The two men broke into a trot and crossed the dark courtyard into the junkyard proper. They zigzagged their way through mounds of metal and rusted machines. The tiny bit of moon lit their way just enough they avoided any accidents. The baying of the hounds grew closer with every passing second.
“We ain’t gonna make it, Lenny,” a panting Squiggy said. “Them dogs must be just about nipping on our heels.”
“Don’t worry, Squiggy. We’ll make it,” Lenny said, indicating a light a few yards away. “There’s the boss’ workshop now.”
The barking of the dogs sounded only inches away, spurring both men to a final burst of speed. They rushed through the door and slammed it closed behind them looking at each other with relief. The door shuddered as several bodies smashed against it. The sound of scratching and whining traveled through the thick wood.
“See, Squiggy. I told ya we’d make it,” Lenny said. “Now, spread out and get looking for the explosives.”
“You got it, Lenny.” Squiggy ran around the room picking up and throwing items over his shoulder in wild abandon.
“Squiggy!” Lenny waited for the man to stop his rampage. When he didn’t Lenny called out again. “Squiggy, what are you doing?”
Squiggy stopped and turned to face Lenny. “I’m looking for explosives like you told me too.”
Lenny walked up to the man and put a meaty hand on his shoulder. “Do you even know what you’re looking for?”
Squiggy scratched his head. “Stuff that goes boom?”
“Squiggy, you saw the explosives we put out in the water, didn’t you?” Lenny corrected himself quickly. “Before we put them in the water?”
“Oh yeah,” Squiggy said with a look of comprehension.
“That’s what we’re looking for. And for the record, I don’t think the boss wants us to trash his workroom, okay?”
Squiggy’s expression fell. “Oh, yeah. I didn’t think of that.”
“Good. Now you know. So just look for a crate or box with the word ‘explosives’ on it.”
“Will do.” Squiggy rummaged more carefully through the workroom. After five minutes he turned back. “Um, Lenny?”
“Yes, Squiggy?”
“How do you spell explosives?”
“Oh for crying out loud. It starts with an ‘e’.”
“Oh.” He went silent for another minute. “Lenny?”
“Yes, Squiggy.”
“What does an ‘e’ look like?”
Lenny checked his partner to see if he was joking. “Don’t you know how to read?”
Squiggy blushed. “I was kicked out of school when I was in the first grade. Teach said I was too dumb and was holding back the other kids.”
“No kidding?” Lenny felt a sense of sadness for his friend. “Come over here, Squiggy. I’ll write the word you want to look for, okay?”
Squiggy’s smile was a warm glow. “That would be great, Lenny. Thanks.”
Lenny pulled a piece of paper out of his suit pocket followed by a pen. He started to write the word ‘explosive’ when the communication console in the workroom buzzed. He flipped a switch, and a screen with the glaring Felonious rose from the console.
“Change of plans, boys,” Felonious said. “I want you to hold off on the explosives for a bit longer and come over to my main workroom to help me with something. If you have the explosives, bring them along. I can use them, otherwise, just come to give me a hand.”
“Sure thing, boss,” Lenny said. He toggled the switch to lower the screen and end the call. “Looks like the boss wants us in his workroom.”
Lines formed on Squiggy’s forehead. “But isn’t this his workroom? I don’t understand.”
“This is one of his workrooms. You know the boss has labs and work places all over the estate.”
“Yeah, I guess so,” Squiggy answered. “So what are we gonna do?”
“We do as the boss says and go to his main workroom.” Lenny spied something out of the corner of his eye. “Hey, what do ya know? There is the crate of explosives too.”
He walked over to the box and picked it up. It was heavy and took most of his effort to carry it. “Hey, why doncha give me a hand here?”
“We’re taking this too?” Squiggy said nervously. “What about those dogs out there?”
“Oh, don’t worry about them,” Lenny said. “The main workroom is attached to this one by underground tunnels. We don’t have to go back outside at all.”
