At the same time Basil of Baker Street was pouring his heart out to Olivia and her father concerning his past, at the former lair of his adopted uncle, Professor Padraic James Ratigan, there was cause for celebration. Everyone was clanging their wine glasses together, having a good time.

''Man, it feels as though the Viper has already prevailed, given we're having a party,'' Butch said.

''It certainly does,'' said the elderly mouse, his hood still up. ''When the master actually does succeed, there will be an even bigger celebration.''

''You know me too well, my old friend,'' said the Viper pleasantly, before wiping their forehead with their free arm. ''Phew! It's a little warm in here. I haven't felt like this in a long while.''

Instantly, the elderly figure was alerted and felt his boss's forehead in a fatherly fashion. ''Maybe you should lie down, master.''

''I'm fine,'' the Viper insisted, placing their left arm around the elderly figured shoulder, ignoring the pain. ''I have my wine and your invention.'' The villain patted their stomach under their lose cloak. Anyway, the reason why I insisted on holding this little party tonight is because I am so happy.''

''Why, boss?'' Butch asked.

The Viper giggled, like a child who was about to eat cake. Instead of answering, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold-yellow bell.

Butch stared at the object. ''Is that what I think it is?''

''Yep. It is the very bell that dear Padraic would use to summon Princess Felicia whenever someone insulted him in anyway.'' The Viper cradled the bell close to the chest as if it was their favourite toy. ''My dear, dear, Padraic! I –''

''Master,'' the elderly figure interrupted in a voice of concern, ''please control yourself, and don't get too worked up.''

''You're right. I apologise, I just got carried away. I haven't seen his bell in a long time, it's as if he's by my side right now.''

''And very soon,'' the elderly mouse added, ''he will be.''

The Viper saw him wink from under his hood and in turn grinned under their own. ''Indeed.''

Butch didn't quite follow what they were talking about, but didn't say anything. He was, however, getting the impression that the Viper was very fond of Ratigan, his mentor, more than Butch had originally perceived. He must've really idolised him, he thought.

''Of course,'' the Viper continued after a pause, tucking the bell back into their pocket, ''I owe it to Smithy, Spike and Cliff's good friend, for bringing me this most precious item.''

He gestured to a short mouse who was somewhat stout with brown fur and wearing a top covered in drink stains and very baggy trousers. Butch remembered Ratigan having had a similar henchman, Bartholomew, who he heard had been fed to Ratigan's cat just before his own death. He didn't know for definite, but he had a good idea of why this had occurred.

Spike and Cliff patted Smithy on the shoulders and the mouse bowed, smiling arrogantly. ''You're welcome, Mr Viper,'' he said in a raspy voice. ''Anything to please you, just like that night at the orphanage. I can't remember the details on what happened, only that Basil of Baker Street foiled your scheme.''

The Viper scoffed. ''Yes,'' he said through gritted teeth, and sipped his wine.

The elderly mouse folded his arms. ''May I remind you, Mr Smithy, that that no-good detective injured the master's left arm.''

Smithy's eyes winded in alarm and bowed again. ''Oh, yeah, that's right. Sorry, Mr Viper, I have a bad habit of forgetting things sometimes.''

The Viper rolled his eyes. ''I noticed.'' The Viper used all of their willpower not to strangle this incompetent runt, at least not just yet. The criminal remembered on the night of Queen Mousetoria's jubilee, just before she was switched with the replica, how Ratigan had informed them of he also had used all self-control not to wringe Basil's scrawny neck after daring to use that word, for if he had, his ingenuous death trap would've been wasted. ''But you did get me the bell from our secret friend, who kindly invaded that detective's house to retrieve it.''

Smithy then looked awed. ''You know, Mr Viper, I still can't believe it. I mean, sure I didn't see his face, but it was him no doubt. No-one dresses the way he does, and that muscular physique. And all these years I thought –''

''Of course, you did, everyone does.'' The Viper started to laugh. ''Soon, Mousedom will now the truth.''

''Wait, boss,'' Butch said suddenly, ''you mean your plan was for me to lure them to the opera house, and while I was doing so, the bell would be stolen?'' He gave his employer a toothy smile. ''Very clever.''

''Why, thank you, Butch,'' the Viper said. '' 'Say not always what you know, but always know what to say.' That's Claudius from Hamlet, my friends,'' the villain said proudly. ''The professor played him on stage.''

