Epilogue
The police later arrested Josh and I. We were detained for questioning, but later pardoned by the Grand Duchess after she heard our story. She forgave me of my traitorous act. Basil survived his wound. The Duchess's personal doctor nursed Anne back to health.
While in custody of the police, Josh and I told them where to find Ratigan's body. They never did. All they found was a small pool of blood and a knife.
I was not allowed to return to the convent because I had been legally married and no one could prove my husband's death. I didn't really want to go back anyway.
I gave both the necklace and the music box to the Duchess.
They found the late Princess's body in the Thames River weeks later. The Duchess had her properly buried.
The members of Ratigan's gang, excluding Josh, were sent to prison to await their trial.
The rest of us returned to London, after Basil was decorated for saving Denmark from tyranny one week afterwards.
Basil slowly lifted himself down from the train. Dawson and Josh tried to assist him. I stood on the platform watching as snow fell on the tracks. Anne was still recuperating in Copenhagen. Basil complained loudly to the two mice, his arm in a sling from the bullet.
"Don't help me, Dawson! I am quite capable of walking down two steps!"
"Basil, you are injured. You're going to hurt yourself more."
"Dawson, my arm's been nicked a bit, not my legs! I can walk perfectly."
"You're weak and on medication, Basil."
"Oh, just let him fall flat on his face!" Josh said, laughing. "He'd deserve it, whining like he is!"
Basil glared at him as Dawson and I joined in. "Laugh, all of you! I will NOT be treated like a child!" He boldly stepped down the last step. He tottered dangerously, but finally lost his balance. He fell forward, landing on Dawson. Josh and I burst into another fit of giggles.
"Oh no, don't treat me like a child," Josh said.
"I can walk perfectly!" I added.
"Will you two be quiet?!" Basil said, losing all dignity. "I should've left both of you in Copenhagen!"
We hailed a cab and were on our way to Baker Street in no time.
Mrs. Judson cried when she saw us. "Oh, I was so worried about all of you!" she exclaimed. She gave me a hug. "Megana, you're here, safe and sound. Oh, Mr. Basil! I read the papers. It was really Ratigan behind all this?"
"Unfortunately enough, yes," Basil answered sadly. "I could've sworn he was dead!"
We explained our adventures in greater detail to Mrs. Judson. She sat back, looking grave. "Well, I'm ashamed they wouldn't let you back in the convent, Meg. That's discrimination, that is. Why, what will you do now?"
"I honestly don't know, Mrs. Judson," I said. "I do have some money I inherited from my grandmother, but I have no skills that would get me a suitable job."
Josh spoke up. "I do happen to have some connections in my old neighborhood, but it probably wouldn't be very safe, considering that no one knows Ratigan's fate. If he somehow were still alive, you'd be just too easy to get to. You're safer with the wealthy folks here."
"Basil," Dawson asked, "couldn't she stay here? She used to work here. She'd be safer over here, and could stay here until she got a place of her own."
"Why, what a wonderful idea!" Mrs. Judson said. "She'll go out and look for work, but can stay with us until she can earn enough money to rent a flat!"
"Wait, wait, wait a minute!" Basil said. "I don't want anyone making any decisions for me. This is my decision alone!"
I waited nervously as he paced the room, holding his arm where the bullet had hit him. I needed this offer; it was my only hope of survival. I knew I could rent a flat with my inheritance, but it would only last for a few months. And I would be in real trouble if I didn't find a job that would pay well enough for the rent.
Basil still pondered over the thought. "Miss Sarentis," he said. "If you were to become a tenant on this flat, you would respect this flat as my property, would you not?"
"Yes, sir."
"And you would remember NOT to touch any of my clues?"
"Yes."
"As well as not involve yourself in any more of my cases unless I ask for your assistance?"
"Of course."
"And show me the proper respect I deserve as the landlord?"
"Yes sir!"
"Well... all right."
I jumped up in glee. "Thank you so much, Mr. Basil!" I hugged him. He cleared his throat and I moved back to my seat. He looked rather taken aback.
"Ah, well, I am glad to see you so happy, Miss Sarentis, but you can show your happiness in other ways."
Josh joined the London Theater Company, the best theater organization in Europe, as a violinist. He also moved to a better neighborhood, closer to Baker Street and away from his past. Soon afterwards, he started to court me.
After searching fruitlessly for weeks, I finally landed a job for a small part in a play for the London Theater Company. Josh had put in a good word for me. On opening night, however, the leading actress was involved in a cab accident, and since I had the best singing voice on hand, I took the lead role. The Company liked me so much I became a major actress for them in a matter of months.
I also left Basil's home in Baker Street and rented a flat nearby. Now I could support myself. I often visited Mrs. Judson, and even Basil, once in a while.
Basil tried to help me file for a divorce. I knew that divorces weren't honorable, but I would rather walk about in dishonor than be known as Ratigan's wife or widow. But every judge I pleaded my case told me I had to have my husband agree to the divorce, too. I felt stuck as it was.
One evening in late April, Josh came to my flat. We went for a stroll in the park, discussing the rapid changes in our lives over the past few months.
"I'm much happier now as a musician than I ever was in that gang," he said. "I can walk at night without fearing a knife in my back! And you, are you happy as an actress?"
"Oh, yes, more happy than I've ever been!" I exclaimed. "I now realize how bored I would've been at the convent. I think that's the main reason my temper flared at times." We sat down on a bench. "I just wish I had realized it before this all happened to me."
He nodded understandably. "But look what you did, Meg! You saved your friend, you saved a country from tyranny, and you saved me. You also defeated Ratigan!"
He knelt down on one knee. "Meg, I know you've been through quite a lot in these past few months. You don't deserve any of this. I know I'm just a poor boy, and I don't have much to offer. But I truly love you."
My heart raced. He pulled out a small box and opened it. Inside was a glittering diamond. "Will you marry me?"
My hands went to my mouth. "Oh Josh!" Then I started to cry.
He grasped my paw. "Meg, what wrong?"
"I don't deserve this!" I sobbed. "Besides, I'm afraid we won't be allowed to!"
"Why?"
"I'm already married! Criminal or not, the law still sees me as his wife! He might kill you!"
He held me close. "Meg, I don't care who you're married to. He forced you to marry him! I would marry you at the cost of my own life."
I looked at him, amazed. That's something James Ratigan would've never done for me. I then realized I truly loved Josh, too.
"Yes, Josh Havers. I will marry you."
We bent in and gave each other a long kiss. My first true kiss.
RAEB, Lizz, Sarah, Leigh, and Emma: AWWWWWWWWWW!! How sweet!
JWJ: Oh puh-leez! That is such a stupid story.
Emma: No it's not! And it was so adorable at the end!
Meg: NOW do you know why I only have one guy here JWJ?
JWJ: Oh brother. And there's a sequel?
Meg: Yes. "Phantom" is the next story, so be sure to read it!
