by Dan Knight
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Doctor Norman hovered over Chapel like a nervous hen. The principal was a pasty green and her lips were dry. Her eyes were bloodshot from long hours frozen in an unblinking stare.
“Mrs. Chapel, this is Constable Wiggles. He is in charge of the police investigation in the attack on Beslan. He can explain the situation to you. Excuse me; I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Norman stopped at the door next to Wiggles and lowered her voice. “Keep it short. If she exhibits any sign of distress alert the nurses immediately. I’m going up to the psych ward. We’re scanning everyone’s heart. I don’t want anyone having a heart attack.”
“Doctor, by this afternoon, you’ll be a heroine.”
“The credit belongs to the police and your magician. I would never have thought of stunning my patients. And if you repeat that, I’ll deny the charges.”
“No, no, that won’t do,” Wiggles’ eyes widened. “Not sure how I can explain it. You’ll have to come up with something.”
“Constable, just ask your questions. Let me worry about explaining it.” With that, the doctor strode away to set her plans in motion.
The portly policeman waddled to the educator’s bedside. Wiggles noted her skin was the pallid shade of a soybean rather than the healthy green of a shamrock.
“Principal Chapel, I’m Constable Wiggles, and I hope you’re feeling better. Are you up to a few questions?”
“Yes, anything I can do to help. The doctor told me the school was attacked. She must be crazy.”
“Mrs. Chapel, can you tell me what you remember?”
“A black dwarf wearing a magician’s robe barged into my office without an appointment. He wanted to perform a magic show. I told him I was busy, and we argued. He carried a large staff, which he twirled. He thrust his staff in my face. It was very intimidating. He called himself Cretaceous Clay as if I was supposed to believe such a cockamamie story. He wasn’t even an elf.”
“Did you see Cretaceous Clay?”
“No, Constable,” a puzzled expression crossed her face. “I assure you, Cretaceous Clay wasn’t there. Why do you ask?”
“Just for clarification when I write my report. We think Jack Clay was with Inspector Lestrayed of Nodlon Yard at the time of the attack. Where the magician is concerned though I want all the evidence I can put my hands on.”
“Attack?” Chapel glared the policeman. “What is this nonsense?”
“After the Black Dwarf offered you a magical performance, what do you recall next?”
“Next?” She looked around the trauma bay. “Next, I woke up here. That doctor asked me a bunch of silly questions. There’s nothing more to tell. Can you tell me what’s going on?”
“The Black Dwarf is the primary suspect in the Zodiac murders.”
“The Zodiac murders,” Chapel gasped. “But the victims are all dwarf maidens?”
“No, ma’am, not anymore, just a few days ago, the Black Dwarf sabotaged a Galaxy class star freighter, the Marie Celeste, in an attempt to kill Cretaceous Clay. Only providence and Jack’s magic saved himself and several police officers.”
“Why are you telling me this?” The incredulous educator looked at the ceiling for answers. “What does that have to do with my school? I don’t remember any attack that’s for sure. Can you just tell me what happened at my school?”
“Maybe later I’ll know more. What I can tell you is that the Black Dwarf mesmerized you by some unknown means. He compelled you to call an assembly in the gymnasium. He mesmerized your staff and your students. And he tried to poison them.”
“Mesmerized? Poison!” Chapel sat up in alarm. “What’s happened to my children? Where are my children? Where are my teachers?”
“The children and your staff are safe. They’re upstairs in the psychiatric ward. They’re still mesmerized, but Dr. Norman discovered a solution.”
The principal put a hand on her cheek. Her face flushed, and she shook her head, “What? You’re kidding. Why would you make up nonsense like this? Are you a xenophobe? No one can mesmerize people. Magic is supernatural, and the supernatural is imaginary. There’s no such thing as magic.”
“It’s black magic to be precise,” said Wiggles. “If it’s magic. Cretaceous Clay thinks it’s some new form of advanced technology. And his magic is real.”
