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Marcus was jolted awake as Harry's Jaguar hit a rut in the road. He glanced out the window and saw that it was still dark outside "We're almost there" Harry explained as they rounded a corner. The headlights picked out a neat and expensive looking garden square lined with white fronted mansion blocks. "Where are we?" Ayden asked, stretching and yawning as he awoke "Chelsea" Harry replied. Despite his tiredness, Ayden looked impressed "Ah nice, you must have done well" he mused. Harry pulled up outside his apartment building. The four climbed out of the car, retrieved their suitcases and Harry led them to the front door. The German Shepherd glanced over his shoulders and sniffed at the air. Satisfied that everything seemed safe, he took them inside. Harry's studio apartment was on the second floor, overlooking the square. Harry busied himself pulling dust covers off the furniture and putting fresh sheets on the bed "I'm afraid I've only got one bedroom and a camping bed on the floor with a sleeping bag" he explained "I'll take the sofa" Ayden announced as he lay down "and I could murder some cereal right now". Marcus felt hungry too, although it was night time in London, he would be getting up to go work on the beach had he been back in Australia. Harry had a look in the kitchen cupboards but shook his head apologetically "Nothing here. I do have a Chinese menu lying about somewhere, ah here it is". They made a collective order before unpacking their cases. Despite Marcus and Riley's protests, Harry allowed them to have the double bed while he took the sleeping bag.

The Chinese arrived and Marcus sat at the kitchen table with his laptop, trying to find more information on Hector Fawcett as he munched on a bag of Prawn crackers. He pulled up Fawcett's Wikipedia page;

Born: Hector John Roland Fawcett 23 March 1950, Leeds, England

Nationality: British

Species: Canine

Breed: Whippet

Hector Fawcett is a British businessfur and philanthropist who is the current president of EcoCore

Marcus scrolled through the article but the entries regarding Fawcett's upbringing and personal life told him little. He had attended a local school in Leeds but had not gone to university. It also claimed that he preferred to keep his personal life out of the media. Most of the page was dedicated to his business and charity work, which included digging water wells, reforestation and funding education in Third World nations. Intrigued, Marcus scrolled down to a section titled "Controversies"

Fawcett was a founding member of the now defunct commodities company Winters-Fawcett-Slobov, which later faced accusations of financing terrorist groups. Fawcett left the company a year after its founding and strongly denied any involvement. He was subsequently cleared of any wrong-doing following a police investigation. In a 2012 interview with the Economic Times, he stated that he was "shocked and appalled" by the revelations and "knew nothing" of what was going on. He claimed "It pains me that I'm associated with that company. I asked them to remove Fawcett from their name after I left. Joseph Winters seemed like a bright fur and never showed any hint of a nasty personality, so I was surprised when the accusations surfaced. However, it's not something I like to dwell on"

Harry sat down next to Marcus and glanced at the screen "For a billionaire and social activist, he's certainly a fur of mystery" Marcus said. He then searched on The Crystal's website and found a page detailing Fawcett's "It starts at eight tomorrow evening but it's invitation only" Marcus explained "otherwise I'd try and get in" "I have an idea" Harry said "you'll need to dress smartly but I have a tux that should fit you". Harry glanced over at the sofa. Riley and Ayden were cracking open their fortune cookies "I hope the fur who writes these has a day job to go back to" Ayden chuckled "I think it is their day job. Hey, this one says England will beat Australia forty-nil at the Rugby World Cup... not bloody likely!" Riley laughed. The pair began to squabble. Harry smiled "Your friends will be useful to my plan" he observed "and this may seem a strange question, but can you pickpocket?" "Admittedly, yeah I can" Marcus replied, looking half proud, half ashamed "Good, that might be your way inside. Then we'll need to listen to what Fawcett has to say in private. Wait here, I'll show you something that will do the job". Harry got up and retrieved a small cardboard box from his suitcase. He pulled out a couple of pellet-sized objects and what looked like an old fashioned Walkman with a seat of headphones "This model is a bit old I'm afraid, but these are bugs and a listening device. It was standard equipment when I worked for MI6 and I smuggled it out one day" Harry explained. He picked up one of the bugs and showed it to Marcus "Slip this into a fur's pocket or peel off the bottom and it sticks pretty well. Then you can listen to every word they say" Harry said "useful to know what your neighbours are doing" "Interesting, but I'm not sure I'd want to put one in Ayden's room" Marcus replied. Harry chuckled "No, but perhaps Fawcett will reveal something interesting to us. Right, here's what we're going to do". Harry explained his idea to Marcus who nodded, but initially hesitated "I can always do this instead" Harry offered "No, I can do it" Marcus asserted.

