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Dirty Laundry

Chapter Fourteen

By Roofles

Every year the Thanksgiving festival was held at city hall.

City Hall was one of the largest buildings in the downtown district. It was originally used as a meeting place for the local's way back before the city was even officially founded. An open space they could congregate in prayers of worship and trade discussions later on as the other species began to coexist with one another. Only when the city began to rise towards the sky above did city hall even officially be called as such.

The largest spacious entrance left most speechless as they entered. With a tall dome ceiling, black tiled flooring and a fountain off near the side; it was one of the marvels of the city that this building had lasted as long as it had. Undergoing several remodels, restructuring and at one point nearly being condemned it had managed to survive through fires and floods alike. Made of brick, the nearby seawater had faded the bright red color to a dull gray. They decided to paint over it with a chalky white; though that quickly too became stained by the nearby sea leaving it an off green color.

Twin columns rose up in front of the steps before spacing outwards as if single handedly supporting the entire structure like two arms reaching above to support the weight of the roof, the building and everything it held on their shoulders. The large oaken doors had a faded design of the first settlers here and those they met on the shore; humans meeting the locals.

It was one of the reasons why this spot had been decided on to hold the Thanksgiving festival each and every year since. The pilgrims of old, though on the other side of the country, had met the locals and become fast friends; before stabbing them in the back (something the city council rather leave out during such festivities).

It was thanks to the “dogs" the humans had brought with them that they were able to occupy and claim so much territory in the new world. Spreading out to claim the entire country as their own; the different tribes at the times relationships with one another were choppy at best. The human settlers took advantage of these turbulent waters and secretly worked with various tribes against the others while taking more and more land for themselves in return for their “aide."

The wolves at the time had been one of the greatest of threats to humanities plans and were why, possibly even to this day, human relations with wolves were so contentious. Neither side ever fully being able to see eye to eye. It was, once more, thanks to canine-sapiens like Clementine's ancestors that helped the humans fight off these predators and make a new home for themselves here. And the dogs, ever since, were caught in the middle of it.

And Clem hated it.

Because of their ancestors they had to live with their sins, underneath their shadows. “Sins of the father," as Reese had put it once. Clem didn't fully understand the point of it all. Being a canine, he had gotten off lucky in the regards. It was one of the very few species out there that humans, the predominate species, tolerated and even liked.

It was another reason why Clem, as well as most the other dogs from the police force, was pulled here this evening to watch over things and keep the peace.

This whole “shindig" was just a front for the rich and wealthy to kiss their own asses and snort their own farts; telling themselves just how great they were and how much they accomplished in the previous year. Claiming to make the world a better place while only in the end lining their own pockets with blood money.

And Clem was stuck there, in his stuffy uniform, having to play “good dog" and make sure all these rich, metaphorical, fat cats got their fill of their own self adulations. Jerking themselves off, in the most polite way possible.

Clem snorted at the crude thought. At least when he jerked off he knew he was a bad dog being a stinky boy that would never be invited to a “shindig" like this.

Reese, who'd been keeping a closer eye on the boxer ever since he found out about his line of work, told him not to go. Clem couldn't exactly say no to his boss, the police chief, a rather large saint Bernard everyone just called Chief.

The wolf hadn't been pleased but he rarely was. Reese had enough on his plate back home dealing with the new “residents" that had set up camp, literally, on his block. Clem was just glad Alan and the other dogs had been safely taken over North to their safe house during all this. He didn't want any of them getting hurt in this blood feud…

That was Clem's job. To help his Alpha out, to play the part of a cop and make sure everything goes smooth. Well, as smooth as possible Clem reasoned out. At least this place seemed to be relatively safe.

There was a float parade scheduled later in the day. The streets had been blocked off and railings had been set up along the curbs, blocking off the roads and back alleys. It created a perfect funnel to help guide the crowd through rather than loitering about. There were enough openings in the railing for people to come and go as they pleased but most spots had an officer on duty to keep the peace.

Clem was almost envious of them, watching the people outside over one of his shoulders. Hitting up the local shops, seeing the sights with family and spending Thanksgiving week enjoying themselves together.

Until Clem had moved into the dog house, he didn't have a family. Not after, eventually, losing both his parents to old age. The community he was forced to grow up in hadn't been accommodating even before his parent's death. He was just thankful he had worked hard enough, blistering his paws and practically working himself to the bone in order to afford to get out of there by the time they had.

These “Fat cats" as Clem was just calling them at this point didn't know what it was like to save every penny and work yourself half to death to earn a dollar. Going some days without eating and other days having to eat raw food, unable to afford electricity, just to keep the pain of hunger at bay…

These fat cats had it all. Born with a silver spoon in their mouth, they never had to experience the life Clem and so many others had too. Not knowing what it was like to be told “we can't afford that" or just “shut up and eat your oatmeal."

He had it so often growing up, to this day, Clem couldn't stomach the stuff. He, a hard working dog, broke his back earning his keep. While these fat cats greedily lapped up the last drop and meowing for more…

While people like Clem were forced to watch over and protect their happy, ignorant lives.

The boxer was forced to wear his uniform today, out here in the open. A dark blue police uniform with a hat and his badge pinned to his chest. At least he was inside, seeing the drizzle of rain through the window.

It would've been nice to be able to enjoy the festivities outside. Even in the rain, Clem didn't mind if he could hang out with his friends and new family. Without them, being stuck inside city hall, wasn't so bad. He just wish it wasn't on guard duty.

He hated guard duty.

“Guard dog" was the most common career for the threatening dog breeds out there, like Clem was. Boxers, Dobermans, rottweilers and German shepherds had practically been inbred to be just that. The perfect guard dog; dumb, obedient, self sacrificing and silent... standing by why their human masters went about their day becoming fat and lazy while someone else did the work for them.

Clem held no animosity for humans as he knew a lot of canines did. In fact, he and the rest of the dogs back at the house were some of the few that he'd ever met that actually enjoyed the company of them as much as they did. Most dogs held humans accountable for what those of the past did to them and thus held a bitterness towards the entire species as a whole.

Clem wasn't that close minded. Not lumping everyone into the same category; though he had Reese to thank for that. As a dog, meeting the wolf had been very… eye opening, in more ways than one.

He just wished he didn't have to cater to people in general. Especially those that were here this cloudy afternoon.

Stuck in city hall with all the cities big wigs in one room was suffocating, stuck in his police uniform while he watched them go about their way. Standing there like some kind of trophy piece for them to either gawk at or ignore all together. Too busy kissing each other asses while jerking themselves off in the process, bragging about their accomplishments and achievements to the point Clem could practically smell the jizz on their breath.

