by Alan Skinner
Reach thought of Bright, nurse to all the Muddles. Bright would like to see Brindle’s Daughters, she decided.
‘We’d better think of how we’re going to catch our culprit,’ said Crimson. ‘Whoever it is, they have to cross the river from the south bank, or go through the new building to get to the island.’
Grunge nodded. He looked at the small door of the old building. ‘Is that locked at night?’ he asked.
‘Yes,’ said Brian. ‘Some time ago, a disorientated patient wandered from her room one night and out of the door. She fell into the river and drowned. They keep the door locked at night now.’
Grunge scanned the riverbank. ‘If they go through the hospital, they risk being seen. They’ll have to cross the river. That will make it easier to catch them. The southern bank is too steep to launch a boat, except for that spot.’ He pointed to a spot about two hundred metres upstream where the bank sloped to meet the river.
‘Hmmm,’ murmured Bell. ‘The river walls on the northern bank mean they can’t launch that side.’ The riverbank from the hospital down to the bridge was lined with a thick stone wall. A similar wall extended from the hospital upstream for about three hundred metres. ‘I think you’re right, Grunge. That’s the only place. It also means that they will be able to drift down to the island with the current.’
‘They might use the jetty,’ said Brian.
‘What jetty?’ asked Grunge.
Brian leaned over the wall of the bridge and looked directly down. He pointed to where the river wall met the bridge support. There was a small jetty with a metal ladder running from the jetty to the top of the wall.
‘They won’t use that to go to the island.’ Grunge was convinced he was right. ‘They’d have to row upstream. They’d be in the river too long and might be seen. No, they’ll come from upstream. But they might plan to use the jetty to escape. They’ll be able to use the current to get away quickly.’
‘We could have a patrol hiding upstream there and catch them when they get into their boat,’ said Brian.
‘I think it would be better to wait until they’re on the island,’ said Crimson, trying not to sound bossy. ‘It will be harder for them to get away then. If they spot the patrol hiding, they’ll run away and they’ll know we’ve figured it out. We’ll never get them, then.’
‘That was my other thought,’ said Brian.
‘While you’re making your plans, I’ll go and speak to the hospital staff,’ said Bligh. ‘Bell, as soon as you’re finished, you and Brian had better organise the pump and the water barrels. Brian, don’t forget to organise the western patrol in case there’s another fire.’ Bligh looked at his watch. ‘We’ll meet at the fire station at sunset.’ He walked across the bridge and went into the hospital.
With Bligh gone, Brian felt he was properly in charge. ‘So, we’ll have six or seven of us on the island -’
‘Three might be better, Brian. It doesn’t look like there’s enough cover to hide too many on the island,’ Crimson interrupted tactfully.
‘…or maybe just three,’ Brian continued. ‘And Bell and the Muddles can wait here on the bridge -’
‘Won’t Bell have to be in the roof of the new building in case there is a fire?’ interrupted Crimson again. Bell nodded his agreement.
‘…the Muddles can wait on the bridge -’ Brian went on.
‘Perhaps waiting just inside the hospital would be better? It might alert them if they spot us on the bridge.’
‘…wait in the hospital, ready to rush to the jetty -’
‘You’ll have a boat there for us, won’t you, Brian? Just in case,’ Crimson said as politely as she could.
‘…where there’ll be a boat, so that you can block their escape if they get away from the patrol on the island,’ Brian finally finished, his face flushed and looking rather irritated.
‘That’s a good plan, Brian,’ said Reach, her face as innocent as an angel’s.
‘It’ll be a three-quarter moon tonight, and it doesn’t look as if there will be any clouds in the sky,’ said Grunge. ‘That means it will be easy to spot them on the river as they row to the island. But it also means that they’ll be able to see the patrol waiting. They’ll have to be careful to stay out of sight.’
‘I have to go and make sure the other preparations are being handled properly,’ said Brian, sounding rather haughty. ‘I’ll see you at the fire station at sunset.’
Brian turned and walked back through Beadleburg, looking here and there as he went, making sure that the town hadn’t fallen into chaos while he was busy elsewhere.
