Chapter 1: Are You Ready?
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“Are you ready?” Adam Carter asked.
The yellow eyes of the werewolf blinked in response.
“Then, go!”
The werewolf ran off into the darkness. It was risky, but this was the quickest way for them to find Ros and free her, and time wasn’t on their side.
Adam and Tariq waited impatiently, until Tariq’s phoned pinged. “It’s a message from Jo,” he said. “Ros has contacted her and Jo’s going to pick her up.”
“Go and find them,” Adam said. “I’ll wait for Lucas.”
A while later, Adam heard shouting. He could just make out some men waving their arms and then heading back towards the area where Section D had believed Ros to be held.
Shortly afterwards Adam’s phoned rang. He answered it and Tariq told him Lucas had managed to release Ros and then drawn her captives away.
“Right, as soon as Lucas gets back, we’ll leave,” Adam said.
It wasn’t long before he was joined by a wet and very smelly werewolf, the result, Adam presumed, of leading his pursuers into some very boggy ground.
Adam wrinkled his nose. “You smell disgusting,” he said.
The werewolf wagged his tail and proceeded to roll happily on the ground.
Chapter 2: Work Like A Dog
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“In the last two days, I have completely reconnoitred a manor house,” Lucas North said, “noting all the best access points.”
“And shaken lake water all over Harry,” Tariq added.
“Retrieved a hidden cache of weapons from an island without anyone noticing.”
“And made my car smell strongly of wet hound,” Adam replied.
“And provided backup for the team as you intercepted the terrorist planning meeting being held behind the butcher’s on Kensington High Street.”
“Before being amply rewarded with sausages and chicken wings,” Ros said.
“All in all,” Lucas concluded, “you could say I have worked like a dog!”
Chapter 3: A Good Reason
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Harry Pearce glared at the werewolf. “Why is he here?” he demanded. “And give me one good reason why he’s wearing a bow tie.”
“It’s a formal occasion,” Adam replied. “It’s a proper bow tie rather than a clip-on.”
The werewolf wagged its tail enthusiastically, being very proud of the bow tie. There was no mention of the amount of cursing which had gone into tying it correctly.
“He’s the only one who will get close enough to Kuznetsov to hear what’s being said,” Ros added.
“I concede the point, but it doesn’t mean I’m happy about it,” Harry replied.
Chapter 4: Get It Over With
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Harry Pearce glared at his captor. “Just shoot me. Get it over with,” he said.
“We’re waiting for your team to take the whole lot down,” the woman replied.
Harry glanced out of the window at the full moon. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that.”
Suddenly there was a scream. The woman cautiously opened the door and a werewolf charged in, knocking her over. Adam and Ros followed.
Adam released Harry. “Are you okay?”
“Apart from my trouser leg, which is now wet,” Harry replied.
Adam looked sternly at the werewolf. “That was a very naughty thing to do!”
Chapter 5: Having A Blast
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The ambassador had been surprised, but readily agreed, when Adam Carter had asked if it would be all right if he brought his dog to the party.
Now, the werewolf was having a wonderful time, begging for sausages from the barbecue, splashing in the ornamental pool and chasing after the bubbles produced by the giant bubble machine.
“Did you have to bring him?” Harry Pearce asked.
“Why not?” Adam replied. “He’s having a blast. And after all, Lucas did do a lot of the work in finding who was leaking the information, he deserved to join us as we celebrated.”
Chapter 6: Rash
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When Jo and Tariq reached the house, they were greeted by Adam saying, “Whatever you do, don’t laugh.”
They went in and Jo had to bite her lip, before she said, “I have to admit that’s the first time I’ve seen a werewolf wearing the cone of shame.”
“Lucas had a rash on his arm from a mosquito bite just before he changed,” Adam said. “And now as a werewolf he keeps trying to chew his front leg. I had to do something.”
The werewolf gave them a really piteous look and once more Jo had to bite her lip.
Chapter 7: Out Of My Chair!
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“Out!” Harry Pearce exclaimed. “Get out now!”
Those on the Grid looked round at each other. Apart from Adam, who had left the building fifteen minutes earlier, they were all present, so no-one knew who Harry was speaking to.
“I mean it!”
