“What was that noise?” asked Mr. Claus.
“Someone is in the house checking everything out,” said Buddy.
“You two be quiet,” said Veronica not looking worried at all.
“Aren’t you gonna see who it is?” asked Mr. Claus.
But Mr. Claus knew who it was and was surprised by Veronica’s lack of surprise. She couldn’t have known about William, J.J. and, presumably, Leroy. Or could she? She was a witch after all.
“You can just as well let us go. No harm, no foul as they say,” said Mr. Claus.
“Yeah, they’re closing in on us,” said Buddy.
“You two, just shush. I didn’t expect this, but I got it under control,” said Veronica as she sat down and turned on a monitor in the corner of the workshop.
Mr. Claus could see the monitor over her shoulder and was relieved when he saw the images. It was indeed who he thought it would be.
“How quaint. Two elves and a human companion playing soldier,” said Veronica.
“Veronica, they’re not playing. I know the human and he means business,” said Buddy.
“How do you know him?” asked Veronica.
“Let’s just say that we used to run in the same circles and leave it at that,” said Buddy.
“No, let’s not leave it at that. The whole time we have known one another you have been secretive about your past. I knew there was something, but I thought it was, you know, more delicate,” said Veronica.
Buddy laughed and said, “Sorry, babe, but there is nothing delicate about my past.”
Mr. Claus could see Buddy wriggling his hands behind the post he was tied around.
“I knew it. I could feel it. You’ve been deceiving me the whole time,” said Veronica getting flustered.
Mr. Claus didn’t like where this conversation seemed to be headed but was relieved to be out of it.
“I was trying to turn a corner in my life when I met you,” said Buddy seriously.
“And the real you was some mercenary-for-hire type of thing,” said Veronica.
“Something like that, yeah. But that is in the past. You got the new and improved version getting on with his life,” said Buddy.
“And I bet your real name isn’t even Buddy,” said Veronica.
“Well,” started Buddy but stopped as Veronica started toward him.
As she got up Mr. Claus could see both dogs starting to stir. They got up along with her. He looked over at Buddy, who apparently wasn’t Buddy, and could see one of his hands had gotten out of the duct tape around his wrists.
Veronica pulled a double-barreled derringer from a pocket in her black dress and held it up in front of her as she walked over to Buddy.
“It doesn’t need to come to this,” said Buddy.
“I’m afraid it does. You are a lying and treacherous reptile of a man who knows too much about me. I’ll find another Buddy,” said Veronica.
“You’ll never find another one like me,” said Buddy resolutely.
Mr. Claus saw Buddy raise his hands quickly up in front of him. Veronica took a half step back, shocked that he had gotten himself free.
“Kom-BU-cha,” yelled Buddy as he clapped his hands.
Jolene bounded toward Veronica and leapt in the air. At the same time there was an explosion at the door.
