CHAPTER 25
The rest of the train ride was almost uneventful. The young couple sat next to each other snuggling and occasionally kissing gently. Haddock kept rolling his eyes in annoyance as Tintin had Snowy and Cocoa sitting right next to him petting them both. First the young couple was just holding hands and giving each other affectionate pecks on the cheek every couple minutes. Then they scooted closer together. Every so often Cocoa and Snowy would bark distracting the young couple getting giggling glances from the couple saying 'how cute'. Haddock looked at Tintin and then the couple who was too engaged with each other to notice the crude stares Haddock shot them. Tintin only smiled blushing a little trying not to stare still thinking it was a bit unclassy to do any kind of passionate kissing in front of strangers or friends. Haddock had his arms folded with his pipe in his mouth smoking heavily while glaring.
Haddock began clearing his throat as the young couple was now kissing mouth to mouth. Tintin assessed their age, most likely between seventeen and twenty. Tintin scanned their hands as they were embracing across from him and noticed no engagement rings. Haddock cleared his throat again, this time louder than before. When he saw they seemed to be ignoring him, he then inhaled a large huff of smoke and blew it their way. The smoke was abundant as the young woman finally let go to cough. She finally looked up to notice the dirty stares Haddock was giving her and how Tintin shook his head disapprovingly.
She quickly turned around as her boyfriend went to reach for her again. "Stop, not now…" she whispered.
The young man opened his eyes feeling Haddock's piercing dirty look while he was smoking his pipe and stroking his beard.
"Blisterin' Barnacles! You'd better be glad she's not my daughter!" Haddock finally spoke up.
The young man sat back in his seat too afraid to respond back as the captain's icy stare completely intimidated him.
"Young people these days!" Haddock huffed.
The young man glanced over to Tintin who only shook his head unsympathetically, and the young man hung his head silently the last few minutes of the ride. The young couple got up quickly and the young man quickly ran past Haddock afraid that he may do something to him. Tintin almost laughed out loud noticing how the boy was scared of his captain.
"Maybe that'll teach him a lesson eh Tintin?" Haddock smiled.
"Without a doubt captain" Tintin smiled back. Cocoa and Snowy began barking boisterously as they collected their luggage getting off the train at the Moulinsart station.
"It feels good to be back" Tintin took a deep breath.
"Eh landlubber? Now if we can just get us a cab we'll be doing quite fine" Haddock said as they walked near the entrance to the station to use the payphone then quickly put it down nodding.
"What's wrong captain?" Tintin asked.
"The detectives told us not to call the manor or any methods using telephone to communicate" Haddock explained.
"Yea, that's right… it's about a twenty minute walk otherwise…" Tintin shrugged.
Haddock looked at the phone then looked at the road unable to decide what to do.
"Hmmm…" the captain thought annoyed not really feeling like walking until a familiar voice pierced his thinking.
"Why Captain Haddock! Tintin!" the voice shouted.
Haddock cringed at the sound of the voice as Tintin already saw who it was.
"Hello Jolyon Wagg! How are you doing today?" Tintin greeted.
"I'd almost rather walk" Haddock muttered under his breath.
"What are all of you doing out here?" Jolyon asked curiously.
"We just got back from holiday in Antwerp" Tintin went up to shake his hand.
"So you're just getting back?" he smiled with a flash in his eye.
"That's right" Tintin smiled as Haddock slowly made his way over as Jolyon.
"Captain Haddock, it's so good to see you again" Jolyon said grabbing the captain's hand as he walked by the car window.
"Yea…you too…" Haddock grunted as Tintin gave him a slight bump motioning to the car.
"Oh! Yea Jolyon, it really is good to see you too! So where you been hiding you loquacious babbler?" Haddock smiled playing the part as the comment was lost on Wagg.
"Oh well you know, an upstanding salesman such as myself just has so much to do... I'm actually on my way to go meet up with a client…so where the two of you off to?" Jolyon asked joyfully to see the captain react more positively to him than normal he thought.
"Well…we were on our way home…" Haddock alluded straight to the fact that they needed a ride home.
"Well of course Captain! I wouldn't just leave my good old friends standing on the side of the road! Get on in!" Jolyon said jovially.
