Re-Order

“As you can see from the footage you have just been shown, there are protests breaking out all over Urgway City. We are currently joined by Urgway’s Head Detective, Detective Barker.” 

Barker watched the camera pan around to him; he gave a nod, adjusting his collar. 

“Now, Barker, we know this has been a tough time for all the sheriff’s departments across the city, detectives and patrolmen have been working around the clock, but no one has had a tougher time than you, so we want to say we appreciate the time you are taking to talk with us this morning.”

The newscaster was not truly appreciative. Barker knew the mask that all reporters wore. As soon as he left the show, they would talk about how he should be stepping away to create peace across the city. They would insinuate that somehow, he was responsible for the idiots lining the streets. 

“I am glad to help,” Barker said. He could lie with the best of the newscasters. 

“Could you first tell us what started all of this?” the newscaster asked. 

Barker had a real answer that he felt brewing inside him. He wanted to say it was because of all those who had downcast canines across Maharris. He wanted to say it was that fox, Hensley Noel. However, that was not the politically correct answer. 

“Fear of the unknown. You see, when people fear something, they tend to revolt against it without reason. A week ago, the Mayor went missing, presumed to be dead. It was uncovered that he lived a not so pristine second-live. After his death, it was thought that the council would take over the act of governing the city. However, a bill from the former Mayor has made it impossible for them to do so without a governing head; that position falls intermittent to the Head Law Enforcement Agent, that, currently being me. The city has continued their backward views brought on by non-savory individuals in the past. Now, pack behavior is spreading across the city and people are not thinking clearly,” Barker replied, instead of saying his true feelings. 

“We have hours of footage from your patrol member’s body-cams showing what the scene on the streets is today and for the past week. After viewing those videos, have you given any thought to stepping down from your current position?”

Barker hated talking heads. 

“I will not succumb to the animalistic hate that is brewing in those streets. I will work my best to get these people off the street so, that way, hard-working, law abiding, citizens of Urgway can get back to their daily lives. This is not about me. This is about how good people are supposed to act during tough times. I did not ask for this position, but I am here now and this falls upon my shoulders to see it through,” Barker replied, trying to keep his calm under the duress. 

“Even with all the protestors clearly stating that you stepping down would stop the riots all across the city?” the newscaster stated. 

Barker adjusted his tie again. The newsman was merely reading off a prompter. These questions were not of his own volition, they were those of a producer in the back. It did nothing to make Barker like him anymore. 

“When there is a problem in the city, people pick up the phone and call the police. If there is danger, people call the police. The police are here to correct poor behavioral choices. Right now, my police units are busy correcting the entitlement of backwards views. To stand down in the face of adversity is not how I became the Head Detective of Urgway,” Barker replied. 

The newscaster nodded his head, “it is my understanding that you have not formally met with the council of Urgway. Is this correct?” 

The council, truthfully, had not been on Barker’s radar. It was one of the few things he had not expected to be such a royal pain. Then again, he had failed to envision the streets rampaging over the anger of a canine running for mayor. Barker should have known better. He should have known people would lose their heads. Canines were not respected or liked in Urgway. They were not liked in many places in Maharris, but Barker would see that all come to a change. 

“That is a correct assessment. The council and I have not formally had an engagement to this date,” Barker replied. 

He was trying to stay cordial for as long as he could hold out. Being in the limelight was hard but being a hot head in the limelight was a recipe for disaster. 

“Are there any plans for you to meet together?” the newscaster poked. 

No matter how much Barker would have preferred to skip the pleasantries with the elected council, he was informed that there would be no avoiding it, “we actually have a meeting later this after-noon. There, we will discuss our next steps as a united front. We will come at this together, I fully expect their support and guidance during these times,” Barker lied. 

He expected the first word from their mouths would be, resign. They would urge him to ride off into the sunset. He could hear them encouraging him to take his pension and never be heard from again. That was not who Barker was, unfortunately for them. 

“So, word from the Mayor’s office should be trickling down by this evening on what will unfold in this case?” the newscaster asked. 

Barker nodded, adjusting his tie, “sometime this evening, we will have come to a formal conclusion on how to proceed during these trying times,” Barker said. 

The newscaster nodded, “ladies and gentlemen, we will be bringing in political analyst Brock Jones after the commercial break. We appreciate your time with us today, Detective Barker. We look forward to hearing a resolution to the prior week’s issues,” the talking head nodded Barker off the set. 

“No problem,” Barker said, taking the microphone from his lapel. 

“Detective Barker, this way,” said a man in all black. Barker had been flanked by his own detective unit for several days now. It made it hard to do anything privately, including taking a crap. 

