Chapter Twenty
"Mick, did they buy it?" Beth has been doing some peeking herself, trying to see the children's reactions. The closed circuit video camera was catching everything except for their faces.
"The younger ones did, but I'm not so sure about Elliott. He's got that look on his face. You know the one?"
She giggles. "Hmm, since he's a deadringer for you, yeah, I've seen that a time or two. So where did Jeff go off to? I thought he did a great job. Very convincing, especially with the puppy. How did you know about the plan, Mick?"
"He said he'd come up as soon as the coast is clear. I guess Thor and the others were milling around still and he didn't want to get mobbed." Laughing, he quips, "Or kissed. Those are still some horny guys. Anyway, Debbie overheard Red talking to Suzy about coming home with her and figured it out."
"Lord, that's all we needed is to have her steal the dog. Do you think they'll be okay with ah, a pet? You know, with their ah, … thirst?" Beth falters.
"Beth, they'll be fine. Collie and Spike know the difference between food and family; Faith will become part of us. Now, Josef, that's another story. We'll have to come clean."
"What's all that yipping going on downstairs? And what are you confessing to this time, Mick?"
Josef and Simone have just come into the St. John wing. They turn upon hearing a commotion, to watch Santa Claus being chased up the stairs by the Vikings, calling out to him, "Fadder!" Father Christmas, aka Jeff Holmes, sweating now, gives them a panicked look and ducks into the bedroom. "Save me, Mick! Can't you bite 'em or something? That one was trying to club me, calling out, "Mine". Ah, excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Kostan. Good to see you again out of your snow gear."
Josef is grinning. "So, Jeff, how long have you known?"
"About what?"
"Good man. Now I'm glad I gave you that extra five grand. So I take it our Vikings are still raping and pillaging? I thought those party girls might have settled them down."
Mick is now at the door. "That does it. I'm going to get Elliott. He's the only one who can talk to these guys. Uh, Josef, I think they've got Alfred on the run now. You know, maybe bringing them back from the cave wasn't the best or brightest idea I've ever had."
But both women disagree. Especially Beth. "Mick, this has been the best Christmas ever! I can't remember one ever being this much fun. Don't send them back.
They're really very sweet, once they're told the rules."
Simone adds, "And look on the bright side, Jeff. With a little training, okay, maybe a whole lot of house breaking, the Vikings and the dog can join Mountain Rescue!"