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The Stranger In The Shed by Sheila Hinds

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The Stranger In The Shed by Sheila Hinds

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(in response to Mandy Redvers-Rowe prompt)

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(in response to Mandy Redvers-Rowe prompt)

“Calm down love, said the operator, “This is not a prank is it? You can be arrested for wasting police time.”

I am not wasting time officer, there is a possibility of complicity to smuggle endangered species!”

“Alright calm down now and let us go over it again. You said, I opened the garden shed to find a stranger holding a monkey in his arms.”

“It wasn’t a monkey; it was a baby orangutan. It was only when I got a good look at it I realised.”

“How do you know that?”

“I am a biology student I know the difference between a great ape and a monkey.”

“What were you doing in the garden shed?”

“I also volunteer for the local charity. I was canvassing for more lottery members. I knocked at the front door, the guys wife said, her husband deals with all that, and he was in the garden shed, she sent me round the back. That’s when I opened the garden shed, to find a stranger holding a monkey in his arms. When I had a good look, I realised it was a baby Orang.”

“Did you say anything to him?”

“No, I didn’t, I just asked him about the lottery, I didn’t want to make him suspicious. The animal needed rescuing and getting to a vet.”

“Are you sure you haven’t been drinking madam?”

“How dare you officer, the smuggling of endangered species can only be done by organised crime gangs! The cost of transportation, dark web marketing, it all costs large amounts of money. The perpetrators are dangerous criminals, that is why I rang the police. I knew I should have rung the bloody RSPCA.” Linda slammed the phone down.

She reached for her mobile, no charge, she then switched on the laptop, keyed in her password and googled RSPCA. The number came up instantly, she dialled it on the landline.

“Good morning. RSPCA, Maureen Ellis speaking.”

“I know it sounds daft, but I think I have spotted a baby Orangutan being kept as a pet in a garden shed.

“Where are you based and where do you live?”

“My name is Linda Mullins, I live in Wigan.”

“Could you hold the line Linda, I will try to put you through to someone who can help.”

Linda waited patiently, after around four minutes the music stopped, then a man spoke.

“Northwest RSPCA inspector Clarkson speaking.”

“Hello inspector my name is Linda Mullins, I am a student, I was doing some door-to-door charity work in my area, and I have come across a baby Orangutan being kept as a pet in a garden shed.”

“Have you rung the police?”

“Yes, but they treated me like a crank, I had to hang up on them.” There was a loud knocking on the door. Linda looked through the window. The police were standing there.

“The police are at the door?”

“I will stay on the line, bring them in to the house and get them to speak to me. Just in case the gets heavy give me your address.”

“52 Kildare Street Wigan.”

Linda opened the door there was a female P.C. and a male PCSO on the doorstep.

“Hello Officers, is about my phone call, about the baby Orangutan?”

“It is madam, crank calls will not be tolerated.”

“Please come in I have Inspector Clarkson of the Northwest RSPCA; he wants a word with you.”

“We will not continue with this silly game young lady. We are going to take you to the station where you will receive a caution.”

“I will have to tell him, and then hang up.” Linda picked up the phone.

“Hello Inspector, they will not talk to you, they are taking me to the station for a caution.”

“Put them on please Linda. Tell them, if not, I will be onto Wigan police within seconds.”

“He insisted on speaking to you, or he will ring your superiors at home.”

The WPC took the phone, “Who is this please? I am PC Sheena Anderton, I am very busy, I have just been sent over here to put the frighteners on a prankster.”

“I am Inspector Clarkson Northwest RSPCA, there was a boat from Indonesia intercepted at Liverpool, they were believed to have been smuggling endangered species. The boat came in early, we captured some of the gang and rescued some of the animals, but we believe that baby Orang may be part of this shipment. I feel this is far from a prank, it concerns illegal trade in exotic animals. Please take Linda to the station and await my team, Oh, can you please give me your sergeants name. I need him to set up a search warrant, then we can organise a raid. I will meet you in half an hour. Can you please put Linda back on?”

“Yes sir, and my sergeants name is Alan Randall.” The call ended.

“Sorry Linda, I was not given details, 999 just said there was a crank caller from this address.”

“Well, Sheena, all’s well that ends well, so they say. If I had been in your shoes. I would have felt the same.”

“Give me the address and I will phone it through to the sergeant.”

