\n Wolfie Steel: Private Eye
\n\n Written by Wolfie Steel
\n\n Part 3.
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\n\n We make it back to the truck, before I start the engine I make the call to Alpine Electronics, I arrange a meeting involving me, Trip, Daniel and Spencer to be held at Doberman Manor, with the agreement settled Trip turns to me with a worried look on his face.
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\n\n "So, this is it, after the meeting I will be turned over to the guys from Alpine, they will make sure that I'm put into jail for the rest of my life"
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\n\n I look at the young Wolf with a serious look on my face and make my reply.
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\n\n "If I have anything to do with it, you will come out of this on top, you could have told me that you had no idea what I was talking about when I asked you about the chip, or you could have said that you had no idea where your mother had hidden it, but instead you took me straight to it. One thing I do know for sure is that there is no way on god's earth that I'm going to let the guys from Alpine or the police, arrest you"
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\n\n I can tell that the boy is still not completely convinced that I will stay true to my word, so I guess that my actions are going to have to speak louder than my words. I put the key in the ignition and fire up the trucks engine, the journey back to Doberman Manor is done in complete silence.
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\n\n As I pull up to the gates of the mansion they open wide to let me through, I drive up to the front of the house and shut off the trucks engine, Trip sits in the passenger's seat, his mind completely blown that he is just feet away from the doorstep of one of the richest furs in the world. Finally Trip finds his voice.
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\n\n "I don't know why I'm so nervous; there is no way that I will be seeing Linkin Doberman today, he is probably at his office in China, or the US"
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\n\n I let out a small giggle as I make my reply.
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\n\n "I don't want to make your nerves even worse or anything, but, just inside those thick mahogany doors is an Argentinean Doberman, and he knows all about you, hell I'm pretty much certain that he will be sitting in on the meeting that we are about to have"
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\n\n As if to make the boys nerves even more fragile the main doors to the mansion open to reveal a business suited Linkin Doberman. I get out of my truck and begin to walk towards Linkin, but he meets me half way, what happened next totally blew my passenger's mind, instead of shaking my paw, Linkin kissed me firmly on the muzzle, after the kiss Linkin walks to the passenger side of my truck and opens the door, Trip sits there amazed and begins to stutter.
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\n\n "L...Linkin D...Doberman, k....kissing a male, am I dreaming?"
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\n\n Linkin lets out a hearty belly laugh as he offers his paw to the young wolf and makes his reply.
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\n\n "Yes Mr. La Tain, Linkin Doberman, CEO of Dobersoft and one of the richest guys around, is gay and has quite a soft spot for Wolfie Steel, but I'm also one very shrewd operator when it comes to business, and today that business is keeping you out of jail. Wolfie has really gone out on a limb for you, if it had just been me I would have handed you over to the police or the security services, but I'm not going to, because I trust Wolfie 200 per cent, and more, I trust him with my life, so if he tells me that he wants to mentor you, then that is good enough for me, now the guys from Alpine Electronics will be here in five minutes, so I suggest that we head into the main room and wait"
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\n\n Linkin turns and leads the way into the mansion while myself and Trip follow on behind, as we enter the great house a gasp escapes Trip's muzzle, his head turning this way and that taking in the splendour of Doberman Manor. We head into the main room where we find Todd Styles neatly dressed in his uniform and waiting for the great dog to speak.
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\n\n "Mr. Styles, I would appreciate it if you would bring us tea for four and a soft drink for Wolfie please"
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\n\n The Fox gently nods his head, he knows all too well that I never drink hot drinks and knows exactly what to bring me instead. With the Fox out of the room, Linkin motions for us to sit, as our butts hit the leather of the couch the buzzer sounds on the gates entry system, Linkin giggles as he walks to the intercom.
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\n\n "Damn these guys must really want this chip back, they are early"
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\n\n Linkin opens the gates so that the security guys from Alpine Electronics can enter the grounds, they park next to my truck and are met at the door by Linkin.
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\n\n "Gentlemen, welcome to Doberman Manor, please follow me into the main room"
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\n\n The Lion and Wolf both follow Linkin into the main room and take a seat on the couch opposite us, I introduce the guys to Trip and then the Lion speaks up.
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\n\n "Kid you are one lucky son of a bi..... I mean fur, you were looking at a hefty prison term for continuing to hold onto stolen property, but as long as we get the chip back we are happy to hand you over to the custody of Mr. Steel"
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\n\n As the Lion finishes his speech, Todd enters with the drinks tray; he then sets it down onto the coffee table and begins to pour the drinks. We all take our drinks as Linkin dismisses the Fox from the room.
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\n\n After the drinks are finished I stand from the couch and motion for Trip to stand next to me, he nervously stands.
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\n\n "Now then Trip, I believe that you have something that these gentlemen want, so it is time to hand it back"
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\n\n The Lion stands from his seat as Trip nervously walks around the coffee table, he dips his paw into his pocket and retrieves the box holding the chip and then he hands it over to the Lion, as the exchange is made, the Lions partner stands and walks towards me with a briefcase in his paws, he lays the briefcase on the coffee table and then opens it. As he opens it, he speaks.