Jo got up to have a look. Harry’s door was open, and she cautiously peered round and then retreated, trying not to laugh. “Lucas is sitting on Harry’s chair and it appears he’s refusing to move.”
Harry came to his office doorway and said, “Tariq, come and get it out!”
Obediently, Tariq went into the office. “Come on,” he said, “you can’t stay there.”
Nothing happened.
“Don’t just talk to it. Pull it out!” Harry ordered.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Tariq said.
Ros went to join them. “Have you tried saying ‘please’?” she asked.
“If you think that’s such a good idea you can say ‘please’,” Harry replied.
“But you’re the one who wants to sit in the chair.”
Harry glared at Ros, then at Tariq and finally at the werewolf, before saying, “Please can I have my chair back.”
The werewolf jumped off the chair and trotted out of the office, wagging its tail.
Chapter 8: Dire Wolves
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Malcolm looked up from his computer and said, “You know, I think Lucas might be a dire werewolf.”
The werewolf in question hung its head, so Malcolm continued, “That’s actually a compliment.”
The werewolf stood up, trotted over to Malcolm, and rested his head on Malcolm’s leg, who absent-mindedly stroked him.
“Do explain,” Adam said.
“Dire wolves were more muscular.”
The werewolf flexed a front leg to demonstrate. Jo giggled.
“They were also heavier. And before you get any ideas about demonstrating that fact, you are not going to sit on me.”
The werewolf huffed but settled back on its haunches.
“And the ones they’re currently trying to breed are calm and shaggy.”
The werewolf gave a short howl, clearly objecting to being referred to as shaggy.
Ros said, “Keep the noise down over there. Some of us are trying to work.”
Adam said, “Anyway, you have to admit you are very shaggy, it takes ages to give you a good brush.”
“What did they eat?” Tariq asked.
“Horse, apparently.”
“Blrgh!” The werewolf pulled a face, making the others laugh.
“So next time Harry says you are dire,” Jo began.
“He still doesn’t mean it as a compliment,” Ros finished.
Chapter 9: The Sandwich
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“I’m sure I left my sandwich on the side, but it’s disappeared,” Jo complained.
“What was in it?” Malcolm asked.
“Pâté. I’d been looking forward to it all morning.”
“Speaking of disappeared,” Ros said. “Where’s Lucas? Tariq, weren’t you supposed to be keeping an eye on him?”
“He was here a minute ago,” Tariq replied.
“And so was Jo’s sandwich.”
“That furry menace has nicked my sandwich,” Jo exclaimed. “He must have slipped into Harry’s office to eat it in peace.”
“Tariq, go and get him out,” Ros ordered. “And take a brush and dustpan to clear up the crumbs.”
Chapter 10: Hungry Like The Wolf
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“Oy, get your head out!” Ros said firmly.
The werewolf reluctantly backed up a couple of steps, allowing Ros to close the fridge door. Then he tried to grab the contents of the plate Jo was taking through to the dining room.
“Not for you!” Jo said equally firmly.
“Sorry,” Adam said. “He had a pound of sausages before we came out, though you’d never believe it.”
Ros tossed a couple of beefburgers onto the floor, while the others went into the dining room.
Thirty seconds later the werewolf joined them.
“Sorry, mate, you’ve had yours,” Adam said.
The werewolf hung its head and whimpered.
“Don’t tease him,” Jo said. “It’s not fair!”
The werewolf trotted over to Jo and looked appealingly at her. She passed him a cocktail sausage roll.
“Don’t encourage him,” Adam said.
“I can’t resist those big eyes.”
“Who are you, Red Riding Hood?”
The werewolf’s head swung round and he raised his eyebrows at Adam.
“All right, I know, stereotypes!” Adam laughed.
The werewolf huffed.
Ros slid a roast chicken across the floor. “Here you are,” she said. “Enjoy it!”
The werewolf wagged his tail and bounded over to the corner, where he crunched contentedly.
Chapter 11: Snow
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Adam and Ros walked slowly through the snow-covered parkland.
“It is pretty,” Ros agreed. “And I don’t mind it for a day or two, but after that it can disappear as quickly as it arrived.”
They stopped as a whirling dervish hurtled past them, trying to catch the snowflakes as they continued to fall. It straightened up and took a flying leap into a bank of snow.
