Zero Tolerance: Shadows of the Past
Title: Shadows of the Past
Characters: The Cains, Ambrose and an OC
Rating: G
Disclaimer: No amount of clicking my heels will make Tin Man mine.
Summary: Building up the case against Zero.
Table of Contents
"This is why I don't trust justice, Dad," Jeb remarked. He flipped a few pages of the file he was working on. "Too much paperwork. I bet even in your Tin Man days, you were tempted to just shoot the guy and claim 'accidental homicide'."
Wyatt glanced up at him before returning his attention to his own heavy tome. "Not worth it, Son. Standard Operating Procedure in a case like that would have you in the hands of Viewer. He'd catch you in cold second." He looked up again. "You don't have to do this."
"Neither of you do," Ambrose pointed out.
Wyatt was grateful when Ambrose volunteered as a friend to front this case on Zero. Still, he would have preferred that the ass-kicking scientist was lost in his lab somewhere, creating new inventions and causing non-lethal or injurious explosions or accidentally bringing things to life. He'd even let his feelings known to him but Ambrose pulled him aside, all elements of the Glitch personality gone. "Zero is not to be underestimated, Cain. I examined his devices that trapped The Witch and her Mobats and it's immensely intricate. Works of genius. You need the brightest mind in the O.Z. to handle this case. That's me." Cain didn't doubt it.
Jeb shrugged. "I'm game if you are, Dad." Wyatt smiled at his son before nodding and returning to his file. He was shifting to work out a knot in his back when Jeb called out again. "Hey, look at this. Looks like Zero started his career early." He picked up the file and handed it over to Ambrose. Both father and son peered over his shoulder at the file.
'Name of Deceased: Raphael Byrne. Next of Kin: Louise Byrne, spouse; Gabriel Byrne, son; Cassandra Byrne, daughter. Cause of Death: Massive Internal Haemmorage.' "He bled to death?" Wyatt asked. "Spontaneously?"
"Classic psychology," Jeb shook his head in disapproval. "The son kills the father. Of course, for most people, it's unfufilled," he added, looking at his father. Wyatt quirked an eyebrow at him. "Don't worry, Dad," Jeb continued, patting his father on the back. "You don't have to die twice."
"Thank you, Son." He turned back to Ambrose. "Can we use this?"
Ambrose shook his head. "As it stands, no. The circumstances surrounding the death are very vague, as if delibrately so. A witness corroboration would be nice. Two, even better."
Wyatt nodded. "I'll see if I can find what happened to the arresting officer."
"Zero's sister is kind of a Resistance Mascot," Jeb added. "You know, only useful. I think she's somewhere to the East, helping with the round up. I can go find her."
"You know her?"
"She got me out my Suit. She's sound, I think. You can't choose your family," Jeb added with a shrug.
"You head off, I'll follow you when I'm done here. Yeah, yeah, just humour me," Wyatt continued off Jeb's look. "Think of it as a father/son bonding exercise, ok?"
"Sure. See you later then, Dad." Jeb hugged him before walking out.
Wyatt looked over at Ambrose. "Yeah, I know, he only going to put up with the 'overprotective father' bit for so long."
Ambrose put his hands up. "Hey, I'm not a father."
The area where Cain had tracked down the arresting officer, a Mr Arthur Bailey, was a bit of a wreck. The air felt close and the buildings seemed to be held up by nothing other than magic. Several shadows appeared and disappeared before Cain could get a bead on them. It was with a sense of great relief that he finally arrived at the address.
The house itself looked like a bungalow with another house thrown on top of it for good measure. The lower level seemed to bend under the added weight. Having survived a recent attack from another building, Cain found himself hesitating before knocking at the door. He had just managed to summon the courage when the door opened of its own accord.
Glad that he hadn't punched the old man on the nose, Cain put down his hand. "Ah, Wyatt Cain! I've been expecting you. Please! Come in!"
When Cain stepped inside, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the inside of the house looked much sturdier than the outside. Mr Bailey turned out to be much like his house, apparently ill taken care of, but inside, there was a sharp mind, visible only through the man's eyes. "You were expecting me?" Cain asked, bemused.
"Yes, of course! I called those who guard this area, let them know you were coming." Cain's mind shot back to the shadows. "They don't like surprises, not even from one of the 'Saviours of the O.Z.'!" The man reached into a cupboard. "Can I offer you a drink? Papayan ale, perhaps?"
