CHAPTER 28

The evening went by fairly uneventful shortly after Chang had shared what he learned with the detectives. They called in a report and by the time all of that had taken place, the detectives were ready to eat. They stopped in a local pub in South London and had dinner. Chang was fairly quiet listening to the detectives ramble on and on about suspicions they had about everyone.

"Can't trust anyone..." Thompson rambled on enjoying his fish and chips.

"Right, anyone..." Thomson agreed mindlessly chewing up his chips.

"Chang, could you please pass me the vinegar?" Thompson looked up as Chang nibbled on his the filets he had on his plate.

"Here you are Mr. Thompson" Chang replied politely.

Luckily Chang did not easily get annoyed about anything. He only missed the peace and solitude that Tibet had to offer him when he stayed with the monks. Chang thought back for a moment remembering a couple instances when the yeti would make himself known to Chang by making melancholy low roars as if he was saying "hello". Once each month if the weather permitted while he was in Tibet, he would travel alone to the cave where the yeti sustained him and leave a food offering as a way of saying thanks. Those were some peaceful time, but Chang quickly snapped back to the present as returning to the Detectives' somewhat mindless rambles. He realized he was working to assist these two, but quickly learned he may have to do some groundwork in order help expedite the process some. After dinner they checked in at a bed and breakfast for the night. The detectives were trying to be frugal so they shared a room which only had a full sized bed.

Chang graciously volunteered to sleep on the floor as the detectives got him an extra blanket, sheet, and pillow. Luckily the floor was made of a nice thick red carpet making it a bit easier to sleep on. Sleeping on the floor didn't bother Chang as he learned how to survive without many things for a long time before he was adopted and then when he began living in Tibet. Today had been exhausting for Chang so he wrapped up in his sheet and blanket and tried to go to sleep. Fortunately for him he fell asleep before the Thom(p)sons' began their snoring serenade.

Chang woke up just after sunrise the next morning as light began to filter through the long red draped curtains in the room. Both of the detectives were still snoozing in bed so he decided to take a seat by the window and meditate. Ten minutes later he couldn't tell if he had fallen asleep but he began seeing a calm scene over the ocean. It was as if the sun was only beginning to rise. He saw a huge black sea serpent jump out of the water in the distance and back in only to be continuing away until it could not be seen. Chang began to take deep breaths and slowly come out of his meditation then stood up and put his green kimono and black trousers on.

"Mr. Thompson and Thomson, we need to get up, I have a bad feeling we are losing the trail" Chang announced. Both the detectives were snuggled up against one another and quickly realized Chang was in the room with them as they woke quickly scooting back over to their own side.

"What?! Where?!" Thompson sat up in his pajamas.

"Who?! Why?!" Thomson mimicked his partner.

Chang smiled and laughed, "I will be downstairs waiting for you" Chang said politely leaving the room.

"I believe he said he has a 'bad' feeling!" Thompson sat up in bed.

"I think that's what he said too!" Thomson rubbed his eyes.

"So we go on one of his feelings?" Thompson asked confused.

"Don't know, he seems pretty sure…" Thomson nodded.

"Well then let's get up!" Thompson said twisting around in the covers to get up tripping and falling off the bed.

Chang sat down in the common room which was a nice living room decked out in all shades of red and pink as if it were Valentine's Day. Chang took a seat at the few small wooden tables covered with bright red table clothes sipping a cup of tea.

"Would there be anything else for you sir?" an elderly lady offered.

"No thank you madam, I appreciate your hospitality" Chang smiled graciously.

"If you need anything else just let me know young man" the elderly lady said walking back to the front desk. Chang noticed a couple of younger people bringing out food buffet style on a table covered with lids for self service.

Chang sat there thinking how he could probably do better on his own, but realized that he had been placed with the detectives for a reason. Chang was a very spiritual person and believed that most things happened for a reason. It didn't take much wisdom for Chang to realize how they needed him. Chang sat in meditation while he drank his tea praying to the spirits that they would keep Mrs. Lam's daughter safe until he could reach her. Before the Detectives arrived downstairs Chang also saved a thought for Tintin.