Barker followed the dog. They had gone over the escape route several times during the morning preparations. They would circle around the set, through the back hall, then out the fire exit on the side of the building. There, a non-descript vehicle would pick Barker up, taking him back to the Mayor’s office. 

He had not been lying when he told the newscaster he had not spoken to the city council. They tried to call him over a hundred times in the last few days. He decided to make them sweat it out with the rest of the city. He knew exactly what they wanted this meeting for. When he gave it to them yesterday evening, he knew that they would ask him to step down. 

They would not like his reply on the morning news. They would like it even less when he gave them the same reply during their meeting this afternoon. 

“Right this way, sir,” said the dog. 

Barker turned down the hallway, making his way toward the marked exit. 

Out the front doors would have been over a hundred media reporters. There would have also been nearly three hundred protestors who traveled anywhere they knew Barker would be. Barker was not sad to miss them this morning. He had been promised that the side door to the newsroom was completely hidden from public view. He would open the door and find himself in an alleyway behind the news station headquarters. 

The dog in front of him pressed open the door. They had disabled the alarm long enough for Barker to make his exit. 

Barker heard the commotion before he saw the line of protesters in the alleyway. 

“Those lying pieces of…” the dog was saying. Barker lost the rest of his sentence to the growing crowd, but he could figure out the gist of it. 

“What are we going to do now?” the dog asked. 

Barker pressed out the door, passed his guard. He had not wanted the guard. That had been the council’s request. 

“I am just trying to get to my car,” Barker said, holding up his hand. 

The crowd did not part. They could have not heard him over the commotion but, likely, they just did not care what he had to say. 

“You are filth, dog!” called a woman from Barker’s side. 

There were other comments that were less pleasant about his canine species. Some of the others made slights against his mother and family. A few even called him a murderer, which was not far from the truth, but they had no way of knowing that. 

Barker pressed passed them. So far, the protestors had been nothing more than loud, obnoxious, and sometimes, they did a few hundred dollars-worth of property damage. Barker was not scared for his life. 

The dog behind him was pressing through, trying to make a way for Barker to get to the car that was parked at the back-end of the alleyway. 

Barker was about ten feet away from the car when the first rock missed him by an inch. It bounced off the car, leaving a good-sized dent in the black metal. Barker turned, looking over his shoulder. 

“So much for the crowds being non-violent,” he said in a whisper. 

He did not see who had thrown the rock, but with the angry faces staring back at him, it could have been anyone. 

The second rock missed him again, shattering the window. Glass scattered all across the alley. Barker scanned the crowd again but did not see who had thrown the rock until it was too late. 

The older, skinny rat’s arm drew back, throwing the rock with quite a bit of force. It spun through the air, gaining speed, all the way until it smacked off the ridge of Barker’s eye. 

Barker brought his arms up to block any more projectiles. The dog behind him jumped in front of Barker, pushing him toward the car. 

The crowd, feeding on the panic, dove after Barker as the door shut behind him. The driver stepped on the gas, leaving Barker’s dog guard behind. 

Barker looked back, out of the rear window. The dog guard was being swarmed now. Barker could see the animals kicking him and screaming. 

“Get units out to this alley,” Barker called to the driver. “I want all these animals arrested right now!” he yelled. 

* * *

Urgway had known only one mayor for over two decades. They had become so accustom to the large gorilla in the upper window of the Grand Iuris, or better known across the city as the Glass Building. 

Now, the city had watched a second mayor ascend into the picture view. They had known him a short time before Barker sent him fading into the sunset. 

It was his turn to stand, staring out the window into the city. Barker had always marveled at the view of the mayor’s office. Not because of the beauty of Urgway, there was little beauty in a city like this. It was the fact that you could see it all from here. You could see all the lies, secrets, crimes, and hatred from this window. 

Barker looked down to the animal-lined streets. They had shut down the roadways to any non-essential traffic. The only cars coming in or out of the street were city officials. Even then, it was hard to come or go from the building. 

Animals had heard about the morning scuffle outside UMN news station. Some had gone home after the violence. More came out, knowing that the city was turning. 

Barker turned toward the television. He wanted to know what the talking heads had to say about his morning run in. However, now, they were talking about a young burned boy. Barker recalled that the case was one of the white fox Vulpecula’s. The child in question had been a Doberman. The newscasters were trying to speculate if Barker’s rise to power had been a key turning point in cases like this. 

Barker reached over to the desk, turning the program off. He had other things to worry about. He would not be taking blame for idiot animals and their prejudice views. 

Barker rolled his shoulders, trying to release some of the tension. He had not slept in two days, trying to figure out how to use this to his advantage. He had known taking out Scep was going to be difficult in the after-math. He had not taken into consideration the hive mind of animals. They were rebelling at a much higher rate than he had anticipated. 

