The Other Side of Midnight
Chapter 4
For hours, Munkustrap paced the junkyard, his mood black and menacing. The kittens, used to his friendly, teasing ways, cuddled close to their mothers. They watched the changed tom with wide, frightened eyes. Only Old Deuteronomy dared approach him. After they'd spoken, the tom relaxed a little but his eyes still burned with an intensity that kept the kittens at bay. The Jellicle protector had lost one of his own and he would not rest until Mistofolees was safe. Or avenged.
The whole tribe waited in stunned silence. The Rum Tum Tugger was seriously injured but he would, according to Jennyanydots, live to prowl another day. Demeter and Jellylorum were certain that he would use his new scars to his advantage. They had already noticed Bombalurina keeping careful watch at his side. As for Mistofolees, they could only wait. And hope. Wait for news of how they might be able to help him and hope that they weren't too late.
A rustling at the perimeter sent the tribe into full alert. Kittens were hurried into pipes and boxes and the toms and queens assumed an attitude of battle-readiness. A loud clang and a frantic scrabbling of claws on metal announced that someone was coming up over the top of the car heap. Claws unsheathed and fur rose on the back of Jellicle necks. When the intruder jumped down into their midst, he was immediately surrounded by a dozen hissing cats.
"Oi, now! It's on'y me! It's on'y me!" Mungojerrie held his paws up in surrender.
The Jellicle's backed down but they stayed cautious of the new arrival. For all his boyish charm, Mungojerrie was known to have worked for Macavity in the past and whereas they accepted him last night, today he was under suspicion.
"Mungojerrie," Munkustrap said sharply, "I want to speak to you. Now."
The other cats watched as Munkustrap walked away and a nervous Mungojerrie followed. They had wondered if the Jellicle protector would question the sneak thief about his whereabouts during last night's abduction. No one wanted to think that Mungojerrie was involved. Despite their dubious reputations, he and Rumpleteazer were warmly thought of by all.
"Anything?" Munkustrap asked urgently when they were out of hearing range of the other cats.
The orange-striped tom looked around carefully then dropped the slight slouch and nervous demeanor. "I searched Macavity's known hideouts and turned up a blank in every one." Gone was the cocky Cockney and in his place was a very self-assured and well-spoken young tom. "Teazer asked around and there's rumor of activity at an abandoned cheese warehouse he used to frequent on the very edge of town."
Munkustrap nodded. "I think I know the place. Go on."
"According to what Teazer heard, several suspicious cats were seen carrying another cat into the place shortly after dawn. One of her sources spotted Macavity going in to the same warehouse a short time later. He hasn't come out."
"Thanks, Mungojerrie. We'll take it from here."
"Munkustrap, the rumors are that the cat carried in was badly hurt. Unconscious at the very least."
The gray tom hung his head a moment, then nodded in understanding. He extended a paw to the thief. "Thank you."
The orange striped cat shook the offered paw and turned to leave.
"Mungojerrie," Munkustrap called softly, "anytime you want to leave this double life behind. . ."
"What? You want us to give up the excitement and suspense of crime for this pile of junk?" His paw extended to encompass the junkyard, then smiled. "Someday, my friend, we'll come home. But for now. . . being an agent of the Napoleon of Crime has it uses." With that he assumed his slouched pose and cocky walk and sauntered out of the junkyard.
When Munkustrap returned, everyone's eyes were on him alone. He leaped up onto the trunk of the car. "Mungojerrie had nothing to do with Mistofolees disappearance. But after a little - persuasion," Munkustrap flexed a paw as if it hurt, giving the impression he'd used more than a little persuasion, "he dropped a few hints as to where Macavity might have taken him. This will be very dangerous. The place is on the edge of town, far from our territory. Who's with me?
A roar of acceptance swelled through the cats and anyone passing by the junkyard at that moment would have been startled and perhaps a bit frightened by the horrific noise that emanated from its depths.