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Equus	By : Deb Category: Gundam Wing/AC > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2855 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, it belongs to Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. I do own the equines though, please do not take them without permission. Written for pleasure not profit.

Chapter List
- 23
- 24
- 25
“Equus”

Chapter 24

Despite the Tuesday being Zechs' day off, when Duo approached him by phone on the Monday evening in relation to Quatre's request for a vet to attend Leroy's residence, Zechs was more than happy to accompany Quatre to the man's place and give what animals they discovered there a thorough health check.

Quatre called by the practice and picked Zechs up just after nine in the morning. Duo had a few words with both the Inspector and vet before they left, mainly insisting that they keep him informed in relation to the condition of the animals – especially should Quatre feel the need to remove them from this Leroy's care and need somewhere to keep them. He offered the practice stables for that purpose should any of the animals be horses, knowing Trowa's shelter would take care of any other animals, an offer Quatre appreciated, but the final decision would be made by the Society itself.

With there being nothing further to discuss, Zechs and Quatre left, Duo returning to his consults along with Hilde.

Heero had also requested that Duo or Zechs let him know what was happening once they had some information. He had assisted Duo with Nataku's treatment that morning before consults, pleased that the mare wasn't showing as much fear and had actually looked quite happy to see them. With Nataku taken care of, Heero had disappeared off to his own stables to commence his work there. He was kept quite busy with all the stable work and the horses to ride as well. He didn’t mind the hard work though, in fact, Heero enjoyed it. He knew if a person wanted to succeed in anything it could only be achieved through hard work and dedication.

With those thoughts in his mind, Heero led Orion out to the schooling paddock to begin his lessons with the equines.

* * *

Zechs was already familiar with Nataku and her part in the case against this Leroy fellow, but there were other aspects to the case that Zechs wasn't clear on. He'd not attended any cases for the R.S.P.C.A as yet so this was all new to him.

“Don't worry, you'll be fine,” Quatre said, noting the slight look of discomfort on the blonde vet's face and knowing what must be going through his mind.

Zechs gave a soft sigh. “I'm not sure what to expect, what exactly you want me to do,” he said honestly.

“Do you think I would just throw you in at the deep end?” Quatre chuckled.

“No, not really.”

“It's actually quite simple. All you need to do is remain in the background so to speak. Once we arrive I'll see if our perpetrator is home. If he is, I'll serve him with the papers that will allow me to enter the premises and inspect any and all animals he currently has. I will also inform him of the Society's intention to prosecute him for cruelty to Nataku, those charges could be increased depending on what we find.”

“What if he's not home?” Zechs interrupted.

“If he's not there I will enter the premises anyway and we will go ahead with our business. Depending on what we find and the result of your checks on any and all animals we locate, then we will decide what to do and how to proceed from there. You don't need to say anything at all, Zechs. I'll do all the talking, all you will need to do is give any animal we find a proper health check. Just do what you would normally do for someone that wishes to have a check up done on their pet. I will need your opinion as well as the results of the check to determine what to do next. If we should find an animal that shows signs of abuse and in your opinion the abuse is likely to continue, then I have the power to remove that animal from the premises.”

Zechs felt a little better after Quatre's explanation, but still a little nervous.

“Don't worry about it, I'll talk you through it.” Quatre gave Zechs a warm smile.

They continued to drive in silence, each man lost in his own thoughts of what lay ahead.

Another fifteen minutes passed and Quatre started to slow down. Zechs looked out at the landscape, noting they were out in what appeared to be farming lands.

“It's just up here on the right,” Quatre said in a soft tone.

Curiosity got the better of Zechs and he stared intently at the area surrounding him as Quatre pulled off the road and along a drive. Up ahead lay a house and behind it what appeared to be stables or sheds. Quatre brought the vehicle to a stop by the front door and cut the engine. Reaching over to the back seat, he snagged his briefcase and rifled through it, producing a sheaf of official looking papers.

“You ready?” he asked Zechs.

Nodding, Zechs grabbed his bag and exited the car, following Quatre to the front door. The ringing of the doorbell was met with the sounds of barking, a medium sized dog given the tone of the bark both men guessed. The door however remained firmly shut. Quatre tried another three times before admitting defeat in relation to the house.

