CHAPTER 4

Tintin couldn't remember just how many ales he had. It was rare he sat and let his guard down so low. He felt so comfortable with Haddock and Chester around. The night of merriment seemed to bring new laughs and joys with each passing moment forgetting their troubles. Things seemed a bit wobbly for Tintin as he felt slightly dizzy after his sixth pint of ale. Tintin could hear the patter of rain and the rumbling of thunder outside. Tintin got up from the table of the pub, "Where do ya think your goin?!" Captain Haddock said grabbing Tintin's arm.

"I need to go to the loo!" Tintin gave Haddock a strange look. Then Chester grabbed his other arm forcefully.

"Would you like a man to escort you like the lady you are to the little girls room?" Chester mocked as he and Haddock burst into cackling laughter.

Tintin didn't know what to think, shocked that his companion, who he had shared many life and death experiences with, would laugh at his expense so readily. Then the waiter turned to laugh at him and then the other tables joined in, and finally the whole pub was laughing at him. Hurt and angry, he slipped out of his long black trench coat and dashed down the corridor to the bathroom and slammed the door behind him. He washed his face with cold water from the sink and began to look at himself in the mirror. Still the same Tintin he'd always been, only with a more of a toned body. Not wanting to return back to the hall he stared into the mirror making sure that nothing about him looked out of place, until his reflection spoke.

"What are you playing at?" Tintin jumped back completely surprised and scared. "You're a nobody! You're nothing but a spoiled grown brat that has some man who's predominantly been a failure all of his life, get lucky once, and now pays your way!"

Tintin bolted out of the bathroom back into the now dimly lit bar room. It was quiet, and as he walked in the room the tables were empty, the bar was empty, Captain Chester and Haddock were gone. An overwhelming sinking feeling tugged at his heart, "Captain Chester! Archibald Haddock! Stop this nonsense right now!" Tintin demanded angrily. The eerie silence rattled Tintin's nerves as the rain seemed to be falling harder outside the flashes of lightning accompanied with the loud roaring thunder seemed more intense.

Suddenly the silhouette of a young boy no older than seven years old sat, sobbing in a corner on a chair. "Hey!" he said walking towards the boy. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Tintin asked with sudden confusion. The little boy stood up out of the chair in the corner and walked into the dim light where he could be seen. He looked almost like Tintin did when he was that age only dressed in Sunday school clothes.

"You abandoned me!" the boy accused. "You don't care about me, you only care about yourself!" he pointed. Tintin was lost and so full of emotion he didn't know what to do or say. "I don't know what you're talking about?" Tintin explained.

The tears of the child turned into anger, "Just go away! I don't need you! I've always been all by myself and it's your fault! Leave me alone!" the child screamed running out of the pub.

"Wait! You can't go out alone!" Tintin ran after the child, but it was like a tunnel of darkness toward a small ray of light. The child seemed to get further and further away until he disappeared as darkness overtook him. Suddenly a persistent banging startled him.

The morning sun had already risen, and the sound of church bells could be heard off in the distance. People were traversing streets making their way to noon mass. The heavy blue curtains blocked most of the rays of sunlight that filtered into Chester's flat. It only took a second for one to see that it was a disaster area. Half of his books that were on the shelf earlier were now on the floor, the television screen was distorted and moving perpetually vertical. The card table and a chair were lying on their sides, and a box of food lie open on the floor with the contents almost completely empty with Snowy asleep not too far from the scene of the crime. On the sofa, lie Captain Chester & Haddock, along with Tintin in the middle. Tintin had his arms around a throw pillow and his right leg propped up on Captain Chester's lap. Haddock had an empty bottle of whisky clutched in his right hand and his left arm around Tintin as Tintin was leaned back against Haddock. Chester's mouth was wide open as he had a huge empty double shot glass with only a drop or two left and his left arm draped above Tintin's head. Captain Chester and Haddock snore one snore right after the other. Both with their mouth's wide open.

