Disclaimers: Characters are taken from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Lost World.
Chapter 6
Challenger offers up a theory on the identity of the ape creature. Marguerite recognizes an Inspector from Scotland Yard.
'What do you mean Jack's dead?' Marguerite asked Jessi and Finn. She was still holding Greta, who was becoming fussy. Jessi reached out for her.
'Why don't I let Finn explain it. If you wouldn't mind dear, I'll put Greta down.'
Marguerite darted her eyes from one woman to the other. She then handed Greta to Jessi. She seemed to calm down some, being held by the older woman. Marguerite watched as Jessi left the room and walked upstairs with the baby. She then turned back to Finn.
'What happened?'
Finn smoothed her hair quickly. 'Jack and I were outside talking about stuff. I heard a noise in the bushes. Then I saw it.'
'Saw what?'
'It was an ape, Marguerite! I mean, like straight off of the plateau! I guess Challenger and the others already knew about it. I had no idea they were in trouble!'
Marguerite was thinking. The ape was here? On her property? And it had killed Jack, but spared Finn?
Marguerite eyed the Finn. She rested a hand on her shoulder.
'I'm sorry about what you've been through. I mean first Greta and you are kidnapped, oh, by the way, thank you for stabbing Barnaby. He's dead.'
Finn smiled. 'Good. But how will we explain it?'
Marguerite waved her other hand impatiently.
'Let Beatrice explain it! She was his wife! She's who gave us the baby back, but never mind that. The authorities will have to be called and they'll be asking a lot of questions about this murder.'
'Challenger, Jessi and Roxton are in trouble, aren't they?'
'I'll handle that.' Marguerite answered firmly. 'For now, I want to know what you're going to say?'
Finn moved away from Marguerite. 'What do you mean? I saw the ape kill Jack. There's nothing else to say.'
'Well dear, I was actually thinking about what you were going to say, when you're asked why you went outside with him?'
Finn whirled around. 'What?'
'Come now, Finn. If the two of you had wanted to talk, there was ample room inside this house to do so. But for him to die while the two of you were out on a romantic stroll...well...that makes it all the more tragic, and embarrassing to have to explain.''
'There was nothing even remotely romantic going on between the two of us, do you understand?'
Marguerite looked at her with surprise. 'Well Jack said...'
'He was a liar!' Finn snapped. Just as she said those words, Veronica, Roxton, Ned and Challenger walked in. Veronica looked at Finn, who looked away. Had Finn been calling Jack a liar?
Marguerite walked over to them. 'Well? Was it the ape?'
Challenger nodded. 'It looks to be that way? Where is Jessi? We have to get going.'
Marguerite's mouth dropped open. 'Going? Going where?'
Roxton walked up to her. 'We can't stay here and continue to endanger your lives. The ape's appearance here proves that it wants something from us.'
Marguerite shook her head, then looked back at Finn.
'Are you sure it wasn't some sort of wolf or something like that?'
Finn shook her head. 'It only had two legs. It was an ape. You don't forget something like that.'
Marguerite sighed and looked back at Roxton.
'No one is leaving.'
Roxton pulled her aside. 'Marguerite, everyone will soon find out what our relationship really is. And we don't know how far this creature is willing to go to get to us.'
'Why would this thing be after you? Neither Challenger or you has ever harmed anyone that was decent. You are not leaving. I will take care of this.'
Veronica smiled. She believed Marguerite could handle anything. Marguerite looked at Ned.
'You'll have to do your part, do you think you can handle it?'
Ned smiled. 'Tell me what to do.'
Marguerite smiled back. She then pulled away from Roxton and walked over to a bookcase. She climbed a ladder halfway and pulled out a book. The book case slid aside. Everyone looked at one another, their mouths ajar.
'I never knew that was here!' Veronica cried, looking at Finn. Finn shrugged, looking just as shocked.
Marguerite tossed the book in the air and then caught it. 'This is a Jane Austen book...'
'Pride and Prejudice. You used to try and read it on the balcony of the treehouse. But if I do recall, you said you disliked it.' Roxton answered, somewhat in awe.
'And I still do! This is the book that opens this room. It has to be pulled from the spot I pulled it from to open the door. To close it, the book has to be put back. When the police arrive, into that room the three of you will go.'
Challenger walked into inside to look around. The room was furnished and had a wine stock. Marguerite followed him in.
'Of course, food will be provided during my 'interrogation'.'
Roxton walked in as well. He put his hands on her shoulders.
'You don't have to do this.'
Marguerite smiled up at him. 'Yes I do. And believe me, I've been questioned by the authorities many times. More than I'd like to count. I'll be fine. So will all of you. Once they leave, I'll get you out of here. From then on, you will have to keep low profiles and stay close to the estate. I will try not to take too many visitors, but, when I do, we'll just keep you upstairs or off somewhere else. But for now...'
Roxton nodded 'No. There might be a search of the house. You're right. This is a good place.'
'Who owned the estate before you, Marguerite?' Challenger asked, clearly fascinated with the workmanship of the room.
Marguerite shrugged. 'Some criminal. I guess he had this room built for some unethical reason. Actually, this room was what sold me on the property.'
Roxton smiled at her. 'But of course.'
Marguerite smiled back. She then touched his hand briefly.
'I'll make the call and....'
There was a loud knock on the front door. Veronica, Ned and Finn, who were still in the outside room, looked at one another.
'Someone must've heard the commotion and called the authorities already.' Marguerite surmised.
