Kate - A Wolf in New York

Virginia stared at her father. “No one saw anything? No one has any idea who attacked the guards?”

Tony rubbed his eyes. “Unfortunately no,” he said. “The guards that were assaulted reported that this group was wearing robes and their faces were covered. We found the robes discarded in the room. Everyday we had a mob of sightseers, one for a morning tour and one in the afternoon. The tour would begin in the prison cell, where you and I were held, and then finish in the ballroom. So anyone could have easily sneaked off and made their way to the mirror room.”

“What is Wendell doing about it?” asked Wolf.

“Wendell has a team of men investigating, checking up on possible suspects. Anyone who would want to hurt us like the trolls,” answered Tony.

Virginia was puzzled. “The trolls? I thought they would be grateful. After all, Dad, it was you who convinced King Wendell to spare their lives.”

Tony thought so too. “I know,” he said, “but at the time when Relish and his army were poisoned by the queen, there was a troll general still occupying Beantown under Relish's orders. His name is Thorn. Lucky for him he missed out on that meeting. Thorn then decided he wanted the throne and rule of the troll kingdom. He blamed Relish and his children for the disastrous allegiance with the queen, claiming the whole sorry mess was King Relish and his children's fault and that the troll kingdom should not be held accountable for what happened in Beantown.”

“Trolls,” Wolf growled. “I'm not surprised.”

Tony continued, “Naturally, the trolls supported Thorn rather than face embarrassment or admit responsibility. So they made Thorn their king and had Relish's children locked away in a prison along the coastline of the Third Kingdom. But we've just learned from Wendell's scouts that Relish's children are missing. There's no evidence that they were ever at the prison. It looks like they escaped.”

“And the children blame us so they'll want revenge,” said Virginia.

“They didn't escape. Thorn had them killed,” Wolf said, his voice was surprisingly cold and detached.

Virginia and Tony looked at Wolf, both taken aback by his harshness.

Then Tony said, “That hasn't been proven. But even if they are alive, I don't think they used the mirror. It doesn't look like their style. The guards were clubbed and there's no evidence of troll dust. Plus they aren't very bright. I think someone would've spotted them in Wendell's palace.”

“Then we might not be in danger after all,” Virginia said, sounding hopeful. “It could just be someone wanting to use the mirror for his or her own purposes and having nothing to do with us.”

“That's possible,” said Tony, “but we just don't know for sure. I'd like to be certain that it's a bunch of regular fellows with a big yearn for adventure and not some vengeful trolls or demented servants of the queen.”

Tony wished he could retract his last sentence. He saw tears forming in his daughter's eyes. The painful memories still stung. Wolf put his arm around Virginia. “Virginia, I didn't mean to...” Tony said quietly. Virginia wiped her eyes and managed a weak smile. “I'll be okay.”

“I'd rather be safe than sorry,” Tony told her. “I want to make sure you and Wolf are all right before I go back.”

“When are you planning to return?” she asked her father.

“In a couple of days I'll go back and find out what I can. Let's hope it will be good news,” he said.

If the news of the break-in didn't rattle Tony's nerves enough, the news of a grandchild certainly did.

“I hope you were able to get some sleep,” he told Virginia later that morning. “I made a fresh pot of coffee. Dark Roast-to wake us up.”

“Sorry Dad. Coffee is off the menu for me,” she replied.

“Since when did you give up coffee?” Tony asked.

Virginia bit her lip and turned to her father.

“Since,” she said, pronouncing each word slowly, “I found out I was going to have a baby.”

Tony jumped, his coffee cup clattering on the saucer. “Virginia!” he cried. His eyes bulged out so far that Virginia thought they were going to fall right out of his head. Tony got up and went to his daughter. He knelt beside her and cupped her face.

“Are you sure? Did you see a doctor?” he asked.

“I have an appointment next week but, yeah, I'm pretty sure,” she told him.

Tony gasped. “When Wolf said-I thought that-I didn't know if it was true--I mean-- oh my,” he stammered.

Virginia frowned, sensing disapproval from her father. “Well I'm sorry if this upsets you ...” she started to say. She was beginning to feel hurt by his reaction.

“Oh no honey,” he sighed and held his daughter. “I'm not upset. Just that it's very overwhelming for your ol' dad to suddenly find out his little baby girl is going to have a little baby of her own.” He kissed her forehead.

“You know I love you-- and there was never a time when I was disappointed in you. You'll always be my pride and joy. I'm always here for you.” He paused and then gave Virginia a sly smile. “Actually, I'll be in another dimension, but if you ever need me I'll come running.”

