After catching the trolley, William Basil of Baker Street, Olivia Flaversham and Helen Baker returned to 221½ Baker Street to discuss everything they had discovered. They found a note from Mrs Judson saying she gone food shopping and will be back later. Basil placed the bag of materials and Emmett's book on the table and changed into his robe while Olivia wrapped her tartan shawl around her shoulders.

''All right, Basil,'' said Helen, folding her arms, ''is Gideon guilty or not?''

Basil smiled. ''Not guilty.''

Helen's mouth opened. ''Not guilty? You said there was proof but I didn't see anything.''

Olivia placed her a hand on her best friend's shoulder.

''You see, Helen, everything Gideon and Paul said was true; I could see it in their eyes. The Viper has, in fact, been trying to frame him.''

''He has?''

''I assume you figured that out as well, Livy?'' Basil asked his girlfriend.

Olivia nodded. ''Gideon makes it no secret that he loathes you with a passion, he is the same height as the Viper, he had a problem with his left arm due to sleeping on it funny, and has no tail apart from a prosthetic one. The Viper knew all this, so Gideon was the perfect person to set-up. Gideon's absence during his appearance obviously was not part of the plan, but the Viper used it to their advantage.''

''So you're saying,''' Helen said slowly, ''that the person who gave Gideon that gold cigarette holder was – ?''

''The real Viper,'' Basil finished. ''Elementary, my dear Helen. Everything Olivia just said made Gideon fit the part, but the Viper needed only one small red herring to make it complete, so the fiend manipulated a cigarette-desperate Gideon into taking one of their gold holders. You will notice there were actually no more clues after that pointing in Gideon's direction, because leaving any more would tip off that Gideon was being framed.''

Olivia felt in her dress pocket.

''But Olivia felt right away Gideon was looking obvious,'' Helen pointed out.

Basil wrapped his arm around his future wife. ''The Viper was so blinded by confidence in their plan to trap poor Gideon that he underestimated Olivia, for she has the wisdom to look past the surface and see the deeper meaning, even more so than I do.''

The detective thought about what had crossed his mind earlier, he was tempted to abandon the original theory and speak about Olivia's idea, but decided against it, for there was one more loose end that needed tying up first.

Olivia giggled modestly as she thought about her theory once more. She then patted her dress pocket again. ''Can we now look at what we found at the Richmond mansion, William? I think you need to see them.''

''Certainly, darling.''

Olivia pulled out the voodoo doll from her pocket. ''When Marianne took me to Gideon's basement room, we found this in his chest.''

Basil took it and grinned. ''Further proof that Gideon is nothing more than a victim in the Viper's scheme. No doubt one his henchmen planted it there.''

''That's what I thought,'' Olivia agreed, ''but why, though, if the Viper didn't want to plant any more fake clues for Gideon so it wouldn't look too obvious?''

Basil looked at the doll again and frowned. ''Either the Viper got very carried away with his confidence, or for some reason the employee went against their boss's orders and couldn't resist.''

''The Viper must be a stickler for details,'' Helen said. ''The way you talk about him, it sounds as though he thinks of everything.''

''Oh, you are right there, Helen,'' Basil said in admiration, smiling. ''The Viper thinks of every single tiny, microscopic little thing, which is why he has never been found out. According to plan, as I once heard him say. Ratigan was the same, though not to the extent as his fellow criminal.''

Saying nothing, Olivia reached into her pocket one more and pulled out the two newspaper cuttings. She held them up, and Basil looked at them as though they were some disgusting creatures. One of the articles was about Ratigan's Big Ben Caper scheme, detailing about him tampering with the hands of the gigantic clock to a halt (how he managed to do was in itself a mystery), and the picture of Ratigan was circled with words praising him. The other one had the picture of Basil crossed out with worlds calling him a ''Girlfriend Stealer!''.

''I'm sorry, William,'' Olivia said.

Basil shook his head, indicating it was alright as he needed to see it, his stomach tightening as though he was going to be sick. Seeing Basil's nauseous expression, Olivia suggested a tea break to calm their nerves, with Basil found welcoming.

Helen offered to make the tea while Olivia sat with her detective. ''As Olivia already knows, that's my own special blend of tea,'' Helen said to Basil. ''It's a bit different each time so I can't guarantee the taste.''

Basil sipped it and perked up. ''Oh, my! This is the best tea I've ever tasted!''

Helen smiled as Olivia said Mrs Judson would be proud of her. Helen explained the special tea blend was a Baker family trait. Olivia then informed him that Helen had tried to teach it her but she just couldn't quite get it.

Basil continued to sip this most magnificent brew as though it was a ray of sunshine. He would certainly have to try more culinary such as this once the case was over.

''I found this in Victor's study,'' Helen said, handing over the paper she found.

Basil took and read the short contents carefully, as though hoping it contained a secret message. ''Hmmm … Ambiguous, but intriguing …'' He smiled at the two ladies. ''Deep down, the moment Olivia said he was looking a bit obvious, I always suspected Gideon was innocent, but it's my job as a detective to interrogate every suspect.''

''In that case,'' Helen said triumphantly, ''we should now focus on our next suspect: Victor Richmond!''

''Victor …'' Basil and Olivia said together, looking at each other.

''Yes, I truly believe it could be him. I mean, think about it: he suddenly left his brothers at the party after sorting out Gideon, he left when Basil said he could no longer sense the Viper's presence, and he's keeping secrets from Priscilla. Perhaps he is really just as messed up as Gideon and Samuel? My theory is that he and Emmett are working together, and they tried to frame their own brother. I find it a little too convenient he was out when we visited the mansion earlier.''

Basil frowned and looked at the note long and hard. ''Helen does make some valid points,'' he said slowly. ''This note proves Victor is hiding something to say the least. We definitely need to speak with him.''

''Can't we just go Ratigan's old lair and save all that trouble?'' Helen protested. ''Chances are that's where the Viper is hiding now. If we did that, we could capture him right there and then and find out who he is and what he's planning.''

