by Lana Axe
A loud bang echoed throughout the workshop, rattling the mouse’s bones and nearly knocking him off his feet. When the smoke cleared, he saw Lionel’s shape stepping through the open door. As the mouse ran through behind him, he glanced at what had been the door. It was now bent and scorched.
Lionel tried to get his bearings, not knowing exactly where he was. Cali struggled against him, wanting to be put down. Too afraid she might get lost, Lionel clutched her tighter and stroked her fur. She ceased her wriggling and relaxed in his arms rather than force him to release her. Struggling too hard could harm her old friend.
“We’ll just have to find us a carriage,” he said. When he saw the empty streets and all the lamps lit, he knew the hour was far too late. No carriages were in service. “We’ll find our way,” he said, reassuring both Cali and himself. He walked a few blocks before he realized where he was. “Ah!” he said. “It’s this way.” With new confidence to his steps, he hurried along the sidewalk.
A few blocks from home, he remembered that his hat had fallen when he was kidnapped. His apartment key was tucked inside it. If he wanted to go home without waking his sister for the spare, he needed to retrieve the key. Taking a deep breath, he found the courage to return to the alley where he’d been attacked. It was dark, and his hat was black, making it nearly impossible to find.
“Drat,” he said, swiping at the darkness with his foot.
Out of nowhere, he saw a glint. It was the key! And it was moving. Wrinkling his brow, he watched as the key approached, still attached to his hat. It came to a halt at his feet, and he bent down to retrieve it. He heard a mouse squeak as he lifted it, and he jumped backward. So did the mouse. Emmit ran and flattened himself against the wall to avoid Lionel’s feet. Humans had heavy feet, and frightening one could result in a mouse being crushed.
“Um, thanks,” Lionel said to the darkness. He wondered if he was dreaming or if a mouse had really just brought him his hat. Placing the hat on his head, he spun on a heel and headed for home.
Carefully securing the door behind him, Lionel checked it two more times before setting Cali down. She looked up at him, examining him for any sign of injury. He was walking fine, though he had a few bruises. All in all, he seemed to be all right.
Making his way into the kitchen, Lionel’s mind was still whirling from his harrowing day. He grabbed a tin from the cabinet and opened it, dumping the entire contents into a bowl. He placed it on the floor for Cali. Taking a seat cross-legged on the floor, he stroked her soft fur as she ate.
“I’m glad you found me, Cali,” he said. “I don’t know how I would have got out of there. You’re the best cat in the world.” Leaning in, he kissed the calico on top of her head. No implant could have taught her to come to his aid. There was no invention that could install empathy or loyalty into a cat, or a person for that matter. Cali had learned all that on her own. She was even more remarkable than he ever thought possible. “Until the day I die, Cali, I promise to be the best friend a cat ever had.”
A purr rattling in her throat, Cali nudged his hand and returned to her meal of sliced chicken and gravy. It was superb, and she licked every drop from her dish before washing the remnants from her face.
Lionel was more at ease after he’d had a while to sit and think. Before turning in for the night, he shoved half the apartment’s furniture against the front door. The rear door was secure enough. If Morcroft wanted in that way, he’d have to make it past the factory’s security system, and Cali could hear a pin drop, even if she were asleep. “Let’s have a little rest,” he said to her. She happily followed him to the bed and curled up near his feet.
* * * * *
“Lionel? Are you in there?” Florence called from outside the door. It wasn’t like him not to answer after the first knock. She began to wonder if he’d gone out early.
Cali kneaded her paws against Lionel’s chest, gently rousing him from his sleep. With a soft mew, she let him know it was time to get up.
“Morning already?” he asked. Sitting up and grabbing his pocket watch, he saw that it was actually midmorning. He’d overslept, but the rest was necessary. Hearing a voice at the door, he said, “Florence.” Tossing the covers aside, he hurried to the door.
“There you are,” Florence said as he opened the door. “Are you ill? You don’t look so good.”