Virginia laughed and kissed her father on the cheek. “Thank you Daddy.”

Tony and Virginia looked up and saw Wolf. He had been watching them. He was standing in the kitchen doorway fidgeting. He looked like he had no idea of what to say or do. Tony got up and approached Wolf.

“Congratulations,” Tony said and held out his hand. He gave Wolf a warm genuine smile. Wolf grinned back and shook Tony's hand and to Wolf's surprise, it was Tony who gave him the bone crunching hug.

Several blocks away from Wolf and Virginia's building, three customers entered Lucky Larry's pawnshop.

Larry greeted them, “Good morning fellas.”

“How'd you do,” muttered the elderly gentlemen. The two large young men, who accompanied the old man, nodded to Larry.

“What can I do for you?” Larry asked.

“I have a very valuable gold watch that I'd like to sell,” said the old man. He produced a large gold pocket watch from his vest and gave it to Larry to inspect. Larry's eyes lit up. He held the watch gently in his hands, fondling it, admiring its beauty. Larry'd seen some lovely merchandise before but this was the most beautiful and exquisite piece of jewelry he had ever come across. The craftsmanship was unrecognizable. It glittered and sparkled as he held it up in the sunlight. To Larry, the watch seemed almost... magical.

“That watch has been in my family for years. It's a family heirloom,” the grizzled old man informed Larry. “It belonged to Little Bo Peep's father. So don't think of selling me short, sir.”

Larry broke out of his daze. “What did you say?”

“I said you better not cheat me, sonny,” warned Wilfred Peep. Selling his most prized possession only fueled Wilfred's anger. But there was no other way. He needed a large sum of Tenth Kingdom currency to continue with his plan.

Colin Peep, the elder brother, glared at his grandfather. “You said I was to have that watch on my wedding day.”

Wilfred was tempted to crack Colin's head with his cane. “Don't you understand, you mule headed boy?

You're never going to get a wedding day! Who in the Little Lamb Village is going to want to marry you after what happened? You'll be lucky if you get to marry a troll.”

Colin crossed his arms and gritted his teeth. His face turned several shades of red.

“You're stupid if you think this is my fault,” Wilfred shot back, “If it wasn't for that family and their mangy wolf, we wouldn't be here. So save your anger for them.”

Knowing that Tony was watching Virginia made it easier for Wolf to return to work that night. Bartending was a lot easier than he thought. Wolf was a quick learner, and his trainer Mike agreed.

“Wolf,” he told him, “I never saw anybody pick up on it so fast like you.” He watched Wolf mix another successful cocktail.

“Thanks,” Wolf replied. “My secret is that I opened all the bottles of alcohol and smelled them. It's easier for me to remember - plus it helps when remembering what goes in the drinks.”

Mike gave Wolf a puzzled look, unsure if Wolf was serious or joking. Then he chuckled and patted him on the back. “And I've been doing it the hard way.”

A few moments later, Vincent strolled over to the bar. Wolf felt the hair on the back of his neck rise. Vincent made him feel uneasy. He knew how Vincent felt about him and Wolf didn't trust him at all.

“So I hear you're doing pretty good,” Vincent said, flashing a fake smile.

“I guess so,” Wolf answered quietly. He avoided Vincent's gaze. Vincent stared at Wolf, chewing noisily on his gum. Then he leaned over the counter, lowered his voice and said, “ You know it's very risky for my uncle to take you in like this. So I suggest that you listen to my advice. Keep your mouth shut and do your job. Don't screw it up. See-- if it were up to me I'd be making a phone call right now and having your sorry butt deported. So just watch yourself.”

Wolf looked up, his eyes blazing. He felt like biting the man and giving him a good thrashing. The man had just threatened him. It was incredibly foolish to threaten a wolf, especially one with a family to support. With all his effort, Wolf swallowed his rage. He knew, at least his sane human side knew, that fighting would only make things worse and ruin everything. He could lose control and seriously wound the little weasel, or even kill him and what would he do then? What would Virginia say if she found out? He couldn't bear the thought of disappointing her. Wolf gave Vincent a small nod. “Yes…sir.” Vincent sneered and spit his gum into a glass. He watched Wolf take the glass and clean it. Wolf never said a word. Satisfied, Vincent went to his Uncle Phil who was across the room.

“Stop bullying Wolf. I saw you over there,” his uncle warned. “Leave him alone.”