Tintin could feel his head aching and slowly began to wake as Haddock held him tighter as he began stirring when he realized someone was banging on the door. "Ugh..uh…" Tintin moaned grabbing his head then moved the captain's arm so he could stand up. Tintin stood still trying to gain his bearings as the banging on the door continued. "Signore Chester! It's noon! Are you ok?" a voice shouted from outside.

"Captain Chester!" Tintin said gently shaking him. "What!" he jumped off the sofa looking back and forth. "Someone is at your door" Tintin woke him. Chester walked to the door slowly straightening his appearance putting his hat back on. "Who is it?" he demanded and got quiet.

"Si Signore! It's me Enzo!" Chester unlatched and unchained the door. "What time is it?" Chester shook his head trying to shake off the bad headache he was now having.

"It is noon sir, you were supposed to meet me by the docks almost three hours ago! I came by to see if you had even left yet. I've got the yacht ready to leave whenever we're ready to pull anchor" he explained. "Good God!" Captain Chester nodded shamefully looking at his place, himself, Tintin, and Haddock. "You ragazzis like the alcohol too much?" he said rhetorically.

"Tintin, wake Haddock and we'll leave less than an hour from now" Chester said going back to his bathroom. "Hello" Tintin waved awkwardly to Enzo. "Buon giorno signore" he greeted back. He was just a tad stouter than Tintin and had dark brown hair and green eyes and stood just an inch shorter than he. He also had a sack in his hand which he handed to Tintin.

"I was told for all of us to put these uniforms on since the American sailors are strolling we won't be spotted so quickly if people look for us" he replied. Tintin took the bag and pulled out one of the folded white uniforms. "I'm not sure the captain would want to wear uniforms under his status" Tintin laughed inspecting the white trouser slacks and white tunic with a black handkerchief hanging around the neck. Tintin saw how convincing it looked on Enzo, "You really look like an American sailor!" Tintin smiled.

"Someday I want to become an American sailor" Enzo laughed. "Captain!" Tintin shouted.

Haddock jumped up off the couch and threw his hands up, "What? Where? Who?!" he said with a start looking around. "How did we get back? Where's Chester?" Haddock asked confused.

"Right here, get it together Haddock! Sorry about our tardiness Enzo—aw I see you brought the uniforms, looks like they were able to get them!" he smiled looking through the sack to find his size. "Come on Haddock, you too Tintin, the loo is free!" he pointed as he went to his bedroom not before taking a shot of whiskey in front of everyone drawing a strange look from both Tintin and Enzo.

"What?! I got to get rid of this headache!" Chester shrugged handing Haddock the bottle.

"Ah thanks, I'll be needing that too" Haddock nodded grabbing his head taking a couple shots himself. "Blisterin' barnacles! You want me to wear a mere sailor's uniform?!" he gasped. "I'm a captain!" he bellowed.

"Swallow your pride Haddock, so am I, so if you don't want trouble crossing the English Channel I suggest you quit your griping and do like the rest of us" he said disappearing to his chamber. Tintin continued to look through the bag and found a bigger size and another that still was a bit bigger than he. He frowned as he took the smaller uniform going to change.

Enzo began to pick up the rubbish on the floor of Captain Chester's flat since they weren't leaving for a few more minutes. After a moment, Chester came out of his room with both sleeves rolled up and a small carrying sack with the clothes he would change back into, and the sailor's cap perched on top of his head. The sailor cap really set the uniform off, Haddock's mood went from grouchy to silly in that moment as he began laughing.

"Why Chester, you look the proper sailor mate!" he grinned widely.

"Hold your laughter Haddock, it's your turn" he said as he began helping Enzo clean the place. Haddock looked doubtfully at the uniform.

"You think whoever is following us is going to fall for this Tom Foolery?" Haddock ridiculed. Chester shook his head.

"We have a better chance of fitting in which means we won't be spotted as easily" Chester rationalized. Captain Haddock sighed and took the uniform to Chester's chamber to change.

"Good times?" Enzo said looking at more than a couple empty bottles of whisky. Chester began picking up the books, and just as he picked up a rather old large one, something fell out onto the floor.

