by Denis Byrne
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Mr. Pearson wondered what the approaching sound was as he waited for Danny’s return. He was due back any minute. Mr. Pearson didn’t know whether he was imagining it or not, but it seemed to him it was getting darker by the second. Maybe it was later than he’d imagined.
*
Standing over the prostrate figure of the Superintendent, Teddy Tattoo was thinking the very same thing. He’d assumed there was at least another two hours of daylight left before it would disappear from the sky altogether. It could be the time had gone faster than he’d thought. And the buzzing was getting louder and louder, as though there was an unexpected storm about to spring up. Teddy was surprised. Usually, there were a few warning signs before the weather changed so dramatically. But storm or not, he certainly wasn’t going to let a mere downpour interfere with what his master had decreed. He was taking a length of cord from his pocket, about to kneel down to secure the Superintendents wrists and ankles, when a black blanket was drawn across the sky directly above his head, extending over the entire grounds and building, blocking out the light. And the buzzing had now become so loud and distinct that Teddy knew it certainly wasn’t his ears playing tricks on him. He wondered what on earth was going on.
*
Inside the house, everything was plunged into darkness. Lights were speedily switched on by the surprised occupants. The operatives manning the outside monitors were left looking at black screens. Myles Moran, still ensconced in his private office, was unaware of what was occurring outside. His office was located in such a remote part of the building, behind double walls and doors, artificial light was a necessity in it even on the brightest of days. But it wasn’t long before he was told about what was going on.
‘We’ve got a situation, Boss,’ Anna felt obliged to inform him over the speaker, even though he’d issued instructions he wasn’t to be disturbed again until Teddy had captured the last of the intruders and they were ready and waiting for him in the interrogation room, neatly trussed and blindfolded as per his orders. Apart from his curiosity regarding Mr. Pearson’s gadget, the four additional hostages would be a further bargaining chip towards ensuring the ransom be transferred without further delay. There wasn’t all that long to go, anyway, and a word in the ear of the Minister that he could commence making arrangements for six funerals instead of two should concentrate that dear man’s mind delightfully altogether. But that phone call might not even be necessary. Myles was confident he’d receive the confirming email from his banker before the deadline.
‘I take it Mr. Tattoo has completed his mission successfully, Miss Conway,’ he purred into the speaker.
‘Er, not – not exactly, Boss,’ Anna replied, a trifle nervously. ‘Something weird is happening outside.’ She knew Myles wouldn’t be able to hear the mysterious buzzing from his soundproofed office, ‘It’s gone pitch black all of a sudden, and – and there’s this eerie buzzing sound - -’.
‘Perhaps you should check for bumblebees, Miss Conway,’ Myles told her as patiently as he could manage, thinking to himself that even someone of his serene temperament shouldn’t have to put up with information regarding nonsensical trivialities, especially at such a crucial point in a much more important development. ‘They do tend to buzz quite a lot.’ He paused a few seconds. ‘And what do you mean, Miss Conway, regarding Mr. Tattoo’s task? What does not exactly imply, might I enquire?’
‘It’s hard to tell, Boss. We do have one prisoner in the interrogation room already, but what’s going on now has kind of left Mr. Tattoo in the dark out there,’ Anna told him, biting her lip as soon as she’d realised what she’d said. ‘What – what I mean is, we don’t know how he’s getting on at the moment. We’ve lost him on our monitors.’
‘I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you, Miss Conway. I’m sure Mr. Tattoo will be able to cope admirably, whatever situation he finds himself in. And not to be too ironic regarding the difficulties you are encountering, I believe I issued instructions he was to wear an earpiece until his mission had been concluded. Please see to it one of our command operatives communicates with him through it at once. That shouldn’t be too difficult for them, I presume, unless they’ve deteriorated into complete vegetables since I brought them into my employ. You think you can manage under your own initiative now, Miss Conway, or must it be left to me to do everything myself?’
Anna sighed. She hated it when the Boss treated her like an imbecile. Which, in fairness to him, he rarely did. But she knew he had a lot on his mind right now, and she didn’t want to add to his problems by telling him the operatives had already tried to contact Teddy. Either his earpiece wasn’t working anymore or he’d taken it out himself. She signed off without another word.
