The clouds had gathered and rain was pouring, which was not a joyful way to start a morning. Things were even slow at 221½ Baker Street, as if the cloudiness had contaminated the house. The famous detective, Basil of Baker Street, was certainly not in his unusual lively, eccentric self, as he sat in his red chair trying to compose himself of his headache with sweaty hands. Though not as severe as last night, he was still dealing with the side effects of having more than one cup of coffee. He hoped it would go away quickly; he needed to be alert for the case.
Mrs Judson was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for her master and their guests, the Flavershams. Just last night, Hiram and Olivia had turned up out of the blue after nine years, needing Basil's help once again after Hiram had been attacked by some unknown thug. The thought of that made Mrs Judson's blood boil.
Suddenly, the door opened. ''Morning, Basil!'' said a familiar voice, and Basil looked up to see Dawson and a pretty female mouse, closing an umbrella.
''Oh, morning, doctor, Pauline.''
''It's lovely to see you, Basil, though I wish I could say the same for the weather,'' said Pauline. She had long brown hair and was wearing a yellow dress with a flowery hat on her head. ''David told me the Flavershams are here and I wanted to finally meet them. He tried to take me to stay with relatives after feeling a bit sick last night, but I'm feeling just fine.''
''I just don't want you to get hurt, love,'' Dawson protested. ''With your health, some villain on the loose and with my being involved in the detective business, they could use you as bait, or something.''
Pauline giggled and kissed Dawson's cheek. ''Oh, David, you're cute when you fret like that.''
Dawson chuckled bashfully and they stared at each other, the love between them clearly visible. Dawson then caught Basil's eye and he and Pauline instantly became guilty.
''I'm so sorry, Basil, I shouldn't have –''
''We didn't mean to –'' Pauline added in sincere apology.
''No, it's fine,'' Basil insisted, but he turned away from the couple.
The detective was feeling such a pang in his stomach, as though someone had just punched him, making the coffee side effects nothing. Though unintentional, Dawson's words had just reminded Basil why he was married to his work, and memories of that night flooded the detective's mind, memories he had tried for many years to repress and hid behind his work. He had always secretly wanted what Dawson had, but he had had to put up a barrier between himself and others, particularly women, as he had promised himself after all the emotional and physical trauma his family had gone through, all because of that monster … If only he had gone back to save his father and aunt after getting Beatrice to safety …
''Good morning, everyone!''
Basil snapped out of the unwanted memory lane when he saw Olivia and Hiram and immediately sat up straight.
''Good morning, Olivia, Hiram,'' said Dawson. ''I would like to introduce you to my wife, Pauline. Pauline, this is Hiram and Olivia Flaversham.''
''Hiram and Olivia, we meet at last,'' Pauline said, and shook their hands. ''I've been wanting to meet you for a long time. David has told me all about you.''
''Nice to meet you, Pauline,'' said Olivia. ''I'd heard that Doctor Dawson had got married.''
'Yes, about two and a half years now,'' Dawson stated.
''Congratulations,'' Hiram said. ''Do you have children?''
Dawson and Pauline blushed. ''Oh, not right now,'' Pauline said, a little sadly. ''I do so want to. I was feeling a bit sick last night and this morning, but David said it could be a stomach bug. He even tried to take me to stay with relatives but he relented.''
Olivia giggled. ''We women may be considered delicate, but in actual fact we are no pushovers.''
''Indeed,'' Pauline agreed, and they giggled like schoolgirls, as if they had been friends for years.
Olivia saw Basil in his chair. ''Morning, Basil,'' she said cheerfully.
Basil breathed heavily, composed himself and stood up on his jittery legs. ''Good morning, Miss Olivia, Hiram,'' he said.
Mrs Judson then appeared with breakfast and said good morning to the Flavershams and Pauline.
''Mr Basil,'' said the housekeeper sternly, ''have you been up all-night dwelling on the case again?''
''Yes, Mrs Judson,'' Basil admitted, a little defensively. ''It's what I always do.''
Olivia walked right up to him with a shrewd look in her eyes and Basil felt himself stiffen. ''Hmmm …'' the young woman said with a sly smile and began circling him. ''Yes, you would stay awake after those few cups of coffee, wouldn't you?''