“I don't like the guy,” Vincent complained. “There's something wrong with him, like he doesn't have all his marbles.”

“There's nothing wrong with him,” Uncle Phil argued. “He's a little different that's all. It's because he comes from the Old Country. People are raised there differently.”

Vincent snorted. “Yeah well maybe he should go back there and get the rest of his marbles.”

When Wolf finished his shift he made his way back to the kitchen, carefully slipping past Vincent's watchful eye. The delectable aromas in the kitchen made his mouth drool. It was bad enough smelling all the wonderful scents while he was tending bar but in here, in the middle of it all, it was downright torturous.

“Hello Mario,” Wolf said to the head chef. Mario looked up and smiled when he saw Wolf. Then he put a finger to his lips.

“Ssshh,” he whispered. “Come this way.” He motioned to Wolf to follow him to one of the ovens. He opened one of the doors and took out a foil container. “Here is the chicken dinner that you ordered.”

“MMM” Wolf moaned and wiped his drooling mouth. He pulled out a bunch of crumpled dollar bills from his pocket. “How much do I owe you?” he asked the chef. Mario waved his hand at Wolf.

“Don't worry about it,” Mario said. “Just feed that growing family of yours.”

Wolf thanked the man. Then he removed his coat and wrapped it around the container. “So I won't get tempted and eat it on the way home,” Wolf explained.

“Go on,” Mario laughed, thinking that Wolf gave him a compliment on his cooking. “Make sure that bratty nephew doesn't see you.”

Wolf exited through the back door. He stood outside in the alley. He looked up at the starry night sky. Tomorrow night was the full moon. He knew that he had to start preparing for the cycle.

A few minutes after Wolf left, Vincent walked out into the alley. He hunched over and placed his hand on his ear as he talked into his cell phone. “Can you hear me now? I'm outside,” he shouted to his friend on the phone. He did not see the Peeps. They approached from behind and stood listening to the young man.

“I want you to put five down for me. That's right. Whadda ya mean no? My word is good. I got the money,” he yelled. “Hello? Hello?!” Vincent shut the cell phone off and cursed. He turned around and saw three men in odd antique clothing. He looked them up and down.

”Are you guys Amish or something?” he asked.

The youngest Peep, Filbert, grabbed Vincent by the cuff of his neck. “Ok you're not! I get it. Take it easy.” Vincent held up his hands in surrender. Wilfred gave a look to his grandson and Filbert let go of Vincent.

“We are after that Wolf,” Wilfred told him. Vincent straightened his tie. “You just missed him,” he said.

“I know,” said Wilfred, “I said we're after him and we need your help to get him.”

“My help? What do you want him for?” Vincent asked.

“He's an escaped criminal back in our…land.” said Colin. “He's very dangerous.”

“I knew it!” exclaimed Vincent. “I knew there was something wrong with the guy. What did he do?”

“He's responsible for the death of my granddaughter,” Wilfred replied with no emotion in his voice. “He's a monster that needs to be put down. Now are you going to help us, lad?”

Vincent shook his head nervously. These men were just as strange as Wolf. He didn't like the intensity in the old man's face and he didn't like how the two young men hovered over him. Whatever they were planning to do was probably dangerous and could possibly be very painful for Vincent if he were to participate. “I don't know. It sounds like a very serious and diplomatic situation and I don't think I want to be involved. Better to call the Feds on this one, buddy,” he said.

“Maybe this will change your mind,” said Wilfred. He grabbed Vincent's hand and slapped him a large amount of cash that he had received from the pawnshop earlier that morning. “It seems like you could use the money-and there's more of that after we're finished.”

Vincent took the money and folded it up. He could definitely use the money.

“All right. What do you want me to do?” he asked Wilfred.

The banging noise against the wall woke Tony up from his delightful dream. In his dream he was back in the Fourth Kingdom having a romantic candlelight supper with Queen Gretel the Fourth. She was a stunning woman. He wondered how she stayed so slim because she had such a fondness for the sweets. Another bang from the next room finally got Tony out of bed to investigate. He walked out of the guestroom and into the hall where he saw Wolf sliding a table into the hallway. He was removing the furniture in the study room.

“Redecorating again?” Tony guessed.

Wolf didn't bother to answer. He only shook his head “no” and returned to the study room scratching his head. Tony climbed over the furniture and made his way to the room. “What are you doing then?” he asked.

