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Chapter 23: Sentencing

Rita made her way to City Hall at her usual time Monday morning. The third week of the

training she'd devised had begun, and while Rita wasn't participating this week, she was

interested to see the initial reports generated over the weekend as prey had checked in at their

host predators' homes. The vast majority would have reported no issues, but any with

irregularities were automatically flagged for review. While the police were responsible for

following up on any serious issues, Rita had been browsing the flagged reports as a gauge for

how smoothly the training was going. The past two weeks had been satisfactory, and she

expected this week would be no different.

As her week of training was over, Rose was no longer living with her in the hotel suite,

but she would be at work this morning. Rita planned to take the twenty-three-year-old red

squirrel with her when she left despite the continued cold behavior she'd received from Heather

and Terrance on Friday. She might spare Heather herself the fate of becoming her pet, but she

wouldn't allow the squirrel's petulant incivility to sway her from her decision regarding Rose.

Rita entered her office to find her devoted personal assistant already at work. Rose

hopped up from her desk and scampered over to greet her though she stopped before getting

too close and flicked her bushy tail behind her head shyly. Today, she was wearing a

sleeveless, button-up yellow blouse and a matching yellow bow, which was tied around the

middle of her bushy red tail.

"G-good morning, Your Grace!" she squeaked.

Rita closed the distance between them with two quick steps and crouched down to

scritch Rose behind her rusty, tufted ears. "Good morning, Dear. Are the check-in reports

ready?"

"I-I don't know," Rose squeaked nervously. "Aunt Heather hasn't told me."

Rita stood and gave the diminutive squirrel a comforting smile, "Don't worry; I'll ask her.

Is she still upset with you about all of that brouhaha from last week?"

Rose shrugged hesitantly, "I, um, I haven't really talked to her."

"I understand, Dear," Rita soothed. "I'll return shortly."

Rita turned on her foot pad, her midnight blue velvet gown rippling around her ankles as

it twirled. She marched back out of the office between the characteristically acerbic Felicia and

laconic Franz and down the hall to the Council Chair's office. Heather was at her desk, studying

her computer monitor. She spotted Rita as she entered, and her expression soured.

"Your Grace?" she greeted with undisguised annoyance.

Rita stopped a few steps in front of the churlish squirrel's desk, and the idea of finding

some pretense to lead Heather down to the abandoned record stacks for a speedy dispatch

flitted through her mind. Leniently, Rita instead offered the squirrel what she hoped was a

pleasant smile. "Good morning, Heather. I was just wondering about the check-in records for

this week's training. I wanted to examine them to ensure there weren't any complications."

"I'm taking care of that," Heather replied curtly.

Rita frowned slightly. "I would like to look over them. You may continue to review them

as well if you so wish," she graciously allowed.

"Don't worry about it. City Council will handle everything aside from your daily court

going forward," Heather returned coolly.

Rita could see that politeness alone would avail little, but if she slew the insolent squirrel,

obtaining the records might become even more inconvenient. "I really am sorry about the

confusion with Rose last week," Rita offered. "Truly, I was only attempting to give her what she

desired. She was the one who broached the idea."

Heather gave her a skeptical look, "I'm sure my niece was emotionally confused, but I

seriously doubt she offered to become your slave apropos nothing."

"She was curious about my relationship with Inspector Bennett, I'll admit, but I had no

plans regarding her until she came forward with her request. I know you believe I tricked her,

but I was quite skeptical when she first divulged her desire."

Heather sighed wearily, "If I forward you the reports, can we stop discussing this?"

"If you wish, Heather," Rita agreed magnanimously.

Heather nodded perfunctorily, "Fine. They'll be in your inbox before you get back to your

office. Have a good day, Your Grace."

"A good day to you as well, Heather," Rita returned politely. She swung around

decisively and strode out of the office.

Rita returned to her office and switched on her computer. She logged on and found

Heather's email with a link to the folder containing the flagged check-in reports at the top of her

inbox. Rita clicked through the link and began scanning the first report, but she paused at the

sound of a soft cough from the floor by her chair. She looked down at Rose questioningly. "Yes,

Rose?"

"H-how was Aunt Heather?" Rose murmured nervously.

"She seemed well," Rita answered.

Rose gazed up at her worriedly for a second before clarifying, "I, um, I meant, how was

she to you?"

"As civil as can be expected."

"She's still angry," Rose interpreted weakly. "I, I'm sorry, Your Grace."

"It isn't your fault, Dear," Rita soothed. "I might have believed your sincerity without my

little test."

Rose didn't seem comforted, "I, um, I think I should talk to her."

"It would be nice for you to patch things up with her," Rita agreed. "But you needn't if you

don't want to. After we leave, you'll never be obligated to speak with her again if that's what you

prefer. Don't concern yourself on my account. Would you like to sit with me awhile?"

Rita was sure her willing pet wouldn't turn down an opportunity to sit in her lap, so she

was surprised when Rose answered, "Thank you, Your Grace, but, um, I need to go to the

bathroom first. May I sit with you when I get back?"

"You may."

Rose offered her a small smile, "I'll be back soon, Your Grace."

Rita bemusedly watched Rose as she exited the office with a restrained haste. Maybe

she really does need to use the restroom. Rita returned to scanning the check-in reports. She'd

looked over a dozen by the time Rose returned. Rita's curiosity was piqued when Heather

hesitantly followed her in; Rose appeared harried while Heather looked conflicted between fury

and embarrassment. Heather's dark eyes met Rita's, and she shifted toward the latter. Rose

returned to her desk, and Heather stopped in front of Rita's desk.

"Your Grace," Heather muttered uncomfortably. "I, I suppose I owe you an apology."

"Do you?" Rita returned curiously.

Heather nodded reluctantly, "I misjudged you, Your Grace. Rose told me it really was her

idea to become your 'pet'. I hope you understand now why that wasn't an appropriate request to

grant, but if it was her idea, then I apologize for the accusations I made."

Rita smiled politely, "I accept your apology, Heather. Is that all?"

Heather nodded perfunctorily, "Have a good day, Your Grace." She didn't wait for Rita to

respond with her own nicety before swinging around and tromping out of the office.

Rita watched her go amusedly before giving Rose a conspiratorial grin, "I take it you only

told her the truth you wanted her to know."

Rose smiled shyly, "Sh-she's even angrier with me now, but I didn't want her to be upset

with you."

"Very loyal of you, if unnecessary," Rita complimented. "Did you still wish to sit with me?

Perhaps you should after your unpleasant exchange with your aunt."

Rose nodded bashfully. Rita stood and bounded across the small room to scoop up the

diminutive squirrel, cradling her in one arm. Rose smiled up at her with an expression of blissful

adoration. Rita returned to her seat and placed Rose on her left thigh before returning to reading

the report she'd been interrupted from. Rita's left hand absently caressed the squirrel's head

while her right hand scrolled through the document on her trackpad.

Reading through the reports took most of the day with a midday break for lunch and

Rita's royal court. Court was overall uneventful. Terrance was present to act as her advisor, and

he seemed a bit more cordial than he had on Friday. The majority of the supplicants might have

been better described as Rita's fans; they asked for personal advice or simply came to thank

her or wish her well. However, one supplicant--a fox squirrel in a brown jacket, white dress shirt

and pleated brown skirt--brought a diagram and map detailing a series of raised walkways

designed for small animals to keep them out from under the feet of larger animals. Rita thought

it was an interesting idea, but she knew she wouldn't be in Maplesburg long enough to see it

through nor did she have the engineering knowledge to determine its feasibility. Terrance

politely told the squirrel that they would look into it and accepted the sketches.

By six o'clock Rita had finished with the flagged reports. Many of them had been flagged

for clerical errors while the greatest number, forty or so, we flagged because the prey had never

shown up. The latter were the most worrying as well as the most troublesome for the police

since it was their task to determine whether the prey in question might be dead, relocated, or

shirking their training. More interesting irregularities included prey who had switched predator

homes last minute, predators who had ended up hosting more prey than they'd been assigned,

and complaints entered by predator or prey in the comments section of the online form. Most of

these involved issues with the accommodations provided by predators--including sleeping

arrangements, cooking smells, and the need to share a bathroom--or with demands made by

prey on similar topics. Only one report noted that a prey had left to stay with a friend at a

different predator's house for fear of their own safety. Rita made a note to ensure that the police

had followed up on this report tomorrow morning. In addition, she tagged the reports with

inconsistent prey numbers or assignments to examine whether any of the predators in question

were hoarding prey or, conversely, shirking the training by passing prey off to someone else.

Once all of this was done, Rita shut down her computer and stood to leave. Felicia had

already gone home, but Franz would be waiting. Shortly after hiring him, Rita had asked the

badger to follow her at a distance and keep an eye out as she walked to and from the hotel

each day. She had chosen Franz over Felicia, despite the puma's size advantage, in part

because Felicia had children to get home to while Franz had none and in part because the

badger seemed more committed to his duty as her bodyguard. Felicia was more likely to easily

kill an attacker, but Rita felt Franz was more likely to jump between her and a bullet.

Rose was also still at her desk, but she looked up hopefully as Rita sauntered around

her own desk. "Is it time to go home, Your Grace?" she queried.

"It is. See you tomorrow, Rose." Rita continued toward the door.

"Y-Your Grace?"

Rita stopped and turned her head toward the squirrel, "Yes?"

"Would, um, could I, um, could I take you to dinner some night?" Rose asked shyly.

Rita smiled amusedly, "You may. Did you want to come back to the hotel tonight? We

could have dinner downstairs."

"M-maybe not tonight, Your Grace," Rose replied.

"Tomorrow night?"

Rose smiled shyly and nodded, "Tomorrow. I'll, um, I'll pick a restaurant for us to go to,

Your Grace."

"Very well, is that all?"

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Have a lovely evening, Rose. I'll look forward to our dinner tomorrow," Rita chirped

cheerfully.

Rita made her way back to the hotel. She noticed Franz creeping along--as well as the

bulky, striped badger could creep--the other side of the street and smiled amusedly to herself.

She returned to her room and had a quiet meal with the disgraced Edgar before channel surfing

and then showering and crawling into bed.

* * *

The next morning, Rita contacted the chief of police to follow up on the report from the

prey who'd left their assigned predator's home for fear of their own safety.

"Your Grace?" the cat answered uncertainly.

"Good morning, Officer O'Connor. I wished to follow up on one of the check-in reports

from this week."

The cat was silent a moment before asking, "Which one?"

"There was one flagged because of a comment the prey made. They said they'd joined a

friend at another home because they 'were afraid for their life.' Did you check up on that one?"

"We did. It turns out they showed up during a family dispute. A family of dogs, you can

imagine what that sounded like. The poor little mouse left as fast as she could."

"Oh dear, well, I'm glad it wasn't anything serious. Is our mouse doing well with their new

host?"

"Well enough."

"Alright, good work, Officer. I'll let you get back to it. Have a pleasant day."

"I'll try," the cat replied dryly. "Goodbye, Your Grace."

Rita hung up. Next, she went through the other reports she'd tagged to look for hoarders

or shirkers. She didn't find any hoarders, but she found that two of the predators who had lost

their prey to someone else this week had lost them the previous two weeks as well. She phoned

Chief O'Connor again.

"Your Grace?" he answered again.

"Hello, Officer, I need you to arrest two predators," she paused to examine the names on

the reports.

"What did they do?" the cat asked warily.

"They've shirked the training every week," Rita explained. "Monika Friedel and Greg

McCowen. Bring them to the Courthouse, and I'll decide their sentence."

"What is the sentence for dodging the training?" the cat asked worriedly.

"I haven't decided," Rita returned. "I'll determine it case-by-case."

"Alright, Your Grace. I'll call you when we have them. Do you need a ride to the

Courthouse?"

"Miguel will take me. Thank you, Officer."

"Uh-huh, see you soon, Your Grace." He hung up.

Rita had lunch, and as she was finishing, her phone rang.

"We got'em," Officer O'Connor meowed as she placed the receiver to her ear.

"That was quick," she commented.

"They didn't put up a fight. Are you ready to head over?"

"I'll be there in a few minutes. Thank you, Officer." She hung up. "Rose, inform Heather

my court is postponed until two this afternoon, one hour only."

"Yes, Your Grace." Rose picked up the phone on her own desk.

