. If Quiverwing accidentally overheard something, the very last thing Grizzlikof wanted was to be the one who spilled the beans.

Aside from the very real possibility that Darkwing would try and kill him for a breach of protocol like that Grizzlikof was actually very fond of both Quiverwing and young Bolt. Grizzlikof hid his feelings well under his gruff, no nonsense, take charge attitude, but in reality he was heartbreakingly grateful that it wasn't anywhere near his job to tell her anything about any of this. In his heart of hearts Grizzlikof wished she didn't have to be told at all, no matter how impractical that was; and he was determined to minimize her hurt as much as he could.

Morgana quickly stole a caress sliding her hand along Darkwing's cheek and her Spell Chain tingled but she wasn't sure what Dark needed aside from her company so she waited while Quiverwing asked anxiously, "Dad, what's going on? What happened to Gizmoduck? And Why isn't Bolt here? His Mom and Dad usually let him stick around when we help you with your cases and…."

Taking a deep breath and shushing her with a gentle finger to the beak, Drake said quietly, "Bolt is with his family Quiverwing. We are headed there as soon as S.H.U.S.H. is ready to transport the prisoner Gizmoduck was helping us to catch."

His expression scared Gosalyn and anxiously she asked, "Is Gizmoduck going to be alright?"

Darkwing nodded and said, "Launchpad is with him now and…."

Struck by a sudden thought Morgana offered, "Why don't you see if Gizmoduck is feeling up to having visitors Dark and then we can deal with the rest."

The grateful look in Drake's eyes warmed Morgana's heart and after a sight pause and a decisive look at the tableau down the corridor between First Agent Grizzlikof and Scrooge McDuck he disappeared into Gizmoduck's room. A few seconds later, his hand peeked back out and made a come in gesture followed by the door swinging slightly open to admit the junior crime fighter and the sorceress.

Scrooge waited with ill grace until the threesome of Launchpad, Quiverwing and Morgana came back into the corridor before heading in to see his employee. He paused at the duckling's solemn expression but she summoned a small smile for Scrooge as he stepped into Gizmoduck's room. Scrooge usually dominated a room with the force of his personality and charisma no matter who or what he came up against but he found the scene that greeted him to be something that even he had to pause to take in.

Gizmoduck was sitting up on the hospital bed and Gyro Gearloose was quietly ignoring the other occupants of the room pretending to examine the Gizmosuit that he'd laid out on the second bed in the room. Gyro gestured silently and Scrooge went over to the inventor watching Darkwing and Fenton while the pair of openly armed S.H.U.S.H. agents stood guard over the room and pretended deafness and blindness.

Scrooge's kept his expression as neutral as he could as he took in the sight before him. In spite of the Agents and the spy-like signs and countersigns that were exchanged at the door to the room; Scrooge could tell it was Fenton, not Gizmoduck who was wearing a soft, cloth mask like Darkwing's to hide his identity in case someone got past the S.H.U.S.H. agents unexpectedly. He wasn't wearing the Gizmosuit's helmet, it was on the other bed next to the rest of the suit being inspected. And it was Darkwing Duck, the leader of the Justice Ducks and Fenton's friend; not Darkwing the impulsive, action oriented vigilante who was consoling the accountant.

Darkwing spoke softly, "You did great Fenton. Herb is still in surgery to try and repair the burst blood vessels but he wouldn't have survived at all if you hadn't made the choices you did."

The hint of a sly smile touched Darkwing's beak as he made what was clearly an insiders reference to try and give Fenton a little perspective, "I am really glad you remembered our drills about crime scene protocols too. The C.S.I. 's here are VERY impressed with your reaction times. A real hero does what's right Fenton and doing what's right isn't always easy."

Fenton's blush was visible as he colored up and his crushed expression eased some as he answered Darkwing's comment and slightly upturned lips with the hint of a smile. The darkness in his eyes lightened at the unmistakable approval in the other duck's body language and voice.

Fenton's voice was clear as he admitted, "I thought that was my line. You know I've never regretted being Gizmoduck, but how can you face things like that and still go on?"

Quietly Darkwing offered, "If we don't fight against the evil in the world then who will? We aren't just fighting for us either. There is a reason why people look up to you. People need examples to follow and Gizmoduck has just proven yet again why you are the perfect duck for the job."

