J&L: Jagowl & Litepaw (5)

Olympia, Kensington

Ringmaster: "*laughing* Oh the look on your face. Priceless!"

Jago: "What? I assure you that this is no laughing matter Mr. Lambert. Get me out of here before I become the unfortunate feast of a ferocious and frenzied feline!"

Ringmaster: "At ease, Mr. Jago. There's no cause for alarm. I must admit to orchestrating a little jest at your expense."

Jago: "You mean to tell me there's no prowling predator preparing to pounce?"

Ringmaster: "I should certainly expect not, else we have a grave situation indeed. You see, the creature who inhabited that cage sadly died in the night. The body has been removed to London Zoo to be used in the instruction of anatomy, my personal policy for all deceased animals in fact."

Jago: "Nobody makes a mockery out of Henry Gordon Jago! I'd call you sir but a rum cove like you isn't worthy of the title. Farcical fantasies and wicked windups are no way to treat a fellow businessman."

Ringmaster: "C'Mon Henry, take a joke."

Jago: "I did not come here with the intention of being portrayed as a figure of ridicule. My offer has been withdrawn, and I bid you good day."

Ringmaster: "Oh, don't be like that. I'm sure we can work something out."

Jago: "I said good day."

Mortuary, St. Bart's

Quick: "Oh, hello there Professor. Surprised to see you working so late."

Litefoot: "Indeed, and not by choice I'm afraid. I had to finish the autopsies of those poor savaged victims myself."

Quick: "I thought you'd tasked your new apprentice with that? I take it his work was not up to scratch."

Litefoot: "On the contrary, Inspector, I can't pass judgement on the quality of his work, only on his work ethic or lack thereof. It seems young Gustav interpreted my instruction to mean 'Go home for the day'. Really, his attitude is most distressing."

Quick: "What exactly is his angle, I wonder? What's he playing at?"

Litefoot: "I cannot say, but I shall endeavor to find out the truth. But not tonight. It's been a busy day, and I have to meet with Jago in the Red Tavern. I wonder if he's had any luck in uncovering some new leads?"

The Red Tavern

Jago: "But as we came around the corner, there was one cage in particular that caught my keen eye. It was supposed to house a tiger, as evidenced by the signage surrounding it, but the bally thing was empty! Cage door swinging forlornly on its hinges."

Ellie: "Had it gotten loose somehow?"

Litefoot: "What did mister Lambert have to say about this?"

Jago: "All in good time. I'm trying to build some narrative suspense. Now, where was I? Oh yes...
Before I could ask this circus charlatan about the quality of his cages, I was struck by the expression on his face. He'd turned white as the proverbial linen, his wide eyes were wells of fear and shock. In a low whisper, he urged me not to move if I wished to remain uneaten. The carnivorous creature was crouched behind me, ready to strike."

Litefoot: "Good heavens!"

Ellie: "How did you get away mister J?"

Jago: "I... That is... The details are unimportant. What matters is that the cove has unsuitable security securing his animals."

Ellie: "You can't end it there! You've just gotten to the best part."

Litefoot: "It is a rather important detail Henry."

Jim: "Yeah, go on. Tell us!"

Jago: "Who the blazes?!"

Jim: "Names Jim. At your 'umble service."

Ellie: "That's enough Jim. Shouldn't you be swapping the casks?"

Jim: "But"

Ellie: "No buts, if you want to earn your crust."

Jim: "Fine. But you owe me the end of the story later."

Litefoot: "Go on Jago. How did you get out of your predicament?"

Jago: "Well, as it turned out, Sydney was having a bit of a jest at my expense. There was in fact nothing behind me."

Ellie: "*laughing* He got you good then! Sorry mister J. Shouldn't laugh. But it is kind of funny."

Litefoot: "*chuckles* It was a rather well played trick, in fairness."

Jago: "There's nothing fair about it. Man could have given me a coronary with that carry on. He's nothing but a twit, a trickster and a charlatan, twhoo cannot call himself a gentleman."

Litefoot: "So what of the tiger itself? If it wasn't stalking you, why was the cage empty?"

Jago: "Died in the night apparently, and the body sent to London Zoo for examination. Tu-which sounds somewhat fishy to me. Tu-woo you think he's covering up a breakout?"

Litefoot: "Certainly it seems somewhat unusual, and coincidental. Perhaps it didn't escape, but was released? Though to what end I cannot fathom."

Jago: "This Lambert could have a nefarious scheme of his own."

Litefoot: "Or merely attempting to cover up some negligence on his part."

Jago: "Tu-whichever it is, the tu-whoo of us will get to the bottom of it."

Ellie: "Why are you speaking like that?"

Jago: "Like what?"

Litefoot: "I thought it I was imagining it Ellie. You're putting an odd stress on certain sounds Henry."

Jago: "I don't know what you mean. But I do feel somewhat out of sorts. I think I've had too much excitement today. Having ones life in the jaws of a metaphorical tiger can have that effect."

Litefoot: "Perhaps a good nights rest is what's needed Henry."

Jago: "Maybe you're right. I suppose I'd better make my way home. I'll need to be fighting fit if we're to face a fearsome feline on the loose tomorrow. Goodnight, Litefoot, Ellie."

Ellie: "Get well soon!"

Litefoot: "Hopefully you'll be feeling more like yourself in the morning."

Ellie: "Oh, look at the mess he left behind him!"

Litefoot: "What mess? Oh my word... are those?"

Ellie: "Feathers? Looks like it yeah. But how? Something he picked up at the circus maybe?"

Litefoot: "Yes, that's probably it. Just some detritus from viewing a menagerie of performing creatures. Must be. What other explanation could there be?"