Rita strode out the door and turned toward Franz, "Franz, fetch Miguel, we're going to

the Courthouse."

Franz nodded and lumbered away hurriedly.

"Do you need me?" Felicia asked.

Rita eyed the enormous puma contemplatively. She didn't know what type of

punishment these two predators might deserve, but she wasn't going to make the same mistake

as with Officer Schulz. Chief O'Connor could only be trusted so far. She nodded, "Meet us

there. You'll have to walk, but it isn't far."

"Did something happen, Your Grace?" Felicia queried.

"Just a pair of lazy beasts who think they can shirk the training. We'll see how

unpleasant they are before I decide their fate."

The puma grinned toothily, "Sounds interesting, Your Grace. Justice in action. Let's hope

they're particularly nasty."

Rita smirked, "Don't get your hopes too high, Felicia. They may have perfectly adequate

excuses for their disobedience." In fact, Rita rather hoped at least one of them was deserving of

a harsh punishment. She doubted death would be appropriate--they were carnivores--but

maybe a few lashings wouldn't be out of place. She hadn't heard the sweet sound of desperate

screams for mercy in some time.

Rita made her way out front where Miguel and Franz were waiting in Miguel's silver

sedan. The silver tabby dropped them outside of the Courthouse a few blocks away and took

the car to find somewhere to park. Felicia sauntered up the sidewalk only a minute later.

"Well?" the puma asked impatiently. "Where are the reprobates?"

"Perhaps Officer O'Connor is waiting inside," Rita answered. "Let's see."

They met the tuxedo cat coming up the tenebrous stone steps as they proceeded toward

the dungeon. The black and white tom gave Felicia a wary look before addressing them.

"I was just coming to get you, Your Grace. They're this way," he meowed.

He led them past a few blocks of cells to a pair of cells where a female wolf and a gray

fox tod were being held. The wolf on the right had tanish gray fur and was wearing a white

blouse printed with pink roses. The tod was wearing a well worn back denim jacket, and his

gray, black, brown, and white fur was unkempt as if he hadn't had time to brush himself this

morning. Rita was disappointed to see one of them was a fox, even if he was from a different

genus.

Rita turned her attention to the wolf, "I presume you're Ms. Monika Friedel, yes?"

"Mrs.," the wolf corrected tersely.

"My apologies. Would you like to explain why you haven't been participating in the

training I designed to improve predator-prey relations? Do you have something against prey,

Mrs. Friedel?" Rita questioned acerbically.

"N-no!" the wolf yelped anxiously. "Of course not! My reason is I have five children, all

young. There's not much room for guests, but more-"

"It's your duty to make room," Rita cut in. "Everyone has to make sacrifices. The prey are

putting a great deal of trust in predators when they stay with predators they don't know."

"I understand, Your Grace! That's what I was saying! They keep sending me such little

prey! I can't ensure their safety with five rambunctious children! They're not bad kids, but

they've only begun their own training. And I can't be there every minute!"

Rita nodded understandingly, "I see. You could have requested specific prey via the

online form. Were you aware of that?"

The wolf nodded bashfully, "Yes, but we don't know any well enough to ask them to stay

with us."

"I'll speak with the Council Chair and make sure you're assigned a larger prey for the

final week. Would a deer be large enough?"

"I think so, Your Grace. Thank you."

"Think nothing of it," Rita replied graciously. She turned her head toward Officer

O'Connor, "She's free to go."

The uniformed cat unlocked the wolf's cell, and she quickly left with a grateful nod at

Rita.

Rita turned her attention toward the gray fox tod. "What's your excuse?" she asked

sharply.

"Wasn't my fault," he replied gruffly. "Prey left themselves."

"Any idea why?" Rita pressed.

"Nope," he returned laconically.

Rita glanced at Officer O'Connor, "Do you have any idea what the problem was?"

The black and white cat scoffed, "Maybe because his house is a dump. I wouldn't want

to stay there; I'd be afraid I'd get fleas!"

The tod's amber eyes widened in rage, and he snarled, "We don't have fleas!" He glared

at Rita, "They wouldn't stay with us! Was that my fault?! Why was I arrested?!"

"I'm terribly sorry about that," Rita apologized contritely. "I suppose I assumed predators

would be responsible if something went awry. That was unfair of me. This wasn't your doing of

course. I'll see if the Council Chair can arrange something for next week. Perhaps you and your

family can be the guests with some prey instead. Is that agreeable?"

"Suppose so," the tod answered reluctantly.

Rita gave him what she hoped was a friendly smile, "Thank you, Greg. Do you have the

internet at home?"

He snorted derisively, "Of course."

Rita tried to patiently hold her smile, "Well then, I'd encourage you to look up the Vulpine

Initiative when you get home. They should have some resources to help you with your situation.

We foxes need to provide a positive example to other species, whatever our color!" She finished

her patronizing advice with her best enthusiastic smile, which was no less condescending.

"Thanks for the advice," the tod replied dryly. "Can I go?"

Rita nodded, "He's free to go officer."

The cat opened the cell door, and the gray fox plodded out and toward the exit without

giving them another glance. Felicia watched him disappointedly as he went.

"I thought for sure you'd punish that one," she grumbled.

"Being poor isn't a crime," Rita returned sharply. "He did nothing wrong."

"He was rude though. You could have punished him for that," the puma groused. "I

wanted to see someone suffer."

"Come back the next time there's a litterbug to sentence," Rita returned. "There's no

excuse for littering! If their offense is bad enough, we could have an execution!"

Felicia grinned toothily, "For littering?! Now that's justice!"

Franz and Officer O'Connor seemed disturbed by Rita's suggestion and even more so

by Felicia's enthusiasm for the draconian sentence.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Officer O'Connor remarked uncomfortably. "I think

people have gotten the message with the lengthy community service you've given litterers. I

haven't seen so much as a cigarette butt on the street in days."

"Excellent!" Rita chirped. "Your predecessor believed I was being unreasonable, but

evidently, it's worked! It's disturbing to think that some people don't value the health of our

environment or the beauty of our city enough to locate an appropriate receptacle!"

"I agree it's been a positive change overall," the tom agreed diplomatically.

Rita and her bodyguards returned to City Hall in plenty of time for Rita's royal court.

