Salty and Cara: ‘The Blue Dew’, Episodes 6 and 7
The great showdown of the first Salty & Cara adventure (Christmas Special Parts I & II)
Episode 6
Even the coolest cucumber might loose his nerves in this scene … (Christmas Special Part I )
Salty did not let his surprise show. That was never a good idea. Appearing prepared left room for the other one to wonder if he had something hidden in an invisible pocket of the coat. Another plan or a backup rolling in.
“You two seem to be having a good time. Mind if another Lowly joins the party?”
“Who you calling a ‘Lowly’* , Cucumber’. I am no Veg and my folks grow up high.”
“Wasn’t talking about you, but me, ‘Krick’. It’s ‘Krick’, isn’t it?”
“You trying to juice me up with you sweet talk, won’t do you no good, Cucumber. You’re sauce anyway.”
“Am I …?”, Salty felt his positive attitude fading.
“Sure thing”, now Berg cut in, “and you are going to get a good swig of the blue stuff”.
This was not the first time, the investigator had been in a situation with no way out, but this felt different. Something was terribly wrong.
The big door opened almost without a sound. Then a group entered, led by a huge black-purple mass. Gio had a broad grin on his face: “I told those two to leave you alone and just keep you inside, but as usual, the moron rollers won’t listen. Vanity is a big problem, wouldn’t you say so, Detective?”
He was not really sure, what was going on. But once again, Salty instinctively knew not to let his guard down. So he tackled the part of the whole situation that made no sense to him at all: “So you finally found time to join the party. I was wondering, why Don T. kept telling me, how you had ‘advised’ him, to show me this place.”
Gio frowned: “Aren’t you a clever one. It’s a shame that we have to turn you into mush. And Don Tomatoni will be very upset about it. That old fool, always trying to keep your old Veg out of the kill zone. And now he is doing it to you too. What is it with the Don and your father? Did he save his life or something?”
‘Don’t let them see your confusion, don’t let them know you’re out of control…’, Salty kept repeating this mantra to himself as his mind tried to piece together the puzzle. Obviously, this was not Don Tomatoni’s doing. His lieutenant had gone rogue. How far this plan had been orchestrated by the eggplant was not clear, but he had to figure it out. To make his way out and to buy some time before the police came. He hoped the old guard had done his job as promised. The best strategy was to get the bad guy lecturing and bragging. So he took a shot into the dark: “That scientist at the university was someone from your family, right? The one who was working on the nutrient project that went haywire?”
The crook almost showed his surprise, but managed to let it come out as a hint of agknowledgement: “You sure know your job. I have to give you that. Of course that stupid doc from the hospital could not keep his nutri-hole shut. He was really interested in my uncle’s work back then. Would have loved to work with him, but the Prof knew better than to get him involved. Obviously. That project was considered ‘confidential’.”
“So how do you know about it?”
“My uncle got sick and came home. Our own meds tried to do something for him, but it was too late. My mother was devastated. The Prof had always been her favorite brother. The one who made it big in New Valley.”
The investigator was intrigued now, almost forgetting his own current dilemma: “So you stumbled upon his private notes after his death and got someone to work on it. Only you saw business where your uncle only wanted to help. What was that? Get people hooked and then make them pay more and more to keep the supply flowing?”
“Bravo! You almost got it right. Only I knew from the beginning that it was lethal. And I knew I had to dose it carefully so that the positive effects would outweigh the killing part at first. And there had to be some casualties before the whole thing could actually pay off. Blowing up the mayor’s daughter was a masterstroke. Because now everyone is paying attention.” He was obviously very proud of himself, because Gio just kept going: “And the press did a great job, too. ‘The Blue Dew’. I could not have come up with that better myself. I had the whole operation running right under Don Tomatonis’ nose, and he never suspected a thing. The whole lab, the people. The Don paid for them, and I told him it was a smuggling operation to and from the Big Valley. That sentimental old red softball. All about the honor of the crook and how business had to follow certain rules or you would destroy the structure. Blah, blah, blah … . He went to the big house too, you know. Only he got in trouble there, so the university kicked him out and he went to some academy. I think that’s where he met your old Cumberman.”