Darkwing seemed to realize that Scrooge was now in the room and he looked as uncomfortable as Fenton but before he could say anything his phone went off. Looking apologetic he moved toward the door to answer it and after a few muttered sentences he admitted. "I have to go now Giz, that was G.E.E.K. I have a few leads to follow up on for the private case I was originally here for."

His confident hero façade cracked a little as he added reluctantly, "And I have to get Quiverwing back to St. Canard and start the cleanup on that end."

Fenton winced and said, "You know I'm here if you need me Wingy. I am being released in a couple of hours and I'll be ready. Listen, I heard about the damages to your house and well, we don't have much room at the trailer park but…."

Scrooge perked up at this reference to what was most likely his smuggling problem. He had come to realize that when Drake was paying attention he didn't let things slip without a reason and Scrooge figured that this was Darkwing's way of offering reassurance that the poison smuggling hadn't been forgotten. But Scrooge understood priorities and stepping up to the twosome he offered, "Nonsense Laddy, you get things organized over in St. Canard and if you need a safe place to stay you just say the word and arrangements will be made. It's not like Fenton is your only friend here after all."

Gyro grinned slightly and agreed, "He's right Darkwing, you let us know what you need and we'll do our best."

Darkwing looked startled for a second before shaking Gyro's hand and then Scrooge's. "Thank you for keeping Quiverwing safe for me Mr. McDuck I won't forget that."

Clapping Fenton on the shoulder he disappeared in a puff of blue smoke while Scrooge coughed and fussed, "I'm glad he's keeping his friends in mind. I could wish he'd forget those dramatics of his though…ah well I suppose he has his reasons for them. Now then Fenton lad, I came as soon as we heard and I wanted to see you for myself. Once these doctors have finished fussing, I'll expect you at the bin so we can go over the reports for the week. That way Gyro can keep an eye on ye too. I dinna want to waste any time ye ken?"

Fenton and Gyro were reduced to nodding in agreement but both of them were actually glad to follow Scrooge's lead. The mess Darkwing was dealing with was something no one was comfortable with and it was a strange sort of comfort to return to their civilian jobs and identities for a little while. Gyro and Fenton both knew that they would be kept up to date on the S.H.U.S.H. side of things through the secure network and they could pass on any non sensitive bits to Scrooge which would please the billionaire.

---

Gosalyn was sitting on the bench seat behind Launchpad as he piloted them towards St. Canard. Now usually flying in the jet in her Heroine costume was one of the highlights of any adventure with her Dad but this time the flight was actually kind of…well scary. NOT that Quiverwing Quack knew the meaning of the word fear of course, but Gosalyn Mallard was anything but stupid and her instincts for trouble had picked up on how weird this whole thing was ever since Dad and Launchpad had left her at Scrooge McDuck's.

They were in the Thunderquack on the way to St. Canard and Gosalyn KNEW something was really wrong since both Morgana and Dad had chosen to sit with her in the backseat. Darkwing had decided that it was best to try and explain at least some of this situation to Gosalyn before she saw the wreck of the house.

Gosalyn's bedroom was particularly important to her since it was the symbol of her finally having a home after having been in the orphanage after her Grandfather had been killed by Taurus Bulba's goons. The fact that whoever had broken in had pretty much trashed all the bedrooms wasn't going to lessen the impact of having all her stuff gone through and destroyed. Regardless of the emotional distress she was bound to feel about her stuff, what Drake was truly dreading was when Gosalyn really understood what had happened to the Muddlefoots.

Drake knew that once Gos found out that Honker had been hurt she wouldn't want to wait to see him, and he also understood that their neighbors were a kind of emotional anchor for both of them. They were so very ordinary and yet so very special and he wasn't sure where the repercussions of all this were going to end.

Drake just hoped Herb was going to make it through the surgery, Binkie was going to need all the support they could give her. Hopefully S.H.U.S.H. could locate the her mom Josephine Spoonbill and her husband and have them get here A.S.A.P..

Darkwing glanced at the alert he had just gotten on his phone and said, "Take us directly to the Trauma Center attached to the Children's Hospital LP."

