Chapter 17: The Old Friend Rowe In Black

Charles

Gaggnok's mansion, at the Alpha's Office.

The next morning.

Charles sat opposite the London's East-south Alpha, and he could see the intense look on Mr Loggman's face. He appeared worried and curious, but mostly he appeared curious.

Still trying to assimilate the whole story he had just been told about Lyya any Harry, with his two elbows on the desk, Mr Loggman rested his forehead on his interlocked fingers as if praying for answers. Charles just sat there waiting for his command.

His hands were now down, and he heaved a sigh. He called his son's name, "Harry," 

Now trying to sound more formal, he inquired, "The men assigned to the case, how far have they gone?"

"They're still in search for him sir,"

With an angry facial expression that matched his angry tone, Loggman raised his voice shouting, "For how long exactly?! How long?!" 

It was as if a thundercloud had stormed the place. The now fed up and impatient Alpha couldn't hide his exasperation. He had tried so much to patiently follow the detectives lead, thinking they may be up to something good, but it seemed not so.

Bearing each time and day, looking at his Luna, who had not even been able to be the sweet wife she usually was, he couldn't take it anymore. There had to be some sort of alternative. A better one.

Standing up to his feet, Loggman walked round the place showing his frustration. He didn't speak normally again. He yelled out loudly as if shouting at a child that had just done something naughty. 

Unflinching, Charles just maintained his sitting posture, and face not even having a tad look of worry as if something bad was about to happen. Charles was already used to the Alpha, so he didn't even react to this. All he did was wait for orders, suggest, and execute the mission.

"Those bloody bastards waste my money," The enranged Loggman went on. "Good for nothing fools. All they do is mess around like some over hyped group of jokers, "  

More and more curses followed and they were all said loudly. 

"Charles," Loggman finally called his name, and this was exactly what he was waiting for; to be told his next command. His ears were now more attentive than ever. "You get rid of those fools, and you bring more sensible people to search for him, you hear me? Bring in some special agent sqad for all I care. All that matters is that I find my son,"

Now sitting down, Loggman couldn't help but wander why Harry would just go missing like that.

"Was he abducted?" Loggman thought in his head. Chesting his heart to ask the next hardest question, he finally asked, "Or did he run away?"

Now bringing him out his thoughts, Charles said, "The man in black," He suggested."I may not assure full success on this case, but I can tell you It'd go a long way,"

Although Charles recommended with boldness, but deep down inside him, he didn't really want it to come to this due to some personal reasons he had. He refferd to the main man in black. A popular skilled handyman.

Thinking that title was familiar, Loggman asked, "Didn't I hear he's now retired?"

"He is. But I'm certain one could make an exception for the great Alpha," His voice seemed to trail off now at the end and he said this last sentence, " Or an old collegue,"

Considering hiring the suggested man, Loggman began to feel a little less worried as him too had heard of the great works of the man in black. 

He wasn't completely relaxed, but thought to give it a try.

"Well, if you can get him to do the job," Loggman said sounding promising," Then there may be something in it for you too,"

Charles stood up with his hand adjusting his tie. He said, "Then I should be to on my way,"

He now began taking steps heading towards the door, but was soon stopped by the Alpha's voice.

"Charles," Loggman called out. 

Charles quickly turned to face the Alpha. 

Loggman spoke, trying to hide his concern behind a casual sounding voice tone, "Could you help keep an eye on him?"

His Beta didn't have to be told of whom he meant. He instantly knew whom.

"Of course Alpha,"

Loggman went further,"And the girl also. Make sure things don't go unpleasant".

With oumost respect, he said, "As commanded, Alpha."

Off to the door, he then exited.

Now walking in a steamy ghetto, Charles tried as much as possible to avoid the empty packets of cigars and other filthy litters that laid uselessly on the ground. 

Eyes stared at him as he certainly did not look like he was from around there. Neatly dressesd, expensive looking, a well knotted tie, and scenting cologne on. He was from the rich class. The super rich one.