There were no proposals today, but there was a rabbit that looked rather like Ellie. Rita

questioned him, but he didn't know the private inspector. She made a mental note to remind

Officer O'Connor that capturing the cat and rabbit couple was his responsibility. There may be

more pressing matters, but Rita wanted her pets returned. She suspected Rose would be

jealous, but she had explained to the squirrel her intention to recapture the inspectors. Once

someone belonged to Rita, they couldn't be allowed to get away.

At a quarter after five, Rita shut down her computer and stepped over in front of Rose's

desk. Rose was wearing a sleeveless, red gown with a slit up the right side, showing her leg to

her mid-thigh. Rita was wearing the same midnight blue velvet gown that she'd worn yesterday,

and it tickled her to think that Rose had dressed up for their dinner date. Had Rita been a red

squirrel or had any interest in them whatsoever, she might have found Rose's dress alluring.

Subtle censorship was indeed more suggestive than bare reality. As it was, Rita was a bit

flattered by the squirrel's efforts but mostly amused.

"Are you ready to go, Rose?" Rita asked. "Where did you decide to take me?"

"Do you like Indian food?" Rose queried shyly.

"I've enjoyed it when I've had it before," Rita replied. "It wasn't one of Gustav's

specialties."

"Whose?"

"Sorry, Dear. My chef at the manor. You'll get to meet him," Rita paused as she

considered the disconcerting fact that she'd heard nothing from the manor since she'd been in

Maplesburg. "Assuming he's still alive," she added with a wistful sigh. She hoped her servants

were alright, but maybe even more than that, she missed her family home. Her job in

Maplesburg was stimulating, but the city lacked her estate's quaint charms and all of the

nostalgic memories associated with them.

"I hope I get to meet him," Rose replied quietly.

"Is the restaurant far?" Rita asked, returning to the more pleasant topic. "Can we walk, or

should I ask Miguel to drive us?"

"It's a little far to walk," Rose replied worriedly. "Maybe I should have picked someplace

closer."

"Don't worry, Dear. Driving is what he's paid to do. Miguel and Franz can join us." To

Rose's uncomfortable expression she replied, "At another table, of course."

Rita led the red squirrel out the door, stopping to address her guards. She turned first to

Felicia, "You can go home now, Felicia. Have a pleasant evening."

"See you tomorrow." The puma strode away at an unhurried pace.

Rita turned to Franz, "Rose and I are going to dinner. Tell Miguel to fetch the car, and

we'll need you to join us too. I'll cover your and Miguel's meals."

Franz bobbed his head in acknowledgement, "Thank you, Your Grace." He hastily

lumbered away.

Rita and Rose leisurely made their way downstairs. Miguel pulled the car up in front of

the stately red granite edifice a minute later. Rita crouched to scoop up Rose in the crook of one

arm and carried her down the concrete steps to the silver sedan. The fluffy silver tabby opened

the door with an exuberant grin.

"Franz told me you'll be paying for our dinner, Your Grace. Mighty generous, thank'ya."

Rita gave him a pleasant smile, "Of course, Miguel. I can't ask you to work overtime with

no dinner. You like Indian food, I hope."

"Love it, Your Grace! Do you enjoy spicy food yourself?"

"As long as it isn't too spicy," Rita returned. She climbed into the seat behind the driver's

seat and placed Rose in her lap. After buckling her own seatbelt, she wrapped her arms around

the diminutive squirrel, holding her firmly to her belly.

"Do be careful driving," she instructed as Miguel climbed in in front of her. "Rose doesn't

have an appropriate seatbelt."

"Always am," Miguel replied cheerfully.

With Franz in the front passenger's seat, Miguel drove them across town and parked on

the street a couple blocks from the restaurant. They walked the rest of the way with Rita in the

lead, Rose close on her tail, Franz close behind the squirrel, and Miguel a body-length behind

the badger. The restaurant was named India Palace, and the golden limned sign featured a

painting of the elephant-headed Ganesha. Inside, the wooden tables and floor were illuminated

by the warm glow of several broad, conical lamps in golden yellow and burgundy. The

restaurant was bustling with servers visiting the crowded, rectangular tables.

They were greeted by a tufted titmouse wearing a green bowtie. "Table for four?" the

tiny, bluish gray bird chirped.

"Two for two," Rita replied. "My associates would like a table a discreet distance from

ours." She indicated Franz and Miguel with a nod of her long, auburn and white muzzle.

Sharply turning their head, the bird surveyed the busy restaurant. "One group will have

to wait," they concluded.

"I-I'm sorry, Your Grace," Rose fretted. "I should have made a reservation."

Rita looked down at the diminutive squirrel with a gentle smile, "Franz and Miguel won't

mind a little wait, I'm sure."

"We won't, Your Grace," Franz replied dutifully.

Miguel, on the other hand, looked a little disappointed, "Aren't we eating with you and

your little friend?"

Rita offered the cat an apologetic smile, "Rose really did want it to be the two of us.

Sorry, Miguel."

"So I'm seating you two," the titmouse clarified. "This way."

With hopping steps, the bird led them through the front room and into a second room on

the back right. Inside there was a long, empty table with triangularly folded "Reserved" signs

and several smaller tables, one of which was open.

The bird transferred two cardstock menus from under their wing into Rose's hands by

some miraculous slight-of-wing movement. "Your server will be here in a minute," they noted

before exiting the back room with a hop and a flutter.

Rita accepted a menu from Rose and sat in the seat closest to the front wall. Rose sat

across from her, but only the rusty tufts of her ears poked above the table.

"I hope they have a better chair for you," Rita remarked. "If not, you may sit on my lap

while we eat."

Rita couldn't see the red squirrel's face, but she could hear the embarrassment in her

voice, "Th-thank you, Your Grace."

Their waiter, a dapper, yellow-furred slender mongoose in a royal blue vest, arrived a

few minutes later. He noted Rose's predicament immediately, "I'll have someone grab you a

different chair and water glass," he stated. "Anything to drink besides water?"

"We'll have a bottle of cabernet," Rita answered.

"I'll be right back with it."

He left, and Rita leaned to the left side to peer under the table at Rose. "Did you want to

order an appetizer? I'll pay for everything, don't worry."

"I'd like to get the daal," Rose replied. "It's soup though, not something we can share,"

she added apologetically.

