Now begins the story of a mystery that was taken in Nome, Alaska. This is a mystery novel about the sudden death of a dog that's a pastor. I'm telling you ahead of time that the beginning is a little religious, but there will be a lot less religious sayings after the death of the pastor. Just giving you a little heads up. Also, when Boris talks, he'll say it with a "v" instead of a "w". This is my first fanfic and I hope that you'll enjoy this as much as I enjoyed taking the time to make this. Now, let the story begin.
July 14, 1928 12:00 P.M. At the Church of Dogs..................
It was a lazy Sunday afternoon in the warm day of July. The sermon at the chuch was finished and the dogs of Nome were filing out of the church. The pastor, Pastor Tim was a aging, but handsome yellowish brown husky. He was the most liked dog in Nome besides Balto. Pastor Tim was so inspiring that even Steele, and his 3 buddies and Niju and his 3 friends came to Pastor Tim's church!
As Pastor Tim was about to leave, he saw some dogs coming towards him with sad faces.
The first one was Kirby, "Oh Tim.. I've done a bad thing. I've peed on the mail bags because I was mad that we were late 2 days. What's worse is that I blamed it all on Dusty!"
"I shall forgive thee. Overmany people have sinec like thou, but few hath been forgiven. It is my job. But, you must say sorry to Dusty and you must tell your musher that you peed on the mail bags, not Dusty," explained Pastor Tim.
"Whew!" said Kirby. "I really thought that I was going to Hell!"
The next dog in line was Star.
" I hate to tell you this, but I've stolen several sausages from the butcher because I was hungry and I couldn't wait until dinner," said Star admittingly.
" Thou shall be forgivin, but you have to confess to the butcher that you took those sausages," Pastor Tim said calmly.
"Thank you very much Pastor Tim! I'll go do that right away!" said Star excitedly.
"Yes Star! Go! Make haste! Don't tarry any longer!" Pastor Tim advised.
After Star left, Sumac came in to confess that he fought with his three friends.After Pastor Tim washed him in Holy Water, Ralph came in to cconfess that he stolen Kirby's cap and Kirby's brown furry blanket.
That was the last time anyone seen Pastor Tim........
July 14,1928 10:00 P.M. At the alleyway................
Pastor Tim was walking from the church, he took an alleyway as a a shortcut to his house. There was a new moon out tonight, so the sky was pitch black with several twinking stars. He was having a party in celebration of his 53rd (in dog years) birthday. Everyone at the church was invited. Pastor Tim always knew that bad wolves and dog could have a 2nd chance. He was excited about seeing his wife, Cuddy, who is 48(in dog years). As he was thinking about how happy his life was, a dark wolfish figure came out of the shadows.
"Looks like I've got you good!" howled the figure.
"Who are you?" asked Pastor Tim.
Suddenly, Pastor Tim was slapped across the face, blacking out Pastor Tim's vision.
"I'm here to kill you!" yelled the figure.
Pastor Tim gasped. He knew he had heard this voice before, but who was it? He knew that this voice always came to the church every Sunday.
"It's not too late to stop what you're doing and turn back!" yelled Pastor Tim, clearly scared about who the voice is. "You could be forgiven now!"
"Do you think I want that?" yelled the figure. knocking Pastor Tim's ears, making the pastor hear less.
" Remember what the word told thee? Thou shalln't murder!" yelled Pastor Tim, wanting this wolfish figure to go away.
"Yeah. sure. I'll see you in Hell!" with that, the wolfish figure bit Pastor Tim's neck, and shaking it back and forth, leaving the dead pastor in shreds.
All Pastor Tim thought was that he knew that he was going to a pleasant place despite the unexpected event.
" I'm sorry Balto, party's cancelled," said Cuddy for the third time.
It was already 11:30 in the night, and Pastor Tim had missed his 53rd birthday party celebration.The dissapointed dogs slowly left the house of Cuddy and Pastor Tim. As Cuddy went to bed for the first time without her husband, she thought why Pastor Tim was missing. She forced the thought of Pastor Tim taking off for another female husky out of her head. While she was thinking hard, she suddernly drifted off to sleep.
July 15,1928 10:00 A.M. At the scene of the murder...................
