{{Our episode title is also a lyric from "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield.}}
ALL VIOLENCE IS IMPLIED, BUT HASN'T HAPPENED.
YET???
"Does anyone know what's with this yellow W that just popped up on the ballgame a couple of moments ago?" one man asked another, pointing to the TV, as several members of Freddie the Shark's... entourage crowded into one of the rooms their employer/mob boss rented for the long Labor Day weekend until they could spring his son Daniel out of jail.
"I'm trying to find out," answered one gunsel, while playing with the clock radio on the nightstand by one of the beds, "but this burg apparently only has 2 local stations and—"
"This is KMLC, Moon Lake College Radio," began the announcer, as the gunsel successfully tuned in a station. "Before we begin our hourly news cast, a friendly reminder. Due to the unnaturally hot weather this weekend and our rain deficit for the season, water conservation is in effect and citizens are advised to watch their BBQs closely. The last thing we want is to start a fire folks, but at least it will be warm enough to enjoy the Labor Day picnic Monday without needing a fur coat, considering how bad last winter was. Climate change IS real folks! And now, the news—"
"Okay. Mystery solved. Now turn all that shit off so we can talk," ordered Freddie the Shark himself, coming out of the bathroom.
As the clicks of electronic appliances were heard as everyone hastily complied, Freddie asked, "Okay. Where do things stand?"
"One of the legal eagles called while you were... indisposed boss," began the man near the clock radio. "Wanted me to tell you that both the man you sent to the hospital AND the team you sent to Talbot's place were picked up by the police. He's prepared to bail them out unless you say otherwise."
"Damn!" swore Freddie. "This Talbot must seriously be connected to something, to have the police act so swiftly for him."
"I don't know boss," said the man who was watching the baseball game. "Those tech guys you hired keep coming up empty so far. He's not as rich as you, but Talbot's not hurting for dough. Yet it all seems to be earned legitimately through that old car restoration business of his. Only the wife he's currently married to, two kids. The son Daniel shot is set to graduate college this Spring with a business degree while a younger daughter starts working toward a law degree in January."
"Student loans? Maxed out credit cards? Anything we can use as leverage?" asked Freddie.
"No so far. The guy's got more than a lot of folks around here, but appears to be living within his means," his employee answered.
"Shit!" cursed Freddie, as he paced the floor and started thinking. "Okay. I still need to somehow get a private face to face with this guy to see if he'll play ball with us willingly, but otherwise, let's get ready in case we have to do it the hard way."
"Orders?" asked the man by the clock radio.
"Get things ready in case we have to torch the garage or snatch his women, but nobody moves without my direct order. Where's Chelnik?" asked Freddie, referring to his personal "bodyguard".
"He said he was going to reconnoiter, but all you had to do was call his cell if needed," said the man by the TV.
"Okay. If necessary, he bumps off the kid for sure, but I'll kill the old man myself if I have to," said Freddie, while checking to make sure the sidearm in the hidden holster under his jacket was loaded and ready to use.
MEANWHILE...
"I want an around the clock protection team on Peter until he's discharged and safely home," began Leon Talbot, the werelion king of Moon Lake. "He's especially vulnerable until he's healed enough to resume his human form in public."
"Yes. Code W: Yellow alerts and messages have already started being released," the man he was talking to announced. "Word is they extend until Daniel Parker's extradition back to California on Tuesday, which is making some unhappy about how they can attend the picnic Monday."
"Truthfully? They should be happy Mayor Twist didn't cancel it outright," replied Leon. "Now, even after Peter's home, I want around the clock protection on my family. If necessary, property can be replaced, but they are your top priority. Understood?"
"Yes sir. But what about yourself, sire?"
"I'm an adult whose perfectly capable of taking care of myself," answered Leon.
"When his stubborn male ego isn't making him blind," said his wife Regina, while approaching him from behind.
The two guards bowed slightly as Leon hugged and kissed his mate.
"What has transpired my husband? Is our son all right?"
"Medically, yes. But Freddie the Shark Parker attempted sending one of his men to... visit Peter. Thankfully cousin Eugene and I arrived in time, considering our son's current... condition," replied Leon.
Knowing their son was currently still in his fursona, Regina simply nodded her head.
"So what do we do now?" she asked.
"Legally? Not much here right now," admitted Leon. "The man Eugene arrested was carrying a concealed handgun, which is illegal on hospital grounds even if he does have a valid permit. "Beyond that..." and then the werelion king just simply shrugged his shoulders, not knowing about the two men trespassing at his home/business who were arrested.
"I see, and the safety of Moon Lake itself between now and the time these Parkers are gone?" asked Regina.
"You know that even if I was not a member of the Elders' Council, that I would do all I could to protect our home and secrets. But this Parker fights without honor, and has already indicated that he will do whatever he can to obtain his goals, no matter how illegal or how many are hurt in the process. It makes me so angry..." and then Leon couldn't completely suppress a growl.
"Perhaps we should talk about this someplace more private," advised Regina, while taking her husband's hands in hers.
"Yes. Perhaps a chance for calmer voices to speak and be heard might be a good thing for all," announced Tachibana no Akane, approaching the couple in the corridor while being escorted by both her grandson Daisuke Tachibana and his second in command of Tachibana Security: Evan Lawson, Senior.