Chapter 7. Backup Arrives
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Artemus bent over the desk, writing with a dull pencil on a blank piece of paper. He scratched out a long list of words, pausing, writing more, the list almost reaching the bottom of the page. He drew a long vertical line to the side of the words, making a column, and began writing more words in a new list. After only a few words, he drew another vertical line. He paused, staring at the paper. With a sigh, he leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes, twisting the pencil in his fingertips. "What have I forgotten? What could it be?" With a long sigh, he sat back up and threw the pencil down. He pushed the pile of books around on the desk, checking titles on the spine. One slipped onto the floor and fell with the book open. Artie glanced down at it and stared, looking at the page, "Uncommon Explosives." He leaned over and picked it up, "well, well, what is this, divine intervention?" He leaned back again in the chair and began reading.
Suddenly voices of the guards came to him from the window, agitated, all talking at once followed by the soft voice of Celeste in response. Artie jumped to his feet to look through the dirty glass. The small woman was speaking to the guards and nodding toward his door. One hand held a basket covered with a bright checkered cloth. Her other hand fluttered a lace handkerchief at her face. She was smiling and blinking her blue eyes at the men. Soon they were nodding to her and one jumped to the door, fumbling with a ring of keys. Artie turned as the door swung open.
"Ma'am," a guard said, "you just let me know when you want to come out. I ain't allowed to keep this here door open." Celeste stepped slowly into the room, holding the lace handkerchief over her mouth. She nodded to the man and blinked at the dim light.
"What are you doing here," Artie said, putting the book down onto the desk. "Are you out walking by yourself? I thought you had a full day planned." He sat on the corner of the desk, smiling at the pleasant surprise visit.
"I hope I'm not interrupting you," Celeste said, her eyes looking around the cluttered room.
"You are and I'm grateful", Artie said, "now tell me what happened and how you appear to be alone." He stood, suddenly remembering his manners, "but first, would you like to sit," he said, waving a hand at the chair, "or have a tour," he added, waving a hand toward the lab space.
She giggled, "oh, I would love a tour first. I have no idea about any of this."
Artie stepped closer to the table covered with bottles. "This is a collection of various solvents, chemicals, and metals. I am mixing them with a recipe that Dr. Loveless has given me, heating the mixture with the flame, watching for color changes and clarity. When a batch is finished, I let it cool and then add it to the larger containers over there," he said, pointing toward the large storage bottles lined against the far wall. "I am filling bottle number seven now. He wants me to finish a dozen by the end of the day."
"And you don't know why? What he wants with these?" Celeste stepped closer to peer at the bottles and then shrugged, turning back to him.
"Not exactly, "Artie said slowly. "I am trying to figure it out. He'll tell me eventually but I want to know more ahead of time."
"You seem to know how he acts and what he will say," Celeste said, "you must have known him for a long time to be able to predict his actions."
"Jim and I have been chasing with him for years now," Artie sighed, "we managed to arrest him twice but twice he escaped prison. Since then, he has been a step ahead of us. We can predict in general but he is very clever and knows to have multiple escape plans in place. That's why I want to find out as much as possible before Jim arrives."
Celeste stared at him, "you sound like you have this all in control. Will you just send for Jim when you need him?" She giggled and shrugged, waving a hand in the air. "Hey, Jim, join the party."
Artie nodded, smiling, "I will, if he doesn't show up on his own. We do this all the time in our work. One of us arrives to a location early and sets up the scene for the other one. Now, if I may ask, what is in the basket? Or are you carrying an empty basket just for show, pretending to bring me something?"
"Oh, no, this is for you," the girl said, handing him the basket, "its food. I thought it might be easier to get past the guards if I brought you breakfast. I haven't seen anyone bringing you food during the day."
Artie took the basket and waved a hand to the chair, "please sit and tell me about your morning. I thought you would be busy all day." He pulled the towel back and looked in to see a pile of muffins. "Thank you very much. I have not enjoyed the one meal a day idea either but it happens, especially when I chase Jim around. We often don't have time to eat for days."