“But if you knew the stuff was lethal and people were going to find out, you would have to have something in your coat pocket. Like an antidote or something…”
Krick was impressed and could not hide it: “This veg is really smart, boss, just like you said. It’s a good thing we’re getting rid of him. He could really get us all …”
“Shut up! I can’t stand your babbling. Just keep getting the important stuff out and set up everything for the big show. Our star is already here. … oh yes, ‘star’. I am so sorry to have to separate you two sweethearts. She really is a lovely one. I may have to pay her a visit just to be sure. And your dear secretary and her family as well. I don’t want the word to spread. I have a business to run.”
“Save your time and energy, V-Egg. They know nothing. I figured it all out myself and I never passed it on. I never share information. It’s essential in this business.”
“Oh, you are trying to save your little Cara and that nice old secretary who has been with you since the beginning of time. And I also know that you are trying to make me mad so that I will lose it and you will get your chance to run away. I even get that you think the police will be here any minute. Well, bad news, Cucumber. We put the old punch in a security uniform and made him sit in that office so you would not really get anyone to help you. We planted him right in your path and made sure you would notice him. No one is coming to help you, Master Quentin Cumberman. You are done for. …” and he turned to one of the henchmen who had entered with him earlier, “tie him to that chair.”
Side Notes:
- * ‘Lowly’ is a discriminating term for all fruits, which grow close to the ground – like melons, pumpkins, zucchinis and cucumbers. The word indicates, that those fruits – yes, they actually are all fruits not vegetables, as one commonly might think – have a poor and minor upbringing and family background. Compared to tree fruit of course, who can trace their roots usually back many years.
— End of Episode 6 —
Episode 7
The showdown is on. Let’s just hope it’s not too close a cut. Because we all like a happy ending, right? (Christmas Special Part II)
As he sat tied to a chair, Salty ran through the very short lists of options in his head. He also tried to make sense of what he had just learned from Gio’s revelations. Don Tomatoni’s lieutenant had outsmarted and outwitted everyone. Even his boss obviously had no idea that he had led the investigator to the scene of the crime like a fruit to the juice box. And why would the Don want to protect him and his family? A completely absurd idea. He was sure that, as far as he knew, his father had never booked the tomato for the dungeons, but they had never really been friends. On the contrary, Salty had always had the impression that these two fruits avoided each other at all costs.
No one bothered him in his thoughts. Gio, Krick and Berg were still carefully staging a scene. If there was a hint where they might have put the antidote, Salty did not get it, even though he paid close attention. Then he heard glass breaking and Gio swearing: “You stupid Mel! Why don’t you just break them all at once! If we run out of this stuff before we get to the high rim, it’s game over. We can only make more of it there. You better watch out or I’ll crush you myself.”
He tried to see, but the shattering glass was behind his back and he could not move the chair. But there was a distinct smell. Like a strong flowery scent.
Then he heard someone approaching from behind him.
“You must have really pricked his pelt. I have never seen the Mel so mad at anyone. He is urging me to give you the shot right away. No, he’d rather open you up and pour it in.”
“Yes, we had a little misunderstanding,” he felt his luck turning somehow. Maybe there was a chance to get out of it.
“He said you called him a ‘Lowly.'”
” I was referring to myself.”
“Yeah, he also said you mentioned that, but he probably did not believe you.”
“Pretty sensitive for such a big brute.”
“You know what they say: Hard on the outside … . Besides, he must have heard that phrase more than once. For you, of course, raised in a proper public place, part of a group of loyal citizens, it’s not the usual, I guess. “
“I was not bred and raised public. My mother did that job.”
“Oooh, a little illegal urban gardening. Never took you for a rebel.”
“You’re allowed to raise your own offspring if you have a gardener in your family or close circle of friends.”
“Right, the old boatman and his folks. That’s how you met your nice glowing lady. … Anyway, it was nice talking to you, but …” .
Someone yelled. Then the big door flew open and a multicolored group of figures came charging in.
Salty heard the chirping. Gio heard it too and jumped aside, the shiny object barely scratching his skin.
The big crook cursed: “That sly old red ball! He figured it out.”
The next thing he knew, a large purple shadow jumped toward the chair. At first, the young gherkin thought it was Gio, trying to get the job done and finish him off, but then he realized that someone was pulling him out of the line of fire behind a big pile of boxes.
“You got him, Doc?” Don Tomatoni’s voice was fierce, but not too excited.
“Got him safe and sound. You can start the show now,” the eggplant next to Salty called back. Then he began to cut the strings that bound the chair to his protege, pulling him deeper behind the crates into the corner.
