While Sheriff Cooper was alone in his home grief stricken; Tachibana was putting the phone down after being informed by members of the Burbank Luna Chapter that Alyssa had a child. Informing them that the boy has Family in moon Lake and requesting they assist in bringing the child to Moon Lake, Tachcibana gets back on the phone but to call the local police department.
“This is Tachibana No Akane. Is Sheriff Cooper in yet?”
“No mam,” a deputy answers; “would you like to leave a message?”
“No this is something that needs to be told in person,” Tachibana responding; “if the sheriff does arrive, please tell him I need to speak to him in person. Actually, never mind; I remember where he lives and will talk to him at his home.”
Tachibana hanging up as she leaves a confused deputy on the other end to wonder what this was all about. The were-vixen getting up after having a simple breakfast alone; her attendant informed her earlier that Far Houjin and his grandson Kai left a few hours ago to deal with what the attendant could only assume was matters pertaining to the Wang Technological consortium. Tachibana sighed and nodded as the two white were-tigers were guests, free to come and go as they pleased. ‘The sun will rise in a while,’ Tachibana thinks; ‘I hope those two know what they are doing. Weres that choose to remain in their fursonas permanently tend to be shut ins. Even in Moon Lake.’ Heading to her estate entrance she sees her chauffeur and instructs him that they are heading to Douglas Cooper’s house. Hoping that the were-grizzly is still there.
******
Meanwhile in Seattle; Far and Kai were already at their destination. The condo complex that Jack Crawford resides in. Knowing that the were-panther is making inroads into Knight Industries and unknowingly interfering with the two were-tigers plans; Far and Kai have chosen to confront the man and get him to back off. Travelling up in the elevator, each wearing red robes that conceal them completely; the white were-tigers reach the top floor and see a solid oak door in front of them. Deftly picking the lock and entering, both surprised that the alarm has not gone off. Smiling as they enjoy this momentary gift of good fortune, Kai immediately heads to what looks like an office study.
Placing a USB thumb drive into the laptop and loading up a program; Kia silently nods as the task now complete whispers to his grandfather.
“The program is now in place. Jack’s communications will now be known to us as well.”
“Good grandson,” Far Houjin nods while whispering; “now we wait for the man to get up. I want to talk to him.”
“Is that wise,” Kai whispering; “who knows how he will react to seeing us here. He might be as violent as Benton Knight.”
“Jack Crawford is not bi-polar,” Far answers as he writes a note and slipping it under a bedroom door. “Besides, a face to face with our enemy before battle is important. It gives us a chance to gauge his strengths and weaknesses.”
“What was written on the note you put under the bedroom door,” Kai asking as he watches his grandfather remove his robe exposing his white were-tiger fursona.
“When you are done rutting with your mate, we would like to talk with you;” Far grins. “The other side of the note is our business card.”
******
Tachibana was at the Sheriff’s bungalow seeing the man clearly in morning as he was crying non stop for some time now.
“She was the only family I had left,” Douglas Cooper wails; “mom and dad never became weres after moving here, choosing to grow old together as normal people.”
“You were the family were,” Tachibana acknowledging; “I remember. Their funeral was about six years ago wasn’t it.”
“That was when Alyssa and I had an argument,” Douglas answering; “her relationship with her fiancé took a nose dive after she turn her soon to be husband’s twin sister into a wer-mer. It was consentual from what all parties involved stated. But Alyssa’s fiancé couldn’t accept it and called the wedding off.”
“Did you know what she did afterwards,” Tachibana asking.
“Leave town as far as I know,” Douglas blowing his nose; “she was living in California at the time and came up for the funeral. Why are you asking me this?”
Tachibana sighs; “I got a call from the Luna chapter in Burbank. Entering your cousins house, they found a were-tigress babysitting a child.” Tachibana looking at Douglas Cooper, “Alyssa has a son and his name is Darrell; We are bringing him here so you two can meet.”
Sheriff Cooper looks shocked. The fact that he and Alyssa were estranged from issues stemming from her sexual appetites was one thing. But to not tell him she had a kid?
“How old is he,” Douglas Cooper asking.
“From what I was told,” Tachibana answering; “Darrell is five years old and could be a natural born wer-mer.”
“Who’s the father,” Douglas panicking; “does anyone know who the kid’s dad is?”
“No,” Tachibana answering; “but judging from the ashen look on your face, do you happen to have an ideal?”
“Only two people come to mind,” Douglas Cooper answering; “Alyssa’s former fiancé Jimmy. He is a wer-otter.”
“And this other person you suspect,” Tachibana asking.
“You know how the mayor and his wife, have had a rocky relationship of late,” Douglas Cooper speaking; “Alyssa was one of the big issues they had. My cousin had a thing for Martin.”
“Oh dear,” Tachibana realizing what the Sheriff just said; “if Darrell is Martin’s-“
“Melissa Stovall,” Douglas Cooper shuddering; “will freak out.”
“And she is a couple weeks pregnant with Martin child;” Tachibana looking genuinely concerned.