'How do you know?' Roxton asked.
'I know the knock! Where is Jessi?'
Jessi was just walking down the stairs, when a policeman peeked in through a window by the door. His eyes locked with Jessi's, as she descended the stairs.
Ned, who was by the door, looked at Jessi, when she reached the bottom step.
'It looks as if you have been seen. We can't hide you with Challenger and Roxton.' Ned said.
Jessi put a hand to her throat. Veronica walked over to her. She put her hands on Jessi's shoulders.
'You'll tell the police that you came here because you were scared of your husband. You don't know where he or Roxton are.'
Jessi licked her lips nervously. 'I don't know if I can! What if they don't believe me?'
'Make them believe you, Jessi.' Finn added. 'There's no way they're not going to believe that Jack's murder isn't connected, once they see you here. You have to make them believe we haven't seen Challenger or Roxton.'
'We all do.' Marguerite concluded harshly. She looked over at Roxton and Challenger. She gave them a reassuring smile.
'The room is soundproof. So even if you break a bottle of champagne, no one will hear it.'
Marguerite then turned to leave. Roxton reached out and touched her arm. Marguerite turned back towards him and he kissed her quickly. She smiled at him, then at Challenger, before leaving the room. Marguerite then hurried up the ladder and replaced the book. The book case moved in place, while she was still on the ladder. She touched her lips, thinking of Roxton's kiss, just as the bookcase locked.
'Marguerite?' Ned asked. 'The police?'
Marguerite shook herself out of her reverie, climbing down the ladder quickly. She then walked over to Ned and joined him by the front door. She looked around at everyone. Jessi looked frightened, Veronica and Finn looked determined. She looked at Ned again.
'Answer the door. I'm going to go give the servants the night off, if you know what I mean.'
They all did. There were servants that were aware that there was special 'company' on the Von Bubrik estate.
Ned waited until Marguerite disappeared down the servants hallway, before opening the door.
****
Roxton walked around the room, then stopped at the wine shelves. He pulled out a bottle and held it up for Challenger to see.
'We might as well. There's no telling how long we'll be in here.' Roxton said.
Challenger nodded without comment. Roxton found two glasses, then set them on the table. Challenger pulled up a chair. Roxton glanced at him while he poured.
'You're worried about Jessi, aren't you?'
Challenger exhaled. 'She is trying to be so brave. But the uncertainty of our future is very worrisome to her. I can feel it.'
Roxton handed him a glass full of wine, then sat down and sipped some himself.
'Jessi is brave. She will do fine with the police.'
'I'm sure she will.' Challenger answered absently. He then pulled out the white cloth that he had recovered from the murder scene. Roxton eyed it.
'What is that?' he asked.
'I found it near Jack. I noticed it because it was one of the few things that had not one drop of blood on it whatsoever.'
Roxton motioned for Challenger to give him the cloth. Challenger did so, sipping his wine. Roxton raised a brow.
'It looks a bit like a piece of woman's clothing.'
Challenger banged his fist on the table! 'That's what I thought as well!'
Roxton looked from the cloth to Challenger.
'So what are you thinking? That our apeman is an apewoman?'
Challenger stroked his beard. 'It is not out of the realm of possibility.'
'Well...no...though I must confess, I can't imagine a woman doing what she did to those two people back in London, and Jack out there.'
Roxton handed the cloth back to Challenger.
'Then again,' Roxton added, 'maybe this cloth doesn't belong to neither the creature or Jack.'
Challenger gave Roxton a look of disbelief. 'No. I don't believe in coincidences. That a piece of woman's clothing would happen to be nearby, while an ape creature is mauling a man to death, is just a bit much.'
Roxton leaned back. 'Alright, George. Let's just say we go with your theory for a moment. It is your belief that this thing followed us back from the plateau, is it not?'
Challenger nodded. 'It is.'
'Alright then. Who is it? What woman from the plateau would do this?'
Challenger rubbed the cloth in his hands.
'You have a suspect, don't you?' Roxton asked, finishing his wine.
Challenger stood up, the cloth still in hand.
'I was thinking Caroline.'
Roxton set down his glass on the table and laughed lightly.
'Caroline? As in Caroline Hyland?'
'Yes, Roxton, what is so amusing?'
Roxton put his hands up. 'I'm sorry George, but I just can't see a woman as genteel as Caroline turning into an ape. And there is something else to consider.'
Challenger didn't answer. Roxton continued on.
'Let's say this is a woman, even Caroline Hyland. If she's an ape, why wear clothes?'
'I believe this killer is half ape. Meaning she is intentionally or unintentionally, changing into a primate.'
'But how, George?'
Challenger waved the cloth at him. 'Remember Nigel's experiments? God knows what that maniac was in to! And Caroline, being totally besotted by him, might have agreed to be a guinea pig for him.'
Roxton raised a brow, but considered what Challenger was saying a little more seriously.
'If,' Roxton began, 'Nigel began these 'experiments' on Caroline before he died, then Caroline probably would have no knowledge as to how to cure herself. Didn't she say she was once a nurse?'
Challenger nodded. 'I believe so. But that doesn't mean she'd have that kind of scientific knowledge as to how to stop the process. When I returned with the rescue expedition to retrieve the others, Caroline was heartbroken, but seemed healthy enough. I think our only way out of this is to somehow draw this creature out again and trap it.'
Roxton nodded. 'I see your point. So, we trap this thing, and then what? Wait for it to change back?'