Aleu and Dusty were taking the alleyway system to get to Jenna's house after a very fun and tiring game of German Shepherds and Racoons (Cops and Robbers) with Kodi, Kirby, and Ralph.
" Who knew those boys were so good at being the racoons?" Dusty questioned.
" I know, but we're the Racoons next time, and I know a good hiding space where the boys won't find us," Aleu replied in a sing song voice.
" I was SO close on getting Kodi! He just ran out of my grasp!" Dusty said playfully.
The two were so into their conversation that they were very shocked to see the torn body of Pastor Tim lying in front of them.
" OH MY GOSH!!!" screamed Aleu. "What is all this?!"
"This looks like Pastor Tim judging from Pastor Tim's collar," Dusty said, eyeing a blood-stained collar with a cross hanging from it.
" I think I'm goin' to lose my lunch!" Aleu gasped
"Let's go tell the others!" suggested Dusty.
July 15, 1928 10:30 A.M. At the murder scene........
"Terrible. Just terrible," Doc quietly said. " Just what we needed to make our town safe. A murder scene. Why? Why out of all dogs in Nome does it have to be Pastor Tim who got killed?"
Boris, who was there, asked," Does his wife know about this? If not, then who will?"
" Looks like somebody was planning this all along," Balto said. " But why? Pastor Tim never had an ememy."
" Sadly, as mayor of the dogs in Nome, I have to break the news to his wife," sighed Doc. With that, he went off.
"Boris, what are you doin'?" asked Balto.
" Look Balto! You see this?" Boris said, pointing at the slash marks. "These looks like the slash marks of a wolf!"
Eyeing them closely, Balto said, " Yep, they look like someone who had really sharp claws, and none of the dogs in Nome can make these marks."
" But first, let's tell Doc about this," Boris said. "This could be a mystery that could be solved by us! Ve're making good progress so far! Ve're detectives!"
July 15, 1928 10:50 A.M The Town Hall (for dogs)
" So you think that the culprit may be a wolf?" Doc asked. " Well, if you can prove that, I'll be happy to know that a couple of good samaritans would work together to solve a crime. Maybe this would bring a little relief to his wife, Cuddy."
" That is what we're trying to do," Balto replied. " We still need more clues. We'll tell you as soon as we gathered enought clues."
" Balto, let's get some witnessess of the party," Boris whispered into Balto's ear."
July 15, 1928 11:25 A.M. Under the hospital AKA The Meeting Place.........
Balto and Boris gathered as many dogs that went to the party as they can.
" Last night, y'all were there at Pastor Tim's party," Balto said. " Did you notice anything out of the ordinary?"
Kodi, Dusty, Ralph, Kirby, Star, Nikki, and Kaltag were there.
" Well, I noticed that Steele wasn't there," started Kodi.
" That's because Steele was sick that day. He caught an infection," Kaltag explained. " When I went to him, he was sleeping with his bandage wrapped around his left leg."
" Also, Aleu brought some of her pack members here," Dusty said. " They were there at the party."
" Yeah, but I didn't see Sumac there," Star added. " I asked his fellow buddies, and they said they didn't know where he went."
" Oh! When I was coming to the party, I saw Sumac run off somewhere," Kirby stated. " I just assumed he forgot to do something, so I went on."
" And Sumac nearly ran over me when I came to the party," Ralph said. " He seemed like he was insane or something."
" Vell, thank you for the information. You've helped us solve this case," Boris proudly said.
July 15,1928 12:55 P.M. At the Town Hall (for dogs)........
" Case solved!" Boris yelled triumphantly. " This criminal Sumac is now busted and behind bars."
Balto and Boris told Doc about the information gathered from the party-goers supported with enough evidence to take Sumac to justice. Sumac was found and taken into jail with a life sentence of 12 human years and a chance of the death penalty.
" Balto. Boris. All the dogs of Nome owe a big favor to you," Doc calmy said.
" Naw, it was nothing," Balto said. " The case was simple to solve."
" But, in celebration of solving this case, I want to throw a party on Balto's boat and invite everyone to it! I vant it tonight!"
" Whatever you say Boris,' Balto chuckled.
July 15, 1928 9:56 P.M. At Cuddy's house......
Poor Cuddy was told the news about Pastor TIm's death and Sumac being brought to justice. Refusing Boris's party offer at Balto's boat, Cuddy laid in her basket as she would when Pastor Tim was there. Happy that Sumac was behind bars, a suddden knock on the door came.