He was sure plenty of them got off on their wealth and status alone. The power and control it brought them over so many others…

There were the Berksons family; oil barons that had destroyed the West Coast coastline several times over the past couple of years alone. All for that sweet, sweet profit. The aquatic species were always holding protests against them not wanting fracking off the coastline where they lived at. Their ancestral homes becoming endangered all for that black gold.

The Mertles were a wealthy group of muskrats that stunk of more than just their natural musk. They had a hand and dealing in several different unsavory businesses over the years with enough lawsuits against them that took a whole filing cabinet, and room, back in the precinct to manage. They had enough money to pay off, bribe or outright threaten those filing the lawsuits against them that they ended up nearly untouchable over the years.

But that was only the tip of the ice burg of scum that was here this day.

Everyone wanted to meet the Mayor. After her Equality Initiatives bill had gone through, a bill she ran her entire campaign on, there were far stricter laws protecting those like Reese, Clem's oldest friend. Not only treating them in the same ballpark as everyone else but also allowing predators to keep their more natural “assets."

Several species had to groom, trim or even cut off parts of their fur in order to “fit in."

It was commonplace for large felines, for example, to get declawed back in the day. It was a practice that was looked down on and yet never stopped. Some canines had their fangs removed and there were even surgeries that made certain species less “threatening." The invasive surgeries would bankrupt families and were risky to the health and well being of their child… and yet families did so in hopes their children would have a better life than they did.

The Equality Initiative Bill had been a grounding breaking bill that not only had been written up but had passed with a majority vote! It had made news all over the country and had caught the eye of several big businesses and individuals alike.

The mayor had invited several groups here today to showcase not only the build, but the very holiday that were supposed to bring the different species together, like in old. Before the whole back stabbing thing, that is.

A shark from one of the coastal fishing companies was here with his family. The crowd kept a good distance from him and his little “urchins" that snapped their teeth, jokingly(?) Clem couldn't be sure, at anyone who drew too close. There was a well dressed tiger in a suit Clem didn't recognize where from and several pairs of bears that seemed to be representing their own respectable businesses; most likely brought in the diversify this rather “human" group.

Each group stayed away from the others, barely integrating with the crowds. Clem snorted at that, trying to hide the smile on his face; what did they expect bringing a pair of polar bears in with a group of harp seals? The two were practically mortal enemies and they were forced to smile and play nice together because some human told them too?

Yeah, that was going to end well…

So, naturally, all these different groups just kept to themselves. Talking very rarely with anyone else while the mayor tried to mitigate the damage they could do to each other.

Seeing all these elites here, bragging about their accomplishments with their own while never sacrificing something themselves sickened the canine.

Clem wasn't sure how it happened but foxes became a sort of mascot for all the native people. One of the local indigenous tribes were always brought along and showcased at this event as if trying to say “see they're here! It means they forgive us for what we did to them!" Clem could barely stomach it.

Foxes and hounds didn't mix well either and Clem could smell their musk even from where he was standing.

It was hard to say if the foxes brought out today had chosen to wear ceremonial garbs or if they were forced into them. They didn't seem happy, at all, to be here. Shown off like pieces of meat to one group before being forcible pushed towards the next. People came to see them like some kind of freakshow and it made the dogs stomach turn.

It was disgusting.

There were several natives here before the humans had come over, even Clem knew that much. Badgers, foxes, raccoons, wolves and several different species of birds. And that still was only brushing the surface. Otters and beavers lived along the riversides while cougars kept up in the mountains. It was a whole world in itself.

And people had come in and bulldozed it all over. Lumping all the predators with their feral four-legged cousins, marking and branding the cattle, hunting the aquatic mammal species for their pelts and coats… it had been one thing after another and the canines had helped them all do it…

It was a wonder why Reese and the other wolves put up with Clem and the dogs as much as they did.

These were the thoughts Clem tried not to have as he stood there with glazed over eyes. Thoughts that society, as a whole, tried not to have. To ignore what had happened. Pretend everything was fine now. That they were “better" than their ancestors. It was hard too, though; to ignore it all. When your nose was being rubbed in it each and, seemingly, everyday.

People unable to let things go, to hold it against someone who wasn't even born and yet at the same time see older generations deny it all together. A political shit show with very few people even trying to make things better.

Annalise Heart was the mayor of the city and did her civic duty going around to greet and welcome everyone there to the party the best she could. Flanked by her bodyguard, a jaguar by the name of Bosch, she was all smiles. Shaking hands with each and every individual, welcoming them with open arms and offering them complimentary drinks or to try one of the sample platters going around. Friendly, open and without a distance that everyone seemed to prefer to the others groups outside their own. The only bridge trying to connect them all together.

One of the few people Clem didn't hate here.

She was an older woman, coming into her years. He was sure her hair was dyed to keep its autumn red color held up in a bun this afternoon. She was wearing autumn colors highlighting the occasion, wearing a business casual dress suit as she walked around with her guard close behind her. Someone that drew more eyes than she did.

The jaguar had dark gray fur with light brown rosettes all over his body, patterning it. He was dressed in a black tux with the white undershirt showing just enough to give it some contrasting color to his darker fur tone. Bosch had sunglasses on, an earpiece in and was clearly packing something heavy from the bulge in the side of his coat. The jaguar never strayed far from her side, watching over her like a hawk as if afraid another predator was about to swoop in and take her away.

Clem understood the added security here. Bosch wasn't the only one packing heat during this festival of unity and camaraderie. It sent the wrong message but was understandable; play nice or get shot…

After recent events in the city, this showcase needed to go well to both reassure the people that the police and mayor had everything under control as well as to say that the bill in question was a good thing and hadn't caused all this chaos in the past couple years. Clem, among several others, had been called in to increase the security detail during the party in hopes of warding off any of the recent criminal attacks that had been happening around the city.

The crime rate in the city had risen increasingly ever since the Equality Bill had gone through. It seemed that once you had a piece of paper signed making it official that a predator was in fact, still, a person… that was just too much, for some people.

The riots last year, the attacks that happened in the city, common day scuffles and fights in broad daylight…

“Just another day in the city," Clem had surmised. People on the other hand blamed the mayor. They blamed her bill and were faulting her for all of life's problems. “Instead of looking at themselves…" Clem grumbled bitterly watching her walk past with her guard in tow.

Bosch was a large guy that stood a head over nearly everyone else in the room. He was fit and the suit he had been strapped into could barely contain his bulk as he followed after her with silent, heavy steps. The jaguar looked as if he was stalking her and it left several people uneasy with his passing. Something, Clem, was sure he preferred.

Bosch had sold himself into service. Guarding the mayor with his life, risking everything for the job… and people hated him for it. People saw the jaguar as a two faced backstabber that was an insult to predators and was far too intimidating to be welcomed by humans.