Basil's eyes widened in surprise. ''How – how did you – ?''
Olivia chuckled and stopped in front of him. ''You are displaying most of the common signs when someone has had quite a bit of caffeine, including dehydration, sweating, jittery legs, breathing fast, having a headache and, of course, dilated pupils.''
Basil gaped at her, open-mouthed.
''Amazing,'' Dawson said in awe.
''I've never met a woman who can make such deductions before,'' Pauline said in admiration.
''I stand by what I said last night: Miss Olivia would make a wonderful detective,'' Mrs Judson said like a proud grandmother, and tickled the young woman's cheek.
''Olivia is not a bit stuck-up in her intelligence,'' said Hiram. ''You see, after the case, she studied hard, determined to prove women's intellect were compatible with men's.''
''Aye. The subjects that girls had to take were all about running the house and, of course, bearing children, but I wanted to take subjects the boys took, such as maths, science, history and the medical field.''
Dawson remembered last night she had said something of the sort.
''The headmaster of her school was very dismissive at first,'' Hiram continued crossly, ''but her intellect and persistence eventually wore him down.''
''So, hang on,'' Basil said abruptly, and he looked at Olivia with a serious, horrified face, ''you mean to say you were the only girl in a class full of boys?''
Basil saw Dawson and Pauline smirk at him.
''Don't worry, I was fine,'' Olivia assured him with a smile. ''They didn't bother me because they thought I was so weird, but I didn't care. Even most of the girls didn't understand, though I could tell that a few of them secretly admired my guts. The few friends I did have really looked up to me as if I was their heroine.''
''And she really excelled at all the subjects, even came top of the class,'' Hiram added proudly.
Everyone gave praise over Olivia, who modestly accepted, before sitting down for breakfast.
''By the way,'' Hiram said suddenly, ''it could have just been a dream, or my eyes were so tired they were playing tricks on me, but I might have glimpsed someone lurking outside our window last night.''
''Someone was spying on you?'' Basil repeated sharply. ''What did they look like?''
''It was only for a few seconds, but I saw what appeared to be a small, hooded figure scurrying away the second I opened my eyes.''
''Father, why didn't you tell me?'' Olivia asked.
''I wasn't sure. Like I said, I could have imagined it. Although,'' the toymaker added thoughtfully, ''they somehow seemed familiar, but I don't know why …''
Basil stood up from the table and paced up and down, deep in thought. First someone invades Hiram and Olivia's home, he thought, and now someone else was spying on us. It cannot be a coincidence. Basil then mulled over the one commonality between the two. Both Hiram's attacker and the spy were wearing hoods to hide their faces. He then stopped as a sudden thought came to mind. There's only one demented scoundrel I know who has all of his henchmen wear hoods …
''Basil?''
Basil looked to see everyone staring at him in concern, before clearing his throat. ''Hiram, I don't believe you were seeing things. I am absolutely certain there really was someone spying on us, and it's no doubt linked to your attacker. I have come up with a theory as to who their employer is, and if it is correct, I think it would be best if we move you somewhere else.''
Olivia stood up and walked over to the detective. ''I agree that Father should live in a safer location, but I am staying right here. Don't argue,'' she added sternly, holding up a hand as Basil was about to speak. ''I know you will be worried about my safety, Basil, and it's very sweet of you, but whoever is behind this, I'm not afraid. I've proven that I can take care of myself.''
Basil sighed in defeat, unable to say no to Olivia. He wanted to protect the woman he lov – cared about, but as much as he hated to admit it, Olivia was right, she could handle herself with her fighting skills.
''Very well.''
Olivia kissed his cheek, an urge that nearly forced the detective to take into his arms. ''And who knows? My fighting might come in handy.''
Basil found himself chuckling. ''Perhaps it might,'' he said with a small smile. ''Now, let's discuss Hiram's living arrangements ...''
After a small debate, it was decided that Hiram stayed with Dawson and Pauline. ''We would be happy to welcome him into our home,'' Pauline said.
''In that case,'' said Hiram standing up and fetching his coat, ''since Olivia and I will be away from home for a while, I'll need to go back to the shop and pack up everything we will need, such as clean clothes.''
''Are you sure, Father?'' Olivia asked worriedly. ''I don't want you to go by yourself, just in case the intruder returns when you're vulnerable.''