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\n\n "You know Mr. Steel, you have done well, you will make one hell of a good private investigator, as agreed we now hand over this briefcase with three hundred thousand pounds to you, you also get custody of Mr. La Tain. Our interest in him is now over. We will keep your name and number on our files, who knows maybe one day we can put some more business your way"
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\n\n The wolf offers me his paw which I gladly shake, the lion then follows suit, with the pleasantries out of the way Linkin leads the two security guys back out to their car. Trip sits on the couch still in shock to find that he is still a free wolf; I soon break him out of his trance.
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\n\n "You see Trip, there are those out there that can be trusted, take me for instance, when I tell you that I'm going to keep you out of paw cuffs and give you a job, my boy you can trust that that is what I will do, now that we have the reward money, it's time to do something with it"
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\n\n Trip lets out a sigh, and I know all too well what the sigh means, there on the coffee table is the money he could use to clear off his debts and be happy in life, but he knows that to take the money he would have to get through me, Linkin and Todd. I close down the top of the briefcase and pick it up from the coffee table, a sly smirk on my muzzle; it's time to start Trip's new life.
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\n\n "Trip my boy, time for us to head off to the bank, having this money here makes me nervous"
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\n\n Trip stands from his seat and follows me out to my truck, once at the truck we begin the journey back into town. I park outside the bank and both Trip and I head inside, we wait for a few minutes until the next teller becomes available, we head to the tellers window, the teller recognises me instantly as I have been banking with them for many years.
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\n\n "Ah welcome Mr. Steel and I see you have a friend with you, now how can I be of service to you this morning?"
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\n\n I look at Trip and let out a slight chuckle as I know full well that what I'm about to do will blow his young mind.
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\n\n "I have a large deposit to make and I would also like to open a new account if I may"
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\n\n The teller, a young male Bull, starts to rub his hands together.
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\n\n "Well Mr. Steel, you are in luck, your accounts manager is in and is free to help you with your transactions, if you would both like to take a seat I will let Mr. Allen know that you are here"
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\n\n Trip and I head over to the waiting area as the bull makes his way into the back office. We have been sat in the chairs for no more than a minute when a large well dressed horse makes his appearance.
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\n\n "Well as I live and breathe, Mr. Steel it is indeed a pleasure to see you again, please come into my office and I will help you in any way that I can"
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\n\n Trip and I follow the horse into an office and sit in the seats provided, the horse sits at his desk and logs into his computer.
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\n\n "Now then Mr. Steel, I've been made aware that you have a large deposit to make and that you would like to open a new account?"
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\n\n I gently nod my head and the horse continues.
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\n\n So let's deal with the new account first, I take it that it will be in your name?"
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\n\n I look at Trip and make my reply.
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\n\n "No sir the account will be in the name of Mr. Trip La Tain, but at the moment I will open it because Mr. La Tain has no ID"
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\n\n Trip looks at me with shock plastered all over his face. The horse gently nods and then speaks again.
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\n\n "How much will you be putting into the new account?"
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\n\n I look at Trip and give him a soft smile as I reply.
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\n\n "One hundred thousand pounds is to be put into Mr. La Tain's account, the other two hundred thousand will go into my account"
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\n\n As soon as I say the amount Trip instantly passes out in the chair, this causes concern for the horse as he stands from behind his desk, I leave the briefcase on the horse's desk as I stand and pick the young wolf up in my arms.
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\n\n "Mr. Allen, I would appreciate it if you would make all of the arrangements for me and distribute the money into the correct accounts, any receipts that are produced for the transactions please either send them to me care of Doberman Manor, or keep them here until I come in with another deposit"
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\n\n Again the horse silently nods and opens the door for me so that I can carry Trip's unconscious body from the bank and back to my truck.
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\n\n Back at my house, which I have named Tony's place in memory of my first love, Mikey and Leo are busy training when they hear the phone ring, Leo answers the call.
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\n\n "Hello, Steel Private Investigator Leo Steel at your service"
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\n\n A male with a South African accent makes his reply.
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\n\n "Hi, I was wondering if it would be possible to speak to Mr. Wolfie Steel, please?"
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\n\n Leo motions Mikey to get him a note pad and a pen to take down any messages and then makes his reply.
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\n\n "I'm sorry sir, but my father is out on business at the moment, but I expect him to return within the hour, can I take your name and number and get my father to call you back?"
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\n\n The caller speaks again.
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\n\n "You say that you expect him within the hour, ok tell him that Mr. Klien will be waiting for him at the Victoria Road Café, and tell him that I have a case that he may be interested in"
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\n\n Leo makes a note of everything that the caller has said and assures him that upon my arrival home that he will give me the message.
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\n\n Trip and I are almost back at Doberman Manor before he comes round, he looks at me in a dream like state.