He had signed the Equality bill as a representative of good faith. It had been a publicity stunt in hopes of winning over predators and prey alike; it hadn't gone as such. He was just seen as a traitor and a threat and little else.

“And still he showed up today," Clem mused aloud getting bored with standing there, off to the side, watching over everyone for the past couple of hours. His feet were beginning to hurt and wished he had some paw rubs as he pushed up onto his toes before resting back down.

The police uniform was stuffy and wasn't designed for someone covered head to toe in fur. The shoes he was forced to wear didn't go well with his digitigrade paws. Like most, the canine struggled with the clothing made for people and at the last second redesigned for the rest of the population.

“Looking sharp," a friendly voice said from Clem's side. The boxer's nose twitched even before looking over. He hadn't been able to smell Logan and seeing him standing there threw him off.

Clem relied on his nose nine times out of ten. It was instinctual. To sniff first before anything else. All the different smells in the room were throwing him off and so when Logan had showed up, the canine wasn't expecting it.

“Don't sneak up on me like that!" Clem just growled, putting on the tough guy act he had when he was on the job, around the other dogs or just in general. Clem was a boxer and even if he had a creamy, soft center it didn't mean he also didn't have a hard outer shell.

Or so he'd like to think.

“You look cute, all tucked up in your wittle uniform." Logan just teased, playfully along as he looked over the room before the two.

Logan was dressed in a simple suit that both went with the party and didn't at the same time. He didn't smell like… anything. It was a little off putting. Clem was sure the human had put on some sort of deodorant to hide his natural scent. Clem, as a canine, wanted to keep sniffing him until he could pick up that almost vinegar smell of the human's sweat…

Logan was a handsome guy, Clem couldn't deny. He was a friendly face at the precinct that didn't treat any of them differently for being another species; something that was far more uncommon than anyone would like to admit. Logan had put some sort of gel in his dark hair giving it a wavy look. He had a strong jawline and was clean shaven, today; the human seeming to prefer to be naturally fuzzy than most humans did.

Something Clem appreciated. It was strange seeing a… furless, creature as it was. Seeing some body hair on a human helped at least. He'd had a long talk with Togo once about it and how unsettling it was to see someone completely smooth and could never begin to fathom why that was a popular fad amongst humans.

Clem knew there was a certain “type" of human that chose to shave their heads, and bodies, in an act of hate but most, hopefully, didn't do it for that reason.

“I'm surprised you came out to grace us with your presence." Clem just snorted back. “Here I thought you had a pussy to bag." The boxer kept his voice down; speaking low enough so only the human could hear him.

Logan bumped his side without looking a smile pulling up on his face making Clem forget all about his worries this afternoon.

“Who says I wasn't?" Logan just countered with quickly enough with a one shoulder shrug. “Chief wanted every available officer here… What was I supposed to do?"

It clearly bothered Logan. The human liked to work solo, keeping the badge tucked into his desk instead of carrying it with him. Clem wasn't sure what to think of the human when he first met him.

Logan was an oddball, even for a human. He was handsome, friendly and extremely charismatic guy. He must've been extremely popular in his school years and knew Logan could get any guy he wanted. There was something about him that made one just want to lower their guard, to tell them their deepest darkest secrets as if he were the most trustworthy person in the world. He knew how to play the field and new how to adapt just as quickly.

Add in his looks and you got a lethal set up for an undercover cop.

It was something about his eyes, though, that made Clem nervous whenever he was around the smaller male. Logan wasn't as tall and not nearly as thick as Clem was and yet it was the canine who kept an eye on the human as if… he was the one worried Logan might do something.

It wasn't that his eyes were cold, no. They could be warm and friendly, full of life. It was the look that crossed them, every once in a while; a calculative look as if the human were processing something, evaluating the situation and trying to come up with the best course of action to take. Or who to take down…

There was a reason why Logan had become a detective while Clem was still just a street cop.

“He's here, if you want to file a complaint." Clem nodded towards the police chief talking with the mayor now.

The large Saint Bernard was easily a foot taller than the mayor was. The jowls of the canine were lifted up as he talked friendly enough with her, yet keeping one eye on the jaguar standing slightly off to the side of the two. The rotund canine had worked, clawed, kissed and sniffed ass enough to make it to the position he was in.

Most of those back at the precinct made fun of him for it. Yet, it was Stanley who was top dog there for a reason. He knew how to play ball, one of his favorite sayings. The Saint Bernard knew whose asses to kiss and who's to kick. He could be all bark or he could be all bite. A dog that knew how to play the system, something Clem had never bothered with.

After all, Clementine had joined the police force for a very different reason instead of trying to rise up in the ranks and make a difference from the inside out. Clem's job? To make sure to watch over and cover Reese's back and the other dogs eventually; knowing just how many cops had it out for someone like him. He was sure Logan, this human standing at his side, had joined the force for personal reasons as well. Clem just didn't know why and was too afraid to ask at this point.

He'd seen what Logan could do. There weren't many humans who could go toe to toe with a wolf without even batting an eye.

Several on the force were there for the wrong reasons. Some dogs, like Hugo and Copper, were there because they felt they were making a difference. Changing the world, the system from the inside and making life better for dog kind alike. However, they were few and far apart. Those who actually wanted to truly make a difference.

Clem and Logan were there for their own personal reasons. Most joined the force for a power trip it brought them. A drug in and of itself to some. Able to loiter over others, holding them accountable and getting off on it. Control, power and “Respect."

“He looks like a giant, overcooked marshmallow…" Logan pointed out and Clem had to hold back a laugh, covering his muzzle as the two looked at their chief of police.

Tucked into a suit a size too small the brown, white and black fur Saint Bernard was ready to burst out of it. The buttons were threatening to pop as the large canine politely accepted a drink from a waiter before lapping at it as the mayor talked about something to him.

Police Chief Stanley Barnard, was all nods and smiles with the mayor.

“You know he hates her…" Logan said getting Clem's attention. The boxer looked over at the Saint Bernard and couldn't see it. “He hates the Equality bill more than anything else. Makes our job harder. It's easy to persecute someone for being well… a predator." Logan barely said the last word and Clem had to strain his ears to hear it. “The bill just makes our job that much harder," Logan said and yet it was hard to tell if that bothered him or not.

“Yeah, so I hear." Clem had voted for the bill. Hell, everyone at the house had. Everyone did in hopes it would make their Alpha, their friend, Reese's life easier. Hoping that maybe then they would at least give the wolf a chance before writing him off as another predator.

“I like it, personally." Logan just said getting a look from Clem. The human was still watching the exchange between their chief and the mayor. There was that look in his eyes again. Thinking about something, reading something into it that Clem couldn't see.