"My favourite... how did you know that?"
Bailey responded with a bland smile. "I have my ways," he replied. "I'm a simple man, I just keep my proverbial ears to the ground." He poured out the golden liquid into two glasses. He picked one up and admired the contents. "Papayan ale... rare nowadays. Though I hear that's about to change."
Cain took the glass from him and watched as Bailey sampled some of his own. Clearly, there was more to this man than 'keeping his ears to the ground'. He doubted even a career as a Tin Man would account for Bailey's... attitude.
He brought the glass to his nose and smelt the contents. This was no homemade brew. He tasted it. The liquid slipped smoothly down to his throat, leaving a tart aftertaste in its wake. "Thank you," he whispered.
Bailey smiled back. "You have questions," he prompted, indicating the file forgotten in Cain's hands.
"Uh, yes. Do you remember this case?" He handed over the file.
Bailey hummed, pretending to look it over. "Yes, I seem to recall this situation... it had to be handled very delicately."
Cain stepped closer. "Why?"
Bailey looked at him. "Perhaps you are a bit young to remember the scandal. Or to care about it. The Princess Azkadellia, uh, the first one... unfortunately turned out to be unable to fight off evil influences as her niece turned out to be. Although, her indiscretions are less excusable. Poor girl never stood a chance against The Witch.
"However, the first Azkadellia was seduced rather than possessed, though to her family there scarcely seemed a difference. A man named Raphael Byrne was often found by her side, or at least as near as her family would allow. He was a noble but there were always doubts about his family and thus was considered 'unsuitable' to court the Queen's youngest daughter. Like any child brought up in privilege, Azkadellia chose to ignore her family's doubts and flaunt the boy in front of them.
Byrne even had the audacity to continue his attentions on her even after his family had him married off."
"What happened?"
"The girl got pregnant. There was a great furore. The Family had her shipped off to the Northern Palace, away from the gossips in the City, but eventually the information leaked through and like any good story, spread like wildfire. The girl died shortly after the birth of her child. A girl she named Cassandra. From complications."
"So the daughter went to the father," Wyatt concluded, though he frowned. "Why didn't The Family do something?"
"OZian law is very clear, Cain. Custody goes to the surviving parent. The Family weren't above the law. They were always poised to take advantage of any weakness on Byrne's part, however. And he had many. He became a drunk after Azkadellia's death, joining his wife who'd been that way for years. He was abusive under the influence, especially to his son. Used to get at the boy's fingers with a plyers. The daughter was never touched - Byrne wasn't that stupid and The Family only thought to get a medic to check on the girl. They had no responsibility for the boy."
"But then he died. Was he murdered?"
A ghost of a smile passed Bailey's mouth. "I have no idea. I found him collapsed in a table. Thing smashed to piece under, through him. Nothing nobody could do. Wife was passed out drunk. The boy was cradling his sister who was in a fit of tears, his own hand smashed as much as the table. No way the boy was strong enough to push the guy. Couldn't find an explanation.
"Happy ending though, at the girl's insistence, The Family took them both in until they were of age and they built a house together, at least until The Sorceress got her hands on them."
Disappointed, Cain figured that his testimony would be better than nothing. "Thank you, sir. Would you be willing to testify at Zero's trial?"
Bailey took a long look at him. "If you wish. Now, you have business to attend to, Mr Cain, as do I." He ushered Cain out. "Oh, and Mr Cain? Send The Queen my regards."
Replacing his hat, Cain nodded.
The Family sat in the smaller of the dining rooms of the castle that used to serve The Royals before the advent of The Sorceress. It took a couple of weeks before The Tower collapsed and a few days after to get back into this shape. Even now, there were rooms that were uninhabitable. The clattering of cutlery was the only sound in the room. Occasionally, Ahamo would glance up, open his mouth but quickly closed it, thinking better. Finally, DG broke the silence. "I spoke to Zero," she told Azkadellia. "He was thinking about you."
"He's speaking to the lawyer?"
DG nodded and Az smiled. "I wonder what Mr Cain thinks of your helping the former general," The Queen mused.
"He understands," DG replied, in a 'don't mention the war' tone of voice. Truth was, Cain did understand. She came to him first, explaining why. He had nodded slowly. 'Do what you think is right, DG,' he had responded. He was unspeakably sad about it, but had accepted her reasoning and that her heart was in the right place.