His disheveled hair wasn’t the only sign something was amiss. He wore only one sock and his pant leg was rolled halfway up. “It was a rough day yesterday,” he said. “And then a rough night too.”
“What happened?” she asked, concerned.
“Have a seat, and I’ll tell you,” he said. Retrieving an upholstered chair from the front door, he motioned for her to sit.
“Redecorating?” she asked, taking note of the piled furniture.
“Not at all,” he replied, sinking into a chair of his own. “I was kidnapped after I left the factory yesterday.”
Florence gasped and pressed a hand against her heart. Cali hopped onto her lap and purred, calming her. “By who?” she asked, scratching at the cat’s cheeks.
“Jamison Morcroft,” he answered. “He’s got some scheme he’s working on, and he wanted me to help him. I refused.”
“That’s why he kidnapped you?” she wondered.
“He sent his henchmen to rough me up a little,” he said, his face reddening with anger. “Nothing too bad since he didn’t want them caving my head in.” Pausing, he worried at the purple bruises on his wrists. “Left me with a bag over my head until Morcroft returned making his demands.”
“At least he let you go,” she commented.
“He didn’t,” Lionel said. “I don’t know how long he would have held me there. It was Cali who came to my recue.”
Florence gasped again and looked down at the cat in her lap. “How on earth?” she asked.
“Beats me,” Lionel replied. “But there’s no doubting that she’s one amazing cat.”
“Do you know what Morcroft is planning?” she asked. “Something criminal?”
“No doubt it’s criminal,” he replied. “But I didn’t get the details. He said he’d pay me, but I’d have to join the Guild. That way he could keep a close eye on me.”
“You have to go to the police,” she said.
“I can’t do that,” he replied. “I don’t have any proof, so Morcroft can’t be punished. What he can do is want revenge for my squealing, and I can’t have that. He could harm you or Cali to get back at me.”
“Then what are you going to do?” she asked.
“Lie low for a while,” he replied. “And fashion a better lock for that door. Maybe I’ll rig up a device to let me watch my own back while I’m out.”
Nodding, Florence said, “Those are good ideas.”
“I think he’s got some scheme in mind that has to do with Cali,” he went on. “After seeing him at the exhibition, I should have known he’d try something.” Shaking his head, he said, “I thought he might try to steal Cali. I never dreamed he’d come after me.”
“Did he ask you about her?” Florence asked.
“He mentioned that whatever he’s making could use technology like hers,” he responded. “He’s interested, make no mistake. But I was careful. Her creation is a trade secret, and he won’t pry it from my lips. I burned all her schematics as I implemented them. All that information is stored in the safest place I can put it.” He pointed to the side of his head. “Let’s see him steal the design from in there.”
With a sympathetic smile, Florence said, “I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”
The ideas were already forming in his mind as he stared over at the front door. “I know just what to do with that door,” he said. “Morcroft’s henchmen won’t be getting through it in a hurry. If they manage it, they’ll wish they hadn’t.”
Florence smiled. “That’s the brother I know,” she said. “Morcroft isn’t half the inventor you are.”
“I’ll need to take the train to Woodsborough,” Lionel said. “It
’s the quickest way, but they don’t allow cats on board. Can you keep an eye on Cali for a few days?”
“Of course,” she replied. “What’s in Woodsborough?”
“An old friend of mine,” he said. “He makes the parts I’ll be needing for the new lock mechanism. And he won’t breathe a word of it to any living soul.”
“I’m glad there’s someone you can trust,” she commented.
“What about you?” he asked, suddenly growing concerned.
“Of course you can trust me!” she replied. What was he thinking?
“Not that,” he said. “I know I can trust you. I meant, are you going to be safe while I’m away? Not to mention Cali. Morcroft might even try something at the factory.”
“The factory has its security system,” she reminded him. “I know the installer,” she said with a wink, “and it works perfectly well. I’ll look in on Cali and make sure she’s fed. I can take care of us both.” A patch of lace on her skirt covered a hidden pocket. Reaching inside, Florence pulled out a small revolver, just enough so her brother could see it.
