“Oh, by the way, Miss Lovelady?”
“Hmm?” I mumbled.
“The Department have told me that we must find a way to stopMr Tok before he strikes again.”
Unladylike swear words and strange penguins followed me downinto the dreaming depths.
Four
The nextmorning (after a very thorough wash) I assuaged a ravenous hungerwith more kedgeree than was safe for most humans. Then I put mylab-coat on over a plain blue working dress and joined Sir Percivalin the fully equipped laboratory (the secret Government Departmentwas very well funded). I felt fully rested now and wanted to getthings back to normal as fast as possible.
Thelarge brass pipes running along the ceiling to carry away noxiousvapours felt like old friends, and I realised how much I’d missthem if I were dead.
We hadno aetheric experiments currently active so the large windowlessroom was quiet and thankfully odour-free.
Reflections of my pink hair followed me in the emptyglassware as I walked over to the bench where Sir Percival sat. Amagazine was slightly open in front of him and I caught sight of aheadline stating ‘Ivan and his Rock Hard Buns’. If he were such auseless baker why was he advertising his wares? Quickly SirPercival slid the publication under a open buff folder.
“Do you have any ideas about Mr Tok?” I asked, pulling myfavourite stool over and sitting by his side.
The bufffolder looked to contain a typewritten report. He glanced at myhair noting the mother-of-pearl combs I’d used as decoration andindicated the report, “We must examine the facts, Miss Lovelady,and deduce a plan of action.”
Hescrubbed at an imaginary stain on the bench with the elbow of hiswhite lab coat which had the added effect of moving the otherpublication deeper into hiding beneath the folder. I decided not topress the issue.
“And?”
“I… er think better with a cup of tea.”
“So, nothing?”
Exceptthe joys of Russian horse riding, and possibly baking, I thoughtprimly to myself.
“The facts seem so disparate as to make no sense.”
Leaningover I pulled the report sheets closer and examined what wascurrently known about Mr Tok and his attacks. Apparently the onlylink between the places Tok appeared was that they had largeamounts of aether. Which he was probably stealing to power hismadness. And the penguins.
Why didI always come back to the penguins?
Why usepenguins? Was it something from his childhood? What places hadpenguins? I believe London Zoo had a colony. Were they Rockhopperones though? Was he a deranged zookeeper? Maybe that was a threadto examine. Museums? Those specialising in naturalhistory?
“Penguins,” I said to Sir Percival.
He tooka moment to process what I’d said. “Those ones with the black suitsyou were wary of at the exhibition?”
I’dforgotten he’d not seen the death-breath Rockhopper penguins on theattack, just Mr Tok in his black suit. Quickly I brought him up tospeed and saw his cloud-like eyebrows try to float away off hishead at the conclusion of my summary.
“They did that?” he said, aghast.
Inodded, “Indeed. Most disconcerting.”
“Why Rockhopper ones though?” he said, mirroring my ownthoughts. “Perhaps a visit to London Zoo?”
“What about the aether? Do you know of anywhere else thatwould be experimenting with it?”
“Only a very few places. At least three universities. Andhere, of course.”
Ah, I’dforgotten about that little nuance. “Would be attackus?”
“The Department is very protection-minded. Also I designedmost of the defence systems myself. Although none of my plans tookinto account the offensive capabilities of penguins…” his voicetailed off and I noticed he was looking up at the brass tubesrunning above our heads.
I sawthey were certainly spacious enough for a largish black and whiteflightless bird to traverse.
Welooked at each other.
“Perhaps it’s time to upgrade the protective devices?” hesaid.
“Indeed. I believe I shall sleep more soundly knowing no frockcoat-wearing bird will be able to enter and kill me.”
“I shall put it to the Department forthwith.”
“Shall we begin the investigation with a trip to the zoo, SirPercival?”
“I believe we shall, Miss Lovelady. But perhaps also takealong some protection.”
Five
TheDepartment liaison accompanied us on our trip to London Zoo. Hislarge size contained in a tweed suit and coat seemed to eat up theinterior space in the steam carriage Wilkins drove. Before wedeparted both gentlemen took in my new hair colour with aplomb andI felt slightly put out by it. Was I hoping for some expression ofdisgust or surprise? Or was I getting the feeling of ‘oh, what’sthat silly girl gone and done now?’. Whatever it was it decreasedmy enjoyment of the experience of two trips out in as many days andcast a pall over my thoughts while I watched puffy clouds play withthe sun over the open fields and woods.
Whetherit was due to my thoughts or something else I certainly picked up asense of unease as soon as we entered the outskirts of London.Pedestrians seemed to be hurrying to their destinations and ladieswho loitered outside shops were soon chivvied along by theircompanions.
“Something seems amiss,” I said to Sir Percival.
Heglanced out the window his side and nodded. “Indeed, Miss Lovelady.Perhaps the aftermath of the exhibition.”
Athought came to me, “Will we be able to gain access to the zoo?” Iasked the liaison, in case they’d closed due to the events of lastnight.
“Yes, Miss. I have been in touch with superiors at theDepartment. London Zoo have been informed and will provide entry.They are apparently puzzled by such important interest.”
It waswhat those in the Navy called a ‘long shot’, but the Rockhopperlink with Mr Tok was an intriguingly strange one.
Ourcarriage arrived at the Broadwalk and we chuffed sedately throughRegents Park towards the zoo. I could smell the place before seeingit as there was a definite ‘country’ scent in the air.
Wilkinsrolled to a stop outside the entrance and the Department liaisonexited first to check the surroundings. When he was satisfied weweren’t going to be jumped upon by the excited children lined up atthe entrance he held out a hand and helped me down. A few childishtitters reached me
