Tintin and the Will of Hartley Manor

by crayonsruletheworld

Tintin is given a new assignment - the will of Mr. Hartley. His money and estate was supposed to have gone almost entirely to charity, but distant cousins are now the sole inheritants. Is there a later will? Why are there men tailing Tintin? And what does the beautiful girl who just moved in across the hall have to do with this?

1. Chapter 1

I don't own The Adventures of Tintin, of any of the characters from it.

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Brussels 1930

Chapter One – Enter the Stranger

Tintin dried and put away his breakfast dishes, calling "Snowy!"

The obedient white terrier ran to his feet eagerly as his master put down the checked dish towel and crouched to pet him. "We'll have a new assignment today, Snowy. I wonder what it'll be?"

Striding to the door, he picked up his blue sweater and pulled it on. Adjusting his collar in the mirror by the door, he grinned and asked his pet, "Ready?"

As Snowy responded with a bark of approval, Tintin opened the door. He let Snowy run through first, then paused as he noticed a note at his feet. He registered Snowy barking at someone on the stairs as he opened the note and read it quickly. It read simply, Don't get involved.

"Well, that's the first time I've been threatened about a case I haven't started yet." Tintin muttered, tucking the note into his pocket. Only more intrigued, he closed the door and called for his pet. "Snowy?"

Looking up, he saw that the dog was being petted by a young woman on the stairs who balanced a large suitcase on the stair below. Starting down the stairs, he called for his dog again. "Snowy, come here!" Speaking to the woman who straightened up, he added "Sorry, he's always curious. Would you like a hand with that?" Tintin gestured to her slightly battered suitcase.

"Yes, please!" She replied. Tintin could now see her face clearly, and quickly took note of her fashionable and functional clothing. The deep grey travelling suit and hat only made her short blonde hair and large blue eyes stand out more. Lovely, Tintin thought impulsively before dismissing the thought and easily lifting her large trunk.

Turning to continue up the stairs, he asked "Are we to be neighbours, then?"

As they came to the first landing where his apartment was, she replied "Oh yes," and gestured to the opposite side of the hall. "My flat is just here." As Tintin lowered her trunk to the floor outside her door, she pulled out her keys and offered him her hand. "My name's Eva, by the way."

Taking it, he replied, "Tintin. Miss Eva, on your way in did you happen to see anyone by my door?"

Her eyebrows came together slightly as her hand left his, and Eva replied "I believe there was a man leaving just as I was came out of Mrs. Finch's room with my key. I didn't get a good look at him, though. Why?"

"Someone left me a note, is all." Tintin turned away, and added, "I hope you find this part of Brussels a suitable place to live, Miss Eva."

"This part of Brussels?" She turned away from her door to look at him. "I'm not from Brussels at all, I only just arrived."

"Oh." Tintin smiled, "It seems I was mistaken then. It was nice meeting you, Eva."

Turning to walk down the stairs, Tintin could hear Eva unlocking her door and entering her apartment. "I recognize that style of suitcase," he said quietly, "they're only sold in Brussels, and hers seems a few years old. I wonder why she would lie?"

Heading out the front door of his building, the curiosity about this young lady quickly left his mind as he stepped into the street and started towards the newspaper office.