''That's why I will accompany him,'' Mrs Judson said firmly, undoing her apron.
''So will I,'' piped up Pauline, the determination shown in her eyes. ''If that creep does show up, he will have Mrs Judson and I to answer to.''
As much as Dawson wanted to protest, he knew it was futile. He wanted to keep Pauline safe but at the same time, he had utter trust in her. She was very caring and protective of others, just like he was.
''Thank you, both of you,'' Olivia said, touched, ''but I don't want you two to get hurt as well.''
''Don't worry, my dear, we won't,'' Mrs Judson said, and pulled out of one of the drawers a club. ''I always have items such as this with me for protection whenever I'm alone in the house, and I will take it with us to the toy shop.''
She started wrapping it up in a cloth.
''I remember you having a mace in your possession the night we first met,'' Olivia recalled.
''Yes. If Mr Basil was away and there was a knock at the door, I would always have that or the club in hand in case of intruders. It was Mr Basil's idea, not mine.''
Olivia smirked at Basil, who blushed. ''Yeah, that sounds like the sort of eccentric thing you would do,'' she teased.
Hiram, Mrs Judson and Pauline put on their coats, stepped outside and opened up their umbrellas. As they started to walk away from the flat, they passed by a female mouse who was walking towards 221½. Mrs Judson looked back, but Hiram assured her it was fine.
The mouse knocked on the door. ''Is this the residence of Basil of Baker Street?'' she asked politely. She looked about Olivia's age and had light-tan fur, short auburn hair and brown eyes.
''Indeed, it is, miss,'' Dawson said welcomingly. ''Who might you be?''
''Helen!'' Olivia said with a bright smile, and they hugged as if they were sisters.
''You know this young lady, Olivia?'' Basil asked.
Olivia nodded.
''I've been her best friend since school, Mr Basil,'' Helen said. ''My name is similar to your neighbourhood, Baker Street, since I am Helen Baker.''
''Helen Baker,'' the detective repeated with a chuckle. ''Easy name to remember. Do come inside, Miss Baker.''
Helen closed her umbrella and stepped inside.
''What are you doing here?'' Olivia asked her friend.
''I heard about the incident at the toyshop this morning. Are you and your father alright?''
''Aye, we're fine. The intruder cut Father's head with a knife, but Doctor Dawson here stitched up the cut.''
''I wouldn't expect anything less from the great Doctor Dawson, trusty assistant to Basil of Baker Street,'' Helen complimented, and the doctor chuckled bashfully. ''Where is your father, anyway?''
''He's staying with Dawson and his wife, and I'm staying here.''
''Really?'' Helen said shrewdly with a mischievous gleam in her eyes, looking between Basil and her best friend.
''How did you know Olivia would be here?'' Basil asked curiously.
''Because she always said if anything bad happened to Hiram or the shop, she would go to you for help again, so it was an educated guess. Not to mention, Olivia had always wanted to see you again, she missed you so much –''
''Helen!'' Olivia interrupted, blushing furiously, as did Basil.
''Anyway,'' Helen continued, having had enough fun, ''I assume you're about to start working on the case of this?''
''Affirmative, Miss Baker,'' Basil answered. ''I just need to know where we can find a place that would have information of well-known thugs.''
Helen put a finger on her chin in thought. ''Hmmm, I might actually be able to help you there. My father is a journalist and he specialises in anything crime related, including researching villains and their henchmen. There's a chance he might have something on the thug you're looking for.''
''Are you sure your father won't mind us looking through his work?''
''Of course not. In fact, Father would be honoured to be of service to you.''
''What do you think, Basil?'' Dawson asked his colleague.
Basil rubbed his chin. ''The fiend had a missing finger on his left hand, and that is such a distinct feature. I think it's worth looking at. Miss Baker, would you mind leading us there?''
''Certainly.''
After writing out a note for Mrs Judson in case she retuned before them, the four put on their coats and opened their umbrellas as they left Baker Street. Basil talked with Helen while Dawson and Olivia walked behind them. Basil had a few things he wanted to talk to Helen about.
''Now that I think about it, there is a newspaper writer called George Baker.''
''That's my father. He's been in the business for many years now.''