''I thought he had been teacher?'' Smithy said, frowning.

''He was a theatre performer before becoming a professor, Smithy. I remember watching his performances when I was a child, they were always so flawless. Claudius was his most famous role; no-one could have played him better. In fact, if the Robot Queen scheme had gone as planned, Padraic would've become the real-life Claudius. 'To do nothing evil is good; to wish nothing evil is better.' ''

Butch was impressed. ''For what it's worth, I think you could play Claudius, boss.''

''How flattering, but I'm afraid dear Padraic is the only Claudius in my book.'' The Viper held up his wine glass. ''He did give me private acting lessons, though. And now, I would like to propose a toast to the very person who sadly could not be here with us tonight due to certain … circumstances, someone always has always been a real rock to me and made my miserable and lonely life bearable, someone who is the most important person in the world to me, apart from my dearest friend.'' They gave the old hooded mouse a quick hug. ''A toast to the world's greatest criminal mind besides myself – to Professor Padraic James Ratigan!''

Everyone lifted their wine glasses. ''To Ratigan!''

''To Ratigan, the world's greatest rat!'' Smithy toasted.

Immediately, the Viper began coughing and spluttering and fell onto the floor, just as everyone else gasped.

''Master!'' the elderly figure cried, and he, Spike and Cliff went to help their boss. The Viper moved violently as they continued to cough and splutter. In the struggle, the hood began to fall down. Spike and Cliff held it back in place – but not before a few golden locks were glimpsed.

The boss is blonde, huh? Butch thought curiously. As the Viper continued to have a coughing fit, Butch could've sworn he also heard a change in his boss's voice – the deep, hissy voice seemed to have been replaced by a more softer pitch, yet possessed the same sharp quality.

When he was finished, the Viper stood up and wheeled around. ''What was that?'' the villain screeched, resuming their deep, scary snake-like voice once more, and all thoughts Butch had had now vanished. ''What did you just say, Smithy?''

Outside the barrel, Fidget had been upside down on his old resting area, asleep. Hearing the Viper's shouting, he awoke with a startle and stumbled on the floor, rolling comically like a ball.

Smithy now looked petrified. ''Oh my! I am so sorry, Mr Viper,'' he said quickly. ''I know Ratigan hated that word, but I didn't think you would mind –''

''Yeah? You thought wrong, you pathetic little runt! Let me make myself clear.'' The Viper picked Smithy up by the back. ''MY WICKED PROFESSOR IS NOT A RAT!''

''Master!'' the elderly mouse cried in alarm.

My Wicked Professor? Butch thought in utter confusion.

''AND I AM NOT A RAT, EITHER!''

''Of course, you're not,'' Smithy said timidly. ''I mean, you have four fingers so you're obviously a mouse –''

''SILENCE!''

Using a surprising amount of strength, the Viper threw Smithy out of the barrel and Smithy landed with a thud on top of Fidget. ''Ow, my wing!'' the bat moaned.

''Fidget! Stop lying around and get over here, you lazy twit!'' the Viper demanded, walking down the barrel's steps, in a ferocious yet graceful manner.

''Yes, boss, right away, boss!'' Fidget gabbled, standing up and hoping over to the barrel's mouth to stand with the rest of the nervous group.

The Viper stood over Smithy, who was shaking uncontrollably. ''Oh, my dear Smithy,'' the Viper pouted in a fake sad voice, ''you did a magnificent job in retrieving one of the professor's most prized possessions but … I'm afraid you have crossed a line, a line Padraic and I both share.'' The Viper pulled the bell from his pocket.

''Are – are you going to have an animal eat me?'' Smithy asked slowly, standing up.

The Viper laughed. ''Of course not. That was Padraic's way of executing those who displeased him. I have a more … direct method.'' The villain held out their gloved hands and Spike and Cliff handed their boss a cloth and small bottle of chloroform. ''But be happy, Smithy, for you have the privilege of being the first person whose blood I have spilt for over twelve years.''

Smithy eyes widened. ''No, Mr Viper, please, give me another chance –''

The Viper poured the bottle's contents onto the cloth, continuing to ignore the pain in his left arm. ''Too late. Butch was lucky because I still have use for him, but I regret to say the same cannot be said for you.''