'Yes, John. We wait to see it's true form. I am almost sure it is a woman.'
'Yes, but Caroline Hyland? If she is the ape, then the scandal will far surpass anything Marguerite or I have been through.'
Challenger stuffed the cloth back in his pocket and sat down again.
'Speaking of Marguerite, how are things going on that front?'
Roxton smiled at him. 'Greta is beautiful. She looks like Marguerite, at least she does to me.'
'And Marguerite? She is open to sharing a life with you now?'
Roxton's smile thinned. 'You know, I almost wish we had never left the plateau. All of these issues of proper society, and one's reputation, are of no importance there.'
Challenger eyed him. 'Is that still coming between the two of you?'
Roxton poured himself another glass of wine.
'Only because Marguerite is letting it! George, she's obsessed with fooling people, for Greta's sake. But she is going to have to understand that we cannot change what's been done. We went on an expedition, we were stranded for three years, we fell in love and had a child out of wedlock. Everyone knows how all of this came about, yet, Marguerite wants to create a new past.'
'John, we all know the type of life Marguerite has lead. Creating pasts and living under assumed names, is all that she knows.'
'It's more than that, George. It's almost as if she feels it's too late for us to be married, because Greta is already born. I don't know how I'm going to get through to her.'
Challenger finished his own wine and stood up. 'It will all work itself out. You two always manage to find your way back to one another.'
Challenger then walked over to another book shelf, separate from the secret door, and began looking at the titles. Roxton finished his wine, then poured himself another glass.
****
Marguerite gave the servants a generous bonus to leave early, and keep their mouths shut, if asked any questions by the police at a later date. She was somewhat annoyed with herself that she hadn't gotten rid of them before Roxton, Challenger and Jessi had shown up.
But with Greta's kidnapping, Marguerite had to admit to herself she had not been thinking clearly. It still secretly burned her that Beatrice had her money. She should've filled that duffle with newspaper!
As she headed back to the drawing room, she knew she was only buying time. She couldn't pay off everybody forever. They would have to find this damned ape and prove that he was neither Roxton nor Challenger!
It was nice having everyone under one roof again. Like when they had all lived in the treehouse on the plateau.
Marguerite knew she would have to decide what to do about Roxton soon. Yes, these ape problems and Greta's kidnapping had served as a buffer to their real problems. But once those were stripped away, Marguerite would have to decide how she wanted to handle him.
It was in the back of her mind that maybe she should move again. Maybe if she and Roxton lived somewhere else, somewhere where people did not question their backgrounds, Roxton and her could get married, secretly, with maybe only their immediate friends in attendance.
It was all so complicated. She couldn't think about it all now. She had to get her story straight for the police and...
Marguerite reached the drawing room and stopped in her tracks. Everyone was sitting in various places in the room. The front door was wide open, and Marguerite could see that the police were around Jack's body. She then looked into the drawing room again. Damn!
Inspector Harry Wills, from Scotland Yard, stood in the middle of the room, looking right at her. He gave her a phony smile and began walking towards her. Marguerite kept calm.
Damn, she thought again. What the hell was he doing here? He must be working with the Boston Police, she thought. Not a good sign.
'Ms. Krux...I mean, Ms. Von Bubrik, we've been waiting for you. Please, do come in.'
Marguerite didn't answer, but passed him, then sat in a lone chair, nearest to the entrance to the room. Inspector Wills looked away from her and around the room. There were no more chairs. He then walked over to the ladder by the bookcase. He half sat on a ladder step.
Ned and Veronica exchanged glances. Finn eyed Marguerite, who shook her head slightly at her. Jessi was looking down in her lap.
'First of all,' Inspector Wills began 'I would like to congratulate you for getting your child back, and without any police help. Who was your child's abductor, Ms. Von Bubrik?'
Marguerite looked him up and down. He was toying with her, like he had before, on numerous occasions. She gave him a small smile.
'We received a ransom note. I took a sum of money...'
'How much?' Will asked politely.
'Twenty five thousand dollars, if you must know.'
'Oh, my, you have come a long way, Ms. Von Bubrik.'
The Boston Police officers looked at one another. It was apparent that Wills and Von Bubrik knew one another. Veronica clasped Ned's hand, trying not to look at Wills sitting on the ladder.
'I have indeed, Inspector. May I finish my story?'
'Oh, but of course.'
'My baby was on a park bench. I left the money and took her.'
'And the person responsible was nowhere in sight?'
'That's right.'
'Then why leave the money? I'm sorry to be so blunt, but you have never been one to just give away money.'
Marguerite looked past him and towards one of the Boston Police Detectives.
'I don't mean to be rude, but I do have my child back. I would think that would be all that matters!'
One of the detectives stepped forward.
'I apologize ma'am. Of course. And we're all happy.'
'Thank you, detective! So then you could understand that my main concern would be the dead man on my lawn!'
Inspector Wills cleared his throat. He got off of the ladder. Finn, Veronica and Ned looked visibly relieved. Jessi was still staring into her lap.
'You are right, Ms. Von Bubrik,' Wills said, 'that man ripped to shreds on your lawn, is our primary concern.'
He then looked at Finn. 'I understand you were with the deceased when the tragedy occurred?'
Finn nodded. 'It was terrible.'
'I'm sure it was. This man, was a fiancee or some other loved one?'
Jessi lifted her head to look over at her. Finn swallowed.
'Yes. We were seeing one another.'
