by Denis Byrne
‘You were mildly immobilised,’ Mr. Pearson said apologetically. ‘I really only carried out the demonstration to show the Superintendent one aspect of my invention. Sorry.’
‘Mildly!’ Harrington exclaimed, breathing in deeply through his nose to calm himself. ‘I’d hate to be on the receiving end of that thing if you got carried away! What is it, anyway?’
‘I’m afraid it’s far too complicated to explain its entire intricacies just like that,’ Mr Pearson told him coyly. ‘But you needn’t worry, you won’t suffer any after-effects whatsoever.’
‘Except to your dignity, Harrington,’ the Superintendent said. ‘I expect that might take a while to recover.’ He turned to Mr. Pearson with a look of admiration. ‘I must say, Mr. Pearson, I’m extremely impressed. I take it that the other functions of your,er, invention are equally as effective? Eh?’
‘Some of them saved my life last night,’ Danny interjected before Mr. Pearson could reply. ‘I think that says it all, Super.’
‘Indeed,’ the Superintendent answered. ‘I dare say you’re right, Danny. But we’re wasting valuable time, gentlemen,’ he added, rising from behind his desk. ‘We’ve a difficult and dangerous task ahead of us.’
Harrington smiled wryly on hearing this. It was just what he was thinking himself while he was harbouring doubts about Mr. Pearson and his television remote control. But he couldn’t resist one final question as they prepared to leave the station. ‘Tell me, Mr. Pearson,’ he asked. ‘What possessed you to invent something like that in the first place?’
But Mr. Pearson just smiled at him before placing his creation back in his pocket. Maybe some day, when he got to know Harrington better, he might tell him.
*
Matthew Dawson’s emotions were in turmoil. He didn’t know it was possible to feel so angry, fearful and helpless all at the same time. He hadn’t slept properly since that – that refined ruffian had shown him the image of Lily asleep on a bed in another room of the building. There was a young woman sitting on a chair beside her, for all the world looking as though guarding her. He’d felt his heart begin to flutter alarmingly before he managed to stagger to an armchair and collapse into it. He was sure he was in for another of the attacks which had plagued him over the years until his doctor had placed him on the correct medication. His breathing became laboured, there was perspiration on his brow, and his face was flushed.
So distressed was he that Matthew wasn’t even aware at the concern that Moran was showing for his condition. He quickly summoned the doctor and, between them, they carried Matthew to the bed and laid him on it. The doctor administered a sedative, which he injected into Matthew’s arm, before unbuttoning his shirt to listen to his heartbeat with his stethoscope.
Matthew felt himself drifting between sleep and wakefulness, his eyelids flickering involuntarily as the sedative coursed through his bloodstream. He couldn’t be sure, but he thought he heard the words, ‘He’ll be fine when he wakes up.’ And someone answering, ‘It was probably the shock of - -.’ That was as much as Matthew heard before drifting off into a world of blissful sleep, floating away on soft cotton-wool clouds.
Myles had been sitting beside his bedside when Matthew awoke some hours later. ‘You gave us a fright, Mr. Dawson,’ he said soon after Matthew had come to. ‘But the doctor has assured me there’s nothing to be alarmed about. You merely worked yourself up into an unnecessary state of distress on seeing your granddaughter.’
Matthew hadn’t the energy or will to even answer. All the defiance had been knocked out of him by the knowledge that Lily was also in the hands of these criminals. He lay there staring at the ceiling, trying to block out the image of her lying on the bed looking so small and vulnerable. Waves of guilt washed over him at the thought that he himself was in some way responsible for her being abducted. If she wasn’t his granddaughter, these people wouldn’t have had the slightest interest in her. And when Myles had handed him a special untraceable phone and told him to make the call to the Minister for Justice, he’d done so without a moment’s hesitation. All that mattered was that these monsters released Lily.