"Good thinking Tintin!" Haddock whispered as they were getting in.
"It's only a five minute ride to the house" Haddock thought.
Tintin, Snowy, and Cocoa jumped in the back while Haddock took the front seat.
"So what activities were you doing in Antwerp Captain?" Jolyon asked with interest.
"Ah…you know, drinking, fishing, and playing chess and cards…the usual" Haddock just began spouting off.
"Did you have a good time?" Jolyon continued his line of questions.
Tintin was waiting for the introductory friendly small talk to end and for Jolyon the salesman to come out and start his solicitous speech of sales pitches. The skies were starting to get a bit cloudy as they continued toward Marlinspike Hall. "One minute down four to go…" Haddock thought.
"Oh speaking captain… have you thought about switching your insurance policy on Marlinspike Hall?" Jolyon said attacking the captain with his sales pitch.
"Blisterin' Blabberin' Blue Barnacales! I knew it was too good to be true!" Haddock thought.
"Well to be honest Jolyon…" Haddock was about to respond until Jolyon cut him off with another offer.
"Are you and Ms. Bianca Castafiore still planning on getting married? Cause if so you need life insurance policies for each other…" he asked out of the blue.
"Billions of Blisterin' Brilliant Blue Barnacles! Where in the world did you come up with a bird brain idea like that!?" Haddock demanded a bit flustered almost choking on his words. Tintin nearly burst into laughter.
"Well uh… you know… it was in the magazine but I figured maybe you just weren't ready to settle down and all you know, since you travel so much…" Jolyon rationalized.
"No! No! NO! Bianca and I are NEVER getting married! Got it!?" Haddock emphasized.
"Oh my goodness captain, do calm down…I didn't realize you felt so passionately about it" Jolyon frowned.
"Mr. Jolyon just keeps sticking his foot in his mouth eh Snowy, Cocoa?" Tintin laughed quietly in the back seat petting the dogs.
"What an idiot!" Cocoa barked.
"You don't know the half of it!" Snowy barked back.
"What are you talking about Wagg?! There is no passion! Get your head out of the clouds or out of the insurance papers for once and use your common sense! How long have you known me?" Haddock ranted on.
"Close to six years now Captain... maybe a little more?" Jolyon shrugged.
"How often have you heard of Madame Castafiore at my manor?" Haddock drilled.
"...uh well... um not much I guess..." he shrugged again.
"You see! You answered your own question you scandalous gossiper!" Haddock said a bit heated.
"Well you're passionate about how you feel right now… well let's change the subject…how about that insurance policy I offered you earlier?" he went back to his previous question about the manor.
"I told you Wagg, the answer is no N-O, no! If I want insurance I will call you! Please! I just got back from holiday!" Haddock continued shouting.
"Almost there Snowy, Cocoa, think the captain can make it without strangling Mr. Wagg?" Tintin laughed.
"This is entertaining" Cocoa barked.
"This could be bad for Wagg" Snowy thought.
"I understand Captain, but that's when accidents happen the most" Jolyon pointed out.
"What are you talking about? The only accident that could happen is…" Haddock started to say as a little fox wandered out into the road. Tintin barely noticed it.
"Jolyon! Watch out for the fox!" Tintin pointed sitting up in his seat as Haddock was thrown forward and Snowy and Cocoa ended up on the floor as Jolyon slammed on his breaks throwing himself into the steering wheel. The captain fortunately had his seat belt on so only suffered some minor whiplash. Poor Tintin took a head dive into the front seat between Jolyon and Haddock.
"You ok Tintin?" Haddock said pulling him off the floor.
"Ugghh…" Tintin said seeing stars for a moment.
"Thunderin' Typhoons Jolyon! You trying to kill us because we won't buy your silly policies?!" Haddock exclaimed.
"Oh my! I'm terribly sorry…" Jolyon said embarrassed.
"Instead of trying to sell me insurance policies try paying attention to the road would you?" Haddock tried to calm down.
"We'll both need life insurance policies at this rate…" Tintin said gaining his bearings sitting back down.