''That would be a simpler tactic, but I am not doing that,'' Basil said firmly. ''For one thing, that place holds to many bad memories for both Olivia and myself. Not to mention, it would be futile; they outnumber us, and the Viper isn't going to allow himself to be captured so easily just because we enter the lair, I acknowledge that now. If we want to apprehend that scoundrel, we are going to have to be really crafty.''

Helen understood. She was still getting used the more complicated elements of the detective profession, but Basil knew best.

''If we can find evidence of their true identity, I think we can also deduce what their bigger plan is,'' Basil finished, looking at Olivia. ''And if my plan goes well tomorrow, we will be on the verge of wrapping up this case.''

''May I be excused for a minute, William?'' Olivia asked abruptly, standing up. ''I need to go and do something.''

''Of course, darling.''

Nodding to her beloved and best friend, the young woman went upstairs to her and Basil's room and pulled out a spare piece of paper from one of her study books. Grabbing Basil's quill pen, she got to work on her theory and wrote down the list of everything that supported it. When she was done, Olivia read it over and over again, as though hoping it would reveal something new. The more she read it, the more sense it made to her. Basil's earlier information briefly threw her in regards to what she thought, but Olivia now had an idea of how her theory was still possible.

The young woman replaced the quill pen and paper inside her book and stared. She knew she should confront Basil about it, especially since she had a feeling he was beginning to suspect it as well, but were both holding back. Why? If the theory was correct, they would need keep tailing other suspects for as long as possible to fool the Viper. If they did, the Viper would have to let their guard down. Whatever Basil's plan was, if it hit a dead end tomorrow, then she would explicitly approach her theory as she and Basil had agreed in their earlier deal.

The young woman walked back down the stairs, greeted by Helen hugging her. She informed her that she was going to go home now but would return in the morning.

''Get home safely, Helen,'' said Basil, as they waved to their friend.

''I can't wait to hear what your plan is, but tell me in the morning as a surprise,'' Olivia grinned.

''Very well.'' Basil then turned his attention to Emmett's scrapbook and indicated to the fireplace. ''It's not too late, Livy. Say the word, and I shall head to Scotland Yard with it.''

Olivia shook her head. ''I really do want to give Emmett the benefit of the doubt. But I'm mainly doing this for his mother's sake. One of her sons being in trouble would be another thing for her deal with on top of losing Victor Sr. I couldn't do that to her.''

Basil sighed, thew the scrapbook in the fireplace and held her close. Olivia was always putting the wellbeing of others before herself. That was one of the many reasons why he loved her so.


At Ratigan's old lair, it was rather unusually quiet. Fidget was absent. Spike, Cliff and Butch, hoods down, were standing in the big barrel waiting nervously on news of their master's condition. Butch had finally manged to scrub all of his boss's sick off his shoes, but he had been forbidden to make any noise, as the Viper had wanted total silence.

In another barrel, the one that had served as Ratigan's bed chamber, the Viper was sitting up on the blue bedsheet, the elderly hooded figure attending to them. ''Take it easy, master,'' he said in concern, handing his boss a wet cloth, which the villain used to wipe their forehead under the hood. ''Don't want you relapsing.''

''I'm fine, thank you,'' the Viper said in a warm tone, standing up and pulling their elderly henchman into a hug. ''I can count on you to care for me, just as you always have done.''

''And I am always more than happy to. But, master, you need to be more careful.''

''I will be from now on. Promise. I couldn't help myself in seeing the bell, I was so caught up in the joy I wasn't thinking about my health.''

''I realise that.'' The elderly figure sighed. ''Oh, master …''

''Yes?''

The elderly figured pulled out of the hug and looked at his boss. ''No. I was thinking, I know it's necessary but I hate calling you that. I have long wished for the day to come when I can once more call you by your true title, the one I have always given you since the day you were born, L –''

The Viper placed a gloved finger on the man's lips. ''Not in present company, my dear.''

''By 'present company', I assume you are referring to Mr Mitchell and Fidget?''

''Of course. After all, they don't yet know what you, Spike and Cliff know, and I want to see the look on their faces when I reveal to them who I really am. I assure you, once my plan has been fulfilled, you can resume your true name for me.''

The Viper giggled in their usual childlike way.

''That's another thing I want you to be careful about: your reaction when Smithy said that word.''

''Oh, that.'' The Viper giggled again. ''It was only a little slip-up. Besides, those two imbeciles aren't going to think much of it, they don't have the brains. Even if they did, they wouldn't dare question it, for know what will happen if they did.''

The Viper slid a finger across their throat to indicate Fidget's and Butch's fates.

''I guess that's true …''

Offering like a true gentleman, the elderly mouse linked his arm with the Viper's in a fatherly fashion and escorted his boss out of the barrel, and made their way to the larger barrel with the letter ''R'' engraved. The moment they entered, everyone went rushing to their master.

''Oh, my dear boys!'' the Viper gushed, as Spike and Cliff lifted their boss up in choking hugs. ''No need to worry, I am perfectly fine now.''

''I'm glad,'' Butch said.

The Viper looked at down at Butch's shoes. ''Ah, Butch, you have my utmost apology, I made a rather big mess of your shoes yesterday. Do forgive me.''

''It-it's alright, boss,'' Butch said meekly. ''I managed to scrub it all off. Besides, it wasn't your fault, you just had an episode, but you are back to normal, now.''

The Viper chuckled and pinched Butch's cheek. Spike handed the villain a glass of cold water. ''We know you prefer wine, but Spike and Cliff went out for some water while you were recovering,'' said the elderly figure. ''They thought water would be a good thing to have in case you … deteriorate again.''

The Viper looked and saw half-a dozen bottles of water on the shelf. ''How very thoughtful of you, Spike, Cliff.'' The twins bowed in respect. ''I know we probably should've had water with us from the start, but I was ignorant and confident with my friend's invention.''

