''Basil! Wake up!''
''Please be alright, William!''
The detective heard the voices of his loved ones and groaned. He slowly sat up and felt disoriented, as if he had been hit by a carriage. Basil opened his eyes and saw Olivia, Dawson, Hiram, Helen, Charlie, Edward and a few guards who had obviously been aroused from their chloroform sleep. They were in a large room.
''William!'' Olivia cried, and fiercely hugged her detective.
''You gave us quite a fright, old boy,'' Hiram said to his future son-in-law.
Basil grimaced as he cradled his right shoulder. ''Steady on, Basil!'' Dawson said. ''You haven't broken your shoulder, but you need to be careful! The Viper's thug gave you quite a slamming!''
''Dawson, what happened, old chap?'' he asked his colleague.
''Hiram and I came across most of the guards in one corridor, rendered unconscious from the Viper's chloroform.''
Hiram shook his head. ''I still can't believe that the Viper was actually able pull that off, but William did say he was crafty. I left Doctor Dawson to tend to them, and then I bumped into Charlie.''
Basil turned to the young man. ''Yes, I heard you scream that second time, Mr Bennett.''
''One of those huge goons cornered me after I had had some fresh air and tried to capture me. Minutes later, the Viper himself was there right in front of me. He tried to capture me again, but I wasn't going to let that creep lay a finger on me.''
''Charlie and I wandered the palace and then we heard Olivia screaming your name, William,'' Hiram continued. ''We arrived and saw she was cradling you.''
''You know, Mr Basil,'' Charlie said slowly, ''I still can't believe that Barrie Ingham, Wendy Darling and Nigel Porter were really you, Olivia and Doctor Dawson all along – but then, according to my research, detectives have to wear disguises sometime when on missions.'' He looked at Oliva blushed. ''I'm sorry I displayed my usual boisterous behaviour, Olivia, I am trying. Oh, by the way,'' he added, holding up a blue coat, ''I found this lying around on the floor.''
Basil took the coat. ''This belongs to Gideon Richmond,'' he said, frowning in thought. ''And he was nowhere to be seen …'' he added to Olivia in a low voice.
Olivia looked at Edward. ''The Viper didn't get to you, did he, Your Majesty?''
Edward shook his head.
''He got me, though,'' said one of the guards sullenly. ''I went after Mrs Radcliffe like the king told me to when I felt a rag over my mouth and I passed out.''
Basil noticed Charlie's shirt was all crumpled, and while half of him was still suspicious of him, the other part of him reasoned this could've just been from the Viper trying to seize him.
''Speaking of which,'' Basil said, looking around, ''where is Mrs Radcliffe?''
Charlie walked away and Basil saw him reach another bed on which Regina was lying. ''The Viper chloroformed Aunt Regina as well,'' the young man informed Basil, taking his aunt's hand. ''We found her unconscious not long after discovering you two.''
Basil gritted his teeth. ''Drat, Viper!'' he shouted. ''I promised I wouldn't let him hurt anyone!''
''Basil, please calm down!'' Dawson pleaded. ''You kept your promise. The only one he hurt was you, and that was probably his intention.''
''Yes, but –''
''Char … lie?''
Regina was beginning to stir. ''Aunt Regina?'' Charlie asked softly.
Regina slowly turned her head to face her nephew. ''Char … lie?''
''I'm right here.''
''Love … my dear … husband … my love … my brilliant … husband …''
Charlie put a finger over his aunt's lips and looked up at everyone. ''She's dreaming about Uncle Tim.'' He gently patted her cheeks. ''Wake up, Aunt Regina.''
After several attempts, Regina slowly opened her eyes and sat up. ''Where am I?'' she asked in a distorted voice, looking around as if she was seeing everything for the first time.
''It's alright,'' Charlie said, putting a comforting hand on his aunt's shoulder. ''You're safe. We're still at Buckingham Palace with His Majesty and Mr Basil's party.''