“I wonder why the boss wouldn’t have the workrooms attached to the house,” Squiggy asked
“You know, I think they are,” Lenny said.
“Then why did we go outside where the dogs could get us?”
“I honestly don’t know. Now shuddup and grab the box.”
Lenny led his befuddled comrade to the tunnel door, and they made their way to the main workroom. Felonious was already there working hard on a beautiful gleaming carriage. The vehicle shined in a malignant black and was a vision of pipes and chrome. The wheels were made of the finest rubber and a single seat was at the front for the driver. The steam-powered carriage was the picture of grace and power.
When Felonious saw them he spoke. “Ah, gentlemen. How good of you to come. And with the explosives too, I see. Excellent.”
“What can we do to help you out, boss?” Squiggy asked.
“Well, it occurred to me that the French ship might be quite impossible to approach, what with the ceremony and dignitaries who will be attending it. Only those people who look like they belong will be allowed close enough to attend.”
“Okay, boss. But how does that include us?”
Felonious’ nose twitched. “I’m getting to that, lackey. Do not interrupt me.”
“Sorry, boss.”
Satisfied that Squiggy wouldn’t speak again, Felonious continued, “This carriage will guarantee you won’t be stopped when you go to the dock.”
“I can see how the fancy steam carriage might do that. Even if Squiggy and me are doing the driving. But how will that help us to blow up the ship?” Lenny asked.
“It won’t,” Felonious said. “I have other plans for the carriage. I simply need you to get it close to the French ship for now. I could blow it up during the press conference, but it would kill most of the reporters.” He paced. “While I don’t have any particular love for reporters, they are necessary to my plan. I need someone to spread the word of my victory, after all.”
“Oh, I get it, boss,” Squiggy said. He smiled for almost a minute before confusion showed on his face once again. “Um, boss?”
“Yes, minion?”
“Boss, I lied. I don’t get it at all.”
Felonious sighed. “I don’t expect you to understand, but I will try to explain anyway. I want you two at the dock to scope out the situation. See who is there and how security is set-up. Get people used to seeing you too. I want to be sure they accept you as normal people when everything happens. That will make it all much easier.”
“Whatever you say, boss,” Lenny said.
“Exactly. Whatever I say,” Felonious replied.
He pulled a stylish gentleman’s case from under a workbench and handed it to Lenny. Then Felonious opened the box marked explosives and grabbed several sticks of dynamite. He handed them to Squiggy. “Here, fill the case with these and hook this detonation device to them.”
Lenny held the case open while Squiggy filled it with the explosives and connected the detonator.
Felonious remained silent until Lenny snapped the case closed. “Place it near the French vessel, close enough the ship will sink from the blast. Do you understand?”
“Yes, boss,” Squiggy said, nodding his head vigorously.
Felonious waited.
“So, what do you want us to do now, boss?” Squiggy asked.
Felonious counted to ten before he answered his large minion. “I want you to take the carriage to the dock and blend in with the crowd. Place the case which you filled with explosives near the
ship.”
“Yes, boss, but you said the press conference is at 10:00 a.m.,” Lenny said.
“And?”
“It’s not even 6:00 a.m. yet, boss. Wouldn’t it look suspicious if we were at the dock this early?”
Felonious stared at Lenny for several seconds, tapping his bottom lip, before he answered. “You raise a very good point, minion. It is too early to go.” He paced again, talking aloud for his own benefit. “What should I have my faithful minions do for the next few hours?”
“You could let us have forty winks,” Squiggy said in a pleading tone. “We’ve been up all night, and I’m beat.”
“Hmm? Beat you say? What a novel idea,” Felonious said.
“Squiggy just meant he’s tired, boss,” Lenny said quickly. “We both are. I could use some shut-eye.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so,” Felonious said with a wicked smile. “I have just the thing for that.”
He wandered over to a steel cabinet and removed a key from the breast pocket of his lab coat. With great care, he unfastened the lock on the cabinet and opened the steel door, which made no sound as it moved.