'And you saw the...you said it was an ape?' Wills asked, his eyes now on Jessi Challenger.
'Yes. I tried to warn Jack to watch out, but it was too late.'
'Mmmm. Yes. Mrs. Challenger, I must say, your presence here is quite odd. Do you know where your husband is?'
Jessi took a deep breath. She hated this man. And it was not in her nature to hate police or anyone in authority. But it was his department's silly way of thinking, that had put them all in this situation.
Jessi raised her eyes to meet Inspector Wills's.
'I have left my husband, Inspector. I was frightened.'
Wills gave her a hard look. 'Because you thought he may indeed be this creature, is that correct?'
No! Jessi wanted to scream at him.
'Yes,' she answered. 'Ms. Von Bubrik and I are old friends. She offered me refuge.'
Will turned back to Marguerite. He just bet she had! Now she was a Von Bubrik! He would've loved to have looked over the 'proof' she had produced to lay claim to that name! He wouldn't have been surprised if she had made up the papers herself!
'Well, that was kind of her,' Wills almost murmured. 'And what about Lord John Roxton? Ms. Von Bubrik, a neighbor says that she was introduced to someone going by that name...'
'Inspector!' The lead Boston Detective interrupted. 'May I speak to you a moment? In the hallway?'
Wills nodded and walked out into the hallway. The Detective began hissing at him.
'We, meaning the Boston Police, are in charge of this investigation, are we clear?'
Wills appeared to be nonchalant. 'Of course.'
'Then we'll be taking over the questioning! There's a man ripped to shreds out there! And while it probably is this ape, I'm not buying some crock about some person changing into the damned thing! From the beginning, I thought you people were covering up the fact that you let some damned something out of one of your zoos, then came up with this half-assed theory to cover yourselves! A woman of Ms. Von Bubrik's ilk, would not hide an ape in her house!'
Wills had to refrain from rolling his eyes. He could see it would do no good to point out that Jessi Challenger's being in Marguerite Von Bubrik's house, then the ape killing occurring on her property, were just too much of a coincidence for any thinking man to buy. But then again, the operative word would be 'thinking'. There were always too many unexplained facts then you dealt with Marguerite Krux, Von Bubrik, whatever the hell she called herself these days!
But Wills gave the detective a thin smile.
'Let's go back in.' he said.
****
An hour later, Marguerite practically kicked the door shut after the police! She gave Wills a smirk, as he looked back at her, then slammed the door in his face!
Jessi put a hand over her heart. 'I think that was the hardest thing I've ever had to do.' Finn put an arm around her.
Ned walked over to a window and looked out. Jack's body had been loaded onto an ambulance and taken away awhile ago. He turned back to the group.
'I'll have to deal with Jack's family. Finn, is there anything you'd like to tell them?'
Finn looked around the room nervously, then shrugged.
'Tell them how sorry I am.'
Ned shot Veronica a glance. Veronica returned it and stared briefly at Finn. Maybe she wanted to mourn Jack in private. Yet, her mind went back to when they had walked in and overheard Finn referring to someone as a liar. It had to have been Jack she was talking about, Veronica thought.
Finn looked at Jessi, removing her arm. 'You're shaking like a leaf.'
Jessi moved away from Finn, then stood in the middle of the room. She looked at Marguerite.
'That Inspector Wills knew you. Where from?'
Marguerite was taken aback by Jessi's sharp tone. She felt as if she was answering to her mother, or a nun!
Marguerite waved her hand. 'Inspector Wills is just mad...awhile back, before I was married, he thought I was involved in an art forgery ring. It was all a big mistake.'
'He doesn't seem to think so.' Jessi said.
Marguerite was beginning to lose her patience with Jessi's high-handed tone!
'Well, he was wrong and just never got over it.' she responded.
Jessi shook her head. 'I can't go through this.'
Veronica and Ned walked over to her. Ned put a hand on her arm.
'Jessi...'
Jessi snatched her arm away and looked at everyone with disbelief.
'I thought when you all returned, when George returned, all of this scientific wonder foolishness would end. That he would settle down and we could get on with the rest of our lives! But we have no home anymore! I am now lying to the police! And George hasn't even went away this time, he's brought the adventure into our lives now! I never asked for all of this!'
Marguerite, Veronica, Ned and Finn all exchanged glances. Marguerite spoke.
'Of course you didn't, Jessi. Look, I'm going to get Roxton and Challenger, and then we'll work this thing out.'
Jessi shook her head. 'If you don't mind, I think I'll just retire now.'
Marguerite looked at Finn. 'Would you mind showing her to a guest room?'
Finn smiled wanly. She walked over to Jessi and put a hand on her shoulder. It was funny, but to Finn, Challenger was a brave man, never afraid to get into the most serious of situations, especially if it meant he may learn something new. In her mind, Finn had just assumed Jessi would have that same adventurous spirit. Or, at least understand her husband's.
Finn and Jessi walked upstairs. Veronica looked from Ned and Marguerite.
'What the hell was that about?' she asked.
Ned frowned. 'It sounds like Jessi told us things that she should've told Challenger.'
'Yeah,' Marguerite opined, 'years ago!'
Marguerite then quickly climbed the ladder, pulling out the Jane Austen book. The bookcase slid back. Roxton and Challenger stood up from the table. Roxton walked over to Marguerite.
'How did it go?'
Marguerite gave him and Challenger grim looks.
'We held them off for now. But we're running out of time.' she answered.
Challenger frowned. 'Then we have no choice but to set a trap for this creature.'