Grunge leaned on the wall of the bridge, looking at the hospital. It was hard to understand how anyone could wish to destroy something so beautiful and something that had no purpose but to help others.
‘I think we could all use some sleep,’ said Crimson as she leaned on the wall on Grunge’s right. Reach did the same on his left. Calamity nudged Crimson, and she stooped and picked her up holding her so the puppy could see the hospital too. The four of them gazed at the hospital, its rippled reflection clear in the river’s water.
‘Hmmm,’ Grunge agreed. ‘I could use some sleep.’
‘The Beadles are good people, aren’t they?’ said Reach. ‘Even Brian, though he’s bossy and doesn’t like us all that much. They might not know it, but deep down I think they’re all Brindle’s Daughters.’
*
Shortly after sunset, when the time for patients to sit in the island’s grove and enjoy the air and fresh smell of the river was nearly over, Brian and two other Beadles mingled with the patients and slipped into the grove. Amid the oaks and elms they each found a place to conceal themselves, but from where they could see the part of the island where an intruder would have to land.
At the same time, Bligh and another patrol, accompanied by the Muddles, entered the new part of the hospital. Bligh had already told the administrator and the hospital staff of the night’s plans. A few of the patients had been told, but not wishing to upset those who were frail or more seriously ill, most were unaware of what the coming night might hold.
It had been agreed that as soon as Brian’s patrol had apprehended the culprit, they would blow their whistles. As soon as they heard the whistles, Bligh and his patrol would rush through the hospital and out of the door to the grove. Crimson, Grunge and Reach were to run to the jetty and get into the small boat that had been moored there. If the villain escaped the grasp of Brian’s patrol, the patrol were to blow their whistles again; two short blasts if the villain tried to go back upriver, to where a third patrol would head on hearing the first whistle. If the villain headed downriver, they would blow three blasts and the Muddles would row out to the middle to prevent the villain from escaping.
It seemed like a good plan to everyone.
‘Once they’re on the island, we have our villain cornered. There is no escape except on the river,’ Bligh said with grim satisfaction. ‘Tonight we will put an end to these attacks.’
By midnight, the patrol in the grove could feel their legs starting to cramp. They dared only wiggle their toes and rub gently on their tight muscles to get some relief. Not one of them wanted to be the one to spoil the plan by revealing their presence to the intruder. The Muddles and Beadles in the hospital had a better time of it for they had the comfort of chairs, though they were careful to sit away from the windows, through which they might accidentally be seen.
The moon cast its pale white glow on the island. Brian stole a glance at his watch. In fifteen minutes it would be an hour after midnight. He began to doubt whether they had guessed correctly. Worry filled him as he wondered whether somewhere, in another part of Beadledom, the blue fire was consuming a defenceless building.
A noise on the river pushed the worry from his head. He held his breath, straining to listen. The noise came again. Someone was on the river. Now Brian could hear the occasional scrape of an oar against a boat’s gunwale. Then, silence again.
The intruder was alm
ost on top of Brian before he realised he was there. A figure like a black ghost appeared immediately in front of the tree behind which Brian was crouching. For an instant Brian froze. He watched the figure step out of the shadow of the great oak and walk towards the hospital. The moon lit the figure like a fading spotlight, a silent, threatening hooded form in a dark, flowing robe. From the ends of the robe’s sleeves, Brian could see pale hands holding a long, thin cylinder.
The figure was only a few paces away. Brian sprang from his hiding place and threw himself on the intruder. The robed figure was taller than Brian, but Beadles are quite solid and he crashed into the intruder like a cannonball, knocking him off his feet. Both Beadle and intruder lay in a heap on the soft grass. Brian quickly rolled over, onto the intruder, putting his whistle into his mouth and blowing as hard as he could.
The intruder was strong. With a shrug of his whole body, he threw the portly Beadle from him. He started to rise, still holding the cylinder, when he was tackled by the other two Beadles. One locked his arms around the intruder’s waist, while the other lunged at his legs. Unfortunately, he only managed to grab one leg and the intruder stayed on his feet.
