The Gunhen

By Merv Lambert

A collection of childrens stories based on the videoville animals... What causes Matilda the hen to shoot up the Foxy Club? Aided by their friend Stinky Winky, Mewsli and J.S. Bach, the private detectives investigate and solve the case to the displeasure of Spotto, the lazy chief of the Videoville police. In 'The Owl Who Wasn't Very Bright' young Oliver Owl, inspired by Owlexandra, his new girl-friend, overcomes his usual incompetence to humiliate Tony Tawny Tornado Owl by planting him neatly in a basketball hoop. Morrey Monkey reads and acts out the story of how Dotty, the naughty young dinosaur, helps her uncle to trap the gigantic, deadly Ramborinctus. Morrey unexpectedly wins himself a new role in Mike Mudd's next film. How does the Wherewolf change from possibly becoming a werewolf to become the voice of Videoville Sat Nav? 'The Duel' sees the crucial contest in the Two Town Gala between Videoville and DVD Town, in which the arrogant Ronaldo Rhino, the mayor of DVD Town, takes on Videoville's studious Erwin Elephant. It climaxes in their amazing cycle race.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AUK Kids
• Release date: May 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781849896733

Book preview

1988.

The Gunhen

Who’s outside? asked Mewsli, the great cat detective.

I think we know already, replied her partner J.S. Bach. It’s Stinky Winky.

Yeah, but he’s a good friend, so I’d better let him in. I wonder what he wants.

Hurrying to the door of their office, she opened it, and right away the powerful odour of the little skunk filled the room.

I’m sorry, guys, said Stinky Winky, but I had to come straight away to let you know. I didn’t have time to spray on my Slinky Link deodorant.

What’s happened, Stinky? asked J.S.

There’s been a shooting down at the Foxy Club. I thought you would be needed, as everyone knows that Chief Spotto is not the brightest spark in the police department.

Mewsli frowned. He’ll not be happy, if we just barge in unasked, especially as I got him into trouble over the Gnomicide case.

Stinky Winky laughed. Yeah, but Freda and Alfredo Ferret are there even as I speak. Freda will already be in front of the T.V. cameras, and Alfredo will have done his first report for the newspaper. We’d better get down there pronto, or it’ll be all over before it’s started.

So it was ten minutes later they were standing with a crowd of other animals, who had gathered on the other side of the street from the Foxy Club. Because it was daytime the gaudy neon signs were unlit. Chief Spotto was barking orders to his squad of police, including his deputy Gronya, who was organising setting up the blue and white Videoville crime scene tape around the building. Moggo Doggo was standing guard. For once he was not eating anything. Already Freda Ferret was standing in front of the T.V. van and speaking to camera. She was wearing a long blond wig. It was known, of course, that she was a friend of Trendy Wendy, the fashion-setting penguin. She waved to Stinky Winky, put a paw to her nose, and then pointed to her right, where her brother Alfredo was talking to some of the bystanders.

Hi, Alfredo, said Stinky Winky. Tell us. What’s the latest?

Well, guys, I’ve got to get along to the hospital to interview Phineas Fox.

He’s the owner of the Foxy Club, isn’t he? How is he?

More shocked than hurt. A masked intruder suddenly appeared in the casino and shot up everything, including the roulette wheel, the card tables and even the bar. Then he disappeared just as quickly. Sorry, fellas. Got to dash.

Alfredo leapt onto his motorbike and sped off towards the hospital.

J.S. thought for a moment. Then he decided. I think I can get into the club without Spotto knowing. I’ll have a look around. Mewsli, you could visit Phineas Fox.

O.K. agreed Mewsli. We’ll meet up in the office later. If there’s anything urgent, ring me or text. She strolled off towards the hospital.

Two minutes later J.S. came out of a baker’s shop, and crossed the road to Moggo Doggo.

Say, Moggo, you must be getting hungry just standing there and guarding the tape.

Yeah, I sure am. Moggo was eyeing the waxed paper bag J.S. was holding.

Fancy a doughnut or two? asked J.S., holding up the bag temptingly.

Er…I’m not supposed to eat on duty, growled Moggo.

But I bet you’re starving, remarked J.S. casually, pretending to walk away.

What do you want? asked Moggo suspiciously.

Just a quick look round inside the club and you can have all these. J.S. shook the bag gently just under Moggo’s nose.

O.K., but don’t let Spotto spot you.

No chance, grinned J.S., and handing over the bag of doughnuts, he ducked under the police tape and entered the Foxy Club. The light inside was rather dim, and there seemed to be broken furniture everywhere. J.S. had to pick his way carefully around pieces of broken glass that had once belonged to a chandelier that now lay shattered in the middle of the floor. Luckily no one else was around, as he checked every part of the large room, that was, or rather used to be, the smartest gambling joint in town. He had found nothing, no clues at all until suddenly he sniffed sharply. He realised that among all the