"I'll try some too then if you recommend it," Rita returned.

Rose nodded, "It's good."

Rita smiled at her warmly and sat back up.

"Um, Your Grace?" Rose called.

Rita poked her head back under the table.

"I, um, I want to pay if that's alright," Rose told her embarrassedly.

"If you'd like to. Should I have not ordered the wine? I can pay for that."

Rose shook her head slightly, "It's fine. After, um, after we move to your estate, I won't

really need money, will I?"

"I suppose not. In our agreement, it was going to me anyway, so I guess you may as

well spend it as you like now," Rita replied amusedly.

Rose gave her small smile, "Right, thank you, Your Grace."

Rita sat back up again in time to see a sea otter carrying a higher seat to their table.

Rose saw them too and hopped out of her seat. She climbed into the new one with ease when

the otter had swapped them. Rita wondered whether she was happy to be sitting at the correct

height or disappointed that she hadn't gotten to sit in her lap.

The mongoose, who wasn't much larger than Rose, brought their glasses and wine in

two trips. He rolled a step ladder from beside the wall to the side of their table to pour their wine

and water into the respective glasses. Rita and Rose ordered the daal appetizer, and Rose

ordered the palak paneer for her entree whilst Rita ordered the mutton sekuwa. Shortly after

they'd ordered, Franz and Miguel were seated at another table on the far side of the room.

Despite now being able to make eye contact with Rita, Rose remained quiet, perhaps even

shyer than usual. After a few minutes, Rita grew bored of surveying the other patrons, including

the apparent birthday party of a family of cats that had arrived at the reserved table, and

addressed the squirrel again.

"Are you having a good time, Rose?"

Rose nodded shyly.

"Would you like some more cabernet?" Rita lifted the dark green bottle.

Rose nodded, and Rita refilled her glass. She topped off her own glass as well and took

a sip.

"I like your dress," Rita tried after a few more seconds. "It suits you."

"Thank you," Rose murmured softly, keeping her eyes on her lap.

Rita studied the squirrel for a second longer before asking, "Is something wrong, Rose?"

Rose shook her head, not looking up.

"You aren't having second thoughts, are you? It's not too late if you've decided being my

pet isn't what you want."

Rose jerked her head up, "It is!" she cried anxiously.

"You seem like something's bothering you," Rita pressed gently. "Are you upset Franz

and Miguel came along? I doubt they can hear us over the yowling." The cats were a rowdy

bunch, but Rita didn't begrudge them their excitement.

"No, Your Grace," Rose murmured, turning her dark eyes down again.

"You don't have to tell me," Rita comforted. "But I would like you to have a good time."

Rose looked back up and regarded Rita uncertainly for a moment. "Do, um, do you like

me, Your Grace?"

"Of course I like you, Dear," Rita replied genially.

"Do you like-like me?" Rose pressed anxiously.

Rita regarded the squirrel for a second, wondering if she was about to lose her pet. "You

are a squirrel, Rose," she answered apologetically.

Rose's eyes returned to her lap, "I understand," she murmured sadly.

"That doesn't mean I won't care for you," Rita amended. "I can't change who I'm

attracted to, but that doesn't mean you won't have my affection."

"I love you, Your Grace," Rose replied melancholically.

"I appreciate that, Dear," Rita returned sympathetically. "I'll try to love you as one loves a

pet, and I'll endeavor to make you happy. But you have until we leave for my estate to really

make up your mind."

"I want to be with you!" Rose replied in distress. "If, um, if you don't feel like I do, that's,

that's okay."

Rita could tell Rose was conflicted, but she didn't know what else to say to her. She

didn't want to lie, to tell Rose she would reciprocate her romantic feelings. Rita didn't even know

if she could feel those feelings. She enjoyed having sex, and she felt a tenderness toward Ellie

and Jason. But love, at least the romantic kind, wasn't something she could remember

experiencing. How does one even know when one has? Rita assumed you simply knew.

The yellow-furred mongoose brought their daal and then their entrees with the help of

the sea otter, and they ate their respective meals in awkward silence. Rose seemed depressed,

but Rita didn't know how to cheer her up. When all four of them had finished eating, they

returned to Miguel's car. The sun had dipped behind the tops of the highrises, and the rusty red

light glowed between the silhouetted buildings and stretched their shadows far in front of them

as they walked.

"How'd you like your dinner, Your Grace?" Miguel inquired amiably.

"It was delicious. I'll have to ask Gustav to hire a cook who knows how to prepare Indian

cuisine," Rita replied. "Did you and Franz enjoy yours?"

"We did, thank'ya," Miguel returned. He looked down at Rose, who was walking a couple

steps in front of Rita. "How'd you like yours, Little Lady?"

"It was good," Rose answered tersely.

Miguel unlocked the car, and they climbed in. Rita picked Rose up off of the seat to hold

her as before, but the squirrel seemed uncomfortable this time.

"I'll take you to the hotel then drop Miss Fletcher off at City Hall if that's alright, Your

Grace," Miguel suggested.

"That's fine, Miguel," Rita replied.

A few minutes later, the car stopped outside of the Regina Hotel. Rita contemplated the

squirrel in her lap for a moment.

"Do you want to come in, Rose?" she asked.

Rose looked up at her hesitantly then nodded. Rita picked her up in one arm and

climbed out of the car. Miguel, who was holding the door, eyed them bemusedly.

"Have a good night, Miguel, Franz," Rita chirped briskly. She carried Rose up the stairs

and into the lobby without looking back.

As they rode the elevator up to the twelfth floor, Rose, who was seated on Rita's left

forearm, leaned her head against Rita's shoulder, and Rita petted her head with her free hand.

Rose let out a wistful little sigh. While Rita had initially been ambivalent toward the idea of

making Rose her pet, she realized now that she would be disappointed to lose her. She would

show Rose that her lack of romantic interest wouldn't translate into a lack of affection or

intimacy.

A hopeful Edgar was waiting in the main room when they arrived at Rita's suit. His

expression shifted to one of worry as his eyes fell on Rose.

Rita jerked her muzzle toward the servants' quarters, "Bed," she commanded sharply.

The chastised pine marten scurried into the other room and shut the door.

