Chapter 8 – Clouds on the Horizon

I made a quick dash back to the Den to change back to Mike Slagenweit. I found Ty-Ohni waiting for me in the costume chamber.

His expression was flat, and I gathered quickly that he'd found something out. I pulled off my mask and gloves, setting them on the table while I found my regular clothes.

"What did you do?" he asked.

I saw no point to hiding it, "We caught an infiltrator. I used a mind link on her

Ty was not a happy camper at this news

"I had no choice, the information we needed was in her mind and she couldn't bring it to consciousness."

"Pup you have no idea how to control your powers yet! How do you know you wouldn't inflict damage to her mind?"

I wiped the dried blood from my nose with a towel. "I know I shouldn't have, but I did. We have a better idea now of how badly we've been infiltrated and where they might be. And she's all right."

Ty just stood there noncommittally.

"Look, I know I've gotten impulsive lately, but it's for my friends, Ty. People I care about!"

Ty adjusted his stance to a more relaxed position and crossed his arms. "Michael. These are your friends yes, but you are now coming into a new ability. This is a very dangerous time for you. Please. Try to restrain your use of this gift till we either need it or we can get you some time to train with it." Ty considered the conversation finished at that point for what logic would there be to continue. "You said you had some new information. Let us convene a council to plan our next strategy."

"I know, Ty. And I appreciate it. Give me a little bit to get everyone together."

I dressed quickly, putting my regular clothes over my costume and slipping my mask and gloves in my pocket. I ran for the dorms to find Tobey; he and Seth would be in class right now.

Along the way, I passed Lupe, passing the word. Despite everything, I knew that I would need to check on Alicia later. Ty was right, I could've harmed her, but maybe some care would make up for it.

Mike came up from the den at the student Dorm Fang Hall. Tobey was supposed to be sparing with Seth so stepping out into the Boys locker room, Mike headed for the gym. He could hear the soft thumping of bodies being thrown onto the mats. Mike watched for a minute as Seth seemed to be cleaning the floor with Tobey. But the tables turned when Tobey somersaulted backwards into a fighting stance and took Seth's forward momentum and propelled him ankles over scalp into a wall pad.

I smiled, as Tobey helped Seth back to his feel and said, "You're getting better, Pup. Keep practicing."

"Indeed," I added, "Clean up, guys, planning session in 10 min in the basement." They knew from the lean I'd put on the words, what I meant.

"Hit the showers young one," Tobey said as he toweled his face off and turned to mike who handed him a water bottle. "So far the festival is going well. The workshops and the viewings so far have been met with a lot of positive feedback. Can't say the same about the time share pitch. Poor Kevin was playing solitaire when I last checked on him."

"Dang. I was hoping that we might get something right away. Oh well, the weekend is still young. I'll let the sales people know to push it. We've got two openings tonight, right?"

"Correct." I had to think about the titles for a moment. 'One will be Tori Spelling in 'Hearts Afire'. I believe it is a fireman's drama/love story - Chick Flick. The other is a Sony production thriller about a serial killer in the Vatican called 'The Crucifix.' We have had several offers on many of the Indies so far."

"Awesome. Think I'm gonna skip the chick flick. But that thriller sounds good. How's JT and Becky doing, have you heard? I've been running around like a madman, and haven't gotten to check on them."

Holding up a hand, I poof to the ether world for a moment and back now with a clean scent.

Stretching I answered, "Yeah I looked in on both this morning. They were a little shaky still but they are the consummate film people and composed when they need to be. I even snuck into Zack's office and signed the Nightwolf poster he has hidden behind the mirror. Can't wait till he sees it."

I grinned, then asked, "Not that it's any of my business, but how much have you told him?"

"He knows my history and that I am Nightwolf." My expression turned sour. "He also knows what happened yesterday." Exhaling the bad juju, I returned to the topic. "I haven't told him about the rest of y'all but I can tell he is starting to wonder. I figure once this is all said and done, we can figure out how much he needs to know."

"Okay, like I said, your personal life is none of my business. We can talk it over more once this thing is over."

At the appointed time, we gathered in the command section in the Den. Calley, who'd worked her normal computer genius, had identified the three men I'd seen in Alicia's mind: pulling a history together on them from various databases.

If I'd known the full background of these men, I would never have hired them to work for me. I scanned over the accumulated data, and muttered, "I definitely need to change my hiring policy."

Seth chuckled in the corner. "Darren, you and Kami have been tailing these guys right?"

The Aussie shook his blonde mane, "Yeah, and as far as we can tell they are doing the every day routine for their positions."

Ty said, "Looks are deceiving."

"He's right," I broke in, "And they have to know the other members of the hit team. Sooner or later they're going to have to meet up with each other to work out any last minute details. Problem is, we have to make sure that they're not put on to us."

"Now we have alerted Capt. Solak to these guys and his men know who to be on the look out for but we need to figure out what that is pronto." A thought flashed by. "Mike what about doing a scan on one of these three?"