" Who's there?" Cuddy asked, rising from her basket. " Could you please state you name?"
No reply.
" Hello? I said who's there!" Cuddy loudly said.
Still no reply.
" Gosh. It might be some pups playing pranks on me. Maybe it's a dog wanting help." Cuddy thought.
As soon as Cuddy opened the door, a huge dog figure leapt out and grabbed Cuddy, taking her out of her house.
July 15,1928 10:50 P.M. At Balto's boat......................
" Balto! Balto! It's urgent!" Terrier (from Balto 2) came running towards Balto.
" Vhat? Vhat happened?' asked Boris, who overheard the shouting.
" Cuddy! She's gone! She's kidnapped!" yelled Terrier jumping up and down.
" Looks like the party is postponed," Balto sighed, looking at the eating guests.
July 15, 1928 11:15 P.M At Cuddy's house.......................
" Yep. Same claw marks on the door," Boris observed.
" I don't see much signs of foul play, so that gives a chance that Cuddy is still alive."
" S-S-Sumac is in jail. Right?:" somebody said.
Balto and Boris whirled around only to be suprised to see Star, who had overheard Balto and Boris.
"' Star, what are you doing here?" Balto asked.
" Well, I was following you guys everywhere listening to your conversations. I was thinking that I might join with you," Star explained.
" Alright, you can stay, as long as you're not an informer,' Balto replied.
" Don't worry, I'm not. Pastor Tim was my role model," Star said.
" Hmm.... So Sumac is in jail, but he was heavily gaurded with top security. Looks very unlikely that Sumac did this crime, and he couldn't have gotten out. And the 2 crimes are related to one another. That means Sumac is innocent to me," Boris summed up.
" Then it's back to square one." Star said. It wasn't a question
"Yep," Balto replied sadly.
July 15,1928 11:37 P.M. At the old abandoned fishery...............
" Now, where where we?" asked the voice.
" You know that we broke up years ago," Cuddy explained. " Besides, I moved on and it's too late now."
" You don't know how close was I to marrying the most beautiful dog in Nome!" snarled the voice.
" That's because you're SO obnoxious," replied Cuddy. " Plus, I would never marry you even if you were the last living thing on this planet. Pastor Tim is and always 10,000 times better than you."
" This is your last chance! Do it or die!" yelled the voice.
Cuddy bravely said, " Make me, you ugly piece of-"
Suddenly, Cuddy was grabbed at the neck and thrown across the room, landing in a puddle of water. The last thing Cuddy saw in this world was a floating Pastor Tim coming towards her.
July 16, 1928 9:27 A.M. At Balto's boat...............................
" Now what?" asked Star.
" I really have no idea," replied Balto.
" Does this mean we give up?" Star asked again.
" No!" yelled Boris. " Ve vill do it my way! Star, Balto, get ALL the party members that were there at the part of Pastor Tim."
July 16, 1928 10:39 A.M. At the boiler room with Kodi, Dusty, Kirby, Ralph, Morse, Jenna, Kaltag, Nikki, and terrier.........................
" We all know that Cuddy has been kidnapped to someplace by somebody we have never suspected," Balto summed up.
" Yes, this means that ve vere vrong about Sumac," Boris added. " Ve have all asked you if there are any suspicious things happening at the birthday party."
" Nothing really happened at the party..... besides the bad news," said Ralph.
" No one was suspicious when the guests were coming in," the Terrier explained.
"I got there early, and all was quiet outside," Kodi started. " Then again, the alley where Pastor Tim was murdered wasn't that far away."
" Looks like this is one of those dead ends," Balto assumed. " Same old facts...."
" Wait! I remember something! Nikki yelled.
" What are you talking about?!" shouted Kaltag. " I was with you the whole time!"
" Well you probably didn't notice a faint noise not far from Cuddy's front doorway," Nikki responded. " I thought that it was some squirrel or some other critter, so I ignored it. Plus Kaltag, you were too busy eating that huge bowl of bacon."
" Hey man, I was so hungry that time," Kaltag shouted back. " I was-
" A faint noise near Cuddy's doorway is approximately close to that alleyway," Boris stated, cutting off Kaltag. " Nikki, did your sences find anything that night?"