Adam and Ros both laughed as the werewolf disappeared completely from sight, emerging a few seconds later, shaking snow off its thick coat.
Ros checked her watch and said, “It’s time we went to meet the others.”
Adam whistled and the werewolf bounced over to join them, trotting sedately along until it spotted Tariq in the distance. It then bounded off to join him, leaving Adam and Ros to walk more slowly through the snow.
By the time they arrived Jo was throwing snowballs which the werewolf was leaping up and trying to catch. At first it wasn’t successful, but then it caught one which it spat out of its mouth pulling a face at the cold.
Adam laughed at the expression. “There’s no need to be such a special snowflake,” he said.
Chapter 12: In From The Wet
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“No don’t!” Jo began.
It was too late, and the werewolf coming out of the pouring rain onto the Grid shook vigorously and then looked hopefully at Jo’s chips.
“I only share my chips with good werewolves,” she said. “And you are a very naughty werewolf!”
The werewolf huffed and wandered off. Jo didn’t watch where he was going, seeing Adam coming onto the Grid.
“Where is he?” Adam asked. “I’ve brought a towel.”
“Too late,” Jo said ruefully.
There was a yell from Harry’s office, followed by a shout of, “Get out, you horrible wet mutt!”
“Much too late!”
Chapter 13: Boredom
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“How much longer do we have to stay in here?” Adam grumbled down the phone.
“Not much longer. We’re expecting them to be on the move within the next few hours. Is Lucas getting irritable?”
“No, he seems quite happy to wander round the patch of ground behind us and sprawl in front of the fire watching the box set of Goodnight Sweetheart Jo lent him.”
“That werewolf has some strange tastes!”
“And meanwhile I’m left twiddling my thumbs waiting for the action to start.”
“One moment! ... Right, tell Lucas it’s time to leave the 1940s, they’re heading your way!”
Chapter 14: Sharing the Bed
Notes:
Takes place early in the relationship
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Adam Carter lay in his bed and tried to sleep. It was quite sensible that the werewolf should spend the night shut up in a downstairs room, but nevertheless Adam did miss Lucas’ presence, regardless of whichever state he was in.
He noticed the bedroom door open slightly, and then there was the sound of padding paws, before he was squashed underneath a mass of fur.
“Very well,” Adam said. “You can share the bed. Just so long as you stay on your own side.”
The werewolf wriggled over and laid its head on the pillow with a contented sigh.
Chapter 15: Working in the Rain
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Adam stepped out of the car and pulled his collar up, trying to avoid the worst of the rain. He greeted Ros, who was waiting beneath her umbrella.
“Where’s Lucas?” she asked.
Adam opened the back door and pointed. The werewolf hunkered down further and put his paws over his nose.
“Out!” Adam ordered. “You have work to do.”
The werewolf whined and didn’t move.
“Okay, a whole roast chicken when we get back home, if you do your job.”
The werewolf wriggled towards the door but didn’t get out.
“Your favourite rug in front of the fire while you dry out.” Still no response. “Plus Mary Poppins on DVD.” Adam looked at Ros and said, “Don’t ask!”
The werewolf reluctantly climbed out of the car.
A message came through on Ros’ phone. She read it and said, “Time to go!”
The werewolf sloped off, keeping close to the undergrowth. They decided to wait in Ros’ car.
After a while Tariq phoned. “It worked like a dream. He’s on his way back. He seemed to think I’d give him a lift, but I’m not having a soaking wet werewolf in my car.”
“Some of us have no choice,” Adam muttered.
Chapter 16: Walking On Eggshells
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Adam walked onto the Grid and pointed to the space beneath his desk. “You go under there,” he ordered.
The werewolf slunk into position.
“What happened?” Tariq asked.
“You remember yesterday Jo said talking to Ros was like walking on eggshells?” Adam asked.
“Yes, Ros wasn’t happy,” Tariq agreed.
“Someone, mentioning no names, decided to experiment last night to see what that felt like. And I can assure you, walking on crushed eggshells in bare feet first thing in the morning is not to be recommended.”
“Oh dear!”
The werewolf groaned.
“Plus he’s now got bellyache from eating the eggs.”
