Geoffrey Carmichael

"Geoffrey Carmichael, uh? Of course I know him" said Leonard Desmond, pouring a cup of tea for himself "he's a little...well, he's an original, you know. Tea? "

"No, thank-you" Basil said with impatience "do you remember where you carried him a couple of hours ago?"

"Yes" Desmond answered "I carried him on Carnaby Street, near the old fabric factory."

"Carnaby Street?It's an unusual place for a rich mouse as Mr.Carmichael, isn'it?"

Leonard Desmond nodded. "I told you he's an original"he said.

"And didn't he ask you to wait here?"

"No. He never wants me wait for him."

It doesn't surprise me, tought Basil.

Ginny ran breathlessy into Ratigan's study. "DADDY!"she exclaimed "I saw him! He's near Carnaby Street!"

Ratigan's jaw almost dropped on the floor. "WHAT? You saw him?"

"Yes! We must..."

Ratigan looked at her with anxiety. "Are you fine? Did he try to hurt you?"

"I'm fine, he didn't see me. Now..."

"And Nuts? Where is he? "

"I told him to follow the Killer of Alleys. We have to meet him at the corner of Carnaby Street."

Ratigan patted on her shoulder. "Very well" he took a gun from the table and put it in his poket "Fidget!" he called out.

"Yes, Boss?"

"Who is in the hideout at the moment?"

"Beside me, there are only Morgan, Somerset, Thistle, Kane and Franklin. You know, it's Saturday evening..."

"I KNOW it's Saturday evening, you idiot" Ratigan snapped "tell them that I know where is the Killer of Alleys, and that I want them ready to follow me to Carnaby Street within two minutes. Fidget, WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE?"

Fidget quickly stumbled out of the room. Ratigan stroked Ginny's black hair. "Wait here, honey."

"I don't want to wait here!" Ginny protested "I want to come with you!"

"Don't even THINK to come with us!"Ratigan almost screamed "it's too dangerous!"

"I can take care of myself!"she growled defiantly "you can't make me to stay here!"

"YOU'LL STAY HERE,WHETHER YOU WANT OR NOT!"

They silently stared the each other for a while, then Ratigan went over and raised her chin with one hand to see her yellow eyes. "Ginevra, I'm just afraid for you" he said softly "I couldn't help your mother, three years ago.I left you two alone that night, and it had been the worst mistake of all my life. I won't make the same mistake again. Do you undestand?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"Boss?" Fidget called from the door "we're ready."

"I'm coming."said Ratigan, then he went out and closed the door behind him, locking his daughter inside. "I'm sorry, honey" he whispered "but it's the only way to be sure that you'll stay here."

Ginny stared at the door for a while, then she took something from his pocket. It was the gun she had taken from the drunken mouse she had beaten. She opened it. It was loaded. Ginny tought for a moment, then she put the gun inside his poket again and approached to the fireplace. Fortunately, there was no fire at the moment. She began to climb up trough the chimney.

"Professor!"Nuts called out. Ratigan stopped in the middle of the empty dark street anf looked at the little bat.

"Where is he?"

"He's in the old fabric factory.He keeps his mask and the knives there."

"Are you sure he's still there?"

"He was five minutes ago."

"Good job. Now come back to the hideout, we don't need you now."

As Nuts flew away, Ratigan pulled out his gun. "Follow me"he said to his henchmice "if you see him shoot him, but without kill him. It's a my task."

"It's not your task, Ratigan"said a voice behind them.

The henchmice turned over in disbelief. Ratigan smiled at his arc-enemy. "Good evening, Basil.I didn't expect to see you here."

"And I didn't expect to see you, Professor. I must admit that you're quite good as a detective.Had you never tought about a change of job?"

Ratigan growled, holding up his gun. "It's not funny, Basil. Where are Martin and Blake?"

Basil smirked."You mean the henchmice you send after me? They're most likely looking for me somewhere. I shook them off about three hours ago."

The Professor sighed. "Those idiots..."

"Don't worry, I didn't call the police."

"Should I trust you?"

"Do you have another chance?"

Ratigan smiled slightly. "Do you know that nothing would stop me to kill you now, Basil?"

"You won't, Ratigan. You need as help as possible to catch him now. You won't kill anyone tonight"

" You're wrong" said Ratigan, lowering the gun "I won't kill anyone...except for the Killer of Alleys."

"No" Basil said "I told you it's not your task. I must bring him to justice."

"I've all the rights to kill him! He killed my wife!"

"I know it, but he didn't kill only your wife, Ratigan. He killed a lot of people, and their relatives have the right to see his punishment, just as you!"

Ratigan stayed silent for a moment, then: "Fine. I won't kill him, but you must swear to me that all London will see his death!"

"I swear"Basil said "Geoffrey Carmichael will pay for his crimes."

"Geoffrey Carmichael? Is it his name?"

"Yes."

"Uh, Boss?"asked Fidget, getting closer to them "maybe it's time to go..."

Ratigan nodded, then he turned to his henchmice. "Let's go."

"Felicia!"Ginny called "come here, Felicia!"

A hudge Persian cat appeareed from the darkness. "MEOW!"

Ginny stroked her fur."Hi, Felicia!"

Felicia purred and licked her face. "Good cat" Ginny laughed, then she climbed on her back. "Come on, Felicia! To Carnaby Street!"