"I guess you can call it that…" Chester shook his head picking up what had fallen out of the book. It was an old photo of himself and Captain Haddock that was taken almost twenty years ago. Both he and Haddock were dressed in sailor uniforms standing by a gangway each holding up a fish as a bucket sat next to Haddock's feet. Haddock and Chester were both shaven with no more than a five O'clock shadow. A few moments went by as nostalgic feelings began seeping from him. Chester was trying to remember exactly where the photo was taken but couldn't quite recall it at the moment. "Well here I am!" Haddock said making an entrance just as Tintin came out of the bathroom. "Chester! What are you looking at?" Haddock immediately became curious.

"Look at this" Chester said handing him the huge photo. Captain Haddock looked at it for a moment as his face melted into smiles. "Where did you get this?!" he asked happily.

"I can't remember… I think this was the second merchant ship we sailed on" Chester concluded. "The Hastings!" Haddock shouted remembering. "Oh I remember that day!" Haddock said triumphantly. By this time, Tintin and Enzo were both trying to get a peek at the photograph.

"Those were the days" Chester nodded. "Well, let's go… the yacht is ready and if you want to have time to catch a fish or two we'd better scram" he said giving Tintin and Enzo a moment to look at it before carefully placing it back in the book he kept it in. Tintin couldn't believe that was both captains. Both were robust, tall, and young, but Haddock had a slightly bigger fish than Chester; also a bigger smile. Chester had his fish up high too but his gaze looked distracted. They gathered the rest of their personal articles quickly and locked up. Snowy finally began barking approving of his masters outfit.

"Oh that's right, Snowy" Captain Chester said forgetfully.

"Is there a problem?" Tintin asked. Chester glanced at Snowy then Tintin's burlap sack of clothes.

"Your dog may give us away, maybe you could carry Snowy in your sack" Chester suggested. "What?!" Snowy growled. "Here I'll cut a small hole so Snowy can poke his nose out to breathe" Chester did just that taking out a pocket knife.

"Come on Snowy" Tintin said sadly as Snowy whined reluctantly getting into the bag.

Tintin began laughing as he realized how they all looked leaving Captain Chester's flat. "I bet there's a story to that photo" Tintin commented as they were walking.

"Aye! There is…" Chester smiled. "Once we get out on the water we'll tell you" Haddock laughed. "This should be interesting" Tintin giggled.

Enzo remained quiet as he was told to be wary of all strangers. Once they got out onto the open streets he realized they were several blocks away from the docks. The streets were so full and so many faces of mostly sailors and locals, but the crowd kept Enzo paranoid as he kept having a feeling something was about to happen.

XXXXXXXXXX

Many frustrating hours went by once the dark clad trio arrived in Brussels. They made their way to the train station where Tintin had been spotted, but kept second guessing each other as to where he had gone. Sunday morning was quiet, so nothing went unnoticed by these three. "We should have got them the first time" the Italian guy with the shades said shaking his fist in the air.

"It's nine in the morning, we've been sitting here for several hours and not one thing" the tall Russian guy complained. The shorter guy was yawning with sleep since they had only dozed off a time or two near the train station. "All of this effort for nothing" the taller Russian shook his head. Finally the Italian spotted a couple of familiar faces.

"Ah, it's those two dumb detectives" the Italian guy whispered as they began watching them as they walked by stopping at a payphone. "You guys wait here, I'm going to get a closer look… this maybe our one chance to get a lead" he said confidently as he straightened his coat walking towards the payphone acting as if he needed to use it next.

One of the detectives was already on the phone as the other detective stood a few feet away. "…You haven't heard from them? I understand… you think he may be visiting an old friend?" he heard the other detective say. "May I help you sir?" Thomson asked.

"No, I just need to use the phone" the Italian guy nodded. "Lovely day isn't it?" Thomson smiled. The Italian guy was trying to pay attention to what Thompson was saying on the phone, but trying not to be obvious at the same time.

"Oh yea…it's finally beginning to warm up a bit" he nodded.

