The Open and Shut Case by Harry DeMaio

Author:Harry DeMaio
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sherlock Holmes, mystery, crime, british crime, sherlock holmes novels, sherlock holmes fiction, Alternative Universe Mysteries
ISBN: 9781780926902
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2015
Published: 2015-03-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Let us turn our attention to Geese.

Oh, if only their honking would cease!

No one likes them, I guess,

For they make quite a mess

Every time their full insides release.

I reported to Octavius on my call with Harrison Hare and he shares my concern about the mysterious sponsor. We didn’t mention it to Bruce. Not until I hear from Il Professore Roberto Rabbito, if ever.

Ostensibly going into the kitchen to congratulate her on the excellent meal, the Great Bear spoke to the Frau about the disintegrated sapphire. Mortified that she had been found eavesdropping, but reverting to her basic stalwart character, she swore on the souls of all her Helvetic ancestors that not a growl about the subject would come from her lips to anyone…not anyone! She also punctuated her oath of fealty with a series of well- chosen comments on the nature, character and family tree of that “verdammte Duck.”

The phone rang and as I picked it up, a sharp voice snapped, “This is General Turmoil. Let me speak to Octavius Bear.”

“Just a moment, General. I’ll get him for you!” I skittered out to the kitchen, arriving just as the bear and the she-wolf were concluding their little conference.

“Octavius, phone call for you. It’s General Turmoil!”

The Great Bear winced and shrugged his shoulders. “Nothing good can come from this,” he snorted and lumbered into his office, shutting the door behind him.

General Turmoil is the chief of a super-secret government organization that is very seldom acknowledged as existing at all. When it is mentioned, it is referred to simply as the Business. The Business’s business is an assortment of spying, clandestine exercises, and influencing governments, corporations, universities, research facilities, and important individuals. Octavius qualifies as a Business focus on several counts.

I looked at the Frau, and she looked back. Silently, we raised the receiver on the kitchen phone and listened in. If Octavius caught on, he would have me skinned and then force the Frau to cook me. What the hell! What self-respecting sidekick could resist eavesdropping on the boss especially when he’s talking or more likely, listening to General Turmoil?

“You are registered as having made use of our Background Checking unit today.”

If the glacially calm tone of his voice was any indication, Octavius was obviously trying to contain himself. “That is correct, General. As I understand it, I have unrestricted access to the Business’s support services. That hasn’t changed, has it? Your staff, as usual, were most gracious, efficient ,and effective.”

“No, you still have all the privileges granted you by my predecessor, although I sometimes wonder why. You’re a bit too free-wheeling for my taste, Dr. Bear!”

I almost choked. Here clearly was a textbook case of a pot calling a kettle achromatic.

The Bear continued to hold his temper. “What can I do for you, General?”

“No, it’s what I can do for you. I gather you just employed a Colonel Wyatt Where.

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