Chapter 17: Buried Treasure
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The embassy official turned to Adam and said, “Your dog seems to be digging for treasure.”
“Oh dear, so he is,” Adam replied. “Ambrose! Ambrose, stop!” he ordered ineffectively. The large wolf-like animal ignored him and continued to dig enthusiastically.
“I’m terribly sorry,” Adam apologised. He wandered across the lawn, arriving just as the animal unearthed what appeared to be a cache of guns.
“Hmm,” Adam said. “I believe he has found treasure.”
The official glared at Adam, but remained silent, as the head of security hurried over.
Adam watched their silent interchange, then said, “I think we’d better leave.”
Chapter 18: A Loyal Friend
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“It must be lovely having such a loyal friend,” the woman said to Adam, referring to the large dog which was currently at his feet.
“He’s not loyal,” Adam replied. “He goes to anyone who offers him a roast chicken leg.”
The woman laughed. “I’m sure he still comes back to you.”
“Oh, he does. Just like you will return to your true masters after pretending to be loyal to this country.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She went to reach into her handbag, but the dog snapped his jaws on it.
“Not a good idea,” Adam said.
Chapter 19: No Strings Attached
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“What do you think goes on in a werewolf’s brain?” Adam asked.
“Werewolves in general, or one particular one?” Malcolm said.
“The one which is currently following Ros around picking up his paws in jerky movements.”
They both turned to watch him.
“Ros,” Malcolm said, “what was the last thing you said to Tariq before he went out?”
“Um, that I’d be happier joining the CIA this afternoon if I was confident there were no strings attached to our being there,” Ros replied, looking puzzled.
“There you have it. One werewolf demonstrating he can act without strings.”
“I give up!”
Chapter 20: Midsummer Bonfire
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The group dancing round the midsummer bonfire were surprised and rather delighted when a large dog joined them, bounding round the bonfire in great abandon. Then, all of a sudden, the hound sat down, raised its head, and howled to the moon. Several of the dancers copied it, the cider they had drunk having removed any reservations they might ordinarily have had.
They were still so engaged when a number of black-clad people arrived, swiftly arrested two of the group (who hadn’t joined in the drinking) and stamped out the bonfire, before removing various charred items which hadn’t yet succumbed to the flames.
Finally, there was only one from the new arrivals left, presumably the owner of the dog. The dog hung its head miserably as it looked at the bonfire, which was still smouldering. The man looked at the dog, shrugged his shoulders and started to kick some of the branches back into the bonfire, where they soon caught light again.
It wasn’t long before the bonfire was blazing brightly, and the dancing recommenced, the dog once more joining them.
Adam Carter stood back, leaning on a tree, and smiling at the werewolf who was happily living it up.
Chapter 21: Invitation to a Wedding
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“The invitation to Beth’s wedding has come,” Adam shouted as he retrieved the post. “But oddly it’s only addressed to me.”
“Good. I wasn’t looking forward to it,” Lucas muttered. “Now I needn’t go.”
“You’re invited as ring bearer.”
“What?”
“It’s full moon.” Adam read the note which had come with the invitation. “You’ll be provided with a bow tie to match the groom and best man. And Beth’s arranged for a full pampering service to get you ready.”
Lucas shuddered. “I can’t think of anything worse.”
“Your alter ego will adore it. You’ll have the time of your life.”
Chapter 22: Big Brave Werewolf
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Adam Carter looked down at the werewolf sitting in front of him and holding a front paw up in a pathetic manner.
“All right, I’ll have a look at it,” he said. As he examined the paw the werewolf whimpered pathetically. “It’s okay, it’s just a tiny thorn. You must have trodden on it as we came back through the woods. I’ve taken it out now.”
The werewolf continued to hold his paw in the air, a very woebegone expression on his face.
“Don’t tell me, you want it bandaged.”
There was a slight, sad, nod of the head, so Adam took a bandage out of the first aid kit he carried in his car boot, and expertly applied it. “For a big brave werewolf, you really are a colossal wimp,” he said.
Ros and Jo came over to join them.
“Is everything all right?” Ros asked.
“Yes, perfectly,” Adam replied. “Ignore the drama queen; there’s nothing wrong with him.”
Jo went over and rubbed the werewolf’s furry head. “You are a very brave werewolf, you took out the two gunmen all by yourself, so you deserve all the attention you can get.”
The werewolf wagged his tail in agreement.
Chapter 23: Bad Weather
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“Come on, it’s time we were going,” Adam called. When there was no sound of werewolf paws, he called louder, “I know there’s freezing fog and you don’t like getting cold, but we have a job to do.”
He ran upstairs and into the bedroom where the only evidence of any inhabitant was a few inches of snout poking out from under the duvet. As he approached the bed the werewolf snuggled down further.
Adam took out his phone. “Ros, we’re not coming in, I can’t get Lucas out of bed. No, not off, out, he’s hiding under the covers.”
Chapter 24: Kiss and Tell
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Even Harry Pearce found it hard not to smile when, after the minister had lectured the team on not kissing and telling, the werewolf faced Adam and Ros and pushed his snout towards their faces. Both pushed him away, and he turned back to the minister, thumping his tail, clearly pleased neither would succumb.
The minister laughed and said in a patronising tone, “Anyone would think your dog understood what I’d said.”
Harry glared at the rest of the team, daring them to laugh, although privately he agreed the werewolf had a better grasp of the situation than the minister.
Chapter 25: Transformation Problem
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Adam and Lucas checked into the hotel and, having received the room key, took the lift up to their room.
On entering, Adam looked round the room, most of which was taken up by the king-size bed and said, “This is hardly ideal for your transformation.”
“I should be okay,” Lucas replied. “The bathroom has enough room.”
“Well, if you’re sure.” Adam remained unconvinced, but nevertheless he and Lucas soon fell asleep in the bed.
Adam woke as dawn broke, with an instant thought of ‘wet dog’. He opened his eyes, to see the werewolf sleeping peacefully beside him, head on the pillow, which, Adam discovered when he felt it, was rather damp.
Adam got up and went to look in the bathroom, which he found strewn round with soaking wet towels. The shower was dripping slightly, so he switched it off firmly.
When the werewolf woke up, Adam said, “I presume the shower got knocked on during transformation and so you climbed into the shower to switch it off.”
The werewolf looked pleased with his accomplishment.
“Didn’t you think of coming to get me to turn it off for you?”
A raised eyebrow was the only response Adam received.
Chapter 26: A Romantic Film
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“You would never believe a werewolf could be so soft,” Ros commented as she joined Adam in the kitchen.
“That’s probably because he had a bath this morning, after last night, and I had to blow him dry with the hair dryer,” Adam replied.
“That wasn’t what I meant, although I agree, his fur is beautifully soft at the moment. He and Jo are currently watching a sloppy romance, and both are totally absorbed.”
“You have checked it has a happy ending,” Adam said in alarm. “He gets terribly upset otherwise.”
“Don’t worry. Apparently it’s something they’ve both seen before.”
Chapter 27: Only Trying To Help
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Ros and Malcolm were looking intently at Malcolm’s computer screen.
“I think Harry ought to see this,” Ros said.
The werewolf obediently trotted into Harry’s office, sausage roll in his mouth. Harry looked up and the werewolf bit down on the sausage roll, scattering pastry crumbs as he did so. He then shot back out of the office, Harry in pursuit.
“Oh, good,” Ros called. “I want to show you something.”
“Next time,” Harry replied, “just call me and don’t send the mutt in to get me.”
The werewolf merely smirked, finished his sausage roll and dribbled on Harry’s shoe.
Chapter 28: Keep Off The Grass
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“Oy, get that dog off the grass,” the irate parkkeeper shouted. He pointed at a sign, and said, “Can’t you read? It says, ‘No dogs!’”
Adam Carter whistled, and the werewolf glanced up, a package in his mouth. He trotted slowly back and wagged his tail at the parkkeeper.
The parkkeeper, still irate, pointed at the individual words on the sign. “It says, ‘No dogs!’”
The werewolf dropped the package at Adam’s feet, and then looked at the parkkeeper, before huffing and once more wagging his tail.
“And that includes you,” the parkkeeper snapped.
The werewolf simply raised an eyebrow.
Chapter 29: The Moonstone
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The werewolf pushed the pale blue stone around the floor with his nose, and then looked up, a puzzled expression on its face.
