{"sf1_id":2018922,"sf2_id":"k1VKONYe","title":"Chapter 9: Interim Governor","author":"HeatherOBunn","words":8483,"posted_at":"2023-07-05T15:07:00.000Z","tags":["Bobcat","Chapter","Duchess","Fox","Government","Leadership","Novel","Police","Power","Reunion","Squirrel","Thriller","Tod","Trauma","Vixen","deception","governor","pine marten","psychopath","serial killer"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2018922-chapter-9-interim-governor","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/k1VKONYe","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/b1/2f/b12fb80c-de90-46e9-b8a0-15691372a649","description":"#9 of The Murderess of Maplesburg: Reign of Terror\n\nIn this chapter, Rita spends a lot of time trying to pretend she isn't a psychopath.","content":"Chapter 9: Interim Governor  \nRita waved Heather over to their table as the red squirrel entered the hotel. She sipped  \nher coffee, satisfied with her speech and the crowd's enthusiastic response. She was going to  \nenjoy having so many adoring fans. And won't they be even more impressed when they see  \nhow much better the city can be under my direction? They might even ask Rita to remain  \nGovernor for life. She would refuse, of course, but she expected they'd be writing books about  \nher astute decision making for centuries to come. She just needed to determine what those  \ndecisions were actually going to be.  \nHeather climbed into her seat and took a grateful gulp of her own coffee.  \n\"That went well, I think,\" Rita remarked conversationally.  \nHeather nodded, not making eye contact.  \n\"I hope the prey return soon so that we can begin to put things right,\" Rita went on. \"How  \ndid they get out of the city by the way?\"  \n\"The officer yesterday said something about tunnels,\" Heather murmured. She still kept  \nher eyes on the table.  \n\"Is something the matter, Dear?\" Rita asked in her best concerned tone.  \nThe squirrel glanced up at her embarrassedly, \"I'm sorry about last night, Your Grace.\"  \nRita waved her hand dismissively, \"Don't concern yourself, Dear. We've all had too  \nmuch to drink, and it was no trouble at all. You were comfortable, I hope.\"  \nHeather nodded again.  \n\"What else did Terrance have to say?\" Rita inquired.  \nThe gray fox member of City Council had been the one to alert the media, and he had  \nturned up at the door to Rita's room with the hotel skunk to notify her that she needed to  \naddress the city less than an hour ago. Rita had only had time to brush her fur, and she was  \npeeved that she hadn't been able to purchase appropriate attire before her speech. However,  \nshe appreciated that the tod had passed the story of her heroism on to the television and  \nnewspaper outlets. She suspected there would be requests for interviews soon to follow, and  \nshe had already decided to only grant an interview to the most watched station, channel 5. This  \nlikely meant being interviewed by Ferdinand Gamboa, but despite her dislike for the bloated  \nfeline, Rita was looking forward to the interview. She was looking forward to making the  \nsqueamish cat squirm.  \n\"He said the roads are back open,\" Heather replied. \"And he's having the Mayor's office  \nprepared for you. I told him about your other requests, and he said he'd get on it.\"  \nRita gave Heather a warm smile, \"Thank you, Dear. I'm looking forward to getting to  \nwork addressing all of Maplesburg's pressing issues. However, I would like to purchase some  \nappropriate attire before I meet more of my subjects.\"  \n\"We can head to the mall right after breakfast, Your Grace,\" Heather replied. \"Though  \nI'm sure no one thinks less of you after all you've done and been through, and your fur is lovely  \ntoo.\"  \nRita smiled at the squirrel coyly, \"Thank you for saying so, Dear,\" she teased.  \nHeather seemed flustered and looked to her coffee, taking a sip to hide her  \nembarrassment. Rita held back a giggle and sipped her own coffee, pleased with the response  \nshe had elicited. Many people found foxes alluring, and it seemed Heather may have been one  \nof them.  \nRita had a soft-boiled egg with ham while Heather had scrambled eggs and toast, and  \nthen they took a cab to the mall. At the mall, Rita was fitted for four dresses: one they had  \ntailored immediately and the others to be delivered to the hotel. Once Rita was arrayed in her  \nregal new gown, they made their way to City Hall. The gown was full length and satiny black  \nwith black lace decorating the bottom half and lining the arm holes of the sleeveless crew top.  \nRita also purchased a gold necklace with an oval gold and onyx pendant, a shiny black clutch,  \nand a set of lacy black handkerchiefs. Altogether, the clothes and other items cost a tidy sum,  \nbut appearances were of utmost importance.  \nThe gray fox, Terrance, greeted them as they entered City Hall. Rita was pleased to see  \nthe cultist's encampment had been cleared away, and one of the high-backed maple chairs from  \nthe Council Chamber had been placed on the back wall underneath the Vulpinevan flag, which  \nwas an orange rectangle on top of a black rectangle with the very triangular, stylized head of a  \ncrown-wearing fox in the center. The pink marble dais, indigo carpet, and Vulpinevan seal were  \nstill lacking, but Rita was confident they would be in place soon.  \n\"That was a wonderful speech this morning, Your Grace,\" Terrance greeted her. \"Truly  \ninspiring.\"  \nRita smiled indulgently, \"Thank you, Terrance. I'm impressed with how diligent you've  \nbeen in preparing everything for my reign. Once I've settled in, I'll be ready to take charge. Have  \nyou gone about soliciting applicants for my attendants?\"  \nThe gray fox nodded, \"I posted the openings on our website and asked the news  \nstations to mention it. When will you be ready to meet with City Council? We need to discuss  \nwhich of the Mayor's duties you'll take on and which you want us to handle.\"  \n\"Right after I've seen my office is fine.\"  \n\"I'll show you there,\" Terrance offered.  \n\"I know where it is,\" Rita replied.  \n\"Do you want me to come with you, Your Grace?\" Heather asked.  \nRita gave a quick shake of her head, \"I'll meet you in the Council Chamber in just a few  \nminutes.\"  \nRita took the left marble staircase up to the second floor where the Mayor's office was  \nlocated, but instead of heading directly there, she went to the office she and Judith had  \noccupied. The office had not yet been cleared, and their bedrolls remained strewn out on the  \nfloor. Rita went to the wolf's tan backpack and collected the handcuffs the wolf had used to lock  \nher to the chair. Rummaging through, she also found a folding knife, which would have been a  \nsmall pocket knife for the wolf but was a formidable blade in Rita's hand. She slipped the latter  \ninto her clutch and made her way to the Mayor's office.  \nThe Mayor's office had been cleared of the puma's things, including the cage Rita had  \nbeen held in though Rita found what she suspected was the key to said cage in the desk  \ndrawer. She deposited the handcuffs and their keys in the drawer and then proceeded to the  \nCouncil Chamber. Inside, the remaining members of City Council were already in their seats  \nwith Heather in the center. While the bodies had been removed, Rita noted dried blood in the  \ncracks between many of the floorboards and bullet holes in the desk and walls. She particularly  \nnoticed the one in front of Heather's seat, near where Rita had been hiding. Rita trotted down to  \nthe bottom of the tiered room but stopped in front of the long, curved desk.  \nHeather motioned to an empty seat on her right, \"Please have a seat, Your Grace.  \nThere's a lot to discuss.\"  \n\"Not so much, I should think,\" Rita replied. \"Aside from preparing for the election, I shall  \nbe taking complete control.\"  \nThe black chihuahua frowned from his seat beside the long-furred brown tabby on the  \nleft end of the desk, \"You want all of the Mayor's duties?\"  \nRita shook her head, \"You've misunderstood me, Dear. I won't serve as Mayor. If I'm to  \ntake charge, then I'm taking charge of everything. It's much easier that way; I'll run things until  \nyou're ready to reinstate the elected government. I may come to you for advice, but I think I can  \nhandle things more smoothly on my own.\"  \nThe stoat, seated on the right end of the desk, piped up nervously, \"That, that's not how  \nit works! One person can't run everything!\"  \n\"If you wish, I shall return to my estate,\" Rita rejoined matter-of-factly. \"But I wonder how  \nmuch confidence your depleted council will inspire if you oust the person who single-handedly  \nremoved the terrorists who held your city hostage. Maplesburg needs strong leadership now; I'll  \nnot negotiate. This is a temporary arrangement, but it's the only one I'll agree to.\"  \nThe City Council members exchanged worried glances, and Rita thought they might  \ndecide to send her home after all. Eventually, the other members' eyes all rested on Heather,  \nsilently begging her to make a decision. The red squirrel glanced at each of her colleagues  \nuncomfortably, reluctant to shoulder the burden of this decision herself. She turned back to Rita,  \nwho smiled at her reassuringly.  \n\"A-alright, Your Grace. It is only temporary, as you say,\" Heather answered reluctantly.  \nRita grinned toothily, \"Meeting adjourned then. Send the applicants to my office, and  \nonce I've selected the attendants I need, I'll schedule public court in my throne room. Let the  \ncitizens know to bring their concerns to me, and let me know of any other concerns that arise.\"  \nRita returned to her office. A short while later, Heather visited; the squirrel peeked  \naround the door nervously, and Rita waved her in.  \n\"Is there something you need, Dear?\" Rita queried.  \nHeather crept through the door and carefully closed it behind her. She looked up at Rita,  \nwho was seated at her desk, worriedly, \"I, um, I didn't expect that, Your Grace. Why didn't you  \ntell me that's what you had planned? That you wanted to, to take control?\"  \n\"I'm sorry, Dear. I suppose I should have mentioned it,\" Rita replied in a sincere tone. \"I  \ndid say I wanted to be Interim Governor. I could have detailed what I meant by that.\"  \n\"A-are you sure, Your Grace? We'd be honored to work with you; you don't have to do  \nthis alone,\" Heather phrased it as a suggestion, but Rita could tell the red squirrel was  \nuncomfortable with turning over the city to her.  \n\"It will be simpler with me alone,\" Rita reiterated. \"However,\" she gave the squirrel what  \nshe intended as a reassuring smile. \"I wouldn't be opposed to an advisor if you'd care for the  \nposition.\"  \nA look of relief instantly washed over Heather's visage, \"Thank you, Your Grace. I'd be  \nhonored to assist you.\"  \n\"Excellent! I have been enjoying our time together. I think we shall be an effective team!\"  \nRita chirped.  \nHeather nodded slowly. \"Um, Your Grace? I know you're busy with hiring your own  \nattendants, but we lost over a dozen officers this past week. Would you like me to handle  \nhiring? I'll work with Chief Schulz, and-\"  \n\"No, I would like to pick them as well,\" Rita cut her off. \"Send any applicants my way.\"  \n\"O-okay, Your Grace. I was also thinking about how the prey are going to return. I think  \nwe could provide some type of public transport to help accelerate their return.\"  \n\"Good idea. You may handle that. Is there anything else?\"  \nHeather shook her head, \"Not at the moment.\"  \n\"See you later then. Shall we have dinner again this evening?\"  \n\"Um, if you want to, Your Grace.\"  \n\"I'll see you at six then. We'll leave from here.\"  \nHeather nodded and exited the office. Rita went back to waiting. Waiting was boring.  \nShe looked through the drawers of the desk but found nothing of interest. Rita began to wish  \nshe'd handcuffed Heather to her chair so that she would have had someone to talk to. Finally,  \nafter the long hand had twice traversed the sunny landscape of the clock face, the handle on the  \noffice door turned. Rita sat up expectantly, perking her triangular ears, but she almost fell out of  \nthe rolling desk chair when a puma pushed through the door.  \nRita's heart leapt into her throat, and her stomach reeled in horror. \"Y-you're dead!\" she  \ngasped. \"I checked! You're dead!\"  \nThe puma halted and stared at Rita in confusion. Slowly, she raised her hand to her  \nneck to feel her own pulse. \"Still alive,\" she growled. \"Isn't this the right office? They said four  \ndoors down to the left. I'm here for the job interview, for Her Grace's valet?