*
Since making the phone call, all sorts of terrible thoughts had been running through Matthew’s mind. Even if the ransom was paid, what then? None of the people involved had taken any precautions to disguise their identities from the moment of the kidnapping itself. They didn’t seem in any way concerned their faces would be etched on his memory for the rest of his life. The same applied to those in the house who’d looked after him so well. Which only served to make him ask himself further questions. Why were they all so unconcerned? Surely they realised that if any of them were apprehended, he could pick them out of a line-up without the slightest difficulty. Did that mean - -? Matthew tried to stop himself thinking about it any further, but found it impossible not to. Poor Lily! He couldn’t stand it any longer. He had to find out more.
His breakfast was served as usual the following morning, but he didn’t eat anything. It still lay on the table untouched. He knew it would be futile asking the man who brought it anything. All he’d receive in return would be the same deafening silence, made more irritating by the polite manner in which it was accompanied. Matthew decided he had to do something.
He’d already tried to manipulate the wall-lamps in an attempt to gain access to the revolving bank of TV monitors as Myles had done, but was unsuccessful. There was obviously a locking system in place to thwart his efforts in that direction. Myles would never have allowed him to watch otherwise.
Matthew stood up and went to the door. He tried the handle, but knew even before he did so, it would be locked. He looked around the bedroom, and his eyes fell on a hard-backed volume of the Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Perfect for the job, even if it hadn’t been specifically fashioned for Matthew’s purpose. He removed it from the bookcase and used it to pound the door with all the strength he could muster.
He didn’t have long to wait before he heard the key turning in the lock and Dapper Desmond came rushing in, his Glock already in his hand, a look of alarm on his face.
It had been his stint doing guard duty outside the door, and the sudden pounding had made him almost jump out of his skin. If anything happened to the old guy on his watch, Dapper knew he’d be in it up to his neck. The Boss had issued orders that a twenty-four hour guard was to be kept outside the old guy’s door. Dapper, even though he didn’t see much sense in it, on account of the door being kept permanently locked, didn’t voice his opinion about it.
Nobody who hadn’t lost their marbles argued with the Boss. Maybe the old guy’s dodgy ticker had something to do with guys being made do sentry duty. Dapper had heard he’d had some sort of a turn only last night.
Dapper was relieved to see Matthew on his feet. He seemed to be okay. Maybe a little red-faced, but nothing to get excited about. It could be the book he had in his hands had got him worked up about something. It was big enough to mug an elephant with. Just toting a thing like that around for a while would make anyone looked flushed. ‘What’s the matter, Pops?’ Dapper went into cool mode as soon as he realised Pops hadn’t keeled over on his watch. ‘And what’s all the racket about? You using that thing for swatting flies or something?’
‘I want to speak to - - to whatever-his-name-is immediately!’ Matthew snapped, doing his utmost to recover some of his old authority. ‘The one who came to see me last night.’
‘Whoa, Pops!’ Dapper grinned at him. ‘You gotta tell me what you’re all riled up about first. See - -’.
That was as far as he got before Moran strode into the room, the doctor in his wake. When he saw the gun in Dapper’s hand his face darkened. He glared at Dapper, making him squirm, despite the fact that he was the one holding the Glock. ‘Just exactly what do you think you’re playing at, Mr. Desmond?’ he snapped. ‘Have you lost your mind entirely? Where are your manners?’
Dapper bit his lip as he replaced the Glock in his shoulder-holster. He f
elt about two feet high. ‘I didn’t do nothing, Boss,’ he said meekly. ‘I just came in to find out what all the racket was about. I thought the roof was caving in. He- -’.
‘He!’ Myles exclaimed icily. ‘How dare you speak of our guest in such terms, Mr Desmond. Please leave before you make me really angry.’
As Dapper slunk out like a whipped puppy, Myles turned towards Matthew, his face wreathed in apology, while at the same time all his old charm returned as though someone had flipped a switch in his back. ‘I’m so sorry, Mr. Dawson, for the inexcusable nature of my employee’s intrusion. I trust his display of weaponry hasn’t been a cause of further distress to you.’ Before waiting for a reply, he clicked his fingers. ‘The doctor will attend to you immediately.’