Rita hopped up on the bed and set Rose on her right thigh. She caressed her right index

finger over one of Rose's tufted triangular ears and her thumb across her cheek. Rose pressed

her cheek into Rita's hand. Rita brought up her left hand and massaged both of Rose's cheeks

and ears while gently holding the red squirrel's head between her hands. Rita realized it would

be a simple movement, a slight twist, to snap the squirrel's neck, but Rita felt no impulse toward

this violent action. She could sense Rose's growing contentment, the squirrel's little body

relaxing, yielding to Rita's gentle ministrations, and it aroused in Rita a feeling of deep pleasure.

For only a few caresses, Rose would give herself to her; she would become Rita's toy and

supplicant. It was delicious to possess someone's life for so little. Rita normally had to restrain

her toys. Even Ellie and Jason had their cell, but Rose gave herself by choice, was compelled

only by her own feelings. It was a new flavor of dominance that Rita found she enjoyed

immensely.

"Do you want to take a shower?" Rita murmured after a few minutes. "You can use the

one in the other room, and when we're both done, I'll help blow you dry."

"Can't I take a shower with you?" Rose asked anxiously.

Rita smiled softly, "Soon. When we're at my estate. Do you need help with your dress?"

Rose shook her head. Rita set Rose on the bed and dropped onto the marble floor

herself.

"I'll leave the door unlocked if you need anything. Just have Edgar let you in when you're

done," Rita instructed.

Rose climbed down the red-violet bedspread, and then Rita opened the door to the

servants' quarters for her. After doffing her dress, Rita proceeded to the main bathroom and

took her own shower.

A damp Rose was waiting on the pink rug in front of the shower when Rita got out. Rita

had expected her as she had heard the door open and shut a few minutes earlier. Rita retrieved

the blow dryer from under the sink and dried Rose's rusty fur before drying herself with a pink

towel and the hot air. There was no toothbrush Rose's size, so after brushing her own teeth,

Rita made a quick call to the front desk to have one delivered. The skunk, Clyde, arrived a

couple minutes later.

"Do you have another prey staying with you?" he asked when she opened the door to

receive the toothbrush.

Rita accepted the paper-wrapped brush, "It's only Rose again. It was somewhat of a

spur of the moment decision though, so she didn't bring her things. Thank you, Clyde."

The incurious skunk smiled affably, "Anything I can do, Your Grace."

Rita let the door close and took the toothbrush to Rose in the bathroom. She then sat on

the bed and waited for Rose to come out. When the squirrel emerged, Rita patted the red-violet

comforter on her left. "Come here, Rose," she called gently.

Shyly, Rose crept across the room and climbed up the comforter to sit beside her.

"Well, now what do you want to do?" Rita inquired cheerfully. "We can watch tv. If you're

tired, you can go to sleep. I'll hold you if you like. Your sheets are still on your bed from last

week, but if you wanted to, I wouldn't object to allowing you to sleep with me."

"I-I can?" Rose squeaked nervously.

"You can," Rita affirmed calmly.

"I don't mind what we watch, but I'd like you to hold me," Rose decided shyly.

Rita hopped up and retrieved the remote from the dresser before propping up a plump

pillow and reclining at the head of the bed. She gestured with a curled finger, "Come here,

Rose."

Rose eagerly, but shyly, crept across the bed. She stopped beside Rita uncertainly. Rita

scooped the squirrel onto her belly then ran a hand down her back from head to bushy tail. After

a few moments of hesitation, Rose curled herself into a tight ball on Rita's abdomen, and Rita

continued to stroke her as she searched for something worth watching. Rose was soon sleeping

peacefully, and she didn't even wake up when Rita scooped her onto the bed to curl around her

before pulling up the blankets and going to sleep herself.

* * *

Rita pushed down the red-violet comforter and white sheets. Rose was still curled

snuggly against her belly with Rita's own bushy auburn and white tail covering her. Rita pulled

away her tail and ran a finger down Rose's spine.

"It's morning, Rose," she murmured.

Rose blinked open her dark eyes and yawned before uncurling and stretching with her

back pressed against Rita's thigh and her feet poking into Rita's belly. Rita gently pushed the

offending feet away, and Rose yanked her legs in, looking up at Rita with a look of surprised

embarrassment.

"S-sorry, Your Grace," she stammered.

Rita smirked softly, "Don't worry about it, Dear. Were you comfortable? Did you sleep

well?"

Rose nodded, "Yes, thank you, Your Grace."

"No second thoughts about coming to my estate then?"

"No, Your Grace, I want to be with you."

"I'm pleased to hear that. Let's have breakfast, and then we'll see what's happening at

City Hall today. We won't tell your aunt you spent the night in my bed. We wouldn't want her to

get the wrong idea, hmm?"

"N-no, Your Grace," Rose squeaked.

Rita donned her lace-decorated satiny black gown while Rose put her red dress back on,

and then they had breakfast in the dining area downstairs before walking together to City Hall.

The morning started off quietly. Rita called the chief of police to remind him of his duty

where her escaped pets were concerned, and then she looked through the midweek status

reports from the training. As before, few had been flagged, and Rita examined these to see if

any serious issues had arisen. However, Rita was disturbed just before noon when Heather

raced into the office with a frantic expression and her bushy tail flicking agitatedly.

"The King is here!" Heather yelped. "He-he's in my office!"

Rita smiled amusedly, "Old Frederick must be impressed with the work that we're doing.

He's asking to see me, I assume."

Heather nodded rapidly.

"Send him in then. I'll be honored to entertain His Majesty."

Heather dashed back out the door, and Rita sat back in her chair contentedly; she'd

known Frederick would be impressed with the new training she'd devised, but she hadn't

actually expected the honor of a personal visit. On the other hand, the King rather liked her.

Perhaps he simply needed an excuse to visit his favorite Duchess.

A couple minutes later, the regally attired tod, who wore a deep purple vest over a

creamy white, embroidered shirt and a red and purple tartan kilt secured with golden buckles,

entered the room followed closely by two of his guards--a lynx and a wolverine wearing their

customary magenta jackets--with Franz and Felicia close behind them. Rita calmly stood from

her chair and sauntered around in front of the desk to curtsy respectfully.

"Your Majesty, it's an honor to receive a visit from our illustrious monarch," Rita greeted

with grave solemnity.