Thirty minutes passed by until both of the detectives came down the narrow red rugged stairway from the rooms on the second floor. They instantly spotted Chang sitting by himself in front of the window bathing in the sunlight drinking tea. The detectives treated themselves to some eggs and toast for breakfast while Chang hardly paid them any attention lost in his own thoughts.

"So Mr. Chang, we are going to the docks to investigate down by the harbor" Thompson finally spoke up getting Chang's attention.

"Ok, I'm ready" Chang glanced up.

"Tis, tis, tis…" Thomson nodded disapprovingly at Chang.

"Is something wrong detective?" Chang looked a little alarmed.

"We've got to do something about your attire mate…" Thomson stroked his mustache.

"Precisely, so we're going to go buy you some clothes" Thompson grinned at Chang.

"Although I don't think it's necessary...you're the leader, I will follow" Chang nodded and went along with their little masquerade.

"Don't worry, we've excellent taste in clothes young man" Thomson said patting Chang on the back.

"Why thank you, it's been awhile since anyone has bought me clothes" Chang laughed but inside was worried that his vision of losing the trail would come to pass.

Thomson kept trying to picture Chang in different clothes to figure out what would suit him. He was trying to envision Chang in a similar outfit that they wore. Then he tried picturing him in different colors. Chang was slightly distracting, he couldn't help but notice how cute little Chang looked so he quickly snapped out of his thought scolding himself for even thinking such a thought.

"Is everything alright Detective?" Chang looked Thomson in the eye naïve of what he was doing.

"Um…right…everything is just fine, I was about to say…" Thomson's face blushed slightly.

"Thomson!" Thompson slugged his partner in the arm realizing what Thomson was doing.

"Is there a problem Detectives?" Chang asked still clueless as to what just happened.

"No problem at all, we're going to the clothing shop" Thompson smiled getting up from the table leading the outside.

XXXXXXXXXX

Early that morning back at Marlinspike Hall Tintin woke up exhausted smelling the strong sweet scent of his captain's pipe. Captain Haddock was already up smoking in his burgundy house coat lounging around with a book in his hand by his desk.

"Good morning landlubber!" Haddock heard him stirring in the bed as he was finishing an old book he'd been reading for quite a while.

"Good morning captain" Tintin smiled getting out of bed slowly in his light blue pajamas he wore. He noticed of course how much pep the captain had in his voice. Tintin knew after romantic nights the captain was always in an exceptional mood.

"Breakfast should be about ready for us my boy" Haddock beamed at Tintin closing his book replacing it back on the small bookshelf he had in his bedroom.

"I smell it, Nestor never ceases to surprise me with his devotion to us" Tintin said walking to one of Haddock's drawers which had a few of his clothes in it. Most of the time Tintin ended up in Haddock's bedroom with him, but they kept separate rooms so no one would start asking questions which they both felt were no ones' business.

"Let's go eat landlubber!" Haddock said smacking Tintin on the buttocks.

"Ouch…" Tintin shrank back a little playfully.

"Is something wrong lad?" Haddock looked at him carefully as Tintin continued walking noticing a slight crookedness in his step. Instantly Haddock smiled, "Yes sir! I've done my job!" Haddock thought and began to laugh.

"What's so funny Captain?" Tintin looked him a little funny.

"Nothing at all my boy… now let's go downstairs before our breakfast gets cold" Haddock rushed out with him.

"…but, I need to change and get ready for the flight to London…and so do you" Tintin explained as they were walking down the stairs.

"Bad news Tintin, there were no available flights today, looks like we will have to wait until after lunch tomorrow. It is Friday…" Haddock frowned.

"I guess there is stuff that can be done here, hopefully everyone will be ok without us for a day" