Of Lights and Shadows (Book 4)

13) Decisions, Decisions

There was a cord of thick, coiled rope in his hand, there was a heavy weight on the end of it and he had to use his strength to keep it suspended above the ground. It was jerking in the air. He stood waiting, muscles gradually growing weak, for somebody to come. Somebody had to come... Eventually there was a knock on the door followed by a frantic ringing doorbell...

Dastardious woke as the sound of someone in the kitchen called out for whoever was at the front door to come in. He had a splitting headache. Besides that the dream didn't have any affect to cause him to shiver and regret it.

Tossing on some clothes, he stumbled from his room to the bathroom adjourning and stepped into the shower. The freezing cold water was enough to wake him fully before it cut out. It was just like morning coffee, though he hoped there was still coffee. Walking out of the bathroom dressed in his usual he crossed into the kitchen to see Dutch standing at the stove busy frying breakfast. Silence was also sitting on a stool at the kitchen bench.

Dastardious ignored the cheerful good morning from Dutch, moved straight to the coffee pot, and poured himself a cup before sitting down. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his notepad and flicked to the last used page and placed the pad on the table for the others to see.

'I have two main suspects right now,' he told them. 'A man called Charles Worchster, and a lady called Alice Aforethought.'

Who are they? Do you think they are linked to the kidnappings?

Silence handed the note over as Dutch placed two large plates of bacon and scrambled eggs on the table. Dastardious took his and started on it before answering.

'Alice Aforethought talked to the Harrison's about a pram before Mary disappeared. She expressed interest in helping them; she knew the pram was important to them. Charles Worchster was the one that told them about a store in Manhattan Mall that sold a pram; it was also the same shop where they met Miss Aforethought. As far as I'm aware they don't know each other, but we'll keep an open mind and say they do until it's proven otherwise. On another note, the Harrison's said there others who knew they wanted a pram and they'll be sending me a list sometime today. Pass the salt and pepper; didn't you put any seasoning in the eggs?'

'I happen to like mine unadulterated,' Dutch told him somewhat offended.

'They're rubbish! Anyway, back to the previous subject. We'll have to go to my office this morning to find out where both of them live, and tell the Commissioner I might have a lead. You men will get that information while I deal with the Commissioner.'

'Once we know where they live what'll we do?'

'We split up, I'll take the girl, you and Silence take Worchster. Ask him his whereabouts during the night Mary disappeared. It looked like an inside job and both parents swear they locked their bedroom window, but it was open. Who opened it? Maybe Worchster will tell us that.'

The men finished their breakfast and the washing up, and then after stacking away the dishes headed off to One Police Plaza.

You said this team is outside the law while we work for you. You also told us to stay away from Detective Mulligan if we see him, so why are you taking us into the den of the lion to work?

Silence wrote later as they headed through the main doors of the Plaza towards the elevators.

'You're with me so if Ted gets any ideas of asking you questions while I'm around I can tell him to stick them up his windbag and get lost. My office is also on the other side of the floor from his so unless he comes snooping he won't see you.' Dastardious had no idea how long their jobs would take so it was the smart idea to split up.