“It's whatever." Clem just shrugged. “Not the best they could do… but like, I guess it's better than nothing." Clem said truthfully on the matter. It was a drop in the ocean of shit they had to deal with. Better than nothing but never enough in the end…

“Or something," Logan agreed as he looked back over at the boxer. “I'm going to keep doing the rounds. Let me know if you see anything, or just need a drink." The human winked at him, offering that smile that warmed the boxer's chest.

Logan in the span of five minutes had made Clem's day a thousand times better. The tension in his shoulders had bled away as the human talked with him, respected him, bro'd out with him like this… before going back to the job with that smile on his face. Clem envied that. Wishing this kind of work didn't weigh on him as much as it did.

Still, there was that look in Logan's eyes that made Clem uneasy as he watched the human seamlessly blend back into the crowd. A drop in an ocean… Logan was a handsome guy that should've stood out and yet, in the crowd, he blended in perfectly. Just another sheep in the crowd, unaware he was a wolf underneath that wool.

“Maybe that's why Domino is so obsessed with him…" Clem grumbled, not wanting to think about the wolf. Dom had been texting Clem about Logan as if the boxer would know what was going on with the human. Logan had been avoiding the wolf and Clem wasn't sure what kind of game he was playing at…

Or even fully aware of it.

He wasn't like the other humans Clem had hung out with, especially in the last year. Alan was almost… innocently naïve about the world, about things, about life itself. Able to hang out with the dogs, to be with the wolf… it was nice, in a way. That kind of ignorance was bliss. Charles, Togo's man, was more of a beaten down dog that had lost everything and had been rescued by the, now fat, husky who'd swept him off his feet and into their loving, stinky home of dogs.

Logan on the other hand… it worried Clem. The two had been working together for nearly four years at the station and the human had always left him… uneasy. Both about who he was but also… Clem worried as if, maybe, the human was purposefully looking for trouble. Not looking to start something but looking for something that was already there…

Knowing just how ugly this city, this world, really was. And diving head first into the mess, unafraid to know just how deep that end was. If he'd disappear underneath the waves to never resurface or maybe, bash his brains in diving blindly in. It was hard to tell and even harder to tell if he even cared at this point…

Clem had been shocked to learn how young Logan was. Only twenty-two and yet he was a detective? He was able to do as he pleased and the chief just let him do it? Reading over his file didn't show anything that stood out. He was just some other human officer; they were a dime a dozen and yet, it was Logan who had found out about Reese.

It was Logan who had tipped them off about the docks even before the police were aware of the gang war that happened there. Logan was an informant and yet a police officer all at the same time.

And what was Clem? A freaking meter maid! Or, well, close enough.

He got no respect as an officer and had chosen to not divulge such information out to the other dogs, let alone Reese. Too embarrassed about being another dog working for the man. Hiding his job from them was far easier than he thought it would be. No one really… asked, about it. About what he did.

No one seemed to care…

He was a hard-working dog. They assumed he was a mechanic or maybe some security job, given his breed. A bouncer at a club? Or maybe a plumber! Clem wanted to bark a laugh at the very thought. None of the other dogs were aware of what he'd been doing all these years since Reese ended up showing back up at his door.

Logan did though. That human who'd slipped into their lives before he'd even noticed had been the only one to ask Clem “how's your day doing? How are you doing?" In front of the others… Clem had to be strong. He had to be second in command and didn't back down to anyone other than Reese.

Such a life was taxing in its own way. Let alone when the wolf showed up at his door at two o'clock in the morning one night out of the blue!

Sure, Clem could've reported Reese in for numerous things. He had suddenly lost touch with the wolf nearly twenty something years ago this day, learning later on that he joined the military and was unsure what that was all about. Then, out of the blue, one night Reese had just showed up at his door with a bag in hand asking to move in.

“Why did you show up here?" Clem had asked, utterly confused as to why the wolf had shown up let alone known where he lived… the last thought was too disturbing to ponder over after the many drinks Clem and Togo had been sharing that night.

“We're friends?" Reese hadn't said it as he'd do normally, these days. It was a question, fear lurking behind his eyes when he asked. As if afraid…. As if he misunderstood their relationship. That, maybe, it wasn't ok just to show up out of the blue and expect a friend to help him out at two o'clock at night.

That's what you did though, right? To help a friend. To drop everything and come to their aide. Clem was such a dog in the end…

Reese had always been a strange guy. Growing up with him hadn't been any easier. The wolf was… unsettling and Clem wouldn't fully learn about his family situation until after he came back. Reese had shown up at his door because, to Reese, he wasn't only his first friend. He was his only friend.

The dogs back at the house were just that. Dogs. Part of the pack and were treated as such. A makeshift, shit show of a family but not exactly… friends. You loved your family. You tolerated them and put up with their bullshit but you weren't exactly friends.

Hell, Reese had thought in a backwards twisted way he and Alan and his old packmate were friends… Clem didn't even want to touch that disturbing thought as he stood there, watching over everyone like the good guard dog he was.

A guard dog that had lied to the police, his coworkers and had been guarding his “family." Maybe it was something in his blood, some sort of instinct. He wanted to protect them. Like Logan, he knew what the world was really like and what could happen in a blink of an eye.

To lose everything and everyone just like that…

Clem still wasn't fully sure how he ended up with Reese. Togo and Clem were old college roomies that had hit it off, both being dogs with similar interests. Reese had bullied and somewhat awkwardly forced his way into their friendship as if just taking a seat between the two and hoping neither would kick him out.... They hadn't.

And then, after that, other dogs began showing up.

“And some humans!" Clem wanted to laugh at the thought as his eyes glazed over, watching everyone with a bored expression. Guard duty was so taxing both on the mind and body. Just standing there, waiting for something to happen and hoping, somewhat knowing, nothing would.

Not in this world. Things don't change. They just keep… going. Going in circles, always returning, history repeating itself and nothing more.

Nothing ever really happens…

Except for a seven-foot wolf showing up at your door. Clem smiled at the simple thought. Togo had nearly lost his shit when the wolf showed up; dogs and wolves weren't exactly on friendly terms. The husky had cowered behind the boxer while Clem tried to sort out the situation, this new mess that had landed in his lap.

“So I can just stay here?" Reese had asked and yet it felt as if he were telling the two he was going too. Clem wanted to laugh; even after ten years of knowing Reese, the wolf was the exact same as he'd been back then. Awkward as fuck.

Togo had nearly wet himself at the prospect of the wolf living there with them. Holding onto Clem's shoulders from behind while never taking his eyes off the wolf he was sure was going to mug them, skin them and wear their pelts around.

“We only got a side room," Clem had honestly said to the wolf who just stared at him blankly with those golden leaf eyes. “Well, it's more of a closet than anything else."