‘There’s nothing the matter with me!’ Matthew retorted. ‘I merely banged on the door to gain someone’s attention. I want to talk to you privately.’
Myles nodded in the doctor’s direction, who promptly took his leave, closing the door behind him. ‘I’m at your service, Mr. Dawson. Shall we sit down?’
Matthew replaced the tome in the bookcase and sat in one of the armchairs. Myles sank into the one opposite him, making himself comfortable, nonchalantly crossing his legs and examining his manicured hands, before entwining them and cupping them around his knee.
Matthew looked across the space between them, forcing himself not to let the contempt he felt for his kidnapper show on his face. ‘You’re obviously an educated man,’ Matthew began, ‘so I’d be obliged if you’d treat me in like manner. I realise I’m your prisoner, and the demands you’ve made for my release. I’ve complied with your request to speak to the Minister to pay the ransom as quickly as possible. I can do no more. But I’m begging you as a fellow human being to please tell me truthfully what’s going to happen to my granddaughter as soon as this is over.’
‘Why, she’ll be immediately released, Mr. Dawson,’ Myles replied, pretending to be surprised at being asked such a question. ‘What on earth made you think otherwise?’
Matthew wasn’t convinced by this assurance, earnest though it appeared to be. ‘She’s an innocent child,’ he said, fighting to keep the tears from springing to his eyes. ‘If you’d allow me to talk to her, I assure you she’ll tell the authorities nothing whatsoever about her experience. She’s a clever little girl, and once I’ve convinced her it’s for her own safety - -’
‘Please, Mr. Dawson!’ Myles interrupted, ‘No more talk of that kind, if you will. You’ve nothing to fear in that direction. Anyway, your granddaughter won’t be capable of assisting the authorities even if she wished to. The necessary precautions to ensue that will be taken when the time to release her arrives.’
‘What do you mean?’ Matthew blurted, beginning to think that his fears were correct in the first place. ‘You can do as you wish with me, but surely - -’.
‘Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!’ Myles once more cut him short. ‘What sort of person do you take me for, Mr Dawson?’
Matthew was too distraught to tell him exactly what sort of person he thought he was. The contradictions in the man’s answers were confusing him, and he decided not to antagonise him if he could at all refrain from doing so. On the one hand he was saying that Lily would be released, yet on the other was maintaining she wouldn’t be able to tell the police anything even if she wanted to.
What did he mean by that? Someone who’d done what he had was capable of anything, and terrifying memories of what had befallen innocent kidnap victims in cases he’d read about in the past flashed across Matthew’s mind like unspeakable nightmares. Finally Matthew could bear it no longer. ‘For pity’s sake tell me what you mean!’ he heard himself shout, ‘What are you going to do to her!’
‘You’re distressing yourself again, Mr. Dawson. Please, I beg you, calm yourself. I’m not a barbarian, as you so rightly pointed out earlier, but I can see you’re not prepared to take my word at face value no matter how many assurances I give you. So be it. I suppose as your host, I’m obliged to convince you otherwise.’ He smiled his warmest, most charming smile, at the same time taking a mobile out of his pocket and tapping in some numbers. ‘I’ll arrange a demonstration to put your mind at rest.’ He placed the phone to his ear. ‘Mr. Tattoo, please make your way to Mr. Dawson’s room immediately. And bring your drinking straws with you.’
Matthew stared at him, more perplexed now than at the commencement of their conversation. He wouldn’t help wondering if he was being held prisoner by a madman, however charismatic he might be. Heaven help both himself and Lily if he was right.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Linda Ladybird certainly wasn’t going to be upstaged by Madam Noseybeak on this occasion if she could help it. Two of her most reliable scouts, Laura and Lorraine, had reported back to her ten minutes after the conclusion of the meeting in the police station. She realised Danny hadn’t snubbed her own airborne squadrons deliberately the last time he’d required assistance, but a reminder of their capabilities wouldn’t go astray either. Ever since Aloysius had called the meeting outlining Danny’s request that his woodland friends should keep their eyes and ears open for anything that might lead to rescuing the kidnap victims, Linda had put her entire force of winged commandos on red alert.
