The Great Mouse Reporter ~ Chapter 34

Reed Daley made his way down Hester Street toward Tammany Hall with Mr. Grasping, one owner of the Cheese Factory. Another meeting had been called to discuss the mayor's next order of business. It was to be Mr. Daley's first meeting as a double-agent; Basil had provided him instructions on what to listen for and observe while in the Mayor's office, under the guise of taking notes for his next newspaper article. For once Reed was just glad the meeting wasn't being held in that putrid sewer. It seemed none of the cats needed to be in attendance for this.

As they approached the building and entered through the room in which wakes were often held they were joined by the chief of police, Officer Bellingham.

"I hear say Ratbone's finally going to pay me back for that favor, lettin' Toponi go home," he said.

"You know more than I do sir," said Mr. Grasping, "But whatever he has for us, it

had better be worth our time."

They made their way through the door to the mayor's office, where Ratbone sat at the desk. And sitting in front of the desk, his hands cuffed behind him, was Hakan, guarded by two officers.

"Ah, the Indian," said Chief Bellingham, "So that's what this is about."

Reed began taking meticulous notes for Basil.

"Yes dear Bellingham," said Quinn, "He turned up in Central Park. We have Madame Mousey to thank for his apprehension, though unfortunately, Basil of Baker Street and Nellie Brie are still at large, along with their friends."

"I'll be takin' him down to the station then," said Bellingham, "My boys will make him talk. Then we'll give him a speedy trial where he'll no doubt be found guilty and make an example of him."

"Ah, patience, all in good time dear fellow," said Quinn, "Don't do any of that yet until I tell you to do so."

"What do you mean? I did you a favor Quinn!"

"I know, and perhaps it would be out of my place to ask for another favor in return for handing this Indian over, but listen to me. I don't think your "boys" have been doing much to hold up their end of our initial deal."

"What deal?" Bellingham snarled.

"How many days has it been now since Ms. Brie escaped? Too many, that's what. I don't think you're taking this quite seriously enough. Why, I've had to rely on Madame Mousey to actually get anything accomplished lately. Out of all the powerful and notorious individuals I have working for me, she was the one who captured Dawson and the Indian. Not the police force, not Warren or Waul, but her. Do you know how pathetic that sounds?"

Officer Bellingham glared, "Central Park isn't in our jurisdiction. If I'd have sent one of my officers in there, they'd have been dog food."

"That's beside the point. Now that Hakan has been captured I'm certain Nellie's merry little band won't be hiding in the park anymore. They'll have either fled into the city or the sewers. I'll give you the Indian, but you have to promise to find that blasted news reporter and Basil, post haste! I do not want to have this discussion again in a few days. Understood?"

"Yes, Mr. Mayor," Officer Bellingham replied.

"That is what I want out of you, Bellingham. Now you, Reed Daley."

"Yes sir," Reed replied.

"You'll be running a front page news story on the capture of the Indian mouse that killed Mozzarella. This is the beginning of the defining moment of my term as mayor. I'll give you the interview after the meeting, and I also want you to speak with Bellingham. I want this article ready for the evening edition of The Daily Nibbler."

"Understood, I'll send you the advance copy when it's ready and I'll have my top reporter on it," Reed said.

"See to it that you do. As of today this is your top priority, Mr. Daley. Make it look like my administration is getting more done than it actually is."

Quinn glared back at Bellingham as he said this, though he also blamed his other underlings as well.

"And that brings me to you, Mr. Grasping, and my plans in the immediate future," said Quinn.

"I was hoping you would get to the point of my being here soon," he said.

"I want you to stir your workers into a panic over the Indians once again. Make them afraid. After all, one of these Indians killed a mayoral candidate. Perhaps this is the start of an invasion plot."

Grasping grinned, "Very well. Mr. Ratbone. I shall work with Mr. Toplofty and O'Bloat in writing another speech to that effect."

"Keep them in a frenzy over it," Ratbone said, "Do what you did last time, offer them an increase in pay if they find the girl, or anyone harboring her. Perhaps even start organizing safety drills about what to do in case of an invasion. That will keep their fear strong long enough for us to figure out our next action. We are going to find the Indian hideout one way or another. My tentative plan is for our feline and canine allies to lend a paw, being much more effective diggers."

"And with any luck," added Bellingham, "Soon you'll know exactly where to start digging. We'll get this mouse to squeak. And when we get down there, no amount of berries being thrown our way is going to stop us this time."

Hakan silently gave Quinn a deathly stare as he spoke.

"See to it that you do," said Quinn, "But don't forget your priorities. Bring me Basil and Nellie."