"Oh, my goodness," Celeste said, as she sat delicately in the chair, "I can't imagine not eating at all, for days." Her eyes looked over all the books briefly but then she looked back to Artie. "Well, let me see, what happened first. Antoinette came to my room with tea and some of those muffins. We ate together and talked about clothing and music and cooking. We decided to play the piano first so we went to the dining room. She played and sang," she said, clapping her hands excitedly, "she has the sweetest voice. And then I played and she seemed very happy with my ability. I have been playing since I was very young." She paused, nodding to the muffins, "please eat while I talk. I have already had my breakfast." She smiled as he picked one up and bit into it. "Then we decided to do some baking. So we went to the kitchen. It's very large with many ovens and many work tables. She said that Dr. Loveless enjoys apple pie so we decided to make two. She mentioned that the doctor was very frustrated."
"That's interesting," Artemus said, in between bites, "did she say why?"
"No but I assumed it was his work," Celeste said, "anyway, when we were measuring out the flour to make the crust, Dr. Loveless came in. He seemed agitated and was walking around muttering to himself. Antoinette stopped her work and went to him. They walked outside together to speak alone but you had said that I should learn what is happening, so I stood at the sink and watched. I still couldn't hear but he was stomping around and waving his hands, obviously very upset. She seemed worried and was trying to calm him down."
"He does like to stomp around," Artie chuckled.
"Well soon he walked away and she came back inside." Celeste shook her head, "and everything had changed. She was quiet and worried and her hands were shaking. She tried to start working again but kept dropping everything; knives, spoons, seasoning containers. At one point she dropped the bowl of apples we had just peeled." She shook her head, "it was so sad. They just scattered everywhere. And poor Antoinette burst into tears. I tried to calm her down and said I would clean it up. A young woman came in to help and I asked her if there were more apples. She said no but would ask that more be brought in. So Antoinette decided to go lay down for a while." Celeste shrugged, "after I cleaned up the spilled apples, I decided to go out for a walk and try to see you. So I picked up the muffins and walked here."
"And no one stopped you when you left the house?" Artemus asked curiously.
"I never saw anyone," she said, "the only guards were out here, that I could see."
Artemus put the basket on the table and quickly stacked up the books. He pulled out a clean sheet of paper and began sketching rectangles. Celeste watched silently. He paused, looking at her, "I am going to draw the main floor of the building from what I can see from here. I want you to add what you know as you have moved around the hallways and different rooms." He drew markings on the page, "if this is the door I see, does this go into the kitchen?" She nodded, taking the pencil, she drew a room inside, adding interior doors and windows. "And where did Loveless appear inside? From a hallway?" She drew an arrow. "And where did he walk when he left?" She drew another arrow, drawing a path across the lawn. "He must have gone back inside another door." He took the pencil back, drawing as he spoke, "the first time I visited you, I walked in this door and entered a hallway. I went up two flights of stairs and arrived at your room. The second time, I entered the same door, into the hall, and only went up one flight of stairs and ended up in the dining room."
"Yes, the kitchen is on the first floor, the dining room is on the second, and my bedroom is on the third," she said, "I don't hear any sounds when I am in my room but when I was in the kitchen, other workers seemed to be nearby. Does this help you, to know where the rooms are?"
"Yes, I want to know where the doctor's work room is," Artie said quietly, "he has seen my work. I think I should see his."
"Do you think he would let you," Celeste said, "or will you trick him into inviting you?"