“Thanks." Reese had just said, walking inside past the two with a bag in one hand and nothing else to his name.

And that was all it took for Reese to come back into his life. It'd been ten years since he'd just shown back up and stuck around. Ever since, the three of them had been close. Best of friends. Togo eventually warming up to the wolf after learning Reese not only didn't hate him but also wasn't going to rip him apart piece by piece. The overly friendly husky had even tried to hit on the him once!

That had made the boxer laugh, Reese not catching on for several months until Togo finally just gave up on the pursuit and hooked up with someone else. Who'd have thought Reese would hook up before Clem did! Such a bright eyed, happy guy like that with enough baggage himself to fill a therapist's book with.

“Are you happy?" A simple question, from a simple human, that ended up showing up in their lives. Alan was a warm friendly face in the dark sea that was their life.

It was only a year ago that Alan had shown up in their life and yet Clem couldn't imagine the human not being around, as if, in a way, he had always been. He was cute, in a more flamboyant way than Clem usually preferred. A bit of an idiot that was just as awkward and uncomfortable as Reese was.

“The two idiots deserve each other," Clem smiled at the thought as he shifted his weight from one foot to the next.

Clem hadn't been happy after the Clementine farm had been burned down by some street mutts calling themselves a gang. He hadn't been happy after losing both his parents. He was barely content after meeting up and befriending Togo, being a disgruntled dog more than anything else. Then Reese showed up didn't help his mood much with his job and now an ex-gang member hanging around. Then the humans and now…

“Yeah." Clem had answered that late afternoon on the back porch, looking out over the back yard they had painstakingly rebuilt from scratch. “I'm happy." They had put so much love and work into their home and it showed. It showed and Clem liked that.

It reminded him of… home. Of the farm. And all the hard work he and his parents used to do to make ends meet.

Clem never thought he would be, not fully anyways. Not after losing his family farm to a pack of stray mutts that had a beef with them for no good reason. Forced to move to this city to move in with family, with nothing in their pockets. Starting fresh from scratch…

Forced to go to school that was diverse. Being treated like a dumb dog, looked down on and being made fun of for it. Clem had gotten into many fights in his day. From school bullies to back-alley scuffles with others who just didn't like the “look of his lip," whatever the fuck that meant.

The boxer was fit, naturally built and put a lot of work in at the police station gym to keep it up over the years before hitting up the side gym with Logan, getting a work out partner after all the years on the force. Clem been able to handle himself and had helped Reese out, more times than he'd like to count, with some rather unsavory business. Ending up being the rock, the foundation the wolf had before Alan showed up in their life.

Clem hated to think what would become of Reese if something ever did happen to him, or Alan. There wouldn't be much of a going back after that, he was sure. That was why he was here. Doing all this. Putting up with this bullshit. Another day at a job he hated, getting looked down on by both humans and canines alike.

“No respect," Clem grumbled with a shake of his head.

He wondered if his parents would be happy, proud of him, if they could see him today. Okay, maybe not today. Standing here off to the side both part of the party and yet ostracized from it. He was there and not there; he was working, just like the waiters going around… like those who set this all up… but this party wasn't for them

Not for people like them… It never was even on Thanksgiving; it wasn't for them.

It was worth it after a long day, like today, to be able to come home to friendly faces. Everyone always greeted him when he came through the front door as if it were some kind of sitcom. His best friend Togo lived with him! That was a dream come true, for most, in and of itself. Sure, they didn't exactly have privacy but they were dogs. They were used to that.

To be able to come home to a cold beer and some paw rubs was worth it.

“I'm happy… this is worth it." Clem smiled at the thought.

Or at least, that was what he always thought as the party began to fully get underway. The evening sun was beginning to set over the western horizon, over the ocean as if sinking down into the waters themselves. The lights had been turned on by now; strings of white lights that had been wrapped around, looped or hung from the ceiling above for those who couldn't see well in the dim light.

Peering out the window once more, Clem could see that the parade floats were already heavily underway. When did that happen? He had been so lost in his own head Clem hadn't even noticed. Not the best watch dog, he had to admit. Watching over these people made it hard to… care, though. He was just trying to get through another day.

These weren't the people he wanted to watch and protect after all.

Several of the floats out front were that of “unity." Furs and flesh, scales and feathers coming together holding hands and pretending everything was better now. It looked like a bad kids special. The balloon animals were more offensive than anything else. Despite the message trying to be sent, it was clear that most those out today were humans instead of anything else.

“Thanksgiving for themselves…"

Hell, they had held it once more at city hall. A place most of his kind, most people like Clem, had bad memories of not fond ones.

This is defiantly one of those “it's the thought that counts," situations Clem mused looking over it all. There were clearly good intentions here; he was sure the mayor had tried her hardest to make this as open and welcoming as possible. While also knowing that those on the city council would prefer if this was a human and herbivore event only.

Most those on the city council were herbivores; they were, after all, the number one population in the world. While humans might be in charge, herbivores outnumbered them two to one at least. It was through underhanded means and laws that humans had been able to stay in power; who knows how long that'd last though.

Leaving carnivores to fend for themselves and forcing omnivores to become vegetarian. Or forced to eat the substitute meat proteins being developed; Clem hated the stuff. It was bland and tasteless to his taste buds and had to wash the last several down with a bottle of beer after Alan had mistakenly bought those instead of actual hotdogs.

You create a situation where one population is looked down on, criticized and used as the common scapegoat as the major chants for their deaths… and then are surprised when they “bite the hands that feeds them." Clem almost snorted at the thought, shaking his head.

Maybe predators deserved what they did to them… after everything else they'd been through.

There was maybe a half dozen actual carnivores here, if that. And that wasn't counting the ones forced to work and serve these herbivores and humans. One “token" carnivore brought out to show that they were “Accepted" and “Welcomed" here.

Bosch didn't count. The jaguar was the mayor's bodyguard and little else. The tiger serving the platter of cheese to the muskrat family was just that. A server. He wasn't anyone special or someone worth noting; the boxer quickly dismissing him, along with the others, as he continued to scan the room.

Nothing of note. Nothing to take interest in. Clem was already thinking about how he wanted to trick the human into rubbing his paws tonight; the freaky little guy loved some paw action and Clem was happy to take full advantage of that as the party began to settle down.

The lights dimmed as a spotlight turned towards the side of the room where the mayor was going to give some speech. She had an award set up nearby and was going to make a show of giving it to the fox that had been brought in to represent all the native people.

“Greetings to anyone I missed," Annalise began standing in front of a microphone set up for the occasion. There were some laughs shared at the poor joke, “I couldn't get to everyone this year." She said as she'd done last year. “There was such a great turn out! Thank you for all your support and care for this wonderful event," and Clem felt she truly meant that.

