Accusations

Mum seemed surprised when the police knocked on our door the next day. "Is something the matter, officers?"

"I'm afraid so," one of them replied. "Your houseguest is under arrest."

"On what charge?!"

"She murdered innocent citizens during her bank robbery last night!"

Ginger was taken aback. "Sirs, there must be some mistake! I never robbed any banks, and I'd certainly never kill anyone!"

"The bullets we found match that of the gun you use in your shooting demonstrations," one of the officers explained. "Witnesses say the killer had an American accent."

"But surely there must be some mistake!"

"For your sake, I certainly hope so. I'm not sure what you Americans do to murderers, but here, we have ways of making sure they never again cause harm! Now, if you'll come quietly…"

"She's not going anywhere at the moment," Mum stated. "She may be a suspect, but you lack enough evidence to convict her, so she'll be staying right where she is!"

The police officers didn't seem too happy, but no one in law enforcement dares to argue with a Basil, so they left. Ginger, who was badly shaken, was nearly in tears.

"Don't let them take me!" she pleaded.

Mum pulled her into a hug. "No need to fret, dear. You've done nothing wrong, so you won't be punished. It's as simple as that. Don't you worry; we'll see this matter cleared up."

"Thank you!" Ginger clung to her as Mum continued to rub her back and stroke her hair for comfort.

"I'm putting the Queen of Crime on the case," Dad announced.

"That's an excellent idea!" agreed Mum. "We'll all go to Baker Street. Surely my brother would agree to help us as well. It might be better if our son and our guest stayed there for a while; he'd keep them from any false charges."

When we arrived at Baker Street, Mrs. Judson welcomed us and brought cheese crumpets. Mum introduced Ginger and briefly explained about the false accusations.

"Poor dear!" Mrs. Judson patted Ginger's hand. "There's no need to fret, love. Mr. Basil would never allow any harm to come to the innocent. As soon as he returns from his errands, we'll put him on the case, and he'll have it solved in no time."

Dad tipped his hat. "If you'll pardon me for a few minutes, Mrs. Judson, I would like to know what the Queen of Crime thinks of the matter."

"Of course, Mr. Crofton."

With that, Dad went up to the flat above my uncle's. Toby, my uncle's dog, lives there with Felicia, the cat able to outwit any felon in Mousedom. Apparently, she used to be evil, but after she almost got killed, she changed her ways. She now dedicates her life to solving and preventing crimes, and since she used to live with Ratigan and now lives with Basil, she knows all the wiles of both the world's greatest criminal mind and the greatest detective in all Mousedom. Dad says that cat is rightly called "the Queen of Crime" because she knows what misdeed will be committed next before the felons themselves figure it out. Although she doesn't speak, except to very young children, several of Ratigan's former henchmen have figured out how to communicate with her through a sort of sign language.

The door opened, and my uncle's friend, the Butcher of Baker Street, entered the flat. Mum didn't seem at all pleased to see him, but she attempted to smile politely.

"Good day to you, Dr. Dawson," she greeted.

The butcher tipped his hat. "And a good day to you as well, Mrs. Crofton. Have you come to visit your brother?"

Mum nodded, staring at him suspiciously.

Ever since I was old enough to hear stories, Mum had taught me all about doctors, explaining that they were nothing more than butchers and executioners. The average physician committed more murders than Ratigan ever did, and any Basil who trusted a doctor was a disgrace to our family name and a shame to the memory of our ancestors.

Dr. Dawson seemed unusual for a butcher. He always showed me how to make toy boats or kites, or he'd give me some marbles or jacks to play with. If he wasn't a doctor, he might have been a good uncle or something. In fact, he actually had a few nieces and nephews of his own.

However, I realized that I was young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. If Mum said he wasn't to be trusted, then he was a dangerous mouse.

My thoughts were interrupted when my uncle finally entered the flat. Without a word, he crossed the room and began playing his violin. After several minutes, he finally sighed.

"Bryna," he began, "this is a most inopportune time. I'm in no humor to tolerate this intrusion."

Mum recoiled as if she had been slapped. "Since when is a visit from your own sister considered encroachment?!"

"You, madame, have tarnished the family name by taking the surname of a felon!" my uncle replied, pointing toward the door. "You may take the liberty of showing yourself out."

Mum stood akimbo. "The police arrived at my door, accusing the innocent of murder and bank robbery. My guest would appreciate if you would take the case for her. Find the true criminals, and she'll be eliminated as a suspect, not to mention all of Mousedom will be safer."

"This is a most inopportune time," my uncle repeated. "Dawson has informed me only this morning that his sister will be joining us as we partake of our evening meal."

"And I say Ginger and your nephew would be safer at Baker Street until this mess is straightened out!"

My uncle seemed furious, but he knew arguing with Mum would do him no good.

Mum hugged me. "Don't worry. Your uncle will have this case solved in a day or two, half a week at the most. Then you'll be back home. Stay away from the butcher. Dr. Dawson may seem a harmless mouse, but even Professor Ratigan knew how to act like a gentleman. If you need anything, ask Mrs. Judson."

She turned to Ginger. "I promise no harm will come to you. We'll have this mess sorted out before you know it, and we'll still help you find a nice hotel and show you around the city. Everything's going to be alright."

Ginger nodded, and Mum went upstairs to check on Dad and the Queen of Crime before returning home, leaving us alone with my pompous uncle and the courteous butcher.