Disclaimer: I do not own Danger Mouse (2015) or any canon characters featured within. They are the property of Brian Cosgrove, Mark Hall, Fremantle Media, CBBC and Boulder Media. I do own Emma White, Dr. Kirkland, Ms. Anderson and Jonathan Baker, among other OCs.

DMEP

The next morning, rising with the sun, Danger Mouse and Penfold discuss what must be done. "For starters, we'll have to inform Colonel K. But, even if he denies it, I'll still be carrying on anyway."

"Me too, DM, I'm with you all the way!"

He was about to say more but his iPatch started ringing. He pressed the button. "Good morning, Danger Moth, any developments? How is she?"

"A few minutes ago, she...coded. Thankfully, they could help her and she's stable now. But, DM, it's very serious."

Knowing Penfold could hear her, he pulled him close. "I see. Thank you for letting me know. Now, you should take the time to rest. Get some sleep, you'll need it."

"I shall. Are you about to visit Colonel K?"

"We're having breakfast first, then we'll go see him."

"Good luck."

He switched off his iPatch, continuing to pat Penfold's back. "She's stable now, Penfold, she'll be alright."

"I...I know, but..."

DMEP

Halfway through breakfast, Colonel K's hologram appeared in the room. "Good morning, DM, and you too, er...Panfont."

"Sir, it's quite the coincidence that you're contacting us, we were coming to see you after breakfast," Danger Mouse responded, patting Penfold's paw to quell him.

"No need, I already heard from Danger Moth. In fact, I was about to ask if your investigation may have to do with another I was about to bring up to you today."

"What do you mean, Colonel?"

"Reports of children's homes across the whole of the U.K. being visited by a male individual and ties to...children who were found unconscious or..."

Danger Mouse frowned. "This may tie into our investigation...in fact, this may serve as a lead!"

"Right, then you and...um...him," he pointed to Penfold, "can investigate this matter, hopefully you'll save more children in the process. I'll send the information about the children to your iPatch. I do hope you're able to track down that monster."

"As do I, Colonel, as do I."

The hologram blinked out.

Penfold sighed. "He still forgot my name, and I've been here for years!"

"I know it bothers you, Penfold."

"I wish he would just, at least once when he's not cross with me, remember my name is Penfold, not anything else he's said!"

"It will happen. He's not all there, you know that. Remember how he used to get over and out wrong?"

"Yeah, kind of."

"Well, maybe it's like that. He learned to get that right again, so surely he'll finally get your name. But, how about this? Next time he does, I will correct him."

"Thanks, DM."

"Ah! Seems the information about each of the children has arrived. Hm-hm, I see. Oh...that's not good..."

"What is it?"

"I'm reading about a boy named John Brown. He was about Emma's age when he was adopted. He was, unfortunately, found...do you want to know where?"

"I'll find out worse anyway."

"He was found deceased floating in the Thames."

"Oh, crumbs! What happened?"

"Suicide was hypothesised, but according to the coroner's report, his injuries don't correspond. They state that the injuries killed him."

"He was dumped?! Cor, who would do such a thing?!"

"Someone wanting to cover their tracks, obviously. This individual is a danger to all children. I don't know why he would adopt them, but at the same time, I have a hunch. Have you finished brekkie?"

"Yeah, I don't think I can stomach more."

"Alright, go get changed and we're off to speak with Ms. Anderson."

He nodded and left the table.

DMEP

"DM?"

"Yes, Penfold?"

"Should we inform Ms. Anderson of what happened to Emma?"

"Yes, we definitely should. Adoption information is usually confidential, but if the child in question is at risk..."

"Ah! They'd have to share the information!"

"Exactly. This will also allow her to spread the word to other children's homes to not allow that same man to adopt from there and to make sure the children are kept safe."

"Should I give the news?"

"No. Instead, in order to make sure the children aren't alarmed, I want you to play with them and keep them company. I'll inform Ms. Anderson."

"Right!"

"There it is! And to think, just months before, we had brought Emma here..."

"Mm. That was a sad day."

"Indeed."

DMEP

"Oh! My goodness, I was not expecting a visit from you two! Emma is no longer here, she was adopted," the ewe stated upon recognising the visitors.

Danger Mouse nodded. "We're well-aware, that is why we're here. Would it be alright for Penfold to keep the children company while I speak with you in private?"

"Of course. Mr. Penfold, you'll find the children outside."

"I'll meet you outside, Penfold, so make sure the children are nowhere near Ms. Anderson's office until I do. They must not overhear us."

Penfold nodded and made his way outside to the playground.

Ms. Anderson led Danger Mouse into her office. "What has happened?" She shut the door and moved to her desk.

Danger Mouse sat on a guest chair and looked at her directly. He was not going to mince words. "Last night, Emma was found on the brink of death. Right now she is fighting for her life. She had been treated appallingly by the one who adopted her."