“Come on, we'll take a look out the back, he might be out there somewhere.”

Zechs nodded and followed along. Quatre walked around the side of the house and into an overgrown back garden. At least Zechs thought it was a back garden, given the height of the grass he wouldn't have been surprised to see a lion or three hiding in it. “Doesn't this guy believe in a lawn mower?” Zechs muttered.

With there being no sign of a human anywhere around the house, Quatre proceeded down the weed infested path towards the outer buildings. As they approached it was clear that several of the buildings were in disrepair, one wasn't looking too bad though and it was towards this building that Quatre aimed.

Getting closer, Zechs could see the building had been converted into stables and yards; or at least that's what he assumed. The fences weren't all that strong and there were piles of rubbish scattered about. A deep frown formed between blonde eyebrows when Zechs noticed several pieces of corrugated tin lying around and in some cases, tack nailed to the base of the fences. Tin was a very dangerous item to have around horses, Zechs had done more than his fair share of stitching jobs caused by tin.

“Hello! Hello! Anyone around?” Quatre called out.

A dark shadow flitted out of the stables and disappeared into the shadows. Zechs blinked and after thinking about the shape of the creature, he assumed it had been a cat.

“Doesn't look like there's anyone out here either,” Quatre stated.

“There's a horse float over there,” Zechs pointed out, Quatre turning to look in the direction Zechs indicated.

Parked to one side was indeed a horse float, the license plate matching the one on the picture Duo had taken. Quatre got his camera out and took a few more photographs. “I'd say he's off out somewhere,” Quatre stated, alluding to the fresh tire tracks that could be seen in the dirt of the yard. “I have no clue if or when he will be back so we may as well get started. I briefly saw a couple of horses in the stables when I stopped by yesterday so we may as well begin our inspection there and move through the other buildings afterwards.”

“Okay, you're the one in charge.”

Moving towards the stables, Zechs wondered what he would be greeted with.

* * *

“How do you think they are getting on?” Heero asked, sitting down with Duo at the kitchen table for a quick snack.

Duo shrugged. “No idea. I've not heard diddly squat from either of them.”

“Diddly squat?”

Duo gave his partner a sheepish grin. “Yeah, diddly squat as in nothing, nada, zip.”

Heero shook his head. “I wonder if and how many other horses that guy has and if he's as cruel to them as he was to Nataku?”

“I'm hoping he doesn't have much at all in the way of animals. Not only is it a concern regarding any other horses he might have, but what about any dogs, cats or goldfish?”

“How can one be cruel to a goldfish? Dogs, cats, horses, goats, sheep and other animals I can imagine many ways in how they could be mistreated, but a goldfish?” Heero wasn't trying to be smart, he was genuinely curious.

Snickering to himself, Duo elaborated a touch. “Think about a goldfish, Heero. It lives in an aquarium and swims around all day. Now, you can be cruel to it by not changing the water when it needs it. Imagine a fish trying to swim around or breathe in filthy, algae riddled water. Then there's the case of feeding. Too much and you'll bloat the fish until it pops, not enough and it will end up floating fins up.” Duo knew it wasn't technically the proper way to explain things, but he figured Heero would get the general gist of what he meant. “Just because it's a fish and lives in water doesn't mean it can't be mistreated too.”

Heero decided to quit while he was behind. “Okay, I believe you. I think I might give Wufei a call this afternoon and talk to him about Nataku,” he said, changing the subject.

“She seems to be a lot less nervous today. I noticed she didn't flinch half as much when we were treating her earlier.”

“I think she's beginning to trust us and realize that we aren't going to beat her,” Heero responded with a smile.

“I hope so.”

“I'll go make that call.”

“I'll make us a drink then come and eavesdrop.”

Heero rolled his eyes and kissed the smug smirk off his lover's lips.

* * *

Zechs followed Quatre into the assumed stable building, his eyes adjusting to the dim interior. Once he was able to make out things clearly, he noted Quatre had moved to stand at one of the stable doors. With his bag in hand, Zechs walked over and took his first look at his 'patient'.