"I suppose he's been asking to see my daughter," The Queen continued, apparently ignoring her daughter's tone.
"No, he gets why he can't. Politics. He doesn't want to risk people talking. As far as he's concerned, he thinks more people will try to kill her."
"Did he say that?" Azkadellia asked.
"Hmm, more like, 'implied' it. He just wants what's best for you, Az. He's sad about it, but I guess he thinks he's done enough damage."
"He's quite correct," The Queen agreed.
"Lav..." Ahamo pleaded, seeing how tense Azkadellia had gotten. The Queen shot him a look and the silence descended once more.
"I want to see him," Azkadellia decided.
"Absolutely not," The Queen forbade. "You're not to see him. He's just like his father. He'll get you pregnant, then once the baby is born, the line is secure, he'll kill you and nobody will prove it. I will not have my daughter used in that way!"
That was the final straw. Azkadellia tossed her plate and utensils through the air and they smashed on the floor. "Who the HELL ARE YOU TO TALK THAT WAY? Huh? USE ME? You're worried that he's going to USE ME? Where was this concern twenty years ago, huh? Mother? Where? DG came crying out of that cave telling you that something happened to me and what?" she shrugged. "Freakish tattoos 'appear' on my body and you do what? Figure 'oh, well, she's just been to the FINAQUA TATTOO PARLOUR'? I act LIKE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PERSON and you're like 'oh, teenagers, they go through these little phases'? It takes The Sorceress killing my baby sister for you to finally say 'ooh I need to use my MAGIC!'? And by then it's too late, you gotta use all your magic on rescuing the innocent bystander in all of this!" she waved at DG. "Where THE HELL was your 'concerned parenting' then, Mother? WHERE?"
The Queen was furious. "You do NOT SPEAK TO ME THAT WAY!"
"I'LL SPEAK TO YOU ANYWAY I LIKE! People look at me and for a split second they always see The Sorceress. They're scared. DG over there is so wracked with guilt because you chose to save her over me when really, YOU WERE JUST TOO DAMNED SLOW! And Zero! With no magic of his own, hardly any supplies of his own managed to do what you with your old power and brilliant advisers never did! Do you really think that DG was the only reason I survived? I THOUGHT SHE WAS DEAD! Don't SIT THERE and pretend like you've got 'my best interests' at heart because you don't! It isn't me people should fear. It isn't DG who should be blamed. It's you." And with that, she stormed out of the room.
"Go and fetch your sister, DG," The Queen ordered.
DG stood to use her magic and clean up the plate Azkadellia had smashed before sitting back down. "I think this round is over," DG replied, finishing off her meal. "So, Father, how's that mural doing in the dance hall?" They spoke about meaningless things until The Queen seemed calm enough that she wasn't going to storm after Azkadellia.
Azkadellia stiffened as the knock came at the door. "Come in." She turned around when she heard DG's voice giving her a greeting. "Hi," she greeted her, feeling sheepish.
DG smiled. "Feel better?"
Az let out a breath. "I do, actually."
DG nodded. "Good to get it out of the open."
"Mother is furious."
"That's good too. It's easy to hide behind 'The Royal Facade'. Nice to see her feeling something now and again."
"I meant every word."
"Well, you'd remember better than I." Az looked at her. DG continued. "I was asking those kind of questions myself. I just figured there was something missing. Amnesia's tricky. Also I was six. Who remembers when they were six? Evil Witches aside." They hugged. "Ahamo is going to talk her down, you'll see. You know, I tried to get his name unbanished. I think his name was Fred. Well, I sure can't find any Freds. Anyway, you should see the paperwork, Az. He took one look at it and decided that 'Ahamo' has quite a nice ring to it actually."
Az chuckled. "Thanks."
DG smiled at her. "I also looked into a visit for Zero. Turns out it'll be easier, security wise, that he'd come here. Ok with you?"
Az almost squeezed the life out of her sister. "Oh, DG!" she cried, finally letting her go. "Mother will throw a fit."
"Ah, we'll time it to coincide with some difficult treaty or something." She pushed her nose with her thumb. "He'll be in and out before she can do more than fume. About time your adventures started getting me in trouble, doncha think?"
"My little sister..." she smiled.