"Understood," said Officer Bellingham, taking Hakan by the arm and leading him out the door.

"And I presume you'll want my article to be full of fear-mongering as well?" Reed Daley asked.

"You catch on quick, Mr. Daley," said Quinn, "Your paper shall play an important part in this phase of my master plan."

Reed nodded, "As long as this boosts my paper's sales, and ends with Nellie getting her comeuppance, I'm on board."

Quinn grinned, "Nothing like a scorned heart to motivate you, hm? Well she helped kill my father, so you can be sure it won't end well for her."

Reed Daley hid the pang of worry in his chest when Quinn said this, putting on a smile instead, "Come morning this town will be fully behind you."

"Mostly, yes, though I still fear some parties will be needing a little more convincing."

"Ah yes, you mean Ms. Mausheimer," said Mr. Grasping, "She's stood in the way of progress and profit since I've known her."

"She'll be convinced, or she'll be put out of the way," said Quinn, "Right, I suppose this meeting is adjourned, you all know what you're to do. Now Reed, you stay here for now, I'll tell you exactly what I want you to write in that article."

Reed readied his notebook, not only to jot notes for this bogus article he was going to be forced to write, but to give his former rival Basil the latest scoop on Quinn's plans.

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Elsewhere, two very tired and stressed gentlemice stepped into the lobby of the mouse apartment building on Hester Street, and approached the female mouse working at the desk.

"Hello, what can I do for you this morning?" she asked as she sipped some coffee.

"Good morning," Bernard Mousekewitz started, "I vanted to ask if there was a Tanya Mousekewitz staying here?"

"Tanya Mousekewitz? Hold on," she opened a notebook and thumbed through the pages, "Who may I ask are you?"

"I am her father, and zis is a family friend," Bernard said.

Hiram rolled his eyes, at this moment not much considering himself a friend. The lady mouse tapped the service bell on her desk, and soon enough a bellhop stepped into the room.

"One of our tenants has guests, escort them up to room 464," she instructed.

"Right away," said the bellhop, before leading the two up long flights of stairs to Tanya's room. Eventually they reached the door, and the bellhop knocked on it. For a few tense moments, they waited, until the door opened a crack.

"Yes? Tanya asked.

"Tanya, it's your father," Bernard said.

Tanya gave a gasp.

"H-hold on Papa…"

She closed the door. Hiram and Bernard looked at one another. After some time passed, she opened the door.

"Come in," she said, noticing Hiram was here too. Seeing him made him scared for Fievel and Olivia. She knew exactly why they must be here. The bellhop nodded, and took his leave, and Tanya closed the door.

"It's good to see you again my daughter," Bernard began, and they shared a big hug, "How has your singing career been going?"

"It's been great," Tanya said with a smile, "Want to sit down?"

The three of them sat on the sofa, with Tanya in a chair across from them.

"Why don't we get to the point?" Hiram said, "We want to know where our children are. Where's Olivia?"

"Ummm….well alright, I can tell you that I saw Fievel and Olivia last night. They're okay."

Hiram's eyes narrowed, "But they're not here."

"No, they aren't," Tanya gave an uneasy giggle, "They're…with Nellie Brie."

"Vhat? Nellie is here?" Bernard asked.

"It's a very long story," Tanya said, rubbing her arm, "Nellie took them down to the underground Lenape hideout, to be safe."

"Lenape?" Hiram asked.

"Um, they're Indians," Tanya explained, "But don't worry. They're friends. She's in no danger."

"Every moment my little girl is out there gallivanting around with that fool brother of yours she's in danger," Hiram said angrily, "All I want to know is where she is so's I can take her back to Green River."

Tanya gave her father a nervous look.

"I'm here to get Fievel back too," said Papa, "Hiram, if they're vith ze Lenape, they're in good hands. At least, as long as their hideout doesn't get found out by zose crooked cops…"

"How do we get to their hideout?" Hiram asked.

"Well, I don't know the secret entrance to their hideout, but I know someone who knows…" Tanya said, gazing toward the door to her bedroom.

"Who?" Hiram demanded.

"You're not going to say anything to anyone, right?" Tanya asked.

"Say vhat?" Papa asked, "You can trust your own father."

Tanya nodded, "I know, I just…felt like I owed it to her to ask that. Cholena is in my bedroom."

"Cholena? Ze Indian princess?" Papa asked, "Aren't ze police looking for her?"

Tanya nodded, "You remember the news article, right? It's a long story; she's been banished from her tribe. She came to England to find Basil and Nellie, and ask them for help. She was kidnapped and taken here, but she got away, and she's trying to lay low. So she's hiding out with me."