Wolf lifted a potted plant and placed it on a chair. He looked up at Tony and Tony could see the strain in the man's face. He had dark circles around his eyes and perspiration along his brow. Wolf carried the chair with the plant out of the room. “My wolf cycle, Tone. A full moon tonight,” Wolf said when he passed Tony. That was all Tony needed to know. He quickly grabbed a lamp and helped Wolf remove the rest of the furniture.

When Virginia greeted her father later that morning, she found him in the kitchen scrambling eggs.

“Where's Wolf?” she asked him.

“You'll find him in the study,” he said.

She walked down the long hallway, turned the corner and stopped. “What the?” she blurted, alarmed by the stack of furniture.

She popped her head into the room and saw Wolf sitting on a blanket. He looked like he was meditating. His legs were crossed and his arms stretched out, palms facing up. Virginia tiptoed into the room.

“Wolf” she whispered, thinking that he might have fallen asleep.

“Good morning my love,” he said, his eyes still remaining closed.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“It's called yoga,” he replied. “I read it in one of my books last night. It's a very helpful and calming technique. I'm learning to relax and achieve balance.”

“Is it working?” she wondered.

Wolf opened an eye. “Not really!” he groaned, “The only things I've achieved are numbed legs.”

He rolled onto the floor and stretched his legs, getting the circulation going.

Virginia brought up her next big question. “Wolf, how come the furniture is out in the hallway?”

Wolf got up with a clumsy effort. He held on to Virginia's shoulder for support.

“It's my cycle again. I'm going to lock myself in here tonight.”

Virginia put her hand over her forehead. “The full moon. I forgot all about it,” she said.

“Don't worry,” he assured her. “You'll be at your grandmother's with Tony.”

“What? No way. I'm not leaving you here alone,” she argued. “What if you get free? You could get in trouble again.”

“And you could get hurt,” he told her. “Staying at your grandmother's is the best solution.”

“I”m not letting you stay here all by yourself,” she insisted.

“OH YOU NEVER LISTEN! DON'T BE SO STUBBORN!” he yelled fiercely, causing her to flinch. Wolf stiffened and a look of panic came over him. He whimpered and put his hands over his face. “I'm sorry,” he apologized in a soft muffled tone.

Virginia knew it was the cycle causing his crabby behavior. She was not hurt at all, except for a slight ringing in her ears. “It's all right,” she said. She was about to put her arms around him when Tony came in.

“Virginia, Wolf is right. You should stay at your grandmother's tonight,” said Tony.

“Yeah,” Wolf nodded, looking a little better than before. “You won't have to fret my darling. I'm having Mr. Murray add locks to this door and he promised he'll keep watch. Plus I'm not scheduled for work tonight so that's taken care of.” He smiled sweetly at Virginia, took her arms and gave them a gentle loving squeeze. “See? I'll be fine, really.” Then he added a wink. His charms were beginning to win her over. Wolf turned to Tony. “You better get going Tony. Murray will be coming over soon.”

“Oh right! We can't let him see me Virginia so hurry up and get dressed,” said Tony, ushering his daughter anxiously out of the room. There was no time for arguments and Virginia marched down the hallway. It annoyed her how the two of them teamed up against her.

“Men,” she said through clenched teeth.

Tony and Virginia spent the entire day at Grandmother's. The moment had finally come for the two of them to confront her about her daughter Christine's death. At first the poor woman refused to believe them. She stood in the middle of her living room clutching her little dog.

“No, no, no. Not my Christine,” she kept repeating. Then she broke down, collapsing on her couch, sobbing and trembling uncontrollably. Without thinking Tony rushed to her and held his mother-in-law for the first time in many years. Watching her grandmother in pain was unbearable for Virginia, it stirred up her own grief. She went over, knelt beside her, laid her head on grandmother's lap and cried.

It was evening when Virginia finally emerged from her grandmother's bedroom. She went to the living room where her father was.

“She's finally asleep,” she told him. Tony got up and hugged his daughter tightly.

“I believe she's going to be alright,” he said. “She still has you.”

“Yes she does,” Virginia agreed. She walked across the room and looked out the window. “I wonder how Wolf is doing,” she said. She sighed in frustration, feeling restless. She hated the idea of leaving him, when he was in his most vulnerable and dangerous state-and to make the situation worse there were invaders from one of the nine kingdoms running around New York. “This waiting around is driving me crazy! I should be with Wolf. It was wrong to leave him there,” she said to her father. She gave him an annoyed look as she turned and waited by the mantelpiece. “And I wish I knew who came through the mirror. God I feel so helpless! I hate it!” She let out another sigh and rested her head on the ledge of the mantelpiece.