Regina blinked at the young man, as if she was seeing a ghost. ''Charlie, is that really you?'' she asked, back to her old self. ''Oh, Charlie!'' She flung her right arm around her nephew. ''Are you alright? Did the Viper get you?''
Charlie shook his head.
''I'm afraid the Viper used his chloroform in you like he did with the guards, Mrs Radcliffe,'' Dawson informed the clothes designer. Her purple dress was a bit bunched up at the top, probably from when the Viper's lacky chloroformed her.
''Unfortunately, the Viper and his gang have gone,'' Olivia added in annoyance.
''No, he hasn't, Livy,'' Basil contradicted her, grinning. ''His presence still lingers somewhere in the palace; I can sense it.''
''You can?'' Regina asked in a small voice, pulling Charlie to her.
''Don't worry, I doubt he will try anything again tonight, it would be too risky,'' the detective continued. ''Since he was no doubt a guest in the audience chamber, I can imagine he remained here so it wouldn't look too suspicious.''
''What I want to know,'' Hiram said, putting a hand to his chin, ''is how did his cronies get past the guards?''
''I think I can answer that,'' said one of the guards, and looked at Regina. ''Mrs Radcliffe, not long after you and your nephew arrived, three men appeared, one skinny and the same height as Doctor Dawson, while the other two huge and muscular. The former said his name was Milo Jones, a good friend of yours.''
Regina's eyes widened. ''I knew Milo at university, but I haven't seen or heard from him in years. I certainly never saw him anywhere at the party.''
Basil narrowed his eyes. ''Did 'Milo Jones' have a missing finger on his left hand?''
The guard's eyes widened. ''Now that you mention it, he did.''
''That was Butch Mitchell!'' Dawson exclaimed. ''He works for the Viper!''
The guard looked aghast. ''I'm so sorry, Your Majesty,'' he apologised to Edward. ''I thought it was a bit odd, I should've questioned him, but with Mrs Radcliffe being mentioned I didn't. I need sacking!''
''Don't be ridiculous. The Viper is a genius like Ratigan, and look at how he and his gang infiltrated this place nine years ago.''
''But if the Viper told Mitchell to pretend to be someone Regina knew,'' Olivia said slowly, ''that means he knew Regina would be here, and who she was, which indicates he has been spying on her.''
''Spying on us?'' Regina repeated in fear, holding Charlie tighter. ''Oh, dear, maybe he had a mole following us after he killed Uncle Ronald. He pointed at me earlier so he will come after us!''
''Don't worry, Regina,'' Edward told her comfortingly. ''I will request Scotland Yard to send some of their officers to petrol your area.''
Regina still looked worried.
Suddenly there was a loud knock at the door. One of the guards opened the door and the three Richmond brothers entered with their grandfather. The second Emmett saw Olivia, he blushed and looked away. Basil saw this and held her close to him, even more so when he saw Gideon.
''Are you alright, Emmett?'' Charlie asked, looking at his friend in concern, and Emmett nodded.
''There you are, Your Majesty,'' Victor said to Edward. ''We wanted to find you to make sure you were okay, like our father would've done.''
''There he is!'' Samuel said, pointed his cane at Basil. ''That murdering detective! So, you were trying to hide from us, by pretending to me 'Mr Barrie Ingham', weren't you?''
''I was wearing a disguise because it's what I do when working on a case,'' Basil stated matter-of-factly, trying to speak civilly. ''As were my friends.''
Samuel let out a rude snort to indicate his disbelief. ''Your family caused a lot of trouble for Marianne's children!'' he ranted. ''Why, if I was younger I would –''
''That's enough, Grandfather!'' Victor shouted, looking embarrassed. ''The king has been through a lot tonight, don't start anything!''
Samuel snorted again, glaring daggers at Basil.
''That's my coat!'' Gideon shouted abruptly, his eyes widening. ''Give me that!'' he snapped at Basil, snatching the blue coat out of his hands. The detective mentally noted all three brother's shirts were also rather crumpled.