Laura and Lorraine had reported back to her most of the details of the meeting in the police station. They’d slipped in through a tiny crack at the base of the windowsill, and had memorised what they’d seen and heard. They’d been careful in maintaining vigilance where the parrot was concerned, hiding themselves in the angled recess where they couldn’t be seen. Parrots being tropical birds, neither of them knew whether or not ladybirds formed part of their diet. Not being overanxious to discover their preference one way or the other, they’d ensured to keep well out of sight as they went about their business.
Linda commended them on their exploits. She was intrigued to learn of Mr. Pearson’s recruitment. Neither Lorraine nor Laura were able to explain fully the mechanics of what had gone on during the experiment on Harrington, having never seen anything quite like it in their lives before. Laura said she though Mr. Pearson was some sort of hypnotist, while Lorraine said she wouldn’t like to venture an opinion, being apprehensive at the time that she herself might possibly get caught in the beam’s firing line. All they knew in relation to Mr. Pearson was that he did incredible things, but seemed reluctant to explain how he did them.
Linda dismissed them both, then studied the configurations of Aloysius’s map they’d memorised and expertly reconstructed for her by flying in convoluted formations for five minutes until it was firmly embedded in her mind. All she had to do after they’d finished was close her eyes to project it from her brain onto the screen which all ladybirds carried inside their heads. It was so much easier to compute information in this manner, with no possibility of losing it or having it stolen. If, and here Linda couldn’t resist a self-satisfied little smile, it was written down or recorded as per Madam Noseybeak’s methods, it could be mislaid. Once inside a ladybird’s brain, though, it was safer than being in Fort Knox.
Linda had lookouts posted at all vantage points leading to the woodlands. The second Danny was seen heading in its direction, she was to be instantly informed. This could be done by one unit of the squadron flying in close formation in the shape of the letter D past the bush under which her headquarters was situated. And it was to be carried out once and once only.
On no account were they to continue with the exercise after the flyby. They were to disintegrate into single specks and return to base to await further orders. Her subordinates didn’t have to be told the necessity for such caution. They already knew that Linda was worried that if Madam Noseybeak saw the D flying round and round the woods, it wouldn’t be long before she’d be on the lookout for Danny herself. This time, Linda wasn’t taking any chances at being left out of the action.
*
Of course, Linda wasn’t to know that Madam Noseybeak had already sought out Ferdinand t
o pry everything she could from him as soon as she discovered he’d been the source of the original bulletin. Why Mrs Vixen hadn’t summoned her instead of Aloysius she’d never understand. Not in a million years!
Ever since Aloysius had called the meeting, she’d had a giant bee in her bonnet. Not because of the meeting itself, but that she hadn’t been the one prevailed upon to arrange it. After all, she was the most influential member of the woodland fraternity by a mile! And being held in such high regard by everyone, with the exception of the cats, she thought Aloysius might at least have had the good manners to choose her to announce Danny’s request to all the other creatures.
But no! Oh, no! He had to make that announcement himself, if you don’t mind! And the manner in which he did wasn’t at all in keeping with the low-key way someone like herself would have done so. Looking for notice more than anything else, Madam Noseybeak had thought to herself at the time. Trotting into the clearing with his head aloof, those artificial antlers of his newly polished for the occasion, so full of his own self-importance that it would make you wish he’d trip over something to take him down a peg or two. Then planting his forelegs on a tree-stump and gazing around importantly before addressing the assemblage, instead of getting on with it as any normal individual would do. Only thrilled with himself that Danny had approached him to do the honours.
Of course, the reason Danny did so was pretty simple in Madam Noseybeak’s eyes. Danny had obviously come looking for her, but had been waylaid by Aloysius on the way. That had to be it. Had Danny encountered her first, the listening animals wouldn’t have had to put up with all that pompous showboating and attention-seeking Aloysius carried on with, instead of getting straight to the point. Heaven knows what he’d be like if he possessed even one tenth of her competence and common sense.