Both henchmen leaned forward to catch a glimpse of the contents of the cabinet. Inside, gleaming like a new penny, was a brass colored ray gun. A globe of dazzling light shone from the back of the weapon, and polished brass and wood decorated the entire surface. Felonious gently withdrew the gun from its padded stand and cradled it like a newborn baby.
“What is it, boss?” Lenny asked, awe coloring his voice.
“I call it my rejuvenation ray,” Felonious said.
“What does it do?” Squiggy’s voice cracked as he spoke.
Felonious patted the barrel. “One shot from this, and you will be filled with new energy to get things done. You won’t feel tired at all.”
“Gee, boss, look at the time,” Squiggy said, holding up a bare, watchless wrist. “Me and Lenny here got to run out and do an errand for the boss.”
“Minion, you don’t have a watch, and I am the boss. I don’t recall giving you anything to do for me.”
“Um…”
“Relax, minion. It won’t harm you at all. I’ve tested it thoroughly on rats and they hardly ever explode.” Felonious eyed the two men. “Ha, ha,” he said with little mirth. “That was a joke, gentlemen, in case you missed it.”
“Oh! Ha ha,” Lenny said, his face twisted in fear.
“Oh for heaven’s sake,” Felonious said. Facing Squiggy, he said, “You, minion, go get me one of those hamster cages from over there.” He indicated a shelf covered with animal cages.
Squiggy walked over to the wall and fetched a cage containing one sluggish, fat hamster. The small animal was plodding along on a wire wheel.
“Place the cage on that table,” Felonious ordered.
Squiggy put the cage on the indicated table and stepped back. With the two henchmen watching, Felonious lifted the weapon and aimed it at the cage. He pulled the trigger, and an ominous hum sounded. The glowing ball of energy in the weapon brightened, and a wavy beam of violet light flowed through the air and struck the cage. The sluggish hamster froze for a moment.
Then all hell broke loose.
The hamster went from motionless to full speed in mere seconds. The creaky wire wheel was suddenly moving so fast it was almost invisible. The axle started glowing a cherry red in seconds. The glow stretched from the axle to the rest of the wheel. The hamster let out a startled squeak and burst into flame. As fast as it started, the whole thing ended with a well-cooked hamster stuck to the slowing, melted wire wheel.
“If it’s all the same to you, boss, I think Lenny and I will go out and grab a cuppa joe,” Lenny said, backing away from Felonious, case and explosives clutched tightly in his arms.
“Yeah, what Lenny said.” Squiggy followed his comrade.
But Felonious ignored them. He was busy examining the gun. “That shouldn’t have happened. I wonder if it would do the same thing to a bigger animal?”
~ * ~
Jack glanced at his chronometer. How long had he been lying on the dock? The sun had gone from creeping up on the horizon to nearly up. And if he’d been there for any length of time, why had no one come to their aid? The man beside him made no noise save for quiet breathing.
Jack rolled onto his right shoulder then wished he hadn’t. It hurt terribly. He was lucky he hadn’t pulled it out of its socket pulling the man up to the pier and after the abrupt stop during his descent from the top of the building. Jack tried moving the left, but he hadn’t unattached the hook from the big man. Using his left arm, Jack righted himself into a sitting position.
The hook, after bouncing off the man’s head, had caught on his belt. A lucky catch. Jack had to turn the man to the side, again using his left arm and release the hook from the big man’s belt. This he did with his right arm which hurt to move. Once the hook was removed, Jack stowed it back in his jacket and finished reeling in the line. Each squeeze of his hand brought new pain to his shoulder and arm.
The man next to him stirred slightly. Jack was glad for that. Looking along the pier he could see no one had noticed them yet. That was both good and bad. Good in the fact Jack would have a few moments with the fellow to interrogate him as to why he sunk the ship, bad in the fact that both of them were in possible need of medical attention.