Raising his eyebrows, he nodded his approval. She’d always had an independent nature, even as a child. Their mother used to say “that girl is plumb wild.” Florence lived life on her own terms, uninhibited by society’s rules. She didn’t need a husband to protect her. She could make her own way in life, and that’s exactly what she did. Lionel was proud of his sister. She was strong and intelligent, and she wasn’t afraid to let others know it.
“I’ll leave right away,” he said. “And I’ll be back as quick as I can. The train runs through Woodsborough daily, so it won’t be long.”
“Do you need funds?” she offered.
He groaned a bit, reluctant to ask for money. The truth was, he had very little of it at the moment. Most of his earnings went into whatever invention he was working on. One invention paid for the next, and any extra he spent on treats for Cali. He was never good at saving money. Scratching at his head, he muttered, “I’m not sure how much everything will cost…”
As he trailed off, Florence opened her cloth purse and pulled out a stack of neatly folded bills. “Here,” she said, taking several from the bundle. “Use what you need, and bring the rest back.”
With a nod of gratitude, Lionel took the money and secured it in his vest pocket. “Thank you,” he said, feeling a little embarrassed. He was the one who should be taking care of her, but the smile on her face let him know she was proud to take care of him instead. He’d work it off in the factory soon enough.
Observing his own manner of dress, Lionel said, “I guess I should get cleaned up before I go.”
“I quite agree,” she said, laughing. “Looking like that they’ll think you a vagrant and send you away from the station.”
Lionel laughed too and rose from his seat. Embracing his sister, he said, “I’ll see you soon.”
Cali hopped from Florence’s lap and watched as she exited to the factory. Weaving between Lionel’s ankles, she let him know she would miss him while he was away.
“I’m glad that Morcroft didn’t try to steal you,” he said. “I’d have his hide.” Lifting the calico, he cradled her in his arms. “If he ever does come near you, you use every skill you possess to get away from him. Don’t hesitate for one second to use those claws.”
Nuzzling his face, she purred near his ear to let him know she understood. She didn’t fear Morcroft. Only the thought of losing her dearest friend could frighten her. For her own safety, she held no fear. Like Florence, Cali could take care of herself. As a kitten on the streets, she had learned how to fight and how to survive. Life with Lionel was comfortable, but she hadn’t forgotten her origins.
After a quick bath and a change of clothes, Lionel was nearly ready to depart. All that remained was to put out plenty of food for Cali. After filling two bowls, he brought a few tins out of the cabinet and left them on the table so Florence didn’t have to go looking for them. Patting Cali on the head, he said, “Florence will be around to keep the bowls full.” She purred back at him and followed as he made his way to the door. After securing his hat, he exited through the factory door, leaving most of the apartment’s furniture propped against the main entrance. Cali perched herself on her windowsill and watched him as he climbed into a carriage and disappeared from sight. There was little else for her to do but nap.
After a few hours snoozing, Cali wondered if she shouldn’t check in with Florence at the factory. Stretching her back and legs, she started to hop down, but movement outside the window stopped her. Standing on his hind legs and peering inside the window was Emmit.
“Emmit,” she said, happy to see him. “Come inside.”
The blue-gray mouse squeezed himself through the window. “Good day, Cali,” he said.
“I’m glad to see you weren’t hurt,” she said. “You didn’t come back with us last night, and I was a little worried.” In a short time, she’d grown quite fond of the little mouse. It would be a shame if he came to harm. He was now among the few she considered her friends, and that meant he would have her protection whenever he needed it.
“I spotted a pastry wrapped in newspaper,” the mouse said. “I couldn’t pass that up. After I ate, I was too tired to follow. But I’m here now.” He grinned at her with tiny white teeth.
“I wanted to thank you for all your help last night,” she said. “I might never have found Lionel without you. I’m in your debt.”
“I’m glad I could help,” Emmit replied.
