The Great Mouse Reporter ~ Chapter 32

Tanya tidied up her apartment in the evening, knowing that one way or another, she was going to have company. The day had gone on fairly normally; she'd rehearsed for the play, but there was no show tonight, thus keeping her schedule open for her meeting with Nellie. As she was washing one of her cups in the sink there was a knock at the door. She held her breath.

"Tanya dearie? Are you in?"

She exhaled a sigh. It was Quinn. She hoped she could get rid of him before Nellie got here. She had to trust the reporter would know what to do if she arrived and saw that Quinn was here.

"I'm coming," Tanya said, trying to sound tired. It was time to test out those acting skills.

Tanya opened the door. Quinn was all dressed up, with a top hat, a small flower on his lapel, a black and white tuxedo.

"There's my dazzling diva," he said with a smile, as he handed her a bouquet of flowers.

Tanya was surprised, sniffing the mouse-sized flowers, "What's this for?"

"Oh no reason," he said, letting himself in and closing the door behind him, "I simply thought it could brighten the place up a bit."

Tanya placed the flowers on the table, "I'm a bit tired, from rehearsing and all. What brings you here?"

"Oh, I won't keep you too long," said Quinn, "I just wanted to tell you how important your loyalty is to me."

"Is it now?"

"I know you have a certain association with Gussie Mausheimer, I just want to make sure we're on the same page."

"Well, we are," Tanya answered, "I mean there's my career to think about."

"Ah, but I don't want to keep holding that over your head," Quinn said, putting a hand on her shoulder, "I want your loyalty to be genuine. Is it?"

"I…suppose it is," Tanya said, "I still don't approve of you letting Tony stay in jail, or going after the Indians, or killing that politician."

"It's all politics, my dear," Quinn sighed, "There's not a single politician out there who's never done anything wrong to get the job. That does bring me to another bit of news."

"News?"

"Mr. Toponi, thanks to my convincing Chief Bellingham, has been transferred to a prison in his hometown Green River."

Tanya blinked, taking a few moments to process what Quinn had just told her, "You mean…you listened to me?"

"Of course! I mean it wasn't easy, you know Bellingham. But of course I was listening dearie, I was just a bit busy when you asked me."

"What did you have to do to convince him?" Tanya asked, "Surely he knows the sheriff in Green River is a good friend of ours."

"I don't think he does, luckily," said Quinn, "Anyway, let us just say as mayor I have a bit more bargaining power than before."

Tanya gave a small smile, "Well…thank you Quinn. Really. Tony needed to be back home with his family."

"Of course, Tanya. Far be it for I to break up a family. Although, I must admit, that wasn't the only reason I went through the trouble of bending the law for Toponi."

"What was the other reason?"

"You, actually. Tanya, I feel like you're my good conscience."

"You mean the little angel on your shoulder?" Tanya giggled.

"Exactly. I understand, knowing what you know, if you think I'm evil, wicked, under the control of my father. Perhaps you can never feel the same way about me as I feel about you. But…I will listen to what you have to say, and I will do my best to make you happy. Within reason, of course."

"Then abandon this crusade against the Indians. Please."

"Ah, now see, about that: the people need a scapegoat right now. It's what unites them. But I don't think we're ever really going to find their hideout. I'm just putting on a show. I'll organize a few digs, the media will cover it, but we won't actually find the Lenape hideout. And it will blow over eventually; people will worry about something else. Like cats, for instance."

Tanya frowned, "Well, I don't like it…but as long as no one gets hurt."

"No one will," Quinn promised, "Now, enjoy the flowers. You do look rather tired, I should let you get your rest. I'm glad we had this little chat, my dear. I'll try to make your show tomorrow."

Tanya forced herself to yawn, "Okay, goodbye Quinn."

She opened the door for him and showed him out. Quinn hesitated, as if he wanted to say or do something more before he left, but ultimately decided against it. He exited the apartment. Tanya put her ear to the door, making sure she heard footsteps walking down the hallway.

A few moments later, she heard a knock on the window. Tanya turned, seeing Nellie on the other side of the glass with a rope ladder by her side. Tanya walked over to open the window.

"Is he gone?" Nellie asked when Tanya opened it.

"Yes, he left, sorry about that I wasn't expecting him."

Nellie looked up and gave a whistle, signaling that the coast was clear and that the others could come down through the window. She then stepped through.

"He doesn't leave you alone much does he?" Nellie asked, as Fievel and Olivia made their way down the rope ladder.

"Not for more than a day it seems," said Tanya, happy to see Nellie again.

"Tanya!" Fievel shouted as he came down to the window.

Tanya smiled and ran to the window, "Fievel! I missed you!"

Fievel jumped into her arms and hugged her tight, as Olivia watched with a smile.

"Hello Olivia, you came to huh?"

Olivia nodded, "Ah had ta go with Fievel."

"We knew that Quinn guy was no good," Fievel said, "We came here to protect you."

"Did you now? I'm sure our parents are just thrilled," Tanya said sarcastically, lifting Fievel's hat and ruffling his fur, "Glad it won't be me who's in trouble."

"Yeah…" Fievel readjusted his hat, "Maybe it wasn't such a good idea, but I did it because I care about you."