Jolyon felt really bad trying to take make a sale, fortunately the little fox was able to cross safely.
"Ah we're home captain!" Tintin sighed in relief.
"I couldn't agree more landlubber!" Haddock sighed as they got out of the car.
Snowy and Cocoa quickly jumped out as well.
"Thank you Mr. Wagg, we really do appreciate it, but just be more careful, cars aren't cheap you know, and you can't replace your life" Tintin said politely.
"Right you are Mr. Tintin!" he said regarding Haddock.
"THANK you Jolyon Wagg" Haddock smiled silencing Jolyon before he could even think of anything else to say. "You take care you hear! And don't run over any innocent foxes!" Haddock shook his fist mock threateningly.
"Yes sir, you have a good day now Captain, Tintin!" he said with a flustered look and drove off.
"Glad to be rid of him!" Haddock took off his hat and wiped his brow as walked over to the rotary dial under the glass case by the gate.
"Thunderin' Typhoons Tintin, I can't remember the number" Haddock said with some frustration.
"Don't worry Captain, I remember" Tintin said dialing the number until a green light above flashed a few times and the gate lock unlatched.
"Here you go Snowy, show Cocoa around the ground and get her familiar with the area" Tintin smile opening the gate as the two raced in.
"It's good to see Snowy has a friend now to pal around with" Haddock grinned as they walked up the path to Marlinspike. "So good to be home again" Haddock repeated himself carrying his suitcase with one hand and grabbing Tintin's hand with the other.
"Indeed it is Captain, I'm sure Nestor and Cuthbert will be happy to see us...I can't wait to see what Nestor has prepared or will prepare for dinner tonight!" Tintin let the captain take his free hand as rain drops began to fall.
"Uh oh! Let's hurry!" Haddock said racing with Tintin to the front door. Snowy and Cocoa were nowhere in sight as Haddock and Tintin raced still hand in hand all the way to the front. They took shelter under the door post trying frantically to find the key to escape the pouring rain.
XXXXXXXXX
The flight wasn't nearly as long as the last, but Chang was still glad when the plane touched down in London. Chang didn't bring many clothes with him but a small sack. He followed everyone out into the terminal until he saw a police officer holding a card with his name on it. Chang was very distrustful of anyone now, especially after what happened to poor Agent Renaud. Chang had no choice as he really wasn't sure where he needed to go so he walked up to the police officer.
"I am Chang" he said politely. The officer looked at Chang a little curiously.
"Ok if you say so… I'm going to escort you to the train station" the officer said matter of fact.
"Is there a problem officer?" Chang asked a little confused as they continued walking.
"No, I just expected you to be a bit bigger…" the officer paused. "You look so young..." he trailed off.
"Yes, I know, I used to be weak… but I'm quite capable to taking care of myself officer, but thank you for your concern" Chang replied sincerely.
"I'm sorry, it's a cruel world out there young man, and if you're not prepared it will swallow you alive. I just don't want to see another casualty" he explained himself as they kept walking.
"I thank you for your concern. I have prepared for these moments for a long time officer" Chang nodded.
"Well you know your own business mate. We need to go to Victoria Station, that's where you will rendezvous with the two detectives" he said as they got on a shuttle bus traveling to a close by train.
"You know those two?" the officer asked.
"Not really, I've only seen them a couple times, they are strange but harmless" Chang chuckled.
"I wonder about those two sometimes…" the officer mumbled quietly.
Chang only laughed quietly while noticing the decorated navy blue police uniform with the pointed police hat which was typical throughout England. He sported a long black baton. The officer quietly regarded everyone around them holding on to a bus pole and the other hand on his baton. Chang guessed by only a slight wrinkle or two that this man was in his early to mid-thirties.
"Can I ask your name officer?" Chang finally asked.
"I am Officer Nash" he replied professionally.
The ride was short as they arrived at the train stop. The skies were overcast as usual. Chang had hoped for the sun to shine through and be a bit more reflective of his mood. He was very happy at the possibility of seeing Tintin. Perhaps he would send Tintin a telegram if he wasn't with his bosses and let him know he was around and maybe plan a quick visit. Chang thought about the promise he had made to Mrs. Lam and knew that every day that went by that the chances for her daughter being alive would diminish just a little. He realized that he had to put his personal desires aside and focus on his mission. Seeing Tintin would have to wait if the opportunity came up to find this Sea Serpent he thought.