"You saw what happened this morning. If I'm not careful I could end up killing one," I looked at Ty and remembered, "But what about you, Ty, you could do it."

Ty shook his head. "I can't." "Can't or Won't?" I said with frustration.

Standing I began pacing as I was prone to do. "Look Ty, I understand the ethical implications, but for crying out loud the only draw back I see is that if one of these men dies, we kinda tip our hand that we know. So let's find out what they know. If they die, so be it."

"Tobey, no. As much as I would love to see them roasting in the fires of the inferno right now, I know they're going there anyway. Let's not speed the process," I turned back to Ty, "They have to have some information, Ty. There's a better chance of wrapping this up without bloodshed if we knew what it was."

I don't know what point the mutt came in, but Fuzzy nuzzled Mike in the leg before Ty could speak.

I looked down at my four-footed brother; he looked up at me and said, Ty-Ohni is correct, young pup. We cannot use the mind link on these men.

So what do you suggest we do instead? I asked in my mind, growing a trifle impatient.

Bending down on one knee I scratched Fuzzy behind the ears. "Well we could always bring one in and let Cana do a little practicing on him," I said with a grin. I lost that grin when Fuzzy bared his teeth at me and started growling.

Fuzzy said, speaking to me but looking at Tobey, Tell him to walk with me.

"He says that he wants you to go with him," I said, wondering why. As far as I knew, Fuzzy couldn't communicate with anyone other than Ty or myself.

Confused I stood up and held a hand out for him to precede me.

"In the meantime, I say we keep the tails on these creeps going," I said, then a small thought occurred to me, "And I just thought of this, might be a long shot, but maybe if I just talked with them, they might slip-up and reveal something."

"Doubt it," Seth replied, "If Barnett's as good as we know him to be, he'll have warned these guys that we might be asking questions. It may force them to move up their time-frame totally catching us off-guard.

"But that is a chance we may have to take at this time," said Calley. "We have nothing to go on but the information of a low level agent. If we can get one of these guys to be chatty, then that may give us the edge we need."

"Worth a shot," I replied, "If we shoot ourselves in the foot, so be it. But this might be where a woman's touch might be useful."

"I would agree Sabre," Lupe stepped in. "Calley, Kami, and I can change into street clothes and see if they respond to our feminine charms." Lupe opened her mouth but was interrupted by a bark in the hallway. Mike stilled the frightened faces after a touch by Fuzzy.

What is going on out there, I asked in my mind, my head swinging toward where Fuzzy had departed.

It is fine Pup, Fuzzy replied. Tobey and I are having a difference of opinion. I am showing him whose opinion matters.

I pulled a Spock--raising an eyebrow-- then went back to matters at hand, "Go for it. If there's a shot at it, I'm all for it."

The ladies nodded and as the meeting broke up, Fuzzy walked back in alone. "Please tell me you didn't eat him?" Seth said.

Fuzzy informed Mike that Tobey was going for a little walk and to inform him what was happening.

I quickly explained my thought about seeing if the girls could elicit more information about the men we'd spotted.

Are you certain of this plan? Fuzzy asked. They may get into trouble.

They're strong and know how to take care of themselves.

Fuzzy nodded and laid down at Cana's feet while the boy scratched him absent mindedly

Is everything all right? I asked, still curious as to what was going on.

Nightwolf is not well my friend. Even when not in uniform, he wears a mask.

I know. I've seen it too.

My eyes fell; I just wish I knew what to do to help him. I've forgiven him, why can't he forgive himself?

A man can forgive a thousand sins committed by other hands, but the blood on his own never washes away.

I'll do what I can, but things keep distracting me.

Well, Tobey should be safe for now. I sent him on a walk around the lake and then onto his MC duties. It is up to the rest of the team to find out what else is happening behind the scenes.

In the sunshine, the breeze came off the lake as I moved to the amphitheatre to check on tonight’s preps. Fuzzy and I had a little discussion and it put me in an introspective mood, but as the day progressed I noticed the team around campus.

The progress, if any had yet been made, put me in a better mood and while Tobey was off preparing for that night's festivities, I took the moment and walked up to Alicia's room. A twinge of nervousness ran up my spine as I knocked on the door.

Alicia's voice came muffled through the door. "Yes?"

"It's Mr. Slagenweit. May I come in?"

The door swung open and Alicia's smiling face greeted him.

"How are you?" I asked, trying to make small talk.

"Well it has been nice to have the day off. I have been on the balcony watching the people walk by.

"Would you care to go for a walk, get out and enjoy the fresh air?"

Brushing a lock of hair past her left ear, she smiled and followed him out onto the grassy concourse.

The spring breeze was warm and carried the scent of the foliage on it. It was a calming feeling. Every now and then, I glanced over at her. I couldn't deny that I found her attractive. I said, "Nice day."