Ain't What She Used to Be
Characters: The Cains, Ambrose and an OC
Rating: G
Disclaimer: No amount of clicking my heels will make Tin Man mine.
Summary: Building up the case against Zero.
Table of Contents
"This is why I don't trust justice, Dad," Jeb remarked. He flipped a few pages of the file he was working on. "Too much paperwork. I bet even in your Tin Man days, you were tempted to just shoot the guy and claim 'accidental homicide'."
Wyatt glanced up at him before returning his attention to his own heavy tome. "Not worth it, Son. Standard Operating Procedure in a case like that would have you in the hands of Viewer. He'd catch you in cold second." He looked up again. "You don't have to do this."
"Neither of you do," Ambrose pointed out.
Wyatt was grateful when Ambrose volunteered as a friend to front this case on Zero. Still, he would have preferred that the ass-kicking scientist was lost in his lab somewhere, creating new inventions and causing non-lethal or injurious explosions or accidentally bringing things to life. He'd even let his feelings known to him but Ambrose pulled him aside, all elements of the Glitch personality gone. "Zero is not to be underestimated, Cain. I examined his devices that trapped The Witch and her Mobats and it's immensely intricate. Works of genius. You need the brightest mind in the O.Z. to handle this case. That's me." Cain didn't doubt it.
Jeb shrugged. "I'm game if you are, Dad." Wyatt smiled at his son before nodding and returning to his file. He was shifting to work out a knot in his back when Jeb called out again. "Hey, look at this. Looks like Zero started his career early." He picked up the file and handed it over to Ambrose. Both father and son peered over his shoulder at the file.
'Name of Deceased: Raphael Byrne. Next of Kin: Louise Byrne, spouse; Gabriel Byrne, son; Cassandra Byrne, daughter. Cause of Death: Massive Internal Haemmorage.' "He bled to death?" Wyatt asked. "Spontaneously?"
"Classic psychology," Jeb shook his head in disapproval. "The son kills the father. Of course, for most people, it's unfufilled," he added, looking at his father. Wyatt quirked an eyebrow at him. "Don't worry, Dad," Jeb continued, patting his father on the back. "You don't have to die twice."
"Thank you, Son." He turned back to Ambrose. "Can we use this?"
Ambrose shook his head. "As it stands, no. The circumstances surrounding the death are very vague, as if delibrately so. A witness corroboration would be nice. Two, even better."
Wyatt nodded. "I'll see if I can find what happened to the arresting officer."
"Zero's sister is kind of a Resistance Mascot," Jeb added. "You know, only useful. I think she's somewhere to the East, helping with the round up. I can go find her."
"You know her?"
"She got me out my Suit. She's sound, I think. You can't choose your family," Jeb added with a shrug.
"You head off, I'll follow you when I'm done here. Yeah, yeah, just humour me," Wyatt continued off Jeb's look. "Think of it as a father/son bonding exercise, ok?"
"Sure. See you later then, Dad." Jeb hugged him before walking out.
Wyatt looked over at Ambrose. "Yeah, I know, he only going to put up with the 'overprotective father' bit for so long."
Ambrose put his hands up. "Hey, I'm not a father."
The area where Cain had tracked down the arresting officer, a Mr Arthur Bailey, was a bit of a wreck. The air felt close and the buildings seemed to be held up by nothing other than magic. Several shadows appeared and disappeared before Cain could get a bead on them. It was with a sense of great relief that he finally arrived at the address.
The house itself looked like a bungalow with another house thrown on top of it for good measure. The lower level seemed to bend under the added weight. Having survived a recent attack from another building, Cain found himself hesitating before knocking at the door. He had just managed to summon the courage when the door opened of its own accord.
Glad that he hadn't punched the old man on the nose, Cain put down his hand. "Ah, Wyatt Cain! I've been expecting you. Please! Come in!"
When Cain stepped inside, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the inside of the house looked much sturdier than the outside. Mr Bailey turned out to be much like his house, apparently ill taken care of, but inside, there was a sharp mind, visible only through the man's eyes. "You were expecting me?" Cain asked, bemused.
"Yes, of course! I called those who guard this area, let them know you were coming." Cain's mind shot back to the shadows. "They don't like surprises, not even from one of the 'Saviours of the O.Z.'!" The man reached into a cupboard. "Can I offer you a drink? Papayan ale, perhaps?"