''I thought so. You weren't kidding when you said he specialises in criminals. He wrote about most of the villains I've encountered throughout the years.''
''He even wrote a few pieces on Ratigan. His diabolical schemes made his blood boil. I was only little during his reign so I wasn't really familiar with him until after he died. Father always hated criminals but sometime ago said he had been too scared of getting outspoken against that rat.''
Basil stiffened. ''Did he say why?''
''He said something about another journalist having done that some years before and Ratigan did something horrible,'' Helen continued.
Basil felt the colour drain from his face as he remembered that incident. If his father hadn't intervened, the man's daughter would have suffered.
''He also wrote a few articles about someone called the Viper as well. I can't remember much, but a few years before Ratigan got his due, Father was pleased that this Viper had disappeared. I was only seven so I hadn't heard of him, and I don't think Olivia had.''
Basil felt dread. If his theory was right, he would have no choice but to tell Olivia about the unscrupulous evil that Basil had not seen in twelve years. Desperate to change the subject he asked, ''Do you want to join your father's journalism, Miss Baker?''
''Oh, no. It's an interesting field and I like reading, but I want to be an artist. I've always painted since I was little.''
''An artist, eh?''
''It's my passion. My parents said I had potential but they feared I would never make it because women were not considered eligible. I used to think that way too, until Olivia defiantly swayed the headmaster to let her study the boys' subjects.''
Basil smiled. ''She told us that this morning.''
''She was really inspiring. I could not believe that many other girls were so narrow-minded and agreed with the old-fashioned ways. I tried to persuade the headmaster to let me join as well but he just said: 'Isn't one enough?' Father nearly strangled him, but I knew my time would come soon. Olivia said she would help me enter the artist world, and now we are attending college, and I'm, in an arts class. She's incredible.''
Basil looked over his shoulder and gazed at the young woman chatting to Dawson. ''Yes, she is,'' he whispered to himself.
Helen heard and smiled.
They eventually reached the journalism headquarters and stepped inside.
''Helen?''
The group looked to see a tall mouse with a fine crop of auburn hair similar to Helen's making his way toward them.
''Hello, Mr Baker,'' Olivia greeted.
''So you're Helen's father?'' Basil said.
George Baker nodded and shook the detective's hand. ''I'm guessing you're here to help investigate what happened at the Flavershams', am I right, Mr Basil?''
Basil explained the situation and George agreed to help. ''I actually made myself a list of fiends and their descriptions.''
''Could we have a look at it, Mr Baker?'' Basil asked. ''It's very likely it has the name of the person for whom we are looking.''
''Certainly. I'll just go and fetch it from my work area.''
The four waited and Basil looked around in fascination to see everyone at hard work in creating the newspaper that Mousedom read. For some reason, it felt relaxing.
''Mr Basil, there's something Olivia told me that I've always been curious about,'' Helen said abruptly.
''Of course, Miss Baker, what is it?''
''Why did you have a framed portrait of Ratigan? He was your arch-nemesis. No offence, but it seemed to be a bit of a strange thing to do.''
Basil chuckled, having been asked this many times before by various people. ''No offence taken, Miss Baker. Given my eccentric nature, most of the way I do things are often perceived to be strange. To answer your question, I had it simply as a reminder that he was still at large, committing more depravity and hurting countless, innocent mice.''
''That makes sense,'' Helen said thoughtfully. ''If I was trying to throw a criminal mastermind behind bars and he sent me something to mock me over my goal, I probably would've done the same.''
Olivia smiled as she remembered nine years ago of herself, Basil, Dawson and Hiram having the same conversation, and it played in her mind as if it were only yesterday …
At Basil's flat, the three grown-ups were each holding something: Hiram was holding a large package, Dawson was holding in his hands the framed newspaper article of him and Basil being thanked by Queen Mousetoria, while Basil had just finished removing all of the nailed newspaper clippings from the fireplace and placing them away in a large file. He then grabbed the portrait of Ratigan. Smiling, a pleased Basil threw it in the fire, and the group watched the professor's evil face disintegrate. ''I hope you rot in hell, you fiend,'' Basil spat, glaring at the incinerating picture, before realising Olivia was there, having heard the curse word.