*
Mr. Pearson was intrigued. Even though it had been a dullish day up to this, with the sun only peeping out now and then from behind grey clouds, he’d never been fortunate enough to be present at an eclipse before. For surely that was what was taking place now. But the continual buzzing accompanying the blackout was rather perplexing. He presumed it was part of nature’s performance on such occasions, as astronomy and the like didn’t really fall within the range of his expertise. But the eclipse appeared to be only a partial one. Mr. Pearson could still see daylight in the distance in all directions beyond the limits of the house and the grounds. It seemed strange, yet there it was above him, a buzzing black blanket shutting out the light in the immediate vicinity. Definitely an experience to savour, he thought, odd though it was. And it would probably be of assistance to Harrington and the Superintendent too, enabling them to approach the house without being seen as easily as they would have been earlier. Maybe it was an omen of some kind. He couldn’t help wondering, though, what in the name of blithering blues blazes was delaying Danny’s return.
*
And if the truth were to be shouted from the rooftops, Linda Ladybird wasn’t overjoyed about Danny’s dalliance either. She realised it was being caused by Danny’s inability to refuse any of his woodland friends practically anything, but there were times when she wished he wasn’t quite so thoughtful and caring. As her Grandmother had once remarked whilst applying mascara to her spots to embellish them, there were always those only too willing to take advantage once they realised someone was too soft-hearted. And at this particular moment, Linda was beginning to think her Grandmother was perfectly right.
She was perched on Danny’s shoulder, tapping one of her delicate little legs on it, wishing she had more bodyweight so that he might feel the impatience emanating from her tiny frame. Of course, she knew she was wasting her time in that direction. She’d a good mind to bite his ear, but was too well brought up to actually do so. She wondered what her squadrons must be thinking as they awaited her next command. She’d no hesitation in sending them on ahead without her after Danny’s request as to how they should be utilised. In fact, Linda had been overjoyed to at last be asked for her forces to be actively deployed in the operation, but she might have known something would happen to delay her own involvement in the encounter itself.
And sure enough, it did. Just as Danny had remounted the flying goat after seeking her out and asking for her assistance, who should appear from out of nowhere but Ollie the otter. They’d been all set to leave, her squadrons lined up in formation behind the goat, ready to take off at Linda’s command, when out he popped from thin air to waylay Danny. Before her squadrons left, she really should have ordered some of her team to whiz around his silly hypochondriac’s head and give him something else to add to his list of complaints, but she refrained, knowing that Danny would take a dim view of such treatment. Much as she admired Danny, she couldn’t help thinking that a good long course in assertiveness wouldn’t do him any harm at all where certain matters were concerned.
‘Ah, Danny!’ Ollie wailed weakly, clutching himself around the middle as though attempting to prevent himself from splitting in half. ‘I thought I sniffed the aroma of that gorgeous goat of
yours. You’re just in the nick of time. I was preparing for the end. Another day, I was telling myself, and I’d surely be done and dusted. I was only reading recently in the Otter’s Medical Monthly that kidneys stones can do for you quicker than you can say calcium calcification.’
‘Kidney stones, my eye!’ Linda muttered under her breath. ‘It’s more likely he’s stuffed that stupid mouth of his with more truffles than would scupper a battleship. He looks fatter every time I see him.’
Danny pretended not to catch these remarks close to his ear. ‘I’m sorry to hear that, Ollie,’ he said kindly, ‘but I don’t think you’ve really anything to worry about. A kidney stone isn’t all that serious. Drink plenty of water and you’ll get rid of it in no time.’
‘What do you mean, I’ll get rid of it in no time?’ Ollie demanded, put out at the simplicity of the remedy he’d been given. ‘This one’s the size of a football!’ He clutched himself tighter as though to emphasise the seriousness of his condition, fully intending to roll around the grass and howl in agony if needs be. ‘You’ll have to come up with a better one than that, I’m afraid.’ He gazed plaintively at his clasped midriff. ‘I’ll be as stiff as an icicle tomorrow unless you let me have one of your special cures. You’re the only one can save me, Danny.’