"My favourite... how did you know that?"
Bailey responded with a bland smile. "I have my ways," he replied. "I'm a simple man, I just keep my proverbial ears to the ground." He poured out the golden liquid into two glasses. He picked one up and admired the contents. "Papayan ale... rare nowadays. Though I hear that's about to change."
Cain took the glass from him and watched as Bailey sampled some of his own. Clearly, there was more to this man than 'keeping his ears to the ground'. He doubted even a career as a Tin Man would account for Bailey's... attitude.
He brought the glass to his nose and smelt the contents. This was no homemade brew. He tasted it. The liquid slipped smoothly down to his throat, leaving a tart aftertaste in its wake. "Thank you," he whispered.
Bailey smiled back. "You have questions," he prompted, indicating the file forgotten in Cain's hands.
"Uh, yes. Do you remember this case?" He handed over the file.
Bailey hummed, pretending to look it over. "Yes, I seem to recall this situation... it had to be handled very delicately."
Cain stepped closer. "Why?"
Bailey looked at him. "Perhaps you are a bit young to remember the scandal. Or to care about it. The Princess Azkadellia, uh, the first one... unfortunately turned out to be unable to fight off evil influences as her niece turned out to be. Although, her indiscretions are less excusable. Poor girl never stood a chance against The Witch.
"However, the first Azkadellia was seduced rather than possessed, though to her family there scarcely seemed a difference. A man named Raphael Byrne was often found by her side, or at least as near as her family would allow. He was a noble but there were always doubts about his family and thus was considered 'unsuitable' to court the Queen's youngest daughter. Like any child brought up in privilege, Azkadellia chose to ignore her family's doubts and flaunt the boy in front of them.
Byrne even had the audacity to continue his attentions on her even after his family had him married off."
"What happened?"
"The girl got pregnant. There was a great furore. The Family had her shipped off to the Northern Palace, away from the gossips in the City, but eventually the information leaked through and like any good story, spread like wildfire. The girl died shortly after the birth of her child. A girl she named Cassandra. From complications."
"So the daughter went to the father," Wyatt concluded, though he frowned. "Why didn't The Family do something?"
"OZian law is very clear, Cain. Custody goes to the surviving parent. The Family weren't above the law. They were always poised to take advantage of any weakness on Byrne's part, however. And he had many. He became a drunk after Azkadellia's death, joining his wife who'd been that way for years. He was abusive under the influence, especially to his son. Used to get at the boy's fingers with a plyers. The daughter was never touched - Byrne wasn't that stupid and The Family only thought to get a medic to check on the girl. They had no responsibility for the boy."
"But then he died. Was he murdered?"
A ghost of a smile passed Bailey's mouth. "I have no idea. I found him collapsed in a table. Thing smashed to piece under, through him. Nothing nobody could do. Wife was passed out drunk. The boy was cradling his sister who was in a fit of tears, his own hand smashed as much as the table. No way the boy was strong enough to push the guy. Couldn't find an explanation.
"Happy ending though, at the girl's insistence, The Family took them both in until they were of age and they built a house together, at least until The Sorceress got her hands on them."
Disappointed, Cain figured that his testimony would be better than nothing. "Thank you, sir. Would you be willing to testify at Zero's trial?"
Bailey took a long look at him. "If you wish. Now, you have business to attend to, Mr Cain, as do I." He ushered Cain out. "Oh, and Mr Cain? Send The Queen my regards."
Replacing his hat, Cain nodded.
The Family sat in the smaller of the dining rooms of the castle that used to serve The Royals before the advent of The Sorceress. It took a couple of weeks before The Tower collapsed and a few days after to get back into this shape. Even now, there were rooms that were uninhabitable. The clattering of cutlery was the only sound in the room. Occasionally, Ahamo would glance up, open his mouth but quickly closed it, thinking better. Finally, DG broke the silence. "I spoke to Zero," she told Azkadellia. "He was thinking about you."
"He's speaking to the lawyer?"
DG nodded and Az smiled. "I wonder what Mr Cain thinks of your helping the former general," The Queen mused.
"He understands," DG replied, in a 'don't mention the war' tone of voice. Truth was, Cain did understand. She came to him first, explaining why. He had nodded slowly. 'Do what you think is right, DG,' he had responded. He was unspeakably sad about it, but had accepted her reasoning and that her heart was in the right place.