Chapter 6
Challenger offers up a theory on the identity of the ape creature. Marguerite recognizes an Inspector from Scotland Yard.
'What do you mean Jack's dead?' Marguerite asked Jessi and Finn. She was still holding Greta, who was becoming fussy. Jessi reached out for her.
'Why don't I let Finn explain it. If you wouldn't mind dear, I'll put Greta down.'
Marguerite darted her eyes from one woman to the other. She then handed Greta to Jessi. She seemed to calm down some, being held by the older woman. Marguerite watched as Jessi left the room and walked upstairs with the baby. She then turned back to Finn.
'What happened?'
Finn smoothed her hair quickly. 'Jack and I were outside talking about stuff. I heard a noise in the bushes. Then I saw it.'
'Saw what?'
'It was an ape, Marguerite! I mean, like straight off of the plateau! I guess Challenger and the others already knew about it. I had no idea they were in trouble!'
Marguerite was thinking. The ape was here? On her property? And it had killed Jack, but spared Finn?
Marguerite eyed the Finn. She rested a hand on her shoulder.
'I'm sorry about what you've been through. I mean first Greta and you are kidnapped, oh, by the way, thank you for stabbing Barnaby. He's dead.'
Finn smiled. 'Good. But how will we explain it?'
Marguerite waved her other hand impatiently.
'Let Beatrice explain it! She was his wife! She's who gave us the baby back, but never mind that. The authorities will have to be called and they'll be asking a lot of questions about this murder.'
'Challenger, Jessi and Roxton are in trouble, aren't they?'
'I'll handle that.' Marguerite answered firmly. 'For now, I want to know what you're going to say?'
Finn moved away from Marguerite. 'What do you mean? I saw the ape kill Jack. There's nothing else to say.'
'Well dear, I was actually thinking about what you were going to say, when you're asked why you went outside with him?'
Finn whirled around. 'What?'
'Come now, Finn. If the two of you had wanted to talk, there was ample room inside this house to do so. But for him to die while the two of you were out on a romantic stroll...well...that makes it all the more tragic, and embarrassing to have to explain.''
'There was nothing even remotely romantic going on between the two of us, do you understand?'
Marguerite looked at her with surprise. 'Well Jack said...'
'He was a liar!' Finn snapped. Just as she said those words, Veronica, Roxton, Ned and Challenger walked in. Veronica looked at Finn, who looked away. Had Finn been calling Jack a liar?
Marguerite walked over to them. 'Well? Was it the ape?'
Challenger nodded. 'It looks to be that way? Where is Jessi? We have to get going.'
Marguerite's mouth dropped open. 'Going? Going where?'
Roxton walked up to her. 'We can't stay here and continue to endanger your lives. The ape's appearance here proves that it wants something from us.'
Marguerite shook her head, then looked back at Finn.
'Are you sure it wasn't some sort of wolf or something like that?'
Finn shook her head. 'It only had two legs. It was an ape. You don't forget something like that.'
Marguerite sighed and looked back at Roxton.
'No one is leaving.'
Roxton pulled her aside. 'Marguerite, everyone will soon find out what our relationship really is. And we don't know how far this creature is willing to go to get to us.'
'Why would this thing be after you? Neither Challenger or you has ever harmed anyone that was decent. You are not leaving. I will take care of this.'
Veronica smiled. She believed Marguerite could handle anything. Marguerite looked at Ned.
'You'll have to do your part, do you think you can handle it?'
Ned smiled. 'Tell me what to do.'
Marguerite smiled back. She then pulled away from Roxton and walked over to a bookcase. She climbed a ladder halfway and pulled out a book. The book case slid aside. Everyone looked at one another, their mouths ajar.
'I never knew that was here!' Veronica cried, looking at Finn. Finn shrugged, looking just as shocked.
Marguerite tossed the book in the air and then caught it. 'This is a Jane Austen book...'
'Pride and Prejudice. You used to try and read it on the balcony of the treehouse. But if I do recall, you said you disliked it.' Roxton answered, somewhat in awe.
'And I still do! This is the book that opens this room. It has to be pulled from the spot I pulled it from to open the door. To close it, the book has to be put back. When the police arrive, into that room the three of you will go.'
Challenger walked into inside to look around. The room was furnished and had a wine stock. Marguerite followed him in.
'Of course, food will be provided during my 'interrogation'.'
Roxton walked in as well. He put his hands on her shoulders.
'You don't have to do this.'
Marguerite smiled up at him. 'Yes I do. And believe me, I've been questioned by the authorities many times. More than I'd like to count. I'll be fine. So will all of you. Once they leave, I'll get you out of here. From then on, you will have to keep low profiles and stay close to the estate. I will try not to take too many visitors, but, when I do, we'll just keep you upstairs or off somewhere else. But for now...'
Roxton nodded 'No. There might be a search of the house. You're right. This is a good place.'
'Who owned the estate before you, Marguerite?' Challenger asked, clearly fascinated with the workmanship of the room.
Marguerite shrugged. 'Some criminal. I guess he had this room built for some unethical reason. Actually, this room was what sold me on the property.'
Roxton smiled at her. 'But of course.'
Marguerite smiled back. She then touched his hand briefly.
'I'll make the call and....'
There was a loud knock on the front door. Veronica, Ned and Finn, who were still in the outside room, looked at one another.
'Someone must've heard the commotion and called the authorities already.' Marguerite surmised.