''Let's just get it on you,'' Victor sighed to his brother, helping him into his coat like a parent.
''Gideon is always misplacing his coat,'' Emmett added.
''Indeed,'' Basil said. He wanted to confront the brothers but decided now wasn't the time.
''Now come, let's go home,'' Emmett said before Samuel or Gideon could start again. ''Goodbye,'' the youngest brother bowed, and he and Victor ushered their brother and grandfather out of the door, Samuel ranting at Basil the whole time.
''Victor Senior did say his family was very dysfunctional, and he wasn't wrong,'' Edward said with a sigh.
''Pardon me, Your Majesty,'' Regina said, standing up, ''but Charlie and I will also be heading off, the chloroform is nearly gone.''
''Are you sure, Regina?'' Edward asked. ''I can ask a guard to escort you home.''
Regina opened her mouth before Charlie interrupted: ''I will be Aunt Regina's bodyguard. No buts,'' he added to his uncertain aunt. ''If I'm going to be a detective one day, I need to learn how to protect myself and those I care about.'' He puffed out his chest, exaggeratedly.
Olivia giggled, causing the monster in Basil's stomach to flare up again.
''I don't know …'' Regina said, but ultimately relented.
''Just be careful, both of you,'' Dawson said in concern.
After Charlie helped Regina to her feet, aunt and nephew bid everyone farewell. Edward made Regina promise to ring him as soon as she had got home safely.
With only his group remaining, Basil finally spoke. ''Well, I can assure you all that our Viper friend has just left us, for his presence has now vanished.''
''Gideon Richmond?'' Hiram asked.
''Perhaps, Hiram,'' said Basil.
''I agree with Hiram,'' said Helen, ''because when I went outside to spy on Gideon, he was being careful with has left arm, and after I went inside, he cursed it.''
''Did he now?'' Basil sharply, frowning, before pulling out his pipe and, with a look of approval from Edward, and lighting it up.
Olivia, however, frowned as the wheels in her brain started turning. Basil knew the Viper better than her, and Olivia trusted him and believed his knowledge – yet, now having met the infamous Viper in person, something just didn't sit right with the villain for her, but Olivia didn't know what it was.
Basil noticed her look. ''Darling, are you alright?'' he asked. He knew she was thinking hard, but decided to ask her later in private.
''Yes, I'm fine,'' she assured him. ''Gideon is looking suspicious,'' she added slowly, ''but we must gather cold, hard evidence before assuming anything. After all, there is the fact that the Viper has never been careless at making his identity obvious, and Gideon is looking too obvious.''
''Maybe the Viper is just getting in a bit,'' Helen suggested with a shrug.
''Perhaps,'' Basil said slowly with narrowed eyes. ''He would be about his late thirties to early forties now. But any case, Olivia is right; we need to look at investigating him in more detail than what we have found …''
Hearing this, Helen remembered what she had found and pulled the small tooth out of her pocket. ''Mr Basil, I think this might help,'' she said, holding up the tooth.
''Ah, I'd forgot about that,'' Olivia said with a grin.
''After Olivia's altercation with Mitchell, I found this on the floor. I assume it's Mitchell's tooth.''
Basil took the tooth from Helen and instantly, a large grin lit up the detective's face. ''Helen, you've done it! This tooth is precisely what we need! Excuse me, Your Majesty.'' He turned to his comrades. ''Quickly, back to Baker Street!''
For the last nine years, ever since Professor Ratigan's demise, it had been rather quiet in the abandoned human wine cellar that had been his lair, as if it was a ghost town. Not a soul had been seen since that fateful night … until now. The lights were on, and in the main barrel that had the engraved ''R'' on top, there was not one speck of dust to be seen. The human-sized Crown Jewels were gone, but apart from that, everything was intact: the wine fountain had been filled with more pink wine, the golden harp, the carpet and Ratigan's throne. The red and pink curtains also remained, and while they were a bit wear and tear in some places, they still looked fairly presentable. Also, blue curtains had also been added.