"Oh," Artie said winking at her, "I think I will just pop in tonight and look around on my own. I need to get past the guards but that will be easy now that you brought me these muffins." Celeste stared at him and then glanced at the muffins. "But I need to stop my work, or delay it, and I think you have given me a great idea." He stood up and walked to the bottles. "If Antoinette can drop the apples and delay baking a pie, than what would happen if I dropped a bottle of an ingredient in my cookbook chemistry." He checked other bottles on shelves, moving them into groups. "There are several that I only have one of. I suppose the good doctor may have another bottle in his room but I will have to take that chance." He turned back to the girl at the desk, "you have done a very impressive job. I couldn't have asked for anything better. Can I ask you to keep up the good work?" He held out a hand to help her to her feet, "keep your eyes and ears open, be friendly, and ask questions. Just be everyone's friend."
"But you often do the opposite," Celeste said, "is that wise?"
"Why that's just the old game of good agent vs bad agent," he grinned, "they will be angry with me but will think you are an angel and therefore will confide in you even more." He knocked on the door, "open up out there", he called. The keys jingled and the door creaked open. "The young lady would like to return now." He bowed her out of the stone building.
Artemus turned back to his collection of bottles, "ok, you guys, you wants it?" He chuckled as he picked up a bottle, tilting it. "Well you will smell the worst and hopefully you don't have a brother in the main lab, where ever that is." He turned and flung the bottle against the back wall. It shattered, and the liquid flowed down the stone. "Sorry, Dr. Loveless, the bottle just slipped out of my hands." He walked back to the desk and sat down in the chair. "Now to read more about this explosive topic." He picked up the book again and another muffin.
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Later that evening….
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"Unbelievable," Dr Loveless said, as he stormed around the small stone room. He stared at the glass bottles and turned to inspect the broken glass at the bottom of a far wall. "So you say that the bottle broke?"
"Yes, unfortunate accident," Artemus said, shrugging his shoulders, "very unfortunate."
"You were working and dropped it," Loveless said, turning to face the agent. "You work over there, Mister Gordon," pointing to the table with the Bunsen burner. "Explain to me how the bottle you dropped landed over here, across the room!"
"Slipped from my fingers," Artemus said, "just as I was turning. Freak accident."
Loveless stomped a foot in frustration, "and you kept this a secret all day? You couldn't have sent word that you needed additional supplies? You are not as good a worker as I expected. I was hoping for better cooperation from you. I warned you that I wanted results and if I don't get them, bad things will happen to your friends." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "I will review what I have in my laboratory. If I cannot replace the bottle tonight, I will replace it tomorrow. You may have gained a few hours, Mister. Gordon, but that is all." He stomped to the door, pausing, as the guards opened it. "You are lucky that I am too busy to deal with you as I would like. But keep in mind your friends' lives, their very existence, are in grave danger." With that last threat, he walked out, followed by the guards. The door was pulled shut behind him.
"Well that went better than I thought," Artemus said, releasing a long breath, "he must be busy tonight. Maybe things not going well in his lab? Being a brilliant mad scientist isn't always easy, I guess." He turned to the desk and moved the stack of books, revealing the map of the house hidden beneath them. "Anyone in the kitchen tonight? I think I will take a walk." He sat down on the edge of the desk and pulled up his right boot onto his left knee. He pulled at the heel, twisting it slightly. It was stiff but eventually pulled off. The heel was hollowed out inside and held a small metal container. He tipped it out onto the desk and pushed the heel back onto his boot. He stood and looked down at his feet, "Jim, hiding supplies in a boot heel is a great idea. Glad I finally tried it. And luckily, I have sleeping powder in one heel." He picked up a muffin and looked at the container. "Now how do I add powder to a muffin that a hungry guard will not notice while eating?"
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Later that night…
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"So you didn't see anything," Loveless's voice came through the darkness and down the narrow hallway, where Artemus stood in the shadows. "You said you worked with Mister Gordon all day but never saw that bottle break?"
"No," Harvey's voice said, protesting, "I helped him mix lots of those liquids. And he has been explaining what he is doing. He even gave me a book to read." His boots sounded as they scuffed across the stone floor, "here, look. Chemistry. He told me to read it and said we would talk about it."
In the darkness, Artie ground his teeth, listening to the lies Harvey told about his day's work.
