Wolf and Cub
By DJ Clawson
Chapter 11 – First and Last ChanceA Month Later
Zenigata played with the prison pass around his neck, because he didn't know what else to do in this situation. Lupin the Second was sleeping in his hospital bed and the doctor said not to wake him, but it didn't seem right to leave a wheezing, dying man alone, even if he despised him. Something about seeing the pale, bare frame of a man shuddering and breathing only with the help of a machine sucked all of the hate out of him, even if only for the time being.
"Sir," said one of the doctors as he came in the room. He was wearing a brown three-piece suit and leaning on a cane, even though he obviously wasn't an old man. "Unless you intend to stay the night, I recommend you leave before lockdown."
"Right." He gathered his briefcase and stood up. As he went to leave, he passed by the man. "And just for the record, I'm only letting you off because of your father's condition."
"Thanks," was the reply. "Nice tan, by the way."
"You little brat!"
"Shhh!" Lupin put his hands to his lips. "He's sleeping."
Zenigata unclenched his fists. "Next time I see you ..." But he couldn't finish his sentence. He just left the room, passing into the hallway. Through the window, he could see Lupin sit down in the chair beside the bed, holding his father's hand.
"Inspector," said one of the guards – a real guard. "If you want to leave before lockdown, you should come this way."
It would be so easy now. Lupin the Second was in prison and so, technically, was Lupin the Third. He could alert the guards, and they could take down a the weakened thief, at least until his next great escape.
But that was right. There was always one last great escape. And this time, it only seemed fair to let Lupin have it – but only this time.
The End