The Viper patted their loose cloak and the elderly hooded figure hugged his master.

''Boss?'' Butch said suddenly.

''Yes?''

''I've been wondering, are you sure it's alright for us to still keep on using Ratigan's old lair? Thanks to what you told me to do at the opera house, Basil now knows your motive. What if he come here?''

''He won't, Butch. Don't forget, his precious Olivia and toymaker father-in-law were held captive here, and Padraic broke his spirit by humiliating his smarts – oh, I do wish I could've seen that! Basil will do anything to protect Olivia and himself reliving those unpleasant memories, so he would rather die than come here.''

The Viper then walked over to Ratigan's old harp, sat down and began to play it, the soft melody humming like water rippling on the surface, reflecting the Viper's emotions.

''I never understood why Ratigan had a musical instrument here,'' Butch said. ''I know he was once a theatre actor, but still …''

''He had it because of me,'' the Viper revealed, their fingers playing the strings like a true professional. ''I had always had a fondness for classical music, hence why I loved going to the opera so much, nearly every night. I taught the professor how to play the harp, my favourite instrument.''

''You did?''

''After all, he taught me so much I wanted to return the favour. He was such a genius he mastered it in no time. And like me, he found the music so calming, as though it was praising him, so he 'bought' this harp so he could be reminded of that praise, and so that he would feel my spirit near him.''

Given the Viper had said: ''He taught me so much'', Butch took it as confirmation of his theory that Ratigan had indeed been the Viper's mentor, and given how the Viper seemed really fond of the professor, he must've seen him as a father-figure, Butch concluded. He knew the Viper liked his privacy, but perhaps it wouldn't hurt to ask?

''Uh, boss …''

The Viper stopped playing. ''What is it, Butch?''

Butch swallowed, hesitating. ''I was wondering, just out of sheer curiosity … about Ratigan … did you …?''

''Boss!''

Everyone turned to see a hooded Fidget in the barrel's entrance, hobbling on his peg-leg, so fast he stumbled to the floor. ''Ow!'' he said after a five second pause, and removed his hood.

''Glad to see you back, my dear Fidget,'' said the Viper pleasantly, standing up and walking toward the bat. ''However, you are unusually early. Either you didn't find out anything, or Basil and Oliva talked about a lot of revealing stuff. So, which one is it?''

''The latter, boss,'' said Fidget.

''Oh, do tell,'' the Viper cooed in a warm voice, taking Fidget into their arms and rocking him like a baby. The gesture was gentle, but Fidget was treating it with extreme caution. After all, he remembered Ratigan doing a similar thing nine years ago after he had lost the list, acting like a forgiving parent, but that had only been part of his act as he prepared to feed him to his cat.

''Master, are you sure that's a good idea?'' the eldest figure asked in concern. ''It makes you mad when you see other people do it, as does the subject as a whole.''

''This is just a one-off,'' the Viper said calmly, ''since Fidget brings me such good news. And what is it, my friend? Why did you hear Basil and Olivia say?''

Fidget swallowed, mentally cursing himself. He remembered how angrily Ratigan had reacted that night when he noticed the list was missing and that Basil was on the case. And that was one of many outbursts he had received from the short-tempered rat. If there was one thing he had discovered from those four years in Ratigan's employment, it was that it wasn't wise to be the bearer of bad news – and now here he was, once again delivering the unfortunate news to his boss, and would no doubt be on the receiving end of the Viper's rage for it. Why wouldn't Fidget ever learn?

There's no turning back now. Here goes nothing, he thought, bracing himself, looking up the Viper's hooded face. ''Well, uh, they talked about Gideon Richmond …''

The bat saw his boss grin from under their hood. ''Go on.''

Fidget chuckled nervously. ''Well, simply put, they know that … you've been setting him up.''

There was a long, unsettling pause, the Viper remaining perfectly still, as if the mastermind had become a statue. Then –

''How is that possible?'' the Viper shouted in a rage, dropping Fidget to the floor like he was nothing, and began to pace up and down. He drew in a deep breath and became calmer. ''My plan to frame that fool Gideon was flawless. I was careful not to leave too many red herrings. Unless …'' The Viper stopped pacing. ''Fidget, did they have one of my dolls in their possessions?''

''Yes. Olivia said she found it amongst Gideon's belongings.''

''My inside man …'' the Viper snarled he snarled, his deep snake voice more terrifying than normal, and the boys all backed away, even the elderly hooded figure. ''That disobeying littleOh, the next time I see him he will die a slow, painful death …''

''But, master, you can't,'' the elderly figure protested.

''Of course, I can't – yet. Once I succeed, I intend to. If I do him in now, it will raise Basil and Olivia's suspicions, and nothing I said or did would deter them. No. I need my inside man alive until the very end.''

''Then what are you going to do?'' Butch asked.

''Fidget?'' the villain asked in a cheery friendly tone after a pause, turning to the bat once more.

Fidget stood up straight. ''Yes?'' the bat asked.

''Did they say anything else?''

The bat froze. Admittedly, he had only heard the part about Gideon being framed before fleeing, as he felt that was all his boss needed to know – but he knew better than to admit it. Besides, anything else Basil and Olivia said afterwards probably wasn't relevant. It wasn't as though they had an inkling on the Viper's true identity … right?

''No, boss.''

The Viper chuckled and patted Fidget's head as if he was a dog. ''Perhaps this could actually work out in my favour.''

''Master, you're not going to try and frame another innocence, are you? Basil and Olivia know about Gideon so would be too risky.''

The Viper shrugged arrogantly. ''Which is why I won't. From what Fidget said, those fools still don't suspect me – and would they, since no-one has ever seen through my brilliant talent? – but given my Gideon plan has now flopped I shall have to move forward with my plan quickly. I was hoping to have more time to work on it, but I have you-know-who's trust. It will be a piece of cake.''

