''So, what's the plan, Basil?'' Dawson asked his colleague as he tried to comfort Helen, who was still embarrassed.

''We go home and put the investigation on hold.''

''What?'' Olivia, Dawson and Helen said incredulously.

''Basil, have you lost your senses?'' the doctor asked.

Basil, however, was smiling. ''If my theory as to who our enemy is is correct,'' he said calmly, ''we need to wait for him to make the first move, then we can start looking into his motives.''

Olivia and Dawson looked at each other. As out-of-character as it was, if Basil knew what he was doing they were just going to have to trust him.

''But what about Butch Mitchell?'' Helen asked. ''Can't you just try and find him and get answers from him? You found Ratigan's lair thanks to the list that Fidget left behind.''

''That's exactly what we would do, if Mitchell had left anything behind. Either he's smarter than Fidget in that respect, or his boss ensured no such thing would happen. I suspect it's the latter, given the person of whom I am thinking is by far the most craftiest villain ever.''

''Even more than Ratigan?'' Olivia asked in surprise, and Basil nodded.

The group arrived back at 221½ to hear Mrs Judson bustling in the kitchen. ''Welcome back,'' she said when she appeared. ''Miss Olivia, your father has gone home with Pauline as she wanted to help him settle in. I put the suitcase he packed for you in the guest bedroom. Feel free to unpack whenever you wish.''

''Thank you, Mrs Judson.''

Helen introduced herself to the housekeeper and they all settled down for lunch. They all swapped stories over the table, from some of Basil and Dawson's cases throughout the years to Olivia and Helen's school and college days.

''Olivia has had many boys pursuing her, especially since starting college,'' Helen said suddenly, and shared a smirk with Dawson.

''She – she has?'' Basil asked, ignoring the jealousy that was suddenly growing inside his belly, as if it had become a growling monster.

''Yeah, many of them have asked for her hand, but she turned them all down.''

''It's because they wanted a housewife, which is what I don't want to be,'' Olivia protested, frowning.

''I don't blame you, my dear,'' Mrs Judson said. ''Any eligible bachelor who won't accept that doesn't deserve you.''

Basil felt the jealous monster inside his belly become more relaxed with the knowledge that Olivia wasn't engaged. ''Olivia, can you tell us about what you are doing at college?'' he asked, genuinely interested.

Olivia happily filled in details about the courses she was doing and hoping to change the male-dominated society just a bit. Everyone was awe, especially Basil.

After lunch, Helen took her leave. ''Feel free to come back anytime, my dear,'' Mrs Judson said warmly. ''Any friend of Miss Olivia's is a friend of mine.''

''Thank you very much.''

Olivia hugged her best friend and whispered her good luck with Peter, to which Helen blushed.

''Same goes for you and Basil,'' she whispered back, and it was Olivia's turn to blush.

After Helen left, Olivia and Mrs Judson started to clean the table. ''Miss Olivia, you don't need to do this, you're our guest,'' the housekeeper protested.

Olivia shook her head. ''I want to help out in any way I can since I'm going to be living here for a while, Mrs Judson,'' she replied, and Mrs Judson lovingly hugged the young woman.

After finishing, Olivia was about to ask Basil about his theory as she was curious when they heard the letterbox and saw a letter had been posted through. Olivia offered to get it and stared at the back in wonder:

William Basil of Baker Street

221½ Baker Street

London

Olivia looked at the postage stamp in the top right-hand corner. It was a Welsh stamp. This letter had come from Wales.

''Olivia, what is it?'' Basil asked, walking toward the young woman, but when he saw the letter in her hand, he turned white.

''It's from Wales, Basil,'' Olivia said, pointing at the stamp. ''Who – ?''

She was interrupted when Basil suddenly snatched the letter out of her hand as fast as lightning, looking beside himself, as if he had seen a ghost.

''Basil what's the matter?'' she asked in concern.

Basil looked at the letter, breathing fast and heavily. ''It's nothing,'' he said quickly.

''If it's from Wales? It'll be another letter from Roger,'' said Dawson asked.

''DAWSON!'' Basil shouted, getting right in the doctor's face. ''Will you – ?''

''No, I will not shut up!'' Dawson fought back. ''I know it's difficult for you, but I won't have you lie to Olivia about Roger and your living relatives.''

''I agree with Doctor Dawson,'' Mrs Judson piped up, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at her master. ''She deserves to know.''

Defeated, Basil's expression softened as he turned back to face Olivia, still looking white.

''Know what, Basil? Who is this Roger?''

Basil took a deep breath and said, ''He's … he's my brother.''

''I didn't know you had a brother?''

''My twin, to be precise.''

Olivia's eyes widened.

''He was born first. There is also our sister Beatrice. She's much younger, only a few years older than you. Amanda is Roger's wife, and I am Uncle William to their children Duncan and Lucy.''