At that moment, five cloaked figures, four with their hoods down, were standing in the barrel in front of the fountain, holding glasses and sipping the fine pink wine.
''I still can't believe,'' Butch said in awe, looking around the barrel, ''that I am in the lair of the late Professor Ratigan.''
''Yes,'' said the old mouse, his hood still up, ''it is the Viper's favourite hideout besides the opera house.''
''Is that so?'' Butch asked. ''Is it because Ratigan is now dead so the Viper is free to use his lair?''
The elderly hooded figure sipped his wine. ''No.''
''Oh. Then why?''
The elderly mouse paused and Butch got the impression he was frowning. ''It would be best you refrain from asking more questions, Mr Mitchell,'' he said in a stern tone. ''There are some things the Viper likes to keep private.''
Butch nodded slowly. ''I understand.''
''If you want to ask questions,'' said the old mouse, ''ask Fidget. After all, he used to live here when he was working for the professor.''
Fidget laughed nervously and looked around the room as though it was haunted. ''Yes, Butch, if there is anything you want to know about this place, just ask me,'' he said, doing his best to sound happy and proud.
The bat didn't really want to be back here, too many bad memories, namely Ratigan yelling at him and feeding his henchmen to his cat for the slightest failure (or calling him that one word he despised hearing, besides the names of Basil and his father). The memory of the night he had lost the list came to mind. He had been so close to becoming the cat's latest chow, he remembered flapping his wings like mad to escape, even though one was broken beyond repair. It had only been luck Ratigan had decided to spare him, believing him still useful. How would the Viper would go about disposing of henchmen who were useless? Fidget wouldn't be surprised if the Viper also required a four-legged animal, especially since the hooded mastermind was now acting like Ratigan's doppelganger …
''Hello, my friends.''
Fidget snapped out of his thoughts and saw the Viper had returned, the hood still up, hiding his master's face.
''There you are, master!'' said the elderly mouse in a relieved voice, as the Viper entered the barrel and approached the minions.
''Yep, and still in one piece,'' the Viper said in a happy tone. ''I need a drink after all the excitement.''
The hooded old man passed a wine glass to his boss, who filled it with wine and sipped. ''Ah, that feels so good,'' the Viper said, as though experiencing a massage. ''I haven't had wine like this in a long time. The wine at the king's party wasn't too bad, but was inferior compared to the quality of dear Padraic's.''
Butch was now confused. There was never any knowledge that the Viper was personally connected with Ratigan. True, Ratigan had never bothered the Viper, but had always resented sharing his crown with him. Perhaps Ratigan had been the Viper's mentor, but loathed it that his pupil had reached his level, even outshining him? It was no doubt one of the things his boss was private about, but it still made no sense to Butch. If they had actually been acquainted, why keep it a secret?
''Speaking of which, how did it go, master?'' the elderly mouse asked.
The Viper giggled. ''Splendidly. Everyone in that room feared me. Even better, that idiot Basil still can't best me, and that crumpled him. He was utterly clueless during my big stunt. You should've seen the look on his face when I revealed I knew about him and Olivia!'' they said with relish. ''Oh, I wish I'd had a camera on me. It was just the most beautiful sight ever.''
''And how did Basil's meeting with your other self turn out?''
''Wonderful. I'm fairly confident he doesn't suspect me, but I'm prepared to use every ounce of cunning I possess just in case – in fact, I already have.'' The Viper let out sad sigh. ''It's a shame I have thrown Basil's suspicions like that,'' the mastermind said, their tone indicating the exact opposite, ''especially given the connection to Padraic's mother, but it can't be helped.''
Butch frowned while Spike and Cliff grinned stupidly at each other, and the elderly mouse pulled his master into a hug. ''I assume you will tell me the whole story later?'' he whispered.
''Of course, my dearest friend,'' the Viper whispered back. ''you know you are the only who has the privilege.''