"Tintin caught a purse thief here according to…" the Thompson statement was cut off by Thomson. "Are you on your way to church or something?" Thomson inquired. The Italian guy held back his irritation.

"Uh yea, but I must wait for my wife and family as they are returning from… a visit with my wife's a mother" he quickly explained.

"You guys were attacked?! Good Heavens! Are you ok?" Thompson asked with concern. The Italian guy turned around trying to be discreet.

"You don't look happy to see your family" Thomson asked suspiciously. The Italian guy glared annoyingly at him trying to bite his tongue afraid he was going to miss a vital piece of information that would lead them to Tintin and Haddock. "Did you and your wife have a fight?" he continued repeating the question until he got a response.

"I don't discuss my personal relations with strangers signore!" he grit through his teeth. "He left a letter?! What did it say?" Thompson exclaimed.

"I understand… it must be really bad!" Thomson frowned. The Italian guy was beginning to feel an intense desire to strangle Thomson.

"…an old friend? Up north? Who? Don't tell me… we're catching a train back… we'll talk more when we return…indeed…" Thompson continued.

"Are you sure you wouldn't like to talk about it? You may feel better if you let out some of that hostility you seem to be carrying" Thomson asked waiting for Thompson while analyzing the Italian man. The Italian guy couldn't take it anymore.

"Stai Zitto!" the Italian man yelled about to back hand Thomson but Thompson had just hung up the phone. "Well let's go home"

Thompson smiled. "Indeed, this man has absolutely no manners!" Thomson said backing away.

"Told you not to talk not to talk to uncivilized ruffians" Thompson said as he held his cane out. "Let's go, this place is filling with rubbish" Thomson agreed as they walked away.

The Italian guy felt an urge just to pull out his gun and fire at both of them, but the noise of the other train station occupants pulled his temper back. The information he heard might be enough to go on, but he knew he needed to make a couple of calls trying to get any hint of information that would give he and his group direction. Lento took out some change and began dialing.

"Yes, we are in Brussels and I gathered they have definitely traveled north, but from here I'm not sure" the Italian man informed. "Is that so? I heard he was planning on visiting an old friend" he shook his head. "Yes, call them…I will be waiting right here, yes signore, you need the number? No? understood" he said hanging up. The two Russian men stared blankly at him and he motioned for them to come to the payphone. "I want you two to watch the payphone while I go get something from the café, if the phone rings, answer it" he instructed.

"So this is where they took the other guy to" the shorter Russian mentioned. The taller Russian guy, who stood almost six feet, eyed anyone menacingly who even acted like they needed to use the phone. "If he knows what's good he will not speak" the shorter guy said who stood about five feet and seven inches. The taller Russian guy continued to stare at those who got too close to the payphone until it began to ring.

"Hello!" the tall Russian guy quickly answered the phone. At that moment the third guy returned. "Yes, he's right here…" he said handing the phone to him.

"Yes, oh did he now? That sounds great! Si boss, bravo! You're networks never cease to amaze me! Hopefully this informant will be able to locate them. Antwerp is where you want us to go? Fine, we're on our way, ciao!" he hung up the phone and his mood looked much better. The two Russian guys sometimes had a hard time reading him. "Now, we purchase the tickets, we should be able to catch another train in an hour" he finished.

"Soon we can all rise in our ranks!" the shorter guy grinned. "Who said you would rise in the ranks?" the taller guy scoffed.

"Silencio! Both of you! The mission has not been completed yet, so don't a jinx us!" he scolded. "Thank you detectives!" he began laughing evilly.

Somewhere else in Antwerp another man hung up his phone. He opened up an envelope full of money. "Soon Chester, you will regret removing me from your ship" he laughed as he folded the money putting it in his pocket. The bald muscular man put on a black bandana and threw on a grey coat over his black tank top. He stood about as tall as Captain Haddock but was bigger chested. He picked up his sailor's sack and left the bathroom.

"Hey mister" a group of Ameican sailors hollered to the man as he left the bathroom. He quickly trotted to their table. Five American sailors sat there getting boozed up each ranged in age from their mid-twenties to early thirties. One among them was a petty officer.

