Sewer Mayhem Read online

  As Emily opened the back door, she noticed two people coming out of the other alleyway on the other side of Mortar Street. It was Sam’s brother Gianni and that weirdo supply teacher Jacob had told her about. What had they been doing in the alleyway?

  Both of them noticed Emily watching, but then disappeared around the corner.

  Talk about obsessed. That weird woman seemed engrossed with the whole restaurant family. How dare Uncle Dave call her obsessed, when this woman was much worse?

  * * *

  Paddy

  It was official. The windowsill in the old building was now my favourite spot to use for observing two-leggeds. I’d really missed that when we’d been down in the sewers and as Vinnie and I sat on the windowsill, I could almost imagine me being back on the garden wall on Milbury Hill.

  Vinnie and I watched as the two men stood discussing the manhole cover. One of them was White Coat, the friendly but somewhat strange two-legged who normally resided on Milbury Hill. The other one was Boss Guy, who had been brave enough to stand up against Mad Maggie in the spring.

  ‘I’d no idea that White Coat and Boss Guy came down here as well,’ I said to Vinnie.

  He nodded. ‘I saw one of them yesterday when Leo and I were looking for something to eat in the car park.’

  ‘Their territory must be huge.’

  Boss Guy pushed the cover back over the manhole.

  ‘You’ll never guess who I saw last night when I went down into the sewer,’ I said.

  ‘You went down into the sewer?’ Vinnie’s ears widened. ‘Why did you do that? It’s too dangerous.’

  ‘Nah, I was careful. But who do you think I saw?’

  ‘I have no idea. Victor?’

  ‘No, Yellow Hair! You know, the two-legged who dumped the backpack down the manhole and who later threw the stuff out of the van.’

  I pointed at the manhole in the middle of Woolaston Road. ‘He came down the manhole and went into the sewer. Then the Three Bambini attacked him, so he fled, but not before they had scratched him all over his hands and face.’ I smiled at the thought, even though it wasn’t really funny. ‘Seems like Victor hates two-leggeds in his territory as much as rats…’

  ‘Yellow Hair,’ Vinnie said. He looked at the sky. ‘I’d forgotten all about him. So he went down into the sewers again? Hmm… that’s interesting. It shows us that he is becoming desperate in his search for the contents of his backpack.’

  ‘My thoughts exactly. Who knows what he will do next?’

  ‘Speaking of backpack contents…’

  We watched as Gus waddled towards us wearing even more of his treasure than usual. In addition to the earrings, he had now fashioned a child’s bracelet on top of his head in such a way that it looked like a tiara. Another watch was around his neck and he had two rings around his tail.

  I wondered if I should say anything about it, but perhaps it was better to ignore it for now.

  Gus jumped onto the windowsill and looked out of the window.

  ‘I’ve been thinking,’ he said. He turned his head and the diamonds on the bracelet glittered.

  ‘What about?’ Vinnie said, studying Gus’ adornments with some apprehension.

  ‘Daisy has a brother who works for the Ratville Rat Squad. Maybe they can help us getting rid of the Mob? It would be in their own interest as well.’

  ‘Rat Squad?’ My whiskers twitched.

  Gus nodded, making his earrings jingle. ‘Yes. They’re a group of rats that have the job to protect Ratville.’

  ‘Ratville needs its own squad to protect it?’ Vinnie said.

  ‘Of course,’ Gus said. ‘From other animals. Cats, dogs, squirrels, mice.’

  I snorted. ‘Squirrels I can understand, but mice?’

  Gus looked daggers at me. ‘Make fun of it all you want, but those creatures can be vicious. And don’t even get me started on the pigeons!’

  I pondered Gus’ suggestion. ‘I guess these Rat Squad rats are big and strong?’

  ‘Only the biggest and strongest are chosen.’

  ‘I think it’s a good idea to ask them to help us,’ I said. ‘We need all the help we can get to get rid of the Three Bambini.’ A little butterfly darted around in my stomach, excited at having found a possible solution. ‘How do we get to Ratville?’

  Gus pointed down. ‘The best way is through the sewer.’

  ‘The Rat Mafia is down there,’ I said. ‘Isn’t there another way around?’

  Gus shook his head. The tiara dislodged and settled itself over his left eye. ‘Takes too long. Through the sewers is the best.’