An hour later, Ayden had fallen asleep on the sofa with his tail draped over his stomach. Marcus also excused himself and went to bed, drifting off almost immediately. Riley had changed into pyjama shorts and a wifebeater, but he couldn't sleep. He sat and the table and was joined by Harry "I don't think I've properly introduced myself, I'm Riley Harris" he said, extending a paw "Harry Pelham" Harry replied as he shook it "you sound far from home" "It's my first time in the UK" Riley admitted "It's funny how we share a common language, culture and taste in sport, yet live so far away" Harry mused. They sat in silence for a minute "How did you and Marc meet?" Riley asked "you weren't ever..." he trailed off "Mated? No" Harry filled in. He glanced at the bedroom door which was ajar, he could just make out the figure of Marcus "A few years ago, he made a profile on a dating site that I also used. He was basically soliciting himself" Harry said, choosing the word carefully "he messaged me one day. I'd just broken up with my mate. Even at my age, that sort of thing can cloud your judgement. So I accepted his offer and he came to my house. It was raining and the poor wolf turned up soaking wet. I could tell there was something different about him, he seemed unsure of himself. So we never did anything sexual. I gave him some clean clothes and we sat in the kitchen and just chatted. That's how we became friends. He told me about himself, well, flashes of his past anyway. I didn't know the true identity of his real father until now" "I didn't know either" Riley explained with a sigh "he's the best friend I've ever had". He glanced at the bedroom door. Harry cocked his ears in curiosity as he read something in Riley's intense expression. He was about to speak but stopped himself, deciding it was best for the Dingo to work out his feelings for "I'm going to bed" Harry said, yawning "we'll probably have a difficult day tomorrow". Riley made his way to the bedroom, closing the door behind him. He got into bed gently, not wanting to wake Marcus. The wolf's paw was lying by his side and part of Riley wanted to take hold of it. He refrained, "maybe next time" he thought to himself.

The four furs spent the next day discussing and rehearsing the plan. Marcus also tried on Harry's tuxedo "It fits well. You'll need to look like you belong there, be cool and confident" Harry instructed. The time came and they piled into Harry's Jaguar. Harry had changed into a suit in an attempt to look like a chauffeur. They drove across the city as the sun began to set. The Crystal was located near Broadgate. It was a spike shaped skyscraper that seemed to pierce the sky and towered menacingly over the older, historical buildings of London "I uncovered the building's blueprints on the internet after a bit of digging" Harry explained as he drove "it's mostly offices, but the top five floors are occupied by a hotel where the event is taking place, and Fawcett's private apartment". They drove past the entrance. Marcus could see a line of BMWs and Mercedes dropping off furs of all species, all dressed in suits or evening gowns. Harry pulled into a narrow side street "Right, you two get into position" he said to Ayden and Riley. The pair jumped out of the car and Harry drove back around the block. He pulled up behind the line of cars "Okay Marc, you're on" Harry said. He got out and opened the door "There you go sir" he said "I like that, let's keep it" Marcus joked, trying to hide his nerves "Cheeky sod" Harry muttered with a grin. Marcus joined the line behind an Ermine couple. The female Ermine was wearing a gaudy sequined dress and holding a clutch bag. Marcus noticed it was open and the plastic rectangle of a ticket was poking out. He looked up and saw Ayden and Riley getting ready. "I said I want to beat bad furs up, but I don't wanna hit you" Ayden said apprehensively "Same here. At least we're only faking, but it's got to look real" Riley whispered back "Hmm, think of something we both do that annoys each other" Ayden said "We'd be here all night" Riley muttered "I mean you piss over the toilet with the seat down, leave the fridge open, had sex with that Lion on my bed..." "That was only once and I changed your sheets!" Ayden cut in "Burn food, sing like you're being strangled" Riley continued "Why are we waiting..." Ayden began singing quietly, shooting Riley a sly grin "But most of all, I hate that face you do!" Riley growled, lunging at Ayden. The furs in the line turned in shock at the sound of yelping and growling as Riley and Ayden began brawling "What on Earth?" The female ermine exclaimed as she turned to look. Quick as a flash, Marcus reached forwards and swiped the ticket from her bag "Oi, you two!" A Bull security guard yelled. Riley and Ayden stopped fighting and ran for it. The line moved forwards, now muttering in amazement amongst themselves. Another Bull in a dark suit beckoned Marcus over. He scanned his ticket and waved him inside "Charles, I'm sure the ticket was in my bag" Marcus heard the ermine say. He hurried indoors, wanting to get away quickly.