The elderly figure was about protest further but stopped. There was no denying that his boss was a genius and very cunning, but was the Viper really getting carried away by their confidence? Was his boss so desperate to fulfil the elaborate plan they had been plotting for the last nine years that they were in denial that the walls were on the verge of starting to close in?

''I shall also have to keep an even tighter leash on my inside man. And while I'm doing all this, Basil and friends won't have time to figure out who I am or my plan, as they will be too distracted with something else … or should I say someone else?''

''You don't mean …?'' Butch asked slowly, his eyes widening, remembering what the elderly figure had told him while the Viper had been resting, and it was as though the Viper was now changing a rule in his game.

The Viper chuckled and looked at his newest employee. ''Yes, Butch. It's time our … special friend made a public appearance. If we play our cards right, by the time Basil learns of my plan, it will be too late. But before all that …'' The Viper tuned on his heel and began to sashay toward the barrel's mouth. ''I have one loose end to tie up first, so if you all excuse me, boys, I must make myself look presentable for tonight.''

''Why? Where are you going, boss?'' Butch asked. ''What are you going to do?''

The Viper turned back to face their loyal subjects and the grin under the hood was visible for all to see. ''What I always have done: stay one step ahead of that runt detective – according to plan.''


Hours later, it was night-time and at 221½ Baker Street. Mrs Judson had since returned from her food shopping. Olivia was staring at a tall bookshelf that had what looked like half a dozen journals in place, some of them dated back to when Basil's father was alive. Olivia had seen them before but had never had the chance to look properly.

''As you can guess, Livy,'' said Basil, his arm around her, ''these are all journals of many past cases. At some point in his career, Father thought it would be a good idea to start writing down his cases to he could look back on the achievements of capturing vulgar criminals.''

''And you carried on that tradition after he died?''

''Elementary, my dear Olivia. Of course, after Dawson became my assistant, we would take turns writing about our cases.''

''No doubt he was the one who wrote about Pauline's case since that's when he first met her.''

''Of course,'' said Mrs Judson before Basil could. ''And you can guess who wrote about your case, Miss Olivia.'' She winked at her master, who blushed furiously. ''If you want to know, he wrote about how you affected him and –''

''Mrs Judson!'' Basil coughed. ''Anyway, writing about cases not only remind me of our accomplishments, but if there is a link to a current case it, we can find it in there. And before you ask, no, there is nothing I wrote about my uncle's crimes, or any of the newspaper clippings I kept, that would help us. Believe me, I've looked.''

Olivia didn't doubt that and smiled at the shelves. ''May I read them sometime? Not just my case, but some of the others. There are many cases of yours I will never have heard of.''

''Of course, you may. You can read one now if you want.''

Olivia shook her head. ''Not tonight, William,'' she said, looking serious and taking his hand. ''There's something I need to tell you. You, too, Mrs Judson.''

''What is it, darling?''

Olivia walked them to the blue couch and the couple sat down. ''I know it was years ago, but I don't like keeping secrets from you, since you and Mrs Judson are a part of my family now. You've told me everything, William, so it's only fair I do, too.''

''Tell us what, my dear?'' Mr Judson asked, sitting down on Olivia's other side.

Olivia held Mrs Judson's hand and looked as though she had seen someone hanged. ''The other night, when William mentioned what Ratigan did to Beatrice and how he would violate other rodents just for sport, it came back to me … a memory from nine years ago.''

''What memory?'' Mrs Judson asked.

Olivia hesitated. ''William, do you remember when you and Dawson arrived at the lair and Fidget acted as a decoy, dressed in my hat and coat?''

Basil nodded, dreading where this was going.

''No prizes for guessing who it was that removed them from me in the first place.''

Immediately, Basil grabbed Olivia's shoulders and turned her to look at him. ''Olivia, what did Ratigan do to you?'' he asked sharply, and the young woman could sense fury rising. She looked over her shoulder she saw Mrs Judson looking like a lion about to kill its prey. ''If he –''

''Nothing happened,'' Olivia said firmly, ''I promise. He didn't really do anything … but he would've done if you hadn't snapped out of your depression.''

''What do you mean?''

Olivia sighed deeply. ''After Fidget put me in that bottle and got in trouble with Ratigan over the list …''


Ten-year-old Olivia hunched up in the bottle, watching as Ratigan took Fidget in his arms like a child, seemingly having forgiven him losing the list, and Basil being on the case. She saw Fidget wrap his wing around his master's shoulder as if the rat was his father before they disappeared behind a corner. Moments later, Olivia heard the sound of a bell, followed by a blood-curling scream from Fidget. Ratigan's forgiving nature must've just been an act, and was now eliminating the peg-legged bat. Olivia couldn't help but giggle. It served him right for what he had put her and her daddy through.

About a minute later however, Ratigan reappeared, still carrying Fidget, which puzzled the child. She had heard Fidget scream, and from what Basil had said about Ratigan, it sounded as though he did not tolerate failure, so why was that awful bat still there? Ratigan must've decided he was still useful. Fidget whispered something in his boss's ear, and a large, insane grin spread across Ratigan's face. ''Oh, really?'' he said slowly in his deep voice, as though he had never heard anything so wonderful.

Olivia jumped when Ratigan then looked right at her, smiling hungrily, as though she was his meal. The villainous rat placed his hench-bat on the floor and slowly walked up to her bottle. ''Hello, my dear,'' he said in a sickly, sweet voice, leaning down and placing his hands on the bottle, the hunger in his eyes increasing. ''You are going to be very useful to my plan.''

He called for three of his henchmen to appear, two mice and a lizard, who slipped into the bottle and forced Olivia out. ''Get off me, you horrible lizard!'' she cried, kicking and screaming.

Ratigan grinned down at her, before glancing behind him where her father's barrel was. ''Why don't we take this somewhere more … private?'' he chuckled.