Beta Charles couldn't help but hold in his breath a little as he passed a group of smokers that didn't look like they were just smoking cigarettes. It smelt stronger and some of the red-eyed men had a little white powdery substance left under their nose. Not just men, but women also joined in the smoking. 

Smell of feaces and urine also added to the discomfort and irritant. It irritated him so much, but he tried not to show it as he wanted to give them that liitle respect, knowing it was their home.

Just wanting to walk pass quickly, and avoid more of the attention he already had by just being present, a small unfed boy just ran pass him. The boy stole Beta Charle's briefcase, and he immediately ran away. 

The little thief ran off with speed with what he had stolen in his hands. The Beta wasn't even moved. He just closed his eyes in annoyance, then heaved a sigh of stress. He began his walk to retrieve his belonging.

He maintained his working pace, as he wasn't even bothered. He didn't even consider running after him as he thought it was an unnecessary action. 

Running after a poor and hungry looking lad just to take back what had been stolen wasn't something he could even imagine himself doing. 

Knowing fully well that the young hungry thief was as fast as lightening, he still went on in his normal motion. He of of course was sure he was going to get his case back, so he didn't have a tad of worry as he knew the filthy looking boy wasn't a match for his smarts. He just saw the whole thing as a waste of his time, and Charles did value time.

Strolling steadily, he followed another direction knowing it would lead to where the boy would end up.

After a few seconds of some minor  calculations, Charles now ended meeting the boy at his front. The petty thief was shocked at how he was caught even after running like that, and not being chased.

Panting, the boy held his briefcase tightly in his arms. The sweating boy glared at Charles as he wanted to show he wasn't scared. 

With a stretchd out palm, Charles asked,"The case?" 

The glaring boy didn't budge. Charles rolled his eyes at him. 

He then pressed his huge palm over the boy's face, making him groan like a small beast. He gritted his teeth as he continued groaning, Beta Charles just ignored him after he had finally taken his brief case back.

Now turning to continue his journey, Charles paused.

 He suddenly had a slight change of heart. He thought about helping the boy as the boy reminded him a little of his former self in the past. Many didn't know, but he grew up at a place like this. Him and his brother husled in a grotty neighborhood, just like this one. But they departed after a little misunderstanding.

He had a little quarrel with this so called brother of his. There were so many things people didn't know about the now successful Beta.

Charles made a turn backwards and saw the boy who now had a pitiable look on his face. He looked down in sadness like some abandoned puppy. 

The humble Beta gave it a thought, before finally speaking, " What's your name kiddo?"

The boy answered in a sad tone, "Sherul." 

Looking at his swarthy face that had dirt on it and his torn singlet, he then opened the case and brought out some pounds.

A smile appeared on Sherul's face as he sighted it. He couldn't seem to get his eyes off the clean cash all wrapped up in a bundle.

Sherul stretched out his small hands to collect the cash, but Charles quickly held back the money. It confused Sherul, since he thought he wanted to help him. He pouted his lips and was angry again.

"Make sure it get's to your mother or whoever your guardian is,"  Charles said before putting it in his hands.

Sherul's smile returned, but this time, even brighter.

Sherul took it without even saying a word, and ran off.

Charles looked at the boy who he thought was ungrateful for not even saying something to him after that. He then decided to keep on walking to where he had in mind. 

It wasn't even up to three minutes when the boy, Sherul, suddenly came back running. Charles turned and saw the thin boy come his way. 

"Thank you sir." Sherul said as he surprised him with a hug.

Charles was dumbfounded and eyes widened in shock. He would have shifted back to avoid the filth on the boy from coming on him, or the stains to soil his expensive suit, and talk about the unpleasant scent from him. But he just stood there, slightly shocked, but still maintained humility.

Sherul waved at him as he now flailed away in excitement.

If Charles had even a tad of humour in him, he would've smiled, but he didn't.

Charles resumed his journey on the search to go meet with the Man in black.