“I noted this horse and one a couple of stables down when I stopped by yesterday,” Quatre informed him. “I'm not sure if there are any others on the property, there weren't any in the stables although one other stable looked like it was in use. I'm guessing that was the one Nataku was kept in.”

“Makes sense,” Zechs replied.

“I'll get you to check these two over first, once we're done we can take a look out back in the paddocks and see if there are any other horses or animals around.”

“No problem. Do you think you could hold the horse for me, please?”

“Of course.” Quatre had come prepared and pulled the lead rope out of his back pocket. The horses were both wearing halters so that wasn't a problem. “Which one would you like to start with?”

“Might as well go with this one first.” Zechs motioned towards the stable that held a chestnut.

It took Quatre a few minutes to actually catch the horse. Each time he got close the animal would try to move away until Quatre managed to grab it more by sheer luck than skill. Leading the horse into the stable from its yard, Quatre waited for Zechs to join him inside.

“Either this horse is difficult to catch or it's been mistreated to the point where it associates being caught with pain,” Zechs muttered.

“Going on personal experience, I'd be more inclined to go with the latter,” Quatre said.

“Same here. I'll need to remove the rug to properly assess the animal, will you be okay to hold onto him?”

“I'll be fine,” Quatre replied.

With Quatre holding onto the lead rope and speaking in low, soothing tones to the horse, Zechs removed the rug with minimal fuss and set about his examination. He went over the chestnut from the tips of its ears to the last hairs of its tail. Whilst Zechs was examining the equine, Quatre was making his own assessment. He watched the horse carefully, noting the body language, how the horse reacted to Zechs and the careful probing of skilled fingers. He took note of each and every flinch, tremble or attempt to avoid contact, filing it away in his mind to write up in a report later.

Zechs used Quatre's camera to take several pictures during his examination, knowing the Inspector would also need photographic evidence to back up any charges.

“Okay, I'm done with this one,” Zechs said and picked up the horse's rug to put back on. Once he'd finished, Quatre let the horse go and the pair exited the stable.

“Would you like to give me your findings now or wait until you've examined the other horse?”

“I think I'd rather wait until I've looked at the other one.”

“Okay. Hopefully this one will be a bit easier to catch.”

The second horse, a bay, was a lot harder to catch than its chestnut counterpart. In the end, Zechs stepped into the stable and gave Quatre a hand. With the two of them cutting off escape routes, the horse gave in and allowed Quatre to catch it. Once more Zechs removed the rug and began his examination, Quatre holding onto the animal and doing his best to keep it calm and still.

With his examination and photographs complete, Zechs replaced the bay's rug, Quatre released the horse and the pair moved out of the stable and locked the door behind them. Moving to the outside of the stable block, Zechs took a clean breath of air and cleared his mind.

“Here's what I've found,” he began. “Both horses are in okay condition body wise which means they aren't being starved or mistreated in that area. Both appear to be fed well enough and they have access to clean water. The stables are also showing signs of being regularly cleaned so I don't think there is cause for concern in regards to neglect. However I am concerned about the state of repair the stables are in. That tin tacked up in odd places is a disaster waiting to happen and that needs to be fixed as a priority.”

“I agree with you there, Zechs,” Quatre said with a nod of his head.

“As for the condition of the animals in regards to mistreatment.” Zechs took a breath and ordered his thoughts. “I have found evidence on both horses that suggests there is mistreatment occurring. Both animals are showing signs of having welt marks on their hides consistent with a whip being applied. There is also evidence of healed wounds which appear to have been made by the excessive use of spurs, and I'd even go so far as to suggest that those spurs are not the usual, blunt ones permitted to be used, but rather the rowel kind.”

“Rowel spurs are banned unless the ends are blunted off,” Quatre growled. “For spurs to inflict injury they would have to be used with a great deal of force, or be sharp.”

“My point exactly,” Zechs replied with a grim look.

“Anything else?”

“Yes. Both horses have bruising around the rib and flank areas, also around and in their mouths. One, the bay, also has a freshly healing tear to the corner of its mouth, consistent with an ill fitting or ill used bit.”

Quatre's eyes were growing darker by the minute.

“It is my professional opinion that both these horses have been and currently are being subjected to physical abuse to the point of cruelty. It would be my recommendation that the Society removes the animals from this person's property and take them into care.” Zechs gave the Inspector a long look. “Is that the sort of report you wanted?”