''Why are they living in Wales?'' Olivia asked.

Basil stayed silent while Dawson put a comforting hand on his shoulder. Olivia decided it was best not to push it so instead she said, in a genuinely curious tone, ''Your first name is William?''

Basil was surprised by the response but didn't question it. ''Yes,'' he said, now smiling. ''My full name is William Michael Basil, but no-one ever calls me William apart from Mrs Judson when she's exceedingly angry with me.''

''Well, I think it suits you perfectly. And now that I know your first name, I'm tempted to start calling you that.''

''You can call me whatever you want, Olivia. Obviously, Dawson still calls me by my last name even though he knows.''

Basil went upstairs to his room to put the letter in with the others. The second he left, Dawson turned to face Olivia. ''My dear, I know you want to know what's going with Basil and his siblings, but it's not to my place to tell you.''

''Don't worry, Doctor Dawson,'' Olivia assured him. ''I understand. If it was me, I would be the same, not wanting to be pressured into saying something I wasn't it ready to talk about, particularly if it was something traumatic and you were still feeling the effects from it.''

Dawson was amazed by Olivia's empathy, but it shouldn't be a surprise. It was clear to the doctor that Olivia understood Basil, which was why it frustrated him they still hadn't confessed their true feelings. As much as he didn't want to, if it didn't happen soon Dawson was going to take matters into his own hands.

In his room, Basil sat on his bed and smiled sadly as he read his brother's latest letter. He was glad that everyone was fine. He was also pleased to hear that Duncan liked the present Basil had sent for his birthday. His smile got sadder as he thought about Duncan and Lucy and read the part of the letter in which Roger had once again asked Basil for a visit, and that the children wanted to meet their famous Uncle William. He held the letter close to his chest. He had never seen his nephew and niece, who would be about 11 and 8 now.

Basil's thoughts turned to Beatrice, his dear sister. He was glad she was doing well in Wales with Roger and his family. Now she was chattier and more sociable, though she was still hesitant around boys. Basil wasn't surprised, the emotional and mental scars over an incident such as hers ran too deep and took a very long time to heal, if at all.

And Violet, his sweet, caring aunt who always put her family before herself ... A part of Basil had always believed that horrid rat's insistence that he was responsible for her death, even though she and his father had both told him to just save himself and Beatrice. But now he had made peace with with the truth: Ratigan was one who had killed Violet, not him, and was absolving himself of any blame. That was one thing about the past Basil had put to rest following the professor's death.

Basil scowled darkly as he thought of that horrid beast, the very reason why Basil had shunned his siblings' contacts in the first place. He was glad he was dead; he deserved it, but if he had died the night Basil had vowed to keep his loved ones safe, instead of his father and aunt, then he, Roger and Beatrice would be having family get togethers as any normal family would, and Duncan and Lucy would know their grandfather and great-aunt Violet, if that heartless sewer rat hadn't betrayed them all in the first place. While his father was strict at times, he would have been overjoyed to have grandchildren, and Violet would have loved to spoil Duncan and Lucy.

It made Basil's blood boil as he then thought about his poor grandparents, who suffered most of all. And why wouldn't they? After everything that they did for Ratigan…

The detective shook his head as he didn't want to think about the past, not with Olivia just downstairs. ''I love you Roger, Beatrice,'' he whispered to the letter, as if he was actually talking to his siblings. He then pulled out the box from under his bed and put the letter on top of the pile. He smiled as he saw how overflown it was nearly. He then picked up the framed family portrait from his bedside table, staring longingly at the three young children with their parents. Fighting back the tears that threatened to burst, Basil swallowed hard, put down the picture and left his room.

The second he reappeared in the parlour, he saw Olivia now wearing a lovely tartan shawl draped around her shoulders.

''My word, that really suits you, young lady,'' he said.

Olivia giggled. ''Thank you, William. I got it out of my suitcase a little while ago.''

Basil blinked. How long had he been in his room?

''It belonged to my mother, and Father passed it onto me when I was big enough to wear it.''

''No doubt she looked lovely in it as well,'' Dawson added, and Mrs Judson agreed.

''What was your mother's name, if I may ask?'' Basil asked curiously.

''Annabel.''

''Annabel …'' Basil repeated. ''That's a wonderful name.''

''Glad to see you smiling now, William,'' Olivia said. ''I wanted to cheer you up and Mrs Judson told me last night you had always wanted to have a look at anything Scottish after the case.''

''Oh, she did, did she?'' Basil said, not in the angry tone the housekeeper had been expecting. ''It's very sweet of you, Olivia, and it worked.''

Just like yesterday, Olivia's presence made Basil feel better after having a downer. She was only person who affected him in such a positive way, and he showed her this by pulling her into a hug.

Dawson and Mrs Judson smiled at each other hopefully.

