D...chapter four

Chapter 4
Christophe moved away from the house, a sharkish smile on his face. He
wasn't paying much attention to his surroundings, so he didn't notice
when Georges joined him, slipping out of the dark like a languid shadow
creature. He looked questioningly at Christophe. Christophe tilted his
head towards him, but it took a second to tear himself away from his
thoughts.

"Ah, Georges, I wasn't expecting you quite yet." Georges shrugged, but
his eyes were bright with interest,

"Well? Is it true?" Christophe nodded,

"Yeah, they are. But it isn't them that is causing all the trouble. My
guess is that they are hot on the trail of whoever is." Georges looked
relieved,

"That's good. I am starting to really get to like Anjelica." Christophe
frowned, not bothering to hide his dismay. Georges was hurt by
this,

"You really need to get over it, you know. She is so sweet and caring."
Christophe kicked a rock idly then said in a matter of fact
voice,

"Rule number one, never get seriously involved with someone of a
questionable nature. Rule number two, if they are among the suspects
then you should be shot." Christophe's eyes glittered with malice, and
Georges was taken aback. He fell into silence, while they walked.

Christophe started to feel a little guilty for his harshness, and
said,

"I am sorry. I should not have said that, but I don't want this to be
jeopardized. My whole career rides on this, you know that." Georges
whipped around on Christophe,

"And mine doesn't?" Christophe blinked.

"Well, yes, but you are the one jeopardizing your own career, please do
not ruin mine as well." Georges looked sad for a moment, like the world
was trying to tear him apart for some reason.

* * *

The day was warm, and Marin ran into Mon at the grocery store. She was
cruising through the dairy isle, looking for something remotely
healthy. To no avail, her eyes kept wondering back toward the Kozy
Shack chocolate pudding. Finally she gave up, and got the
pudding.

"Hmmm&;#8230;at it again?" Marin turned about in surprise to see Mon
looking down at her darkly. He shifted his weight about, looking very
uncomfortable. Marin asked,

"Yes?" Mon flinched and said,

"I am sorry for the way I acted." Marin picked up a couple Yoplait's
and said,

"Don't push others around, hold your temper more, and then consider it
forgotten." Mon nodded, grateful. Marin moved away, and Mon
asked,

"Uh, what are you getting next?" Marin looked back at him, and
smirked,

"Spinach bagels." Mon blanched, he was strictly carnivore and the mere
thought of eating anything else tended to make him sick. Marin on the
other hand enjoyed nearly everything except cooked vegetables.

"How can you stand that stuff?" Marin looked at him as if he gone crazy
right before her eyes,

"Because it is good!" Mon shrugged,

"I have to get going. I will see you later, ok?" Marin nodded with a
smile, and after he was gone, she hummed to herself, while she crossed
all the back to the other side of the side to the fruits and
vegetables,

"Not expecting to see you here." A familiar smug voice said. Marin
wondered for a moment how many more people she was going to run into.
She turned, flashing her brightest smile, the one that people who knew
her shied away from.

"Hello Christophe." Christophe grinned at her. Marin said
innocently,

"No Paris?" Christophe flinched,

"No, you know she kind of gets to you after a while." Marin
chuckled,

"I know, trust me I do." Christophe watched as she picked and chose
through the fruits and vegetables, choosing only what she liked,
carrots, and pears, green grapes, and plums. He asked,

"Can you eat that? You know, being a were cat and all?" Marin said, her
eyes watching Christophe with great interest,

"You know, I have never had anyone ask me that. But it depends on the
person. Me and Anjelica like a lot of dairy, and fruits and breads and
stuff along with meat, Paris is pretty even, although if you gave her a
choice, it would be a nice rare steak every time. Jaq gets in his
moods, where he'll crave nothing but raw meat, and he likes to hunt at
night, up at sugarloaf for that. He also loves his pasta however. Mon
can't handle dairy, or pasta. Fruits and vegetables, a little, but only
if it goes with the meat." Christophe looked surprised. Marin decided
that she rather liked him when he didn't look all calculating and
cold.

Christophe followed Marin around, watching with a subtle fascination.
Marin enjoyed the attention, it was cute and endearing.

"So, who is Mon?" he asked suddenly, Marin looked blank a moment, then
a light seemed to go on in her head,

"Mon! You haven't met him, have you?" Marin looked at Christophe, a
touch of suspicion settling in around er eyes, and her mouth, "Mon is a
good friend of ours. Like us. Kind of moody at times, and very
controlling. Reminds us all of Hitler at times, when he gets all
childish and starts throwing his fits. But we love him anyway." She
said, then, "But I will let you get on with your own shopping, I am
finished, bye!" With a fake grin, she left, her eyes dark, and probing.
Christophe nodded, and headed back to the cereal isle where Georges was
looking at Frosted Flakes. Georges rambled,

"You know, when I was little, Tony the Tiger scared me." Christophe
snapped,

"She isn't as slow as the others. She was willing to give up some
information, but no doubt she would be watching us the same as we watch
them, because she knows that something's up. And she doesn't like."
Georges shrugged,

"You can sooth her, you're good at that." Georges grabbed a box of the
honey nut Cheerios and tossed it to Christophe,

"Since when did you start thinking for other people, anyway?"
Christophe shrugged,

"Look, I want to go talk to this Mon guy. Want to come with?" Georges
shook his head,

"Meeting Anjelica for lunch today." Christophe frowned, and Georges
asked, as if the thought suddenly occurred to him, "Are you jealous??"
Christophe suddenly looked offended and tossed the box back to Georges
as he walked away,

"Of course not."

TO BE CONTINUED&;#8230;