" A small scent of husky, but then this whole town is full of them, " Nikki added.
" AHA!" yelled Boris." Come Balto!"
"Wha-" Balto started.
" Come Balto!" Boris shouted.
July 16, 1928 11:26 A.M At Balto's boat........................................................................................................................
" Balto! I solved this case!" Boris shouted.
" What? Really?" Balto said, suprised.
" It all makes sense!" Boris stated! " The murder of the pastor, Cuddy's capture, the timing of Pastor Tim's murder, and most of all; huskys!"
" What?" Balto asked, very confused.
" Remember I was here all my life here in Nome?" Boris questioned. " While I was busy taking care of your rather rowdy puppyhood, I was very involved in everything going on in Nome. I also knew all the gossip and attractions back then. "
A pause followed.
" I just so happen to recall that Steele had a very secret crush on another dog. The one before Jenna," Boris explained. " Her name was Cuddy."
" Go on," Balto urged.
" At first, I thought it was one of those female dogs that Steele was interested in one day, but gone the other. By the rumors I've heard, Steele and Cuddy were seeing each other for months!" Boris said. " I knew then that Cuddy was not one of those temporary girlfriends for Steele. Later on, something happened. I don't know the details, but it was clear that Steele broke up. That's when he started seeing Jenna, your future wife. So, my theory is that Steele was the kidnapper AND murderer. He probably waited all these years for his revenge! I can't explain the wolfclaw marks, but all the signs point to him!"
" But where do you think Steele is right now?" Bakto asked. " He could be anywhere!"
" I think I know the right place," Boris replied back. " I always used to stalk Steele and his countless girlfriends to a particular place: an old storage warehouse near the docks. How do I know this? Well, I was kind of a rumor spreader and a perverrt at times."
Balto chuckled at that. " Boris you old goof and sicko! Still, we must hurry if we want to catch him and bring him to justice."
Unfortunately, Star has been hearing this whole conversation and he came out from behind them and yelled," Hey Balto! Hey Boris! Can I tag along for an adventure?"
Shocked by Star's outcry, Boris said," And Vhat vere you doing here? Have you been eavesdropping on us? Are you a spy?"
"Umm. NO. I was bored today and I wanted to be on an adventure with you guys!" Star explained.
" Well I trust you, but don't say anything to attract any more dogs. We are trying to hunt out Steele," Balto said.
" AWESOME!" Star shouted with joy. " I love a mystery adventure!"
The trio ran as fast as they could to the old abandoned fishery warehouse near the bay..................
July 16,1928. 11:56 A.M. The old abandoned fishery..................................................................................
'We've made it!" gasped Star.
" Yep this is the exact place!" said Boris.
The factory had seen better days. The giant steel sliding doors have all but rusted so it took an effort to even slide the doors two inches wide. The windows were few, two windows for each of the 4 walls of the warehouse. A faded alluminum sign said "Vladmir's Fine Fishery. Serving fine quality fish to Alaskans since 1885." The reason why the fishery closed down was because many of the workers there had moved to Russia to join the growing revolution to overthrow the Tsar Nicholas II back in the turn of the century. Apparently, the owner also shut down his factory in early 1917 to participate in the March Revolution. Fortunately, the workers never came back because they found better work in Russia and Vladmir made a lot more money in Russia. Next to the giant sliding doors was a door for the workers to enter or exit.
" Let's get in there now before it's too late," Boris said hastily.
Suddenly, Balto and Star were nowhere in sight.
"Balto? Star?" Boris whispered.
It didn't take long for Boris to find Balto and Star, who were standing near the dock.
"Vhat are you doing?!" Boris shouted. Come back here and- GASP!"
Floating in the water was Cuddy's body. It lay torn and beaten up. The fatal wounds were similar to those of Pastor Tim's, only fewer.
"Oh my God!" Star gasped. " What monster did this?"
" It's Steele," Balto said. " I can tell that he had more contact with Cuddy in comparison to Pastor Tim because he got killed very quickly."
After paying their respects to Cuddy, the three hurried to the door of the fishery and looked inside.