The Crystal's lobby was faceless and modern, constructed out of glass and grey marble. The guests were all ushered along to a bank of elevators and Marcus got in just as the doors closed. A fox operator told the group that the elevators were the fastest in the world, and sure enough they arrived at the top of the building in twenty seconds. The doors opened into a wide, circular space with floor to ceiling windows built into the sides. Marcus couldn't help but marvel at the view, it was breath taking but not for the fainthearted. The endless expanse of the sky was a dark red before gradually turning a deep blue as the sun set. The lights of London stretched off into the distance like an illuminated spider's web. Cars as small as toys hurried along the roads below. Furs off all species were mingling around while waiters hovered with trays of champagne and canapés. Marcus strode purposely forwards and took a glass, hoping to blend in. In the centre of the room stood a raised platform with the EcoCore logo projected onto a pillar behind it. Everyone turned as someone took to the platform and Marcus saw the figure was a tall and thin black whippet dressed in a white suit with a blood red tie and matching silk handkerchief. It was Hector Fawcett. "Good evening ladies and gentlefurs, welcome" he announced, his voice was deep and well-spoken, "thank you so much for joining me on what is a very important occasion. Tonight is about having fun but also discussing serious issues affecting our planet. Every year, we lose a vast patch of rainforest. Not only does that destroy our eco-system and deprive us of a vital source of oxygen, but it damages the home of indigenous South American tribes. That is why all money raised tonight will go towards my reforestation programme to ensure that for every tree lost, another will grow!" He announced. There was enthusiastic applause. Fawcett smiled "In the meantime, eat, drink and enjoy fantastic view". He left the stage and a few furs walked over, wanting to speak to him. Marcus approached Fawcett cautiously with one of the bugs in his paw. The Whippet was distracted by a Jackal journalist trying to get an interview. Marcus brushed past and slipped the bug into Fawcett's pocket. He made his way to the other side of the room and pretended to admire the view. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a Horse in a security uniform appear and usher Fawcett away. Marcus hung back for a second before putting his glass down and following. The Horse led Fawcett down a corridor and to another elevator. Marcus peered around the corner and watched as Fawcett got in and the doors slid shut. The Horse remained standing outside. Marcus walked back towards the party but took a diversion into a bathroom. Locking himself into a cubicle, he took out Harry's listening device and slipped the headphones on. Down below in the side street, Ayden and Riley had joined Harry back in his Jaguar "How did it go?" Harry asked "He got inside, and we managed to have a realistic punch up without hurting each other" Ayden explained. Riley nodded in agreement "You were a surprisingly good fighter, but did you have to grope at my balls and sheath?" Riley replied "Sorry, I'm a gay vulpine of habit" Ayden replied with a shrug. Harry glanced back up at the skyscraper with a concerned expression. "I just hope Marc makes it out safely. I told him to get away as soon as he had enough information" Harry said. The three furs sat in silence, waiting with baited breath.

It took a minute for the device to find a signal. There was a crackle followed by the distinct sound of Fawcett's voice. Marcus turned up the volume and strained his ears to listen "The Queen is ready to move on with the plan to kill The King, she's confident The Pawn will show up" Marcus heard the Whippet say. There was another voice, but it was inaudible "The Bishop is holed up in Norway" Fawcett added. Marcus frowned, what was Fawcett talking about? "How will you deal with him Gordon?" the other voice said, finally reaching the bug's range "Don't use that name. Gordon Hendricks is dead. I'm tracing all remaining records and having them destroyed" Fawcett said "The Bishop will be dealt with. We have to ensure that The Pawn never gets to him". Marcus pressed the headphones to his ears. Fawcett was certainly discussing something important, but it sounded like a bunch of riddles, and who was Gordon Hendricks? Marcus knew he had stumbled across another mystery that needed unravelling "Once we have The Pawn in place and The King and Bishop are dead, The Link will be purged of all dissidents and we will back stronger than ever" Fawcett continued. At least that confirmed that Fawcett was connected to The Link as Harry had suspected "Sir" a third voice said "I told you I wasn't to be interrupted" Fawcett snapped "Sir, you have to see this". There was the muffled sound of movement "Interesting, it seems The Pawn has indeed arrived" Fawcett said. Suddenly, there was a loud crash that was not from the headphones and Marcus looked up in alarm. The Horse security guard had kicked the cubicle door open and was standing with his arms across his chest, "Well, well, well. It seems we have a gate-crasher" he sneered, grinning malevolently "you're in deep shit, wolf boy".