Barker turned back to the window. He could not read the protestors signs from this high up, but he knew what they said. They called for him to leave the building, the job, and preferably, the city. Barker would not give anyone that satisfaction. 

The door opened to the office. Barker glanced over his shoulder seeing the white-haired secretary. He had promoted her to the upper floor. He loathed the idea of training a new coffee fetcher. 

“What can I do for you?” Barker asked. 

“Oh no, I have everything taken care of, sir,” she stammered. 

Barker wondered if she would ever grow comfortable around him; he hoped not. 

“Why, then, are you here?” he asked. 

“Oh, yes, well, you said to let you know when the council entered the building, sir,” she said. 

Barker gave a sigh. He knew the meeting was coming. He had been the one to invite the council to the mayor’s quarters. He had secretly hoped that the protestors would have impeded them. It seemed he would not be getting that lucky. 

“Have them come in when they get up here,” Barker said. 

The Maltese nodded, shutting the door behind her. 

Barker straightened his shoulders and adjusted his tie before taking a seat behind the monster he called a desk. 

It took over five minutes for the council members to join him in the office. He imagined them smugly scouring the front entrances. He could see them talking to the growing crowd. He even half expected that they were giving quotes to all the major newspaper reporters. 

When he heard the elevator ding, he adjusted his collar again. He grabbed a book from the side of his desk, opening it to a random page. He leaned back, pretending to be reading the material. 

The rapping on the door was the soft knuckles of his secretary. 

“Allow them in,” Barker said. 

The door glided open, allowing five council members to step over the threshold of his new office. Barker closed the book dramatically, sliding it back onto the desk. 

“Great of you to join me here,” he said. 

Barker did not bother to stand in greeting. He had no interest in pleasantries with these people. He had only one goal in mind for them, and that was to get them to leave him alone. 

“Bring in extra seats,” Barker said to his secretary. 

She made a mad dash for the door. 

“Everyone take a seat. She will be back in a moment with more,” Barker said. 

Three of the council members slowly lowered themselves into the provided chairs. Barker made note of them. 

The oldest member of the council was a wrinkled and hairless cat. Barker was not sure if Mr. Ember had always been hairless or if it had been age that stole his fur. 

The only woman on the council was a prim and proper lemur. Her shoulder pads were large, and her posture was uptight. Barker thought he may have liked her in another life but not this one. 

The other three members were a nondescript lot. They were a cougar, a chinchilla, and a beaver. None of them looked like they had any idea what was actually going on around them. 

The white-haired secretary scurried back into the room, placing two more chairs onto the office floor. Barker waved her out, she moved just as fast to leave, shutting the door softly behind her. 

Barker leaned back in his chair. 

“I figure this meeting topic will be quite easy to ascertain,” Barker said. 

The oldest member of the council, Mr. Ember nodded in reply, “we have already had our chance to go over the situation. I am sure you have witnessed the streets?” he asked. 

Barker shrugged his shoulders, “I have been pretty busy,” he said, pointing to the book on the desk. “It is a romance novel. It tells the story of a dog in love,” Barker said. 

Mr. Ember did not look amused by Barker’s chastising. Barker found he did not care much for what Mr. Ember wanted. 

“This is a serious situation, Mr. Barker,” said the woman council member. 

Barker knew very little about Mrs. Cromswell. She lived a very quiet personal life. 

“Very serious,” Barker replied to her. He leaned forward, placing his elbows onto the office desk. 

“Then act as if you are not a child,” she said. 

Barker smiled, “I apologize, Mrs., what I meant to say is that I have not worried about the pointless protesting of those who only wish to get their way. I have issued those who incited violence arrested this morning. The others, well, they will disperse, or further action will be taken,” Barker said. 

None of the council looked to agree with his assessment of the situation. Barker had known as much before they had entered the room. He knew what their meetings had concluded. He could see it on their faces from the moment they walked in. Even more so, he had read it over the last few days in every newspaper he picked up. 

Mr. Ember was shaking his head most vehemently. It was hard to tell behind all his wrinkles, but Barker was sure the cat was clenching his teeth. 

“You do realize what species it is you present to the greater city of Urgway? To all of Maharris?” Mr. Ember spat. 

Barker could tell that out of all the members, Ember loathed him the most. 

“I represent the law enforcement. I do not suppose you mean to say that canines are lower breed?” Barker asked. 

He knew the answer to that question. Each member of the council hated dogs. If they had any choice, the canines across Maharris would be locked in cages. Political correctness called that animalism and would lose them votes amongst the more liberal of minds. 

