"The Whale will come to your birthday party? Are you having a BIG birthday Party?" I queried CC.
"That's the oddest part of the message, Constable. I am NOT having any birthday party!
"Hmmm--no birthday party, you say. Could this message refer to anything else you can think of? Or maybe you misunderstood the message?"
"The jellyfish was quite clear. I have no idea what it was talking about."
"It may have been a coded message that someone would understand. And there is a look-alike to you hanging around--in fact the crayfish calling himself "Edgar Allen Crawfish" could be your twin brother! Maybe the "birthday party" message was meant for HIM! Something is up--or something is "going down" as they say and we are going to get to the bottom of it now!"
...
I raced to the door and looked up and down the street, but there was no sign of anything unusual. The gang Effie had seen had disappeared.
So I returned to confront CC Crayfish and to calm Effie.
"There seems to be something behind your fears, CC." I said. "And, if what you say is true, you have done nothing to attract the attention of a gang of thug harbor seals. This is unusual and most perplexing."
"I swear I have done absolutely NOTHING to deserve this torment, Constable."
"And you have only been followed for a few days?"
"No more than four--though I may have been followed earlier without paying it any attention. As I say--I have NEVER been in trouble of ANY kind! No reason for anyone to follow ME!"
"And has NOTHING unusual happened to you in the last few days--let us say about a week?"
"Absolutely NOTHING! Uhh--wait a minute--something rather odd did happen to me about a week ago! As I was out walking, an unknown jellyfish drifted by and
said something very strange to me. It said: "The whale will come to your birthday party!" and then it drifted swiftly away--"Most peculiar." I remember thinking at the time--but with all the other things happening so suddenly--I forgot it until you asked me just now to remember anything unusual."
...
Effie was looking so shocked and pale, I immediately jumped up and offered her the easy chair.
CC looked absolutely terrified too but I would have to take care of poor Effie first and then get back to him.
"What on earth WAS it you saw?" I asked after her breathing had almost returned to normal.
"Oh, constable!" she moaned--"Right outside--practically on our DOORSTEP--" she shivered and could not go on for a few breaths--"There were several--you could call it a GANG---I KNOW it was a gang---of those low, ruffian harbor seals!"
"Harbor seals!?" I questioned--because harbor seals seldom left the docks--though they DID travel in gangs
and they WERE disreputable in the extreme! (They were known to do almost anything for one small fish!)
"I know it sounds imPOSSible, Constable, but I am sure they were harbor seals!
...
"Oh! Const..." CC gasped.
"Right-o my shellfish friend!" I said from the easy chair.
"Now if you will kindly explain just WHAT is going on here--without prevarication, please!"
"I am dreadfully sorry for my unforgivable behavior Constable. The simple fact is--I have NEVER been in ANY sort of trouble before! But the last few days have comp-letely changed my outlook on life! I have NOT been so frightened since the class bully terrorized me in the first grade!"
"Now, just calm down CC. I assure you that you are not in danger here in my office! Suppose you begin with the beginning..."
At this very moment, Effie returned looking quite pale.
"Constable--I can't believe it!" She gasped, "You asked if I could spot anything different outside and, believe me, I have SEEN SOMETHING!"
...
...
This time I stopped in the outer reception room of my office and spoke to Effie.
"Effie." I said very quietly so as not to be overheard in my inner office, "There is something very strange going on here. Will YOU please step out into the street and see if there is anyone or anything you would say is unusual out there? I am going to stay right here to be sure our guest doesn't take it on the lam."
"Of course, Constable," she whispered. I'll be back in a few with a complete report!"
I settled myself into an easy chair to see what would happen.
Sure enough, as soon as the outside door closed behind Effie, "CC" Crayfish rushed out of my inner office!
...
Very curious, I walked into my office--and there he was--not at all different from the last time he had visited--well, maybe a little more nervous and worried looking.
"Constable Crab!" he said with vigor, "I a SO sorry I left so precipitously last week. The fact is I was simply terrified. I have been so worried--so sure I have been followed by someone who means to harm me--that when you left the office I panicked."
"That's quite all right, uh, C.C. But didn't I just speak to you a few minutes ago at the Farmer's Market?"
"The Farmer's Market! Absolutely NOT! I have never been to the Farmer's Market! I just arrived here a few minutes ago and your secretary suggested I wait for you here."
"Have you ever heard of a person called Edgar Allen Crawfish III?"
"The name is vaguely familiar but, no, I don't believe I know anyone by that name. But you are making me feel very nervous now."
"I am sorry, C.C., but I was just talking to someone who could be your twin at the Farmer's Market."
"Please stop, Constable! My poor nerves just can't take very much more. I am SURE I have been followed here!"
"I want to help you but if I check outside, will you wait for me here this time?"
"Oh yes, Constable. I will! Please do!"
...
"Uh...sorry. I must be mistaken." I said.
But I observed the crayfish carefully until he made his purchase and left the stall. I could swear this was the same person as the "C.C. Crayfish" I had met so briefly before.
Well, it WAS a mystery, to be sure.
I bought a bit of fresh algae and then walked by my office to see if there was anything that needed to be done.
Effie met me at the door with a concerned expression on her face.
"Constable, you'll never guess who is waiting for you in your office." she breathed. "Your mysterious stranger, C.C. Crayfish!"
...
My prediction, as it turned out, was absolutely spot on-- because only a few days later I caught a glimpse of our "C.C. Crayfish" at the Farmer's Market which is held every week on Tuesday evening in our village.
I had stopped by to check the produce. Sometimes I can get a great bargain on fresh local-grown algae at the Farmer's Market, you know.
So I was quite surprised to see, standing at ease in front of the algae stall waiting for the clerk, none other than C.C. Crayfish.
"Mr. C.C. Crayfish I presume." I said jokingly tapping him on the shoulder.
"I beg your pardon, Sir. Do I know you?" The crayfish said, turning to look me in the face.
"I think so." I said, "We met in my office just a few days ago. I am Constable Crab."
"Constable Crab?" Replied the crayfish. "Surely not, Sir. I have a very good memory for faces and I assure you I have never laid eyes on you before. My name is Edgar. Edgar Allen Crawfish III."
...
You can be sure I made all haste to see what sort of "thing" I had glimpsed scurrying around the boulders--but by the time I had reached the first stone, there was nothing in sight.
Perplexed, I walked back to my office where my secretary was waiting.
"Did you have any success?" she asked.
"Not this time, Effie. Though I DO think someone or something WAS out there. Maybe our Crayfish guest "C.C." can throw some light on..."
"If you mean the Crawdad, sir--I am afraid he's gone! He took off like a shot as soon as YOU were out the door! Whatever does it mean, Constable?"
"I really don't know, Effie. I don't know. But maybe this is not the last we have seen of Mister C. C. Crayfish!"
...
"Please be at ease, Mr..."
"Claus Conrad, Constable. Please call me "CC".
I wouldn't ask you to do what may seem to you to be a foolish thing--but I-- I--I DO have reason to believe that I am being followed--and that my very life is in danger!"
The Crayfish certainly looked desperately worried so, to set his mind at ease I left my office, passing Effie as I walked out.
Much to my amazement as I stepped into the sandy street that goes by my office, I caught a glimpse of something dodging around some nearby boulders.
...