One hour later they had assembled at the station. The superintendent of police was there talking with Inspector Clarkson, he smiled at Linda.

“Linda, I presume I am inspector Clarkson, have you made your statement?”

“I have inspector,”

“What subjects are you studying at University?”

“I am studying biology and biochemistry. I am hoping to get on the vet’s course, Inspector.”

“Excellent would you like to volunteer with us and maybe look to a career. We can help with the course.”

“I would indeed sir.”

“I am a little shorthanded today, would you care to accompany me and my team? I have a badge for you, after all you are a witness, I am allowed to co-opt you.” Linda nodded with excitement.

The Police and RSPCA were waiting for the warrant, it came over via e-mail on a pdf document.

“We have it sergeant.” said Sheena. And waved the paper at him.

“It’s your mission sergeant. Your job is contact, and gain access. If it is an Orangutan. Search and seize computers, phones anything that you consider evidence.” Said the Superintendant.

In minutes they were on their way, a RSPCA van and car, and two police cars. They quickly arrived at the address; one police car was behind the house, one in front. The delegation knocked at the door. The woman of the house answered.

“What’s all this about?”

“We have a warrant to search the premises for a baby Orangutan.”

“Oh, that bloody smelly monkey thing. He was looking after it for our Billy, I told George to throw it in the canal, its not even house trained.”

They heard shouting and swearing from the back. The two officers came in around the side of the house, with an aggressive male in handcuffs.

“We know this fellow; his name is Billy Merton he is the one who is behind this, the Orangutan’ is in the garden shed it needs attention.” said P.C. Wilson. The RSPCA team and Linda, rushed to the garden shed, the inspector opened the shed door. The poor little thing cowered shaking.

“Linda, I think it is the uniforms that are unsettling the poor mite, could you come around me gently and speak softly, as if you were talking to a baby and hold out your arms?” She did as he said, the little primate looked at the RSPCA men, then looked at Linda, and held its arms out to her. In a flash the Orang was snuggled in her arms. Back at the house, the police had all the family cautioned.”

“We have to take the family in said the sergeant, PCSO Bradley, can you stay here till the SOCO’S arrive.

“Yes sir,” said the PCSO.

“We have to get the name of Billy’s boss. Billy’s just a pawn following orders, get everything photographed.” Said the sergeant. “It’s the paymasters we need, Sheena call the super, he needs to ring Merseyside division to try and get a link with the earlier raid at the docks. We will get them for you Linda.”

“Have you photographed and documented the little lady sergeant Randall? We have to get her to Chester Zoo. The veterinary team is waiting for us, are you coming Linda?”

“I would be honoured Inspector. Have you finished with me Sergeant?”

“I have love, we will call you if we need you. I must apologise for the way you were treated earlier. But it’s not every day we see one of the worlds most endangered primates around here, well done Linda.”

“Thank you, sergeant.”

Linda climbed in the van with the frightened little creature, a lovely little girl in need of TLC.

Ken Scally

From the prompt. (I opened the garden shed to find a stranger holding a monkey in his arms.)

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The amateur magician          by Tony Topping      

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The amateur magician          by Tony Topping      

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A muddled magician of very limited powers
Practices his art in sight of Scholes towers
And all the while a boy in his teens
Watches this mage with scurrilous means

He notices the lock upon the rickety shed
And waits until the man slumbers in his bed
Stealthily he approaches in the night
And breaks the lock with all his might

Inside in the shed in the very deep dark
A pair of red eyes into life do spark
A moment’s panic soon falls flat
When the torch reveals a big black cat

The youth laughs and searches the place
But he is then replaced by a vacant space
The cats white teeth flash in a blinding grin
Only she knows what happened within

Early the next day the Magician tries again
He taps the cabinet with a wand and then
He opens the case with a gasp and a gape
To be warmly greeted by an untidy ape

The man is no magician and the cat is no fool

Grizelda is an ancestor of when witches did rule

Let this be a warning if you are tempted to stray

For you could end up living in Chester Zoo one day

(in response to Mandy Redvers-Rowe prompt)

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2021 is Liverpool's Year of Writing.  Sunshine Writers are writing in response to prompts from authors as part of Write Here, Write Now.  Enjoy! 

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2021 is Liverpool's Year of Writing.  Sunshine Writers are writing in response to prompts from authors as part of Write Here, Write Now.  Enjoy! 