“I mean that the species of canine is one of fear. Be that fair to all dogs or not. It was a scant time ago that all animals were held at force by the canines. Maybe you can recall a certain group called The Canes?” Mr. Ember was almost yelling now. 

Barker reached up, adjusting his collar. He took a moment to study each face in front of him. None of them looked abashed or embarrassed by Mr. Ember’s outburst. In fact, Barker would take a guess that these were the words from all the council members, just out of their leader’s mouth. 

“I grew up under the shadow of the group you call The Canes. If anyone knows who those men are, it is me,” Barker knew that not a one of them knew how true that actually was. “I grew up in the streets of Urgway. I grew up being hated for my species. I grew up being ridiculed because I resembled Canes’ leaders. You think that when you caught the members of The Canes that the world became sunshine?” Barker tried to keep his voice level and controlled. He did not want the same venom that Mr. Ember was pressing. He knew that he would lose them if they felt attacked. “You would be wrong to think that I could forget The Canes and what they did. However, I can remember even more vividly what other animals did after. Noel thought he was changing the world when he brought down The Canes. He just changed the status quo.” 

None of the council jumped at the silence. Each of them stared directly to the floor. Barker would not win them over, but at least he had given them pause. 

“I stand for the law,” Barker said again. This time, he stood up from his office chair. He moved toward the window, peering down into the street. More and more animals were joining the fray outside. 

Barker assumed that, by now, the news had played that there was a meeting occurring at the mayor’s office. The streets would be so packed with protestors that Barker would have to stay in the office again this evening. 

“What plan do you propose then, Detective?” the beaver, Mr. Yardly, asked. 

Barker adjusted his tie. There was only one plan of action for the unruly behavior of a mob. 

“The plan is simple,” Barker said, turning around to face them. “I plan to arrest every single protestor in the streets. I will pack the city jails so tightly that everyone will become claustrophobic. I will see this city put back to civility, at least as civil as a city like Urgway can be,” Barker said. 

Barker was sure that the council would have more to say. They may even try to dissuade his order to the departments. Barker did not stick around to listen to them, however. He opened the door to the office, walking away from the meeting. 

“Put out a memo,” he ordered his secretary. 

She looked up from her notes, “what would you like me to say?” she asked. 

“I want you to inform all units that protestors are to be arrested at the first sign of civil unrest,” Barker said. 

The secretary nodded, “I will do it right away,” she replied. 

Barker walked toward the elevator. He could not leave the building at the moment, but he had another office to avoid the council members. 

* * *

“It is with sad hearts, that today we report young Milo Green, of Marybeth County, has died from wounds sustained during yesterday evening’s protesting. We have brought in discrimination specialist Rod Rothstein to help us understand what actually happened.” 

Barker flipped off the television. He did not need Rod to tell him what happened to the young canine. It was the city of Urgway trying to purge canines from existence. It had always been, since Barker was a child. It was now at the forefront. People were seeing what animalism was like first hand. To some, it made their stomachs roil to see it on their screens. To others, it made them feel emboldened, brave enough to kill a young child. 

To everyone, it was a look into the mirror of reality. This was what the world was; a hostile cesspit of decrepit violence, hostility, and hatred. 

Barker hit the button on his intercom, “did you get the request to all the proper channels?” he asked. 

The voice of the white Maltese replied, “I sent them to every head of office, except for Marybeth, just like you asked me to.” 

Barker did not offer a thank you. The Maltese was doing what she was paid to do. Barker leaned back again in his chair. He had not left the confines of the office in almost two days. He had extra suits, a shower, and a cot to sleep on in the office. All told, it was honestly no worse off than his small city apartment. 

What bothered him the most was the fact he was being treated like a prisoner. Not only that, but he was going to lose the special election at this rate. What was the point of killing Scep if some other idiot took his place?

Barker sighed, standing up from his chair. His detective office did not offer him the view of the streets that the Mayor’s office had, but, when he stepped into that office, it felt like a weight fell onto his shoulders. He could still see the judging face of Mr. Ember and his crew of council members. 

The intercom cracked, “Detective?” said the woman’s voice on the other end. 

Barker thought about not answering her. He doubted that she had anything pleasant to inform him of. He still went to the desk, pushing the button down, “what is it?” he asked. 

“You have two messages,” she replied. 

Barker figured the messages were more requests for him to step away from his post. He had gotten requests, pleas, threats, and some bribes over the course of the last few days. 

“Who are they from?” Barker asked. 

“One is from Detective Vulpecula, from Marybeth County Department and the other is from Mr. Ember, of the city council,” she replied. 

Barker could hear her typing as she spoke. She had transcribed the messages for him; she was very efficient about keeping written documentation. 

“What does the fox want?” Barker asked. 