Olivia climbed through the window, and at last, Vartan made his way down the ladder. Tanya put Fievel down and gazed on as Vartan made his way through the window.

"Hello Vartan," Tanya said.

"Allo," he replied, gazing into her eyes.

They were both silent for a moment. Tanya had a lot to ask him, but, decided it should wait until they got business out of the way.

"Why don't you all have a seat then?" Tanya said, "And Nellie can get to interviewing me."

"Yes of course," Nellie said, and they sat down on the couch as Tanya brought some chairs from the small kitchen in her apartment, "I suppose we could start with Quinn's will."

Vartan nervously sat beside Tanya, and she answered as Nellie took out a pencil and notebook.

"Quinn's plan was to gather all of our enemies, make friends in high places using his newfound money, and become mayor. He wants revenge against you and Basil for killing Ratigan."

"I see," Nellie nodded, scribbling Tanya's words down, "He's been quite thorough in that regard. I never thought I'd see Madame Mousey again, let alone Warren. You know his exact plans then?"

"I only got to read the will up until the instructions for assassinating Mozzarella and taking his place as a candidate. Although, I know he's going to at least pretend to try to wipe out the Lenape."

This revelation caused alarm all around the room.

"What do you mean, try?" Fievel asked.

"It's what we just talked about before you got in," Tanya sighed, gazing at the flowers Quinn had left her on the table, "I never know if he's really telling me the truth. He promised me that it would all be for show, that he wasn't going to actually hurt anyone."

"Has he ever given you reason to trust him?" Nellie asked.

"Well, I don't know if you heard, but Tony was arrested by Chief Bellingham for his involvement in Chief McBrusque's death. I could have been arrested too, but Quinn protected me. Like he had some sort of deal with the police. A few days later I asked if Quinn could help get Tony transferred to a jail in Green River instead, I thought he was ignoring me but come to find out he actually did get Tony transferred. I'm not even sure how he managed to do it."

Nellie wrote the information down. Fievel and Olivia were in disbelief that this had happened to Tony.

"I think we can all agree Tony was arrested on trumped up charges to begin with. Perhaps Quinn ordered his arrest in the first place, we don't really know. Right now all we have to go on with regards to Tony's current whereabouts is his word. This is a complex plan, and for whatever reason Tanya, you're a part of the plan. If Quinn really did Tony sent back to Green River, it could have been to gain your trust so that he could execute the next part of his plan; wiping out the Lenape."

"I didn't think about it like that," Tanya said, rubbing her temples, "I…I don't know what or who to believe anymore."

"You can trust everyone in this room right now, Tanya," said Nellie, "You know that. And you know Quinn Ratbone, or Ratigan, wants to hurt us, does he not?"

"It's just that I know what he's really like," said Tanya, "Quinn's had a hard life. He felt like a nobody before getting that will and inheriting all that money. Nobody loved him or cared about him, he grew up in an orphanage, and when he got out worked his fingers to the bone in a sweatshop. Then he felt cheated out of a relationship with his parents; the will said Ratigan gave Quinn up for adoption because of the danger posed by Basil. And then he heard you and Basil killed his father. He's following his father's evil plans because he wants his father to be proud of him somehow, and because he wants revenge on the ones he blames for his life being so miserable. But he's not pure evil. He's just…following this plan because he doesn't know what else to do with his life."

"I suppose I can sympathize, but what he's planning on doing still needs to be stopped."

"I know that," Tanya answered, "I'm trying my best to make him stop. He listened to me about Tony. You know what he called me tonight? He called me his 'good conscience'. I feel like I can get through to him. Maybe…talk some sense into him."

"Maybe," Nellie replied, "Or maybe that's what he wants you to believe. He has you wrapped around his finger doesn't he? If you stand up to him not only will your career in New York be over, you could end up in jail for being there when Chief McBrusque died. Whatever connection you feel like you have with Ratbone, it's still based on blackmail, Tanya. I don't know how you fit in with his scheme, but it can't be in a good way."

Tanya shook her head, "I know he's blackmailing me. But I still feel like I am getting through to him, that he can be redeemed."

"Well you're free to keep trying, Tanya," Nellie said, "But I must warn you, trying to change a man is usually a foolish endeavor. Meanwhile, the rest of us are going to need to try to stop him in our own way. You could still be a big help to us. Quinn trusts you.."

"As you just said, if I openly go against Quinn it could all be over for me. I'll help, as long as he doesn't find out I'm helping…"

"You always have a way of finding yourself in these awkward situations don't you?" Nellie observed, "Do you have any way you can help us?"

"I've spent all day thinking about it, and I think I could point you in the right direction."

Nellie readied her pencil, "Do tell."

"Last night Quinn took me to this ball at Mausheimer Park. We sat at a table with Gussie Mausheimer, and she doesn't like Quinn one bit."

"Gussie Mausheimer…" it was a name Nellie Brie knew well from her years of reporting.

Tanya nodded, "She knows Quinn's working with the cats and he brought Warren back. She feels like he's undone all her hard work."

"She could be a powerful ally. Finally, I think we're getting somewhere."