"So this is the man you want us to rough up?" one man asked showing a photo of Captain Chester that was recently taken.

"Yes, that's him, and rough up anyone else who is with him" he said. "So how much are you going to pay us?" the petty officer said tipping his hat. "All of you Americans are so driven by money" the man laughed.

"What did you think? We would do it for free?" one of the spoke and they laughed.

"Of course not…" he said pulling out a roll of bills. "A hundred Belgian Francs for each of you if you go right now" he whispered showing the money. The sailors looked at him and realized he was serious.

"You do realize, you put our careers in danger by us doing this" the petty officer changed his tone. The man with the black bandana nodded putting a hand up.

"Fine, I'll double the price!" he said more urgently. All of the sailors finished their drinks and looked at their superior. The petty officer finished his drink.

"You have yourself a deal" the petty officer said taking the money. "Show us where we can find this man and consider it done"

The ex-member of Captain Chester's ship shook his head as they got up to follow him. "One more thing…" he whispered as they stepped outside the bar. "Make sure they will be hospitalized for a long time" he chuckled. Quickly he led them down the streets towards the pub he was told Captain Chester frequented.

XXXXXXXXX

Enzo continued bringing the rear, as they turned down an alley for a short cut. "So Enzo, how long did it take you to get the ship ready?" Tintin asked. A small thud was heard and Enzo did not respond. "Enzo?" Tintin turned around quickly and saw to his horror Enzo had been clubbed and was being drug off by a big muscular man with a black bandana. "Enzo!" Tintin gasped. Captain Chester and Haddock both turned to see. "Gaspar!" Chester gritted through his teeth. "You know him?" Tintin said as they began to pursue but were blocked by American sailors. "Get out of our way!" Chester demanded.

"Na, we hear you guys need a lesson taught to you" one of the spoke punching his other hand. The other two had clubs. "Easily done" Chester growled. "I wouldn't assume that just yet" a voice from behind spoke up.

"Two more are behind us!" Tintin shouted. "Ya kidnappers! No good punks! Body Snatchers!" Haddock shouted rolling his sleeves ready for a fight.

"Get them!" the petty officer yelled.

At once four sailors came at the three companions as each dropped their bags, Snowy barked in protest. A club came crashing down at Tintin as he deftly dodged to the side kicking the back of the guy's leg causing him to buckle and lose his balance. A second guy swung with a club at Tintin, and this time he had no time to counter so he did a somersault right passed the guy as his club barely missed where Tintin had just stood.

Captain Haddock grabbed a sailor's fist proving to be stronger forcing him to the ground and punching him one good time in the jaw sending him to unconsciousness. Captain Chester pulled off a similar maneuver, as another guy had a club and aimed for Chester's head but Chester caught the club with both hands as the guy sucker punched him in the ribs…being a fairly stout man Chester ignored the pain and made the man drop the club and with a free hand he grabbed the man by the throat forcing him up against the alley building kneeing the man in the stomach and backhanding him across the face as he crumpled to the ground.

Tintin jumped up only to be kicked as he was standing, then Snowy came from behind the man who Tintin had made lose his balance and bit the back of his leg. The man shouted curses. The other man jumped on Tintin as he pulled Tintin up in a half nelson. The other man kicked at Snowy grazing his back. "My dog!" Tintin shouted as he kick at the guy grazing his chest since he wasn't quite close enough. The other man drew back his fist to punch at Tintin as the other man struggled to keep him still. Quickly Tintin threw his head back busting the man's nose behind him.

"Oh no you don't you sea rat!" Haddock said grabbing the man's fist throwing him into a few garbage cans. Chester grabbed the man off Tintin as he was pulling out a knife and slammed him into the alley wall.

"Hurry! Enzo is in danger!" Chester sprinted past them. "Now time to deal with you, you shameful naval officer!" Haddock stood menacingly. The petty officer was amazed at their strength and combat abilities, and jumped outside the alley shouting and pointing at them, "American sailor imposters!" he yelled. "Quickly, we got to follow Chester" Tintin raced after him. Haddock quickly gathered their bags and ran after Tintin with Snowy following him.

