9:00pm. The two rivals were surprisingly calm around each other.

Rocky and Marley were chatting with Zib and Sierra. Ali and Kassian were at the bar with the Savoies, chattering with Viktor.

Freckle and Ivy were practice dancing the tango.

Mitzi and Mordecai were talking quietly to each other.

Leslie was giggling at Wes because he was flirting with her with a rose clamped in his teeth.

Dolly, Fish, Jeremy, and Suzie were discussing aliens.

Marcus and Wick were talking about rocks, with Lacy looking glum at the conversation.

Bella and Horatio were near the door, smiling at their friends.

Jenni checked her watch and took a deep breath, "Attention everyone! Thank you all for joining us this evening." "Not that we had a choice." Nico muttered. "I know things are still brittle between Lackadaisy and Marigold but when I tell you why you are all here, you'll trust each other more." Jenni explained. "We'll see." Wes whispered. Jenni ignored him. "Darling, we are always here to help." Mitzi cooed, "In fact, if it weren't for you, we probably would still be trying to annihilate each other." "So, what gives?" Zib asked, "We had to cancel an entire session for this." "Earlier this afternoon, I received a letter from one of my old employers." Jenni stated coldly, "He's coming by tomorrow to speak with me."

"So, who is this guy? Can't be too many suspects." Suzie started but Bella angrily elbowed her in the side. Only Rocky, Freckle, Ivy, and Mordecai knew about Jenni's previous profession. "I believe you remember the name...Myles Howler." Marley stiffened up and groaned and shared frightened looks with Sierra whose ears were erect. Bella, Dolly, and Suzie gasped in fear. Marcus turned his head sharply towards Jenni and glared at her. Kassian gulped down a small ice chip and coughed. Nico slapped him in the back and Kassian spat the chip out. "Thanks!" he wheezed. Nico gave him a reassuring nod. Ali's tail fizzed in fright. "Myles Howler!?" Mitzi said, fear in her voice.

"Whose, Myles Howler?" Freckle asked. "2 words, Bad News." Zib stated, pouring an entire glass of bourbon. "What does he want?" Marcus said, malice in his eyes. "He said he's fallen on hard times. Money issues probably." Jenni stated. "Up his! Don't give him squat Jen!" Marcus shouted, startling nearly everyone. Mordecai glanced at Jenni who just shrugged and shook her head. "Marcus?" Marley said, both of her hands were on the bar, which her back was pushed up against. The jaguar sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Sorry guys. The Howler family and the Jags family...have history. A rather violent history." "I don't blame you sweetie." Mitzi chimed in, "There's a reason why they call him "The Red Death". He's a scandal."

"I used to work for him. Sierra. Marley. You guys remember him, right?" "Was he the guy whose family was kidnapped?" Marley asked. "Yeah. Yeah. That was him. Poor guy, his wife, two little girls. He didn't seem that scandalous to me." Sierra said. "Huh! That's what he wants you to think. Bastard. Not you honey." Mitzi stated. "What does he do exactly?" Ivy asked. "Eco terrorist." Ali muttered, playing with an ice cube. Wick's face morphed into a startled look, "Oh...you don't say..." "I know what you're thinking Wick, and I won't let anything happen to your quarry." Jenni said. "Right. Of course." Wick drank his drink slowly with the same frightened look. "Well, you're right. This is cause for concern." Mitzi stated, "Thanks for warning us Ms. Graves." "My pleasure...well, not really a pleasure." Jenni glanced at Wick who looked sick to his stomach.

"Hey guys," Rocky said, "You guys notice Myles and Mordecai have the same initials? That's funny!"

Marley chuckled, "Myles Howler. Mordecai Heller. Their names even sound similar."

"I wonder if they're related?"

"Maybe."

"Does he have Black and White fur?"

"Yes."

"Does he wear glasses?"

"Yes."

"Does he always look angry?"

"Yes."

"Can he shoot?"

"Oh Ho! Yes!"

"Is he a cat?"

"No. He's a dog."

"Oh. Well, still a possibility. Does he live around here?"

"No. He lives in Oregon."

"He lives in Oranges? That's weird."

"Oregon."

"Organ? That's gross."

"Oregon!"

"Origin? Yeah, that's what I'm asking. What are his Origins."

"Or...re...gen! Silly!"

Marley and Rocky's squabble made Wick smile and chuckle. Mitzi smiled at her friends. Jenni looked down and grinned, "Alright guys, let's get back to the matter at hand." The whole room was still chuckling at Rocky and Marley's attempt at humor, "Howler will be at the Marigold room at 9:30pm. You guys don't have to come but if you do, do not make a scene. He's easily triggered so just be cool. Ok?" Everyone muttered in agreement. "We'll come Jen." Viktor said, "I remember that guy. He's no good." "Have you ever met him?" Jenni asked. "No, not directly. But I have seen him. I didn't like him. He vas very into death. Every vord he said, it vas a death reverance!"

"Thank you for the warning, Viktor." Jenni said. "No problem." "I met him a few times." Mitzi said, "Viktor's right. He does have a lot of murder puns. He was oddly charming but creepy in the same way." "Maybe he and Mordecai are related." Rocky snickered. "Rocky!" Mitzi hissed. "Am I the only one who lets my mind wander to new ideas and theories?" "Can't be any worse than aliens building pyramids." Suzie laughed. "Aww, come on Suzie." Jeremy whined. "Frankly, I would believe the latter." Heller growled. "Well, let's call it a night." Clyde called out, "Good meeting guys." "Yeah. Wes is right." Jenni said, "Meeting adjourned." The group yawned and started chatting indistinctly.

"Jen, a word please?" Heller came up and put a hand on Jen's shoulder. He led her across the room to a small corner away from everyone. Jenni hated it when he did this. Despite being engaged, she still disliked being alone with him.

"Everything ok?"

"Mitzi and I were talking. Apparently, she knows Mr. Howler well and he recently contacted her."

"Contacted her? What about?"

"He was getting information on you."

"What?"

"Don't be alarmed but I think this is a trap."

"No. It can't be. Why would she tell you she spoke with him if she wanted to trap us?"

"To get me to trust her possibly. Sorry to bring this up now but I did learn a lot about detecting deceivers from working with you."

"First off, I deserve that. Second, I'll talk to Myles tomorrow. Alone. I want him to feel safe enough that he can tell me his problems. I'll also confront him about Mitzi. Maybe she doesn't know what he's up to. Can't assume the worst yet."

"You're probably right. Atlas and Myles were very close friends. I daresay he was or is close to Mitzi as well."

"I hope it's nothing serious."

"Hey, you said you worked with Myles?"

"Yes. Remember when I told you I saved a client's family..."

"Yes. Marley and Sierra already confirmed that. When you were done working with him, why didn't you kill him?"

"I couldn't. He was a devoted father, unlike the others I've dealt with. I just couldn't kill him."

"I understand. Thanks again for telling me."

"Of course, we work together now."