\"  \nRita's ears burned red hot with embarrassment. A different puma, female, she scolded  \nherself. She was even wearing a knee-length pleated black skirt, in addition, she was  \nsignificantly smaller than the enormous cult leader had been though she was still ten times  \nRita's size and nearly four times her height. The cat towered over Rita's desk as she stepped  \ninto the room. Rita realized she didn't have a seat to offer her and wished someone had left the  \none Joshua had used.  \nPushing aside her shock and embarrassment, Rita addressed the puma in a confident  \ntone, \"This is the correct place. I apologize for my outburst. I mistook you for someone else.\"  \n\"Someone dead, apparently,\" the puma rumbled amusedly. \"The position is still open,  \nisn't it?\"  \n\"It is,\" Rita stated. \"Do you have experience as a valet?\"  \n\"If you consider raising three cubs experience, then yes. I also worked as a security  \nguard at Maplesburg Community Capital Bank until recently.\"  \n\"What ended your employment there?\"  \n\"I was terminated for doing my job,\" the puma replied dryly. \"They said to defend the  \nvault; well, that weasel didn't get in. They didn't say not to put thieves in a body cast, but I guess  \nI should have been more careful. Everything's a lawsuit these days.\"  \n\"That's true,\" Rita agreed. \"Are you committed to remaining in Maplesburg, or are you  \nlooking for long-term employment?\"  \n\"I want to stay in Maplesburg. I have three cubs, like I said. Their school and friends are  \nhere. I'd rather not up-root them, but I hoped if you gave me the job, a reference from the  \nDuchess would override the poor one from MCCB.\"  \n\"Very understandable. I'll review your résumé and let you know in a day or two. I'm  \ndesperately in need of attendants at the moment.\"  \n\"Is that all?\"  \n\"One more thing, if, not that this would ever happen, but if for some reason there were a  \nconflict between myself and City Council, would you side with me or your elected  \nrepresentatives?\"  \nThe puma stared at Rita a second, studying her with pale yellow eyes. \"Who's paying my  \nsalary?\" she growled.  \n\"Me, of course,\" Rita answered.  \nThe puma bowed, \"Then I am at your service, Your Grace.\"  \nRita smiled, \"Very good. I'll let you know if you're hired tomorrow or the next day. Thank  \nyou for your time, er.\" Rita blinked, \"Sorry, what was your name, Dear?\"  \nThe puma smirked, \"I don't believe I told you. My name's Felicia Burbank.\"  \n\"Alright, talk to you soon, Felicia.\"  \n\"Have a good afternoon, Your Grace.\" The puma turned and stalked back out of the  \noffice.  \nRita wasn't certain she wanted a big cat as her valet after her recent experiences, but on  \nthe other hand, she would hardly need additional bodyguards with the puma by her side. Rita  \nstarted up the desktop computer that had been left on her desk to find the puma's résumé but  \nquickly realized no one had told her how to sign into the network. She went to find Heather.  \nBy the end of the workday, Rita had interviewed several more potential servants, a few  \nwho seemed promising. She read through their résumés and phoned their references. She  \ndecided to hire a long-furred silver tabby named Miguel as a general attendant and a badger  \nnamed Franz as a bodyguard. The dog she spoke to at Maplesburg Community Capital Bank  \nstrongly warned her against hiring the puma, but when Rita had inquired whether there had  \nbeen other incidents, the dog didn't offer anything else, only reiterating that the puma was  \n\"dangerous\" and had \"nearly crushed [the weasel she'd apprehended] to death\". The warning  \ndidn't have the intended effect; as far as Rita was concerned a valet/bodyguard who wouldn't  \nhold back when defending her charge was just what she was looking for. She decided to hire  \nthe puma as well.  \nHeather arrived at a quarter past six, quickly pushing her way through the door, \"Sorry  \nI'm late, Your Grace!\"  \n\"Don't concern yourself, Dear. Shall we dine at the hotel, or is there somewhere else  \nyou'd like to eat?\"  \n\"Do you like sushi?\" Heather asked. \"There's a nice Japanese restaurant a couple  \nblocks away.\"  \nRita didn't often eat Asian food, as Gustav was no expert in these cuisines, but she  \nagreed anyway. They walked side-by-side between the downtown high-rises with the early  \nSeptember sun dipping below the concrete towers on their left. They met several other  \npedestrians on their way, nearly all who recognized Rita, and were obliged to stop and  \nexchange niceties. All were predators, and all thanked Rita profusely for her heroism. Rita  \nbasked in the praise and suggested to a few she particularly liked that they might visit her court  \nin the coming days where they could chat more. However, these exchanges also delayed them,  \nand Rita was famished by the time they arrived at the restaurant.  \nThe restaurant had a green neon sign in the window that read 'Neko Neko'. Inside, the  \nwalls were also a pale green while the floor was a dark wood and the tables were black with  \nblack-cushioned chairs. There was a glass-fronted bar on the right side as they came in, and a  \nwhite cat in a chef's coat was preparing sushi rolls behind the glass.  \nA black cat approached them at the door, \"Welcome to Neko Neko!\" he meowed. \"Table  \nfor two?\"  \nHeather nodded, and he led them to a table with two chairs on the left wall, leaving them  \ntwo menus. Rita quickly scanned the single page and flipped it over to scan the back. The back  \nwas blank, so she returned to the front. Along with various noodle soups, there was a confusing  \nnumber of different rolls, both classic and inside-out. Rita had a hard time distinguishing  \nbetween them, in no small part because she didn't recognize a number of the ingredients.  \n\"What would you recommend?\" Rita queried.  \nHeather looked up from her menu curiously, \"I don't know. Do you like fish?\"  \nRita shrugged, \"On occasion.\"  \n\"Okay, well, if you don't like it much, you could try some ramen. I hear the pork belly is  \ngood. I only eat fish, personally, but friends have told me.\"  \n\"I would like to sample some of the sushi,\" Rita replied. \"But I'll take your  \nrecommendation on the soup.\"  \nHeather pointed to a roll on Rita's menu, \"Try this tuna roll. I'll get a couple others, and  \nwe can share.\"  \nOnce their waiter--another cat, this one ginger--had taken their orders, Rita asked  \nHeather how things were going with returning the prey to the city.  \n\"It's a bit hectic,\" Heather answered. \"We have every metro bus and school bus in the  \ncity getting ready to go. The problem is we don't actually know where. We might have to wait  \nuntil the first few return before we'll know where to send them. I tried calling some of my friends,  \nbut they didn't answer.\"  \n\"Oh dear, I hope they're alright.\"  \nHeather nodded worriedly, \"So do I.\"  \n\"How about the new officers?\" Rita changed the subject. \"Have you been in contact with  \nthe chief of police regarding recruiting?\"  \n\"Yeah, she wanted to talk with you. I said you'd probably be available tomorrow. I  \nnoticed your schedule filled up pretty quickly this afternoon.\"  \nRita cocked her head questioningly, \"Was there a schedule? I noticed the applicants  \nseemed organized, but I thought perhaps they worked that out among themselves.\"  \nHeather flicked her bushy tail, which stood in a question mark behind her head, \"Oh, uh,  \nI guess I should have shown you that too when I logged you into the network. Someone set up a  \nschedule for you. Maybe it was Terrance. He was screening the applicants before they went to  \nyou. I hope that was alright,\" she replied concernedly.  \n\"Quite alright. I found the servants I need. I'll have to thank Terrance again for all his  \nhelp when I see him. As for the chief of police, I wanted to speak with her anyway.\"  \nHeather smiled, relieved, \"I'm glad we could be of assistance, Your Grace.\"  \nRita returned a friendly smile, \"Of course. I'm pleased you've been so accommodating. I  \nnoticed the throne room is almost ready as well. I could get used to having such an efficient  \nbunch of ser-\" she stopped short and corrected herself. \"Of helpers.\"  \n\"We're grateful for your help too, Your Grace. After all, we all want the same thing, to put  \nMaplesburg right after this week of terror.\"  \nTheir food arrived before long. Rita sampled each of the rolls and found she didn't much  \nenjoy the tuna roll or the other one with fish that Heather had ordered. She liked the third roll,  \nwhich contained avocado, asparagus, and squash tempura, better, but what she really enjoyed  \nwas the pork belly ramen. When they were finished the ginger cat returned with the bill. Rita  \nlifted her left hand without even glancing at the sum, but Heather interrupted her.  \n\"I'll handle it tonight, Your Grace.\"  \nRita glanced at the red squirrel, \"It's no problem, Dear. I can afford it.\"  \n\"I can afford it too, and it's my turn,\" Heather returned. \"If we're working together, I don't  \nwant everything to be one-sided.\"  \nRita lowered her hand and shrugged, \"If that's what you want, Dear.\"  \nThe cat scanned Heather's left hand then collected their empty plates and bowl. Rita led  \nthe way to the door and stopped to let Heather catch up beside her as she stepped out onto the  \nsidewalk.  \n\"Shall we make our way back to the hotel?\" Rita queried.  \n\"My car's at City Hall, but I can drop you off on the way if you're not sure how to get  \nthere,\" Heather replied.  \n\"I think I do, but if you like, there's still a bed available. You can go home and get your  \nthings and come back. I'll wait up for you.\"  \nHeather looked up at her embarrassedly, \"I, uh, don't know if that's appropriate, Your  \nGrace. I-\"  \n\"I wasn't suggesting anything untoward!\" Rita interjected.  \nHeather quickly replied, \"N-no, that's not what I meant! It's just that I, um, don't want to  \noverstay your hospitality.\"  \n\"No need to worry about that, Dear. I enjoy having you around. Besides, I'm not  \naccustomed to solitude. I would appreciate your company.\"  \nHeather flicked her tail and stared up at Rita conflictedly for a few seconds. \"I, um, you  \nreally just want some company?\"  \nRita bobbed her head once, \"Just that.\"  \nHeather hesitated another moment, \"I suppose if you'd be lonely otherwise, I-\"  \n\"I'll be alright if you don't want to.\"  \n\"No, um, it's alright. It's only a night or two. Then you'll have your attendants to keep you  \ncompany.\"  \nRita smiled, \"Thank you, Dear.\"  \nThey made their way back South to the hotel. There were fewer pedestrians about now,  \nbut another pair did recognize Rita and stopped to thank her. Heather left Rita at the hotel, and  \nRita went to her room to take a shower while she waited for the squirrel to return. Around an  \nhour later, there was a light knock on the door, and Rita opened it to reveal Heather dragging a  \nlight blue suitcase.  \nRita stood to the side, holding the door, \"Come in, Dear. Make yourself at home.\"  \nHeather dragged her bag back into the servants' quarters, and Rita followed her.  \nHeather dropped her bag by the end of the bed and turned to regard Rita warily, \"Do you  \nneed something, Your Grace? I guess there's still time if you want to talk before bed.\"  \nRita dropped down onto the bed and patted the space beside her, \"Hop up, and I'll give  \nyou a little massage. I'd guess you need one after a stressful day at work.\"  \nHeather remained on the floor. \"That's not necessary, Your Grace.\"  \n\"I insist. You need to relax after all that worry, not to mention everything you've been  \nthrough the past week.\"  \n\"Just because I'm prey doesn't mean you can push me around!\" Heather shot back  \nirritably.  \nRita put on a hurt expression, \"I wouldn't dream of pushing you around, Dear! I only want  \nto help you relax! You don't need to be embarrassed; it's just a gentle massage between  \nfriends. You can massage me next if that will make you feel better.\"  \nHeather hesitated another few seconds then slowly climbed up the sheet onto the bed.  \nShe stood a short distance from Rita, eyeing her reluctantly. Rita leaned over and gently  \nscooped up the diminutive squirrel, laying her across her lap backside up. Heather squirmed  \nuncomfortably, but Rita held her with one hand on her lower back and brought the other down to  \ngently knead Heather's shoulders. Gradually, Rita felt the squirrel's tense little body relax, and  \nHeather seemed to flatten out on her lap. Rita continued to massage her back, neck, and ears,  \nand possessive excitement coursed through Rita's chest as she felt the squirrel give in to her  \nministrations. Rita slipped one hand under Heather's neck and tenderly massaged her throat.  \nHer own heart pounding, Rita felt the squirrel's vulnerable pulsing veins. She imagined closing  \nher hand, squeezing that tiny throat while the squirrel squirmed helplessly. She pulled her hand  \naway from Heather's throat and petted her head.  \n\"Are you feeling better now, Dear?\" Rita crooned.  \nHeather stirred and turned her head to glance up at Rita, \"Yes, Your Grace.\"  \n\"It's not so bad getting a little massage from a friend then, hmm?\"  \n\"No, it's nice. Thank you, Your Grace.\"  \nRita continued to massage the squirrel, and after a few seconds, Heather spoke again.  \n\"You're different from how I imagined, Your Grace.\"  \nRita perked her ears curiously, \"How so?\"  \nHeather seemed a bit embarrassed as she went on, \"Well, uh, I guess I thought you'd be  \naloof, haughty, especially after you wanted a throne room.\"  \n\"And now you don't think that?\"  \n\"I think you want to connect with others more than be above them. I think you're just a  \nlittle awkward at doing that appropriately.\"  \nRita paused her massaging, \"I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable, Dear.\"  \n\"It's okay. I, uh, I think your heart is in the right place.\"  \nHands still resting on top of her, Rita studied the red squirrel with growing irritation. It  \nwould please her to make Heather her pet regardless of whether Jason and Ellie were returned  \nto her. This squirrel took her for an oaf! \"Awkward.\" Inappropriate. \"Heart in the right place.\" This  \nrodent dared to patronize her! Rita would make her squirm! But not yet! For now, Rita would  \ntolerate her insolence. For now, she was useful, but eventually, Rita would disabuse Heather of  \nthe notion that she was anything more than her plaything.  \nThump thump thump thump! An urgent knock pounded on the door to Rita's room.  \nRita shot up, Heather tumbling off of her lap to sprawl on the marble floor. Rita bounded over  \nthe fallen squirrel and hastened to the door to investigate the ensuing angry and frightened  \nsqueaks from the hall. Rita yanked open the door and froze at the sight of the twisting ball of  \nblack, white, dark brown, and pale-yellow fur. The hotel skunk was furiously wrestling with a  \nterrified Edgar! The skunk pinned Edgar with his hands around the pine marten's neck.  \n\"I told you to get out!\" the skunk snarled.  \n\"Release him this instant! That's my servant!\" Rita barked.  \nThe skunk jerked his gaze toward her, staring in baffled shock, \"Y-Your Grace? Y-you  \nsaid you didn't have any attendants.\"  \n\"And now I do! Release him immediately!\"  \nThe skunk hastily got up and helped pull Edgar to his feet, \"Er, s-sorry, Sir, I, um,\" he  \nstopped trying to apologize as Edgar, ignoring him, threw himself at Rita with a sob.  \nRita caught the pine marten, and he hugged her tightly, his chest heaving with continued  \nwordless sobbing. Rita hugged him to her chest, placing her right hand on his head and  \ncaressing his velvety ears.  \n\"Shh, you're alright now. I've got you,\" she crooned. Rita looked up at the skunk, \"I can  \nhandle things from here. Goodnight, Clyde.\"  \n\"G-goodnight, Your Grace.\"  \nStill holding Edgar close, Rita stepped back into her room and shut the door.  \nHeather was waiting just inside, and she stared at the pine marten in surprise, \"Who's  \nthis?\"  \n\"This is Edgar, one of my servants from my estate. He's made his way back to me.\" Rita  \npetted his head, and he pressed the side of his muzzle against her chest, letting out a plaintive  \nlittle whine. \"I'm so glad to see you,\" she murmured in the pine marten's ear. \"I didn't know if  \nanyone survived, and after losing Wolfgang, Johann, and Boots, I couldn't bear to lose you too.\"  \n\"I-I'm glad to see you too, Your Grace,\" Edgar whined. \"I was a-afraid that you'd been  \nkilled. I was so relieved when I saw you on tv.\"  \nRita stroked his back with her other hand. \"Everything's alright now. Where's Howard?  \nHe escaped with you, didn't he?\"  \nEdgar hesitated, letting out a choke, and Rita understood without him needing to say  \nmore.  \n\"I'm so sorry, Edgar. I know you were friends. I'm glad at least you got away. I hope  \nothers did too.\"  \n\"E-Ellie and Jason did,\" Edgar replied quickly. \"They helped me get away.\"  \nJoyful relief washed over Rita, and she smiled down at the pine marten, \"Are they here?  \nWhere are they, Edgar?\"  \nThe pine marten looked up at her nervously, \"I, I can't tell you, Your Grace. Th-they  \nwouldn't want that.\"  \nRita frowned, but then she petted Edgar's head again reassuringly. \"That's alright,  \nEdgar. They'll come back to me eventually. I'm glad to know they're alive and to have you back  \nby my side.\"  \n\"Well, um,\" Heather spoke hesitantly, and Rita turned to regard the squirrel curiously. \"I,  \num, I guess I should go. Your, Edgar will be needing a bed, and it seems you have company  \nnow.\"  \n\"There's no need for that. Edgar and I can share. I'd be a poor host to throw you out  \nnow,\" Rita corrected.  \nHeather gave them a funny look, \"Er, maybe it's better if I give you some privacy.\"  \n\"I won't force you to stay if you feel uncomfortable,\" Rita replied.  \n\"Thank you, Your Grace.\" Heather hurried to her room and quickly reemerged pulling her  \nlight blue suitcase. \"Goodnight, Your Grace. See you tomorrow.\"  \nRita watched her as she hastened out the door then looked back to Edgar. \"She's a bit  \nskittish. Still, I think the two of you will learn to get along. Have you had anything for dinner,  \nEdgar?\"  \nEdgar shook his head.  \n\"I'll order something to be brought up. Why don't you take a quick shower, and then you  \ncan tell me all about how you, Jason, and Ellie escaped the cultists.\"  \nEdgar nodded, and Rita let him go, directing him toward the bathroom. She ordered  \nEdgar a grilled chicken filet with green beans and watched him eat while he told her about his  \nescape. Edgar was guarded about where they had gone, only stating that Ellie and Jason had  \ntaken care of him and treated him like a friend. He ashamedly admitted that he had stolen Ellie's  \ncar to return to her, but Rita dismissed his concerns. The rabbit wouldn't need a car when she  \nwas back with her rightful owner. Rita wanted to press Edgar to tell her where the cat and rabbit  \nactually were, but she recognized that he felt it would be a betrayal of trust to do so. It didn't  \nreally matter: Ellie and Jason would be returned to her before long. Unless they fled Vulpineva  \nentirely, they couldn't hide forever, and now Rita knew they weren't so far away, a day's drive,  \nmaybe. She would have the police look for them; they were fugitives after all. When all of this  \nwas over, she'd take them and Heather back to her estate, and she'd live happily ever after with  \nher reluctant pets.  \n\"I suppose it's time for bed,\" Rita remarked when Edgar had finished. \"There's quite a lot  \nto be done setting Maplesburg in order, and it's up to me to see it's done properly.\"  \n\"M-may I still sleep with you, Your Grace?\" Edgar asked timidly.  \n\"Of course, Dear. I rather liked having someone to curl up with.\"  \nRita pulled back the covers and climbed into bed turning onto her side to face the pine  \nmarten. Edgar scrambled up and lay next to her with his nose to her chest and curled up his  \nlegs against her belly. Rita curled herself around him and pulled him close with her right arm  \nreaching under his neck and holding the back of his head. Edgar reached his snout up to nuzzle  \nher under the jaw and let out a happy little squeak of a sigh. Rita sighed too; it was good to have  \none of her faithful servants back by her side. As much as she enjoyed the challenge of reeling in  \nfresh quarry, the satisfaction of holding onto those who already worshiped her wasn't to be  \ndiscounted. Soon she'd have more faithful supplicants, an entire city full, perhaps. No longer the  \ndistant Duchess, she'd be the Queen of her own little kingdom. Old Frederick might even get a  \nlittle jealous. Rita smirked at the idea. The King already adored her, but to have him wrapped  \naround her paw would be truly delightful. She stroked Edgar's back as he drifted to sleep and  \ncontemplated all of the fun she'd have in the coming days.  \n\\* \\* \\*  \nThe next morning, Rita was pleased to find her throne room completed. She left Edgar in  \nher office and went to thank Terrance for all his help. The gray fox looked up with a surprised  \nexpression that transformed into delight as Rita trotted into his office.  \n\"Your Grace! I hope everything is to your satisfaction!\" he chirped.  \nRita stopped a short distance from his desk and nodded, \"It is indeed. As were the  \napplicants you screened for my attendants. I wanted to thank you for all your assistance  \nyesterday.\"  \nTerrance grinned, \"It was an honor, Your Grace. You found who you needed then?\"  \n\"I did. I'll soon be ready to hold court. Ms. Fletcher informed me that you've been  \nmanaging my schedule. I should like to have access to that as well.\"  \nTerrance nodded amiably, \"Of course, Your Grace. Step around, and I'll show you.\"  \nRita trotted around the desk to stand beside the smaller gray fox. Standing, he would  \nhave been half a head shorter than her and was perhaps three-quarters her weight. Curiously,  \nRita noticed that he wore an oversized gray jacket that covered to mid-thigh even as he sat in  \nthe rolling desk chair. Rita turned her attention to the desktop computer as Terrance gave her  \nan overview of the system. Once she was confident she could navigate herself, she gave him a  \nfinal nod and turned to go.  \n\"Thank you again, Terrance. I see that the chief of police will be visiting me soon, so I'll  \nlet you get back to work. Perhaps you'd like to join me this evening for dinner, so I may thank  \nyou properly.\"  \nTerrance smiled, \"That sounds delightful, Your Grace. May I bring my wife? I'll never  \nhear the end of it if she doesn't get to meet you too.\"  \n\"The more the merrier! Bring your kids if you have them!\"  \n\"No kids, but thank you, Your Grace. I'll let my wife know. Where should we meet you?\"  \n\"The hotel's fare is quite satisfactory unless you wish to meet elsewhere.\"  \n\"The hotel works for me. Around six?\"  \nRita nodded, \"I'll see the two of you then.\"  \nRita returned to her office and sent Edgar to fetch her a cup of coffee, and before long,  \nthe chief of police, Lily Schulz, pushed her way through her door.  \n\"I'm pleased to see you survived the cultists' raid,'' Rita chirped as the characteristically  \nsurly bobcat tromped up to her desk.  \n\"So did you,\" the bobcat growled. She didn't sound altogether pleased, but she never  \ndid.  \n\"It would have been a pity to have to replace you,\" Rita returned. \"Sadly, many of your  \ncolleagues weren't so fortunate. I'll be selecting their replacements. I expect you to have them  \nready for duty as quickly as possible.\"  \n\"The officers I have can handle things for now,\" the bobcat growled.  \n\"I'm sure they can,\" Rita replied indulgently. \"But one never knows what might happen.  \nAfter such turmoil, I shouldn't be surprised if further unrest rears its head. We need to be  \nprepared.\"  \nThe bobcat narrowed her amber eyes dangerously, \"Are you planning something?\" she  \ngrowled softly.  \n\"'Are you planning something, Your Grace?'\" Rita scolded. \"Don't forget who you're  \nspeaking to.\" Rita was more annoyed that she didn't have an answer than that the bobcat had  \nneglected to use her title, but she didn't want to admit she had no definite plans. She was still  \nwaiting for a spark of inspiration and hoped it would come soon.  \nThe bobcat growled low but didn't reiterate her question. \"I'll do what I can.\"  \n\"That's all I ask for,\" Rita replied cheerfully. \"By the way, there's something else I need  \nyou to take care of. My pets have gone missing, and I should like them returned to me. I  \nassume you know who I'm referring to.\"  \nThe bobcat growled, \"Are you sure they're still alive?\"  \n\"Edgar confirmed as much. I expect they'd find their way back to me eventually, but if  \nyou happen to see them, send them my way.\"  \n\"Do you want me to issue a warrant?\"  \n\"Nothing so drastic yet. Let your officers know I wish to speak with them. I'll handle  \nthings from there.\"  \nThe bobcat hesitated a moment before growling again, \"Why'd you let them live?\"  \nRita smiled amusedly, \"They're rather a winning pair if you get to know them. You're  \nwelcome to visit once we've returned to the estate.\"  \nThe bobcat's grimace told Rita she wouldn't be likely to take her up on that offer, but she  \nnodded slightly. \"If that's all, I have work to do,\" she grumbled.  \n\"One more thing: I noticed one of your officers, a ginger feline, seemed to have some  \nsuspicions as to my involvement with the inspectors' disappearance. How do you suppose she  \ncame to that conclusion?