"Get back here Gaspar you coward!" Chester shouted running after Gaspar as he got into a car which began driving away. Gaspar pointed his gun out of the window and shot at Chester barely missing him. Suddenly the back car door flew open as Enzo was thrown out. The black car sped up the streets. Chester quickly ran to Enzo helping him up. "Can you walk?"

Enzo slowly stood up, "My head hurts!" he winced in pain.

Tintin, Haddock, and Snowy finally caught up with them. "We got to get out of here! That slanderous officer is getting more of his buddies thinking we are trying to infiltrate their ranks!" Haddock warned.

Immediately another small white sedan pulled up. "Get in quickly!" a familiar voice sounded. Tintin instantly recognized him, "Hanz! Come on guys!" Chester and Haddock looked at each other and shrugged. Snowy jumped in with Tintin then Haddock entered as Chester cramped in right behind. Enzo slowly got in the front still in pain from the scrapes he received as he was thrown out of the moving car.

"Tell me where we are going?" Hanz asked urgently as the petty officer began to approach the taxi with a few more sailors.

"The docks!" Chester shouted. With quick reflexes Hanz backed the car away from the approaching assailants and did a one eighty degree turn causing other cars to slam on their brakes. Tintin glanced back after hearing a few crashes seeing a four car pile-up as many horns beeped back in loud protest.

"Great snakes!" he shouted.

Hanz quickly drove them dockside, "Which way left or right?"

"Left!" Chester answered quickly as Hanz cut a car off with the driver of the other car beeping and shouting curses. "Just a bit further" Chester said sitting up.

They passed many sailors walking along the docks and families on Sunday strolls. "Here!" Chester shouted. "Thank you Mr. Hanz!" Tintin said graciously. "Please, just Hanz" Chester pulled out some money but Hanz shook his head.

"Don't worry, you gave me plenty of money last night" he winked.

Haddock and Tintin quickly glanced back at him confused not really remembering much of the night before. Enzo slowly got out trying to move carefully. Chester contorted his face in confusion too after he heard Hanzs' last statement. Haddock handed Chester and Tintin back their sacks but carried Enzo's for him. "Don't worry Enzo" Tintin said helping him move a little faster.

Chester led them to a small impressive yacht. It had three decks, the bridge sat on top of the second deck which had a simple dining area, a loo, and two small cabins below near the engine and storage room. The superstructure was an ivory color while the hull was a dark blue with the name Shooting Star painted in white at the front. Chester and Haddock worked like a dream team together once they got on the Shooting Star. There were quite a few other ones that were much nicer of course, but a yacht was a yacht as far as Tintin was concerned. There were other small sailboats and yachts casting off as well. Haddock and Chester quickly pulled up the four anchors and untied the heavy ropes on the pier.

Tintin helped Enzo on the boat as they went inside into the dining area where a midsize table with a small gas stove sat with a couple of cabinets where food and other supplies were being stored.

Haddock and Chester got the engine started, "Ahoy!" both Chester and Haddock shouted as they stood in the bridge guiding the small yacht out of the port for it had been almost twenty years since they last were out at sea together.

XXXXXXXXX

"Blast!" Gaspar cursed. "You grabbed the wrong guy" one man in the back said. "How will we follow them now?" Gaspar complained. "Don't worry about that, you just keep driving" the third man in the back replied. "I told you they don't scare easily!" a familiar voice scolded. "They got lucky this time, but next time they won't be so lucky" Gaspar stated as they quickly drove away. There were three other masked men in the car with black robes and bird beaked masks. One man took off his mask, "Tintin has no idea how his world is about to crumble down on him!" the man laughed. "Thanks, I know how you feel Allan! Us first shipmates got to stick together!" Gaspar emphasized. "Oh yes, they will not get far, sweet revenge, we kill Haddock and Chester and deliver Tintin to the All Seeing Eye!" Allan agreed.