"Never," Demeter growled.
"Keep your voice down," Mack pleaded. "If they hear you…"
"I don't care! I don't care if they know. I'm not going along with…"
"Even supposing you don't care what they do to you, what about Carbuckety? What about Bombalurina? Everyone else?"
Demeter hesitated. "But we can't…we can't trade Old D's life for theirs," she insisted, lowering her voice.
"Of course not, but we've got to appear to do as they…"
"Like you appeared to join the henchcats? That went well…"
"So," Mungojerrie cut in loudly, "yew two remembahs the'structions, yeah?" The other two jumped slightly; they'd almost forgot the tiger tom was there. They paused and turned to look at him. He winked and pulled meaningful faces, reminding them to mind what they said, no doubt they were being watched.
"Yeah," Mack answered at the same volume, "we remember, squealer." It wouldn't do to seem to be getting on too well with Mungojerrie, given that he was meant to be fully loyal to Griddlebone and the main reason they'd been roped into her scheme. Truth be told, Mack was only half-acting. Would they have been in this situation if Jerrie and Quaxo hadn't insisted on the 'under-cover' route? Or even if they hadn't taken Jerrie and Teazer out of the warehouse to begin with?
"Yes, we know," Demeter added, also playing along. "You certainly showed where your true loyalties lay. Never really changed them, did you? Even after all we did for you…"
Jerrie gulped, appearing hurt despite the fact he more or less understood what the other two were about. "W-well, wot c'n yew expect? A cat's gotta survive, an' 'scuse me, but the Lady's gang is better at survival. Yer folks is too soft. I on'y regret I can' get Teazah t'see it that way. Yew Jellicles've man—manip—messed wif'er min' an' no mistake, an' now she'll suffah for it." This last sentence ended in a whimper.
Mack's lip curled up contemptuously; he couldn't help it. Jerrie was afraid of his own shadow—hadn't even tried to stop Griddle hurting Demeter. He couldn't bring himself to say anything reassuring to the younger tom, but merely shrugged and carried on walking.
Demeter was kinder. "Teazer doesn't have to suffer for it," she told Jerrie as the two followed MacVitie. "As soon as you've done your part, you two can return and throw yourselves on the Lady's mercy." She added coldly, "And good luck to you. I hope you'll be very happy." She caught up with MacVitie and hissed into his ear, "If you make us go through with this I'll never forgive you."
"I'll not make you do anything," Mack returned, mumbling out of the side of his mouth whilst staring straight ahead. "If you don't wish to play your role, all well and good. For my part, I intend to follow her instructions as best I can. Demeter," he added, as the queen began to turn away in disgust, "I've not told you, but…" He shot Jerrie a meaningful look over his shoulder. Dutifully, the other tom began whistling loudly. Probably sounds suspicious as all get-out…but just so long as 'they' don't hear our conversations and do see us taking the proper actions, they won't do anything…hopefully... "I've not told you," he whispered, "but Quaxo has a plan…"
"What plan?"
"I…don't know…he and the twins were meant to contact me, but…"
"Vitie," Demeter sighed, "no doubt the plan is ruined by this new development. No doubt She found out. We can't depend on…"
"But I am," he insisted, "I'm counting on Quaxo to come through at just the right moment, and—and if he doesn't…I'll think of something myself…"
"Haven't you learned by now that you can't do everything on your own? You always try to fix things, but you can't, because you won't seek anyone's help…"
"But this time I do have help. And—if you like—give Munk and Tugger some…hint, to be on the ready to…well, hold off any henches, or…"
Demeter shook her head again. "How will this ever work?"
"It probably won't. But it's our only chance."