Alicia blushed. They stood and listened to Mr. Devonshire introduce another Indie film about the life of sea otters. Sounded rather boring to her, but the man made the movie into a thriller with his intro.

Dummy! I thought, buck up! Tell her how good she looks, be a man! Instead I said, "What do you think? About the film I mean." I think she could tell, I was tripping over my words, but she was also enjoying me stumble around in the dark.

The woman on his elbow was slightly embarrassed, but extremely flattered medium dark and gorgeous was interested in her.

"The film didn't seem all that appealing but with Mr. D's pitch, I think I will have to buy a ticket. Have you known him long? You and Mr. Devonshire being friends?

"Almost two years, but in that time we've developed a bond which has really flourished."

"You two seemed like brothers almost." They talked about various things while they walked around the lake and back around to the main restaurant for a nice leisurely lunch. Each moment seemed to draw the two of them together. As they finished up the rather ominous "Death By Chocolate", Zack handed Mike a note and then escorted Alicia back to her room.

I unfolded the paper, it was from Calley: "See me." I walked to the Den and found Calley in Control, "You needed to see me?"

The long brown strands of her hair shimmered as she turned around to speak to Mike.

"Well we got some preliminary stuff back from the girls' day out."

"What'd you find?" a little excitement rising in my voice.

Sitting back on one of the couches in the command center, Calley handed Mike a soda. "Lupe took our new janitor and found out that he was to be here through tomorrow night. That he was quitting then.

"Swell." I popped the top on the Pepsi and said, "Anything else?"

"Kami took our older gentleman in the kitchen. He was hedgy. Didn't say much."

"I thought not, like I said earlier, I figured this was a long shot."

"But what about the third guy? The one you were supposed to talk to?" Mike asked.

"Oh him. I got his phone number!" she said with a devilish grin.

"What?" My eyebrows went into my hairline.

"Well he was cute, and he was digging post holes and was getting all sweaty. Not to mention I like bad boys."

"I know... In high school guys with earrings, college: leather jackets and Harley Davidsons, now, guys in skin-tight armored spandex. What about him though? You learn anything?"

She swatted him playfully on the leg. "He clammed up on me except he kept hitting on me."

"Well, it’s more than I could've gotten. Pass the word along. I'll get Fuzzy to start sniffing out bombs."

"You've done excellent work, Calley. Now we've gotten somewhere. And--" My watch alarm sounded. 6:30, nearly time for that film I was going to catch.

"Time to get back to work," I said, "Thanks Calley."

My wrist computer beeped, alerting me to the information that had been discovered. I finished with my bow tie and turned to my equally penguin be-decked roommate, who leaned down to peck me on the cheek while he straightened it.

We left for the amphitheater and I checked in with Becky. JT had begged off tonight's festivities to get ready for his film tomorrow night. Giving Zack's hand a squeeze, I walked out onto the stage to the roar of the crowd with a broad smile. Seeing Mike in the crowd with the jewel that was Becky covered in what had to be a million dollars in diamonds in her plum colored gown, settled the butterflies in my stomach.

With just a brief introduction and announcements, the film rolled and began a wonderful evening of dinner, dancing, and a movie. I couldn't wait to wake up tomorrow.

When I arrived at Becky's room to pick her up for the premier, "queen of diamonds" popped into my mind, because she certainly looked as if she were giving the Queen of Sheba a run for her money. The film rolled with out a hitch and the after party was just even better than the night before. God, I prayed, sometime between laughing at a joke and taking Ms. Becky for a spin on the dance floor—despite my two left feet—let this last. Whatever the Fashionista has planned, smack it down and let this last.

Over the heads of the crowd, I saw Alicia, escorted in by a cop. Having left some instructions to allow her to be here, under supervision, I walked over and greeted her.

For at least an hour she couldn't stop thanking me for letting her be here and giving her a second chance. I kept trying to reassure her that the thanks weren't necessary, I did believe in forgiveness. Eventually, we stepped outside into the evening air, looking down at the waterfall from the balcony outside the bar.

"Really Mr. Slagenweit. You don't have to be so nice to me. I know I won't be here much long." She turned to look out over the cove and the waterfall. There was something about her. Mike made the decision right then and there that Kendrick was going nowhere if he had anything to say about it.

"Alicia, look at me."

"First call me Mike. And Second I am not going to let you take the fall for this."

The look of gratitude in her eyes told Mike everything he needed to know.

"I'll pull every string I have to keep you from being thrown headlong into the slammer, because, well... damn it, I'm no good at this," I took a deep breath in, exhaling slowly, "I care about you. And we've spent time together now, so well, I hope that this way we can share more."

Alicia was at a lost for words and thanked him the only way she could think of. Mike was taken by surprise when she launched into his arms and kissed him passionately.

It'd been years since I'd kissed a woman, but it felt wonderful. I felt so good that I could feel tears springing into my eyes, despite them being closed. Her lips were soft and warm. I wondered, somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind, could I be falling in love?