Steele was busy spilling gasoline on the floor of the fishery. There was a big red spot on near the wall where Cuddy was killed. The three also saw Steele's fur that was matted with Cuddy's blood. The most horrifying thing they saw was the fake wolf claws Steele made so it made the killing look like a wolf had done it. The fake wolf claws were across the room away from Steele. But the image Boris, Star, and Balto could never forget was Steele's dark and unnatural looking eyes. The eyes weren't normal and they were full of hate, anger, and a tint of sadness. Suddenly, Steele saw the three.
"STOP!" Steele shouted. " Don't move any closer!"
Steele was holding a match.
" Stop what you're doing," Balto commamded. " We can talk this out. Why did you do this?"
" Because I thought that if I got rid of Pastor Tim Cuddy would be so sad that she'll move on and I'll come and take her in. I thought that she'll be happier with me instead of that Pastor!"
" Did you honestly think that Cuddy would drop everything and fall in love with you? Just like that?" Balto questioned.
" We were in love!!" yelled Steele. " Cuddy was the closest I've ever had before Jenna came along! That was when we had true love!"
" Then vhy is she not vith you?" Boris pressed.
" Because!..... Because she was too soft! She was way too sensitive and quirmish. But other than that, everything was ok! And when that Pastor came along, she was attracted to him more than me! That's why the next time I love someone, I do whatever it takes! That's why I hated you Balto!"
" Now I know why you were so mean to Balto," Star said silently.
" Now everything I loved is now gone!" Steele yelled. " I always wanted to be happy and prideful!"
" That's why you're not happy!" shouted Star. " You have too much pride and arrogance!"
" I'm through with everything and everyone!" Steele shouted back. " I'm now saying goodbye to this damned world!!!!!!!!"
Steele struck the match against the surface of the wall. Then he walked slowly to where the gasoline is.
" Stop!" the three all shouted at once.
"TOO LATE!" Steele shouted back.
Then. Very slowly. Steele. Dropped. The. Match. Onto. The. Burning. Fire.
WHOOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The fire lit as soon as the flame hit the floor.
" AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" Steele screamed.
All Star, Boris, and Balto could do was to watch the horrifying scene of Steele burning up and falling to the ground with the hot orange red flames consuming him up.
" Let's get out of here!" screamed Star.
" Like now!" Boris screamed.
Star, Boris, and Balto all safely escaped the burning fishery. All the three could do now was to sit and watch Vladmir's Fine Fishery in flames.........................
July 16, 1928. 5:49 P.M. At the boiler room...................................
" So it was Steele that killed Pastor Tim and harassed Cuddy," Doc summed up. " And you know this because he confessed the whole thing."
" And ve also got the wolf claws," Boris added, showing Doc the wolf claws that showed obvious signs that Steele had worn it.
After the fire died away, the only thing left was the front, back, and right walls. of the fishery. Luckily, the claws were unharmed in the fire. They showed enough evidence that Steele had used them.
" The case is solved now," Balto said. " But this one had a very digusting end to it."
" Well congratulations on solving the case and I will host a honorable ceremony of you two bring Steele to well, uh, justice."
" We're just doing what we do best. Solving crimes," Boris boasted loudly.
" And Boris is good at exaggerating things," Balto joked.
The three filled the boiler room with laughter.
July 16, 1928. 6:30 P.M. At Jenna's House......................
" Wow dad! I can't believe you and Boris solved it!" Kodi exclaimed.
" Well, son. We just thought over it really hard and gathered evidence for conclusions," Balto replied modestly.
" Don't forget me!" Star popped up. " Next time you guys have a crime to solve, I want to be in it!"
" Ve'll let you know as soon as a crime pops up," Boris said.
" Wow man, your dad really IS the most famous dog in Nome!" Ralph said to Kodi.
" And don't forget Boris," Kirby said. " With the two together, they could do anything!"
As sson as Kirby finished his sentence, Jenna, Aleu, and Dusty brought food to the table and yelled," Dinnertime guys! Get it while it's hot!"
" Ah. After a hard day's work," Boris sighed with relief.
" Anyway, how did you solve the case?" Kirby asked Boris.
" I can't tell you much my friend, Boris said in a professor style tone. "But elementary my dear friend. Elementary."
"I'm hungry. Are you hungry? Cuz I'm hungry," Ralph said.
" Something tells me he's hungry," Kodi joked.
And this my friends, concludes the story of the murder of Pastor Tim and the hidden secret of Steele.
THE END