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\n\n "Mr. Steel, I just had one of the weirdest dreams ever, well at least I think it was a dream, though it actually felt real. I dreamt that we had just been to the bank and that you had deposited a large amount of money into a new account made just for me"
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\n\n He lets out a slight giggle as he recounts the dream, he was not prepared for what I was about to tell him.
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\n\n "Well Trip, there is a reason as to why it felt so real... because it was real, you now have one hundred thousand pounds in a bank account, now you can use that money as you see fit, on one condition, please don't waste it, I mean you need to buy some new clothes, and I've no doubt that you will want to get a game system of some description and a computer and laptop, those items I do not consider as a waste of money. If you work with me, with each case that we complete you will get a cut of any money that we get, but I don't want money to corrupt you, so I would like you to keep some to one side for college"
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\n\n Trip still has a shocked look on his face, but he nods his agreement. We soon arrive at the gates of Doberman Manor; I drive through the open gates and head towards my home, as we drive down the driveway I tell Trip all about what happened only a few years before, Trip snivels as he makes his reply.
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\n\n "You truly have had the worst luck when it comes to love, and yet you still carry on where others would have given up"
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\n\n Trip lets out a gasp as the house comes into view, like Doberman Manor it is a Tudor style house, but a more modern interpretation. I pull up in front of the house and instantly the front door is thrown open by Mikey and Leo, they rush to the truck to greet me which unnerves Trip a little.
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\n\n "Relax Trip, these two bundles of energy are my two boys, the Dobey is Leo and the Lab is Mikey"
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\n\n We both get out of the truck and I introduce the two boys to Trip, its then that Leo gives me the message.
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\n\n "Oh by the way dad, someone called about fifteen minutes ago, said they had a case that you might like to take on, the guys name is Mr. Klien and he says that he will wait for you at the Victoria Road Café"
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\n\n Before Leo has even finished his sentence Trip is sat back in the truck, so I give Mikey and Leo a quick hug and then head back out to the café where I had picked up my first case.
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\n\n We arrive after a ten minute drive, both Trip and I exit the truck and then enter the café, I quickly order two drinks for us, as the drinks are being served I look around the café to see if I can spot anyone that looks like they need a Private Investigator, suddenly my eyes catch a sight which makes me wonder if I'm hallucinating, in a booth in the back corner of the café sits a lonely Rottweiler, the guy behind the counter hands me the drinks.
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\n\n "Oh yeah, sorry Mr. Steel, that Rottweiler over there asked me to point you in his direction, he said something about having some business for you"
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\n\n I take our drinks and both Trip and I walk slowly towards the Rottweiler, as soon as I get close enough I can see him clearly, which makes me pass out and fall to the floor. Seconds later I'm coming round and I see Trip kneeling one side of me, and the Rottweiler is kneeling the other side of me and has my head resting in his paws, the Rottweiler speaks.
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\n\n "Are you alright Mr. Steel?"
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\n\n I let out a slight whimper as I take in the features of the Rottweiler, in almost every way this guy is a carbon copy of Tony, differences, well he speaks with a South African accent for one, and maybe an extra tan spot here and there, and probably is a little taller too, but other than that it is like seeing a ghost.
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\n\n After a few minutes Trip and the Rottie lead me back to the table where I sit and just stare straight ahead, two more drinks are brought over with me having dropped the first two. Trip sits next to me with a confused look on his face while the Rottie sits opposite me, I now know that I have to explain myself to the Rottie, but it will also mean bringing up the memory of my lover.
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\n\n "My apologies sir, it's just that my brain went into complete overload when I saw you, because you are almost a dead ringer for my late partner Tony Steel"
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\n\n The Rottie makes his reply.
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\n\n "Oh Mr. Steel I'm so sorry, look if this is too much for you then I will find another Investigator"
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\n\n I quickly reply.
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\n\n "Oh no sir, please I beg of you, whatever the case is I will take it, it will just take me a little while to adjust to seeing you"
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\n\n The Rottie seems to consider his options and then nods his head; he then begins to outline the case.
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\n\n "Ok, well first of all, my name is Rottie Klien; I found your name on the internet so I decided to give you a try, you see I have tried so many other detective agencies in the past and none of them have been able to help me, you see three years ago almost to the day, my mate left our apartment to buy some groceries, but he never returned, there has been no word from him since that day, and no one has seen him"
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\n\n The Rottie starts to sob a little so I offer him a napkin from the table; he takes the napkin and blows his nose before continuing.
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\n\n "Nathan and I were due to be married three days after he disappeared, I just need to know what has happened to him, has he found somebody else and didn't have the heart to tell me, or has he met with some kind of accident? I guess what I'm saying is that I need some closure"
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\n\n So this is it, my first missing person case and for a guy that could so easily be Tony. I outline my costs for the Rottie and he just nods his head in agreement, he then hands me a card with his cell phone number on it, he also hands me a photograph of his mate Nathan.
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\n\n "Mr. Steel, if you find Nathan, please tell him that I miss him"
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\n\n I assure the Rottie that I will pass on the message and that I will do my very best to find his mate. With that the Rottweiler leaves the café allowing Trip and I to talk over everything that has just happened.
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