Barker wondered for a moment if the fox detective had jumped onto the bandwagon. Would he be calling for Barker’s job? He remembered the paper taglines, ‘Rescue’s own, hot and moving up the ranks,’ he had thrown the paper into the trash without reading the column. 

“He has requested time to come in about the Water Lily case. He says that you requested this and would like to follow up with you,” she replied. 

Barker adjusted his tie. Vulpecula was still running the side case of the Water Lily. Coupled with the movement outside, this was collapsing fast on Barker. 

“Bring him in tomorrow afternoon,” Barker said. 

He would deal with the fox one way or another, he thought. 

“Do you want the message from Mr. Ember now as well?” the secretary asked. 

Barker did not want the message. He knew what the message was going to say. Mr. Ember was beyond heated at the call for arrest of the protestors. He complained about the limits of his officers and the jail cell capacity. He also mumbled on about the rights to freedom of speech, but Barker ignored all that. 

“What does he want now?” Barker asked. 

“He wants to inform you that, with the death of Milo Green, he is willing to back the proclamation of arresting protestors. He suggested a joint meeting at Tilly Academy,” she said. 

Barker felt his heart skip a beat. That was not the reaction he had planned for. He controlled his excitement, “inform him I will be available tomorrow morning,” Barker said. 

There was silence for a moment, “I have put it into your calendar and will call him back promptly,” said the woman. 

Barker moved back around to his seat. Every large-scale operation that had ever come about had many opportunities to fail and yet, somehow, they had preserved. This was a speed bump, not a dead end.

* * *

Tilly Police Academy was the home to the training grounds of Urgway City. Due to this it was the largest Academy in the State of Urgway. The auditorium alone held over seven hundred officers at one time, comfortably. Today, no one was comfortable, as Barker and Mr. Ember packed over one thousand officers from the surrounding districts into seats, isles, and any other place they could squeeze a body. 

Barker and Ember were the only two men in the entire complex not standing shoulder to shoulder with another officer.

Barker looked at his watch, it was almost 11 am. The meeting should have started thirty minutes ago, but officers were still trying to situate themselves into position. 

A woman with a clipboard jogged up the side stairs to the podium, her heels clicked off the dark wood of the stage. 

“We are all accounted for space,” she said. 

“How many officers are still standing outside?” Barker asked. 

He knew there were at least another four hundred officers; however, he had given strict orders on who to let in first. The clipboard was more than a prop for the woman; it was the order to which the officers should have been let in. Barker did this list based on his hope for support. 

Every canine officer in the surrounding districts would be packed tightly into the confines of this room. The others were sprinkled in from past records, close proximity to canine heavy populations, and other deciding factors. Those left outside were there by choice. 

“The list has four hundred sixteen people left,” she stated, checking her numbers. 

Barker adjusted his tie, looking to Mr. Ember, “there will be nothing for it. We must keep safety in mind. Those outside will just have to read the orders after the meeting,” Barker said. 

Mr. Ember nodded his approval. There was not really much he could do otherwise. The woman slipped her pen back into the holder on the clipboard. 

“I suppose we may as well get this started then,” Mr. Ember said. 

Barker had been ready to start for over thirty minutes now. He adjusted his collar again, stepping forward to the podium. 

The crowd was loud. Barker drummed his fingers over the small microphone. This microphone was made to dictate to a smaller crowd, but the speakers around the ceiling made sure his noise was heard. 

It took a few moments before the room quieted to a dull roar of chatter. 

“If we could have silence for a few moments,” Barker asked. 

The crowd died down some more but was not completely silent. 

“I know; very important exploits going on with each of you. I just need a few important words to be heard. Maybe you guys noticed that a child was killed yesterday evening?” Barker waited for the words to hit home. 

It was only a few moments more, before the crowd hushed to nothing more than the sound of a thousand people breathing. 

Barker scanned them all, letting his earlier thoughts sink into their minds. 

“On our watch, a boy was killed last night by unruly protesters. Injuries sustained were so egregious that the boy was flown to Acera for emergency surgery. Unfortunately, he did not make it through the procedure, dying on the operating table from internal bleeding. The child was twelve. Not even a teenager,” Barker looked over the audience before him. 

Each man and woman had trained to be an officer of the law. Many of these men and women were crooks, thieves, and some even murderers. He could still get the majority to agree that killing a child was wrong. Even Barker had his limits. 

“I want you to keep in mind the image of Milo Green. I want you to remember he was doing nothing but walking home from the store,” Barker had no idea what Milo had been out doing that day, “I want you to imagine his family mourning their loss,” Barker had no idea if Milo even had a family. 

He saw several heads nodding in tune with his words. 