''Yes, professor,'' the trio said together, and they hauled Olivia to the other side of the lair, away from prying eyes.

''Let me go, you old fiends!'' the little girl shouted, still kicking and screaming, but the three henchmen were bigger and stronger than her so slipping from their grasp was futile.

''Now, this is the trap I want,'' she heard Ratigan saying to some other members of his gang. ''You know how to construct it. I want that scrawny, insufferable pipsqueak Basil and this poor, unfortunate sidekick of his to suffer a most painful death.''

He laughed and Olivia stopped struggling. Ratigan was building a trap to kill Basil and Dawson! But what did she have to do with it? She received her answer when Ratigan appeared a moment later and grinned down at her once more.

''My apologies for the wait, my dear Olivia,'' he said, kneeling down in front of her. ''As you probably know, for some years now, your pathetic runt detective friend, Basil of Baker Street, has been sticking his nose in where it doesn't belong!'' he began in a rage, his hands clutching tightly as though strangling Basil's neck. ''He has foiled many of my wonderful schemes, just like the previous interfering idiot before him!''

Olivia wondered who he was taking about but knew this wasn't the time or place to ask. ''And to top it off,'' the professor growled, his face growing red as if he was about to explode, his eyes filled with hatred, ''he has had the audacity to cause pain to those I care about – and he will pay for it with his life!''

Ratigan then took in an enormously deep breath, similar to what he did minutes ago with Fidget, and resumed his calm position. ''But all that's about to change,'' he said cheerfully. ''His days of messing up my plans and evading my death traps are over. And you, my little Olivia, are the key to his downfall.''

''Why?'' Olivia asked defiantly.

Ratigan chuckled and took her chin into his hand, lifting her head so she would look right at his face. ''Because, my dear, for these last several years, Basil's one weakness has been his pride over his smarts, and I intend to crush his spirit. Oh, I look forward to seeing him crumble.'' He laughed with relish and coughed. ''But I'm getting ahead of myself. He has never once showed any sort of emotional attachment to any female and, according to Fidget, he went out of his way just to try and rescue you at the toy store, and acts as though he keeps you at arm's length. It's clear to me that he has developed a special soft spot for you, Olivia Flaversham, even if he would never show it, so you will be the perfect bait to lure Basil to his doom.''

''You won't succeed!'' Olivia said firmly. ''Basil will stop you! He will never allow himself to be lured into a trap! He can outsmart a dumb rat like you any day!''

The three henchmen gasped, as this little girl had dared call their master the one word he despised hearing. Ratigan displayed a frozen grimaced grin, clearly fighting back the rage, and gave out a false chuckle. ''My, aren't you a feisty one?'' he said in his deep voice. He looked her up and down for a moment, the hunger in his eyes resuming one more. ''You know, little Olivia,'' he began after a pause, ''you remind me of another little girl some years ago.'' He unbuttoned her coat, which he then removed. Olivia felt goosebumps rising, as though his hands were slimy. What was Ratigan going to do to her?

The rat took off her tartan scarf. ''She was just as mouthy, but oh so adorable. Perhaps it's no wonder you have captured Basil's emotional attention.'' He removed Olivia's hat. ''Fidget?'' he called in a silly sing-song voice.

''Yes, boss?'' said the bat, who stumbled his way over.

Ratigan handed Fidget Olivia's coat, hat and scarf. ''You know what to do.''

Fidget took the items and cackled, giving Ratigan a military salute. ''On it.'' He blew a raspberry to the little girl once more and marched off in triumph. Olivia scowled, hating the bat more and more.

''And since your father is doing such a splendid job, once my plan is complete, I shall reward him – by giving him a front row seat while you and I have some fun.'' Ratigan patted her head as if she was his pet. ''But before that,'' he pouted in a fake sad voice, putting a hand over his heart, ''I'm afraid you, my dear, will have a front row seat –'' His pouted face was replaced by his signature grin '' – watching your beloved detective get splatted!''

Ratigan started to laugh manically along with his minions while Olivia looked at him in horror. Though she didn't know what Ratigan had planned for her – other than that it wasn't good – she more frightened for Basil than herself. Everything Basil has said about Ratigan was spot on – he was a total madman!


''After that, his henchmen took me back to my bottle while he skulked into his main barrel,'' Olivia finished. ''Of course, at the time I was too young to understand what he meant, but … ''

There was total silence. Basil and Mrs Judson were seated perfectly still and stiff as boards, their hands clutching Olivia's so tightly they hurt, but the pain didn't bother the young woman – the look on their faces did. ''William? Mrs Judson?'' she asked hesitantly.

''That sick, disgusting monster!'' Mrs Judson shouted, so loud Olivia was almost blown out of her seat. The house keeper looked as though she was going to be sick.

''I knew I should've killed him at the palace rather than simply try to arrest him!'' Basil shouted, standing up, and began to growl like a wild animal. ''Olivia, if my uncle is still alive –'' He began shaking in our rage '' – I will tear his head off his shoulders so fast he won't have time to even blink!''

''I'm sorry, William, I'm sorry I told you –''

''Don't you ever apologise to me, Livy,'' Basil said firmly, pulling Olivia to her feet and embracing her close. ''You were just being honest. The next time I speak to Dawson, I shall personally thank him for giving me the idea to 'set the trap off', for if he hadn't, you would've suffered the same fate as my sister.''

He plastered kisses all over Olivia's face, making her giggle. Mrs Judson then joined the hug. ''Did you tell your father about this?'' the housekeeper asked.

''When we got to Scotland. Even though Ratigan never got the chance to carry out his depraved intentions toward me, Father still took me to the doctor to check me nonetheless.''

Mrs Judson nodded approvingly. ''I should think so, too. You were so brave tell us, Miss Olivia.''

''As was William when he opened up about his past yesterday. As soon as I remembered what happened nine years ago, I wanted to tell you, but I didn't want to stress William out any more than he already was.''