A moment later, the entire room was filled with swirling metal disks and the screams of attackers and attacked. Proving the marks on his skin and his chosen name to be authentic, the melon Krick himself fought like an entire.
“You dirty, dried-up piece of junk,” the Don shouted, “I trusted you to guide my fruit and run important parts of my business. And this is how you repay me?”
“So you are disappointed in me, Don T.. Pity you missed me just now.”
“I wasn’t trying to hit you, stupid V-Egg. If I had, you would be in chunks right now.”
“Oh, you were trying to get your godson out of the way. Soft old fruit. Why in the world would you play nanny to a cop and his family? He certainly wasn’t on your payroll.”
“Detective Cumberman was a good man. He had honor and pride. Both of which you sorely lack.”
“Did he save your life or something?”
“What is this information to you, V-Egg? Or is it not the information, but the fact that I treated him well. Are you jealous? Is that what this whole mess is about? You could have talked to me. No need to kill all those youngsters.”
“Those youngsters were customers. Rich, spoiled and bored fruits, stupid enough to seek the ultimate kick. They got what they deserved. It was just business. Isn’t that what you always say, Don T.? And we should finish our business here right now.”
“I am not trying to kill you, Gio. Already told you that.”
“You’ve been a lot of things, but never sentimental, Don T. . So I guess I’m in for a long quiz on the landmarks of the town. When that’s over, you’re personally going to slice me up – or what’s left of me, using a large dumb blade. And afterwards you feed me to the wasps and bugs.”
“Something like that.”
“Well, I guess, then I just have to make sure, you don’t get me”. He put on his hood, jumped up and sprinted for a side door behind a pile of discarded things. The metal discs followed him in a swarm. A few hit the long coat, but just bounced off, and he made it out unharmed.
“Get him!” A squad of Don Tomatoni’s foot soldiers followed his command.
With the head of the operation gone, the rest of Gio’s henchfruit quickly surrendered. Most of them had just minor marks. But Krick was gone, gaping cuts bearing witness to his furious battle. Berg had a more serious cut on his side, which the eggplant, that had saved Salty, was now tending to.
The section of armed fruit that had chased Gio came back in. The leader looked sternly at his boss and shook his head.
Now Don Tomatoni hurried over to the investigator, who was leaning on the pile that had sheltered him from the battle in the warehouse.
“Are you hurt? I’m sorry I led you into that trap. After I dropped you off, I went back to the quarters. Then I thought about the whole thing and kind of got a strange feeling. So I called your office. Your secretary had not heard from you in a while, which I thought was really odd under the circumstances, so I had her call the police. After that I rounded up some troops and came back.”
Salty was still slightly shocked: “Thank you, Don Tomatoni. You really saved me here. And I am sorry, I suspected you first to be part of the whole thing.”
“Don’t worry, I am not offended. I would have suspected myself had I been in your place. Hard too believe, that V-Egg was putting on the play right under my nose. It’s just too bad, he got out. It would have been good to get more info on the mess, so maybe we can find a way to save your girlfriend’s co-worker and whoever was stupid enough to try that stuff. I just hope there’s not more poison out there than what’s in and around this place. We should just burn everything, so nobody else gets tempted to use it, but the police are on their way … .”
“ … and they do not like anyone destroying evidence.” Salty knew the drill all too well. Although in this case he somehow shared the mobster’s idea that nobody should ever touch that dangerous blue liquid again. Then he remembered Krick’s accident earlier on. “I think, there might be an antidote,” he said, not mentioning the business model Gio had laid out for him. He wanted to keep that under wraps until he could take a closer look at the whole thing. “Somewhere over there they dropped a vile or something. It smelled really flowery. I think that’s the antidote. There should be more of it in the loaded goods outside. Maybe your doctor can look into it.”
Don Tomatoni called the large purple fellow over and repeated what he had just learned. The eggplant ran out and took two more with him.
Then the door opened another time. The police were in no hurry. They had probably heard the shooting from outside and waited the ceasefire out. Once Don Tomatoni was involved in the matter it was not wise to cross his path. Even the police of New Valley knew that.
The inspector joined them. He nodded. “Don Tomatoni. It’s good to have you on our side for once.”