Danny pretended to sift through his mind for a suitable remedy. He knew Ollie wouldn’t be satisfied until he’d come up with something out of the ordinary. He took a few minutes more, hoping he looked sufficiently studious, even though he was aware that Linda was fit to be tied as he lingered over his decision. But then, he told himself, it was impossible to please everyone. And he certainly hadn’t forgotten about the seriousness of his part in the rescue mission either. Had he known Harrington had been so foolhardy as to dash off on his own like that, forcing the Superintend to follow suit, he’d never have given Ollie so much attention. But he thought the three other members of the team were still waiting for him behind the safety of the gate.
‘I’ve got it!’ he said at last, making Linda throw her eyes heavenwards. ‘A sure-fire remedy if ever there was one. It never fails, Ollie. It’ll dissolve both kidney and gallstones and any other stones you care to mention. Now listen carefully.’
Ollie picked up his ears, concentrating intently as Danny gave him the remedy to cure his problem. At a quarter to nine exactly, not a second before or after, he was to boil a mixture of mothballs, eggplants and watercress in a saucepan until they’d blended with each other to form a liquid with the map of Australia floating on the surface. Then swallow the lot in one single gulp before going down under to bed.
‘I guarantee, Ollie,’ Danny assured him, ‘that when you wake up, that kidney stone will have disappeared to the other side of the world.’
Ollie’s eyes filled up with gratitude. Linda’s were emitting fire. ‘Don’t you think we’d better get going!’ she hissed into Danny’s ear. ‘Now that you’ve brought him back from death’s door for about the hundred time! My squadrons will be the ones needing medical attention if we hang around here much longer. They haven’t got built-in engines, you know! I - -’. She stopped abruptly, as though she’d suddenly been struck dumb and was incapable of continuing with whatever else she was about to say, her body becoming rigid, her eyes set in fixed concentration.
‘What’s the matter with her?’ Ollie demanded, thinking she was feigning some sort of illness in order to gain Danny’s sympathy and divert attention away from his much more serious affliction. ‘She looked perfectly all right not two seconds ago. She’s probably just faking it.’ Then, not bothering to wait around to discover whether she was or not, Ollie did an about turn and headed off into the undergrowth in search of the ingredients to cure his own dreadful ailment.
‘What is it, Linda?’ Danny asked, alarmed at her sudden trancelike condition. ‘Is there something the matter with you? We’re all set to go now.’
‘Shush!’ Linda hissed, still static, staring fixedly at nothing in particular. ‘My telepathic sensor is in receiving mode. It’s my Chief Squadron Leader.’
Danny did as he was told. He watched in fascination as Linda took in the transmission and transferred it onto the screen of her mind’s eye. He already knew ladybirds had special telepathic powers, but had no idea of the operational procedures involved. He suspected Linda was receiving an update on how things were progressing on the battle front. But he wouldn’t have been very happy had he been able to hear the mind exchanges which were presently being engaged in by Linda and her Squadron Leader.
S.L. : Covering darkness successfully been deployed over designated area, Commander, but unsure how much longer hovering energy levels can be maintained. Some force members already in a state of distress. Over!
Linda: Hold your position for as long as possible. Essential you encourage morale throughout the entire force. Remind individual members of the importance of their mission. If necessary, you have my permission to kick butt, but only as a last resort. Have the other member’s of Danny’s rescue team been sighted? My information is that all three of them should be sheltering behind a steel gate awaiting his return. Over!
S. L. : Only one in that position from what I can see through my night goggles. From the description supplied by our scouts on their eavesdropping visit to the police station the day of the meeting, I believe it to be Mr. Pearson. But wait, Commander! Something is developing as we speak! Let me check my recall screen! Yes, it’s definitely him! Superintendent Clifford. He appears to have been overcome and rendered unconscious by one of the gang. We’re going in, Commander! No time for further communication. Over and out!