“It couldn't be better, Zechs. Thank you. I will need you to put all of that into a written report if you could. Given the photos you've taken as well, I'm sure we will be able to successfully prosecute this man.”

“Glad to be of service.” Zechs gave a smile. “Shall we take a further look around and see if we can find any other animals?”

“I'll just get a few photographs of the stable building and those areas of concern with the tin first,' Quatre replied and moved to do that, leaving Zechs to ponder what kind of a man could be so cruel to an animal.

Once Quatre was satisfied he had enough photographic evidence, the pair wandered deeper into the property, checking the paddocks first. There was no sign of any other animal presence in the paddocks and both men were relieved at that. They passed what this Leroy fellow obviously used as his schooling paddock on their way back to the stables and other buildings. Several jumps were set up, most of them quite high and Zechs frowned.

Both Treize and Heero had impressive looking courses of jumps in their schooling paddocks, but rarely were they set at heights like the ones he was looking at now. If he remembered correctly, both riders had said there was no point to jumping a horse continuously over the maximum heights, all it served to do was stress the horse, put unnecessary strain on fine ligaments and tendons and sour the horse from jumping.

“What's up?” Quatre asked seeing the frown.

“I was just looking at his jumps. Both Treize and Heero have always said it's far better to practice the horse over smaller jumps to keep them educated and teach them new things. They don't need to be constantly jumping the big heights. Looks like our friend doesn't think along the same lines.”

Although he was no expert in the jumping field, Quatre could see the logic in that line of thinking. “Makes sense to me. Why continue to put an animal over a big height when you know it can do it, sort of like making an athlete who is a high jumper continuously practice over the maximum height. Eventually something is going to give.”

“I agree.” Zechs paused. “Look, there's that cat again.”

Both men watched as a shadow slinked into one of the other buildings.

“Come on, let's see if we can catch it and check it over,” Quatre said and made a beeline for the building.

Ten minutes later they emerged without having caught the cat. Both were covered in a fine layer of dust and Quatre had a couple of cobwebs in his hair.

“I don't think there's too much wrong with that cat if it can run away and evade us like that,” Quatre laughed.

“I'd have to agree with you,” Zechs said and then coughed to rid his lungs of the dust.

“I don’t think there's any further animals on the property other than the dog in the house,” Quatre stated as he pulled his cell phone form his pocket. “I'll give headquarters a call and let them know what we've found and the results of your examinations along with both yours and my recommendations to remove those two horses from the property.”

“Okay.” Zechs turned and then froze. “Quatre? I think our missing person has just returned, and he doesn't look too happy.”

Quatre paused in his actions of calling headquarters to look in the direction Zechs was. He swallowed when he spotted the man. A car had indeed pulled into the yard and a tall, well built man had gotten out of it, said man now walking towards them both with a very dark look on his face.

* * *

Picking up the phone, Heero dialed the number to the Chang residence. He listened as the call connected and the sound of ringing came through the ear piece. He gave Duo a smile when the vet entered carrying two cups in his hand, setting one down by Heero and taking a seat opposite his lover.

“Chang residence, Meiran speaking.”

“Hello, Meiran, it's Heero Yuy here. I hope I haven't called at an inconvenient time.”

“Not at all, Mr Yuy. What can I do for you?”

“Would it be possible to speak with Wufei, please?”

“Of course. If you could wait a moment, I'll go fetch him.”

“Thank you.” Heero picked up his cup and took a sip of the hot liquid. Moments later, Wufei's voice came down the line.

“Mr Yuy, what can I do for you?”

“Please, call me Heero. Actually, it's more along the lines of what I can do for you, Wufei.”

“Oh? May I ask what?”

“I think I may have found a horse that will suit you for your tax deduction.”

“Ah, please, tell me more.”

Heero went on to explain all about Nataku, how they had seen her at the show, her performance and Heero's thoughts about it. He went on to explain how they had seen the man abusing her in the floating area, the way he'd taken to her with the whip and the mare's reaction along with how Heero had intervened and ended up buying the horse and bringing her home. He explained Duo's treatment and what the vet thought about her before letting Wufei know his ideas on the mare and her potential.