Olivia, however, was not fazed. ''I hope he does too,'' she said, and Basil stared at her in surprise.
Hiram knew what Basil was thinking and chuckled, rubbing his daughter's head with one hand. ''She has always been different than most children her age,'' he said proudly.
Basil smiled at Olivia. ''She certainly is,'' he said softly.
''I say, Basil?'' Dawson asked suddenly.
''Yes, doctor?''
''If you don't mind,'' Dawson said slowly, ''there's something I've been wanting to ask you for some time now.''
''Certainly, old chap. What is it?''
''Well …'' Dawson hesitated and glanced down at the fireplace where Ratigan's portrait had just burnt.
Basil saw where Dawson was looking and smiled. ''You want to know why I had that slimy rat's portrait, even though he was my arch-enemy who I despised more than anything and wanted nothing more than see him behind bars and hanged for his crimes, am I right?''
Dawson nodded. ''Well, uh, yes …''
''Why did you?'' Olivia asked curiously.
Basil answered he kept it as a reminder that Ratigan was still out there.
''And if you're also wondering where I acquired it,'' he added, ''that fiend left it behind at a crime scene as a mockery that he would never face justice for his crimes. I was going to throw it in the fire at first, but the proud, stubborn side of me said ''He hasn't won this battle, justice will be served'', so I decided it was best that it served as a furious reminder he had still not been apprehended.''
Olivia, however, noticed Basil's eyes had a gleam that indicated he wasn't telling the whole story, but didn't say anything. Instead, she asked, in the same curious voice, ''Why?''
Basil couldn't help but chuckle softly. Olivia was so cute, being inquisitive and asking ''Why?'' as most children her age did. Her curiosity reminded him of himself when he was a child. He explained that seeing Ratigan's smug face, taunting him and mocking him, it encouraged him to not give up until he had finally had the rat thrown in jail.
Dawson nodded and he, Olivia and Hiram agreed it made perfect sense.
''But why are you keeping all of clippings?'' Hiram asked.
Basil shrugged. ''You never know. If some future criminal linked to Ratigan appears, having them may be useful.''
Basil then looked at the portrait in Dawson's hands and took it from him and placed it above the mantle in place of the late professor's. Everyone looked at the framed article.
Afterwards, Olivia and Hiram gave Basil the new violin which he played and placed by his chair.
''To be thanked by the Queen herself,'' Dawson then said in an awed, proud voice, smiling at the portrait …
Olivia came back to the present to see George had returned with a list, which Basil and Dawson started reading. After a few minutes of scanning over the list, they both let out triumph cries.
''Have you found a match?'' Olivia asked hopefully.
''Yes, we have, my dear,'' Dawson replied. ''There's only one person who matches the description you and Hiram gave us.''
'' 'Butch Mitchell,' '' Basil read aloud excitedly with a grin. '' 'Unshaven face, wheezy voice, missing finger on his left hand …'
''That's him,'' Olivia said at once, ''but why would his master send him to hurt us?''
''That's what we need to find out, particularly if his employer is who I think he is.''
''Who do you think it is?'' Helen asked breathlessly.
''Someone who I never succeeded in apprehending,'' Basil answered in frustration. ''Mr Baker, do you mind if we take this with us? It might come in handy.''
Basil's mind began to whirl as he began to formulate a plan regarding their villain. He knew it was going to be completely mad and so unlike him, but it was necessary given who they were most likely dealing with.
''Of course, Mr Basil.''
''Are you coming, Miss Helen?'' Dawson asked Olivia's friend.
''Actually, I –'' Helen stopped mid-sentence when she saw a very handsome young mouse giving them a small wave as he walked past them. ''On second thought, I'll go with you!'' the young woman gabbled desperately, flushing in embarrassment.
Basil looked over his shoulder at the male mouse as they turned to leave.
''Peter Wilson,'' Olivia whispered to him. ''Helen likes him.''
''Ah.''
The four stepped out of the building, discovering they no longer needed their umbrellas for it had stopped raining. ''Come on, Dawson, Olivia, Miss Baker, let's get back to Baker Street.''
Phew! Sorry it took so long, I debated how long to make this chapter.
It appears a new member has joined the team.
Who does Basil think the villain is, and what is his plan for confirming his theory?
See you soon!