Inside, Bligh and the second patrol heard Brian’s shrill whistle. They raced along the corridor in the arch towards the rear door. The Muddles had dashed to the jetty and were climbing down the ladder by the time Brian’s companions had tackled the intruder.
Brian rose from the grass and charged the hooded figure. He could see its hands move, twisting the top of the strange cylinder. The door behind him crashed open and Bligh and his patrol rushed to Brian’s aid.
The intruder had the cylinder top off. Brian saw an arm draw back to throw the cylinder at the hospital. He lunged at the outstretched arm, but missed it and his hand caught in the folds of the wide sleeves. As the intruder released the cylinder Brian tugged on the sleeve. It was enough. Instead of heading for the hospital, the cylinder flew upwards, over the dark river and away from the hospital.
Near the apex of its arc, a small object dropped from the cylinder. The object glowed like a second moon; a deep, heavy, blue glow that was clear even against the dark night sky. The object rose briefly, reached the top of its flight, then plummeted towards the river.
At exactly the same moment as Bligh and his Beadles grabbed the robed figure, the glowing object hit the water. It exploded with a terrifying noise and a blinding flash. It hissed like a gigantic snake and the water erupted, cascading upwards in a huge fountain. A roar came from beneath the water and a fiery beam of blue light broke the surface and shot into the night sky. Higher than the fountain it went, upwards and upwards as if it was reaching for a distant star.
The explosion threw the Beadles and the hooded figure to the ground. The intruder rolled and drew the hood right down over his face as the blue light shot from the river. The brilliant flash blinded the Beadles. In the confusion the intruder broke free and raced to where he had left his boat. Brian forced his eyes open, desperately trying to focus on the fleeing figure. As he got up, he felt a sharp stab in his kneecap and he yelped with pain. Reaching under his knee, he felt the cold metal of his whistle. Brian took the whistle and thrust it in his mouth. Through the flashes of light still appearing in his eyes, he saw the intruder push away from the island with the oar and head downstream.
Towards the Muddles.
Brian took a deep breath and blew three short, sharp blasts on his whistle, then fell on his back. He forced his eyes to stay open. He stared up through the dark leaves of the oak tree to the night sky. He couldn’t tell which were stars and which were light spots glittering in his eyes.
As soon as the shrill sound of Brian’s first whistle had reached their ears, Crimson, Reach and Grunge were at the ladder leading to the jetty. Crimson spun in a half-circle, grabbed the rails and with her boots guiding her down the rails, she slid down the ladder without touching the rungs. Grunge watched Crimson. As she landed on the jetty, he grabbed the top of the ladder and spun himself round. He was surprised when he found he had spun round in a complete circle. He had time for one accusing look at the ladder, then dropped straight down to the jetty. He hit the wooden deck with a heavy thud. He looked sheepishly at Crimson and got to his feet.
‘Reach! Come on! Climb down! Quickly!’ he heard Crimson yell. Reach was standing at the top of the ladder, looking down, swaying to and fro.
‘I can’t!’ Reach cried. ‘I’m going to faint!’
Grunge rushed to the foot of the ladder. ‘Reach,’ he cried, ‘close your eyes and turn round!’
‘It’s no good, I’m going to …’ Reach’s voice faltered. Her body started to crumple.
‘Reach! Just close your eyes. Close them! Now!’ Crimson’s voice was firm and hard.
‘If I close my eyes, I’ll fall,’ feared Reach. ‘I’ll fall and fall and fall. I’ll fall forever!’
Crimson’s voice broke through her thoughts. ‘Now, Reach! You’ll be OK! Just close your eyes.’
She had always trusted Crimson. Reach called on all her willpower and shut her eyes.
The dizziness disappeared. In its place, Reach found an awareness of everything around her. She knew where the ladder was. She knew where the water flowed and where her friends waited below. She sensed everything in its place.
Still facing the river, she let her hands slide down the iron railing of the ladder. She felt as if she was flying as she glided down to the jetty, landing perfectly on the tips of her toes.
‘I’m fine,’ she laughed. ‘If I keep my eyes shut, I’m fine! Quick! Into the boat!’ And she stepped easily from the jetty into the boat. The others followed. They could hear the shouts as Bligh and his patrol burst through the door.
