Tony Toponi languished hunched over on the bench in his cell, moping, staring at the ground and wondering when he'd ever get to see his family again, when he heard the door open and shut down the hall, and footsteps coming closer to his cell.
"Man if dat copper tries ta interrogate me one more time…" Tony glared through the bars of his cell, expecting to see Chief Bellingham.
But, it was someone he never expected to see.
Tanya stood in front of the cell, wearing a kerchief over her head and a modest dress. She was being escorted by a police officer.
"Tanya?" Tony's jaw dropped.
"Tony! Are you alright?" Tanya asked, putting her hands around the bars.
Tony got up and stepped closer, "How'd you know I was here?"
"I put two and two together after a conversation with Quinn," Tanya said, "I walked into the police station and asked to see you, not knowing if you'd really be here or not."
"But Quinn, don't he want ta keep me bein' here a secret?"
"He can't keep any secrets from me anymore," Tanya said, "I found out everything..."
"Yeah? He got me arrested because I knew too much. I'd be careful if I was you."
"On what charges?" Tanya asked.
"Eh, because I happened to be there when Chief McBrusque and dat Scuttlebutt guy died. Mostly because of the Chief."
"Really?" Tanya thought for a moment, as she was there for that too, "But…don't they know that I…?"
Tony hushed her, "They do. I'm thinking Ratbone must be protecting you, for whatever reason."
"It's probably another ace up his sleeve to keep me in line," she lamented, "But, I'm glad you're okay. Besides being in jail that is…"
"With a life sentence," Tony added, "And no way to contact my family."
"If you'd like, I can write Bridget a letter telling her what happened," Tanya offered.
"If you'd do that, I'd owe you big time," said Tony.
Tanya nodded, "I'll do it. In the meantime, maybe I can try to convince Quinn to let you go. He's probably going to become mayor after tomorrow."
"You're welcome to try. What'd you find out about dis guy anyway? Maybe we can exchange info."
"He's not what he seems," Tanya began, "You see…he's actually Ratigan's son."
Tony blinked, taken aback, "He's what now? Whose son?"
"Ratigan's. When Ratigan died, Quinn received his will. Along with a lot of money, the will outlined this whole complex plan for Quinn to take over New York and get revenge on Basil and Nellie for killing him. Quinn's been following it to a tee, because he feels somehow obligated to avenge his father and make him proud."
"What?" Tony found this all hard to swallow, "I…I neva woulda guessed. Though now that ya mention it, I can kinda see the resemblance."
"It's awful really, Ratigan making his own estranged son his slave after death. I tried to talk some sense into him, but…he just won't listen."
"What's he got you doing for him?" Tony asked, "If you know his secret what are you doing about it?"
"I…I can't do much. I mean, if I ever want to keep working in this town, and not end up behind bars like you, or even worse. For now he's still acting as my manager. I'm starring in "The Legend of Mouse Hollow" on Broadway. But I don't think Quinn's pure evil like his father. If he would only listen and see reason."
"Tanya, the guy's no good," said Tony, "That night when you was singing at the club, he was planning this big scheme involving all our worst enemies."
"That was all part of Ratigan's plan in his will," Tanya sighed, "I don't know what to do. Tony he has every important person in New York in his pocket, even Cat R. Waul and Warren. I feel so trapped in this situation. And yet…I know he's not evil to the core."
"Ahh come on, of course he is," Tony said, "You and yer affection for bad boys."
"It isn't like that Tony," Tanya retorted.
"Not everyone's got good in them. Sure wasn't nice of him ta throw me in prison when I got a wife and kid, was it?"
"I said I was going to try to convince him to let you go, that's a start isn't it?"
"I guess so,' said Tony.
"Hey toots, times up," said the police officer accompanying Tanya.
"Really? I wasn't done."
"It's late, Rules are rules."
"Okay…" Tanya looked over to Tony, "I'll mail that letter to Bridget first thing tomorrow. And don't worry."
"Thanks Tanya, guess I'll owe ya one…just be a betta judge of character from now on, will ya?"
"Oh, I will," she said, and she was escorted away from the cells.
As Tanya exited the door, her face bumped into the chest of a tall police officer. She looked up, at the stern face of Chief Bellingham.
"Did you have a pleasant chat, Ms. Mousekewitz?"
"I…um…yes?" Tanya answered meekly.
"I know you're just as guilty as Toponi. You were there when McBrusque and Scuttlebutt died. I have your files. I know."
Tanya was silent. She couldn't deny the accusations. She was frozen in place.
"Ratbone's the only thing keeping me from running you in. You remember that, dearie. And you remember this. It may seem like I'm looking the other way in your case, but I've got my eye on you. Give me half a reason to have you thrown behind bars, and Ratbone won't be able to protect you anymore. And before you get any funny ideas about convincing Ratbone to ask us to release Toponi, you can forget it. I'm not bending the law any further than I need to for him."
"But…but I didn't…"
"The Indians gave you a bomb to detonate, and you followed through. You, Toponi and your little brother. It resulted in two deaths. You're all guilty. I should have you arrested, but I need Ratbone's help in running in the rest of those savages. And he for some reason wants you spared, so Toponi's taking the heat. So will your little brother if we ever find him. He'll be sent off to a reform school when we get our hands on him. Count yourself lucky, young girl. Now get out of my police station."
