Hood - 8

Mr. Big was more than pleased to see his grand-daughter’s godmother, offering her welcoming kisses on the cheek as Judy waved to Fru Fru, heading over to see the new baby.

As the two ladies minded their own business, Nick smiled and leaned on Mr. Big’s table and smiled.

“Listen, Sir, I have a favour to ask of you.”

Mr. Big took out his cigar and glanced up at Nick. He extended his hand and Nick kissed the ring gingerly.

“You may speak.”

“There’s a case going on right now; about Robin Wilde.”

Mr. Big sighed and let out a large cloud of cigar smoke. Well, relatively large.

“Oh, that troublemaker. Listen, I don’t know what you want me to do, but I don’t work with thieves, got it?”

“Oh, of course sir… We’re here because of someone you might know; Ratson.”

Nick showed the vole a picture of the ring as well as Ratson himself, one of the few photos available of the reclusive smith.

“Ah, Ratson. He’s a close friend. I’d tell you more, but there’s a price for my tongue.”

“Sure, what’s the price?”

“Your father.”

Nick froze for a moment. Would he be willing to give up his father to a crime lord where he’d probably be killed? Sure, he resented his dad, but to did he hate him enough to send him to his death? Mr. big noticed Nick’s conflict and jabbed his cigar at the fox.

“Don’t try anything funny with me, Wilde. Your father owes me a small fortune. He was lucky the cops got to him first.” Mr. Big growled.

Shuffling his feet, Nick glanced at the picture of Mr. Big’s grandmother. Buried in a rug made of skunk butt fur… As hilarious as the thought was, he still felt a pang of guilt.

Nick stood there for a moment before looking Mr. Big in the eyes.

“… You’ve got yourself a deal.” He extended a finger which Mr. Big shook.

“Excellent. I won’t give you a time limit on account of her,” He gestured towards Judy who was absolutely captivated by the tiny vole baby, “But I expect to see him in front of me, in person. Understood, Wilde?”

Nick nodded and kissed Mr. Big’s ring again.

“Very good. Here’s what you’ll need to get in.”

He beckoned one of his henchmen over and whispered something into his ear. He left the room for a moment and returned with two rings emblazoned with “M.B”.

“He only accepts visits from people who know someone who knows him.” The polar bear handed the rings to Nick. He slipped one of them onto his ring finger. It was a perfect fit. The simple yet effective mechanism hidden within the ring slid open smoothly, ensuring the ring would fit any recipient.

“The two of you had better not expose your identities. He’ll have your head if he finds out.” Mr. Big waved his henchman away before nodding to Nick.

“Yeah, I’ve talked to him before. Thanks, sir.” Nick bowed quickly and called to Judy to leave. She seemed a little dismayed; the only things that could distract her from work were kids and she seemed genuinely sad that she had to go so soon.

“Put this on, Carrots.” He handed her the other ring which she promptly slipped onto her own ring finger. Again, it was a perfect fit as the mechanism expanded to encompass her finger size.

“Well, you seem a little invested in this case.” Judy admired the ring as he climbed into the cruiser’s passenger seat. Nick was already firing up the engine.

“It’s my dad. I’d be kidding myself if I said I wasn’t going to try...” The car rolled off onto the main street towards Ratson’s.