“This is not the fault of the canines. Milo Green was not a member of The Canes. Milo was not even alive when the Canes ruled the streets of Urgway,” Barker raised his voice. “This is not the fault of your fellow canine officers! None of the men surrounding you were part of the corruption. I am not a man of scandal! I am a man of Urgway. I will see it safe again. I enlist all of you to help me see it back to normal,” Barker thumped his fist off the podium. 

There were men and women shaking their head in agreement. Several were beginning to clap their approval. However, it was not everyone. Barker could see the line of descent amongst them. For some, it would take more than words to turn them for the canines. 

“I have asked you all here to give just one order. As your commanding officer, I give the edict to arrest all protesters who do not abide by three strict parameters that will be put into place starting this evening,” Barker flipped open his notepad. “I suggest you write these down, highlight them on your procedural sheet, and remember them fully,” Barker gave everyone a moment to pull out their sheets. He could see that not everyone was following the program he had dictated for them. “For those of you who are not comfortable with the following, we ask for you to relieve yourselves from your shifts for the time being. Any officer who wishes to transfer out of the city into surrounding areas is permitted to do so with a written request,” Barker said. 

The mumbling came to a roar again. Barker thumped the microphone, “Firstly, there will be a strict curfew of 8 pm until further notice,” Barker paused, letting everyone read over the rule, “Second change, there will be a limit to group size in the city streets. These groups will be limited to no more than twenty organized and peaceful protesters per two city blocks,” Barker could see the outrage building in some of the officers who were not canine or sympathizers. “Last, any violence, calls for violence, or unruly threats, will be dealt with by immediate arrest and detainment until a trial can be arranged.” 

Barker waited for the crowd’s roar to die down again. He heard several conversations sprout all across the auditorium. 

“I understand that these dictates may seem extreme, unfair, or against regulated freedoms. However, this is a time of extreme urgency. Citizens are dying and our streets are no longer safe,” Barker said. 

He was talking over a dull roar now. One officer, Barker could not tell which, yelled out, “Just resign already!” causing the room to explode into arguments, lines of division, and an overall burst that Barker had no chance to talk over. 

Mr. Ember placed his hand on Barker’s shoulder, urging him to the side of the podium. 

Mr. Ember cleared his throat. The room was still split down the middle but both sides stopped to listen to what the councilman had to say. 

“Now, I am not pleased with the situation any more than any of you. I have had sleepless nights for the last week and believe me, at my age, this is not a good thing,” Ember said. 

Barker was not sure if he was going for laughs or if he was speaking only for himself. 

“No mind what I have going on. Detective Barker spoke it true up here today. Whether or not he should step down is a topic for our special election debates. Today, we have to focus on healing the wounds of our great city,” Ember sounded old and tired; Barker supposed he was exactly that. 

“If that stupid dog does not step down, I will just kill him!” 

The room instantly fell silent. Barker looked for the culprit of the threat. He figured no one would own up to the outburst, but a large bear in a street patrol uniform stepped forward. 

“I will kill him and finish this. Canines are the reason for all of this. If they would have never meddled in hate and destruction, then we would have never had The Canes. We won’t do this again! I will end it myself if I need to,” the bear screamed. 

Barker had been on edge about the bear being in the room. When it came down to it though, he had never expected anyone to be quite this stupid, at least not openly. 

“I believe Officer Franklin may need some time outside to cool off,” Barker said, stepping up to the microphone. 

The bear started to push his way across his row of seating. “What you will need is a good mortician in a few moments,” he screamed. 

Barker figured he meant every word of what he was saying. This was not a threat. Barker showed no panic. “I will only give you one more opportunity to calm yourself and remove your body from the auditorium,” Barker said. 

“I will give you…” Officer Franklin was about ten chairs from the edge of his row. He had passed twenty other officers at least. All of them had stepped aside, letting him pass. Then, Franklin got to the edge seats; the seats that Barker had purposely filled with canines. Franklin gave out a grunt before hitting the floor. If it had been only one Taser, Barker doubted that the bear would have gone down. Since it was three, the bear dropped like a sack of potatoes. 

“Please relieve Officer Franklin of his weapons, cuffs, and badge,” Barker said into the microphone. The canines were quick to follow the orders. 

The room was still completely silent. Each officer shared the same shocked expression, but he knew they wore it for different reasons. 

There had been some in the auditorium that wished Franklin would have succeeded. Others were shocked he had tried at all. Then, there were the ones that were shocked to see just how low in society’s vision they were held. 

Barker had won over the canines of the crowd. He may have even gotten a few sympathizers to his cause. Several officers reached down onto their uniform fronts, pulling off their badges. Hundreds of stars dropped to the floor in a clatter. 