Jo picked it up and laughed. “It’s a moonstone,” she said. “It has a calming influence, and aids inner growth and strength. Malcolm’s going to clip it into a necklace to make a pendant for me.” She laughed again at the surprised expressions of the rest of Section D. “It will also have a transmitter on the back,” she added.
“It won’t be as accurate as some I’ve designed,” Malcolm said, “but in this case it will be practically undetectable. And no-one will think twice if Jo occasionally fiddles with it.”
The werewolf watched as Malcolm completed the pendant and handed it back to Jo.
“I’m sorry,” she said, “this is far too delicate for you.”
His head slumped, a picture of werewolf misery.
“If you really want one,” Malcolm said, “I could probably attach one to a collar. It would work well to disguise a transmitter.”
The werewolf wagged his tail enthusiastically.
“It does seem rather appropriate,” Jo said, “being a moonstone. They also help with trouble sleeping.”
“That has never been a problem!” Adam replied.
Chapter 30: Having A Rest
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The werewolf was sprawled out in the middle of the Grid, sleeping peacefully.
“What’s he doing there?” Ros asked, as she negotiated her way to her desk.
“He’s having a rest,” Adam said.
“Why? He didn’t do anything this morning except sun himself in the park and then paddle in the fountain.”
“Yes, but he spent a lot of the time thinking about things, which is why he’s having a rest.”
“What was he thinking about?”
There was an exclamation of annoyance from Harry’s office, followed by a shout of ‘Flaming Creature’.
“How best to annoy Harry, for a start.”
Chapter 31: Just Doing My Job!
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The werewolf slunk through the undergrowth before emerging into the patch of wasteland where two men were in earnest discussion. He crept up behind them, licking his lips. One of the men turned slightly toward the werewolf, who began to howl. Both men took to their heels, too alarmed to realise where they were heading and ran straight into the waiting arms of Section D.
The werewolf meanwhile pounced on the half-eaten burger meal dropped by one of the men in his fright. As Adam came towards him, he wagged his tail, burger and chips sticking out of his mouth.
Chapter 32: Poor Little Thing!
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“Why is that werewolf limping?” Harry demanded.
“Perhaps he’s hurt a paw,” Jo said. She went over. “Let me see.”
The werewolf pathetically raised a front leg. Jo gently felt around the leg and watched as the werewolf winced. She rubbed the sore part and said, “It’s much better than yesterday.”
“He wasn’t in wolf form yesterday,” Harry objected.
“No, but Lucas had a massive bruise on his arm. He said he wasn’t in any pain, but I doubt he was telling the truth.”
“Do we need to do anything?”
“Just give him some roast chicken, that’ll distract him sufficiently.”
Chapter 33: Fright Night
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“We need to keep the local kids away from this area tonight,” Ros said.
“It’s okay,” Jo replied. “It’s all in hand.”
When Ros returned later a head suddenly shot out from the bushes, something red dripping from its mouth. “You stupid mutt,” she said. “It’s me. You don’t need to scare me off. And what have you got round your mouth?”
Jo came to join her. “It’s jam. We tried tomato sauce, but that dripped too fast, the jam is nice and sticky and works well, as you saw.”
“Clever. And he can lick it off later, good plan!”
Chapter 34: Revolution
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The sound of howling came from underneath Adam’s desk, where the werewolf was watching a DVD.
“What on earth?” Ros demanded.
“He’s watching Casablanca,” Adam said. “He’ll have got to the part where they play La Marseillaise; he gets so wrapped up in it he sings along.”
“If he’s fond of revolutionary songs, I suppose we should be grateful he’s not watching Les Mis.”
“He’s not taken with it. And technically that’s not a revolution but a rebellion.”
“And this matters?”
“Apparently so. I’m not sure how much transfers between Lucas’ forms, but historical accuracy is one thing which does.”
Chapter 35: New Blankets
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“They do look very cosy together,” Ros Myers said to Adam Carter. She had just looked in on Jo and the werewolf, who’d been sitting together under a throw blanket happily watching White Christmas on DVD. “Is that a new blanket?”