Basil looked as though he was going to cry. ''Oh, darling …''

''That's love for you – putting someone else's needs before yours,'' said Mrs Judson, wiping a tear from her eye, and the couple agreed.

The housekeeper suggested she make some tea and food to calm their nerves. While she was in the kitchen, Basil and Olivia resumed sitting on the couch. ''So Ratigan suspected our special connection,'' Basil said, scowling darkly. ''I did always wonder. Given he was my uncle he knew me inside out. While hearing his intentions towards you makes me sick to my stomach,'' he added, lighting up his pipe, ''something Ratigan said to you has me curious.''

''Really?''

The detective nodded, frowning deeply. ''You were not aware at the time, but this 'other little girl' of whom you reminded him, and 'the previous interfering idiot before him' were referring to my sister and father, his niece and brother … but 'he has had the audacity to cause pain to those I care about' …''

''I meant to tell you, but after the case was over I forgot all about it. But now that I know truth, Ratigan no doubt meant –''

''Violet,'' Basil finished, smoke emanating from his pipe, ''but it's an odd way of phrasing it – why not just say 'someone I care about'? 'Those I care about' implies he meant more than one person.''

''The Viper,'' Olivia said at once, ''since you burnt that villain's left arm.''

''And now that I think about it, Ratigan did seem to be more murderous and obsessed with his goal of killing me after I saved the orphanage – days after my rivalry with the Viper was formed, Ratigan ambushed me without warning, with a rage similar to that night on Big Ben. He said in the same snarly voice: 'You've crossed a line, Basil, and you are going to pay for what you did!' and grabbed me by the throat, squeezing it tight, making it more difficult for me to breathe. He was strangling me to death and would have succeeded, too, if Scotland Yard hadn't arrived on the scene, and my uncle was forced to flee. I was completely baffled as to why he had suddenly become so berserk when he had never been so before. Since it was right after my encounter with the Viper, I knew it wasn't a coincidence, but Ratigan and the Viper were never known to be affiliated. After mulling it over, I concluded that, since fire was involved, it had brought back memories of Violet's death and Ratigan was having some sort of meltdown.''

''You didn't really believe that, though, did you?''

''No,'' Basil admitted, ''but at the time it was all I could think of. However, given what we know now, it wasn't about Aunt Violet at all.'' He finished with his pipe and replaced it, his hands clenching. ''I knew there was more to it, I felt it in my gut,'' he said in frustration, looking at the mantle where the Viper doll sat and shaking his fist at it, just like he did with Ratigan's portrait all those years ago. ''If I had just followed my instincts in spite of everything, I could've apprehended both of them sooner, but I didn't! I was blinded by my selfish goal of seeking justice for my family! It's my fault Hiram was kidnapped and hurt by those two fiends, Livy.''

''William Michael Basil,'' Olivia said sternly, putting her hands on her hips, ''it was not your fault. What have we said about beating yourself up over your mistakes?''

''Miss Olivia is right,'' said Mrs Judson, who had reappeared with the tea and cheese crumpets. ''You will make yourself unwell, Mr Basil.''

''I know,'' Basil admitted with a small, tired smile. ''I don't think I will ever be completely cured of my shell-shock, it runs too deep, but your presence certainly helps me control it better, Olivia.''

Olivia smiled. ''That is evident, as I didn't feel as much rage and anger this time,'' she said proudly, feeling his forehead. ''You feel a little less hot than normal.''

''That's reassuring,'' Mrs Judson said, hands on her hips. ''Forgive me for changing the subject, but have you found out anything regarding the Viper?''

''Not much,'' Basil admitted slowly, picking up his tea. ''It's still rather puzzling, but it all depends on tomorrow's outcome. If nothing comes from it, I will have to directly ask Olivia here what she thinks.''

The previous nauseous atmosphere vanished, the three occupants of the household ate their supper with a spring in their step. When they were finished, Basil and Olivia went up to their room, where Olivia sat on the bed, wrapping her shawl tightly around her. ''What is it, darling?' Basil asked in concern, seeing her look anxious, as though she had received some troubling news.

''William, I hope we do solve this case soon. The middle of August is near and I'm supposed to start back at Mousefield College in September. It's the last term of my course before I graduate, I want to pass with flying colours. I do like to study but it's been the least of my concerns recently.''

''I promise we will wrap up this case before the new college term starts,'' Basil said, sitting down and taking her hand. ''If not, we will simply have to ring the college and explain the situation.''

''My headmistress would be so disappointed if I didn't come back. She's been so encouraging and supportive of me and wants me to achieve my best.''

''And you will, Livy. I'm sure we can work something out with her. Speaking of which, when you do return to Mousefield College, I would like to ask your headmistress if she can accommodate me on campus.''

Olivia's mouth fell open, not expecting to hear that. ''Are you serious, William?''

Basil nodded firmly. ''We've been apart for nine years and I've only just got you back in my life. I couldn't bear being separated from you again, for if we were, it would feel as if one whole side of me had disappeared.''

''Oh, William you really are dramatic,'' Olivia giggled. ''But what about your cases?''

''I'm sure there would be some residents near the college who could use my assistance, but I care more about us making up for lost time.''

Olivia pulled her detective in for a long passionate kiss. ''If that's what you want. I'll give it a week and if we still haven't apprehended the Viper, we will ring up my headmistress and see what she can do.''

Basil agreed and Olivia left to go the bathroom. The second she was gone, the detective pulled open the second drawer of his bedside table and pulled out a small velvet black box. He opened it and admired the ring that had belonged to his mother, the ring with the beautiful turquoise stone that shined as if it was magic. It really was as though the stone had been made for him and Olivia, for it was the perfect blend of both their eyes. Yes, Basil thought, once the whole Viper case was over …


At Regent's Park, the atmosphere was not good in the ground floor flat at number fourteen. Gideon was sitting in his chair, munching his toast ferociously as though it was grenade.