They pulled apart. ''However, I could not have pulled off my big comeback without the help of my faithful bodyguards, Spike and Cliff,'' the Viper said, and the twins bowed proudly, ''our newest friend, Butch Mitchell,'' Butch also bowed and took a sip of his wine, ''and my inside man, all of whom did exactly as I instructed …''
As the Viper continued to praise him, Butch was suddenly distracted: he had licked his lips to taste the wine with his tongue, and paused when he felt something funny in the teeth top row. He checked again and there was no mistake – there was a tooth missing!
Uh-oh he thought, panic flooding through him. It was as though the floor has disappeared beneath Butch's feet and the ground had swallowed him up. It must've been when the Flaversham girl punched my jaw! Man, she's proof ladies are scary! I'm already on one warning already! If the boss finds out I'm dead meat!
''… don't you agree, Butch?'' the Viper finished. ''Butch?'' the Viper looked at his employee, who now had his hands clamped over his mouth. Butch leaned back when his boss got right in his face, as if he was a lion about to eat his prey. ''Butch, why are covering your mouth? You're not near Basil anymore … unless there is something you don't want me to see?''
Butch shook his head. ''No, boss,'' he said, his voice all muffled.
''Open your mouth, Butch.''
Butch froze.
The Viper tutted impatiently. ''Don't make me repeat my order again. You know it's the one thing I hate besides Basil and Olivia.''
Reluctantly, Butch opened his mouth and the Viper inspected. ''Well, look at that. A tooth missing!'' he grabbed Butch's chin and pulled it roughly. ''It's funny, Butch, I don't recall you missing a tooth before. Or did I just never notice?''
Butch laughed nervously. ''No, sir, you didn't miss anything. I really have lost tooth,'' he admitted, knowing it was futile to lie.
''And how did that occur?'' the Viper asked, in a voice of mock puzzlement.
Butch swallowed. ''Well, you see, uh, when I went to fetch the Flaversham girl, she gave me a beating like she at her father's toyshop, and she punched my jaw, so hard a tooth must've fallen out.''
The Viper let go of Butch's chin and took a slow step back. ''I see,'' he said, in a voice of forced calm, inhaling a very deep breath.
Everyone watched with nervous suspense.
The Viper took in a few more deep breaths before he abruptly grabbed Butch's throat and lifted him in the air, making everyone jump. ''I warned you didn't, I you idiot?'' the criminal shouted. ''One more mess up and you would be joining the PROFESSOR! It's too bad Princess Felicia isn't here anymore, otherwise you would be her lunch! So I will just have to squeeze the life out you myself!''
Butch gasped as the Viper tightened his grip in his throat. If I going to die, make it quick, he pleaded. He closed his eyes, waiting, waiting, waiting for it to be over … and felt himself being dropped with a thud.
The henchman opened his eyes. ''Am I in heaven?'' he asked, looking around and seeing he was still in the lair. Fidget placed a sympathetic wing on his shoulder.
''You are not,'' the elderly mouse said, sounding surprise, lifting Butch to his feet. ''Master must've thought of something that required your assistance.''
''Thank goodness nothing happened, Master,'' the elderly mouse whispered to himself.
''Indeed, I have,'' said the Viper cheerfully, and put an arm around Butch's shoulder in a friendly manner. ''Consider yourself lucky, Butch. Normally, I dispose of those who make more than one slip-up, but in your case I will make an exception, because your incompetence might have actually been the right thing to do.''
Butch blinked in surprise. ''How so, boss?''
''Thanks to your missing tooth, I now have to speed things up a bit. It is a shame, though. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching that oblivious Basil going mad over no clues to me these last two weeks, and while I would like it to have lasted a little longer, it can't be helped. Now is the time to drop my only clue to Basil and Olivia. It will mean having to sacrifice my favourite hideout,'' the Viper sighed, in a tone of genuine sadness, ''but only temporarily.''
Butch had no idea what the Viper was talking about, but he was so relieved to have been given a second chance he just laughed.
''Are you sure it's a good idea, master?'' the elderly mouse asked.