Despite being human, the mayor had a reputation for helping those, like him, fit in. She'd spent her entire career trying to better the world. Her entire life and this party, was the most she'd been able to accomplish until the bill last year. Clem was sure she'd had to kiss ass just like his boss, Chief Barnard, had to get the bill to pass. Indebted to who knows how many people in order to help the poor and distraught populations.

Sacrificing everything to try and make it better for the little man. Spending her whole life fighting for others even knowing that the fight wouldn't end with her; that the next generation would have to stand up and continue it or fear going backwards rather than forwards in time.

“I'd like to thank the Berksons for setting up the catering this evening," the spotlight quickly peeled away from the mayor to showcase the family standing together as if waiting for their five seconds of fame. They lifted their hands, waving at everyone while downplaying the role they played.

Clem snorted at that; they were clearly eating this up, trying to win over some much needed good publicity after the last oil spill.

“And of course to our esteem guests who this is all for," the mayor said as the spotlight moved over to the fox standing off to the side with a much needed drink in paw.

The fox eyes widened before they quickly put on the act that they even gave a damn as the spotlight literally had been turned on them. He waved a hand and before he was able to say a single word, it was moved off him and back over to the mayor as she continued.

She began a work up towards the awards and how much it meant to her and to the city for everything the people had done to help make the transaction after the Equality bill had gone through. That they all could do it if they worked together and bridge the gaps, the divide between them all.

There were a few scoffs in the crowd at that, muttering from a pair of bovines and a few other herbivores. As if the very idea of working with a carnivore was beneath them. Clem wanted to go over and smack them upside the head with his nightstick for such a showy display. They hadn't exactly been trying to keep their voices down.

No one stopped them, the mayor continuing as if nothing had happened. She had received enough death threats after the bill had gone through to tolerate a few unsavory comments. There was a reason why Bosch was there as her personal guard and why the security detail had been increased as much as it had.

In fact… Clem ears perked up as he looked around the room.

The numbers of police here should've been twice the numbers he counted in the beginning. He recounted again as the mayor continued. There should've been at least twenty cops, give or take, inside the building with a few others like Logan mixed into the crowd.

He barely counted ten, including himself.

Where even was the police chief? Something that stood out as Annalise brought up that question.

“Thank you for all you've done for the city, please come up on stage Chief Barnard." The mayor gesture out to the crowd. There was a moment of silence before she said it again. “Chief Barnard, please come up here with me."

The spotlight shifted off her, moving over the room randomly as if hoping to find the fat canine police chief in the crowd. He was kind of hard to miss. The Saint Bernard stood out even in a crowd this size. He was a thick, plump canine with bright snowy white fur and brown markings. And yet, no one seemed to be able to find him.

They muttered and whispered, mocking the mayor as the spotlight came back to her.

“Must've gone to the little doggies room," she said with a soft laugh holding up the act very well as she just moved on. Most would've broken down from all the ridicule or snapped under the pressure; there were countless reporters there just eating all her mistakes up and planning to write articles on articles on why she needed to be replaced.

There even was the fat rat Vinnie Westco from a couple of weeks ago from the station Clem recognized in the crowd.

Commotion outside caught Clem's attention and the orange furred boxer glanced over his shoulder to see what was going on. There seemed to be some sort of disturbance outside as he walked over to get a better look next to the window; he radio in, asking what was going on. The line was dead and he couldn't reach any of the other officers.

Clem tried again with a furrowed brow.

“This is Clementine, come in." He growled into the radio. It just produced static.

Before he could grasp what was happening the window he was next to shattered and Clem was throwing himself down on the ground as glass rained from overhead as a shot rang out. Covering his face, another gunshot rang out soon accompanied by screaming.

And utter chaos erupted from the streets.

Clem sat up just enough to peek his face over the window to look outside. One of the floats had crashed into the one in front of it, taking down several strings of lights with as it went as well as one of the guard rails. The ugly looking float looked as if it were made up to appear to be some kind of Italian bistro. It had shoddily been made but that wasn't what had caught Clem's attention.

It was the lion's streaming out of the back that made his blood run cold.

“We, uh, got a situation here," Clem radio in once more hoping for some kind of reply forgetting the code for a gang member raid.

Clem had terrible flashbacks to last year and shook the thoughts away before they could gain any traction or ground. He was already beginning to sweat, his heart racing in his chest as he tried to calm his nerves down enough as he popped the strap off the gun holstered at his side.

A hand touched his shoulder and he jumped, looking over to see Logan there with a finger to his lips.

“Shush, it's just me." Logan teased, smiling lightly. He was giving Clem that friendly look, trying to calm him down while his eyes raced with thoughts about what was happening. “We need to get everyone out of here," Logan just said as if expecting this from the very start.

“Right… right." Clem just nodded, following his lead. He was glad Logan was here. Some canines were leaders but most, most like Clem… were followers. “Where's the Chief?" Clem asked as the two moved away from the window.

Logan didn't answer him as he headed towards the startled crowd, or rather towards where the mayor was. Everyone was at a loss for words, looking like a frightened pack of cattle gathered together as the noises outside increased. A siren went off, a car crashed and more shots were fired.

“Everyone, please calm down and make your way towards the back exit." Logan had taken hold of the microphone, addressing the crowd with a strong, even voice as he said the words slowly and carefully so everyone understood him. “We've barricaded the front doors; please use the back fire exit. We have officers stationed there ready to escort you to safety."

Logan left it at that as Clem stood nearby waiting to be told what to do… he wasn't sure. Everyone was beginning to panic. He could smell it. Smell their fear in the air and it only made his nerves worsen.

Logan was talking to Bosch, the two seeming knowing each other as the human left the mayor in his care before turning back towards the boxer.

“Come on, Clem." Logan smiled at him still, with that heart warming look as if to say everything would be ok.

“I'm coming, I'm coming. Don't got to tussle my fur!" Clem just growled back, acting stronger than he felt inside.

The two of them quickly followed after the mayor and her bodyguard as the crowd was ushered out by the other police. Clem was mentally counting them out again, trying to figure out why there were so few. Maybe they had suspected something like this happening? They probably positioned themselves out back to help protect the crowd while they…

That didn't make sense though, as Clem followed down one of the side hallways towards the mayor's office behind Logan and Bosch. The jaguar stepped to the side while she fished out her keys.

“I'm glad you're here Logan," she said and the two exchange a nod as if this hadn't been their first encounter.

“Is there a way out?" Logan was the one to ask as she fumbled with her keys, trying to appear strong and in control despite the situation unfolding before them. She was shaking terribly and only her face remained strong. A reassuring hand touch her shoulder and she took a breath as Bosch let go of her, stepping back a respectful distance.

