“Why would the government be stealing diamonds?” he laughed and Victoria smiled.
“I suppose so.” she said, “It doesn’t make sense does it really? Why diamonds? He doesn’t seem to steal anything else at all.”
“He does not seem to shy away from committing murder to procure them either.” said the demon, “Don’t forget that”
“Oh I won’t.” she said, “I just cannot reconcile one thing with the other.”
“Well I haven't told you the best bit yet.” sniffed Romney.
“What bit?” she asked.
“Who it was that embedded the command.” said the demon smugly.
“Who was it?” she asked but all Romney did was chuckle.
“Before that I have to check that my data editing skills are as good as I think they are.”
“Why?” she said as the reason slowly dawned on her. “You want to make sure you have rendered the command inactive.” she said.
“I do.” said Romney, “Command: Jurium.”
“Lollipop.” said Victoria and then looked around the room strangely. “Why did I say that?” she said as Romney started laughing in her head.
“The command this person added was, “Jurium”. He used the correct syntax which i have also now disabled which is a kind of trap door or a secret method of access into your data engines if you like. The exact way he did it was to say, “entry loop level additional command, “Jurium””.
“So you have neutralised it and nothing happens now.” said Victoria.
“Jurium.” said Romney in her mind.
“Lollipop.” giggled Victoria, her face slowly returning to normal as she realised she still did not know who it was that had hacked their way through her wall of defence.
“Do you know that the only letter not represented in the periodic table is the letter “J”?” said Romney. “That is what he said. You said you didn’t know.”
Victoria accessed her computational engine.
“He said, “Well. It is correct. I strive to one day discover a new element so I can call it on entry loop level additional command, “Jurium””.”
“Yes.” said Romney.
“Hugo Topping.” she said incredulously. “Surely not. That swaggering figure on the rooftop is the same person as the eccentric boffin in the laboratory of his own creation. Surely not.”
“Well I always think it is amazing what the addition of a pair of glasses can do to change a person’s appearance.” said Romney solemnly, “Just pop a pair of glasses on and there you are - nobody would recognise you.”
“It was rather odd that he wore shaded glasses of a night though wasn’t it?” she said. Romney sounded pleased with himself, smugness in his voice as a result of his deductions
“I suppose we need to go and visit Mister Topping again?” he said.
“Oh no.” said Victoria, “He is on home ground there. Inspector Vaillant will have by now ensured news of a newcomer to the area and their large diamond collection. We shall draw him out Romney, and see what we can find.”
“Are you going to get up now?” asked the demon.
“Yes,” she said.
“Okay.” said Romney, “Just wondered how is your Jurium?”
“Lollipop.” said Victoria, laughing aloud as she realised she had no control over saying the word. “You can stop that right here and now.” she laughed as Romney chortled in her mind. Sighing to herself she got out of bed and made preparations to breakfast. All the talk of lollipops she found had made her very hungry indeed.
***
“The manor is just outside the village of Darhew Green” said Vaillant on the telephonic device.
“The Heslop family are of course entirely fictional but more importantly than anything have an equally fake stash of diamonds and are holding as well an entirely fictitious introduction to society ball tomorrow evening.”
“Excellent.” said Victoria, “I take it all of the society magazines have been informed.”
‘Absolutely.” said Vaillant, “Most have shown a great deal of interest and have been to visit already. There are quite a few large particles circulating in the press showing several very large diamonds.”
“Even better.” said Victoria. “I shall require a minimal police presence of course, and just enough people in the manor to make it look busy.”
“I assure you Miss Neaves my superiors have not forgotten that this person - whoever they are - has already used nerve gas to kill in the past and will almost certainly have no compunction in using it again.”
“Exactly.” said Vaillant. “Well if all is in place I shall leave you to prepare.”
“I am sure everything is in order at this end.” said Victoria, “This man will not find us unprepared this time I can assure you.”
“Just be careful.” said Vaillant, an air of wariness creeping into his voice.
“Of course.” she said, smiling, hoping that her cheery voice would give Vaillant the impression of confidence that she for one did not actually feel herself. With a sigh she placed the receiver back on the cradle and disconnected the call. As she did so Viktor entered the room and began to water the remaining plant pot on the window ledge.
“Viktor where has the other plant pot gone?” she asked innocently, knowing perfectly well that she had seen him remove it the previous afternoon. “There were three originally but it would appear that we are down to one. Do they keep expiring on us perhaps?” The butler turned to face her. Victoria was surprised to discover he was blushing slightly.
“Not quite.” He said in his slightly clipped accent, “Ze pots I removed to de-clutter ze room. Ve do not vant negative energy. Ze ancient art of Veng Shui dictates that…”
“I prefer three pots actually, Viktor.” She said sternly, interrupting him. “Viktor.” She said, softening her tone. “Come and sit here with me a moment.”
“But I ave ze lunch to prepare…” he began, but Victoria patted the seat next to hers and blushing even more he came and sat in the chair beside her.
“You are happy here Viktor?” she asked and the butler nodded once glumly, but without hesitation. Victoria was about to proceed when Viktor held his hand up as if he had suddenly remembered something.
