Rachel and Jean with Deke came in the door, followed by hotel management. The man, a well-dressed executive type in his middle forties had a stern look on his face. Just under six feet tall, slightly overweight, but robust looking with short cropped hair, the man clasped his hands behind his back as he entered. Rachel crossed her eyes when Nick looked questioningly at her.
“Mr. Bingham would like to discuss Deke with you, Nick. I explained Robyn MacEachern handled all of our accommodations, and made sure to get an exception to Wolf Lodge’s pet policy, but he wishes to speak with you.”
“Mr. McCarty. I’m Fred Bingham, day manager for Great Wolf Lodge.”
Nick stood and shook his hand. “Robyn did tell me about your no pet policy, and said she had made sure to obtain a waver for Deke.”
“I did get that note. However, I was wondering if I could ask you not to parade Deke around in the public areas when avoidable, Sir. I have no idea how Ms. MacEachern maneuvered around our policy, but we will get complaints from other guests I’m sure who will be upset because they were not able to bring their pets.”
“I understand completely, Mr. Bingham. Hang on just a moment.” Nick went into the bedroom. He retrieved two thousand dollars out of his plunder from the early morning raid. He rejoined Bingham and handed the money to the shocked manager. “This is for you, Mr. Bingham. Smooth over Deke’s stay, and there will be two grand more when we leave. Deke means the world to us, and we don’t go anywhere without him. We won’t take him anywhere he will attract attention.”
“I…I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll help us with our Deke problem.”
The manager pocketed the money and shook Nick’s hand again. “What problem? Good day, Sir.”
“Bye, Mr. Bingham.”
After Nick closed the door, he fought off his outraged women, with Deke trying to rescue his drinking buddy with growls and nips. “Why am I being attacked? I see a problem. I solve a problem. Thanks, Deke… my only friend.”
“I thought you’d waste him on the spot, Dad, not pay him off.”
“He was rude to us,” Rachel added, trying to free her heel from Deke’s mouth as he dragged her back.
“Definitely a crime punishable by death. I see no reason why we can’t keep Deke on the down low during our stay. I’ll walk him twice a day. Mr. Bingham seems properly motivated to make our stay hassle free with Deke. I bet you two were wandering around that huge lobby, gawking like a couple of rubes from Parma with poor Deke trying to be inconspicuous, weren’t you?”
Rachel turned away with arms folded. “Maybe.”
“Okay then, Deke’s walked now. I’ll give him one of his beef bone treats, and he’ll be good for the rest of the day. I’m meeting my confederates in Grizzly Rob’s Bar for a business meeting, so I’ll see you two in a little while.”
“Don’t you get tanked before the water park, Muerto!”
“I am not going to get tanked, Dear. A relaxing beverage after saving Western Civilization is not too much to ask. Add in saving my drinking buddy any further hassles with the local hotel management, and I’d say at least two relaxing beverages would be a small but pleasant reward.”
“Go ahead, but remember we’re heading for the water park at 1 pm.”
“Bring your harpoon though, Dad. There might be a whale sighting in-”
Jean ran for it with Rachel in hot pursuit. Nick sighed contentedly, and brought Deke his beef bone treat. “Don’t let this conflagration go on too long, Deke.”
Nick grabbed his wallet while listening to the sounds of chaos in Jean’s bedroom. Deke took his bone with him and ambled into Jean’s room too. Nick took the opportunity to make good his escape. It was only a brief journey to Grizzly Rob’s Bar, which he could see had only just opened. John, Dan, and Gus were already seated inside at a large table. Nick walked over to join them, trading the usual greetings. Nick sat down, seeing beers and shots in front of Gus and John, but iced tea for Dan. The waitress came over right away.
“I’d like a Long Island Iced Tea,” Nick ordered.
“Sure. Be right back.”
“Going heavy on the celebration, huh Nick?”
“It was one of those after assault stressful mornings. I had to handle numbskulls like Clyde, who will be lucky to live out the year, and then hotel management because it is official lodge policy that pets aren’t allowed. Robyn fixed it for our reservations, but a manager didn’t like the way my ladies were flaunting the Dekester around in the lobby.”
Gus covered his face as the waitress left off the Long Island Iced Tea for Nick. He peeked out at the amused Nick. “Please tell me we don’t have a body to dispose of, Muerto.”
“I’m hurt you would even think that, Payaso. I bet that unkind thought never even passed through the minds of Kabong and Geezer, right guys?”