TITLE: The Case Of The Disappearing Actress
AUTHOR: Talepiece
RATING: 12 cert.
PAIRING: Vastra/Jenny
SERIES: The Casebook Of Madame Vastra
CONTINUITY: This is the second of the Vastra/Jenny detective stories.
SUMMARY: Vastra and Jenny are called in to solve the mystery of an actress who has disappeared into thin air.
DISCLAIMER: I own them not, please sue me not.
CREDITS: This story is based on the first Professor Van Dusen ("The Thinking Machine") story, The First Problem, by Jaques Futrelles.

As word of the resolution of their early cases spread, so did the renown of Madame Vastra and Jenny Flint, along with their notoriety with the local Constabulary. That changed somewhat, though it was never lost entirely, with the case of the actress Miss Wallack and her remarkable disappearance. Here, for the first but not the last time, Scotland Yard sought out the aid of the two women.

Jennifer Strax Vastra-Flint
London, 1948

She was living in a house. A human house. Human! Vastra paced around the small abode, every sense aflame as she sought out even the slightest hint of human that did not belong to Jenny herself. They had scrubbed the place until even the brickwork shone, all in an attempt to rid their new home of what had been the overwhelming stench of the previous occupants.

Jenny waited until Vastra returned to the little sitting room and grabbed at her arm. "Why don't you have a sit down now, eh Madame? Nice cuppa tea?"

"I have yet to discern the healing properties you so obviously ascribe to that beverage, my dear. Tell me, what exactly do you consider the chief benefit of tea?"

"Good for the soul. Or so my old mam used to say."

Jenny's smile faltered as she made the comment and Vastra wondered again at the strange mix of fierce determination and utter desolation that seemed to war inside her friend. And friends they were, though Vastra had no idea how such a thing could have happened. Certainly she had not taken any conscious decision at any point in their brief relationship. Jenny Flint - it was short for Jennifer, Vastra had learned recently but the girl preferred the diminutive - had simply insinuated herself into Vastra's very being and, to her utter amazement, Vastra had done the same in reverse. She had not a clue how. Which was somewhat embarrassing given their newfound fame as the solvers of the unsolvable.

"Oh you do need a cuppa, Madame, you've gone quite pale around the," Jenny waved her hand around her throat in a vague gesture, "gills."

Vastra cast her a hard stare but it was met with nothing but a roll of the eyes. So much for being a great Silurian warrior, she told herself but felt no bitterness or self pity. That, if anything, was the most terrrifying part of all this; she was entirely happy that her life had taken such a dramatic turn. It was unimaginable. And quite lovely.

Jenny left the room and returned a few minutes later with a tray neatly laid for this strange art that Jenny described as "being mother". In quick time the cups were full of the light brown liquid and Jenny offered one to Vastra with a smile. They were finally settling back in their spotless home when the doorbell rang.

Jenny said a word that Vastra had never heard from her lips before but one that accurately summed up her own feelings. If only because she would have to don that ridiculous veil again. Jenny stood and straightened out her pinny, pulling her maid's bonnet from the large pocket and tugging it on to her head as she walked to the door. Vastra was not entirely sure why the girl insisted on this pretense of mistress and maid. It was an artifical construct forced upon them by this backward society of this backward race and yet, even given the chance to refute it, Jenny was determined to play along.

When Jenny returned there was a man with her. In his forties, Vastra thought, of military bearing but not a natural commander of men. His face was small and round, his dark hair receding harshly, his frame lean. A nervous man but one used to having to hide it, one always expecting the worst.

"A visit from the Police, how charming," Vastra said, startling the man.

He stared at her for a moment before inclining his head in both greeting and agreement, "I am Inspector Brown of Scotland Yard, Madame Vastra."

"A pleasure, Inspector. You have met my associate, Jenny Flint. How may we be of service?"

"Yes, well, a little embarrassing this Madame."

"Do not be embarrassed Inspector. Pray, take a seat and explain the situation that brings you here."

He sat in the seat Jenny had vacated, Jenny stationing herself to the side where she could watch the man's face carefully but he could not see any gestures she might make to Vastra.

"Now then, Madame, I have a case. Quite a shocking case and one that I find utterly inexplicable. I am not in the habit of bringing such things to anyone outside of the Force, as you can imagine I'm sure, and certainly not one to consult a so-called Consulting Detective," he offered a faint smile to offset his words, "however, I am quite baffled and time, I believe, is of the essence."

"Indeed, Inspector, and the case itself?"

"A disappearance. A girl, well young woman. An actress, in fact, one Miss Wallack. You know of her?"

"Irene Wallack?" Jenny said, "Saw her once when me Dad took me to the theatre. Proper treat it was and she was quite fine. And a wonderful actress I'm sure," she added in a rush.

"Quite," Vastra said after a moment to take in the flush of Jenny's face, "Quite, my dear. Alas, Inspector, I am less of a theatre-goer than my companion but I am certainly aware of Miss Wallack's reputation. Her Rosalind has received much praise of late, has it not?"

"It has, Madame Vastra, much praise indeed."

"And the sudden illness reported this morning in the newspapers - a ruse?"

"Thought it best to keep things out of the 'papers for as long as possible, Madame.

"Quite right. Now, tell us what you know, Inspector."

"Miss Wallack and the company were performing their final night at the Lyric Theatre - the Lyric on Shaftesbury Avenue - last evening.

"There was some gaiety to precedings backstage, much as the last day of term I suppose. Though many in the cast were suffering from a vague sort of malaise; the influenza most likely, bought on by the rigours of their extensive tour. Miss Wallack herself played the second act with a terrible headache and her maid had to be sent home with some sort of sickness.

"One minute before the third act curtain up, the stage manager made his call to Miss Wallack and she replied, most certainly in her own voice. Rosalind does not make her entrance until six minutes into the final act and she was expected in the wings a minute or two before."

"Yet she did not arrive on cue?"

"I'm afraid not. The stage manager returned to her dressing room in some consternation but Miss Wallack was gone. A hurried search was made but she could not be discovered and the company manager was forced to cancel the performance, explaining this as a sudden illness."

"There were no sign of her?"

"None at all, Miss Flint, she had apparently evaporated into thin air."

"Highly unlikely, wouldn't you say Inspector?"

"I would. And I would say something else, Madame Vastra. In cases such as these, involving the disappearance of a beautiful young woman, time is almost certainly of the essence. If there is any chance that Miss Wallack remains alive, we must find her and as soon as possible."

"You are quite right," Vastra said, standing and turning to Jenny, "I believe a trip to the theatre is in order, wouldn't you say?"