There were two sets of oars, and Grunge and Crimson grabbed them. Before Crimson could slide hers into the oarlock, Reach took the oars from Crimson. ‘I’m stronger, Crimson. You watch the river. I’ll row.’ Reach slid them into the oarlock and rowed. Crimson moved to the front. She could see the robed figure draw back its arm and then Brian grab at the sleeve. Her eyes followed the trajectory of the glowing object as it plummeted towards the river.
The River Flow erupted around them. The small boat heaved and nearly capsized. One of Grunge’s oars was torn from his hand and was taken away by the current. Water sprayed the boat, filling the bottom. Crimson and Grunge stared in shock at the pillar of water.
They were still staring when they felt the water convulse as the object exploded beneath the surface. Their eyes were fixed on the towering fountain when the brilliant beam of light shot from the water.
‘Grunge!’ cried Crimson in shock. Her eyes felt as if they had been scorched. She could feel the heat from the light searing her eyes. She shut her eyes as tightly as she could. ‘Grunge! I can’t see!’ She was thrown against the side of the boat by the waves from the explosion.
Though he tried to sound normal, she could tell from the tone of Grunge’s voice when he answered that he had been blinded, too.
‘It’s OK, Crimson. It’s just the flash. It’ll pass soon.’ Grunge pressed the palms of his hands against his eyes as hard as he could. He took his hands away and tried to open his eyes. The pain made him shut them again. ‘Don’t open your eyes yet, Crimson. Wait a few moments.’ The boat rocked and water continued to spray into the boat. ‘Reach!’ he called. ‘Are you OK?’
Reach had stopped rowing and was using the oars to steady the boat. ‘I’m fine, Grunge. As long as I can stop this thing from capsizing!’ The boat continued to heave from side to side as it was beaten by the waves from the erupting water.
Brian’s whistle cut through the echo of the explosion. ‘That’s the signal!’ cried Crimson. ‘Three! He’s coming this way!’
In a couple of minutes, the current would carry the intruder to them. It would also carry him past if they couldn’t see to catch him.
‘Reach, open your eyes. You have to look for us,’ said Crimson desperately. ‘Look upriver. What do you see?’
&n
bsp; Reach wanted to keep her eyes closed. The world seemed more balanced when she had her eyes closed. But she knew she had to open them. She could sense things but maybe some things slipped past her sense and she wasn’t going to let the intruder be one of them.
Reach opened her eyes. It took only a second to adjust to the moonlight. ‘There!’ she said in a whisper. ‘Just this side of the island. A figure in a boat. Coming straight towards us!’
The Muddles were in the very middle of the river. There was enough room on either side for the intruder to slip past and get away.
‘Row for the south bank, Reach,’ said Grunge. ‘The explosion was nearer the north bank. The water is calmer towards the south. He’ll go that way.’
Reach rowed, her strong arms working the oars without strain. She quickly brought the boat directly in front of the other. She could see the robed figure trying to change direction and use the force of the current to shoot past them, but Reach’s strength allowed her to match each shift in course.
The boats were just metres apart. The robed figure rowed furiously, casting glances over his shoulder at the approaching Muddles. There was no face, only darkness within the hood.
‘Grunge, can you see yet?’ asked Crimson.
Grunge tried. He forced his eyelids to open, trying to look at Reach. Pain shot through his head. It was not as bad, but it still made him reel. ‘No, not yet!’ he said.
‘OK,’ said Reach. ‘Listen! His boat is between us and the bank. In a few seconds we’ll be alongside. I’ll bring the boat right next to his. When you feel them touch, throw yourself to your left into the other boat. Grab him. I’ll be right behind you. Crimson, when I tell you, grab the oars. Just keep rowing upriver.’
The two boats were almost level. The robed figure was getting closer and closer to the south bank, trying to get away, but Reach stayed with him. He must have realised that the other two in the boat were blind and that Reach couldn’t do anything while she had to row, for the silence of the other boat was broken by a dry, hideous laugh.