“Have you ridden her yet?” Wufei asked.

“No, I didn't want to try her out until Duo gives her the all clear from her injuries,” Heero replied honestly.

“Then how do you know she will be any good?”

It was a fair question, one which Heero answered in all honesty. “I can't say for sure that she will be, but based on what I saw of her in the jumping ring and her conformation, I'm pretty much convinced she will be a good A grade jumper.”

Wufei fell silent for a moment. “You know I trust your judgment, Heero and I don't think for one minute you would be trying to sell me something that wouldn't be any good.”

“I wouldn’t do that to you, Wufei,” Heero said quietly, a little shocked that the Chinese man could even think such a thing, but then when Heero thought about it, had the shoe been on the other foot, Heero would have said the same thing.

“I know you wouldn't, Heero.”

“Why don't you come out and take a look at her? It won't cost you anything other than the fuel to get here to see her for yourself and make up your own mind. If you are interested in buying her then I'm sure we can come to a fair deal. If she doesn't turn out to be any good for whatever reason, I will buy her back off you, I can always use her as a brood mare.”

Wufei couldn't argue with that logic. “That sounds fair enough to me, Heero. If it suits you, Meiran and I can come out tomorrow to take a look at her?”

“Tomorrow would be good for me. What time would suit you?” Heero glanced across to where Duo was making hand signals at him and raised an eyebrow in question.

“See if he can come out around lunch time. I'll be done with consults by then and I've only got a cat spay booked for the afternoon surgery which I can do later,” Duo whispered.

“I think the afternoon, early if possible,” Wufei said.

“How about one o'clock or thereabouts?” Heero suggested

“That would be suitable for me.”

“Okay. We will see you and Meiran tomorrow at one then. Thank you, Wufei.”

“Thank you, Heero. Please pass on my regards to Duo. Good bye for now.”

“I will. Good bye, Wufei.” Heero hung up the phone and turned to face Duo.

“Well? I take it he's interested,” Duo said.

“Hai, he is. He's going to come over at one tomorrow to see Nataku. I really hope he likes her, she deserves a second chance.”

“That she does. I think Wufei will like her though, once she turns those baby browns on him he'll be lost,” Duo snickered.

Heero laughed.

* * *

“Who the hell are you and what are you doing on my property!?” snarled Leroy as he approached the two men he'd caught on his land.

“Yes, definitely not happy,” Zechs muttered and wondered if he would get into a lot of trouble should he sedate the man if necessary.

“I'll handle this, Zechs,” Quatre said beneath his breath. Pulling himself up to his full height, which still left him several inches shorter than the other man, Quatre stepped into his diplomatic role of Inspector. “Are you Mr. Leroy Saunders?”

“So what if I am? You're still trespassing on my land. I'll call the police to remove you if you don't get off my property now.”

“Mr. Saunders. My name is Quatre Winner and I'm an Inspector with the R.S.P.C.A. This is Doctor Merquise, an equine specialist vet. I have legal papers that allow me to enter your property to check on the welfare of any and all animals currently in residence. As you were not home at the time I could not ask for your permission or cooperation. However, you are here now so I can give you the papers.” Quatre handed over a couple of papers which Saunders took and glanced at.

“Just what the fuck is all this?”

“Mr. Saunders, the society has received a complaint in regards to your handling of your horses. It is the Society's job to investigate any and all complaints to verify if there are grounds for such a complaint and if so, to investigate further.”

“What a load of bullshit! There's nothing wrong with my animals,” Saunders stormed.

“I'm afraid I beg to differ.” Quatre handed over another couple of papers. “Mr. Saunders, the Society intends to prosecute you in regards to cruelty to a bay mare at a show a couple of days ago. These are the papers with the charges and all details on them. After having an equine specialist inspect the other horses you currently have in your ownership, I also find them showing signs of cruelty. The Society hereby gives you notice that these horses will be removed from your care immediately and further charges of cruelty will be pressed. Do you understand?”

“Like fucking hell you will!”

Quatre didn't get the chance to blink before Saunders launched himself at the smaller man.

~ * ~

tbc...
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Equus