"When did you last see Mr. Steed," Batman questioned Mrs. Peel. "Last night," she replied. "He said he would call me today, but that never happened. I went over to his flat to see if anything had happened to him, but his car wasn't there. I went up to his flat. His bed hadn't been slept in, and there was an unopened bottle of champagne sitting on the kitchen counter." "Perhaps he just made his bed, or didn't want champagne," Robin suggested, helpfully. Mrs. Peel smiled knowingly. "You obviously don't know Steed. He never makes his bed. He hires a maid to do so, and she said that there was no need to make it this morning. As for the champagne.well, Steed just isn't himself until he has his first glass of champagne in the morning.: Batman and Robin exchanged glances. "Well," Batman said, "I suppose we should get started. Who were the suspects?" "Anri and-" "Ms. Simpson," Robin cut in." "That must be who kidnapped Steed," Mrs. Peel shouted. "She masterminded the whole plot!" "Then why kidnap only Steed," Robin questioned puzzled. "If Steed went missing," Batman explained, "Ms. Simpson knew that if he went missing, we would go searching. He was also the easiest one to kidnap. Mrs. Peel was in her flat, she wouldn't be likely to let anyone in, would she? You and I were in the London Batcave, where she couldn't find us. Do you understand now?" "Of course," Robin exclaimed. "Now I see!" "The only question," Mrs. Peel interjected, "is where to find Steed, now." Batman smiled. "Luckily, Mrs. Peel, I brought my Automatic Bat Locator, Let me just type in Steed's name, and," The device spat out a small piece of paper. "Steed is in a secret room at Ms. Simpson's house." "I'm going to get him," Mrs. Peel stated calmly. "Wait, Mrs. Peel, we need to think this through," Batman soothed her.

**************************************************************************** **********

Ms. Simpson stood in front of Steed, holding a lined paper tablet, and a stub of a pencil. "So, how would you like to die?" "Do you have any idea how many times I have heard that line," Steed responded. "Awe have a wide choice of deaths available," she continued, unhearing, "Strangulation, suffocation, hanging, shooting, starvation, alcohol overload, bunt trauma to your head." "Are you mad," Steed asked, staring wide-eyed at the women who stood before him. "Sop you won't choose? I'll choose for you then. Hmm." she stood staring at the list in front of her. I choose.strangulation! She took a rope out of her pocket, and stretched it tauntly around her fingers, before slowly walking toward Steed, savoring the moment.