Mr. Ember looked uncomfortable and embarrassed. Barker tried to hide his smile. People were quick to react to situations they disagreed with. However, most people were never quick to think on how giving up their position made the other side that much stronger. 

Barker did not plead with the officers as they left their positions. He waited until each of them was gone from the room. Then, he scooted Ember to the side. 

“It is time to get back out there and protect our city. To protect our places and to make sure all animals are treated fairly,” Barker said. 

Those left in the room were ready to oblige his demands. Barker would call in other canines from surrounding districts to help with the riots. 

“Thank you for coming, Ember,” Barker said. 

Ember only nodded, giving no inclination that he had any idea what had just occurred. 

* * *

Barker drummed his fingers across the top of his oaken desk. Programs were calling for his head. The city was falling into mass chaos. Police officers were revolting on every corner. 

Barker leaned forward, scanning the paper article again. The Morning Way of Urgway was spread out before him. It was a second-rate newspaper and Barker doubted anyone read anything in it, but something had caught his eye at the stand. 

Would this be occurring if the Water Lily were still here? Would the Aeonians allow this?

Barker knew a lot about the city of Urgway. He knew the dark of the city and he knew the small comforts. The biggest thing, aside from the animalism, was religion. When the streets were riddled with crime, the politicians were corrupt, and no one cared, all you had to turn to be the word of the gods. 

The Water Lily meant so much too so many people throughout the city. To each person, it represented something different, but to each one it signified hope. It was hope of something better than what they had; a better tomorrow in spite of today. 

Barker had that hope in his hands. Every man, woman, and child in the city, who were not canines, may have hated him, but he had the thing that they loved more than their hatred. 

Barker reached into the pocket of his jacket. He pulled out the small gem that had turned Urgway on its head upon its disappearance; economic downcast, tourist trading halts, rampant crime, it all stemmed from this little piece of the Aeonions.

Barker did not believe that. To him, it was nothing more than a very expensive rock. A rock that had guided him over the past year into the position he was in now. A rock that had gotten him The Shock, had put his name on the map, and now, would make him mayor of Urgway. 

Vulpecula had stumbled upon Tiam’s lover by accident. Barker would use that to poke him in the right direction. Then, Barker would be standing right there beside him to pick up the pieces. 

 Barker lifted the gem up to his eye level. There were no gods in here, but Barker could see his own eyes reflecting off the surface. What was it that was seen in such simplicity? He rolled the piece inside his paw. Rough, ragged, not even shaped to its full potential. So many were willing to risk so much for it; including Tony Rockwell. 

Barker had done so much with this stone and now, he was going to have to give it back to achieve his ultimate goal. Maybe there was something magic about the stone after all. It would be the key to opening his new future. 

It would be the stepping stones to his path. He squeezed his fingers shut over it. He actually felt the reluctance to let Vulpecula help him find it. He would have to set the pace, make his own turns, and out fox the fox at every turn. Barker laughed, it would be a fun little game. How smart was Vulpecula, really? 

Barker tucked the stone back into his pocket. Vulpecula would be there to see him in just a few hours. He had several things he still needed to achieve before the white-haired fox showed up into his office. 

Barker clicked the button on his desk phone. The speaker crackled for a moment, and then the voice of his secretary came over, “what can I do for you, Detective?”

* * *

Urgway was made up of six distinct districts. Barker already knew the names of each canine cop in all of those districts. He knew their backgrounds, their policing records, and their personal relationships. He used that information to score them on their likelihood of helpfulness. 

 “Hello, Belleville Sherriff Hudson, please,” Barker spoke into the receiver. 

On the other end, a young female answered, “I will transfer you right through,” she said. 

Barker waited for thirty seconds before the Sherriff picked up his receiver, “Belleville Sherriff, what can I do for you today?” he asked. 

Barker could have told him exactly what he could do. He could have said to send over your canine units to Urgway city. He could have told him that he was building a police force that would follow through on his orders. A police force that would make sure everything went according to plan. 

Instead, he said, “I will take officers with the following names,” Barker listed off over fifty names to bolster his ranks. Names that would line the streets of Urgway, making sure the protestors were packed into jails so tightly they could taste the scent of their cell-mates. 

In exchange, Barker would be sending fifty non-canine officers into the district of Belleville. He was making Urgway a sanctuary without anyone being aware. 

Sheriff Hudson agreed to the proposed trade. Barker wondered if he even realized that he was sending most of his canine troops to Barker in exchange for other animals. Barker wondered if he cared. Hudson was not a canine. He was probably ecstatic to get rid of those on his force that were. To trade them off with other breeds of animal; he would probably be the hero of Belleville. 