“Yes,” Adam said. “I had to buy Lucas two this year. One, the bright red one with reindeer for the vulpine form, and another, dark blue with snowflakes, for the human form.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep. He looks at me with such a puppy dog expression in either form that I find it almost impossible to resist.”
“Just don’t tell Harry!”
Chapter 36: Warning Labels
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“Why is the heater no longer working?” Ros muttered crossly.
“You know it had a label on it, saying ‘do not cover’,” Jo replied.
“I supposed someone ignored that and put something on top. Oh, don’t tell me, a wet dog towel.”
“No, it wasn’t that.”
“I suppose that’s something. So do tell me what it was.”
“A wet dog, well, wet werewolf to be accurate.”
“What!”
“Yes. Tariq thought it the quickest way to dry him out.”
“Is he hurt?”
“No, Lucas is fine. But he jumped up when the heater made strange noises and accidentally knocked Tariq over.”
Chapter 37: The Missing Micro-Chip
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"Where is it?” Harry Pearce shouted. “We’ve spent all day tracing that micro-chip. Don’t tell me you’ve lost it!”
Jo looked almost in tears. “I don’t know. It must be somewhere around.”
“If that creature has swallowed it, I’ll…” Harry glared at the werewolf, which looked stonily back at him.
Adam came into the room. “What’s happened?”
“That bloody animal has swallowed the micro-chip,” Harry said.
“I can’t imagine he’d do that. I can’t even get him to take a pill when it’s wrapped up in sausage. He just sucks the sausage off and spits the pill back at me.”
“We could ask him to spit the micro-chip out,” Ros suggested.
“Do you want to have a job at the end of today?” Harry muttered.
Adam walked over to the werewolf. “Have you swallowed the micro-chip?” he asked.
The werewolf shook his head.
“Do you know where it is?”
The werewolf nodded.
“Would you like to show me where it is?”
The werewolf lifted one of his large front paws to reveal the micro-chip.
Harry stormed over and picked it up.
“I keep telling you, you only need to ask him politely,” Adam said.
Harry departed without a further word.
Chapter 38: Pi Day
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Harry Pearce stormed out of his office and glared round at the other occupants of the Grid.
“I had a pork pie on my desk,” he exploded, “which I had been planning to eat for my lunch. And now it is no longer there.”
“Ah,” Jo said. “There may have been a slight misunderstanding.”
“Explain!”
“Our CIA colleague was going on about Pi Day and when no-one seemed to understand, your furry friend went and got your pork pie for him. He was only trying to be helpful. And we didn’t think you’d want it back afterwards.”
“Blasted American dates!”
Chapter 39: His Choice
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Malcolm came onto the Grid, smiled at Adam. and looked at the werewolf, “Close your eyes,” he said.
The werewolf glanced at Adam, who nodded, so he obediently shut his eyes.
Malcolm strode over and fitted the new collar around the werewolf’s neck. Adam handed him a mirror which he held ready.
“You can open your eyes now.”
The werewolf complied and then admired his reflection in the mirror before bouncing round after his tail.
“I’m surprised you went for that colour,” Adam said.
“I asked him what he’d like, and he chose dark turquoise, so that’s what we used.”
Chapter 40: On The Beach
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The werewolf bounced across the sand, chasing after his beach ball, and followed it round the rock fall which led into the next bay and then out of sight.
Suddenly there was a sound of gunshots. The rest of Section D set off at a run, fearing the worst. Once over the rock fall, they spotted four people standing in a group on the beach, just in front of a boat which had been beached nearby. Ros Myers took out a warrant card and waved it in the air.
“Who fired the gun?” she demanded.
“It came from further round,” one of the men replied, waving his arm to indicate the direction.
At that moment, the werewolf emerged from behind a sand dune, where he had taken cover.
“Who shot at you?” Ros asked.
The werewolf instantly trotted towards the other man, who panicked and tried to leap into the boat.
“I don’t think so,” Ros said. She indicated to two of her officers to arrest him, and then, as the others also tried to escape, had them rounded up as well.
***
A few days later, back on the Grid, Harry Pearce emerged from his office, holding the expenses claim in his hand. “Why,” he asked, “am I being asked to authorise two beach balls? I’ll accept that you needed one as camouflage, but two?”
