Gabriel glared at the intruder. It was a glare that would have sent most men on their way. Not this time though. His current intruder seemed quite content to stay where he was, curled up and apparently sleeping. To make matters worse, the intruder's resting spot was right in front of the door.
All he had wanted to do was prop open the door to let a breeze blow through the warm office. He hadn't counted on the snake taking up residence.
Though he considered himself a patient man, the dozing snake was surpassing even his patience. But how to get it out without actually touching it?
Looking around, Gabriel spotted the broom. Picking it up, he edged closer to the snake, the handle of the broom extended in front of him. Stopping as far away as he could and still reach the snake, he went about trying to pick the snake up on the handle. It took a couple of tries, but he was able to successfully drape the snake over the broom handle. However, he had only managed two steps before the snake slithered off, dropping to the ground and causing Gabriel to jump back.
It was only a chuckle from the doorway that caused Gabriel to risk a glance at the snake which was now awake from his nap
"I know, I know. Suck it up buttercup," Gabriel muttered, his glance revealing his audience was Sam.
"Given that I tend to give spiders a wide berth, I will cut you a break on this one," Sam admitted, walking into the office and picking up the snake. "Never thought I would be rescuing a Mountie though," he joked.
"Give me the barrel of a gun to stare down any day," Gabriel replied.
"Well, I didn't see anyone with a gun, but Ronnie sent me over for you. Apparently one of his guests believes that something has been stolen from their hotel room," Sam reported, stepping to one side of the office, the garter snake still in his hands.
Keeping an eye on the snake, Gabriel moved to his desk to retrieve his hat. "Do you mind escorting my visitor out of town for me?" he asked as he made his way to the office door.
"I will," Sam promised. "And I will keep this between the two of us," he added.
"I appreciate that," Gabriel said, finally able to get to the door to his office. Putting his hat on his head, he walked out of the building and started across the street to the Royal Brookfield. He didn't bother glancing back. He trusted Sam to not leave the snake in his office and frankly he didn't want to know which direction Sam headed with him.
Grateful to be presented with a problem he felt more equipped to handle, Gabriel headed into the hotel to get the facts of his new case.