“I vould quite like to have a manservant as a member ov staff.” he said, and seeing Victoria frown, pressed on. “More of a porter than servant you see. I ave so much to do ze more menial tasks sometimes manage to elude me.”
“Such as?” she asked.
“Vell. There vos the delivery of the paint for ze zeppelin tower. I ended up stashing it under a tarpaulin. I ave no idea ven I will paint ze tower.” He leaned in closer, looking both ways before whispering, “Ve must always be on out guard for ze rust.”
“I have always thought so personally.” she said, and Viktor nodded somberly. “So you think a manservant would make the household run more smoothly?”
“Yes I do. A butler should always have his own manservant to beat. Very important, I could place an advertisement in the local paper if you vant.”
“Very well.” conceded Victoria, “I have no experience in running my own household so I shall leave it to you, Viktor. So. Apart from the absence of a manservant, you are happy here.”
“I vould quite like it if you changed your mind on allowing me to make the door squeak.” he added as an afterthought.
“No.” she said firmly, “I won’t be changing my mind on that.” Viktor however did not look especially disappointed. He had anticipated her answer to be such as it was.
“Yes I am happy here.” he said.
“Well I am very happy with you too.” With this pronouncement Viktor brightened up a great deal. “You just have to remember that although you think you are doing something for me, it is probably a good idea to ask me first before you start re-arranging the furniture.”
“I am very sorry miss Neaves.” Said Viktor, ringing his hands and looking down at the floor to avoid her gaze. “I vill ask next time.”
> “Very well.” She said, “So can I have my wardrobe back please?”
“Of course.”
“Oh and the other two plant pots as well, thank you.”
“Straight away.” He said, pausing as he continued to look at the floor.
“Miss Neaves.” He said suddenly, dragging his attention away from the ground and finally looking her in the eye. Victoria smiled at him in return. “I cannot help but overhear you sometimes. Ov course not I hear is confidential I know, but I heard you talk of a spider, yes?”
“A clockwork device yes. You really must remember not to repeat anything you hear you know Viktor, after all…”
“Yes, yes.” Said Viktor, interrupting her. Victoria was shocked. It was very unlike the butler to act in such a rude manner. He was always polite above all else. “But this spider it vas made of brass, yes?”
“Yes it was.” She said.
“I see.” Said Viktor, returning his gaze to the floor before flashing it back to her face.
“Very similar to this ant vot is under the table then?” he said and nodded at the floor.
Victoria leaned forward and gazed under the table. On the floor was a small gold coloured ant. It was the same size as an ordinary ant but as she zoomed in with her enhanced vision she saw that it was in fact made of brass, its parts a work of art, the ant moving quickly across the floor under the table towards her, marching on small metallic legs.
“Just like that in fact.” She said quietly.
As she gazed at the brass ant that was moving towards her the door to the room edged open slightly and in walked Mister Tibbs the cat.
The cat raced across the room and as it approached the table stopped abruptly and looked at the small brass ant that was heading towards Victoria.
“Explosive device.” said the cat in its usual monosyllabic tones, “Blast radius two hundred and fifty feet estimated. Device pressure sensitive.”
“The cat’s right.” said Romney in her head, “It’s a bomb. A very powerful bomb, and it’s very volatile. Whatever you do don’t try and pick it up.”
“I von’t.” said Viktor, his back suddenly upright as he edged his feet very slowly from under the table.
“Don’t shoot it either Mister Tibbs.” she said, “It would just detonate.”
“Confirmed.” said the cat, sitting back down on its metallic haunch, watching the ant closely. It continued to move towards Victoria, slowly but surely moving out from under the table towards Victoria.
“Options?” asked Victoria, watching the tiny device creep towards her.
“Well I guess we know who sent it so there is no doubt it will work.” said Romney.
“Hugo Topping.” said Victoria.
“Correct - and yes, as he has constructed it there is little doubt that it will work. So what options do we have? I have calculated we have approximately forty-five seconds before it reaches my foot.”
“Ve could run away.” said Viktor, his accent suddenly noticeably thicker than before.
“It will be programmed for that.” said Romney. “I imagine it is locked to you, Victoria. You move away it detonates.”
“Excellent. So I cannot move.”
“No.”
“I could throw myself on it.” said Viktor. “It would be a minor inconvenience but I am sure I could re-gather my vits about me as it vere.”
“I doubt you could contain the explosion, Viktor.” said Victoria. The butler looked suitably crestfallen.
“I ave had no lunch yet.” he protested, “I vill be fine.” Victoria however merely shook her head.
“I doubt very much if that matters.” she said finally. “Twenty-seven seconds.”
“I could always send it into the near future.” said Romney.
“I didn’t know you could do that.” sniffed Victoria incredulously.
“Well it’s not exactly entirely useful skill is it now?” said the demon. “Time travel - but only ever to next Tuesday.”
“How far forward can you send it to?” she asked as the clockwork ant crept nearer.
“Next Tuesday.” said Romney. Victoria stifled a giggle.
“Next Tuesday?” she asked.
“Yes. Next Tuesday. Always next Tuesday.”
“Do it, Romney.” she said.