“At least Mr. Clay has the good sense to offer a logical explanation. Can’t you do any better?”
“The Black Dwarf tried to kill you, your staff, and some seventy children with a poisonous gas.”
“Surely, you’re mistaken?” The principal flushed and pulled herself up to sit. “People make up stories like that to sow fear and frighten people. Fear and lies make people believe the unbelievable. Like those fools on the news who claim Mars wants a war.”
Wiggles straightened his back and adjusted his lapel. He noticed a piece of lettuce on his jacket and picked it off.
“Principal Chapel, I am a chief homicide detective of the Moab Surete. I’m not in the habit of fabricating stories.”
“Well, that’s good to hear, Constable. I’m glad you’re on the job even if you don’t make any sense. But who would try murdering over eighty children? And why? Why would anyone murder children?”
“Ma’am, I’m not trying to argue with you. If you’ll allow me to finish, I’ll tell you the rest of what we know.”
“Go ahead, as if it means anything, but you’ve already discredited yourself. You said this black dwarf tried murdering seventy children as if I don’t know how many children I have. Ignorance causes fear, and education is the cure. If we had more education, no one would be afraid. You can’t even get your numbers right. My degree is in mathematics, and I happen to know we had eighty-three children at Beslan today. They were the orphans. I sent the others home to be evacuated.”
“I’m afraid it’s worse than you think.” He softened his tone. “My arithmetic is not out of order. The Black Dwarf kidnapped thirteen children. All of them are boys under the age of fourteen.”
“What?” Her eyebrows rose, and tears welled in Chapel’s eyes. “Oh no, tell me the rest.”
“After you called the assembly, a little girl named Daisy slipped away to get some water. When she caught up, she saw what was happening and she used her head. She alerted your security guard George, and George saved your lives.”
Chapel’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth. She blinked and looked away. “Daisy’s always been bright, but she’s never been social. She belongs to Moab Replacement Services. I think she’s been abused, but she clams up when we ask her.” Chapel’s shoulders slumped. “I wish I could help those children, but those bureaucrats won’t listen. To them every biot is a case number, not a baby.”
“Daisy would love Big Bee, and they would love her.”
“Constable?” said Chapel, brightening. “Do I detect a hint of pride?”
“Be a Bee, class of 329.” Wiggles held out his hand and wiggled his fingers.
“Well, I’ll be a Bee,” said Chapel, finally breaking a smile. She wiggled her fingers. “Class of 344, Constable,” She relaxed again and sighed. “I’m sorry for snapping at you. It’s just hard to believe. After this maybe I can force Moab Replacement to let me find a family for Daisy. She’s a good child. Many families would take her, and if not, there’s always Big Bee.”
“Big Bee takes everyone today. Did you know Bio-Soft modeled their latest nursery program on Big Bee’s Baby Day Plan?”
“No, but I’m not surprised. Bio-Soft doesn’t want biots running amok.”
Wiggles fingered his cap. “Speaking of biots running amok brings me back to the Black Dwarf. George found two canisters of poison gas, and he threw those canisters in the swimming pool. He gave his caster to Daisy, and she called us. If it wasn’t for Daisy and George, you all would be dead. They saved your life along with everyone else.”
“Can you tell George I want to see him? I’ll want to recognize him for this a
nd see he gets a raise.”
“No, Mrs. Chapel. He caught a whiff of the gas.” He let her absorb the news. “I’m sorry. He passed away here in the hospital not an hour ago. You’re going to have to honor George posthumously.”
The principal’s eyes widened again, and her jaw dropped. Tears welled in her eyes, and ran down her cheeks. She started to say something, and then she shook her head. Chapel closed her eyes, and rubbed her temples.
“Thank you for your help, Principal Chapel.” Wiggles took her hand. “Your husband is here. We’ll get a nurse to find him for you.”
The principal nodded and mumbled. He heard her weeping softly as he left the bay.