"Are you ok Mr. Chang?" the officer tapped him on the shoulder as they were to get off at the train stop.
"Oh yes Officer Nash, thank you!" Chang smiled wanting to keep his thoughts to himself. They stepped off and walked to the crowded platform waiting for the train. Chang was trying to keep his mind clear like the monks in Tibet had taught him how inner peace comes from within. Officer Nash was like a sentinel, suspicious of everyone. Chang wondered if the enemy already knew who he was, or had everything been a coincidence so far? The fact that one man knew he was part of the Sons of the Dragon was not a good sign to him. Chang was now twenty-three years old and no longer a boy. Considering everything around him he was quite fortunate. The city was full of noise which was more than a bit distracting like Hong Kong compared to life back in Tibet. The train finally came whistling down the tracks screeching to a halt.
"Let's go Mr. Chang" Officer Nash prompted him.
The train filled up fairly fast as they found nothing but crowded compartments.
"We will stand near the exit Mr. Chang, folk here are going home for the evening, be vigilant" Officer Nash reminded him.
"Officer Nash, does the enemy know who I am?" Chang asked curiously but quietly.
Officer Nash looked around him before he responded. "I wasn't told much, but was requested to make sure you get to your destination safely…I was under the impression that they do know that an agent of your circle was coming this way" he finished quickly.
The train began to whistle again as it slowly departed. The ride was quick, and no one seemed to be paying them much attention. The train finally came to a stop fifteen minutes later. Chang was glad to get out of the crowded train.
"Here we are, Victoria Station, look for the detectives" the officer replied as they began walking through the station. Chang had no idea where to look as they continued through the a central hub avoiding busy folk rushing here and there. The officer seemed to stay a step in front of him seemingly urging people to move around them if they got too close. It made Chang feel strange, but it also made him feel like he couldn't protect himself as so many times many others had done many things to keep him safe as a boy. Chang knew he was more than capable of standing his ground these days. They kept walking until they heard a small commotion by one of the platforms.
"I insist officer, if justice is not done for this injustice I will report it to your superior!" the snobby looking man shouted. As they moved closer Chang almost made a gag like reflex smelling the strange perfume. Chang observed Officer Nash slow his pace putting one hand over his nose.
"Calm yourself sir, we know that man, and he would not have done such an action!" Thompson defended.
"Precisely…unless YOU provoked him!" Thomson accused with a pointing finger.
"What!? How DARE you make such an allegation!" the snobby man yelled.
"I want to know your superiors as well so I can file a formal complaint against the two of you!" he threatened."
The officers already there too were covering their nose at strong scent of the man's perfume.
"Enough!" one of the officers shouted finally tired of the antics.
"If you want to file charges or a formal complaint, you will need to go down to the precinct here Mr. Thistle" the officer concluded.
"I'm doing that right now! I've never been so insulted in all my life!" the snobby man stormed away.
"Why do I find that hard to believe…" Thompson muttered.
"Exactly!" Thomson shook his head as a couple of the officers went back to their normal patrols.
"Detectives…" Officer Nash got their attention.
"Yes?" Thompson turned around to see the two of them.
"I was ordered by Scotland Yard to escort your agent to you" he said presenting Chang.
Thompson and Thomson looked incredulously at Chang.
"Don't we know you?" Thompson asked suspiciously.
"I think we do!" Thomson finished that thought.
"Yes, I'm a friend of Tintin's" Chang laughed.
Thompson and Thomson looked at each other confused.
"Remember that banquet Tintin had for his twenty-first birthday?" Chang asked trying to jar their memory.
"Ooohh! That's right!" Thompson's blue eyes lit up.
"I remember too!" Thomson walked up and grabbed Chang's hand giving him an excited hand shake.
"Yea, we know who you are now!" Thompson said clasping Chang's shoulder.
"It looks as if my job is done, I need to return now with your leave gentlemen" Officer Nash interrupted.