  ‘We don’t have a choice then,’ Vinnie said. ‘Maybe we can sneak past the Bambini unseen.’

  ‘That’s settled then.’ I jumped off the windowsill. ‘No time like the present. Let’s go!’

  ‘Food first!’ Leo said. He appeared from the back room dragging a half-eaten Swiss roll behind him. ‘That car park is a treasure trove!’

  ‘Nothing can beat my treasure!’ Gus said, pushing the tiara back on his head.

  ‘Of course it can! Leo took a large bite out of the roll. ‘My treasure is edible, yours isn’t.’

  ‘Who cares if a treasure is edible? My treasure makes me look important!’

  Leo swatted his paw at his brother.

  We gathered around the roll and started munching away. It was a good idea of Leo’s to fortify ourselves. We had no idea what could be waiting for us down in the sewer.

  ‘Is that a marquise cut diamond in that tiara?’ Vinnie said, eying the bracelet on Gus’ head.

  ‘Yes! Isn’t it fab?’

  I stared at Vinnie, my mouth open. ‘You really have to tell us where you get that knowledge.’

  ‘Nah, not important.’ Vinnie waved with his paw. ‘Ratville first.’

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Lunchtime at Posh Nosh was always a busy affair and today wasn’t any different. Jacob opened the door to find a large number of customers queuing up. Perhaps his idea of quickly getting some falafel to eat with his sandwich would take too much time after all.

  Emily tried her hardest to help as many customers as possible. Her blue hair was sticking out at odd angles and her apron stained with something that looked like mayonnaise.

  Peggy and Dave were talking in a corner. Things didn’t seem to be going well for Dave, as Peggy’s rather wildly moving arms suggested. What were they talking about?

  Jacob moved closer to try and catch something of the conversation. Not wanting to be obviously eavesdropping, he kept his eyes glued to the display cabinet of homemade salads, hummus and onion bahjis.

  ‘I can’t believe there’s still not a solution to the sewer smell,’ Peggy said. ‘How much longer are we supposed to wait?’

  Dave looked at his sister, his face red. ‘It’s not my fault, Peggy. My hands are tied. The council doesn’t have enough money to do anything about it.’

  ‘You say that there is a blob of fat stuck to the roof of the sewer. How did it get there in the first place?’ Peggy’s hands went up into the air. ‘Did you catch the culprit yet?’

  ‘That fat might have been there a long time. Who knows how it got there or who’s to blame?’

  ‘The sewer smell hasn’t been there a long time. Why don’t you go down there and have a look? See how fresh it is?’

  ‘I can’t just go down there. It might be toxic.’

  Peggy pointed a finger at Dave’s chest. ‘If it’s toxic down there, it’s toxic up here.’

  Jacob tried not to smile as he overheard the conversation. Dave had better find a solution, as he wasn’t going to win this one.

  He looked up from the cabinet to see Lorenzo Jr walking by outside. Perhaps now was his chance to have a word with him about Friday night. Emily seemed to have the same idea, as she gave him a significant glance over the head of the little old lady that she handed a piece of cheese. She nodded her head at the door.

  Jacob pushed through the line of waiting customers, which didn’t seem to ha
ve diminished. Stepping outside Jacob saw that Lorenzo had disappeared. So frustrating. The man eluded him again. Were they ever going to catch him? He would do a bit of a search for him when he had bought his falafel.

  As he got back inside, Jacob noticed Spencer Peacock coming down the road with large strides. Hopefully he wasn’t on his way to Posh Nosh. Fingers crossed.

  Back inside the shop, Jacob nearly bumped into Dave going out.

  ‘Who won?’ Jacob said and Dave glared at him.

  ‘Not funny.’ He leaned a bit closer. ‘She just has no idea how this sort of thing works.’

  Jacob glanced round the shop and suddenly saw the same young man that had been watching them on Sunday morning doing the camera survey on the sewer. He picked up a tin of chickpeas and started studying the label. This time he wasn’t wearing his hood and Jacob finally realised where he’d seen him before. It was Ricky Haddon, a boy who he taught physics a few years ago. He hadn’t seen him in a long while. Didn’t he drop out? Jacob raised an eyebrow. Whatever had happened to him, Ricky had never seemed the type to be interested in chickpeas.