Wrapping his arms around Gosalyn he spoke quietly and began with the break in and then reluctantly finishing with Herb's being in emergency surgery. Morgana caressed his back and Gosalyn's hair above her mask and waited her chance to help. It was going to be a while until Dark and his little family returned to their house, hopefully this would give Aunt Lucidia time to think up some ideas as to the best way to cleanse their home of that nasty aura. According to Archie, the structural damage wasn't too bad but the real damage was to the people who lived in the houses on Avian Way and that was why she quietly projected love and support while silent tears ran down Gosalyn's face.

The sight of her tears undid Dark and he too cried silently for a few minutes while LP sniffed into his scarf but Launchpad knew his responsibilities and continued to pilot them home in the face of his own grief though he couldn't keep himself entirely under control. Morgana's Spell Chain tingled and she realized that Gosalyn and Drake were both thirsty and Drake was beginning to get a headache.

There was stunned silence for a few more minutes, as Drake finished his narrative, he hadn't gone into the most gruesome aspects of Tank and Honker's injuries or those horrible photos; wanting to spare Gosalyn and shield her from some of the evil that had invaded their lives but what he had admitted to her was bad enough that she was having to spend a few minutes taking it all in.

Launchpad winced at the hurt in her voice when Gosalyn asked tearfully, "but Dad, I don't understand. Why was Honker on the window ledge? What happened to him and Tank and why would someone break into our house?"

Unwilling to explain the exact nature of Honker's hurts or speculate on the fact that the C.S.I. 's had found fingerprints that had been matched to Frank Muddlefoot on the outside knob of the backdoor; Drake offered, "We are on the way to Honker now Gos and Mrs. Muddlefoot and Tank need us. Once we find out about Herb I'll go to the house and see just what is missing."

Eek was really concerned with how Drake was ignoring his own needs. He quietly spoke to his mistress and said, 'Drake needs food and I know he doesn't want to take the time to eat but Launchpad and Gosalyn need him and so do you. We can't let him neglect himself Dearest; his Spell Chain is fully powered up and the energy he is using has to come from the food and drink he takes in or his health will suffer.'

Looking into his fiancées' eyes Drake asked hesitantly, "Morg baby I…."

Silencing him with a gentle kiss she said, "nothing will keep me from your side Dark."

She reached into a pocket of her dress and offered him a small bottle of some sort of juice and said, "We need you Dark, we need to take care of you so you can take care of us."

Drake started to object to this since he wasn't at all interested in dealing with the rolling mass of nerves in his middle. Seeing Drake's resistance, Morgana glanced at the tearful pilot and she allowed her own beak to tremble slightly as she wiped gently at Gosalyn's eyes.

At this evidence of Morgana's emotions Drake went silent and she took the opportunity to add gently, "Why don't you drink this juice and set a good example for our Gosalyn?"

She handed a second bottle of juice to Gosalyn who looked nauseous and tried to give it back as the plane dipped and swerved a little saying, "I don't want any."

Drake sighed and drank some, surprised at it's light and refreshing taste before he said gently, "It tastes pretty good Gos, just try and finish some of it and we'll save the rest for later okay?"

---

Binkie Muddlefoot was in a waking nightmare. Her beloved Herb had undergone emergency surgery in Duckburg and then been flown to some sort of private facility and she hadn't been taken to see him yet. her children were still in the hospital and this lawyer, Barrister Beagle wasn't making any sense.

Frightened and confused Binkie let his words wash over her as she waited for him to finish. She didn't understand why, but some stubborn part of her refused to believe that Frank had really done all this to her family so she had agreed to this meeting even though the lawyer that Director Hooter had hired for her and the boys, a Mr. Tweeter; had said she didn't have to see him.

Grim faced guards escorted Frank Muddlefoot into the room and chained his wrists to the chair bolted to the floor. Binkie looked anxiously into his face, hoping to see guilt, or regret or something but all she saw was a cold, calculating, hungry glare that chilled her to her soul.

Frank had shuffled into the room in silence but after he had been secured in place he looked directly at Binkie ignoring Mr. Tweeter and the guards. He sported two blackened eyes and his bill was badly cracked, the day glow orange prison jump suit strained over the body cast that supported his broken ribs and a neck and back brace held his head still. But even with all of these injuries he acted strangely confident and as though he was in control.