\"  \nThe bobcat narrowed her eyes, \"I didn't say anything to her if that's what you're asking.\"  \n\"Someone may have. If she's going to be a problem-\"  \n\"She won't be,\" the bobcat cut her off sharply.  \nRita studied the surly cat for a few moments, \"I have your assurance on that?\"  \nShe nodded, \"I'll take care of her.\"  \nRita smiled, \"Thank you, Officer. As always, I'm glad I selected you for chief. You may  \ngo now.\"  \nThe bobcat bowed slightly and left without a word. She almost collided with Edgar as  \nshe stepped out the door, causing him to jump back. He cowered under her glare then hurried  \ninto the office when she turned away. Edgar quickly placed the cup of coffee on Rita's desk, and  \nshe gave him a reassuring smile. Things were shaping up just as she'd hoped.  \nThe rest of the day was uneventful. Rita contacted the puma, silver tabby, and badger  \nand asked whether they could start tomorrow. The tabby and badger responded that they would  \nneed a few days, but Rita told them she'd contact their employers and have things expedited.  \nThe puma was ready to start right away.  \nAt five, Rita returned to the hotel and found that her other dresses had been delivered.  \nShe changed into a sleeveless, midnight blue velvet gown. Edgar had nothing to wear, and Rita  \nleft him in her room as she descended to the dining area. A few minutes after six, Terrance led  \nhis wife in through the tall front doors, and Rita waved them over. Terrance was still dressed in  \nhis oversized jacket while his wife, who was slightly taller, wore a pink cocktail dress with  \nspaghetti straps. They stopped beside the square oak table.  \n\"This is my wife Sylvia,\" Terrance introduced the gray vixen.  \nRita gave the vixen her best winning smile, \"Please to meet you, Sylvia.\"  \nSylvia performed a quick, somewhat embarrassed curtsy, \"It's an honor, Your Grace!  \nTerrance has told me about how you saved the city. I wish I could be as brave as you! I didn't  \nknow what to do when Terrance was captured, but you rescued him and all of us!\"  \n\"I only did what any vixen would have done, kept my wits about me and took advantage  \nwhere I could. I'm sure you would have managed in my place,\" Rita replied as humbly as she  \ncould. \"Or even your husband, had he been in my place. I think I can say as much among fellow  \nfoxes: we're a wily bunch, easily a match for dull dogs or arrogant cats in most circumstances.\"  \nThe gray foxes exchanged a quick amused glance.  \n\"As you say, Your Grace,\" Terrance replied good-humoredly.  \nThey took their seats with Terrance sitting across from Rita and Sylvia sitting on her left.  \nRita had already ordered a bottle of merlot and served the two gray foxes whilst they looked  \nover the menu. Once the hotel skunk had taken their orders, Rita turned their conversation to  \nother aspects of recent events.  \n\"The cultists, or terrorists as the news calls them, were a curious lot,\" Rita expounded  \nconversationally. \"They were absolutely convinced that prey are oppressing predators simply by  \ndenying them the right to consume them.\"  \n\"They were maniacs,\" Terrance responded darkly. \"They forced us to eat prey too. Only  \nHeather and the Mayor resisted, and then they ate the Mayor too. I don't know how Heather is  \nstill sane; she must have a constitution of steel.\"  \n\"She is quite an impressive squirrel,\" Rita agreed. \"What did you think of the cultists'  \nthesis though? I personally had a difficult time evaluating its validity. I'm afraid I'm a bit cut off  \nfrom the struggles of the common folk on my estate. Have you ever felt prey take unfair  \nadvantage of their numbers?\"  \nTerrance frowned, and Sylvia looked disturbed. \"I haven't ever felt that way, Your  \nGrace,\" he answered awkwardly. \"There are more prey certainly, but that didn't prevent me or  \nthe other predators on the Council from being elected. I think most people look past that.\"  \n\"Would you say the opposite is true? Ms. Fletcher seemed convinced that prey are the  \nvictims of discrimination, at least in the workplace.\"  \n\"She would know better than me,\" Terrance replied. \"I suppose species-based  \ndiscrimination is illegal for a reason, but I'd like to hope it's not too common. I know how hard it  \ncan be to get others to look past your physical appearance.\"  \nRita cocked her head to the side curiously, \"Do you? I wouldn't think a handsome tod  \nsuch as yourself would have an issue. There isn't some bigotry against foxes I wasn't aware of,  \nis there?\"  \n\"Er, no, Your Grace. It's not that,\" Terrance replied awkwardly. He exchanged an  \nuncertain glance with his wife who gave him a nod of encouragement. He turned to Rita  \nhesitantly, \"I was assigned female at birth, Your Grace.\"  \n\"Oh!\" Rita yelped in surprise. Terrance flinched, and Rita quickly composed herself.  \n\"Sorry, Dear, I wouldn't have guessed is all. You do make a handsome tod.\"  \n\"He's the most handsome tod in Vulpineva,\" Sylvia stated, placing her hand on top of her  \nhusband's.  \n\"Don't tell that to Count Dubois,\" Rita quipped.  \nTerrance let out a snort of laughter, and Rita was glad to feel the tension of her blunder  \ndiffuse somewhat.  \nRita gave a little cough, \"Hem, as I was getting at before, the cultists had a rather odd  \nview of things. As you say, predators can still get elected, but perhaps there are other ways in  \nwhich their freedoms are limited. Not in eating prey of course--that's barbaric--but there is a  \nterrible amount of training predators have to go through. Do you find any of that limiting or  \nexcessive?\"  \n\"Certainly not!\" Sylvia declared. \"It's necessary!\"  \n\"I tend to agree with my wife,\" Terrance added. \"Maybe it is excessive for some  \npredators, but if anything, recent events show we need more training, not less.\"  \n\"I shall endeavor to devise some additional exercises then,\" Rita decided. \"I myself have  \nrecently found that developing an intimacy with particular prey bolsters one's regard for the  \nclass in general.\"  \nTerrance looked at her curiously, \"What do you have in mind, Your Grace?\"  \n\"I haven't worked out the particulars, but I'll discuss it with you and Ms. Fletcher when  \nI've decided,\" Rita replied airily.  \nTerrance nodded, \"I look forward to seeing what you come up with, Your Grace.