Butch frowned. This wasn't how the Viper had tried to kill him before, he thought. Then again, perhaps he had been too angry to think about it.

Smithy looked pleadingly at Spike and Cliff. ''Guys, please – !''

But the twins just gave Smithy cruel smiles. Smithy was frozen to the spot as the Viper reached into the other cloak picket and pulled out a small dagger. Then, in a flash, the group watched as the Viper used the cloth and dagger simultaneously, and Smithy was no more. Butch, Fidget and the elderly hooded mouse bowed in respect, Fidget removing his hat, though he felt queasy at the sight of Smithy's blood.

''Ah, that was good,'' the Viper said calmly, licking the blood from the top of the gloved fingers, before placing a doll of themself in Smithy's pocket. ''I feel more like me again. Spike, please dispose of him.''

Spike pulled his hood up, picked up Smithy's corpse and left the lair.

''You know, boss,'' Butch said, a little nervously, ''I don't mind doing jobs such as that, but in Smithy's case it wasn't exactly … good form.''

The Viper gave him a false cheery laugh. ''Good form, Butch. Don't tell me what's good form!'' he shouted, marching right up to Butch. ''DID BASIL SHOW GOOD FORM WHEN HE DID THIS TO ME?!''

The Viper rolled up his left sleeve to reveal greyish-brown fur that was both soft and sharp at the same time. Butch stared at the scars running up the arm, the injuries the Viper had sustained at the orphanage. ''Well, no obviously, but the papers said it was it was accident and –''

''Accident! Basil humiliated me that night! This pain is a constant reminder of his mockery! He will … He will …''

''Master?'' the elderly hooded mouse asked.

The Viper stood there for a moment, all rigid, as though they were going to have an epileptic seizure, before the criminal threw up all over Butch's shoes and began to fall backwards.

''Master!'' the elderly mouse cried, as he and Cliff rushing to the criminal's side. The elderly mouse caught the hood before it could fall down, and felt his employer's forehead with the other hand.

''Is the boss alright?'' Butch asked.

Cliff placed his big frame in front of the them, so Butch and Fidget's view was obscured. All they could see was the hooded mouse holding the Viper's removed gloves.

''Master suffers from heat exhaustion when getting too worked up, but it does not occur very often thanks to something I invented that the master always carries to keep cool. However, I won't lie, I had been worrying for a while that, uh, he was pushing it. The over-excitement of obtaining one of the professor's possessions must've reached breaking point. Cliff and I will tend to the master.''

Cliff scooped the Viper up into his arms and Butch watched as they headed to one of the other barrels. Butch had been in the Viper's employment for over two weeks, and he was still learning more about him. The surprise that the Viper suffered slight heat exhaustion must've been another one of those things he wanted to keep private. He then stared down at his vomit-covered shoes. How was he going to wash it out?

Fidget, meanwhile, just stood there in complete silence. Had he heard correctly? If he had, then the bat's suspicions regarding the Viper's identity had just been confirmed.


In the early hours of the next morning, the sun was shining and birds were twittering. At 221½ Baker Street, the beautiful sound of the birds aroused Olivia Flaversham from her slumber. Her stirring was felt by her lover, the famed mouse detective William Basil of Baker Street, who had never once released her from his embrace.

''No, not yet,'' he mumbled, and Olivia giggled.

''Sorry, William. I know it's too early, but I've found I just can't sleep anymore.''

Basil smiled down at her. ''Me too.''

''Dreaming about Roger and Beatrice?''

''Yes.''

Olivia reached up her hand and caressed his head. The two lovebirds then put on their robes and went downstairs. They were surprised when they saw Mrs Judson and Hiram placing breakfast on the table.

''Good morning,'' Hiram said cheerfully. ''I knew Mrs Judson would refuse to let the guest do all the work, but she allowed me to assist her with breakfast.''

Mrs Judson patted the toymaker's shoulder. ''I hate not fulfilling my duties a housekeeper.''

Basil and Olivia smiled and everyone sat down at the table. ''You now, once the Viper case is over, I will cook everyone a Scottish dish,'' said the young woman.

Mrs Judson looked touched. ''I would like that very much, Miss Olivia, but I hope it won't be too much trouble.''

Olivia shook her head. ''No trouble at all, Mrs Judson. I want to, as a way of thanking you for everything you've done for Daddy and I.''

