A DaVinci Co-Ed

Part 4

Arthur looked at the Professor, “So, is there anything else unusual?”

“Well as a matter of fact there is. I’ve just noticed something,” he took the Alfred jewel out of the case.

“What is it?” inquired the Inspector.

“This is not the Alfred jewel but a substitute.”

“How can you tell?” asked Arthur.

“The original has the words ‘Alfred had me made’ in gold filigree around the jewel in Anglo-Saxon letters.”

“Really?”

“But this one has the words ‘Arthur was made’ instead.”

“That’s quite strange?” thought Arthur, “Why would it say that? In fact why would she replace the jewel and murder the archivist then give us a big clue pointing to her as the murderer?”

“Answers on a postcard,” mimicked Sid in the style of a Children’s BBC presenter from the 70’s.

“Maybe it’s got something to do with later on in the story,” said the Professor.

“Maybe it has,” agreed Arthur, “So is there anything else you need us for?” He asked both the Professor and the Inspector.

“I have my son’s birthday soon,” said the Inspector, “and I was wondering if I could book you two clowns as the entertainment.”

“Really!” blustered Arthur as he and Sid stomped off back to the Arthurmobile.

As they were driving along Sid and Arthur chatted. “So if it’s not a real parody of the Da Vinci Code then what are we supposed to do?” wondered Sid.

“Maybe we should chase the killer in our roles as honorary Interdimensional Police Personnel.”

“It’s a bit strange that, she works for Opookah Dye as an assassin, changes the Alfred jewel to the Arthur jewel, murders the archivist and positions him as a rabbit.”

“What, you mean the sole purpose of her visit to this dimension, the jewel and the murder, was to get us to follow her?”

“I think so.”

“Alice in Wonderland had an easier time of it I think. At least her white rabbit wasn’t invisible!!”

Arthur got a call on his mobile communications device, “Hello dear,” he answered.

“Can you get something for tea?” she asked him.

“Can you not just use the replicators?”

“The ones from Star Trek or the ones from Star Gate?”

“The ones that replicate anything you want.”

“They are on the blink. By the way do you know what’s going on in this book yet?”

“Sort of dear, we have got to chase a hookah…”

“Pookah,” pookahed Sid.

“…a pookah, a six foot tall, invisible white rabbit assassin.”

“Riiight, do you need us to help?”

“I suppose so. You need to do more in this book than you did in the last one.”

“Chicken legs.”

“I do not have chicken legs,” squealed Arthur.

“Get some for tea.”

“I thought we were vegetarians?”

“We are, get some substitute chicken legs.”

Sid looked at Arthur as he cancelled the link, “She isn’t making you eat substitute chicken legs again is she?”

“Yes,” burbled Arthur.

“Well you know what they say.”

“No, what?”

“You need variety in a relationship to stop it going fowl.”

“That was a paltry remark.”

“Eh?”

“Paltry/ poultry remark?”

Sid groaned as they got back to the office.