Jack appraised the wound on the top of the man’s head. It oozed blood slowly, but it oozed nonetheless. He dug into a pocket of his jacket and produced a small bundle of cloth. It wasn’t intended to be a bandage, but in this situation, it would have to do. He pressed it to the man’s head. Now if only he had something he could use to secure it.
From within another pocket Jack got out a tiny nail gun. He looked at the man’s head for only a second before putting the gun back. From another pocket he retrieved a length of twine. He made a mental note that for future adventures he’d need to make sure to have some sort of medical supply kit, no matter how small.
With the twine he secured the bundle of cloth to the top of the man’s head. As long as he didn’t move around too much it would stay in place just fine.
But Jack couldn’t sit here and wait all morning for this man, whoever he was, to come to. Others might show up, and Jack would lose the element of surprise. Surely the man wasn’t expecting to be captured so quickly.
He nudged him. “Sir. Sir! Are you all right?” The voice modulator gave Jack’s voice an intentional mechanical quality.
The big man mumbled something incoherent.
“I said, ‘are you all right?’”
The man rubbed at his ears. “What hit me?”
“That’s not important right now. I was able to pull you out of the water. Are you all right to talk?”
He reached up to the top of his head and touched the bundle there. “What’s this?”
“You got a cut on top of your head. Can you answer a few questions for me?”
“I guess.”
He tried to sit up. Jack put a gentle hand on the man’s shoulder. “Just lay there. There’s a good fellow. It’s quite a nasty bump and cut you’ve got there. I’ll make sure you get the proper medical attention you need. Now, I must ask you a few questions.”
“Who the devil are you? What is that you’re wearing? Some kind of…iron mask?”
A name? The Iron Mask? The Man in the Iron Mask? Iron Masked Man? No. None of those would do at all. “I have no name you can call me. Yet. I must ask you some questions though. I need to know what you think you were doing.”
“I was swimming for the pier. The ship, it was sinking.” The man pointed out to the bay.
“Sinking indeed. How did that happen?” Jack wished he had something on which to take notes. Something else to remember to bring on his next outing.
Waving his hands in the air the man asked, “Didn’t you see the explosion? It nearly blinded me.”
“I did see the explosion. Why did you sink that ship?”
“Me? Why did I sink th
at ship?” He sputtered. “Say, who are you? Is this some kind of a joke?”
Again the man tried to sit up, but Jack prevented him.
“I assure you I am most serious. I saw you swimming away from the crime. Everyone else swam for the rescue boats. Everyone except you, that is.”
“You think I tried to sink my own ship? Are you insane?”
“I am not. Why didn’t you swim toward the rescue boats?” Jack motioned with his head to the boats around the wreckage of the sunken ship.
“Because I was blown off the ship from the blast. I see this smaller ship come riding up alongside of us, and I went off to tell them to veer away. They were going to hit us. I waved my lantern. I blew my horn, but the vessel kept coming at us. Then it blew up.”
Jack lifted a brow. “So you didn’t try to blow up the ship?”
“Look, buddy, it was my ship. Why would I blow up my own ship and ruin my livelihood? Now I’m going to have to pay to get that shipment off the bottom of the bay. The insurance is never going to believe this one.”
“So you did it for the insurance money?”
“No! Look, I told you what happened.” The man sat up and the bundle of cloth fell into his lap. “I’m not going to sit here and let some patsy in a mask ask me questions when I’m the one who needs to find out who sunk my ship and why. So why don’t you and your…mask, take a hike, and I’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“Hold on. You’ve got a nasty cut on your head. You should stay sitting. Sir, sir! Where are you going? I’m not done asking you questions. Sir?”
Once the man got to his feet, he started to leave. Jack reached out to stop him, almost catching his sleeve. There were so many questions and no answers. He didn’t know the name of the ship or its captain. He didn’t know what cargo had been on board. He didn’t even know where it hailed from. Nothing. And this man was obviously not going to give him anything.
“Now you hold it right there.”
Jack cringed and tried to stay hidden behind the big man. He knew that voice.
Jack Kane and the Statue of Liberty Page 3