The big tomato smiled sourly: “You know me, Inspector Calabaza, always the best for my favorite city. But let’s cut the pleasantries: My doc is outside looking for an antidote. Detective Cumberman here overheard a conversation and described the liquid. I just hope, they can get that stuff to the hospital fast enough. Maybe you can hand it over to one of your officers. You can take my boat. I think it’s the fastest one available.”
“It must be the festival season already, Don Tomatoni, I don’t know what to say”, the inspector smirked. Then he got serious again, “I really appreciate your help.” He called to one of his officers, that joined Doc, who had just reentered the space, holding up a box of small glass containers. They rushed to the side door.
“I hope you don’t mind me and my folks leaving the party early. They have really had a very stressful day. And the union demands regular resting hours”. The Don’s special sense of humor was well known. Whether or not you shared the fun, it was known to be wise offering some signs of amusement.
“You are such a joker, Don Tomatoni. Of course I understand”. The high-ranking police officer played nice as long as his city remained safe and the criminals maintained a certain level of decorum. But he was not scared of the mobster. “I also understand, it would be very bad for your image, sir, if other families found out that you were helping us, so I have instructed all my staff in advance to communicate only a special version of the events. May I suggest that you do the same?”
“Very thoughtful of you, Inspector. I appreciate that. But when you get right down to it, we are all in the same boat anyway, right …?” The Don motioned for his companions to follow him and left the room.
“Now to you, Quentin. I cannot tell you, how glad I am that you are all right. It was a little too close for comfort this time, I guess. You still look pretty shaken up.”
“Thanks, Max. Yeah, I don’t think I would like to repeat that experience anytime soon.” Then he gave his father’s old boss a brief summary of the events and an essential piece of the background Gio had provided.
“Pretty spooky stuff, all of that”, Maxwell Calabaza said after taking down a long list of notes, “it’s probably best, if you come by the police station sometime soon to take down the whole series of incidents. But take a day or two to calm down first. You really need it.”
****
On the way back to his office, Salty thought about the events of the last few hours. And he tried to make sense of the entire affair. When he arrived, the light was still on. His old secretary had been waiting for him to return safely, as she always did. But he also had a visitor waiting at his desk.
“You crazy cucumber.” Cara cried with relief. “Do you always have to ride it out by yourself?”
“Well, actually…” Salty didn’t get to finish his answer because she had already thrown herself at him, holding him tight and sobbing into the collar of his coat.
“It’s okay, Sweetie. I am fine. They even found the antidote. It’s on its way to the hospital. They can save Beta.”
The secretary came into his office, shuffling a little louder than necessary: “I’m going home now, Quentin. Take care of yourself and get some rest. … Oh, and there is a note on your desk. You got a call from some ‘Mr. Angus Cum’ or something. He wants to speak to you urgently. Good night.”
After Courgette left the office, Salty and Cara stayed there for a while. It was one of the only two places they could safely spend time together without causing any further trouble.
When they finally left his office, Salty glanced at the note on his desk on the way out and exclaimed in surprise. Cara, who was already at the door, came running back: “What is it, darling?”
“Angur Cucumis wants to meet with me…”
“That’s the accountant for my father’s former financial advisor, right? The one who made all the Swallowtails fly away. The shriveled fruit who took my family’s money … .”
“That very Angur Cucumis. He said to call him immediately. Apparently it is very pressing.”
Cara approached her lover. In a soft and low voice she said: “It will have to be pressing tomorrow, because tonight you have another emergency to attend to, Detective Cumberman.”
“Well, in that case, we better hurry,” Salty turned off the light and followed her out the door.
Side Notes:
- ‘Illegal Urban Gardening’: As already indicated in the Side Notes to episodes 3 and 4, it is forbidden to breed and raise young fruits and vegetables on your own. Although that might seem odd and drastic, this rule actually makes a lot of sense. Because the Fruitables are obviously no ordinary fruits and vegetables. The knowledge of breeding and upbringing requires intense studies and experience in the special technique this society has developed to evolve and exceed the usual life form of plant-based life. You want to know how? … Well, all will be revealed in good time …
End of ‘The Blue Dew’ … Or is it?
Missed the last episode? Here it is [ I< ] And what happens next? Find out [ >I ]
You have no clue, what is going on at all? Here is how it all started: [‘Salty and Cara. The Crime Story‘]
Needless to say, the stories about Salty and Cara are pure figments of my imagination. No resemblance to any person or place – present or past – is intended. But I am sure you have already figured that out 😉