The police officer behind Tanya shoved her forward, and she stumbled before regaining her balance. She stared back at Bellingham for a few moments, before turning around, and briskly walking out of the police station. She still wanted to have a talk with Quinn about releasing Tony. She had to. This was her own fault, she reasoned.
Fievel, Olivia and Hakan navigated the dark underground tunnels on the way to the Lenape village. They were tunnels that Hakan knew well, despite it being years since he navigated them.
"Are you nervous Hakan?" Olivia asked.
"I cannot lie, I am," he answered, "They will not be fond of me down there. But I must do this."
"Don't worry, the Chief wanted you back, he said so."
"Things must be quite grim if he asked for me," Hakan said, when they entered the steel tube of an underground pipe.
"I think he wanted you back down here for your own safety," said Fievel.
Once they emerged on the other side, they could see an open area lit by torches on the walls. One wall had ornate paintings on it.
"We are here," said Hakan, having never thought he would see this place again.
He found a red, four-fingered mouse hand print on the wall, and he pressed his hand into it. There was a low rumble, and a door opened up in the cave wall nearby.
"Ya think they're gonna be very happy ta see us?" Olivia asked.
"It's been more than two weeks, they've got to be worried about us," said Fievel.
The three of them walked through the opening and down a short tunnel, before long emerging into a large, torch-lit cave system with teepees and flowing water. At the bottom of the staircase before them were a large group of Lenape mice wielding spears, having heard the secret entrance being opened outside. But they lowered the spears upon seeing Fievel, who was followed by Olivia and finally Hakan. The tribe members were astonished to see him again, dressed un Upper-World clothes no less.
The crowd parted as the tall, burly Chief Wulisso stepped forth, climbing the stairs.
"It has been many days. You return with my nephew," he said.
Hakan stared on as the Chief approached them, his face betraying no emotion. Olivia and Fievel stood back as the two tall mice faced each other.
"You wanted me back," said Hakan, "And I am here."
"No doubt you know the dangers our tribe faces," the Chief said.
"I know more than you do, Chief," Hakan replied.
"We will exchange this information soon," the Chief replied, "Until then…I welcome you. But…I welcome you as a visitor."
"So be it," Hakan replied.
Chief Wulisso turned to Fievel.
"What news of Cholena?" he asked.
Fievel hesitated, not sure how tell the Chief why her daughter wasn't with them. Hakan upheld his promise to be the bearer of bad news.
"We have seen Cholena, Chief," Hakan said, "This news will not be easy for you to hear."
The Chief turned once again to Hakan. By now everyone in the village had gathered at the staircase.
"Cholena is in New York once more," said Hakan, "She had fled far to the land of England, but was taken back here against her will. Yet she does not wish to return to the tribe. She would not come back with us."
"And you let her go?" Chief Wulisso asked in anger.
"She is with our friends Nellie Brie and Keelikee. For now she will be kept safe."
"None of us are safe in the Upper-World," the Chief said.
"It cannot be helped," Hakan replied, "I myself asked her why she would not return. She has seen the beauty of the Upper-World for herself, tasted its freedom, and does not wish to live under the ground for the rest of her days. If she marries, she fears being trapped down here as a prisoner."
The crowd below burst out in anger, calling Cholena and Hakan traitors, waving their spears. The Chief turned around and raised his hand to silence them.
"She wishes to turn her back on her family, culture and heritage," said Chief Wulisso, "She sees our sanctuary as a prison. That is her decision, and it is one she will regret for the rest of her days. I no longer have a daughter."
Olivia and Fievel were struck silent at the Chief's harsh words, Fievel feeling especially sad for Cholena.
"But, I must concern myself with my tribe, first and foremost," he continued, "I must protect us from the Upper-World. And as long as Cholena roams above, she is a danger to us all. She could be captured, and tortured into revealing our location."
"Though she does not wish to live here, she still has her pride as a Lenape," said Hakan, "I see it in her eyes. She will take the secret location of this place to her grave. As would I."
"It is a risk we should not take," said the Chief, "But she leaves us with no choice. The Upper-Worlders will be coming for us soon. We will not be able to defend ourselves when they do, unless we have a strategy."
"Basil and Nellie will think of some way to save you," said Olivia.
"We shall see," said the Chief, "I will discuss the situation in private with Hakan. The two of you, make yourselves comfortable. I may send you back to the surface soon."
"We were gonna meet up with Nellie, Vartan and…well, we were supposed ta meet 'em tomorrow night," said Olivia, stopping short of mentioning Cholena.
"Very well, you may leave then. Come, Hakan. Follow me. We have much to discuss."
"Yes Chief," said Hakan, and the two of them moved through the parting crowd, many of whom scowled at Hakan, seeing him as a traitor.
Olivia held Fievel's hand, "Ah don't feel like they're very pleased…"
"I know," said Fievel, "Poor Hakan…"
The two of them walked down the steps toward the village, and though bitter, the Lenape gave them hospitality, showing them to the tent they were to sleep in.