"Did she remember you?" Fievel asked.

Tanya nodded, "She did! I didn't think she would."

"I think I'll be paying her a visit tomorrow," said Nellie, "With all of the dirt I have on him, we could get the public to turn against Quinn, maybe even get him impeached."

"Just be careful about what you make public," Tanya cautioned, "I'm one of the few who know what was in the will. If it was all exposed, well,…it'd be a short suspect list."

"Understood, Tanya, I'll be careful not to incriminate you. Thank you."

"You're welcome," she said, "If you have any other questions, just ask."

"I think we know quite enough," Nellie said, "We should be on our way, we don't want to linger here too long."

"Oh, is Cholena waiting?" Tanya asked.

"She's safe, she's with Hakan," Nellie answered, getting up, "Oh Vartan, did you want to stay behind for a bit? We can wait up for you on the roof."

"Oh, yes please, take yer time," said Olivia.

"Ayo, yes I will stay behind," Vartan said, mustering his courage as Fievel and Olivia hugged Tanya.

"Where are you two going to go?" she asked.

"Nellie will keep us safe," said Fievel, "I guess it wouldn't be safe for us here, since Quinn comes here a lot."

"I guess not," said Tanya, "You two stay safe. I love you Fievel."

"Love you too sis," Fievel said, "See you soon."

Nellie gave a nod to Tanya and climbed out the window, up the rope ladder, with Fievel and Olivia in tow. Tanya then turned to Vartan.

"So…I take it you're going to explain why you're here?" Tanya asked.

"There…there vas something I…I should have said, vhen you left Green River," Vartan stammered, "I vas a fool to let you get on that train vithout saying it."

"Well, I did want you to come with me to New York. I offered. Maybe I…didn't spell it out clearly enough."

"I understood, Tanya."

"Then what held you back?"

Vartan hesitated, "I didn't consider the possibility that you vanted me to come…until the train left."

"You didn't think I liked you?" she cocked her head to the side.

"I didn't think you could like me. But you did, didn't you?

"I do like you, Vartan, I don't know why you didn't think I could."

"I did not think I was worthy of your attentions."

"You definitely are, Vartan. There's no reason you should have such a low opinion of yourself. I've been there before, I still doubt myself sometimes."

Vartan smiled at her, and she held his hand.

"You are too beautiful to doubt yourself," Vartan said softly.

Tanya giggled, "Even when I do, your drawings always make me feel beautiful, Vartan."

"I draw only vhat I see."

They gazed into one another's eyes, their hearts pounding.

"Well, you came across the country to say something to me. What did you want to say?"

Vartan drew a deep breath, as if readying himself to take a leap of faith, "I love you."

Tanya blinked, and blushed deeply, "Vartan…. I love you too. I just didn't want to be the first to say it, because I wasn't sure if you felt that way. I mean, I guess it should have been obvious…"

Vartan chuckled, "Same vith me, how I felt."

Tanya smiled, her heart aflutter, "When this whole thing is over…I wouldn't mind if you stayed with me."

"Truly?"

"Truly. I can't have you stay with me yet. It'd be too dangerous. You know what happened to Tony. But…when I'm ready…"

She brushed Vartan's hair back lightly and smiled at him, and he clasped her hand.

"I made a mistake coming to New York," Tanya said with regret, "Now I've dragged you, Tony and Fievel into this mess, and Fievel dragged Olivia."

"But now you are on the stage. Now you can achieve your dream."

Tanya smiled a little, "That's true. And I love being a performer. But I'm under Quinn's thumb. I can't really do much without him breathing down my neck. And I'll only have this career as long as he approves of me."

"You…still do not think he is all bad?"

Tanya shook her head, "He's bad. He's done terrible things. But deep down he's still a sad, lost orphan. He isn't like his father, at least not yet, so there's hope for him. I think he can change. I'll let Nellie come up with her plan to stop him from doing more terrible things, but I have one of my own."

"Do you care for him?" Vartan asked, worried.

"Care? I care about him in a way, but I don't think I could ever feel the same way about him that I feel about you."

Vartan smiled, "I understand."

Tanya put her arms around Vartan's shoulders, "I'll keep working on things on my end, and you can go be Nellie's top assistant again. And when the time's right, you and I will be together."

Vartan nodded with a smile, "Ayo, Tanya."

Slowly, the two of them moved in for a somewhat awkward, but genuine kiss, neither of them being very experienced at it. After relishing in it for a moment that seemed to last for hours, Tanya broke it, and the two of them smiled at one another shyly, blushing and giggling.

"You shouldn't keep Nellie waiting," Tanya said, "I'll see you again soon. Promise."

Vartan gave a nod, "Կը տեսնըվինք, Tanya. It means see you soon."

"We'll learn each other's languages," she said with a smile, "Keep my little brother safe, Vartan. Thanks for all you've done so far."

"Anything for you, my diva," he said, having picked up the word from Ratigan and Waul back at Green River.

Tanya smiled, and watched as Vartan climbed out the window, and up the rope ladder. She turned, staring back at the bouquet of flowers Quinn had left. She stared at them for some time. She knew Vartan was the better choice. Why then, could she still not shake these feelings?