"Oh, my goodness. Oh, the poor child..."

"Unfortunately, she is not the only one. I would like to request the adoption papers. More children may be at risk."

"I...I would normally never present them without a warrant, but I understand that you are a secret agent. Your commander, Colonel K, had contacted me before you brought Emma in. I'll get them for you immediately."

"I also ask that you describe the individual, as best as you can recall, and then help spread the word to other children's homes. If they've already allowed them to adopt, contact me as soon as possible on this number." He brought out a slip of paper and passed it to her.

"Of course. I'll get the papers for you." She rose to her feet, her legs unsteady at the sudden revelation that she'd unknowingly allowed a child in her care to fall into the hands of a cruel individual. "As for...he was about middle-aged, had black hair with a silver streak on the right side. He was slightly taller than yourself by about...five inches, I believe. He wore sunglasses, claiming he was sensitive to light, so I never saw his eyes. His voice was a mixture of smooth and gruff."

"Anything else?"

"Oh! He was a wolf!"

"Alright. I hope you don't mind, but I recorded your description."

"Not at all." She found the file and returned to the desk. "I only hope my description was clear enough."

"If you hear from other children's homes that have seen him, inform me of each one. I'll contact them and ask for their own descriptions. He may have disguised himself, but at least knowing he's a wolf of a particular height will help serve as a base." He accepted the folder and read the information. "Papers were signed by a Mr. Joseph Cartwright, I only hope that is not a nom de plume. Ms. Anderson, I thank you most heartily for your help, but there is one last thing I ask of you."

"Of course."

"Until the fiend has been apprehended, don't allow anybody to adopt children from here. Don't say anything to the children. It might pay to take them away for a couple of weeks."

"Do you think that will be enough time?"

"I intend to have him behind bars before the week is up, the second week is just for some extra vacation time." He offered a handshake, and when she accepted, he took hold of her hoof and shook it firmly. "Don't cause the children concern, we don't want them to be worried that someone who will adopt them is out to hurt them."

"Of course not. Please find that monster so no more children may be harmed!"

"You can count on it."

DMEP

Penfold was with the six children currently calling the children's home their home. They'd gotten out a long skipping rope and were doing runthroughs. He spotted Danger Mouse and Ms. Anderson. "Hello, DM, Ms. Anderson! Has your discussion ended?"

Ms. Anderson nodded. "It has, and I think Mr. Mouse had a great idea for us all to go to Birmingham for a holiday. How does that sound, children?"

The children paused in their play and cheered.

"Alright then, go on and get yourselves ready for our holiday, we're leaving this afternoon!" She watched the children dash inside. "Mr. Penfold, thank you for keeping the children company. I will inform both of you of any new information. Now, I must go and make some calls. Good day to you both." She turned and headed inside.

Penfold looked to Danger Mouse. "Now what?"

"I have a basic description of the one who adopted Emma as well as his details. Those will be put through the databanks, hopefully we can find out if something's amiss. Come along, Penfold."

"Coming!"

"By the way, how was playing with the rope?" he asked as they made their way to the Mark IV.

"Nostalgic. Little Sarah was really great at jumping, though Thomas needed a little more practice. James mentioned he can do double-dutch, but they only have one rope at that length so he couldn't prove it, causing Mandy to suspect he's telling porkies. Anna preferred holding an end like I was, while Samantha hoped to go first." He fastened his seatbelt, they'd made it to the car halfway through his recollection. "How did Ms. Anderson handle the news?"

"Quite well. She was shaky, but calm. I suggested a holiday away for all of them." He fastened his seatbelt and started the ignition. "She decided on the location though. It's to serve as a distraction and to prevent any further adoptions until the fiend is behind bars."

"Good idea, DM! So, what do you know so far?"

"He's a wolf that measures approximately five inches taller than myself. The name he used to sign the papers was Joseph Cartwright, but I suspect that to be a nom de plume. If he goes around adopting child after child, he can't use his real name lest everything be traced back to him."

"Like when they found John Brown and the other children?"

"Exactly. Contrary to popular belief, orphan deaths are investigated. They might have a family somewhere, or there might be foul play afoot in a children's home. Now then, let's get back to HQ and put what we know through the database."

"The criminal database?"

"No. The database for all citizens in the United Kingdom. This person may not be a criminal in the system yet, so we have to cover everyone."

"I understand."

"I knew you would. Ah, home sweet home at last."

"Will you be getting the professor's help for this?"

"I can peruse the database at least, I'm not completely incapable of understanding technology."

"No, I mean the whole investigation. She could serve as back-up."

"Back-up?"

"Well, she has better hacking skills than you, so she can delve further into databases across the globe if she has to. Besides, we might need a new gadget especially for this."

"I like the way you think! Let's pay a visit to her lab then."