"He gave you that to read," the doctor sounded shocked. "And you were off studying your new book, by yourself, when he had the accident?" He let out a short laugh, "obviously he wanted you out of the way, that's why he gave you the book. And I am sure he doesn't expect you to do more than look at the pictures."
"Not many pictures in it," Harvey said, "and I did start to read it. So that must have been when he dropped the bottle."
"He didn't drop it," Loveless snapped, "He threw it! Against a wall clear across the room! Did he think I would believe that? Does he take me for a fool? Me?!" The room became quiet as Harvey fell silent. Bottles rattled and Loveless exclaimed, "Here, I have another bottle of Toluene. Now he had better not drop this one."
Artie leaned closer to the space between the open door and wall, moving to the side slightly, so he could see Loveless walk. The little man was carrying a bottle. He waved it to Harvey and set it on a table. "Now make sure he doesn't break this one. Or I will break his friends. He will see I don't threaten in vain."
Artie grinned in the darkness. He looked at the bottle and chuckled to himself, planning what to do next. He watched as Antoinette suddenly appeared. She approached the doctor, whispering in his ear. Loveless scowled, "I didn't order them to go out again! What do they think they are doing? Can no one do as I ask?" He scowled and scuttled from the room. Antoinette and Harvey, still carrying the chemistry book in his hand, followed close behind. The door hung open and the light still flickered.
Artie waited a minute to see if they would return. He cautiously walked around the open door, not wanting to make the smallest squeak, and moved quickly into the room. His quick eyes moved to the bottles, quickly checking labels. He squinted into the darkness. Shrugging, he picked up the lantern from its wall shelf and moved the light closer to the bottles. "Looking for a highly flammable mysterious liquid by the light of an open flame," he growled to himself. He gave up and moved to a table with beakers of liquids. An open notebook was on the shelf, "ah, that's what I need." He set the light down and began flipping through pages. He paused, reading the writing and continued to the next page. "So that's it," he muttered. He set the book down and picked up the light. Returning it to the shelf, he again scanned the labels, looking closely. He slowly picked up a small bottle of dark brown glass. Letting out a long sigh, he replaced the lantern to its shelf and he turned to leave the room. He picked up the new bottle of toluene and, pausing, he noticed another bottle of the same shape and size. Smiling, he picked up the other bottle and put it on the table where the Toluene had been. "Loveless, you really need to read labels more closely," he chuckled as he left the room.
He moved out of the back hallway and into the fresh night air. He moved from shadow to shadow, making his way back to the stone building. He stopped under a tree, near the outer wall, and watched the guards by the stone building. They all seemed to be asleep still from the poisoned muffins, slumped in their chairs by the door. He stepped toward the building but angry voices drifted in the night breeze to him, including the higher pitch of a woman. Curious, he moved toward the front of the main building.
A coach was parked by the front door and men were standing all around. Loveless was standing in the driveway, pointing at the coach's open door. His voice was sharp, "I didn't send you out after anyone else. There are no agents left that I wanted. Who could you have possibly brought to me?"
"He was one of the guys in the photo," one of the men said, pointing at the coach. His deep voice boomed out through the darkness. "We were driving down that street and saw him walking with some fancy lady. So we grabbed them both. No loose ends, that's what you always say!"
"I always say you should not attempt to think without my clear instructions," Dr. Loveless snapped. He waved a hand at the stage, "well bring them out. Surprise me!" He stood, huffing, his fists on his hips. Antoinette stood behind him, her hands fluttering nervously around her throat.
The driver moved to the stage and yanked open the door. He reached his hands inside and then backed up, pulling a woman outside. He held her awkwardly around the waist and she began to tumble to the ground. "Stop arguing!" He snapped, pulling her to her feet. The girl, in a red dress with blond hair falling onto bare shoulders, yanked out of his grasp. She threw up her right hand and hit the man in the face with her open palm. The man grunted in pain and fell back, his hands covering his nose.