'How do you know?' Roxton asked.
'I know the knock! Where is Jessi?'
Jessi was just walking down the stairs, when a policeman peeked in through a window by the door. His eyes locked with Jessi's, as she descended the stairs.
Ned, who was by the door, looked at Jessi, when she reached the bottom step.
'It looks as if you have been seen. We can't hide you with Challenger and Roxton.' Ned said.
Jessi put a hand to her throat. Veronica walked over to her. She put her hands on Jessi's shoulders.
'You'll tell the police that you came here because you were scared of your husband. You don't know where he or Roxton are.'
Jessi licked her lips nervously. 'I don't know if I can! What if they don't believe me?'
'Make them believe you, Jessi.' Finn added. 'There's no way they're not going to believe that Jack's murder isn't connected, once they see you here. You have to make them believe we haven't seen Challenger or Roxton.'
'We all do.' Marguerite concluded harshly. She looked over at Roxton and Challenger. She gave them a reassuring smile.
'The room is soundproof. So even if you break a bottle of champagne, no one will hear it.'
Marguerite then turned to leave. Roxton reached out and touched her arm. Marguerite turned back towards him and he kissed her quickly. She smiled at him, then at Challenger, before leaving the room. Marguerite then hurried up the ladder and replaced the book. The book case moved in place, while she was still on the ladder. She touched her lips, thinking of Roxton's kiss, just as the bookcase locked.
'Marguerite?' Ned asked. 'The police?'
Marguerite shook herself out of her reverie, climbing down the ladder quickly. She then walked over to Ned and joined him by the front door. She looked around at everyone. Jessi looked frightened, Veronica and Finn looked determined. She looked at Ned again.
'Answer the door. I'm going to go give the servants the night off, if you know what I mean.'
They all did. There were servants that were aware that there was special 'company' on the Von Bubrik estate.
Ned waited until Marguerite disappeared down the servants hallway, before opening the door.
****
Roxton walked around the room, then stopped at the wine shelves. He pulled out a bottle and held it up for Challenger to see.
'We might as well. There's no telling how long we'll be in here.' Roxton said.
Challenger nodded without comment. Roxton found two glasses, then set them on the table. Challenger pulled up a chair. Roxton glanced at him while he poured.
'You're worried about Jessi, aren't you?'
Challenger exhaled. 'She is trying to be so brave. But the uncertainty of our future is very worrisome to her. I can feel it.'
Roxton handed him a glass full of wine, then sat down and sipped some himself.
'Jessi is brave. She will do fine with the police.'
'I'm sure she will.' Challenger answered absently. He then pulled out the white cloth that he had recovered from the murder scene. Roxton eyed it.
'What is that?' he asked.
'I found it near Jack. I noticed it because it was one of the few things that had not one drop of blood on it whatsoever.'
Roxton motioned for Challenger to give him the cloth. Challenger did so, sipping his wine. Roxton raised a brow.
'It looks a bit like a piece of woman's clothing.'
Challenger banged his fist on the table! 'That's what I thought as well!'
Roxton looked from the cloth to Challenger.
'So what are you thinking? That our apeman is an apewoman?'
Challenger stroked his beard. 'It is not out of the realm of possibility.'
'Well...no...though I must confess, I can't imagine a woman doing what she did to those two people back in London, and Jack out there.'
Roxton handed the cloth back to Challenger.
'Then again,' Roxton added, 'maybe this cloth doesn't belong to neither the creature or Jack.'
Challenger gave Roxton a look of disbelief. 'No. I don't believe in coincidences. That a piece of woman's clothing would happen to be nearby, while an ape creature is mauling a man to death, is just a bit much.'
Roxton leaned back. 'Alright, George. Let's just say we go with your theory for a moment. It is your belief that this thing followed us back from the plateau, is it not?'
Challenger nodded. 'It is.'
'Alright then. Who is it? What woman from the plateau would do this?'
Challenger rubbed the cloth in his hands.
'You have a suspect, don't you?' Roxton asked, finishing his wine.
Challenger stood up, the cloth still in hand.
'I was thinking Caroline.'
Roxton set down his glass on the table and laughed lightly.
'Caroline? As in Caroline Hyland?'
'Yes, Roxton, what is so amusing?'
Roxton put his hands up. 'I'm sorry George, but I just can't see a woman as genteel as Caroline turning into an ape. And there is something else to consider.'
Challenger didn't answer. Roxton continued on.
'Let's say this is a woman, even Caroline Hyland. If she's an ape, why wear clothes?'
'I believe this killer is half ape. Meaning she is intentionally or unintentionally, changing into a primate.'
'But how, George?'
Challenger waved the cloth at him. 'Remember Nigel's experiments? God knows what that maniac was in to! And Caroline, being totally besotted by him, might have agreed to be a guinea pig for him.'
Roxton raised a brow, but considered what Challenger was saying a little more seriously.
'If,' Roxton began, 'Nigel began these 'experiments' on Caroline before he died, then Caroline probably would have no knowledge as to how to cure herself. Didn't she say she was once a nurse?'
Challenger nodded. 'I believe so. But that doesn't mean she'd have that kind of scientific knowledge as to how to stop the process. When I returned with the rescue expedition to retrieve the others, Caroline was heartbroken, but seemed healthy enough. I think our only way out of this is to somehow draw this creature out again and trap it.'
Roxton nodded. 'I see your point. So, we trap this thing, and then what? Wait for it to change back?'
'Yes, John. We wait to see it's true form. I am almost sure it is a woman.'
'Yes, but Caroline Hyland? If she is the ape, then the scandal will far surpass anything Marguerite or I have been through.'
Challenger stuffed the cloth back in his pocket and sat down again.
'Speaking of Marguerite, how are things going on that front?'
Roxton smiled at him. 'Greta is beautiful. She looks like Marguerite, at least she does to me.'
'And Marguerite? She is open to sharing a life with you now?'
Roxton's smile thinned. 'You know, I almost wish we had never left the plateau. All of these issues of proper society, and one's reputation, are of no importance there.'
Challenger eyed him. 'Is that still coming between the two of you?'
Roxton poured himself another glass of wine.
'Only because Marguerite is letting it! George, she's obsessed with fooling people, for Greta's sake. But she is going to have to understand that we cannot change what's been done. We went on an expedition, we were stranded for three years, we fell in love and had a child out of wedlock. Everyone knows how all of this came about, yet, Marguerite wants to create a new past.'
'John, we all know the type of life Marguerite has lead. Creating pasts and living under assumed names, is all that she knows.'
'It's more than that, George. It's almost as if she feels it's too late for us to be married, because Greta is already born. I don't know how I'm going to get through to her.'
Challenger finished his own wine and stood up. 'It will all work itself out. You two always manage to find your way back to one another.'
Challenger then walked over to another book shelf, separate from the secret door, and began looking at the titles. Roxton finished his wine, then poured himself another glass.
****
Marguerite gave the servants a generous bonus to leave early, and keep their mouths shut, if asked any questions by the police at a later date. She was somewhat annoyed with herself that she hadn't gotten rid of them before Roxton, Challenger and Jessi had shown up.
But with Greta's kidnapping, Marguerite had to admit to herself she had not been thinking clearly. It still secretly burned her that Beatrice had her money. She should've filled that duffle with newspaper!
As she headed back to the drawing room, she knew she was only buying time. She couldn't pay off everybody forever. They would have to find this damned ape and prove that he was neither Roxton nor Challenger!
It was nice having everyone under one roof again. Like when they had all lived in the treehouse on the plateau.
Marguerite knew she would have to decide what to do about Roxton soon. Yes, these ape problems and Greta's kidnapping had served as a buffer to their real problems. But once those were stripped away, Marguerite would have to decide how she wanted to handle him.
It was in the back of her mind that maybe she should move again. Maybe if she and Roxton lived somewhere else, somewhere where people did not question their backgrounds, Roxton and her could get married, secretly, with maybe only their immediate friends in attendance.
It was all so complicated. She couldn't think about it all now. She had to get her story straight for the police and...
Marguerite reached the drawing room and stopped in her tracks. Everyone was sitting in various places in the room. The front door was wide open, and Marguerite could see that the police were around Jack's body. She then looked into the drawing room again. Damn!
Inspector Harry Wills, from Scotland Yard, stood in the middle of the room, looking right at her. He gave her a phony smile and began walking towards her. Marguerite kept calm.
Damn, she thought again. What the hell was he doing here? He must be working with the Boston Police, she thought. Not a good sign.
'Ms. Krux...I mean, Ms. Von Bubrik, we've been waiting for you. Please, do come in.'
Marguerite didn't answer, but passed him, then sat in a lone chair, nearest to the entrance to the room. Inspector Wills looked away from her and around the room. There were no more chairs. He then walked over to the ladder by the bookcase. He half sat on a ladder step.
Ned and Veronica exchanged glances. Finn eyed Marguerite, who shook her head slightly at her. Jessi was looking down in her lap.
'First of all,' Inspector Wills began 'I would like to congratulate you for getting your child back, and without any police help. Who was your child's abductor, Ms. Von Bubrik?'
Marguerite looked him up and down. He was toying with her, like he had before, on numerous occasions. She gave him a small smile.
'We received a ransom note. I took a sum of money...'
'How much?' Will asked politely.
'Twenty five thousand dollars, if you must know.'
'Oh, my, you have come a long way, Ms. Von Bubrik.'
The Boston Police officers looked at one another. It was apparent that Wills and Von Bubrik knew one another. Veronica clasped Ned's hand, trying not to look at Wills sitting on the ladder.
'I have indeed, Inspector. May I finish my story?'
'Oh, but of course.'
'My baby was on a park bench. I left the money and took her.'
'And the person responsible was nowhere in sight?'
'That's right.'
'Then why leave the money? I'm sorry to be so blunt, but you have never been one to just give away money.'
Marguerite looked past him and towards one of the Boston Police Detectives.
'I don't mean to be rude, but I do have my child back. I would think that would be all that matters!'
One of the detectives stepped forward.
'I apologize ma'am. Of course. And we're all happy.'
'Thank you, detective! So then you could understand that my main concern would be the dead man on my lawn!'
Inspector Wills cleared his throat. He got off of the ladder. Finn, Veronica and Ned looked visibly relieved. Jessi was still staring into her lap.
'You are right, Ms. Von Bubrik,' Wills said, 'that man ripped to shreds on your lawn, is our primary concern.'
He then looked at Finn. 'I understand you were with the deceased when the tragedy occurred?'
Finn nodded. 'It was terrible.'
'I'm sure it was. This man, was a fiancee or some other loved one?'
Jessi lifted her head to look over at her. Finn swallowed.
'Yes. We were seeing one another.'
'And you saw the...you said it was an ape?' Wills asked, his eyes now on Jessi Challenger.