The four then spent the next several hours by doing various activities: reading books, Basil playing the violin, and more stories about Basil and Dawson's past cases, as they waited for this villain to make himself known as Basil has said.

When it eventually turned into evening, Olivia decided to unpack the rest of her suitcase. When she had hung up all of her clothes, she saw Hiram had packed up her studying books, but Olivia couldn't study right in the middle off an investigation. Instead, she picked up the one non-studying book and smiled when she saw what it was. She then returned to the parlour, sat in the green chair and started reading it.

''What are you reading, Olivia?'' Basil asked curiously, and Olivia held the book up to him. '' 'Jane Eyre'?''

''It's one my all-time favourite books. Daddy knows how much I love it, which is probably why he packed it.''

''So, you like romance stories, eh?''

''Just because I am studying hard to improve things for women and acquire an actual career doesn't mean I don't like romance,'' Olivia said matter-of-factly.

''Of course not,'' Basil said, a little uncomfortably.

''I find the love story between Jane and Mr Rochester to be very sweet. They had to wait years but they got a happy ending. As did Elizabeth and Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.''

''Indeed, they did.''

''There is the whole age-gap thing, but I don't think age matters, if it's real love.''

''I agree,'' Basil said, which surprised Olivia.

Without warning, Basil gently pulled Olivia to her feet. A part of him wanted to stop but he couldn't control himself. It was if the creature inside his belly was taking over. ''Olivia,'' Basil began, ''I …''

As though it was a magnetic pull, Basil and Olivia's faces moved closer and closer. Behind the kitchen door, Dawson and Mrs Judson were watching with elate. Basil and Olivia's lips almost met when a sudden loud knock at the door made them jump.

''Now who could that be?'' Basil asked in an annoyed voice.

Dawson emerged from the kitchen. ''I'll get it,'' he volunteered.

Dawson opened the door to see a boy mouse that looked around Olivia and Helen's age. He was handsome with brown fur, turquoise eyes and was shorter than the detective by a few inches. Dawson was all huffy as he had just interrupted the moment that had been a long time coming, but he knew he had to be polite.

''Good evening, young man. How can we help you?''

''You're Doctor Dawson, aren't you? Is Olivia Flaversham here?'' the boy asked, barging past the doctor to enter the house.

''Now see here, young man, you can't just –''

''Charlie?''

Olivia was staring at the mouse boy in surprise. ''Charlie, what are you doing here?''

''You know this boy, Miss Olivia?'' Mrs Judson asked, putting a protective arm around her.

''Yes,'' Olivia said, ''He –''

''I know Olivia from college,'' Charlie said proudly, puffing out his chest. ''She's the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, and someday I'm going to marry her.''

''What?'' Basil yelled, the jealous monster inside his belly suddenly reappearing, roaring like mad.

Olivia giggled nervously. ''I've told you before, Charlie, it's very sweet of you and I'm flattered, but I'm just not into you.''

''Maybe you'll change your mind someday?'' Charlie said hopefully.

Olivia buried her face in her hands, having heard all this before.

Charlie suddenly felt a very formidable hand on his shoulder and came face-to-face with Basil, the look on his face indescribable ''Now, listen here, young man,'' he began, ''I suggest you relinquish this silly fantasy of yours, because –''

Charlie gasped and his whole face lit up like a Christmas tree. ''Basil of Baker Street! In person!'' he said in a very hyper-excited voice and shook the detective's hand. ''What an honour. Charlie Bennett, at your service. I am standing in your house and meeting you! I am a HUGE fan of your work!''

Basil became stationary, as if he was a statue, not wavered by this flattery. ''Evidently.''

Charlie, however, seemed oblivious to the detective's mood and started talking very fast. ''I want to be a detective too. I think it's the best job in the world! My aunt isn't very supportive, though, she thinks it's too dangerous, she's very protective, of course it's understandable after my mother died at childbirth and her aunt, uncle and cousin were killed by some lunatic villain, but perhaps you can change her opinion?''

''Perhaps.''

Dawson then decided to intervene given Basil's expression. If looks could kill, the boy mouse would six feet under. ''Now why don't we just steady on and talk calmly?'' he said hastily. ''We don't want any trouble.''

Immediately, Charlie became calmer and his eyes widened in shock. ''You're right,'' he said remorsefully. ''Where my manners? I sincerely apologise. Let's start over. My name is Charlie Bennett and I attend Olivia's college.''

''Is that right, Olivia?'' Basil asked the young woman.

''Aye. He started college around the same time I did two years ago.''

''I soon became friends with her and Helen, and I really admired Olivia's guts for daring to be a woman in a man's world. Due to this difference about her, I will admit, that she stole my heart.''

Basil felt his jealousy increase but he remained calm and collected. ''But, Mr Bennett, surely you by now that Olivia is not interested?''