Basil looked hungry. ''I've always wanted to try Scottish cuisine, darling.''

''I taught Olivia to make some of our family's favourites,'' Hiram added, ''and her culinary skills exceed mine.''

Basil looked even more hungry and everyone began to eat. As they did, Basil glanced at the mantle out of the corner of his eyes, and seeing the articles on the Viper's crimes made him scowl. He looked at the clipping about the Mortimer family and could no longer keep quiet. ''I hate to change the subject, but I promised you to tell you more about my family's history, and I shall do that right now.''

''You mean about Ruby Mortimer?'' Hiram asked, and Mrs Judson scowled deeply.

Oliva looked unsure. ''Are you sure, William?''

Basil nodded, and Olivia relented. ''Since this concerns Ruby Mortimer,'' Basil began, looking his love in shame, ''it means I lied to you the other week, when you asked about the Mortimers.''

''You didn't lie to me, William, you just didn't correct me. After all, I just assumed your family and the Mortimer family weren't affiliated.''

''Unfortunately, they were in the worst possible way!'' Mrs Judson burst out suddenly, looking angrier than Olivia had ever seen her. ''I felt so sorry for Ronald and Diane for having such a daughter!''

''What do you mean?'' Hiram asked, surprised at the housekeeper's enraged tone.

''Ruby was a genius, Hiram,'' Basil said in admiration, as he always did when talking about anyone with high intellect. ''Very intelligent. In fact, she was the smartest woman I had ever encountered – besides you, of course, Livy,'' he added with a smile, seeing Olivia look jealous, and Hiram chuckled, ''and Camilla to an extent. Similar to me, Ruby was admitted to university at the age of just sixteen. Not at the same time, she was several years older than me, and went to Mouse Cambridge University instead of UoM. Her intelligence caught my uncle's attention, and in no time at all they were courting.''

Olivia and Hiram's jaws dropped. ''Ruby and Ratigan were lovers?'' Olivia repeated incredulously, but couldn't help frowning.

''But they were teacher and student!'' Hiram exclaimed. ''It's illegal!''

Basil looked at the toymaker. ''Hiram, this is Ratigan we are talking about. Do you honestly think he would've cared that Ruby was his student?''

''Absolutely not,'' Olivia said before her father could answer, shaking her head. ''He was too narcissistic – and I have a feeling Ruby was as well.''

Basil nodded grimly. ''Being the daughter of the famous kind-hearted Ronald Mortimer who always helped those in need, you would expect Ruby to have adopted a similar attitude, right? You couldn't be further from the truth. Trust me, Ruby Mortimer was just as vain and arrogant as Ratigan, she didn't care about anything. They were the perfect match.''

Mrs Judson snorted. ''You can say that again. She was a selfish brat if I ever saw one!''

''For some reason, despite the illicit of their intimacy, neither of them were kicked out, though Father always suspected it was due to respect for her father. My family met her just one time, when Ratigan brought her over during the summer holidays of his first term of teaching. As sceptical as we were due their teacher-student relation, we decided to give Miss Mortimer the benefit of the doubt, but we ended up regretting it. Ruby was downright unpleasant and conceited, criticising the slightest thing about us, even Mother's pregnancy with Beatrice, and Ratigan made no effort to stop her. Even Violet found it hard to like her. We all couldn't believe she was Ronald Mortimer's offspring.''

''You don't suppose Ronald and his brother swapped their daughters at birth?'' Hiram joked. ''Regina seems to take after Ronald more.''

Everyone chuckled. ''That would explain Ruby's indifferent attitude,'' Basil said, ''but she was definitely Ronald's. Oh, speaking of Regina …''

Basil informed them of the flaw he had seen in the story Regina had told him at the party. ''So you think Regina actually met Ruby at MCU but lied about it?'' Olivia asked slowly.

''If Ruby really was as rotten as you say she was, I don't blame Mrs Radcliffe for not wanting to talk about her,'' said Hiram.

Basil agreed, and he was relieved to have finally told them the last piece of truth to his family's back-story, and thus finished his delicious breakfast with spring in his step. When the plates were empty, Olivia helped Mrs Judson clean the table before she, her detective and father went upstairs to change into their day clothes. Hiram told them he was going to go and check on the toyshop for a bit.

''Be careful, Father,'' Oliva told him, and Hiram assures her he would be. As he left 221½, he bumped into Dawson and Pauline walking up to the flat. They assured him Pauline was fine.

