Moonlight Secrets (#2 Penderry's Bizarre)

Chapter Fifteen

Jim perched on the edge of the cabin bunk with Pikoo on his lap. Appleby Spencer had requested he take Pikoo back to India. In an ideal world, he would return the inquisitive little creature to Bunny. If they found her. Otherwise, he'd have no choice but to release him into the wild.

He fed the mongoose a piece of dried sprat and stroked his back. "I expect you miss your mistress, eh, Pikoo?"

The mongoose squeaked and gave his hand a gentle nibble, then looked up at him with glassy green eyes.

"You'll be reunited soon. Until then, I'm afraid you'll have to make do with me. Come along, back in your cage." He placed Pikoo inside the travel cage and secured the hatch. "Don't look at me like that. I'll be back soon. It's mutton for dinner. I'll pinch you some from Freddie's plate."

He retrieved his coat and made his way through the airy steamship. Amidst the potted yuccas and soft chatter in the lounge, he found his travelling companions. Westman sat on a leather sofa, passing the time with a newspaper, while Blinks and McKusky set up a card game on the coffee table.

"How's that ferret of yours?" asked McKusky. "Still secure?"

"Mongoose, McKusky. It's a mongoose." Jim pulled up a chair and sank into the seat. "And yes, he's safe and sound in his first class accommodation."

"Good to know. Turn your back on a ferret for a second and it'll be straight up your trouser leg."

Blinks dealt out the cards. "Are you in, sir? We're playing Old Maid."

"I'll sit this round out," said Jim. "I might go up on deck shortly, take some sea air."

The chink of cups on saucers and the aroma of tea and honey-biscuits permeated the passenger lounge.

Westman lowered his newspaper. "The captain says we're approaching Portugal."

"One thousand miles down, only six thousand to go." Jim leaned back and linked his fingers behind his head.

His thoughts turned to Bunny. Millicent had assured him she was unharmed, but that was a week ago before he left England. Fingers crossed she was still all right. Bunny was a capable girl. Surely she'd endure this in one piece? A dark doubt crept into his mind. The truth was, even the pluckiest of young women would be hard pressed to survive a werewolf. Were they grasping at straws?

"That's a new expression," said Westman.

His comment made Blinks and McKusky glance up from their game.

"What expression?" asked Jim.

"By the look on your face, I'd say you're anxious."

Jim banished the telltale crease from his brow and affected a smile. "Not anxious, just considering all possible outcomes, that's all."

Westman folded his newspaper and set it on the seat beside him. "I know we don't have much of a plan beyond finding Miss Spencer's cantonment at Chagra, but the British army will know what to do."

McKusky peered over his cards. "At least we have one advantage. Of all the supernatural dangers we might have faced, we can actually see this one. Werewolves are flesh and blood, unlike your demons, ghosts and sprites. We don't need magic chants or holy water. Just a gun and the silver shackles I packed in the trunk."

"Courtesy of your mysterious acquaintances." Jim leaned forward. "Tell me more about your secret society, McKusky. Who are the London Shadows?"

A smile played at the corner of his mouth. "You know I can't tell you that. If I did, I'd have to chuck you overboard to the sharks afterwards."