Tony tried to ease his daughter's mind.

“Look Virginia, Murray is keeping an eye on Wolf. He'll get the job done and King Wendell…”

But Virginia ignored him. “You know if I still had Snow White's mirror I could find out who used the Traveling Mirror,” she said. She lifted her head and looked into the mirror that hung over the mantelpiece. “Mirror, mirror that I see. Tell me who is after me,” she joked sarcastically and plopped her head down on the ledge again.

“OH!” Tony cried out. He slapped his hand to his forehead. “Oh! Oh! I know what to do! That's it!” He waved his arms about in excitement.

Virginia swung around.

“What? Tell me!” she demanded.

He ran up to his daughter. “The mirror! The old magic mirror that belongs to the Dwarves of Dragon Mountain!”

Virginia gasped, remembering the ancient mirror hidden away deep in Dragon Mountain. Tony rubbed his hands, smiling enthusiastically.

“That mirror knows everything! It'll tell us who traveled through the magic mirror. Virginia, I've got to go. I have to leave right now. I have to get back and tell Wendell.”

Virginia helped her father flag down a taxicab outside her grandmother's building. “I'll be back as soon as I can---and with reinforcements,” he told her. The taxicab pulled up to them.

“Okay, but hurry. It's a day's journey to Dragon Mountain,” she said.

“Not to worry young missy. Your old man has a plan,” he said, doing his best John Wayne voice and climbed into the cab. Virginia smiled at him, pride swelling in her heart. Then he stuck his head out the window. “Uh, Virginia, could you please pay the driver? All I have on me are a couple of Wendell coins.” He gave her an embarrassed grin. She rolled her eyes and handed her money to the driver.

“Central Park,” she told him. The cab took off like a rocket.

She was supposed to return to her grandmother's but instead she hailed another taxi. Virginia was going back to Wolf.

“All set. There you go,” the locksmith announced. He packed up his tools, dropping some out of nervousness. Wolf's appearance and strange behavior frightened the man. Wolf was pacing around the apartment. His eyes were gleaming, his whole head was soaked with sweat. The locksmith grabbed his toolbox and scurried out of the apartment.

“Three strong locks, sir, as you requested,” Murray showed Wolf.

“Fine, fine, fine,” Wolf said impatiently. He stepped into the room and inspected the window. It was boarded up with several planks of wood. Murray studied Wolf. “You look like you're not feeling well. Shall I call the doctor?” he asked.

“No!” Wolf growled.

“Sir, I don't mean to be nosy but what is the purpose of the locks and the boards?” Murray finally asked.

Wolf tried to think. It was hard to think reasonable thoughts at this stage.

”I'm a terrible sleepwalker,” he said to Murray.

“Oh. So sorry sir,” Murray replied. He looked at Wolf with sympathy.

Everything was set.

“Now you can lock the door,” Wolf said. “Do not open until tomorrow evening. That's an order. Until then, you are to keep watch and ignore what you hear coming from this room. I don't care how much it upsets you. Don't open the door. Understand?”

“Absolutely. Will do,” Murray said with a little bow. “Good night sir and good luck.”

He shut the door and set the locks.

Wolf sank to the floor. The sharp terrible cramps were starting. He looked around the room. It wasn't that much bigger than his prison cell back at Snow White Memorial Prison. He had spent many full moons there. I can get through this, he thought. Then he heard the locks being opened. What does that annoying little man want now? Wolf managed to get up. “Murray, I told you…”

The door swung open and there was Wilfred Peep and his two grandsons. Filbert was holding Murray, a hand covering Murray's mouth. Before Wolf could register a thought, Wilfred swung his heavy cane at him, clobbering Wolf right in the head. Wolf fell to the floor unconscious. Wilfred turned to Filbert and pointed at Murray.

“Tie that man up and leave him here.” Then Wilfred faced his other grandson. “Colin, get a blanket and wrap this animal up,” he ordered. While Colin fetched a blanket, Filbert tied Mr. Murray up and gagged him with Colin's handkerchief. Mr. Murray watched in horror as the two men rolled Wolf into the thick blanket.

“Take him down to the alley. Make sure Vincent keeps his mouth shut,” Wilfred said.

“Aren't you coming to the restaurant?” asked Colin.

“No,” Wilfred replied with a dirty smile “I'm going to be here when the missus gets home.”