“Well,” Jo replied. “The first beach ball got washed out to sea while we were apprehending your suspects. The werewolf was very upset at losing it, so we had to buy him another one.”
“We’ve still got it in our house,” Lucas added. “I can bring it in if you’d like it.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Harry muttered, and departed back to his office.
“It seems that Harry doesn’t want to play ball,” Lucas said.
Chapter 41: A Happy Werewolf
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Harry walked onto the Grid and said, “I’d forgotten it was full moon tomorrow. What is he doing?”
Ros looked up. “You shouldn’t be able to see him. I thought he was under Adam’s desk.”
“Most of him is. But his tail’s sticking out and he seems to be wagging it.”
“He’s watching one of his DVDs,” Malcolm said. “Probably Singin’ in the Rain. I’ve wired up an addition to his DVD player so he can use his nose to rewind by five minutes and watch some of the songs again.”
Harry shook his head and went into his office.
Chapter 42: Werewolf Appreciation Day
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Harry Pearce walked onto the Grid and immediately saw the far wall decorated with bunting, which had clearly been repurposed from a previous event as it now said, ‘Werewolf Appreciation Day’. Looking towards Ros he raised an eyebrow.
“It seemed appropriate to show our werewolf how much we appreciate all he does for the team,” she said. “And now you’re here we can get on with the presentation. I’ve written you a short speech.”
Harry’s second eyebrow shot up to join the first, but they both descended as he read the words Ros had written.
He clapped his hands and, once he had everyone’s attention, said, “On behalf of the whole team I am delighted to present you with this gift of our appreciation.”
Tariq carried a cardboard box forward. The werewolf shoved his nose under the flap and opened the box, before shoving his head inside. He removed his head and gave a yip of pleasure. Tariq knelt down and took the present out of the box, to reveal a brand new, specially adapted, travel bed.
“Very nice,” Harry said. “Am I supposed to make a contribution or simply sign the expenses form?”
“A signature will do,” Ros grinned.
Chapter 43: Easter Parade
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Harry Pearce walked across the Grid and then stopped once more to watch the werewolf, who was sprawled on his side, all four paws waving around.
“Surely he’s not still watching Singin’ in the Rain,” Harry said.
Ros knelt down and to look under the desk. “No, he’s moved on to Easter Parade,” she replied. “I think he’s doing the werewolf equivalent of tap dancing.”
“Of course, he is,” Harry said. “Why didn’t I think of that? Please tell Adam when he gets back that I’ve authorised him to take tomorrow as compulsory leave.”
The werewolf’s tail began to wag.
Chapter 44: Not Just Rubbish
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“Leave that alone,” Tariq commanded the werewolf, who took no notice of him. Tariq put his hand on the werewolf’s collar and pulled him away, but the werewolf grabbed the packet between his jaws. “Very well, if you insist, bring it with you.”
The werewolf wagged his tail, and they went to meet Ros. The moment they reached her, the werewolf dropped the packet at her feet.
“What’s this?” she asked, bending down to pick it up.
“Just, some rubbish he insisted on bringing,” Tariq replied.
Ros looked more closely. “No, you’re wrong. It’s a message left by their agent.”
Chapter 45: In The Bag
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“Get your nose out,” Jo muttered, pushing the werewolf away from her bag.
“You know he’ll investigate if he thinks there’s anything edible in there,” Aam replied.
“They’re my library books!”
“You’d better show him.”
Jo pulled a face, but nevertheless took each book out of her bag one at a time, holding them up for the werewolf to read the title. He sniffed and then put a wet nose on one of them.
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll tell Adam to get you the audiobook.” She called over, “Adam, you need to download Cyril Hare’s ‘Short Stories’.
“Oh, very well!”
Chapter 46: The Thorn in the Paw
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The werewolf hobbled along, every so often limping on three paws. When Adam told him to give him the injured paw, he drew it towards himself protectively and whined.
Adam ignored the protest, took hold of the paw, and swiftly removed the thorn which was stuck in it. “See, you wimp, that was totally painless; you didn’t even notice it coming out.”
The werewolf looked at his paw, stood up and trotted off down the path, wagging his tail as if nothing had happened.
“And don’t go making out to Jo that you were seriously injured!” Adam called after him.