  The doorbell tingled and Spencer walked in.

  ‘Just the man I need to see,’ he said to Dave, while Jacob made himself scarce. ‘I still haven’t received the permit for the street party. I need it as soon as possible. Within ASBOW the planning for the party is already in full swing and I need to know if we can settle on the date.’

  As Dave inched towards the door, Peggy appeared at Jacob’s shoulder.

  ‘Spencer is like a dog with a bone about this party,’ she said. ‘He doesn’t realise, however, that a street party in a sewer stink isn’t much fun.’

  Jacob smiled. ‘I guess it isn’t.’

  Peggy turned towards Jacob, her face suddenly turning red. ‘There is… er… something I want to ask you.’ She rapidly blinked her eyes a few times, then looked at Emily and back to Jacob.

  Jacob’s mouth went dry. What was going on?

  ‘Umm…’ Peggy continued. ‘Would you perhaps… er… like to have lunch with me tomorrow?’

  Jacob looked at the ground, feeling somewhat light-headed. A drop of sweat ran down his back. Emily had concocted this. That girl…

  ‘Well…’ he said, wringing his hands. ‘Umm… yes.’ Yes? Did he say yes? Why? Could he still turn it into a no?

  Peggy’s face had lit up at Jacob’s answer. He looked into her grey eyes and realised that he couldn’t disappoint her. ‘I’d love to.’

  Behind Peggy, Emily smiled and gave him the thumbs up. He glared at her.

  ‘I’ve got to go now,’ he said. ‘I need to check on some wild bees.’ He ran out of the shop, totally forgetting to buy some falafel and about his plan to look for Lorenzo.

  * * *

  ‘They’re under there,’ Jacob said, pointing at the side of the cricket pavilion on Milbury Green. ‘A family of rats.’

  Emily looked at the wooden cladding of the building and saw what looked like a small hole, right on the edge of the grass. It didn’t seem big enough to let a rat through.

  ‘I’ve been studying them for a bit now,’ Jacob continued, ‘ever since there was a bit of a to-do about them in the pub.’

  They made their way to a bench on the edge of the green and sat down. Emily took Trevor and Mike out of her pocket and let them roam about.

  ‘I can’t believe you’re still taking them to Posh Nosh,’ Jacob said. ‘One of these days Peggy will find out.’

  ‘They’re not doing any harm, so I don’t see what the problem is.’ Emily grinned. ‘Talking about Aunt Peggy. You’re finally going on a date with her.’ Jacob turned a nice colour red, just as she’d hoped.

  ‘It’s not a date,’ he said, looking at his hands. ‘Just two friends having a sandwich.’

  ‘If you say so, but that’s not the word on the street.’ Emily looked at Jacob’s lab coat. ‘Make sure you wear something else than that shabby thing, or Aunt Peggy will never ask you on a date again.’

  ‘It’s not a date!’

  They sat in silence for a bit, looking at two women pushing prams across the green while chatting.

  ‘What should I wear?’

  ‘Something a bit more respectable, like a jacket.’

  Jacob frowned. ‘I don’t think I have a jacket.’

  ‘A normal coat then. Or a shirt with a cardi or something.’ Emily grabbed the sleeve of Jacob’s lab coat. ‘Anything but this.’

  Two children rattled past on their bikes.

  ‘By the way,’ Emily said. ‘Abe came into Posh Nosh after you left. He wanted to know if Aunt Peggy knew anything about Nate not paying his shop’s subscription for ASBOW.’

  ‘Why would Peggy know anything about that?’

  ‘She’s the association secretary.’ Emily stared at Jacob. ‘Didn’t you know that?’

  Jacob looked at her, his face blank. ‘I don’t really care about that sort of trivia.’

  ‘Then that could be a topic to talk about on your date tomorrow.’ Emily rolled her eyes. How could Jacob be so smart about certain things, but so clueless about others?

  ‘Anyway,’ she continued. ‘Abe had been going through the shop accounts and wondered why Nate had stopped paying the subscription. Aunt Peggy said that Spencer had been quite put out by some of the shop owners not paying their subscriptions on time, and had been especially angry at Nate. It seems that he basically stopped paying after he took over the shop from his father two years ago. Then Abe said he was going to have a word with Spencer about it.’