''Maybe you shouldn't do that,'' Paul advised.

''Why not?'' Gideon snapped. ''This has been one of the worst days of my life – Basil of Baker Street has humiliated me once again!'' He growled and grabbed the empty toast plate, smashing it in the floor. ''But I won't let him best me any longer! The next I see him I will grab him and literally tear him up into tiny little pieces!''

He began moving his hands as though he really was twisting Basil.

Paul got the brush and dustpan and. ''This isn't healthy for you, Gideon,'' the caretaker protested, sweeping up the broke plate.

''I'm going to throw my darts at him again,'' Gideon said, ignoring him and standing up. ''That always makes me feel better.''

He grinned like a Cheshire cat.

''You do that a thousand times a day,'' Paul sighed.

Gideon was about to say something in retaliation when a loud knock at the door sounded. He looked at Paul, who showed him the dustpan with broken glass, indicating he had his hands full. Huffing, Gideon stalked over to the door and opened it, only to find no-one. The man glared around the area before looking down at the welcome mat, where a piece of paper lay. Gideon picked it up and unfolded it. When he read its contents, a large grin lit up his face like a Christmas tree.

He laughed and danced around. ''Oh, thank you so much! Someone must've heard me!''

''Is everything alright?'' Paul asked, appearing at the doorway.

''Look at this!'' Gideon thrust the paper at his caretaker's hands. Paul put on his reading glasses and read it.

Gideon

Meet me in the alleyway immediately. I want to end this feud once and for all. May the best win.

Basil of Baker Street

''This is my chance to bring that phony detective down once and for all!'' Gideon chuckled arrogantly. ''Now I must be off. Wish me luck.''

''Wait a minute,'' Paul said sharply. ''Are you sure about this?''

''You can't stop me, Paul. I am not missing an opportunity to finally get even with Basil.''

''I don't know,'' Paul said, frowning. ''This seems little suspect.''

''Don't talk nonsense, Paul.''

''At least let me accompany you –''

''You will not!'' Gideon snapped. ''I can handle Basil of Baker Street on my own, thank you very much. See you later.''

''Gideon!''

But it was futile. Gideon left apartment and slammed the door shut. Paul sighed heavily. He just hoped his fears were wrong.

Gideon made his way down the street, humming merrily to himself. ''Today is the day, Basil of Baker Street will finally pay,'' he sang.

''Ah, there you are, Gideon,'' said familiar smart voice.

''Where are you, you smug show-off?'' Gideon asked, grinning madly and rubbing his hands together.

''Down the alleyway,'' Basil said. ''Just around the corner and walk right down to the end, you shall see me.''

Needing no persuading, Gideon happily skipped down the alleyway like a child playing hopscotch. The alleyway wasn't too bad, but as Gideon made his way further down it began to get more eerie and Gideon looked around as though he was expecting to see zombies at any moment. It didn't help that he saw helpless insects caught in spiderwebs and the spiders eating their prey.

When he reached the end of the alleyway, Gideon was as pale ice cream, but held his nerve. ''Basil, where are you?'' he called, doing his best not to sound scared.

''Behind you.''

Gideon slowly turned around and stood very still. The person before him was not Basil at all. The figure was the same height as himself, wearing a long black cloak with the hood pulled over the head, hiding his face. The figure wore white gloves with gold cufflinks on his small four-fingered hands. He was smoking a gold cigarette holder. Two enormous muscular mice stood at either side of the smaller figure like bodyguards, also wearing cloaks with the hoods obscuring their faces.

''Well, well, well, what have we here? Gideon Richmond! I've been waiting!'' said the figure in a familiar deep snake-like voice, waving at him and blowing smoke rings.

''The Viper!'' Gideon gasped, shaking like a leaf. Staring at him, Gideon got a sense of familiarity surrounding the criminal.

''Yes, it's me.''

''Where's Basil?'' Gideon asked, looking around, sounding frantic. ''I distinctly heard his voice!''

''Sorry about the deception, my dear Gideon,'' said the Viper, in a voice to indicate he was not sorry at all, ''but he was never here. It was a clever trick of mine.''

Gideon realised. ''That note! You sent it to lure me here!''

The Viper chuckled. ''Very clever,'' he said, pinching Gideon's cheek. ''And I was wondering how you ever got into university. It was no-brainer tricking you. Rodents with a strong grudge are so easy to manipulate.''

Gideon coughed. He knew the Viper didn't just deceive him into coming here a little chat. He had something sinister in mind and Gideon had a feeling it didn't favour him. ''Well,'' he said in a false cheery voice, taking a step backwards, ''it's been nice meeting you, Mr Viper, but I must be going.''

''I'm afraid you can't leave,'' the Viper pouted in a voice feigning regret, putting out his cigarette and placing the holder in his pocket. He then pulled out a gold-yellow bell and rang it.

''Watch me,'' Gideon retorted, doing his best to sound brave. He stopped when he felt his back hit against something. He turned around and his widened. Towering above him was a huge rat with a muscular physique similar to the Viper's bodyguards. He was wearing a black tuxedo suit, high white collar, grey vest with buttons, a red cravat, a black cape with a red underside, white gloves with gold cufflinks and a top hat.

''No!'' Gideon gasped, looking as though he had seen a ghost. ''It can't be! You've been dead for years!''

The rat, whose face was obscured by the shadows, displayed a familiar grin. He looked at the Viper, who nodded. ''Reports of my death were greatly exaggerated, Gideon Richmond,'' the rat said in an evil, deep voice that was unmistakable. ''My dear, hearing that bell again fills me with nostalgia.''

Gideon was suddenly awed despite the situation. ''Wait until Grandfather hears about this, he'll be delighted!''

''Grandfather, that old fool?'' the Viper laughed, replacing the bell in his pocket. ''HA! Yes, he will, but not from you unfortunately.''