Hiram looked over at Papa, "Is placing themselves in danger just something your children do?"

"Look, just let me go get her, and she'll tell you where Olivia is," Tanya sighed, getting up to knock on her bedroom door.

"Have they gone?" Cholena asked.

"No, but you can come out," Tanya said.

The door unlocked, and Cholena fearfully peered out.

"So it's true," said Papa, seeing Cholena for the first time in years.

"Greetings, father of Fievel and Tanya," she said, looking next to Hiram, "And…father of Olivia?"

"You've met me daughter?" he asked.

"She is the girlfriend of Fievel. A very kind-hearted one, if a slight bit jealous."

"Well I'm here to bring her home," said Hiram, "Tanya said she was with your tribe. I want to know where it is so I can find her."

"The entrance is a closely-guarded secret," said Cholena.

"You can trust us," said Papa.

"I think telling them will be fine, Cholena," Tanya said, though turning to her father, "You have to make sure no one sees you two using the secret entrance though."

"But even if they find the entrance, it is very easy to be lost in the tunnels, or to walk through booby traps," Cholena warned.

"We made it through alright before," said Tanya, "What about that paw print we pressed that opened up another secret entrance and bypassed the booby traps?"

"That should still be there," said Cholena, "I do not want your father and Olivia's father to get lost on the way."

"Would it be impossible for you to guide us dearie?" Hiram asked.

Cholena shook her head sadly, "Not only will my tribe not accept me, even leaving this apartment is a danger for me."

"Maybe we can draw them a map," Tanya suggested.

"I do not remember the tunnels by heart, but we could try."

Tanya nodded and retrieved a sheet of parchment and a pencil from a drawer in her room. Cholena took it.

"I do not write in your language," she warned.

"I can fill in the words for you," said Tanya.

Cholena began to draw a map of Central Park, as well as she could remember it. It instructed them to follow the cement path until they came to a fountain with a large statue at the center. She drew where the secret doorway would be, and Tanya labeled it. Then Cholena drew a rough sketch of the tunnels, instructing them to follow the pipeline above their heads. She then drew the end of the tunnel, where they were to press the red paw print to enter.

"Do not lose this map," said Cholena.

"Of course not," Papa said, "Vhen ve get there, ve'll burn it."

"Thanks for this," said Hiram, taking the map, "Let us not waste any more time, Mousekewitz."

"There vas one more thing I vanted to discuss, Tanya," Papa said.

"Yes?"

Hiram looked impatient, but he waited, as he knew what Papa wanted to talk to her about.

"Ve saw Tony vhen ve got off ze train, being taken avay by police."

Tanya wore a look of surprise, "Really?"

"He told us zis Ratbone vas son of Ratigan. Do you know if he's telling the truth?"

"W-was he being sent back to Green River?" Tanya asked.

"So he said," Papa answered.

Tanya felt relief. That meant Ratbone was telling her the truth.

"Papa, it is true. But he shouldn't be judged just because of who his father was."

"You be careful getting involved vith him. I know you're old enough to make your own decisions, but if you were younger, I'd be dragging you home just like I'm going to vith Fievel."

Tanya nodded, "I know what I'm doing, Papa. My career's been going well. Tony got arrested because of the police linking him to the death of McBrusque, not because of Ratbone. In fact they could have arrested me too, if it wasn't for him. He's protecting me."

"Vould he protect you if he knew you had Cholena here?" Papa asked.

"I…I would like to think so," said Tanya.

"I am not so certain myself," said Cholena, "As he is using the hatred the Upper Worlders have for my people to further his ambitions, I have trouble trusting him."

Tanya looked down. Cholena was right.

"He listened to me about Tony. Papa, he convinced the police to send Tony back to Green River because of me. I'll try to make him see reason," she looked to Cholena, "Maybe I could arrange for you to talk to him personally, if I am sure it's safe. I know you have legitimate reasons for being weary though."

"I do not know if that is wise, but maybe," Cholena replied.

"May we be off then?" Hiram asked.

"Fine Hiram," said Papa, before turning to Tanya, "Vhen I get Fievel I may come back here for ze night, though I think Hiram is going straight back. Ve vill talk more then."

"I have a performance again tonight, but if I'm not here Cholena will be."

"Good, good," Papa said, sitting up and nursing his lower back as he did so, "Oy, I am too old to be trouncing through underground tunnels. Fievel's grounded for ze next decade."

Tanya giggled a little, "Be careful down there Papa. I'll see you soon."

The two men left, Hiram taking the lead with a renewed sense of urgency. He would walk through an entire gang of cats to get to his Olivia now, and Bernard would just have to do his best to keep up.