''Dawson, Pauline,'' Basil welcomed the couple into his home.

Olivia hugged Pauline. ''We've been worried about you,'' she said, ''but I'm glad you're alright.''

''Thank you, Olivia. David and I have a few important things to tell you. That's we we've come.''

''What is it?'' Basil asked.

Pauline drew in a deep breathe. ''First of all, here's how I know Gideon Richmond: he was married to Clara.''

Basil and Olivia were stunned. ''You sister?'' Oliva asked.

Basil felt anger rise. ''Did he ever hit her?''

''No, lucky for him. If he had done, Father would've teared his head off his shoulders. He did, however, often shout due to his nasty temper, but she never complained. We could all see he was wrong for her. You see, Clara has a large heart and is a hopeless romantic, but back then she was very naive. But after Martha came along, she suddenly grew up and divorced Gideon. Sometime after, Father took us all for a holiday in Italy, where Clara met a lovely Italian man, Alonzo Leto, and the rest is history.''

''Good for her,'' Olivia said. ''I think it's safe to say Alonzo treats Clara and Martha right.''

''He treats them as the greatest joy in his life, and even adopted Martha. She's very bright for a four-year-old; she knows Alonzo is not her biological father but calls him Daddy.''

Hearing this, Olivia told Pauline about what Victor told her at the party about wanting to see his niece, and Pauline smiled sadly. ''Clara feels bad not letting Martha know her paternal family, but she doesn't want to talk any risk because of Gideon. Perhaps if they do cart him off to an asylum she might relent.''

''Perhaps so …'' Basil said.

''And they certainly like cooking for people,'' Dawson piped up, looking blissful. ''Hiram certainly enjoyed the delicious Italian meal they served us the other week, Olivia.''

''I'm jealous. I've always wanted to try Italian food.''

''Glad to hear that, because they've offered to serve some dishes at your wedding.'' Pauline winked.

Basil and Olivia blushed, but it made Basil think of something.

Olivia told Pauline about her own plan to serve some Scottish cuisine for everyone once the case was over.

''David and I will be looking forward to it, Olivia.''

Olivia giggled. ''By the way, what's the other important news?''

Pauline smiled brightly. ''Last night, after David and I arrived home ...''


Doctor David Q. Dawson placed his wife on their bed, before searching his medical bag for his stethoscope.

''Really, David, I'm fine,'' insisted Pauline. ''I just got overwhelmed with anger over that madman Gideon Richmond. You don't need examine me.''

''Yes, I do,'' Dawson said firmly. ''Dear, I have had my suspicions for some time as to what your 'sickness' really is, and I can't ignore it anymore. We need to have it confirmed.''

Dawson placed his stethoscope over his wife's abdomen and froze. There was no denying what he was hearing – a strong heartbeat. He was going to be a father. He fainted.


''You're pregnant?'' Olivia asked. ''Congratulations! I think we all suspected it, though. How far long are you?''

''About three months,'' Pauline replied.

Dawson looked at Basil. ''I'm afraid I must step down from the case, Basil. Given the Viper is as bad as Ratigan, there is the chance he could use Pauline as bait if he was to learn of her pregnancy, so I must stay by her side at all times until he has been apprehended.''

Basil placed his hands on his colleague's shoulders. ''Don't worry, old chap. I totally understand. If it was Olivia, I'd be feeling the same. You focus on Pauline and the baby. We will manage, though it will be strange without your help.''

''You can still keep me informed on any developments,'' Dawson said. ''And if you really need my help, I will come, as long as I can find Pauline protection.''

Pauline kissed her husband's cheek, and Dawson placed his hand on her stomach, where his child was growing. ''Perhaps your meal might help with my cravings,'' she said to Olivia, and everyone laughed.

Just then, there was knock at the door. Dawson answered it and smiled at who it was. ''Good morning, Helen!'' the good doctor greeted.

''Good morning to you, too, Doctor Dawson,'' Helen said, bowing politely, and she went inside. Olivia was delighted to see her friend and they hugged.

''How are things going with the case?'' Helen asked.

''Today, we will finally start investigating a certain Mr Gideon Richmond,'' Basil answered, grinning.

''Unfortunately, I will no longer be helping for a while,'' Dawson said regretfully, and they told Helen the good news.