His lawyer, Barrister Beagle stepped back into the room after closing the door behind the extra guards and settled uneasily beside his client. There were three uniformed guards still in the room but considering what Frank was accused of, and the fact that no one knew exactly what was going through Binkie's mind neither lawyer objected to the added security. Clearing his throat Mr. Tweeter said calmly to Frank Muddlefoot, "I am obligated to inform you that everything in this room is being recorded. Do you understand this?"

Binkie nodded and Frank said, "yes."

Barrister put in quickly, "My client agreed to this meeting as a private, family matter since he is concerned with the health and well being of his relatives and he will not answer and questions about the charges he is being accused of. He also reserves the right to refuse to answer any and all questions put forth by anyone other than his sister-in-law."

Ignoring the lawyers bickering Frank said, "I hear that Herb made it through the surgery but no one will tell me anything about the boys."

Binkie flinched at the angry contempt in Frank's voice as he referred to Herb and reluctantly she said, "they are being taken care of Frank."

Taking the opportunity her words presented Frank asked, "How about you Binkie? Who's taking care of you?"

At this surprisingly forward question Binkie hesitated and he reached carefully across the table as though to take her hand stopping short of touching her as the chains on his restraints snapped taunt. Earnestly he added, "Once this whole misunderstanding is taken care of I'll be there for you, we'll be together just as we should have been all this time and I'll be sure and provide for the boys, after all they are your children. Can't you see that I am the one you should have chosen years ago Binkie?"

She shuddered and pulled away asking Mr. Tweeter, "I'd like to go now please."

Barrister didn't really want to touch the creature he was having to represent but he restrained his client as the large Avian tried to get up and follow the petite female from the room. Wiping his hands distastefully on his pocket hanky he invoked client/lawyer confidentiality and began to 'explain' things to the idiot while the three uniformed officers waited to escort Frank Muddlefoot to his solitary cell. The entire prisoner population knew about this case and the guards had been hard pressed to maintain order and safety once the media had begun exposing the details to all and sundry.

A few days later in St. Canard the well dressed form of Barrister Beagle steeped out of a cab and walked calmly up the steps of the federal courthouse and them came back out about an hour and a half later. It had taken some extremely glib word-work on his part but he had gotten Judge Whippoorwill to agree to have the trial set in Duckburg not St. Canard.

Irritated, Barrister tucked the paperwork into his briefcase and ignored the news vans and covey of reports who had picked up the case today and hailed a cab. He needed to meet with Frank Muddlefoot and make sure he understood just how bad the case against him was. The additional charges were an added twist that he could have certainly done without but that was water under the bridge now. Those pictures in particular were a compelling argument that he had yet to figure any sort of counter for, any jury that saw those would leap to their feet and demand a guilty verdict for sure. Privately Barrister doubted that he had any chance of refuting ANY of the charges regarding the physical abuse of those children but he had to try, Glomgold wouldn't tolerate failure.

The robbery and fraud charges were minor in comparison but at least they were being dealt with by proxy until after the case moved to Duckburg. The portly lawyer sighed and made sure to bury his face in his paperwork as several reporters shouted questions at him and recorded footage while others took still shots for magazines.

Those reporters were relentless and since the Justice Ducks had been involved in the capture of the suspect there was even some national interest in the case; Barrister wasn't usually media shy but the way this case was shaping up there was nothing beneficial about any of the media for his side. Arriving at the jail which was a much larger, busier facility and boasted a far larger and more hardened staff than the counterpart in Duckburg; Barrister presented his credentials and was escorted to one of the interview rooms.

Barrister straightened his tie and waited, ignoring the guard's look of unease as the fellow realized who the Beagle was representing. Other than stepping away from him slightly none of the people in the jail gave him any trouble though and all too soon Frank Muddlefoot was chained in place and the guards left giving Barrister the privacy to talk with his client as required by law. Barrister waited until he was certain the door was shut before taking the papers he had gotten from Judge Whippoorwill from his attaché case.

Then Barrister began by saying, "it was very ill advised of you to speak with that female earlier in the week Mr. Muddlefoot. The opposition is now convinced that if they dig hard enough they will be able to prove motive in the newest charges that are being brought against you. Someone searched your luggage and found a vile of Quote suspicious chemicals as well as suspect items related to the original charges Unquote and…."