\"  \nThe skunk returned with their meals. Rita had ordered the filet mignon, which was in fact  \nno different from any other filet of lab-grown beef. Rita assumed the hotel retained the outdated  \nterminology out of some absurd sense of cachet. Terrance had ordered roasted chicken, and  \nSylvia had ordered salmon.  \n\"You did say you had the opportunity to sample real meat, didn't you, Terrance?\" Rita  \nqueried conversationally once they had all had a few minutes to begin eating.  \nTerrance set down his fork and swallowed, looking disturbed and a little ill. \"I wouldn't  \ncall it an 'opportunity', Your Grace. I'll be having nightmares about it the rest of my life.\"  \nSylvia grasped his hand, and he looked at her gratefully.  \n\"Not many predators these days have tasted it though,\" Rita pressed. \"I found it rather  \ninteresting, nothing worth dying over but different in a not unpleasant way. It had a bit of an  \nherbal taste, didn't you think?\"  \nSylvia stared at her, aghast.  \nTerrance looked nauseous and regarded his dinner unhappily. \"Maybe I should have  \nordered something vegetarian,\" he murmured.  \n\"Dear me! I didn't mean to put you off your food!\" Rita exclaimed contritely. \"Let me  \nchange the subject. How do you like the wine? Would you like some more?\" Not waiting for an  \nanswer, she topped off his glass.  \nTerrance took a heavy gulp. \"The first day it was some poor opossum. They murdered  \nher right in front of us. I didn't even realize they were considered prey with their fangs. I'd never  \nseen someone killed before. They, they just snapped her neck.\" His visage took on a queasy  \nlook again, and then he took another gulp of wine.  \n\"I'm sorry you had to go through that,\" Rita responded sympathetically. \"I understand it's  \nhard for some people.\"  \n\"I, I'm glad you didn't have to see it, Your Grace,\" Terrance murmured hauntedly.  \n\"Oh, I've seen worse. I had to kill my prey myself, actually, and I had to finish off one or  \ntwo cultists. One does what one must when it comes down to it.\"  \nBoth gray foxes stared at her in horror. \"Th-they forced you to murder prey!?\" Sylvia  \nchoked.  \nRita regarded the horrified foxes placidly as she considered the correct response.  \nHowever, before she could offer the proper expression of regret, Sylvia leapt up and wrapped  \nher arms around Rita's shoulders in a tight hug.  \n\"I, I can't even imagine,\" the gray vixen murmured sympathetically. \"You poor thing.  \nYou're even braver than I thought.\"  \nRita hugged her back and gave what she hoped was a tearful sounding sniff. \"Thank  \nyou, Dear.\"  \nSylvia hugged her several more seconds before letting her go. The gray fox looked a bit  \nembarrassed as she broke away, but Rita gave her a reassuring smile. Sylvia returned to her  \nseat.  \n\"If you ever need to talk about it, I'm always available, Your Grace,\" Terrance put in  \nsympathetically.  \nRita nodded and was glad to leave it at that. For the remainder of the dinner, she turned  \nthe conversation to lighter topics until Terrance and Sylvia decided it was time to go.  \n\"We'd best be getting home,\" Terrance commented.  \nSylvia nodded in agreement, \"It was an honor to meet you, Your Grace.\"  \n\"It was a pleasure for me as well. We must have dinner again sometime,\" Rita  \nresponded.  \nShe and the other foxes stood. Sylvia gave her another hug, which Rita accepted  \ngraciously.  \n\"See you tomorrow, Your Grace,\" Terrance chirped.  \nRita bobbed her head in acknowledgement. \"Have a safe trip home.\"  \nThe gray foxes turned and trotted to the door, arm-in-arm. Rita watched them go, and  \nher eyes drifted down to the end of Terrance's long coat where his bushy black-tipped tail  \nemerged and bounced behind him along the tile floor. I suppose it covers her-. His! Rita pushed  \nthe thought aside; what the tod's jacket concealed was none of her business. What was  \nimportant was that he seemed prepared to assist her in whatever decisions she made, so long  \nas they didn't go too far. It was important to understand the sensibilities of those she was  \ncompelled to work with, and Rita now understood that the tod, and likely his predator  \ncolleagues, held no resentment toward prey. Everything would need to be framed within that  \nsentiment, as upholding the interests of predators and prey alike. Rita didn't suppose it would be  \ntoo challenging.  \nShe returned to her room and found Edgar waiting patiently. She didn't see any sign that  \nhe'd ordered room service.  \n\"Have you eaten?\" she queried.  \nHe shook his head.  \n\"Go ahead and order what you like. I'll be in the shower.\"  \n\"M-may I join you, Your Grace?\" Edgar asked hopefully.  \n\"No, I don't think so,\" Rita decided. \"Eat and then take your own shower. You may take  \nthe bed in the servant's quarters tonight.\"  \n\"Yes, Your Grace,\" Edgar murmured.  \nRita turned and trotted to the bathroom to prepare for bed. She knew the pine marten  \nwas disappointed at her denial, and that was appropriate. It simply wouldn't do to let her servant  \nget complacent, to think she owed him her time or caresses. She'd been grateful for his return,  \nbut now, he was her servant again. They weren't a couple and never would be.  \nAs Rita curled up alone in the comfortable bed at the end of the day, she contemplated  \nher plan for the citizens of Maplesburg. She had grown in respect for her rabbit pet over the  \ncourse of their cohabitation. Mightn't a similar arrangement of cohabitation foster greater  \nrespect between the predators and prey of Maplesburg? Prey would learn to trust their predator  \nneighbors, and predators would see that prey could handle themselves. With this greater sense  \nof respect and intimacy, such foolish notions of unfairness and oppression wouldn't take root. It  \nwould be her own little experiment, and if it went well, Philip would be certain to be impressed.  \nRita smirked at the irony that she might be the architect of such a reform. She would become  \nabove reproach, and the horror of her next prey victim would taste all the sweeter with that  \ngarnish.  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"The Murderess of Maplesburg: Reign of Terror","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2018920-chapter-8-new-villain-same-as-the-old-villain.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2019660-chapter-10-return.json"}}