Disturbing the Peace

The clamor of the narrow streets had ceased several hours ago. Not even the sound of footsteps interrupted the complete stillness. It seemed the entire world had settled into a serene slumber, silently dreaming of tranquil bliss rather than rushing to keep up with daily life.

I wished I too had the same gift of gentle rest, but sleep was impossible, no matter how I tossed and turned. I consider myself a very patient mouse, but when I noticed the clock on my nightstand read 3:00, I decided to have a word with Basil. The violin had been screeching in the most unearthly manner for the past half hour.

Taking a breath to calm my frayed nerves, I stepped into the living room. "Basil, do you know it's three o'clock in the morning?"

"No, but if you hum it, I shall do my best to follow along!"

"I was not asking if you knew a song by that title! I was…!"

"I am perfectly aware what manner of inquiry you were making, Doctor. I am an investigator." He finally stopped playing his violin. "You've no doubt read in nearly every newspaper about the presence of the ambassador of Ratdom."

"Yes," I answered. "He's supposed to be taking a grand tour of Mousedom."

"What does that suggest to you, Dawson?" Basil asked.

"He wants to see our empire, but what is that to us?! It's none of our concern!"

"It most certainly is! In fact, it should be our primary concern!"

"Is it not natural that an ambassador would wish to…?"

He lit his pipe. "You fail to grasp the complexity of the situation, Dawson. How much have you read about this ambassador?"

"Not much," I admitted.

"The ambassador of Ratdom is indeed mysterious, and I have heard rumors that he once knew Ratigan. Now he wishes to tour our empire. Perhaps I am mistaken, but we cannot overlook the possibility that we may have a new adversary, an enemy even more powerful than our previous nemesis!"

"You think he plans to cause some sort of trouble?"

"I cannot form an opinion until I find evidence, but I can neither justify his innocence nor prove his guilt."

I could hardly believe this. Basil was playing his violin and smoking a pipe before dawn because an ambassador was touring the empire, and the individual in question might have known Ratigan. As far as I was concerned, there wasn't enough reason for suspicion, and this conversation could have at least waited until after sunrise.

"Get some rest, Dawson," Basil advised. "The ambassador would be expecting me to take his case. He will not be expecting you. After breakfast, you will disguise yourself and visit the library, the very place likely to attract someone who would know of the ambassador. Attempt to discover every possible bit of information, but do be discreet. It would greatly vex me if you were to behave as you did at The Rat Trap on our first case together."

"Are you a parent to instruct my behavior?!" I demanded.

As usual, Basil ignored me. After over a year of living with him, one would think I'd be used to it by now.

When I went to the library, I noticed a rat there. I had a feeling that a rat would most likely know more about Ratdom's ambassador than a mouse would, and even if I was mistaken, this was at least a start. I tried to think of the best way to begin the conversation, but being unable to think of anything, I decided to just begin naturally, keeping in mind how much some rats despise being called their own species.

I tipped my hat. "Good day, Miss Mouse."

The rat smiled. "Good day, Mr. Lizard."

"What makes you think I'm a lizard?"

"What makes you think I'm a mouse, Dr. Dawson?"

I gasped.

"Oh! You don't understand how I knew your name!" She laughed softly. "I had a feeling Basil would be confronting me. He's kind of suspicious of rats; however, he's too clever to challenge me himself, so I figured he'd be sending his associate to do it. After all I've heard about you, I recognized you from the way you greeted me." She frowned. "I should stop using your name. You're probably undercover, aren't you?"

"Why would Basil confront you?" I asked.

"From what I understand, I'm one of the few members of the community he hasn't confronted. I figured my turn would come eventually. We all have to answer to Basil at some time or the other, whether as victims, witnesses, or suspects." She grabbed a book off the shelf. "Which am I?"

"How should I know? I don't even know who you are."

The rat nodded. "Basil wishes to use me to find information about someone else. Is that it?" She took another book. "Now that we've established who you are and why you wish to speak with me, let's discuss what the great mouse detective wants to…" She frowned. "What's that?"

"What do you mean?" I queried.

"Over your shoulder." She stared into the distance. "That's what I thought! There's a story behind you!"

I rolled my eyes at the pun.

"You know, I'd probably be able to give better answers if I knew the story behind why I have the pleasure of addressing Basil's associate at this particular moment." She took her books to a comfortable chair and leaned forward in eager anticipation like a cat about to be given a plump mouse. "Basil's assistant himself!"

Something about her made me nervous, but I couldn't figure out why. Perhaps I was just too edgy from having my sleep interrupted by a violin, but I got the feeling this lady was more than she was pretending to be.

"While you're at it, how about a little of your past?" she asked politely. "That way I can really get the feel for…why are you so nervous? You act as if you've been captured by an enemy! We're just making casual conversation as acquaintances!"

I felt ashamed of myself for my unjust suspicions, so I began my story.