Moonlight Secrets (#2 Penderry's Bizarre)

Chapter Thirteen

A shaft of morning light fell across the office of Penderry's Bizarre, but the rays did little to warm those assembled in the reporting room. Jim pressed a metal tack into the world map, pinning it to the board.

Regret weighed on him. He and Westman had told McKusky they'd protect the witnesses involved. And now Bunny was in trouble because of him. He'd led the werewolves straight to their prey, for heaven's sake. All because he'd been too focused on flattering her with a valentine.

One balloon crash after another.

Well, now he'd truly endangered a girl's life. Two girls, in fact.

Westman sat on the edge of his desk between a stack of papers and a half-melted candle. He watched Jim arrange the evidence on the wall. Everything they knew about the werewolf attacks and the abduction hung in front of them. Blinks rubbed his hands, trying to put some feeling back into his fingers. The building was deathly cold at this time of year.

"Thank you for coming, everyone," said Jim.

Appleby had joined them, along with Millicent Sinclair who'd agreed to provide a psychic reading. The question was Bunny's precise location, and if she and her companion were alive. In light of the abduction, he'd also invited McKusky to the office. The park ranger, clad in a bulky great coat, took up residence at a spare desk and surveyed the board.

"So this is the state of affairs?" asked McKusky. "Two girls kidnapped, taken abroad, and heading into a world of trouble."

"That's about the size of it, yes."

"How many werewolves are we talking about?"

"It's hard to say, but according to Mr Spencer, here, around a dozen attacked his brother's camp in India."

McKusky raised an eyebrow. "Taken by surprise, I assume. Listen, I spoke with my acquaintances and they've agreed to fund the rescue. Whatever you need for this expedition, name it."

"I'm much obliged to you." Jim retrieved a sheet of paper from a drawer. "We'll put together a list of supplies. I plan to leave as soon as possible. There's a steamer departing tomorrow morning."

"Alright. I strongly suggest we enlist the help of the British army once we're over there, if there are any willing survivors at the camp."

We?

McKusky was volunteering to join him on the trip?

Jim smiled. "I quite agree. We'll get a telegram to them ahead of our arrival, to let them know what's happened. The journey to Bombay will take the best part of four weeks. We should have ample time to make plans."

At that moment, the office door opened and Uncle Broom sailed in, wires and spring-loaded clips sprouting from his head. Sophie trotted behind him, looking apologetic.

"I came as soon as I heard," said Broom. "Have no fear, my dear boy, we will find the missing ladies in question." He dropped a battery pack and control system on Westman's desk and turned to face the room. "Switch me on, Mr Westman. You're nearest."

Westman drew his eyebrows and uncrossed his arms. Reluctantly, he flicked the lever powering the wires. Broom's hair stood on end, and he closed his eyes, humming in concentration.

Conscious of the stares, Jim went to his uncle and leaned close to his ear. "Er, what are you doing?"

Broom pressed his fingers to his temples. "I am unlocking the secrets of the subconscious mind, following the threads which connect us all, and reaching out into the abyss of the cosmos to find the answers we seek. Oh, oh, I'm getting something. Stand by, stand by."