Sorry about the length between this update and the last but I caught the T-virus at work. Luckily I found the antidote, uncovered the secret lab and blew it to hell.

(Just kidding, I've had a bug called the Norovirus.) Very nasty stomach bug and I'm still not fully well. This chapter has been simmering for a while though so I thought I had better dish it up. Also been working on kinks in the story as a whole, so now hopefully it will be as good or (I hope) better than Oak Island.

Oh and if you have any questions you wish to ask feel free.

Farrel out!

Escape from Marlinspike

Unable to believe what he'd just heard Tintin tore his gaze from the radio and turned to Captain Haddock. The sea Captain was staring at him with a strange expression, somewhere between shock and disbelief

"You don't think I actually did that do you!"

Haddock frowned slowly.

"Captain I was here all night last night, I couldent have been in two places at once! I'm innocent and this is obviously a set up." Tintin explained exasperated.

The question was though the reporter thought why go to so much trouble? There was also the matter of the object stolen, if the authorities believed he was the one responsible for the theft and murder then they would be looking for him.

As if on cue Snowy growled. Both Tintin and Haddock stood as the door burst open to reveal a flustered looking Nestor and the two Interpol detectives Thompson and Thomson. In unison they pointed at Tintin with their canes.

"Your under arrest Tintin! Don't Move!"

Tintin had no intention of being arrested for a crime he didn't commit but more so because there was a mystery here and he wanted to get to the bottom of it. Before the two detectives could finish their sentence Tintin was moving. He darted for the small side door set into the corner of the room that he knew would lead him to a staircase and from there to the top floor of Marlinspike.

As Tintin ran towards the door both detectives tried to follow unwilling to let the boy give them the slip. Promptly Thompson caught his feet on the edge of the rug and fell heavily, tripping up Thomson who had moved to follow him. Both detectives scrambled to their feet meticulously apologising to each other, they made it to the door only to find Captain Haddock barring their path.

"Move aside Captain, you are obstructing the law." Thomson argued.

"To be precise we are an obstruct to the law. Thompson agreed.

"Blue blistering barnacles" Haddock growled. "I don't know what's going on but I don't think Tintin is guilty and you two bashi-bazouks aren't getting past me!"

The detectives looked for a moment like they were going to try, and then appeared to think better of it. Instead they turned and jogged towards the foyer, the pair of them getting stuck in the doorframe as they both tried to get through at the same time.

Back inside the room Nestor cast a confused glance at Haddock who still stood with his arms folded.

"What on earth is going on sir? They say Master Tintin is wanted for-"

"I don't know what's going on Nestor" the Captain interrupted "but I hope Tintin can work it out."

"You don't think he's guilty sir?" ventured the butler.

"Don't be daft man; he was here all night last night he can't have been in two places at the same time.

Xx

With Snowy at his heels Tintin emerged onto the second floor landing. He had heard some of the exchange between the Captain and the Thom(p)sons and felt a rush of relief and gratitude toward his old friend. Now he had to use the precious seconds afforded by him to get out and find out what was going on.

Hearing a commotion on the stairs the boy reporter stuck his head around the corner and found both the detectives making their way up with expressions of identical concentration on their faces. He knew that look well and while the pair of them weren't overly bright sometimes they were determined and Tintin knew he had to make himself scarce.

Turning he headed down the corridor towards his room, while behind the detectives made it to the landing.

Without stopping the reporter crossed to the large window and pushed it up. A large strong ivy plant snaked its way up the side of the building strong enough Tintin hoped to hold his and Snowy's weight. Calling to his dog he half climbed out of the window and then shifted around so he was facing forward into the room. With great care he took hold of one of the stronger looking branches, and when it seemed it would hold he applied more of his weight to it until he was hanging on with almost half his body weight.

"C'mon Snowy."

The fox terrier hesitated for a moment before jumping up onto the sill and nosing his way inside Tintin's sweater. With a small yip he gripped onto it with his teeth and closed his eyes. Voices outside the door galvanised Tintin into action swinging fully onto the ivy he scaled down as fast as he dared almost loosing his grip as a weaker branch he grabbed tore away from the wall.

He made it down without further incident and had just placed his feet onto the gravel when both Thom(p)sons appeared in the window above yelling his name. He ignored them and after disgorging Snowy from his shirt they both sprinted off down the drive.

He needed to get back to his apartment and collect a few things and then the hunt would truly begin. He wanted answers and he was going to get them, the fact that the police were after him made things slightly more difficult but that had never stopped him before and he refused to let him stop him now.

Despite the earliness of the day he decided to take the back roads to his apartment building, it would take slightly longer to get there especially on foot but it seemed the best option for the moment.

30 minutes later

After jogging his way through the deserted back streets Tintin was finally outside his apartment key in hand. At his feet Snowy growled and as Tintin unlocked the door and stepped inside he found out why, he was not alone. Seated in his favourite red armchair and staring back at him was himself.

TBC