"How dare you touch me!" She snarled, backing away. She raised her fists, appearing ready to continue the fight, and circled back to the doorway of the stage. "I told you I was helping the other passenger out!" She turned to the door and leaned in. Soon, a black boot came out of the doorway. She guided the boot to the carriage step. A dark pant leg and then a dark blue, long jacket appeared. A small man stepped out of the doorway and stood, swaying on unsteady feet. The driver stepped forward, his hand reaching out, and the girl spun, snarling, "back off!" She wrapped a protective arm around the older man and helped him walk toward Dr. Loveless.
"Where is this? Who are you?" The girl snapped, looking from the doctor to Antoinette.
Loveless bowed, smiling politely, "allow me to introduce myself. I am Doctor Maguelito Loveless and this," waving a hand behind him, "is my assistant, Miss Antoinette. And you are Colonel Richmond." He paused, smiling at the older man. "And I have looked forward to meeting you for many years now. I have many questions," he giggled, "so many questions."
Richmond gave him a week smile, rubbing a hand over his forehead. "I think a chat will have to wait until morning, if you don't mind, sir." He swayed and the girl jumped forward to hold him tighter.
She turned on Loveless, "he needs to lie down and he may need a doctor. A real one," she snarled. "The driver hit him with a jack and he was unconscious the entire ride."
"And who might you be," Loveless asked, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "You are no agent."
"You may call me Lori," she said with a toss of her tumbling blond hair. "And tell your men to keep their hands off me if they value their health. And I stay with Colonel Richmond. Now where can he get cleaned up and rest?"
"Young woman," Loveless snapped, "I am in charge here and I give the orders. Not you, a filthy and violent female of the streets."
Lori glared at him, "if you like to give orders, than give them. Standing out here arguing in the cold night air isn't helping anyone, is it?" She huffed, adjusting her grip on Richmond's arm.
Loveless growled something low in his throat to Antoinette and they turned, walking inside. Lori and Colonel Richmond followed, at a slower pace. A few guards trailed behind as the group disappeared through the front doorway.
Artie chuckled, shaking his head, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. He backed into the shadows of the trees and turned toward the stone building. He walked past his still sleeping guards and went inside. He looked at the two bottles in his hands, one labelled Toluene and the other with a long chemical name. He tipped it toward the moonlight, trying to read the small print, not daring an open flame again. "Where to hide you?" He looked around the small room, not seeing any loose bricks to make a space in the wall. His eyes caught the moonlight glinting off a dusty metal canister. He set the Toluene down walked quickly to it, removing it from the back of a shelf, opening it. It held nothing but dust. "Perfect, even made of copper, we don't need any sparks," he whispered, setting it on the work bench. He blew the dust out and slowly poured the mysterious chemical into the canister. He gently pushed the copper cap back down. Picking it up, he placed it back on the shelf and moved other bottles in front of it. He turned back to the empty bottle. Looking inside, there was a light layer of dampness remaining. "I wonder how explosive a small amount of residue would be. And this label needs to go." He picked up a knife and slowly scraped the paper label off. He tossed the pieces onto the table to burn. He put the bottle on a different shelf, surrounding it with more bottles.
Artie stepped back, admiring his handiwork. "Good thing there are such a plethora of bottles in here. " He looked down at the Toluene bottle, "can't have you around. Hope there isn't another one." He picked it up and tossed it against the far wall. The glass shattered into pieces and fell onto the dirt floor, mixing with the first bottle. He paused, seeing the second label. "That won't do," he muttered. He picked up the second label and blew off a shard of green glass. He walked to the table and turned up the Bunsen burner. He quickly burned the two labels and blew the ash to the dirt floor.
"All right, Jim, it's time for the party. I think I'm ready now." He walked back to the desk and picked up the last muffin, settling into the chair. "And now Lori is here. That isn't the spark I was thinking of to set off the first explosion, but it will do." He grinned as he put his boots on the desk and began his midnight snack.
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