''Congratulations, Mrs Dawson. Since you need to protect her, Doctor, I would be more than happy to assist in your place.''

''Are you sure, Miss Helen?'' Basil asked

Helen nodded firmly. ''Yes, I want to help. So, where do we start?''

''With Clara. I'm sorry, Pauline, but we really need to speak to your sister,'' Basil said, retrieving his jacket, Inverness cape and deerstalker cap. ''Since she was married to Gideon, she might give us some more info on him.''

''It will be hard for her,'' Pauline admitted, ''but she'll understand.''

''It's a small world, isn't it, that Mr Basil's old rival from university was married to the sister of his assistant's wife?'' Helen asked in amazement.

Everyone agreed, and after telling Mrs Judson of the day's plan, the group left Baker Street and took the trolley to Wigmore Street, where Pauline and her family lived.

''Pauline, I recall you saying you, Sally and Clara only live only houses apart,'' Olivia said. ''That's very handy.''

''It is,'' Pauline agreed, and her eyes got a little misty. ''We were always very close growing up, even more so when our mother died from tuberculosis, then our father just two years later.''

Olivia and Helen each put a hand on her shoulder and she smiled in gratitude. Not long after, they arrived at their destination and stared at the row of houses, or rather the rodents' quarters. ''Which house is which?'' Olivia asked.

''The one two doors down the right is Dawson and Pauline's,'' Basil said, ''three down the left is Clara and Alonzo's, and two down from there is Sally and Theodore's. I've met them before, obviously,'' he added, smiling.

Dawson and Pauline bid the remaining trio farewell and walked towards their own house. Basil, Olivia and Helen walked up the door of Clara's house and the detective knocked. The door opened and there stood a good-looking male mouse with brown fur, a handsome crop of black hair, brown-green eyes and thin handlebar moustache, dressed in Italian clothes. Olivia guessed this was Clara's husband.

''Good morning, Alonzo,'' Basil said, shaking his hand.

''Ciao, Sig Basil!'' he said in an Italian accent, smiling pleasantly, and he saw Olivia and Helen. ''Oh, mio! And who are these bello ladies?'' He kissed their hands, like a proper Italian gentleman.

'' 'Bello' means 'lovely','' Olivia translated to her best friend. 'Ciao' means 'Hello', 'Sig' is 'Mr' and 'Signora' is 'Mrs'.''

Basil and Alonzo beamed at her. ''Correct,'' said Alonzo, sounding impressed. ''You know your Italian.''

Helen giggled. ''And I think I can guess what 'mio' is. I'm Helen Baker, Mr Leto, and this is my best friend, Olivia Flaversham.''

Alonzo's smile widened. ''Ah, so you are Signora Flaversham! I have heard so much about you. No wonder you know languages, David and Hiram told us you were smart, just like Sig Basil. Your father is a fine man, Signora, he asked if Martha wanted any toys made. David also said that you calmed Sig Basil down after having been reclusive and bad-tempered for so long, and it was clear to all of us he was missing you, and vice versa.''

Basil blushed furiously.

Alonzo smiled apologetically. ''Oops! I may have said too much. Mi dispiace per quello. 'Sorry about that'. Now, what can my beautiful Clara and I do for you?''

''We need to speak to her about Gideon Richmond.''

Immediately, Alonzo's hands clenched into fist. ''Richmond!'' he spat. ''He is spregevole! He didn't deserve Clara or Martha! I assume this is to do with the Viper case, Sig Basil?''

''Gideon is William's prime suspect, Alonso,'' Olivia explained, ''so we want to know as much about him as possible.''

Alonzo nodded stiffly. ''I understand. Come on in.''

Basil, Olivia and Helen stepped inside and were in awe of the parlour, as if they had stepped into another world. It was a combination of red and pink, with matching carpets and curtains. There were loads of books, mainly cookbooks and romances, stacked neatly on the shelves. On the fireplace mantle there were family pictures of Pauline, her sisters, Alonzo, Clara and a cute little girl who was obviously Martha, and some other unknown mice that were presumably Alonzo's relatives. It was a picturesque home.

Sitting in the blue velvet arm chair were the woman and girl in the pictures, reading a book. The woman greatly resembled Pauline, though her hair was a lighter shade of brown and had a flower tucked behind her right side. She did, however, possess the same warm, round eyes as her sister. The little girl strongly resembled her mother, and had a pink bow in her hair.

