Jago, Litefoot and Ellie had decided to reconvene at Higgies to discuss the events of the previous night's attack on a Winter Wonderland. Early the following morning, the mysterious instigator of the attack had struck again, this time targeting early morning shoppers buying last minute Christmas presents. The morning papers confirmed the death toll had reached seven, while a dozen others were being treated for frostbite. A handle of others were also injured by some inexplicable burn marks upon the skin.
"Dreadful. Absolutely dreadful." Said Litefoot mournfully, as he folded the newspaper from which he had been reading. "As barbaric as these attacks are, to perpetrate them at Christmas, the season of peace and goodwill, is unfathomably cruel."
"The disgusting depravity of despicable dastardly evildoers is decidedly disheartening, Litefoot. But in the face of such devilry, we upstanding citizens of the Empire must stand firm as the Rock of Gibraltar. We cannot let the actions of anarchistic malcontents disturb the fabric of our lives." Jago stated resolutely.
"Well said, Mister J." Ellie said, with light applause.
"Hear hear!" Agreed Litefoot. Bolstered with courage, the group got back to discussing the identity and potential motives of the mysterious attacker. After a short while, there was a knock on the door of the restaurant.
"Bloody typical. The sign says we're closed." Ellie muttered, tetchily. The knocking on the door continued, louder and more insistently.
"We're closed!" Ellie yelled, loud enough to be heard outside. The knocking didn't stop. With a sigh, Ellie strode briskly to the door, opening it just enough to speak with the insistent caller. With an excited gasp, she flung the door open and warmly embraced Peggy Carter. The two women released each other, laughing softly.
"Come in, come in! I didn't know it was you... who's your friend?" Said Ellie, gesturing to the man standing behind Peggy.
"Edwin Jarvis. At your service, miss?"
"Ellie. Ellie Higson, at yours. Can I fetch either of you a drink?"
"Not for me, Miss Higson. Thank you though. Ah, it's so nice to be back in a civilised society with a proper sense of etiquette. You wouldn't believe the tawdry habits of the American people." Jarvis bemoaned.
Jago and Litefoot, aware of the commotion, had risen to greet the new arrivals. Jago extended a warm handshake to Peggy, welcoming her and Jarvis. "What brings such convivial and cherished company to our doorstep?"
"My doorstep, more like." Ellie whispered.
"Indeed. It's so nice to see you again Miss Carter. But despite the time of year, I doubt this is a social call." said Litefoot.
"Likewise gentlemen. While I am glad to see you, I'm also engaged in a mission which I need your help to solve." Peggy explained. "There's nobody in London whose services I'd rather call upon."
"Miss Carter does indeed speak quite highly of you gentlemen. A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, sirs." Added Jarvis.
Jago tilted his head upwards to add an element of heroism to his stance, before saying. "I see word of our exploits precedes us. I thank you for your kind compliments. The Professor and I have quelled countless crises and cracked cunning conundrums over our long and storied career."
Litefoot cleared his throat without subtly, silencing Jago's boast. "What my colleague means to say, is that we have some experience with the mysterious, and are more than willing to assist in any capacity."
"Don't suppose your case happens to concern the mangy cur responsible for freezing people to death?" Ellie interrupted, trying to steer the conversation back on track.
"I suspected you'd already be familiar with the details." replied Peggy, glad to be in the company of the competent.
"However, I'll recap the details as far as I understand them, so we're all clear. The man responsible is Christan Crowley, a Roman Catholic priest ministering here in London. Early in his career, he was a brilliant scientist, working on technology to freeze humans as a form of crowd control. Experiments which were aborted after proving fatal. Records on the man are scarce, but it seems he found a second calling in the Church shortly after that setback. He's been leading an uneventful existence since then, until these attacks began yesterday."
"How have you confirmed the identity of our villain?" Asked Litefoot.
"The similarities between these attacks and the weapon development are too many to ignore, making him a target of interest. Eyewitness reports from the second attack suggest the attacker wore a dog collar and was bald, matching the description of Father Crowley."
"So, where can we find the cove?" Jago queried.
"Allegedly he should be stationed at a church less than a mile from here."
"But, the only church near this part of town..." began Ellie.
"Is where Miss Carter and ourselves did battle with Ulysses Klaue. That can't be coincidence." Finished Litefoot.
"You mean that place that we... by Jove! Where that priest got a nasty knock to the noggin!" Exclaimed Jago.
"Exactly my thoughts, Henry." Carter confirmed. "While we don't yet understand his motive, all evidence suggests the criminal in question is this priest. Perhaps as a result of concussion, he's embarked on a campaign of Crusading?"
"So, what do you suggest?" Ellie asked.
"Simple. We go undercover and confront the devil. Before he attacks again." Peggy said, firmly.
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