She peeked up with a small smirk and a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. Rita was

young for a Duchess, and she'd been even younger when she'd inherited the title. The King had

helped her set affairs in order after her parents' untimely deaths, and they'd built a friendly

rapport. Rita's ostentatious display of respect when others were present was a private joke

between them. The King returned a half smile, but Rita could tell something was bothering him.

She popped up to attention, her amusement whisked away.

"I need to discuss something with you in private, Rita," the King explained. "If you would

ask your guards to leave us, I'll do the same."

Rita quickly looked to Franz and Felicia, "I'll be fine. I need to speak with His Majesty."

Franz and Felicia left, and the lynx and wolverine left after them. Rita glanced toward

Rose, and the red squirrel leapt up from her desk and scurried out after the guards. Rita stiffly

walked around the King and shut the door before turning back toward the grizzled tod. She tried

to appear less nervous than she felt.

"Is something wrong, Your Majesty?" she asked nervously.

The tod sighed and shook his head wearily, "Rita, Rita, Rita, what happened to 'Uncle

Frederick'? We're alone now, aren't we?"

Rita allowed herself a small smile, though she could tell the tod had something

unpleasant to tell her. Had her home been burned to the ground or ransacked? The tod wasn't

really her uncle, and the familiar name didn't seem appropriate at the moment. However, Rita

felt it was prudent to humor the monarch and amended her question.

"I apologize, Uncle Frederick, but I can tell something's bothering you. I'd hoped you'd

come to commend the new training we've been testing here, but I can see that isn't the purpose

of your visit."

"It isn't, but I'm impressed with what you've accomplished nonetheless," the King replied.

"However, I'm afraid you'll have to cut your work here short. I've received a very disturbing

account from one of your former officers, two of them in fact, and two private inspectors. They

told me you've been murdering prey. Is that true, Rita?"

Rita didn't answer for a moment as she processed what Frederick had told her. The two

private inspectors had to be Ellie and Jason, but she didn't know who the officers might be. Lily

Schulz was an obvious guess. She should have been arrested and executed weeks ago! Rita

would deal with her and the incompetent Officer O'Connor at the soonest opportunity, but for

now, she had to answer the King's question. Frederick was a judicious ruler; it wouldn't be like

him to sling baseless accusations. Still, Rita didn't want to admit outright in case that forced his

hand.

"I've dealt with my subjects in a manner consistent with my rights as their absolute ruler,"

Rita answered evasively.

Frederick sighed wearily again, "I understand. I'm sorry, My Dear, I have to place you

under house arrest while we sort this out. There will be an investigation. We'll make it

convincing, but ultimately, your name will be cleared. We can't allow the public to know one of

the nobility, a Duchess no less, has engaged in serial murder."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Rita breathed with a sigh of relief. She knew Frederick cared

a great deal about the harmony of Vulpineva, particularly between predators and prey, so she

hadn't been entirely sure he wouldn't confine her to her estate for the remainder of life. She had

of course known that execution would be out of the question.

"However," the King went on sternly. "You must never kill another prey or anyone for that

matter. You may not seek retribution on those who brought this to me, and I've been told to

specifically order you not to attempt to capture the private inspectors. I understand that some

predators have these urges, but it's our duty as red foxes to rise above those base instincts. Is

all of that clear, Rita?"

Rita curtsied, "Yes, Your Majesty. Might I be allowed to complete the new training

program before I go? In all honesty, I've found such predator instincts rather lessened since I

began my work here or perhaps before that even. I've developed a new appreciation of prey,

and I assure Your Majesty that refraining from killing them will not be something I struggle with

going forward."

Frederick smiled slightly, "I'm pleased that you've taken an interest in governance. We

may not have the role that we once did, but our guidance is still important. And I'm glad to hear

you've found a way to overcome this struggle. However, I must insist you return to your estate

immediately. I'll make sure the program you've started isn't forgotten, and if you wish, after your

name has been cleared, we can discuss Vulpineva's predator training programs further."

Rita curtsied again, "Very well, Your Majesty. I'll look forward to discussing this subject

with you further."

Frederick opened the door to the office and gestured for Rita to follow him. She grabbed

her clutch from her desk and followed him out of the office. Outside, there were several more of

the King's guards filling the hallway behind Franz, Felicia, and Rose. Even the irreverent puma

seemed a bit uncomfortable.

"Franz, Felicia," Rita addressed her bodyguards. "I'm afraid I must cut your employment

with me short. On His Majesty's command, I'm to return to my estate straightaway. I'll be happy

to provide any recommendation you might need for future employment, and if you would

consider moving to my estate, I'd be happy to employ you again there."

Franz nodded gratefully, "Thank you, Your Grace. I'll consider your offer."

"I don't want to uproot my kits as you know," Felicia added. "But I'll be asking for that

letter. I guess this is goodbye, Your Grace. It was nice knowing you." With that, Felicia turned

and shoved her way between the cluster of magenta-jacketed guards and disappeared.

"I'll wait until you've really left, Your Grace," Franz put in awkwardly.

Rita gave him a small smile, "Thank you, Franz."

"Two of my guards will escort you to collect your things, and then there will be a car

waiting to return you to your estate," the King explained. "I hope we can have that discussion

before long. Farewell until then, My Dear."

The lynx and wolverine stepped forward, but before they could lead Rita away, Rose

dashed between the lynx's legs and threw herself to the floor, clinging to Rita's ankle with both

arms.

"Y-you aren't leaving me here, are you, Your Grace?!" the red squirrel wailed.

Rita crouched and scooped Rose up, cradling the squirrel in her arms, "Of course not,

Rose. You'll be coming with me. It's a bit sooner than we expected, but that doesn't change

anything."

Frederick eyed the squirrel, disturbed, "I'm not sure it would be appropriate. Given the

nature of the, uh, the situation, I'd-"

"I shan't break my promise!" Rita cut him off. "I told Rose she could live with me, and

that's that. I promise you she'll be perfectly alright, Your Majesty!"

The King regarded her probingly a moment before nodding, "Very well, but I'll be

checking in on her wellbeing the next time we meet."