''Ciao, Mr Basil!'' Clara said, a large smile on her face. ''This is a pleasant surprise!''

''Uncle Basil!'' Martha crawled down from the chair and hugged the detective's legs. Basil chuckled and leaned down to hug the little girl.

''She always calls me uncle, or zio, even though I'm no relative,'' he told Olivia, who giggled.

Clara stood up and smiled at Olivia. ''You must be Miss Olivia Flaversham, or should I say the future Sig Basil?''

Olivia blushed and Clara smiled. ''Thank you, Clara,'' the young woman said shyly. ''This is my best friend, Helen Baker,'' she introduced.

''Do you have someone special, Helen?'' Clara asked eagerly.

Helen blushed and stammered there was someone but hadn't told him yet.

Clara sighed romantically. ''You must tell him, Helen, if you ever hope to have a future with him. Even if it isn't reciprocal, I'm sure you will find the one for you. We all knew you would be the woman Basil would pick, Olivia. Anyone who can effortlessly change another for the better is guaranteed to be their soulmate – and in your case, it is true.''

''As it is for Clara and I,'' Alonzo added, putting an arm around his wife.

''Mummy and Daddy have shown me their wedding photos,'' Martha giggled. ''I'm a baby in them but I don't remember it. Mummy has no photos of my real daddy so I know he is a bad man.''

A tense atmosphere overtook the room. After a pause, Basil stepped forward and said, ''That's actually why we're here, Clara. We need to talk to you about … him. Pauline just told us.''

Clara and Alonzo looked very serious. ''Martha, tesoro, why don't you go to your room and do some more painting?'' Alonzo said, caressing his daughter's head. ''We need to talk boring grown-up stuff.''

Helen perked up. ''You know, Martha, I'm a painter myself, and I hope to be professional artist someday.''

''In that case, why don't you show Helen your work?'' Clara suggested. ''Maybe get a few tips from her.''

''Okay,'' Martha said, and took Helen's hand and they went upstairs.

''She's so sweet,'' Olivia commented.

''She is,'' Clara smiled, before looking serious again. ''I assume you want to ask about Gideon because of the Viper?''

''Yes,'' Basil admitted. ''Gideon is one of our prime suspects so we need to know as much about his history as possible. I hadn't heard from him since the time he tried to sock me one at university, at least until the king's party the other night.'''

''He really did that to you?'' Alonzo asked angrily.

Basil scowled darkly. ''Unfortunately, yes. When did you meet him, Clara, and how in the name of Sherlock Holmes did you two end up married?''

''Five years ago,'' Clara answered, ''not long after Mother's death. One morning, I happened to be walking by the Richmond manor when I started having severe cramp pains. Gideon's parents Victor and Vera saw me in pain and brought me into the house. They helped and nursed me. They invited me to have lunch and I accepted. Gideon then turned up with his caretaker and, being the naïve girl I was, it was love at first sight for me solely based on his good looks. He was very grumpy and sullen, but the silly little girl within me pursued him like a puppy dog. He rebuffed me again and again but I was persistent, and eventually he caved in and within months we were married, despite the protests from both our families.

''Even though I acted like it, I was never truly happy. Gideon always shouted and bad-mouthed everything, and would drink and smoke heavily. His caretaker did his best to look after me. Once I discovered I was pregnant with Martha, it was as if it had opened my eyes. I had suddenly matured. I had a child on the way and I knew the baby would have no stability with Gideon as a father. So with the help of his caretaker and my family, I filed for divorce and moved in with Father. Gideon didn't argue; he was never bothered. Martha was born and I had never been happier, I named her after Mother. Not long after, Father took us to Italy for a holiday and, well, Pauline no doubt told you what happened from there.''

She and Alonzo smiled at each other lovingly. ''I met my true love.''

They spoke to each other in Italian and Basil and Olivia smiled.

''Clara, did he ever mention anything regarding Ratigan or the Viper?'' Olivia asked.

''He often acted as if he was grandfather, ranting in about how you had killed your aunt and uncle, Basil: 'He killed Marianne's children! Darling Marianne! Darling Ratigan and his dear sister! He's caused me and Grandfather much agony!' were some of the ridiculous stuff he said. He also raged on about how much he hated you personally, Basil, for getting him kicked out of University of Mouseford and stealing his girl, and he vowed he get revenge on you someday. He even had a picture of you on the dartboard, and every day without fail he would throw the darts at it.''

