Police Ears

Victor gets out of the police car.

Thought I'd find you here, says Victor.

Whereas I did not expect to find you here, says Gaius.

That's as may be, says Victor.

Demotion? asks Arthur.

Not at all, says Victor. My secondment has ended, not that it's any of your business.

I take it you've been looking for me, says Gaius.

 I have, says Victor. I suppose you can guess why.

No, says Gaius. Unless you are going to be unnecessarily officious regarding our intended visit to Waitpinga.

What's this? No, says Victor. But I advise against it.

What then? asks Gaius.

He's found GLOOPY! says Terence.

Victor's police ears prick up.

And who or what is Gloopy? asks Victor.

A herring, says Arthur.

Not an endangered maugean skate? says Victor. One has been found on a bus in Adelaide. And the security camera enabled the transport authorities to identify who it was left by.

Me! cries Terence.

You are a minor, says Victor. It's Gaius who's in trouble, unless he can explain how the dead skate came into his possession.

I can explain, says Gaius, but it's a long story.

Then I must ask you to accompany me to the police station, says Victor.

I should be happy to, says Gaius. But Arthur has a fever and needs my immediate attention.

Yes, says Arthur. 

Then he may accompany you, says Victor. We have a first aid box.

What about our bikes? says Gaius.

Bring them, says Victor. They'll be safe at the station.

So Gaius and Arthur wheel their bikes over the road to the police station. 

Terence gets a short ride in the police car.

What can you tell me about the dead maugean skate? asks Victor.

He could do tricks on a skateboard, says Terence. He wanted to come with us, so he hid under my skateboard and Surfing-with-Whales didn't know and threw him into the pullalong and he died but I knew he wanted to have an adventure so I put him in my pocket but he smelled.

And this happened where? asks Victor.

In my pocket, says Terence.

It is now Victor remembers that he should not interview a child on his own in a police car.

They arrive at the police station, at the same time as Gaius and Arthur.

And go inside.

A small white car which was passing slows down. 

Not because Sweezus, the driver, saw his friends enter the police station.

Nothing so coincidental.

But because it is half past three and his passenger, a man of habit, insists on stopping for his half past three walk.