The Viper chuckled. ''Don't worry. It's only one small clue. Besides, the real mystery is not the motive, but the connection, and thathe will never solve until our final showdown, because I am the superior mind and have always been one step ahead of that foolish detective. My intelligence surpasses his,'' the Viper added arrogantly.
The Viper leaned in towards Butch's ear. ''Now, Butch, listen very carefully …''
At 221½ Baker Street, Basil, Olivia, Dawson, Hiram and Helen were all in the lit parlour. Basil was inspecting the tooth with his magnifying glass.
''Offhand I can deduce very little,'' he began, ''only that the tooth is the central incisor from the top row. Despite his role of lackey, Mitchell takes very good care of his teeth, as there is no plaque. Also,'' he sniffed the tooth, ''the owner has recently been drinking –''
'' – Rodent's Delight,'' Olivia finished, ''which, of course, is cheap brand sold only at really seedy pubs. Fidget used to drink it.''
Basil and Hiram beamed at her.
''You really are made for each other,'' Helen said, shaking her head in amusement.
Dawson agreed, before his face fell. ''So we need to go back to the Rat Trap?''
Basil smiled apologetically. ''Most likely, Doctor.''
''The Rat Trap?'' Helen asked in puzzlement. ''I thought they closed it after Ratigan's death?''
''Only briefly,'' Basil said disdainfully. ''After sealing the pub off, Scotland Yard arrested everyone in the pub's employment, but only the waitress and bartender who had served us were proven to be his lackeys, which was why they drugged our drinks.''
''Because when you asked them about their boss, they knew it was you,'' said Olivia. ''No doubt Ratigan told them to do it.''
Basil nodded in agreement. ''However, since they were the only employees corrupted, it was decided that the pub should be allowed to reopen, and is now a more honest and criminal-free, though still seedy, tavern.'' It was clear from the tone of his voice he resented this. ''I suspect this is why Butch was trying to keep away from me at the palace, no doubt on the order of his boss. Unfortunately, the Viper didn't count on my beautiful, brave Olivia foiling his plan.''
Olivia grinned and Basil then got to work with the chemistry set. He crushed the tooth and began the experiment, just like he did with Fidget's list nine years ago. Everyone watched intently as the liquid made its way down to the other beaker with the blue liquid, before it dropped and formed a small puff of smoke, revealing salt water.
''Ha!'' Basil said triumphantly. ''This reaction proves Mitchell is indeed local at you-know-where.''
Dawson gulped. ''We really are going back to the Rat Trap,'' he said, not sounding too happy with the prospect.
''But why would you need to go back there?'' Helen asked. ''Can't you just confront the Richmonds?''
''Not right away,'' Basil said promptly. ''We need to give it a while. If they are involved, they will be expecting us to interrogate them immediately. As Olivia rightly said earlier, we need more evidence to implicate Gideon, and if we capture Butch, we can interrogate him and hopefully get some answers, or at the very least some clues in the right direction.''
''But won't the Viper have noticed by now Butch has lost a tooth? If he really a genius equivalent to Ratigan, he will be onto you.''
''Elementary, my dear Helen. Just like Ratigan had Fidget do, the Viper will probably have Butch lead us to him on purpose – and this time I will personally welcome it.'' Basil grinned dangerously and rubbed his hands together. ''Now that he has crossed a very delicate line, I will show him no mercy …''
''William,'' Olivia piped up, ''since you wore disguises last time, it's safe to assume we will need disguises this time, too?''
Basil looked at her as if she had gone mad. '' 'We?' I'm sorry, darling, but I'm afraid I have to my foot down there.''
Olivia shook head in amusement at Basil's protectiveness. ''William, I know it's dangerous and you worry about my safety, but I can handle myself.''
''I know you can, Livy, and you know that I would not allow any vulgar creature to hurt you, but if there was one place I would forbid you enter it would the Rat Trap.''
''Why?''