''Victor's right; Gideon does need to be placed in an asylum,'' Oliva murmured to Basil, who nodded in agreement.

''That's everything, I'm afraid,'' Clara said apologetically. ''I'm sorry I can't be of any more help.''

''No need to apologise, Clara,'' said Basil. ''We should apologise to you, for making you drag up the past.''

''You needed to know about that man. I understand.''

''Now, Livy, let's get Helen and we will see the rest of the Richmond family, and perhaps see the man himself.''

Olivia went upstairs to get her best friend.

''You be careful around him, Sig Basil,'' Alonzo warned.

Basil grinned. ''Don't worry, I have encountered criminals far more deranged than Gideon Richmond.''

Olivia, Helen and Martha returned to the parlour. Martha was now carrying a princess mouse doll in her arms. Basil stared at the doll, the gears in his brain suddenly turning. An idea had just occurred to him.

''Thank you for the tips, Miss Helen,'' Martha said.

''You keep at it, young lady,'' Helen said, and the little girl hugged her.

Martha turned to Olivia next. ''Miss, since you and Uncle Basil will be married soon can I call you Auntie Olivia?''

Oliva smiled and said, ''Of course you can,'' and Martha hugged her.

''By the way,'' Clara said suddenly, as Alonzo picked Martha up. ''I'm not sure if Pauline has told you, but Alonzo and I would be happy to whip up some Italian food for your wedding buffet.''

Olivia smiled shyly and told Clara her sister had informed them.

''Just let us know the date,'' Alonzo said, winking.

''We will,'' Basil said, blushing, but he once again thought about the small box he had in one of the drawers in his room. They bid farewell to the family.

''Are we really going to the Richmond manor, Mr Basil?'' Helen asked.

''Elementary,'' Basil replied, ''but before we head there, I want to make a quick stop.''

''What, for, William?'' Olivia asked, curious as to what her boyfriend had in mind.

Basil chuckled. ''It was Martha who gave me the idea. I have a plan that can prove Gideon's guilt or innocence …''


So sorry it's been a long time, readers. I've been having serious writer's block. Also, I haven't felt like writing much recently. Been a bit depressed. Hope you understand. We could all do with some hope now.

Surprise twist! Ruby was Ratigan's girlfriend at university! Did you see that coming? Yes, it is illegal for a teacher and student to become involved, but as Basil said, his uncle would not have cared about Ruby being his pupil, and Ruby was also equally arrogant. Since the Viper killed Ruby as well as her parents, maybe that's another reason why Ratigan despised sharing his crown with them?

We learn more about Pauline's family. There were a few hints in one of the party chapters that Clara was the one that had married Gideon. Well done if you had picked up on that. As Helen said, it's a small world. I really liked writing Alonzo, he truly loves Clara and Martha. Don't worry, we will meet Sally and Theodore and their children soon.

I did some research the other week and I found the Viper's frail health regarding heat exhaustion was necessary. I've edited some previous chapters to have more hints of it.

For Alonzo's Italian, I used Google Translate so I hope there weren't any mistranslations.

And we finally have confirmation of what we have all been suspecting – Pauline is pregnant! Dawson is going to be a father, and because of this, we won't be seeing him again for a while, but Helen has taken his place for the time being.

By the way, did you spot one of the Viper's lines that was also spoken by our favourite pirate, Captain Hook?

Uh-oh, it seems Ratigan isn't the only one who doesn't take kindly to the R word. I created the character of Smithy to be akin to Bartholomew, to show the Viper is starting to get darker.

What is Basil's plan for proving Gideon's guilt or innocence? And what is he thinking about in regards to Olivia?

Time to answer some reviews:

duchessofbooks: Yes, if you watch the film and think about it, Basil and Ratigan's enmity dynamic is akin to Hamlet and Claudius, and Ratigan's behaviour towards Basil is similar to Scar with Simba. Also, Ratigan, Scar and Claudius all had the same goal – to be king – and even killed their own brothers, then tried to do the same to their nephews. Ratigan certainly has a Claudius vibe to him, though more ruthless.

Next time, we will meet the entire Richmond family and learn a few things.

See you soon!