"Sure, we didn't expect him…interesting!" Thomson said finally letting go of Chang's hand.
"Dismissed Officer!" Thompson saluted.
"Good luck to you Mr. Chang" Officer Nash patted Chang's shoulder with a wink.
Chang watched Officer Nash disappear into the crowd. Thomson glanced over Chang shaking his head.
"Is something wrong with me detective?" Chang asked with slight confusion.
"We need to get you into English civilian clothes" Thomson concluded.
"Yea, the enemy might be able to spot you right out a crowd here instantly" Thompson agreed.
Chang smiled helplessly thinking the fact that he was ethnically different would probably tip a stranger off that he was a foreigner, but instead he humored the two detectives.
"Ok if you say so" Chang smiled.
"We have no time to disguise you right now" Thomson nodded.
"We got to get to the east end of London to go ask a few questions at bar" Thompson informed Chang.
"I'll go get you a pass" Thomson said walking back to the ticket boothe.
"I hope you're ready Agent Chang, east London is a rough part you know" Thompson warned.
"Please, just call me Chang—I will keep that in mind" Chang smiled understanding the nature of how these two worked according to Tintin. Chang quickly began to realize that he would need to play a different role around these two. They were very nice gentlemen, but a bit on the 'daft' side as Tintin would put it, but Chang was very respectful of their requests. Thomson quickly returned and they got on the train taking them to the east side
XXXXXXXX
When they arrived at the bar, all was quiet. Everyone seemed to be minding their own business in hushed conversations, but was sneaking gawking gazes at the detectives and Chang. A tall brunette headed woman came from behind the bar to greet them immediately knowing they weren't locals.
"May I help you gentlemen" she asked business like.
"Yes, we are here to investigate a disturbance that the police filed at the station" Thompson stated.
"Nobody here called the police sir, but I can inform you that they have already been here questioning me and my patrons" she said firmly.
Chang watched the reproachful stares they received from the crowd, but caught one different stare from a young man walking from table to table. His stare seemed to be one of fear. It was one stare Chang was all too familiar with.
"I see a bullet hole in your ceiling mam" Thomson pointed out.
"Yes, some ruffians were in here and fired off a round and I ran them out with my licensed firearm" she explained.
"Do you know who these 'ruffians' were?" Thompson narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"No, I do not…" she nodded.
More people were staring at them now. Chang could sense fear in the air but kept quietly observing.
"Can you describe what they looked like?" Thomson finally asked a question that the woman could not skirt.
"Well…it all happened so fast that I really didn't see him so well…just a tall man with dark hair and blue eyes with a hat and trench coat" she said hesitantly.
"Hmmm…" Thomson said taking notes on a small book he had.
"How many other men were with him" Thompson asked.
"Two for sure, maybe three… let's walk over to the corner… my patrons don't need to hear all of this" she said quietly leading them away.
Chang looked in the woman's eyes, "She's lying" he thought, but kept quiet.
"Can I order something to drink?" Chang spoke up.
"You can't just drink on the job!" Thompson looked at him shocked.
"I just want some water" Chang explained.
"Sure, just ask that young man working over by the counter…" she said absently busy dealing with the two detectives as they continued to question her. Chang took this opportunity to walk up to the young man.
"Excuse me… can I get a water please?" Chang asked courteously.
"One moment…" the boy started to walk away. Chang stood quietly waiting until he came back with a mug of water.
"I have to warn you the water here isn't the best" he warned.
"Can I ask you a quick question?" Chang asked.
"What is it?" he said nervously.
"Do you know who the guy was that shot the gun off in here?" Chang replied slowly but quiet and nonthreatening.
The young man nervously looked at the woman whose gaze was not upon him. "...I don't know... I was told to keep my mouth shut" the boy replied nervously.
"If we don't find him he will hurt many more" Chang explained.
"Allan Thompson" he whispered quickly.
"Thanks…er thank you for the drink!" Chang spoke up and winked.
"Uh… you're welcome" he said quickly walking back to the bar.
Both the detectives came walking back through, "Come on, time to leave" Thompson announced to Chang. Chang took a sip of the water and quickly spit it out. The young man wasn't lying.