Charlie smiled sadly. ''I know, but a part of me won't accept it. I keep trying to fight it, but so far, it's not working. And as a result, I come across as rather … clingy, and I hate that.''

''Why did you come here, anyway?'' Dawson asked.

''I heard about what happened at the toyshop and I just wanted to see she as alright.''

''And how did you know she was here?'' Basil asked, a little suspiciously.

''Just a hunch,'' Charlie shrugged.

Basil did not accept that, but remained friendly. ''That's thoughtful of you, young man,'' he said and Charlie beamed at getting a compliment from his idol, ''but she's in perfectly safe, capable hands.''

''She certainly is,'' Charlie agreed. ''And if you're working on the case of what happened at the toyshop, I could, help you. It could be good practice for when I become a detective.''

''No thank you,'' Basil said, politely and immediately. ''It's too dangerous.''

''Please, Mr Basil,'' Charlie pleaded.

''I said no,'' Basil said firmly. ''I'm sorry, Mr Bennett, but if you are all you aunt has, I can't allow you to get hurt.''

''I know. I just want to prove to her I can look after myself.''

''Tell you what,'' Basil said with a sly smile, ''if we need your help, how about we call you?''

''Yes, Mr Basil,'' Charlie said happily. ''Whatever you say. Olivia has my number so she will give it to you.'' He stood up and walked over to the door before turning back around. ''Goodbye everyone, look after Olivia.''

''Oh, we will,'' Mrs Judson said tightening her protective hold on the young woman.

''Goodbye!'' Charlie said again, blowing a kiss to Olivia and Basil, looking disgusted, shut the door and bolted it up tight.

''He's gone,'' he said, and felt more relaxed.

''Are you alright, Miss Olivia,'' Mrs Judson asked.

''Aye. I know Charlie is a little … enthusiastic and clingy and full-on, but he is a nice lad and I don't think he means any harm.''

''I agree with Olivia,'' Dawson said. ''I've met many people like him in my time.''

Basil, however, glared at his assistant. ''I don't doubt that you have, doctor, but I sensed untrustworthy vibes from him.''

''Oh, Mr Basil,'' Mrs Judson sighed. ''I don't like how clingy he is to Miss Olivia, I admit, but I agree that he doesn't mean to be. You're just letting your jealousy get the best of you.''

''Jealousy?'' Basil repeated incredulously. ''Why would I be jealous?''

Olivia giggled and Basil blushed.

Before anyone could say anything else, there was a knock at the door.

''That had better not be Mr Bennett again,'' Basil muttered to himself as he marched over to the door in a huff. But when the detective opened the door there wasn't a soul to be seen. Instead, he found a small package on the ground. Immediately, a large grin spread across Basil's face and he looked around but could not see anyone. He closed the door again and approached Dawson and Olivia (Mrs Judson had gone into the kitchen to make some tea and crumpets).

''Do you think it's your prime suspect making the move, just like you said?'' Olivia asked, and Basil nodded, still grinning.

''What do you suppose it could be, Basil?'' Dawson asked, staring at the package.

''We're going to find out,'' Basil replied, walking over to the table, ''though I have a hunch of what's in here.''

Basil opened the package and the second he saw the contents, he jumped excitedly, as if he was a schoolboy getting a treat. ''AHA!'' he cried in triumph. ''As I thought!''

''What's the matter, William?'' Olivia asked.

Basil turned to face his two comrades with a large grin and held up a small doll in one hand while keeping the other behind his back. The doll looked like a voodoo doll of Basil himself, wearing his detective clothes and covered in needles.

''Basil,'' Dawson asked slowly, ''isn't that – ?''

''Indeed, it is, doctor,'' Basil answered, and looked at Olivia.

''After what you told me about Butch Mitchell, Olivia, and Hiram saying he saw someone spying on you from outside your bedroom window, I theorised as to who our enemy is, and now this little present he just sent us confirms my suspicions.''

''Who is it, William?'' Olivia asked breathlessly.

Basil began to speak in his usual dramatic voice: ''That villainous scoundrel, the evil fiend whose wickedness and cunning matched that of Ratigan's, the demented genius known as –'' Basil held out his other arm to reveal another doll, this time of a mouse wearing some sort of black robe with the hood drooping over their head, white gloves with gold cufflinks and no tail. Dawson and Olivia stared at Basil, whose eyes had become slits as he finished, now in a dark horse voice, as if he was possessed '' – the Viper …''


Another chapter so soon! Though, to be fair, this was originally part of the last chapter before I divided it into two parts to make it shorter.

It appears Basil has a love rival for Olivia, but doesn't appear to trust Charlie. Is Basil right not to or is he just letting his jealousy get the best of him?

Next chapter, we formally meet our mysterious Viper. See you soon!