“And great work with that dog!” she said, remembering how heroic the little mouse had been. He hadn’t hesitated for a moment, even though he could have been eaten in a single gulp. “You were brilliant.”
“Ah, go on,” he said, tilting his head to look modest. In fact, he was quite proud of himself. “There was nothing to it, really,” he said, waving his hand. “When you think about it, dogs are easy to manipulate.”
“I think you’re one extraordinary mouse,” she said, purring. With her scratchy tongue, she licked the mouse’s fur until every inch of him was clean and soggy.
Emmit cringed with each stroke, unused to such attention from a cat. Her breath smelled faintly of chicken, and he was pleased that it lingered on his fur. The scent of food was far more pleasing to a mouse than the flowery scents humans often wore.
When she was finished, she curled up next to the mouse. Settling in, the two enjoyed a brief nap in the sunlight. A rumbling tummy woke Cali, and she hopped from her perch. Emmit followed.
“There’s plenty of chicken if you’d like some,” she said.
“I’d be delighted,” the mouse replied, licking his lips.
Cali watched astonished as the little mouse gulped down the food. For such a small creature, he could certainly eat a lot.
“Where’s Lionel?” Emmit asked as he licked his fingers. “Did he make a report with the police?”
Shaking her head, Cali said, “He went off to get parts for the door. He’s making the lock stronger and staying away from Morcroft. He said going to the police would only cause more trouble.”
“He might be right about that,” Emmit said. “What are you going to do?” He didn’t know Cali well, but he knew enough to suspect she wouldn’t let the matter drop. Her friend had been mistreated, and Cali would find a way to hold Morcroft accountable.
“I want to keep an eye on Morcroft and find out what it is he’s planning,” Cali said. “He wanted Lionel to work for him, and I’d like to know exactly what kind of work it was. Lionel suspected it was illegal. Maybe if I can figure out his plans, I’ll be able to expose him for the criminal he is. Would you be willing to help me?”
Emmit thought about it for a moment. “I’ll tell you what,” he said. “If you can leave out a bit of cheese for me now and then, I’ll swing by Morcroft’s workshop daily to check for anything unusual.”
“You’ve got a deal,” Cali said.
With Lionel away, Cali’s first instinct was to guard
the apartment. Luckily, Emmit could keep his eyes on the streets and let her know if Morcroft was making any sort of move. But there was one other who might see something, and Cali would have to go out to speak with her. It would likely be a while until Florence returned to check on her, so now was as good a time as any.
Undoing the lever that held the window closed, she parted the two sections and slipped outside. Carefully she prowled along the cobblestone street, her eyes scanning each carriage as it passed by. Four went by, but none of them were drawn by Nellie. Sitting back on her haunches, Cali decided to wait.
After nearly an hour, she wanted nothing more than to curl up and go to sleep. But she couldn’t leave herself exposed that long, and returning to the apartment without talking to the horse was unacceptable. Grumbling, she pounced across the street and crept along the alleyway. Two blocks away, she spotted another carriage. It pulled over, letting a passenger out and, by sheer luck, it waited for the passenger to return.
Sending power to her haunches, she raced along the street, a black swish of horsetail ahead of her. Rounding the carriage, she meowed with delight. It was Nellie.
“Hello there!” Cali called to her.
“Well, hello!” Nellie replied. “Nice to see you again.”
“And you as well,” the cat said. “I wanted to ask a favor of you, if you would be so kind.” Obviously the horse owed her no such courtesy, but she seemed friendly and helpful. Cali was sure she’d agree.
“What do you need?” Nellie asked, tilting her head sideways. “Need a ride?” She wasn’t sure how else she could be of help to such a special cat.
“No, it’s not that,” Cali responded. “Do you happen to know Jamison Morcroft?”
The horse’s eyes shifted from side to side as she thought about it. “Yes,” she replied. “His workshop is a few blocks away. He hires us now and again, but he never tips the driver.” She shook her black-and-white head.
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Cali said. “He’s an awful man. He kidnapped my friend Lionel and tried to force him to work on some criminal venture.”