“If I may be so bold.” said Mister Tibbs, rising from the floor and waving his metal tail as he approached the ant. “If you send me forward with it too then I can raise a containment field that will shield the house from the blast.”
“Why not do it now?” asked Viktor.
“Because you would be inside the field.” said the metal cat testily. “Next Tuesday you wouldn’t be. Presumably.”
“Ah. I see.” said the count.
“Good plan.” said Victoria. “Romney. Make it so.”
There was a small shimmer in the air and Mister Tibbs and the ant vanished instantly.
“Let’s hope the cat is quick with that containment field.” said Romney, “The second that clockwork ant cannot detect you it will detonate.”
“I must remember to be out next Tuesday.” mused Victoria. “That is quite a talent you have there that you kept quiet. But why only Tuesdays?”
“I hate Tuesdays.” explained Romney, “Tuesdays are just another Monday and they are bad enough.”
“I see.” said Victoria, rolling her eyes as Viktor undid his collar and begin to breathe again. “I really do think you could do with a day off Romney.”
“I vill make tea.” sighed Viktor, standing up. “Always a problem ve solve it with tea.”
“Of course.” said Victoria. “Now. Romney. Mister Topping has proved yet again just how dangerous he is. We must ready the skimmer for our appointment at the Heslop Manor in Darhew Green tomorrow evening. We must be extra careful.”
“Okay boss.” said Romney, “I will run the usual system checks.”
It took a little longer for Viktor to serve the tea Victoria thought. His hands were shaking quite violently when he returned and he had to delay pouring until he got his wits about him.
“I do hope the explosion next Tuesday does not create much of ze mess.” he said finally as he quickly left the room as if it was about to explode at any minute.
***
“I seem to spend half of my life crawling around people’s roofs these days.” said Victoria as she guided the skimmer over the rooftop of Heslop manor.
“In the rain.” said Romney morosely.
“Yes. Well I think the flat roof adjacent to that run of chimney stacks would be ideal.” she concluded and the skimmer slid sideways before approaching the roof and descending slowly until it stopped a good twenty feet in the air above the rooftop. Below the manor was well lit, the spacious grounds about the place lit by lamps along the drive. Victoria was impressed. It certainly looked as if a large party was in full swing, though she knew that Valiant had instructed there to be no more than ten police officers in the place, all heavily armed and protected from nerve gas.
As the skimmer descended Victoria pressed another button and it came to a halt, a hatch opening behind her. Once again she was dressed in her armoured jumpsuit, a wide belt about her waist and a bandolier across her chest. She approached the hatch and leapt out of it, forgoing the effort of releasing the rope ladder that she did not actually need. Softly she landed on the roof and walked slowly across to the chimneys. Above them the skimmer began to rise and as it did so it engaged its mist cloak and the ship disappeared from view altogether.
“Thanks Romney.” she said. “Scanning the building. Ten life signs and that’s it.”
“Yes but Topping somehow cloaked himself from us last time. I am a third level demon and I had no more of an idea where he was then you did.”
“Noted.” she said, “He will be tricky to find if I don’t know where he is.”
“Just be careful.” said Romney. “I am sure he will be here. It is just too great a chance to miss.”
Twenty minutes passed as Victoria
crept about the roof, keeping to the shadows of the chimney stacks but she could see nothing. Below the mock party in the manor somehow continued to make a great deal of noise. She found it hard to believe that there was no actual party going on below them. She edged past another chimney and gazed along the roof. It was as empty as it had been the last time that she had checked ten minutes before, and so she edged forwards and moved to check the next area of the roof. She pushed past the stack and along the edge of the roof, the guttering beside her feet. She pressed herself up against the cold, wet brickwork and eased herself forward. She rounded the corner and came to a sudden halt.
Directly in front of her, kneeling on the roof and gazing down into the gardens below was the man she had encountered several days before. He was dressed in exactly the same manner as before, she thought. The unusual shaded glasses on his face, the leather jacket, gauntlets and breaches, the pistols jutting from the holster about his waist.
“Such a delightful deception Miss Neaves.” he smiled. “Or should I say, “trap”?”
“Good evening Mister Topping.” She said. “Not quite the exacting disguise I would have expected. A pair of shaded glasses.”
He stood and turned towards her, smiling as he did so.
“They serve their purpose.” he smiled, leaning towards her.
“Jurium.” he said, smiling even wider as he did so.
“Lollipop.” said Victoria, and as she saw the look of confusion on his face her arm shot forward and curling a fist she struck him with all of her force on the chin. His head snapped backwards and he rose into the air such was the power of the blow and toppled backwards off the roof. Victoria leapt after him, her blue pulse beam flashing as she fell, but Topping spun in the air and easily avoided the blast, it tearing into the lawn that was racing up to meet them. He pulled a gun from his holster and a bright red beam sizzled through the air and shattered against the building behind her as she twisted out of the way.
He was the first to reach the ground and he spun at the last second, performing an impressive change of direction that saw him land squarely on his feet in the driveway. Victoria had already aligned herself and landed in front of him, her augmented frame absorbing the shock of the landing easily.
The Complete Adventures of Victoria Neaves & Romney Page 23