Frank Muddlefoot interrupted quietly and with more than a hint of menace in his tone, "Listen Barrister, you had better get me out of this or we both know who will really pay."

Barrister for once lost his trademark calm and spoke coldly to the Avian saying, "Speaking of paying Mr. Muddlefoot, I am representing you and we both know it's not out of the goodness of my heart. If it were up to me you'd be lucky to have a court appointed law school graduate to stand before the judge while you are dragged through the public eye!"

Catching himself and reigning in his dislike of the male, Barrister continued, "Never the less I AM representing you and I always strive for the best possible outcome in any case I am involved with but I can't guarantee anything when you keep giving the other side that sort of ammunition to work with."

Moving away from the bird distastefully Barrister continued, "I don't have much choice and we both know it. If it was up to me I'd wash my hands of this whole affair AND you, even lawyers draw the line somewhere you know."

Frank laughed, and it was a full-bodied laugh full of genuine amusement. This brought Barrister's uncharacteristic tirade to a halt as his keen mind really listened to the accused bird. At this point he needed all the information and angles he could get and so far all he'd gotten from this whole case was an acute belly ache and a migraine that had lasted for the past three days.

Frank stopped laughing and wiped his eyes leaning slightly to the side since that was all the range of motion the cast on his ribs and the wrist manacles allowed. Then he said without a trace of emotion at all, "That's rich…. You're as much a criminal as any of your 'clients' and don't think your hands were lily white before I came into the picture Beagle. The only difference between us is that If you fail to do your job my friends will be a lot more subtle taking care of you than they will if I get sent to prison."

Giving Barrister a significant look Frank growled, "And be sure you keep this in mind when you go back to your fancy offices tonight…If you don't get me the results I want, I'll have my revenge no matter how or where things wind up."

His grin held only anger and disappointment as he added, "I have already paid my insurance premiums and I know all too well how to wait for what I really want. No one ever takes anything from me and gets away with it…No one and nothing remember that. And remember who's side you are supposed to be on Beagle."

Barrister sternly suppressed a shiver as Frank Muddlefoot's tone and expression both turned pleasant and conversational and he winked at the now nervous Beagle, "did you know that the Sunday before last was my brother's twentieth wedding anniversary? It's the reason I came back to this country otherwise I'd have gone to Milan for fashion week in Spain before heading to New York. I have a gallery show there in a couple of months and I'd better make it or it will cost me Millions especially once the press gets involved…."

Barrister pressed a button to summon the guards to take Fran Muddlefoot back to his cell. Deciding that things were far more out of hand than he'd realized, Barrister made a call on his phone on the way out of the jail. Ignoring the smaller but no less obnoxious pack of reporters that followed him to the taxi stand, he called the branch office of his law firm here in St. Canard.

He was going to have dinner at the private club the Velvet Rope here in St. Canard and a very private meeting that hopefully would exonerate his position. Just in case he HAD to keep dealing with this though, Barrister made a couple of notes about contacting several psychologists. Before returning to Duckburg he needed to make arrangements to have Frank Muddlefoot declared incompetent to stand trial if at all possible. It was the surest way to deal with this as quickly and quietly as possible since there were at least three different agendas going on here and he'd only been informed of one.

The Aviary had better food to be sure but Velvet's had far more to recommend it than just it's five star dinning area. Flintheart Glomgold needed to be informed of just how bad things were so proper arrangements could be made on the other end. It was beyond incompetent for Muddlefoot to have actually kept that damned vial in his luggage not to mention that double damned 'collection' of his. Barrister was a hard, cold realist and he knew only too well just what sorts of things went on; but even he felt a twinge of compassion for the victims in this case. After all in spite of what that Muddlefoot thought, he WAS a Beagle and Beagles followed the family code and creed.

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Here is the next bit and I am already working on chapter 7 so please be patient and remember I LOVE the Muddlefoot's (except for Frank of course). I should have a couple more chapters before this story is done but I am quite proud of the fact that this story is staying on track as far as length and I am posting the chapters fairly close together too. So I am very happy with my improvements. Please DO contact me with any comments or suggestions as well as reviews since I LIVE for feedback. Thank you Irual