The rat pinned Gideon's arms and then passed the man to one of the bodyguards, who shook Gideon as though he was a sack of bugs. ''We can take it from here,'' the Viper said to the rat. ''Feel free to have some fun if you wish.''

''Oh, I'd be delighted to, I've waited so long,'' the rat said happily, and disappeared into the night.

Gideon tried to break free, to no avail. The bodyguard was just too strong. As much as he wanted to ask about what he had just seen, he knew now wasn't the time.

''You see, Gideon,'' said the Viper, lifting the man's chin with his fingers with his left arm and ignoring the pain, ''there's a reason I wanted you here, and it has to do with our friend Basil. You see, he has created a complication in my plan.''

''And what does that have to with me?'' Gideon asked.

The man saw the Viper grin from under his hood. ''Do you know why he interrogated you today? Because thanks to me taking advantage, he had reason to believe that you were me.''

''I should've known!'' Gideon growled. ''Now his questions make sense! Hang on, were you trying to frame me?''

''I'm afraid so. You were so easy. And thanks to – how shall I put this? – an error from one of my boys, my inside man, Basil and Olivia have rumbled that little plan. Thanks to the information from my spy, Basil now knows you are the key to my downfall, and I'm afraid I cannot ignore that.''

With each statement the Viper made, Gideon's fear increased, along the Viper's familiar vibes. ''What do you mean?'' he asked, now showing his true cowardness.

''I think it will be clear if I show you. After all, I'm a generous rodent.'' The Viper slowly removed his hood and Gideon's jaw dropped.

''You? You're the Viper? That – that's just not possible. There's just no way. Your voice … You totally fooled me! But that would mean, all this time …''

It took Gideon a moment to progress what he had just seen. He just couldn't believe it! He had always admired the Viper's smarts along with Ratigan's, but now actually conversing with this infamous figure in person, and knowing their true identity, Gideon's admiration had just increased significantly. The Viper's genius ran deeper than the young man had perceived and was underestimated, which made them all the more scary.

The Viper replaced the hood. ''Yes,'' the villain said smugly. ''Now you know where you stand. You are the only witness since I gave you one of my gold cigarette holders to throw Basil's suspicions your way, which is why I must –''

''Please don't!'' Gideon pleaded, having never been so terrified in all of life. He was staring at the Viper as though seeing them in whole new light (which he was). ''I won't tell Basil, no matter how much he tries to break me! I won't tell anyone who you really are! You don't have to do this alone. As you are fully aware, I hate Basil just as much as you do, so maybe we could work together?''

The Viper pointed a finger at their hooded cheek in thought. ''Hmmm, you know what, Gideon? That's not such a bad idea. I don't have to kill you, you could just simply disappear, hide in my lair and help me. As you said, we both loathe Basil with a passion and desire to see him fall to his knees, so why not?''

Gideon smiled hopefully. Perhaps he might be able to get out of this alive after all?

The Viper held out a hand and the other bodyguard handed them a bottle and rag. ''However, my plan is just too important to accept,'' the Viper said, smiling nastily and pouring the bottle's contents onto the rag. ''I'm sure dear old grandfather would understand.''

Seeing the rag, Gideon's whole life flashed before his eyes: his birthdays growing up, wearing the detestable hand-knitted clothing to please his mother, being picked on at school, taking care of his grandfather, belittling Emmett, entering university, being jealous of Basil – William Basil of Baker Street, the stupid, arrogant know-it-all who started all of this! Now he would never get to show him up.

''Funny, this is just like Claudius, he had to do away with his own dear brother to achieve his goal – another way in which he and Padraic are alike. So, with a heavy heart with much regret, goodbye, Gideon. Parting is such sweet sorrow.''

With that last sentence, a blood-curling scream was the last thing ever heard from Gideon Richmond, echoing through the night.


There you have it, folks. Gideon Richmond is no more. Gideon, we hardly knew ye. I wanted to show that under his sullen exterior and bad temper, Gideon was really a coward at heart. It also seems the Viper is known to Gideon, but who is it?

Sorry it's taken so long. This chapter is my longest yet, and was a real tough nut to crack. I think the chapters will start to get longer now. I debated how much to reveal and hint at. Also, Olivia's flashback was especially tricky as I didn't want to make Ratigan's scene with her too creepy. Having said that, I enjoyed writing Ratigan.

Now that Gideon is gone, has Basil's plan gone out of the window? If so, what will our detective do now? And poor Vera, she has now lost one of her sons as well as her husband.

It seems Basil is resisting the urge to ask Olivia about her theory to fool the Viper, but how much longer can that last, especially since it's clear that a different idea from his initial one is starting to nag at him? Speaking of which, he looks as though he is finally planning to ask Olivia to marry him.

Beside revenge on Basil and Olivia, what is the Viper's bigger plan?

As for the shadowy figure, it couldn't possibly be … could it?

The talk of Helen's blend of tea as a reference to the dialogue between Haru and Baron in The Cat Returns.

The chapter of this title and a few of the lyrics inserted as dialogue alluded to the Corpse Bride song. And before you ask, yes, the ''sack of bugs'' and the Viper's opening line to Gideon were references to our favourite gambling boogieman Oogie Boogie. Been watching a lot of Tim Burton recently. By the way, it's a fun fact that Tim Burton and Vincent Price were friends.

There a few references to two more Disney films. Can you spot them? One of them was a line spoken by a certain snowman.

Time to answer some reviews:

MillenniumPrincess: Yes, it was difficult for Basil to open up to Olivia about his past, but he did it. Dawson already knew, since they have been a team for years. Given how Basil behaved in the film I figured he had suffered some sort of traumatic experience that made him reclusive and cold-hearted, until Olivia and Dawson both came along and changed that. Indeed, whatever your theory is on the Viper's true identity, we will have to wait and see if you're right.

Next time, the whole story behind the birth of Basil and Viper's feud will be revealed, as well as hints about Fidget's past.

See you soon!