'Yes. I tried to warn Jack to watch out, but it was too late.'
'Mmmm. Yes. Mrs. Challenger, I must say, your presence here is quite odd. Do you know where your husband is?'
Jessi took a deep breath. She hated this man. And it was not in her nature to hate police or anyone in authority. But it was his department's silly way of thinking, that had put them all in this situation.
Jessi raised her eyes to meet Inspector Wills's.
'I have left my husband, Inspector. I was frightened.'
Wills gave her a hard look. 'Because you thought he may indeed be this creature, is that correct?'
No! Jessi wanted to scream at him.
'Yes,' she answered. 'Ms. Von Bubrik and I are old friends. She offered me refuge.'
Will turned back to Marguerite. He just bet she had! Now she was a Von Bubrik! He would've loved to have looked over the 'proof' she had produced to lay claim to that name! He wouldn't have been surprised if she had made up the papers herself!
'Well, that was kind of her,' Wills almost murmured. 'And what about Lord John Roxton? Ms. Von Bubrik, a neighbor says that she was introduced to someone going by that name...'
'Inspector!' The lead Boston Detective interrupted. 'May I speak to you a moment? In the hallway?'
Wills nodded and walked out into the hallway. The Detective began hissing at him.
'We, meaning the Boston Police, are in charge of this investigation, are we clear?'
Wills appeared to be nonchalant. 'Of course.'
'Then we'll be taking over the questioning! There's a man ripped to shreds out there! And while it probably is this ape, I'm not buying some crock about some person changing into the damned thing! From the beginning, I thought you people were covering up the fact that you let some damned something out of one of your zoos, then came up with this half-assed theory to cover yourselves! A woman of Ms. Von Bubrik's ilk, would not hide an ape in her house!'
Wills had to refrain from rolling his eyes. He could see it would do no good to point out that Jessi Challenger's being in Marguerite Von Bubrik's house, then the ape killing occurring on her property, were just too much of a coincidence for any thinking man to buy. But then again, the operative word would be 'thinking'. There were always too many unexplained facts then you dealt with Marguerite Krux, Von Bubrik, whatever the hell she called herself these days!
But Wills gave the detective a thin smile.
'Let's go back in.' he said.
****
An hour later, Marguerite practically kicked the door shut after the police! She gave Wills a smirk, as he looked back at her, then slammed the door in his face!
Jessi put a hand over her heart. 'I think that was the hardest thing I've ever had to do.' Finn put an arm around her.
Ned walked over to a window and looked out. Jack's body had been loaded onto an ambulance and taken away awhile ago. He turned back to the group.
'I'll have to deal with Jack's family. Finn, is there anything you'd like to tell them?'
Finn looked around the room nervously, then shrugged.
'Tell them how sorry I am.'
Ned shot Veronica a glance. Veronica returned it and stared briefly at Finn. Maybe she wanted to mourn Jack in private. Yet, her mind went back to when they had walked in and overheard Finn referring to someone as a liar. It had to have been Jack she was talking about, Veronica thought.
Finn looked at Jessi, removing her arm. 'You're shaking like a leaf.'
Jessi moved away from Finn, then stood in the middle of the room. She looked at Marguerite.
'That Inspector Wills knew you. Where from?'
Marguerite was taken aback by Jessi's sharp tone. She felt as if she was answering to her mother, or a nun!
Marguerite waved her hand. 'Inspector Wills is just mad...awhile back, before I was married, he thought I was involved in an art forgery ring. It was all a big mistake.'
'He doesn't seem to think so.' Jessi said.
Marguerite was beginning to lose her patience with Jessi's high-handed tone!
'Well, he was wrong and just never got over it.' she responded.
Jessi shook her head. 'I can't go through this.'
Veronica and Ned walked over to her. Ned put a hand on her arm.
'Jessi...'
Jessi snatched her arm away and looked at everyone with disbelief.
'I thought when you all returned, when George returned, all of this scientific wonder foolishness would end. That he would settle down and we could get on with the rest of our lives! But we have no home anymore! I am now lying to the police! And George hasn't even went away this time, he's brought the adventure into our lives now! I never asked for all of this!'
Marguerite, Veronica, Ned and Finn all exchanged glances. Marguerite spoke.
'Of course you didn't, Jessi. Look, I'm going to get Roxton and Challenger, and then we'll work this thing out.'
Jessi shook her head. 'If you don't mind, I think I'll just retire now.'
Marguerite looked at Finn. 'Would you mind showing her to a guest room?'
Finn smiled wanly. She walked over to Jessi and put a hand on her shoulder. It was funny, but to Finn, Challenger was a brave man, never afraid to get into the most serious of situations, especially if it meant he may learn something new. In her mind, Finn had just assumed Jessi would have that same adventurous spirit. Or, at least understand her husband's.
Finn and Jessi walked upstairs. Veronica looked from Ned and Marguerite.
'What the hell was that about?' she asked.
Ned frowned. 'It sounds like Jessi told us things that she should've told Challenger.'
'Yeah,' Marguerite opined, 'years ago!'
Marguerite then quickly climbed the ladder, pulling out the Jane Austen book. The bookcase slid back. Roxton and Challenger stood up from the table. Roxton walked over to Marguerite.
'How did it go?'
Marguerite gave him and Challenger grim looks.
'We held them off for now. But we're running out of time.' she answered.
Challenger frowned. 'Then we have no choice but to set a trap for this creature.'