“Yes. There's a back exit to my office that only I and the police chief know about. In case of emergencies," she started up with finding the right key and unlocking the door.

The heavy iron key turned in the old fashion lock as the four of them stood in silence.

A light bulb flicked on over Clem's head as he reached out to stop her.

“Wait!" He barked out as the door was thrown open. The three took that brief second to glance over at the boxer just as a set of hands reached out to grab the mayor and pull her inside.

“Anna!" Bosch shouted out, charging inside.

A shot was fired and something hit the wall as Logan ducked around the other side of the door, gun drawn. Clem's eyes were wide as he smelled the iron of blood in the air.

“Don't try anything…" A voice said from inside making the two exchange a look. They recognized the voice, after all. They had to hear it each and every day they went into the office at work. “Logan. Clem. Please, join us…" They continued.

Neither moved. Logan had ducked back behind the door, out of view as he motioned something to Clem. The boxer's eyes widened as Logan reached his arm around the door holding the gun in it. With a click, the magazine fell from the pistol and Logan openly undid the bullet in the chamber before tossing the gun inside.

“I'm unarmed," Logan said before stepping around the corner. The human had both arms up, just standing in the open door without moving.

“Where's Clem…?" The Saint Bernard asked with a low deep growl. “I won't hesitate to blow this bitches brains out."

“I sent him with the others," Logan lied so easily Clem, even standing there, for a split second believed it. “I was going to grill the mayor about what was happening, without others. You know how I do things, chief…"

“Of course," Chief Barnard chuckled lightly stowing his gun away. “That's one thing I always liked about you, Logan. You know how to play ball." The Saint Bernard motion and without missing a step, or even looking over at the boxer, Logan took a step forward into the room and shut the door behind them.

Clem could feel his blood pressure rising as he stood there, jaw slacked as he heard the words coming from inside the room. Clem moved over, slowly, carefully taking one step at a time before bending down and looking through the old fashion key hole that had to be as old as the building itself was.

The boxer could make out Logan's back, see the police chief standing there with a bound, gagged and tied up mayor. Clem could smell blood and coming from the source of it was the distinct smell of the jaguar and knew Bosch had been shot. There was some grunting and Clem figured he was still alive… for now.

“Sir," Logan said far more submissively than Clem expected. The boxer's ears jumped up and he blushed lightly at the soft, almost… tender tone of it as if Logan were speaking to his father rather than the bastard doing this.

“I know we've had a few rough times, together." The Chief just went on patting Logan's shoulder now. Clem could distinctly tell that Logan was relieved to hear that, see it in his body language and smell it off the human…

Even knowing Logan was just acting, Clem had nearly been fooled by it.

“And I knew you always hated he mayor." Logan just nodded along, playing ball as it were. “I didn't think you'd go this… far. You could've told me…"

“If I couldn't pull the wool over your eyes, I couldn't fool anyone!" The Chief just laughed a booming sound that filled the small office. “I always liked you. No, I don't agree with your… methods but you get results, Logan. And I like that. You've always been… a good boy."

The chief took a step forward and Clem could feel his shackles rising as the canine pet over the side of the human's face with a finger.

“See, I've always loved humans." The Saint Bernard just went on, leaning closer and noticeable taking a large sniff of Logan. “Your deodorant is wearing off… and you smell… excited." The Chief chuckled, patting Logan's shoulder again before turning away.

“It's hard not to be in front of such a strong… dog, like yourself, sir." Logan just replied, glancing over at the fallen jaguar for a fraction of a second. Clem knew Logan was checking on Bosch condition.

Clem could smell two other canines, other than the police chief, in the room. Most likely Hugo the German Shepherd and Copper the basset hound; Clem had worked with them for how long? How many years? He didn't realize they were like this…

How many in the force were just as scummy as they were…

The Chief grunted at that, adjusting his tie before taking a seat on the desk. It shifted under his bulk and weight as the canine just went on.

“See, us dogs. We love humans. It's in our blood. We're practically bred too!" The Chief was doing something Clem couldn't see but he picked up a whiff of the police chief's musky scent and was sure, for some reason, Chief Barnard had undid his pants.

“We spend our days serving you." The Saint Bernard just went on. “But the thing I love more than serving humans…" And then there it was and Clem's ears burned brightly. The distinct smell of sex, or rather, the male sex being exposed to the open air as the chief lowered down his underwear with a thumb. “Is being serviced by humans…"

Logan, without missing a beat, walked over to seemingly join the police captain. The chief of police that had run the city practically after the former chief, a human and Barnard's old partner, had been found shot and killed during a turf war.

There was low grunt and a deep growl followed by the explicit sound of… suckling.

“Ah, fuck… that's right… you know where you belong in the food chain, don't you boy?" The Chief grunted and Clem could pick up the arousal of the other two canines in the room. He could see the mayor close her eyes, looking away as Logan… serviced, the chief. “You've always been such a good… follower."

Clem wanted to gag as he pulled out his phone, beginning to text Reese everything occurring while leaving out a few of the more… sticky, details.

“You see, Logan. This city NEEDS organized crime." The police chief just continued, going on and on about with grunts and growls of pleasure as the human, on his knees, helped the canines aching dick out of his sheath. “Bale, that wolf… he knew how to play ball. Everything, oh that's the spot… right there… lick it." Barnard growled low. “Bale, that wolf, knew how to play the game. Know what to do and where not to tread…"

There was a low deep growl and the desk shook underneath the Saint Bernard's weight.

“He knew how to keep things in check. Made sure to run everything by me first. It was a give and take relationship. He got to 'play' alpha and I got to run the city..." The Chief chuckled as if he had somehow let the previous alpha do as he liked. “That is until this bitch put through her fucking bill…"

There was a moment of silence that was only filled by the wet slurping sucks of the human between the chief's legs.

“Ruined everything…" And Clem's ears folded back at the deep growl that followed those words as there was a loud thunk of a fist coming down on the desk. “We had everything going. Everything! Organized crime kept the petty criminals at bay and we were able to make sure to protect the important district, the places with people who actually fucking mattered!" He snarled the words out.

Grabbing the back of Logan's head, the chief face fucked him for a full minute before shoving the human back and onto the ground; drool and cum dripping from his lips as the chief buttoned up once more with a grunt.

“Everything…" The police chief walked over to the mayor, towering over her as he just growled down at her. She closed her eyes, flinching away. “You ruined everything…"

“Don't…" Bosch tried to sit up, tried to say but with a rather loud smack he was knocked back down.

