Leroy was the first one through the door after J.J. had blasted it. On the left side of the room he saw Mr. Claus on the floor tied to a workbench. Next to him was Donald Jensen, who was standing and had duct tape around his legs but had obviously worked his hands free. Just in front of him was a woman in black lying on the ground with a black labradoodle standing over her. There was a double-barreled derringer lying by her outstretched right hand. He kept his weapon pointed in the direction of Donald and the woman, who must be Veronica.
“Good girl, Jolene,” said Donald as he sat down again to take off the tape around his ankles.
The black dog wagged its tail and looked toward Donald Jensen.
Leroy hurried over toward the woman followed by William. J.J. headed toward Mr. Claus to untie him. Peanut followed over to Mr. Claus.
“Hi Leroy. How are you getting on these days?” asked Donald very calmly.
“You ain’t talking yourself out of this,” said Leroy sternly.
Donald shrugged his shoulders then patted his thigh.
“Keep still,” said Leroy.
Jolene walked over to Donald and sat just next to him as per his command.
“William keep an eye on Donald here,” said Leroy.
He headed around Veronica out of the reach of her arms and picked up the derringer. He pocketed it.
“Sit up,” Leroy said to Veronica.
She pulled herself into a sitting position.
“My Jolene,” she said looking at Donald and the black labradoodle.
“All the time you spent in this damn workshop I spent making sure that your dog was really my dog,” said Donald.
“Bastard,” hissed Veronica.
“Stop it, you two,” bellowed Mr. Claus full of his normal confidence again.
“What do we do?” asked Leroy getting down to business.
“Well, we can take them back to our own workshop and make them make toys every Christmas until they die of natural causes,” said Mr. Claus.
“You can’t do that. You have no jurisdiction here,” said Veronica.
“I can and I will if you don’t stay quiet,” said Mr. Claus.
Leroy looked at Mr. Claus, who winked back at him.
“These are very heinous crimes you are guilty of. You know that,” said Mr. Claus.
“What obstructing the course of Christmas?” asked Donald snidely.
“Man, you two don’t know when to shut up, do you?” said Mr. Claus.
“What should it be this time? Life in the toy chain gang with no parole?” asked William.
“Maybe. That’s hard work and a fitting punishment for their transgressions,” said Mr. Claus.
Veronica started to say something but Mr. Claus interrupted, “Less is more Veronica. Less is more.”
He continued after a short pause, “I think that something else will work better here.”
“What’s that?” asked William playing along in drawing everything out.
“This house is so dark and depressing,” said Mr. Claus and paused.
He continued, “I want you to take the van and fill it up with whatever decorations are left over at Home Depot and set everything up in this yard as a guiding light of the Christmas spirit. The magic of Christmas in the form of lights.”
“What? Are you insane? Are you going to pay the electrical bill?” blurted Veronica.
“No dear, you are going to pay the electrical bill. And believe me when I say I am going easy on you. You were just trying to protect yourself and your dog. And now it seems like your dog wasn’t really your dog after all. That in itself is a big loss. To put a salve on that I am giving you Peanut. I am sure that you can make a good dog out of her.”
“But,” murmured Veronica.
“Shush. Now get busy. I’ll leave the boys here to help you set up all of the lights,” said Mr. Claus.
“What about me?” asked Donald.
“The new and improved you will definitely want to help,” said Mr. Claus and laughed.
William threw Mr. Claus the keys to the Volvo sleigh knowing that he needed to get back to The Pole.
“To all a good night,” said Mr. Claus as he left.