"I suppose he's been asking to see my daughter," The Queen continued, apparently ignoring her daughter's tone.
"No, he gets why he can't. Politics. He doesn't want to risk people talking. As far as he's concerned, he thinks more people will try to kill her."
"Did he say that?" Azkadellia asked.
"Hmm, more like, 'implied' it. He just wants what's best for you, Az. He's sad about it, but I guess he thinks he's done enough damage."
"He's quite correct," The Queen agreed.
"Lav..." Ahamo pleaded, seeing how tense Azkadellia had gotten. The Queen shot him a look and the silence descended once more.
"I want to see him," Azkadellia decided.
"Absolutely not," The Queen forbade. "You're not to see him. He's just like his father. He'll get you pregnant, then once the baby is born, the line is secure, he'll kill you and nobody will prove it. I will not have my daughter used in that way!"
That was the final straw. Azkadellia tossed her plate and utensils through the air and they smashed on the floor. "Who the HELL ARE YOU TO TALK THAT WAY? Huh? USE ME? You're worried that he's going to USE ME? Where was this concern twenty years ago, huh? Mother? Where? DG came crying out of that cave telling you that something happened to me and what?" she shrugged. "Freakish tattoos 'appear' on my body and you do what? Figure 'oh, well, she's just been to the FINAQUA TATTOO PARLOUR'? I act LIKE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PERSON and you're like 'oh, teenagers, they go through these little phases'? It takes The Sorceress killing my baby sister for you to finally say 'ooh I need to use my MAGIC!'? And by then it's too late, you gotta use all your magic on rescuing the innocent bystander in all of this!" she waved at DG. "Where THE HELL was your 'concerned parenting' then, Mother? WHERE?"
The Queen was furious. "You do NOT SPEAK TO ME THAT WAY!"
"I'LL SPEAK TO YOU ANYWAY I LIKE! People look at me and for a split second they always see The Sorceress. They're scared. DG over there is so wracked with guilt because you chose to save her over me when really, YOU WERE JUST TOO DAMNED SLOW! And Zero! With no magic of his own, hardly any supplies of his own managed to do what you with your old power and brilliant advisers never did! Do you really think that DG was the only reason I survived? I THOUGHT SHE WAS DEAD! Don't SIT THERE and pretend like you've got 'my best interests' at heart because you don't! It isn't me people should fear. It isn't DG who should be blamed. It's you." And with that, she stormed out of the room.
"Go and fetch your sister, DG," The Queen ordered.
DG stood to use her magic and clean up the plate Azkadellia had smashed before sitting back down. "I think this round is over," DG replied, finishing off her meal. "So, Father, how's that mural doing in the dance hall?" They spoke about meaningless things until The Queen seemed calm enough that she wasn't going to storm after Azkadellia.
Azkadellia stiffened as the knock came at the door. "Come in." She turned around when she heard DG's voice giving her a greeting. "Hi," she greeted her, feeling sheepish.
DG smiled. "Feel better?"
Az let out a breath. "I do, actually."
DG nodded. "Good to get it out of the open."
"Mother is furious."
"That's good too. It's easy to hide behind 'The Royal Facade'. Nice to see her feeling something now and again."
"I meant every word."
"Well, you'd remember better than I." Az looked at her. DG continued. "I was asking those kind of questions myself. I just figured there was something missing. Amnesia's tricky. Also I was six. Who remembers when they were six? Evil Witches aside." They hugged. "Ahamo is going to talk her down, you'll see. You know, I tried to get his name unbanished. I think his name was Fred. Well, I sure can't find any Freds. Anyway, you should see the paperwork, Az. He took one look at it and decided that 'Ahamo' has quite a nice ring to it actually."
Az chuckled. "Thanks."
DG smiled at her. "I also looked into a visit for Zero. Turns out it'll be easier, security wise, that he'd come here. Ok with you?"
Az almost squeezed the life out of her sister. "Oh, DG!" she cried, finally letting her go. "Mother will throw a fit."
"Ah, we'll time it to coincide with some difficult treaty or something." She pushed her nose with her thumb. "He'll be in and out before she can do more than fume. About time your adventures started getting me in trouble, doncha think?"
"My little sister..." she smiled.
Ain't What She Used to Be