CRASH!
The sound adjacent to the two sleeping were-cats made them bolt upright from bed; both getting to bed late last night, and still tired. For one, up with worry while the other had to deal with reporters and elected councilors as mayor pro-tem. Swiveling their heads, both Frances and Samantha groan as they see Jasmine looking at them on top of the large dresser in the master bedroom. The grey furred feline with striking blue eyes chirps in delight as she bounds off of the large piece of furniture and hops onto the bed; purring as she approaches the two were-cats that woke up.
“What did you knock down this time you persistent nuisance,” Frances yawning as she slowly gets up. Neither Samantha nor Frances had a need to set an alarm clock after Samantha adopted Jasmine from the local rescue shelter. Along with Jasmine’s brother, Saffron; a white furred male with gold eyes. Originally his eyes were reddish orange, hence the name after the spice; but finding out the cats eyes were merely bloodshot and will soon clear up in time. This was back in December of 2015.
“Jasmine just wants to be fed,” Samantha grabbing the feisty cat and snuggling her; “were is her brother?”
Looking quickly in the dimly lit room; despite the blinds drawn, Samantha was able to see fine thanks to being in her fursona. Her cat-like eyes scanning her surroundings; she chuckles as Saffron pokes his head out from behind the same dresser Jasmine was on.
“Peekaboo,” Samantha purring; “I see you.”
“All right,” Frances getting out of bed to stretch; “it’s pointless to try and stay in bed, time to get up.”
“See what Jasmine knock over will you,” Samantha getting up; “I’ll take care of these two hungry critters and get the coffee pot running.”
********
“It was the picture frame,” Frances entering the kitchen; wearing a bathrobe, her head wet after taking a shower after cleaning up the small mess Jasmine made. Sitting down at the table to a cup of hot coffee waiting for her; Frances eagerly picked it up and took a big gulp of the hot sludge.
“Was there any broken glass,” Samantha placing on the table the usual breakfast of half a grapefruit with toast.
“Surprisingly no,” Frances taking the spoon and digging into her grapefruit; “but that small oriental vase you picked up for me wasn’t so lucky.”
“The one I got from Seattle’s Chinatown district,” Samantha sighing; “that was the item we heard crash?”
“I guess so,” Frances looking at the two critters looking back at her and Samantha; “the picture frame must have been earlier.”
********
Meanwhile back at the hospital, at a particular room being guarded by a deputy, a man lay unconscious. With tubes running in and out of his body; a hand cuff securing the man to bed to prevent a possible escape. Looking at the man’s chart, Tora Tachibana purses his lips. Seeing nothing has changed to the man’s condition since surgery; Tora puts the chart back down. Leaving the room and nodding to the deputy, Tora heads down the hall only to see Marcus Huntington waiting for him.
In no mood for what the man may be scheming, Tora turns around to see the deputy standing next to Frederick Parker’s recovery room.
“Deputy,” Tora sighing; “while you are assigned to ensure Frederick doesn’t try to flee. I must ask you to restrict those who try to see him.”
“What are you getting at doctor,” the deputy looking at Tora Tachibana oddly.
“There is a doctor here,” Tora turning to look at the were-rat waiting for him down the hall; “Marcus Huntington. He is not to have access to Frederick Parker. I have already told the nursing staff about him. I want to make sure you are aware as well.”
“Aware of what,” The deputy now seeing the doctor in question.
“Marcus has some crackpot theory,” Tora shaking his head; “that the were-virus could be used to cure Frederick Parker. Reverse the damage that has rendered him paralyzed.”
“Oh that is just what we don’t need,” the deputy growling; “a mobster like us.”
“Exactly,” Tora responding; “just make sure he doesn’t try to get in.”
“Will do,” the deputy nodding; “but I will have to inform the sheriff.”
“That is fine,” Tora looking down the hall; “I have already informed my mother Tachibana No Akane. You might have some skulk security joining you,” Tora looking back to the deputy; “just as a precaution.”
********
“So what is your day like today,” Samantha taking the remnants of breakfast off of the table.
“Seeing a few patients today,” Frances on her second cup of coffee; “one is a house call.”
“Why a house call,” Samantha knowing better to try and pry who Frances was visiting.
“It’s thanks to Jack Crawford,” Frances unable to hold back a snarl; “he had my office bugged.”
“Oh that,” Samantha remembering Tachibana approaching them along with Frances’s parents during the Labor Day picnic; “but that was to try and get dirt on Benton.”
“Yes, but the devious were-panther violated the sanctity of my office”; Frances getting up. “And as a result, Jack violated the trust I built up with the patients. So I’ve had to reschedule a whole bunch and will now be meeting them at the hospital until Tachibana has ensured all the bugs Jack’s flunky placed in my office are found and disposed of.”
“Well hopefully,” Samantha smiling; “that rat bastard will get his due.”
“You know something I don’t know,” Frances looking at her life partner.
“The advantages of being a mayor,” Samantha drying her paws; “I overheard that Jack Crawford may have hired the man who tried to assassinate Freddie the Shark. But enough of that,” Samantha looking at the time; “we need to get Ben up.”
“Perhaps we should let Jasmine and Saffron do the honors,” Frances looking at the two cats pawing her leg; a clear indication that they want up.
“No,” Samantha answering; “they would just snuggle next to him and have a nap.”
“I’ll get him up then,” Frances standing up; “you use the shower in the meantime.”
Heading upstairs, Frances walked to Ben’s room. Behind her was Jasmine and Saffron. Opening the door to get in, Frances sees her adoptive son sleeping in his werewolf fursona; snoring softly over the covers.
“Looks like you need to clean your room,” Frances seeing the mess of clothes all over the place; Turning back to Ben, Frances is about to shake him awake when a flash of grey and white jumped in front of her. Seeing Jasmine and Saffron on Ben’s bed and snuggling next to his furry body; Frances shakes her head.
“Oh no you two don’t,” Frances grabbing the cats and shooing them out; “have a nap somewhere else. And as for you you slumbering wolf," Frances turning back to Ben still sleeping; "Wake up!"