STEALING EDEN Part Six (Continued)

  Sarah had been working at her desk in her Gazette office for an hour when she heard a man's voice in the office with her. "How long am I to be ignored?" he said in a haughty tone. She was shocked at first--she had not heard anyone come in through the door. The man was rather extraordinarily dressed in a long blue robe that went all the way to the floor, and had a cowl that covered the top of his head. He was an old man with a piercing glare that immediately set you on edge.

"My apologies," she hastily said. "I did not hear you come in." She rose to greet him and offered her hand. "Sarah Jackson," she said. "Managing director of the Junior Gazette."

The man shook her hand. "Cardinal Thriptos," he replied. "I am looking for Colonel Marriner. He's late."

Sarah looked at her watch. "A little," she admitted. "Shall I give him a call and let him know you are here?"

"Most thoughtful of you," he replied.

She dialed his cellular phone. He usually carried one with him at all times, and he answered after only two rings. After exchanging greetings, she told him of the Cardinal's arrival.

"Thriptos is here? That's strange."

"Yes, and he's watching the clock, so I suggest you get over here now or sooner. He's not happy."

"Is your office door closed?" he asked her.

"Yes, why?"

Suddenly, she heard the materialization of a TARDIS in her office. Thriptos allowed himself a faint smile. "I take it this is not a surprise to you, Sarah Jackson?"

"My life is rather a surprise at the moment," she said. "But I know that's a TARDIS, if that's what you're asking."

"I'm going to have to have a long talk with that boy. Would you excuse us?"

"Sure, you can have the office," she said, wishing dearly she could hear what the old man was going to say. It was a rare moment indeed for someone to bully Paul. She left just as Marriner exited his TARDIS.

"You fool," Thriptos growled, and threw a book at him.

Paul caught the book. "I got what you wanted. What are you upset about now?"

"Read a little. Pick any page."

"If you wish." Paul opened the book and began reading. 'Why, Farmer Oak,' she said over the top, looking at him with rounded eyes, 'I never said I was going to marry you.' Paul stopped and closed his eyes, a look of horror spreading over his face. "Thomas Hardy."

"She switched the book jackets. Obviously, she guessed you were going to try to steal it."

"She's a good opponent. I'll just have to try a little harder next time."

"This is a little more serious than another game of cops and robbers. We don't take damage to the time continuum as a joke. She'll have read the book by now. And if that isn't bad enough, your managing director knows of space-time travel, too. Why do you persist in interfering?"

"I am an agent of yours," Paul said darkly. "Though I am well aware you personally were in favor of my dissolution. You lost that vote, and you know very well I am permitted some help while I am here. Sarah's character and discretion are impeccable. You have nothing to fear from her."

"Lynda Day I do fear." Thriptos pointed a bony finger at him. "I don't like fear. I don't want to feel fear. So you are going to see to it that I don't feel any more fear or you won't feel anything more, ever."

"You want me to do what, exactly?" Paul said quietly.

"Eliminate her, I expect. You don't have many choices left, and you've bungled the ones you've had so far."

"And how do I explain that away? Lynda's a well-known local figure. I can't just kill her and go back to watering the marigolds."

"Not my problem. You want to be an agent, you have to deal with the business. That's how the game is played, son." He suddenly disappeared out of existence, leaving Marriner standing alone in the office, feeling very worried indeed.

Bobby Campbell was flipping channels on his office's television set that afternoon, when he happened across the children's show "Crazy Stuff" and its hyperkinetic host-on-roller-skates, Zack. Bobby remembered how this unlikely forum had saved the Junior Gazette in the first place, and he allowed his eyes to linger perhaps a little longer than he otherwise might have before flipping up to the next channel. This was very good timing indeed, for he happened to witness the following:

Zack and Cool Cat were sitting together on the big oversized couch. "Guess what, gang, we have for you today a pair of special guests to introduce today's Karate Pigs episode," Zack said.

"Who could they be?" Cool Cat asked.

From out of camera range, a male voice could be heard. "You know, Lynda, I've always thought the Karate Pigs were really great. My favorite pigs are Baby Pig and Scary Pig."

"Baby Pig," exclaimed a female voice in mock horror. "Figures you'd go for the airhead."

"Which pig do you like the best, then?"

"Whichever one winds up pork chops."

Cool Cat looked at Zack and exclaimed, "I know those voices!"

The camera panned stage left and there stood Spike and Lynda beside the famous Crazy Stuff magic screen. "Today, the Karate Pigs take on the evil Doctor Dread and his sausage gun--" Spike began.

"Sausage gun? That's pretty lame," Lynda interrupted.

"I think it turns the pigs into sausage, Lynda. Anyway, grab a friend and sit back while the pigs do their thing." Spike said, pointing at the screen.

"Oh, I get it. Sausages," Lynda said, a light bulb going off inside her head. "No guy should be without one. Can I borrow yours? You did say grab a friend."

"Here?" Spike said incredulously. "Not while we're on camera!"

"But the cartoon's already started. Nobody will see us."

"In front of everyone?" Spike whispered.

"They could use some excitement around here." Lynda said with a smile.

In the control room, the technicians fell on the floor laughing. The camera switched to Zack and Cool Cat, who just stared at each other, and then back at Spike and Lynda in horror. The floor director was waving his arms frantically. Someone mercifully cut to the cartoon. Colin Matthews watched off-stage with visions of pounds floating in his head. Bobby Campbell did not flip the channel.

In the Junior Gazette office, the phone rang and Tiddler grabbed it. After a short explanation, she yelled to anyone who happened to listen, "Get a TV in here now!" Someone rushed out to find one.

Julie heard the fuss and wandered over to Tiddler's desk. "Story breaking?" she asked.

"Better than a story, Julie," she said. "Spike and Lynda are doing 'Crazy Stuff' again."

"No!" Julie yelled in delight. "What did they pull this time?"

Tiddler whispered it to Julie, who started laughing. The TV was being hauled into the room, and Sarah and Paul happened to follow along behind.

"We were going to go see Lynda now; are you coming?" Sarah asked.

"Lynda's got plans of her own this afternoon, I think. Watch and weep, everybody." The television was plugged in and on 'Crazy Stuff' the games continued.

"So, are you cool today," Lynda asked the cat.

"Nine of my lives just flashed before my eyes," the cat dead-panned.

"I have that problem a lot lately," Lynda nodded in agreement.

"Now for those of you at home who have not yet died of shock and didn't see the last time Spike and Lynda came to visit us, here's a little clip of what you missed," Zack said as the TV picture cut to a taped flashback of Spike and Lynda slapping each other and then kissing.

"Children's television?" Paul asked Sarah quizzically.

Sarah shrugged. "You were expecting 'Sesame Street' or something?"

"So," Zack gulped, "what brings you on the show today?"

"Lynda heard you were still on the air and wanted to get you suspended," Spike said only half-jokingly.

"We have an announcement to make," Lynda said, "and as you were kind enough to help us get back together, we thought we'd come and make it on your show."

"Delighted," Cool Cat said in a distinctly undelighted monotone.

"Nobody else would have us. We break too much furniture," Spike added.

"Spike and I want to announce that we are officially engaged to be married," Lynda said.

In the newsroom, Tiddler let out a squeal. Julie smiled, and looked at Sarah, who smiled back. Many people cheered or clapped. Marriner silently watched the screen and said nothing.

On To Part Seven