Barker called each district in turn. Over 350 officers were exchanged by quick phone calls. Half of the city would now be controlled by canine officers. Barker planned to partner them up with non-canine officers to see that every situation would be looked at by at least one canine. Patrolmen all across the city would have their every action watched and reported on. 

Barker hung up the phone for the last time after talking to the fifth district. The only district left was Marybeth, the smallest sub-section of the city limits. Barker had other plans for the officers down in Marybeth. He would allow them to continue on with their regular schedules. He would allow everything to look normal. He had to have everything running smooth for when he called in Detective Vulpecula Noel, son of the famous Hensley Noel, founder of Rescue. 

When that white fox walked through his doors, the ending game would begin. It had not been the initial plan but the thing about great leaders was that they had to be willing to adapt to what life was willing to give them. 

Barker heard the click of his phone speaker, “your afternoon appointment is here to see you, Detective,” said the voice on the other end. 

Barker smiled, “send him in,” he said. 

It was time. 

* * *

The white fox walked through the door, closing it gently behind him. Barker could already see the anxiety ridden behaviors manifesting. 

Vulpecula pulled at his cuffs, standing by the doorway. 

“Do come in and have a seat. This won’t take but a few minutes, but we may as well be comfortable,” Barker said, gesturing to the open chair across from his desk. 

Vulpecula came across the floor. Barker had observed Vulpecula enough to know that something was missing. Something about his ensemble was off. 

“Ah, your walking stick is gone,” Barker said. 

Vulpecula looked down at where his stick had always been. Barker thought he saw a flash of regret, but it was gone just as quickly. 

“Hazards of the job, I suppose,” Vulpecula said, sitting down in the proffered seat. 

“I know all about the hazards of the job. This week more than most, I would say,” Barker added. 

Barker leaned forward in his chair, grabbing the case file for the Water Lily he had made up for Vulpecula. Of course, Barker had left out several major details and added a few, but this would help Vulpecula come to the right conclusions. 

“The city is in an uproar, that is for certain,” Vulpecula said. 

Barker slid the file across the desk to Vulpecula. Barker had never noticed it before today, but the desk was actually too big to hand things over to the person standing across the desk. 

Vulpecula leaned forward, grabbing the file. He weighed it in his hands, but Barker could tell that Vulpecula was weighing something else and not the file. He waited on Vulpecula to come forward with whatever he had been thinking on. 

 “A brown cat named Samuel flagged me down, he’d been sending me the letters the last couple months, but this was the first time I’d met him in person. Samuel told me he didn’t believe Tiam was responsible for stealing the Water Lily. I didn’t tell you all of this at the Diner, because I didn’t know what to think of it all. I think the reason he has been being so hush-hush to the church is because he and Tiam might have been romantically involved. When I spoke to Priest Molayeth, his behavior suggested as much,” Vulpecula said.

Barker felt his stomach flip. Always someone was trying to stick their noses in where they did not belong. 

“I think that when we find the Water Lily there will be thousands of people feeling much more relieved. When this is all said and done, we will both be sitting pretty in this city. The riots will stop, the chaos will calm, and if Tiam is innocent then a free man he will become,” Barker made it a note to visit the brown cat. Finding him would be difficult, but it was worth the effort to make sure he didn’t foil this. 

“Everything is in here then?” Vulpecula asked. 

Barker had worked very hard on that file since agreeing to do the case. He had made a few small adjustments after coming to the conclusion that he would be giving the gem back to the city, but everything was set out nice and pretty. 

“That file will start you off with some leads to go after. If we run into walls, then we can always meet back up and go over them together. I want you to keep me updated along the way,” Barker said. “Here,” Barker reached for a pen and a piece of paper off the desk, “I am going to write my personal cell-phone number down. If you need me, get ahold of me at any time,” he said, writing the number onto the paper and scooting it across the desk. 

Vulpecula leaned forward again, grabbing the number. He added it into the case file. 

“I will keep that in mind, thank you,” he said. 

Barker noticed that Vulpecula, while never a conversationalist, was even quieter than before. He almost commented on it, before he caught himself. Barker reminded himself that he was not getting invested with Vulpecula. Vulpecula was a means to an end and that was all the white fox would ever be. 

“Well, if you don’t have any more questions, I will let you get out there and get to it,” Barker said. 

He did not stand to shake Vulpecula’s hand. Vulpecula looked more relieved at that decision than disappointed. He gathered the file in front of his chest, looked around for a cane that wasn’t there, and then stood. 

“Good luck,” Barker said. 

Vulpecula nodded, and walked out the door. Barker stared at the door until it latched behind Vulpecula. Then he turned back toward the picture window behind him. 

So, the ending begins.