Rita nodded, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Rita set Rose down to let her grab her own bag, and then they all made their way down

the curved marble staircase and out the front of the red granite edifice. There were several

vehicles waiting, and the King headed toward a white limousine whilst the guards led Rita

toward a black one. Frederick stopped to wave before climbing into the vehicle. Rita waved

back then climbed into the front-facing seat through the door the wolverine was holding. The

wolverine and lynx sat on the bench seat facing hers, and Franz sat beside her. Rita held Rose

in her lap.

"Do you have luggage?" the lynx asked coolly.

"I have some things to pack but no bags," Rita replied.

"There are some in the trunk," the lynx informed her.

It was only a few blocks to the hotel, and the limo soon stopped outside of the limestone

building. The wolverine climbed out first and held the door while the rest of them followed. The

lynx collected a black, rolling suitcase, which would have been large enough for Rita to fit in,

from the trunk. Rita led them inside and up to her room. The two royal guards stayed close to

her as if they expected her to attempt to escape. Franz brought up the rear.

"Edgar!" Rita called as she pushed in the door. "Grab your things; we're going home!"

Edgar poked his head out from the servants' quarters and his dark eyes widened as they

fell on the royal guards. "I-I don't have anything, Your Grace. What's going on?" he asked

nervously.

"We're going home like I said. If you don't have anything to bring, help me pack. Grab

your toys."

Edgar disappeared back into the other room. Rita packed her other gowns into the bag

but kept her clutch with Judith's knife. One should never be completely unarmed. Edgar

awkwardly carried the sex toys Rita had bought when he'd been enjoying the pleasure of her

intimacy out of the other room to add to the bag. Franz, Rose, the wolverine, and the lynx all

eyed the pine marten and sex toys with expressions ranging from surprise to embarrassment to

disgust. Rita watched the humiliated pine marten placidly. After all, if he had never released

Ellie, they might not be in this place. It dawned on Rita that she might never get her former pets

back now since the King had forbidden it, and her anger toward the hapless Edgar flared. Edgar

zipped up the suitcase, and then they returned to the limo.

As they reached the limousine, Franz halted and gave Rita a quick bow. "Your Grace,

it's been an honor to work for you. I'll consider your offer and get back with you soon."

"Alright. Until then, Franz."

Rita guided Edgar into the limo then sat once again on the front-facing bench seat. Rose

scrambled up between them, and Rita placed the squirrel in her lap. While the seats were large

for Rita with her feet barely poking over the edge, the seatbelts of this bench had been adjusted

for her size. Edgar could make do, but they were much too large for Rose. After buckling herself

in, Rita hugged the squirrel tightly to her belly. She wouldn't lose the one pet she still had.

The wolverine climbed in after them, and the lynx entered last after putting the suitcase

in the trunk. When they were all secured, the wolverine signaled the driver, who Rita hadn't

even had a chance to see, and they began the northward drive to the Belmont estate.

They'd been on the freeway for ten to twenty minutes before anyone spoke. Rita was the

one to break the silence.

"So, have the two of you been working for His Majesty long?"

Both of the guards nodded. "Five years," the lynx offered.

"Quite a while then," Rita returned pleasantly. "I don't think I've heard either of your

names. This is Rose," she petted Rose's head. "And that's Edgar."

"I'm Elsbeth," the lynx returned.

"George," the wolverine added laconically.

"Do either of you have relatives who might be looking for a job?" Rita inquired. "My

previous bodyguards were both wolverines, but I'm equally willing to hire a dedicated lynx."

"Du'know. I'll ask," George replied.

The lynx looked at him sharply, "You know why we're doing this, right? She's being

placed under house arrest for murder."

The wolverine shrugged, "Sounds like she might need a bodyguard or two."

Elsbeth huffed irately, and her yellow eyes fell on Rose, "Does she know?" she

demanded.

"Y-Your Grace?" Rose squeaked nervously.

"She doesn't!" Elsbeth hissed, outraged. "'Her Grace' is a serial killer! Of prey! They say

she's killed dozens, maybe hundreds!"

Rose craned her neck back to look up at Rita fearfully, "D-did you?" she whimpered.

"Of course not," Rita replied firmly. "The idea I've killed hundreds of prey is just absurd.

You know I'd never hurt you, don't you, Rose?"

"Yes," Rose squeaked. "I trust you, Your Grace."

Rita petted the squirrel's head again, "Then don't worry. This will all get sorted out."

"It's all lies then, huh?" Elsbeth pressed disbelievingly.

"I'm certainly not going to plead guilty to whatever baseless rumors you might have

heard," Rita replied icily.

The lynx snorted derisively. They rode the rest of the way in silence.

Rita was relieved when the limousine finally stopped outside of her manor. She was

even more relieved to see her home apparently intact. She hadn't known what the cultists might

have done after she'd been captured. Rita set Rose on the seat beside her and shoved the door

open. She climbed out and stopped to survey her grand family home. Even if it's still intact, it's

not the same, Rita thought wistfully. Boots, Wolfgang, Johann, Howard, and who-knew-who-

else were all gone. Rita had helped to pick up the pieces in Maplesburg, and now she had to do

the same here. Rita's heart leapt as the thick oak door began to creak open. Who would it be?

Gustav? One of the other kitchen staff? Someone she didn't know? Her jaw dropped in shock

as her eyes fell on the towering figure dressed in a tuxedo that had seen better days and heavy

steel-toe boots.

"Boots?!" Rita gasped in disbelief.

She couldn't believe her eyes, but the human was unmistakable. Yes, his jaw was

covered with gray stubble, and he had one arm in a sling and a brace around his neck. But it

was unmistakably Boots! Soaring with joy, Rita bounded up the stone steps. Boots crouched

down, and Rita threw her arms around his middle--or at least as far around as she could

reach--and hugged him, pressing her cheek against his chest and breathing his familiar scent.

His huge, furless hand stroked her head, and he choked out a sob, "Mistress. You're

back, Mistress."

Rita closed her eyes and sighed contentedly, "Oh, Boots, I thought I'd lost you. I couldn't

be happier seeing you again. Who else is here?"

"All of us, Mistress. We lost Johann, Wolfgang, Howard, and Edgar, but the rest have

been waiting. We knew you'd come back, Mistress."

"Edgar is with me," Rita informed him. "And I've brought one more member to add to our

family." She broke away from the human and called them, "Edgar, Rose, grab your things and

come inside! Everyone's waiting to see us!"