''Because there are low-life ruffians hanging around here, any slime ball could get his hands all over you, because given your beauty you would no doubt attract their attention!'' He blushed at what he had just said. ''I am not having a young lady like you near that seedy place. It's no place for you. Either stay here with Mrs Judson, or Doctor Dawson's house with your father and Pauline.''
Throughout the whole argument, Hiram and Helen had been watching in amusement, but now was the time for the toymaker to step in. ''William, I know you want to keep my daughter safe – and I appreciate that you care for her wellbeing more than your own – but may I remind you that you two are a team now, and Olivia is already deeply involved in your world so it wouldn't be right to shut her out of the mission, no matter how sleazy the place is. As you have both said, Olivia can handle herself and you would not allow some creep to manhandle her. Believe me, if it was anyone other than you, I would be against the whole idea.''
Once again, wise words from his future father-in-law defeated Basil's stubbornness. He knew Hiram was right. The detective sighed and said reluctantly, ''Very well.''
Olivia threw her arms around her detective and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Basil smiled longingly. Olivia then hugged her father. ''Thank you, Daddy.''
Basil held Olivia as Dawson whispered to Hiram: ''It seems Olivia isn't the only one who can wilt his stubborn side.''
''I wish you good luck in apprehending that slime ball Mitchell,'' said Helen.
''Thank you, Helen,'' Basil said, and looked at Olivia again. ''We will wait until tomorrow, we've all been through enough tonight. But, Livy, you will wearing the appropriate disguise.'' He nuzzled his nose against hers. ''I will make sure of it.''
''Well, as long as our disguises won't be ridiculous this time,'' Dawson sighed in relief.
''Actually, Dawson, you will be wearing a ridiculous disguise,'' Basil contradicted with a smirk, putting his hands behind his back.
Dawson's smile vanished.
Later, Hiram, Dawson and Helen all went home, though Dawson was still quizzing Basil about his disguise. Basil had been apologetic to him but it was necessary, which didn't assure Dawson much. ''Well, it can't be any worse than that sailor disguise before,'' he said uncertainly, before leaving.
After receiving a phone call from Edward assuring Regina and Charlie had arrived home safely, Basil and Olivia went to bed, Olivia wearing the tartan shawl around her shoulders.
''Are you alright, Livy?'' Basil asked, draping an arm around her shoulder, ''I sense you are troubled, and since this has been since we left the palace, it's not nerves about the Rat Trap.''
Olivia hesitated. ''It's about the Viper …. you know him best, but something just doesn't sit right me.''
''What do you mean? You don't suspect Gideon? I'm inclined to agree with you he's looking obvious, but –''
''He is suspicious,'' Oliva said firmly. ''It's just that ... Are you sure the Viper doesn't have a tail? When he swung from the stage to the balcony, I could've sworn I saw something small and sticking up from inside his cloak, as if he was hiding a tail.''
Basil's eyes widened. He never doubted her for a second. ''That's very odd. I could've sworn he had no tail, but you saw something hiding inside his cloak …''
''Maybe he always hid it and just never noticed before, William … ''
''Maybe.''
''The Viper really is a tricky character,'' Olivia remarked. ''He's making us second-guess ourselves. I do wonder why he's after me as well, though,'' she added thoughtfully. ''He said we both did something he cannot forgive, or forget.''
Basil and Olivia looked at each other. Deep down, they both secretly suspected why, it was the only thing they could think of, but they needed proof first.
''Whatever happens, Livy, he won't hurt you, I will make sure of it,'' Basil promised, holding her tighter. He turned to the framed family picture on his bedside table. ''I won't anyone down ever again.''
Olivia suddenly removed herself from Basil's embrace and sat up, staring at the picture. ''May, I have a look at it, again?''
Basil sat up and took the picture. ''Of course.''