Linda immediately returned to normality. ‘Trouble, Danny, big trouble!’ she hissed urgently into his ear. ‘One of your team is missing and another appears to be in imminent danger. My Squadron Leader’s presently trying to deal with it before it’s too late. No more time to waste. Let’s go! I’ll fill you in on the way.’
Danny felt a chill run down his spine. As he urged Charlie to break the sound barrier on the way back, he chided himself for being foolish enough to listen to Ollie’s pleas in the first place. Him and his calcium calcification!
*
Eight sections of the overhanging black blanket disengaged from the main force and formed into rocket formations. The result was that eight separate shafts of daylight suddenly shot down from overhead, and Teddy could once more see what he was about. He’d seen so many strange phenomena in his years in Tibet, the extraordinary weather patterns which seemed to be occurring right now didn’t faze him in the slightest. He was just thankful that enough light had now returned so that he could carry on with his task. His victim was still out cold, though breathing peacefully, and looking as though he was enjoying his induced slumber thoroughly. Teddy was almost tempted to stick his thumb in his mouth like an infant. But orders were orders.
As he knelt down and was reaching to draw the Superintendent’s arms behind his back to secure his wrists, Teddy heard this tremendous whistling sound coming through his earpiece. At least, that’s where he thought it was coming from. What are they trying to do, he growled to himself, wreck my eardrums? He grabbed at the earpiece and yanked it out. But the whistling continued, only it was getting louder and louder by the second. Teddy frowned. That was about all he had time to do before he was engulfed in swarms of ladybirds, all coming at him from different directions. To say he didn’t realise what was happening would be perfectly true. Before he knew it, there were ladybirds making their way up his nostrils and into his ears. They gave him a beard, a moustache and a wig, then covered his face entirely, smothering every available inch of his body in their tens of thousands. Poor Teddy couldn’t see or hear, and could barely breathe, but the worst part of all for him was that he hadn’t a notion of what was going on.
So, for probably the first time in his life, Teddy panicked. Walking over white-hot coals or trying to pin down an elusive garden gnome had been a picnic compared to this. Every single lesson he’d learned regarding copi
ng with practically every perilous situation known to man was forgotten. Meditation never even entered his head. Nothing did, except for the terror-driven, primeval instinct of self-preservation. But how he was to achieve that, he’d simply no logical idea. He jumped up and commenced to run around in circles, his massive, ladybird-laden arms whirling like windmills in between trying to brush off his tormentors with his hands. For every thousand or so he managed to dislodge, another thousand took their place, buzz-buzz-buzzing him to distraction. Teddy continued running, this time in a straight line, unable to see where he was headed, but hoping it was towards the house so he could dive into the swimming pool.
Then he crashed into something so solid it knocked him onto his back. Initially, Mr. Pearson thought it was a Yeti who’d come dashing out through the gate. Teddy really did look the part. He was certainly big enough, and covered the way he was, anyone could have been excused for mistaking him for the Abominable Snowman. When he ran straight into the frozen form of Dapper Desmond, the force of the impact sent ladybirds flying in all directions, at the same time flooring Teddy. As he was hauling himself to his knees, Danny came whizzing along on Charlie. Teddy’s eyes had momentarily been cleared of ladybirds in his collision with Dapper. They almost popped out of his head when he saw the winged goat. He was having a most unusual day. But enough was enough. Nothing was going to deter him from his task.
As he scrambled to his feet to deal with whatever he had to, Charlie screeched to a halt in front of him. ‘Zap him, Mr. Pearson!’ Danny yelled, making Charlie rear up on his hind legs as Teddy threw himself forward. He’d wrestled yaks as part of his training with the monks, so this overgrown goat wasn’t going to present him with any great difficulty. Or so he thought. Charlie sailed over his head at a touch from Danny’s knees, and as Teddy spun around in confusion, the ladybirds swarmed all over him again. Mr. Pearson trained the beam on him and depressed the freeze button, creating the most bizarre looking image any of them had ever seen. Teddy, coated from head to toe in ladybirds, was caught in a statuesque pose, his head at right angles to his massive frame, one hand up shading his eyes, looking for all the world as though he were scanning the horizon for something or other.