Gadget came zooming down to ground level. He was always at his best when his niece was in danger... and these days, this included his nephew-in-law, too.
"OK, Penny, I think it's time you came out of there. Everyone else, too. Can we clear the pool, please, Miss Swift?"
Jade was still in shock. But she rallied, and did her job. She blew the whistle that hung around her neck.
"Right, ladies and gentlemen, could we have everyone out, please? Sorry. Sorry. Pool closed."
Everyone was out within ten seconds. No one wanted to go the same way as Talon. Muttering, panicking, all the swimmers went off to the changing rooms... except Penny, who stood on the edge again, soaking wet, her clothes clinging to her. She was staring into the depths. There were tears in her eyes, and in Jade's eyes too.
They carried out Inspector Gadget's suggestion of draining the pool. It took nearly half an hour to empty completely. Penny heard Gadget mutter something about pulling the plug out.
Then they all climbed down, and stood within the empty space. It felt weird, being surrounded by steps and tiles... and no water.
No one else was down here. But now they saw what the water had hidden.
There was a strange, swirling whirlpool, with a texture similar to that of water. No wonder it had been invisible. It was right in the middle of the deep end. Gadget put out an extending arm, and forbade anyone to get too close.
They called in Professor Von Slickstein and the tech team from HQ. The Professor stood at the top of the steps to the deep end, and looked down. He was careful to hold on to the rail.
"A time/space whirlpool... I haven't seen one of those since 2006." He looked at Gadget and the others. "It's a portal... a gap in space/time between here and... who knows? That's where all those swimmers disappeared to."
"And Talon..." Penny gulped. "We must get after him..."
The Professor moved away.
"I'm sorry, it's far too dangerous. The journey may not even be a safe one. We don't know if they emerged in one piece. Oh... I'm sorry, Penny. We must get this whole area sealed off, until I can carry out a full analysis."
Penny stood within the pool, staring into the rippling portal.
Back at HQ, she found herself hauled before Chief Quimby. It was the first time he had ever told her off, but Penny knew she deserved it, however badly Talon had behaved. The story of what she had done was all around the building.
"You lost professionalism, responsibility, and common sense. You put a fellow agent in danger, and compromised the mission. Now, we have no means of knowing whether we can get Talon back. To say nothing of those adults and children. Penny, you're off the case. Your uncle and the tech team will take it from here. Tomorrow, you're back at your desk. I'll let you know when there's news. Go home."
Home was an elevator ride away. Penny stood in their empty apartment. She could smell Talon's hair gel. She was far too controlled to cry, but she wanted to.
She went through this pattern over and over again with Talon, whether as enemy, friend or husband. He always behaved badly... yet she always wanted him back. She hated him... and loved him.
As ever, Brain was there for her. He came over for a cuddle.
Bed was impossible. There was so much empty space in there. She would never be able to sit at her desk and do paperwork, with Talon missing. Where did that whirlpool lead to? Was he still alive, beyond it? And what about Gareth? Jade must love him, as much as Penny loved Talon. And what about all those children?
By midnight, Penny had to know.
She got up, dressed and took a taxi to the Metro City Baths. HQ had left one agent on the door, as security, but when Penny showed her pass he didn't challenge her. She would be in trouble if she survived this, but, rather to her surprise, Penny was discovering there was more to life than the job.
The entrance to the poolside was cordoned off, with a sign that said KEEP OUT – CRIME SCENE. Penny ducked beneath the striped tape, and stepped through the doors.
She had to find the light-switches. She blinked as the whole length of the pool illuminated. There was still no water. She stared at the deserted, empty space.
She climbed down the steps to the deep end, and approached the whirlpool. She checked she had everything... Codex... phone... her old wrist computer...
She sent a personal message to Brain, explaining where she was, and what she was doing. She had left him asleep in his basket. She didn't want anyone else to share the blame.
Then she stepped nearer to the space/time portal.
She took a deep breath...
... and dived in.