• Chapter 2


    "Lets have a chat with Rufus shall we?" Edmund tells you as you approach the Barton Boutique. Stepping into the store with him Ian is behind the counter & nods at him in recongition. "You better start keeping a leash on that furball." Edmund snarls at Ian. "What? Edmund?" the boy looked puzzled. "I found his scruff in my shop! In the back room, Ian! The back room! The Orchids have been destroyed! Every lat one! Do you know what this means?" the old mans face wrinkled as he spoke rather upsetly. "I...I..."Ian studdered. The reality was quite a shok to him. He could see the future crumble, Sasha would never look at him again. No. He couldnt live with that.

    "Theres no way Rufus had anything to do with it. We are friends, almost like brothers if you could ever have a cat as a brother." Ian protected his belived feline knowing he would do the same. "I just need to talk to him if he knows anything. He may be witholding vital information." Edmund was  calmer now. Ian called for the kitty & he came promptly. "Yes, Ian? Oh, Edmund. Nice to see you stop for a visit." the cat spoke politely. "Rufus where were you last night?" Edmund asked sternly. "I was taking a nap outside. What is this about, Edmund?" the cat became worried. "Were you in my shop for any reason last night?" "Not that I recall, no." the cat began to get nervous.

    "Rufus, I need to know. It concerns Ian." Edmund asked again. "No I was napping outside like I said! What about Ian?" Edmund explained what had happened. "If you know anything, if you saw or heard something tell me." Edmund persisted. "Lay off! He said he wasnt there!" Ian spoke abruptly with a tone. "Arguing among ourselfs wont help the situation any. Do we have any leads?" he asked. "Wait." the cat spoke up. I wasnt there last night but the day before. I heard a sound near Edmunds shop. I wasnt sure whod be there at that hour so I though Id peek in. No one was there. It was empty. I thought I was hearing things. Edmund pondered a moment. "Perhaps an old friend would know." his voice trailed off.

    The four of you stand knocking on the Gambino Mansions door. Johnny opened it after a long wait. Edmund doesnt bother with formalities &  the four of you push your way in, at which time the situation is explained. "I really dont know what to say, Edmund." Johnny replies. "I never did like that twerp, hell I have known women stronger than him." gesturing towards Ian whom stood to his side reguardless of the fact that he was standing in the same room with them. "Same could be said about your own." Edmund came to Ians defence. "Well I see no reason for the Von Helsons to be after him. They have left him along all this time since hes come out of hiding. Why start now? It just doesnt make any sence." Johnny pointed out. "And how would they have gotten weed killer into your sprinkler system?" "I keep a special type of water vat in the backroom, it uses spacific types of nutreiants in spacific amounts to balance out the Orchids as they grow. It's quite a delecate prosess." the thin older man explained the complications.

    "Wheres Gino?" Edmund asked suddenly. "I dont keep track of that boy. He comes & goes. Sometimes he visits that Liam. That boy sure knows how to party bawhahahahaw!" Johnny lets out a big laugh breaking the seriousness of the situation. "Perhaps I should rest a bit. Im still going to get to the bottiom of this but all this excitement has made me rather weary. For the time being lets all act as if everything is normal." You follow Edmund toward the door. "Oh, your still here?" You nod. "Well I suppose you can come along."