#baronyofthesilverwolf

Aiden remains behind, checking personally on each and every one of the animals.

Gwen finds the tracks hard to trail. The immediate footprints were swept up in not one, but two sudden windy gales...

It takes a bit of time, but she finds that the dog beat a pretty straight track - no zig-zagging or circling back, down a path that leads to another trail, and then... to the main road, clean of any footprints, or if there were any, worn off by the travel of cars.

"Glas might be able to do it, but she's.. young and the wind migght have ruined the scent"

A few cars zoom past, either direction. Sparse traffic for Thanksgiving day, but there's always someone out on the road. She can see a patrol car off to one side a little ways down, partially hidden behind a billboard, keeping eyes out for traffic offenders.

She smooths herself off, and heads towards the cop car

A bored looking deputy is in the driver's seat, radar gun in hand. When Gwen approaches, the window is rolled down. "Can I help you, Miss?"

"Maybe sir, first, happy thanksgiving, second, while you were on patrol, did you see a dog race alongg that way at anytime? This one would be a mongerel" She describes it

"Happy Thanksgiving." He responds, perhaps a bit lackluster, but then again, he's on duty and not feasting. A notepad pulled out to jot this down. "Lost your pooch? Or is this a nuisance dog report? Bite someone?"

"Just a stray. Didn't bite anyone that I saw. The police are busy, I know that, so I'm not really expecting a report, just wondered if you saw it yourself. If you didn't no harm done"

He nods. "If you think he's a danger, we'll put in a report. Even if rabies isn't a concern, no one wants a loose dog with bad ideas. Not with all the farms and stables around. Otherwise, if he's lost, I'm sure the owners will put in a report. Some folk in the area let their dogs roam. Ain't wise, not with how people take these turns. Speaking of which, be careful if you're walking along the road, especially today. The bars are all still open."

"Yes sir. Well , is therre a way I could leave a number on your report so I' get a call if that dog is found?"

He raises a brow a bit. "Listen, hun. There's lots of strays in this area. It's not worth an official report, not unless it's a pedigree pooch or a dangerous concern. I can give you the number to Animal Control, and if they pick 'em up, they can let you know."

"Thank you for the number then," She says "And I apologize . Officer (Dancial's mortal name) is often busy so I have no excuse NOT to know police time is precious. My apologies if I've been a pest"

Now the brow goes a bit higher. "You know Sarge - Sergeant Marshall?" He straightens a bit, and actually sets pencil to paper. "Tell you what, I'll put in a call. If anyone sees your pooch, we'll let you know." Taking down her name and number. Apparently name-dropping works!

"If it's no trouble, thank you" She nods. Yes. She didn't mention the name for nothing. But that was a shadow of a stick, time to bring the carrot. After telling whatt she knows of the mongerel, she thanks him, and goes to Marigold "Mom? I need a dish , small one, for an officer who has to work thanksgiving. I'll explain it all later."

"Oh, goodness gravy! I should have thought of that... I sent Dani with a meal, of course, but those poor boys in blue. Tsk..." She frets. "Give me just half a shake of a lamb's tail, and I'll have a basket and thermos together."

"Thanks. Oh, Mischka's puppies are here.. but that's a story"

"Congratulations! The way you were fretting about her, you made me think of an anxious papa banished to pace outside the delivery room." Marigold chuckles, her voice carrying through the closed kitchen door as she bustles quickly.

"Wait till you find out" She mutters.

While she waits she texts Art TXT: Art. You're a life saver. Tell you more about it later. Thank you

"Let's see, we have turkey sandwiches on fresh rolls, stuffing and beans will be good at room temperature, slices of pecan pie, and a thermos of coffee, don't forget the cream and sugar, we don't want the officers to doze off on duty." Uh oh... not one, but a dozen lunch boxes. "Drop these off at the station, would you? Their dispatcher should be able to see that everyone gets a meal."

"Oh boy. Mom, I ... " Nope, she can't nix mom's wish. It would hurt her feelings.

"Do you need a hand for delivery?"

"No. I got it." She smiles "Thanks, Mom."

She gathers i up, carefully, annd heads back to the officer. She migght need a dufffle bag but she's go it

She was offered the keys if she wanted to drive, or there are always the horses, or asking for a ride, though most everyone seems to be in various stages of food coma right now... or she can walk!

She'll walk it back. Cop's not that far

She finds the officer in the same spot. He has the radar gun trained on a car that goes by, but they seem to sneak under the limit, as he sets it back down.

"Officer Knonam?" She announnces her approach "I thougght you might be hungry. Then I told my mom and..well... she thought your fellow police at the station might also be hungry. I wanted to make up for any exttra work I caused you."

He brightens up, and she gets a genuine smile now, not just the wearily polite expression. "That's right decent of you. Smells amazing, too. Oh, and is that coffee?"

"Yes sir, in the thermos. Suggar and crream to mix in as you like" She shows the packets

Even more perked up now, and he gratefully accepts. With the first slurp off the thermos, he has a practically troll-worthy look of nirvana. "If this counts as a bribe, then lock me up." He jokes.

She laughs, "No way am I trying to bribe a cop. Sgt Marshall knows where I live and would rip me a new one. Just... Happy thanksgiving and thanks for taking time to listen to a local teenager"

"Happy Thanksgiving!" This time, he sounds like he means it.

A smile, the fangs unseen, and Gwen heads back to the Holding as she waves good bye. She's going to check on the dogs, and tell her mother wha t happened, annd check onn the dogs... and see what the baron says ot do next, and check on the dogs