Balto Risky Business

by StormRhino

This is the sequel to Balto Call of the North and contains many references to that story, so make sure you read that first; otherwise you will be totally lost. Since I hate giving anything away about the story, I wont spoil it, but I will say that this has a bigger dose of action than its predecessor.

18. Chapter 17

Chapter 17 We Have Ways

Chicago April 10, 1929

The water that splashed on Duke's may have as well been ice. He spit out the cold water into Rico's face.

"When I said I was thirsty, I meant for a glass of water." Rico smacked him upside the head in response.

"We have been at this for" Andre checked his watch. "Ten hours gentlemen." Andre said in a condescending tone. "If we were not so pressed for time I would let Rico and Tony alone with you for a while." Jake lifted his bruised face to talk.

"You don't have to worry about being called gentlemen trust me." Tony hit him in the gut again.

"Speak when spoken to!" Tony bellowed. Before Andre could continue his monologue, a knock came from the door and it opened. A man stuck his head in the room.

"Not to spoil your fun, but our dogs got spotted just outside of the city." Andre waived him off and turned back to Duke. "Well, this is awkward. You see, we now know the location of our prey. So that poses the question. What do I do with you two?" Andre removed his handgun from his holster. He leveled the barrel at Duke's head. Duke closed his eyes and heard a click. The gun did not fire. "Please, I'm not going to kill you in cold blood, I am not some monster." He hit Duke in the mouth with his left hand, busting open his lip. "Handcuff and tie them up in the storeroom, the boss will be here in a few hours. Rico and Tony quickly handcuffed both men. Next Tong picked up a coil of half inch thick marine rope and tied them together. They were then summarily tossed in the storeroom. The door was shut and the room went dark. The only light coming from gaps between the old wooden door and the wall around it. Duke heard the metal door to the outside open and slam shut.

"How are you holding up?" Duke asked his friend.

"It only hurts when I say ouch." Jake returned. Duke did his best not to laugh for fear of pain.

"So here we are. Locked up in a storeroom waiting for Balto and the others to get caught again, and then have this boss of theirs come and work us over. Sounds like the set up to a bad joke."

"Do I look like I'm laughing?" Jake said with clenched teeth.

"No, but you will be." Duke shifted his jaw and a bobby pin came out of his mouth. "Here's the punch line."