“Stanley, he was…" The chief took a moment. “He was such a good boy," the previous police chief and Barnard's old partner; the two had the same first name. It was a way for them to connect, among other ways... “Your fucking bill killed him! He was trying to just enforce the law," the Saint Bernard crouched down, lifting up her face to look at him. “Your law." His jowls lifted, baring his teeth. “Predators? Predators don't fucking change. Without us? Without us dogs! You'd all be nothing but shit to them."

He tossed her back down against the ground, standing back up.

“It was supposed to just be another… outing. Just another simple patrol. Those… predators jumped him. They broke into the car and…" The Saint Bernard's fist clenched as he gritted his teeth, huffing a hot breath through his nose as he bit his finger hard enough to draw blood. “Hugo, Copper. Take the… mayor, away."

“What about…" Hugo started up, the German Shepherd whimpering as he spoke.

“Leave them. Logan knows how to play ball. He knows what's up." The chief said with some… satisfaction as he adjusted his pants with a large hand. Pulling a book on the bookcase, it swung open revealing a hidden passage out of the building.

“Where…" Logan began, sitting up and panting as he tried to keep himself from face planting the floor, struggling to even keep himself upright. “Where are you taking her, sir?"

The police chief stopped in the doorway that was barely large enough for his bulk to pass through. Glancing over at the human, crumbled to the floor, dripping his seed from his mouth… the Saint Bernard replied with a smile.

“Where else?" And left it at that, shutting the bookcase behind him.

There was a moment's pause where the only sound in the room was the panting breath of the dying jaguar.

Within a second, Logan was to his feet. Jogging over to check up on Bosch as he wiped his mouth off, spitting to the side. Clem was already opening the door; the act caused Logan to spin around, pulling out a second gun from the back of his pants and the boxer yipped holding up both hands.

“It's me! Don't shoot!" The boxer whined.

“Fuck, Clem!" Logan cursed, stashing the gun and spitting to the side once more; gagging, he pulled some fur from his mouth. Clem could smell the chief on Logan's breath. “I told you to get back up!"

“Is that what you were saying? Fucking Christ, Logan! I don't do sign language!" Clem growled back, shutting the door and making sure to lock it from their side.

Logan was still looking Bosch over.

“They shot you in the gut, that's fucked up." Logan frowned. A gut wound wouldn't be lethal; at least not at first. It hurt. And if the bullet hit the right spot, bile could flood your system and cause sepsis. A slow, painful death…

If you wanted to kill someone, aim for the chest or the head. The gut was something you shot only to get a point across…

“Yeah, it fucking hurts…" Bosch coughed blood and Logan frowned at that.

“Call 911, he'll need an ambulance." Logan told Clem and the boxer did as he was told once more. “Don't worry, you'll live." The human reached up and pet the side of the jaguar's face who closed his eyes, leaning into it.

“I'm glad you're here…" Bosch voice was soft and Logan made sure to keep him awake. “I thought I'd never see you again, after…"

“You seem to be doing pretty good for yourself, other than being shot I mean." Logan just smiled. That same smile he had given Clem and the others back at the house. A reassuring smile that said that everything was going to be ok. Logan was far better at being a police officer than Clem ever was.

No matter how fake that smile was…

“How've you been?" Logan just asked as if catching up with an old college friend he'd accidentally bumped into and gotten drinks with.

“Eh, I got shot… so there's that." Bosch chuckled, before stopping with a wince.

“Don't laugh, you big lug." Logan just chuckled though with a shake of his head.

“Logan, you uh… got something…" Bosch pointed out and the human wiped his lip off before flicking the bit of seed to the side.

“Relax, he's clean." The human just said getting the two giving him a look. “What! A guy's got to know!" Logan just shrugged it off without a care in the world.

“Slut." Clem couldn't help himself as he finally got through; most likely the line was backed up with people calling in. “Hi yes, this is officer Clementine. Calling from… yes. Uh, yeah." The boxer just went on as the questions asked were evident that they knew what was going on.

“How are you and the mayor doing?" Logan just went on asking the jaguar, holding his wound for him. Comforting him as he winced from the pain.

“We're doing… well." Bosch tail flicked. “It's a bit strange, dating someone so much older though."

“She's not that old," Logan just laughed once more. “You make a cute couple. Honestly? I think she can do better," he just teased.

Clem's jaw slacked as he looked at the two. “The mayor is dating her body guard?" Clem hissed at the two of them, covering the phone so the person on the other line didn't hear him.

The two exchanged a look before looking at the boxer.

“Duh." Logan just said. “I set them up." Clem just gave him another look. Logan rolled his eyes. “It was way after Bosch and I broke up." That only brought up more questions than answers.

“Fuck, how many boys have you been with?" Clem just had to ask with a roll of his eyes.

“Well, I haven't been with you." And the way Logan said it was clearly a jab a Clem's expense.

“Pfft," the boxer snorted. “Like I'd want some pretty boy like you, anyways."

“Oh, you think I'm pretty?" Logan just smiled back and Clem's hackles began to rise.

Then he realized what Logan was doing. Just like before. The boxer had been on edge; about to have a nervous breakdown from the lion's out front to his own police chief betraying them and now to… this. Logan was joking with him, easing that tension and lightening the air for both Bosch and Clem sake.

The human had just… sucked the police chief off to save his life and most likely save Bosch's at the same time. While also…

“Where are they taking the mayor?" Clem asked. He had to know. He had to tell Reese, had to do something… this time. He couldn't just stand there and wait for a wolf, or a human, to do it for him.

Bosch and Logan exchanged a look once more, as if having a silent conversation before looking back at Clem.

“There's only one place left in the city that would let that happen; that I know of." Logan said, almost asking at the end as he looked at Bosch for verification.

“Where?" Clem dared to ask as he crouched down next to the two, keeping an eye on the door.

“It was the first case I took… I was, looking for someone." Logan frowned. “No. I was hunting for someone." Bosch's ear flicked at that but the jaguar said nothing. “I did a lot of things I'm not proud of. I thought, maybe, I had a lead on him! But that stripes bastard slipped through my fingers…"

“I heard he's back in town…" Bosch said and Logan gave him a look and, for the first time since Clem knew him, the look was not one of certainty… but one of remorse and fear.

“I know…" Logan just said so softly if Clem wasn't a canine he was sure he wouldn't have heard him. “Do you think he'd go back there…?" Logan asked, holding back now as he gritted his teeth.

Bosch put a hand on his shoulder.

“Possibly… he's… changed, even more than you might think." Bosch just said uneasily.

“I know… or at least, I hope I do…" Logan just nodded though, wiping his face before steeling himself in front of the two.

“Don't go there alone." Bosch warned.

“Where?" Clem had to ask, had to know now. The two once more took a moment before looking over at Clem and it was Logan, with a pensive smile answered him.

“The Slaughterhouse." …