Olivia took it and stared at it once more. The family picture of Basil's family. Basil's parents, Thomas and Emily, with a hand on the shoulders of their twelve-years-old twin boys, Basil and Roger. The twins were identical, but Olivia could tell them apart by the eyes: Basil's eyes were brighter than Roger's. Thomas was handsome, and it was evident the two boys were the spitting image of him. Emily was very pretty and holding toddler Beatrice in her other arm, the baby smiling and waving at the camera. They looked so happy.
''I never told you this,'' Basil said suddenly, ''but that was last family photo that was taken before my mother died.''
Olivia was shocked to hear this. ''She did?''
''She got a little sick shortly after it was taken, but it suddenly got worse, to the point she couldn't even get out of bed anymore …'' Basil hung his head.
Olivia hugged him with one arm. ''It must've been so hard for your father, just like it was for mine.''
''He was completely broken. He probably wouldn't have got through it if hadn't been for his older sister, my aunt Violet.''
''You had an aunt?''
Basil smiled sadly. ''She was very kind and caring, Aunt Violet. She always put us before herself. Always. She never married or had children of her own because she wanted to focus on caring for us.'' He chuckled. ''Violet said that Roger, Beatrice and I were all the children she needed to spoil. After Mother died, Violet moved back in here so she could help Father and Mrs Judson look after us. And in case you're wondering, Violet was taking that picture, hence why she isn't in it.''
''Duncan and Lucy would've loved her,'' said Olivia. ''I assume you have a photo of Violet?''
Basil jerked his head to the bedside table and Olivia understood: Violet's photo was in the drawer. ''It is too painful to have her photo out as well?''
''Yes,'' Basil admitted, which was partly true. He didn't want to show Olivia the photo yet, or even the family photo albums, not until he had told her the truth. He took the framed picture from Olivia and replaced it on the bedside table. ''Let's get some sleep, Livy. We have a date with Butch Mitchell tomorrow. Goodnight, Mother, Father, Roger, Beatrice,'' he said to the picture.
He said goodnight to Olivia and kissed her forehead, before closing his eyes.
Olivia, however, was still awake as she laid her head on Basil's chest. With Basil talking about his family, it had made Olivia's brain ponder on what she had heard Samuel say at the party. She had heard a few bits and pieces about the history behind Basil and Ratigan's feud. Ratigan had started a fire that killed not only Basil's father, but his sister too. She remembered Basil telling her the night they confessed their love that his father had also been a detective. Had Basil's father also been fighting Ratigan, until he was killed by him? Was this why Basil had been obsessed with the evil mastermind? What about Roger, Beatrice and Violet? Knowing Ratigan, Olivia wasn't surprised that he had killed his own sister as well, since the only person Ratigan ever cared about was himself.
Whatever the full story was, it was clear to Olivia that this fire was the occurrence that had triggered Basil's shell-shock and his need to distance himself from everyone.
Reaching her hand up to caress Basil's cheek, the young woman then closed her eyes and went to sleep, hoping with all her heart she really was helping Basil battle against the nightmares that had plaguing him for so long.
Got there in the end with this chapter, kept changing around the dialogue a few times. Then I recently came down with flu.
Despite looking obvious, Basil is set on the Richmond family, specifically Gideon, but it seems Olivia isn't so sure. Whose instincts are right?
Talk about déjà-vu. The Viper spares Butch at the last second thinking him still useful, just like Ratigan did with Fidget.
Speaking of which, Olivia is starting to put the pieces together about the history behind Basil and Ratigan's feud.
It was pretty obvious before, but we now have confirmation that the Viper did indeed personally know Ratigan after all, but how? Had Ratigan been the Viper's mentor, as Butch theorises? Only time will tell.
Will our heroes find anything at the Rat trap? And what will Dawson's ''ridiculous'' disguise be?
Time to answer some reviews:
duchessofbooks: Glad you're hooked by the mystery. There will be more to the Viper than there appears to be. Indeed, now that his old enemy has threatened Olivia and Hiram, Basil is now more determined than ever to apprehend the Viper.
Next time, it's back to the Rat Trap for our trio and perhaps finally get a clue.
See you soon!