  Emily looked at Jacob. ‘Could it be remotely possible that Spencer killed Nate because of unpaid subscription fees?’

  ‘No, I doubt that,’ Jacob said. ‘Not on purpose, anyway. Besides, killing Nate wouldn’t result in having the subscriptions paid.’ He looked up at the sky in thought. ‘But perhaps Spencer did go to the shop on Friday evening and got into an argument about it with Nate.’

  Emily stroked Mike’s back as he crawled into the crook of her arm.

  ‘You know what?’ Jacob said. ‘I don’t think Spencer could have killed Nate. He’s simply not the kind of person that lashes out in anger. I do agree that he can be very annoying at times and does get angry when things don’t go his way, but blind rage just isn’t his thing.’

  ‘Yes, I guess you’re right,’ Emily said. ‘Still, it might be something to look into.’

  ‘Agreed.’

  Emily’s phone rang. She pulled it out of the pocket of her jeans and answered it.

  ‘Where are you, Em?’ Sam’s voice came. She was in tears. ‘I really need to speak to you.’

  ‘I’m with Jacob on Milbury Green, near the cricket pavilion. Can you come here?’

  ‘Yes, no problem. I’ll be there soon.’

  Emily put her phone back in her pocket. ‘That was Sam. She wants to talk to us. She didn’t sound very happy.’

  Jacob arched an eyebrow. ‘I wonder what she wants to talk about.’

  ‘We’ll find out soon.’ Emily pointed at Sam as she came around the corner. ‘There she is.’

  ‘You’re going to hate me,’ Sam blurted out when she came within earshot. Her face was white as a sheet and streaked with tears.

  Emily got up and gave her a hug. ‘I’m sure we won’t.’

  They sat down on the bench, with Sam in the middle. Emily grabbed her hand. ‘What’s going on?’

  Sam looked from Emily to Jacob. ‘I’ve kept information from you.’ More tears ran down her face and Jacob handed her his hanky.

  ‘I should have told you right away, but I didn’t dare,’ she continued and looked down at her hands. ‘Two years ago there was a street party on Woolaston Road. It was fun until Nate sort of started harassing me.’

  ‘In what way?’ Emily said.

  ‘Well, it was more clumsy than malicious. We met during the street party and him being a family friend we walked around together for a bit. Then we came to the little alleyway between the old post office and Baxter’s Hardware, and he gr
abbed my hand and pulled me in. Then he tried to kiss me, but I pushed him off. I liked him as a friend, but nothing more.’

  ‘Had he ever given you any inkling of liking you?’ Jacob said.

  Sam shook her head. ‘No. He didn’t want to talk to me for quite a few weeks afterwards, but then I went to the shop and told him it was alright. I said that I’d forgiven him and hoped that we could be friends again.’

  ‘And did you?’

  ‘Yes, although he always seemed a little embarrassed about what happened. The thing is, my brother Lorenzo found out about it last week and now I’m afraid that he killed Nate in revenge.’ Sam started crying again. ‘And now Alfonso, you know, the waiter at Sant’Ambrogio’s told me that Lorenzo was away from the restaurant for a while on Friday night. Could he really have done it?’

  Emily put her arm around Sam’s shoulders, as the girl covered her face with her hands. ‘I’m sure there is another explanation,’ she said. ‘Let’s not think the worst right away.’ She looked at Jacob over Sam’s bowed head.

  Jacob got up and gently took Sam by the elbow. ‘Let’s take you home.’

  As the three of them walked to the restaurant, Sam calmed down a bit, but she still seemed rather overwhelmed by the whole situation.

  At Sant’Ambrogio’s Sam’s mother consoled her daughter for a while.

  ‘She’s been very upset by it all,’ she said to Jacob and Emily, while stroking Sam’s hair. ‘I have been quite worried about her. I will take her to bed and give her the night off.’

  They watched as mother and daughter disappeared around the corner.

  ‘We need to talk to Lorenzo, asap,’ Emily said.

  Jacob nodded. ‘We do indeed.’

  Alfonso came into the restaurant at that moment. He smiled at Emily. ‘Nice to see you here.’

  Emily, however, didn’t feel like flirting at the moment. ‘Is Lorenzo in?’ she said.

  ‘No, he’s gone out to get some things for tonight.’

  ‘Can we wait for him here?’ Jacob said.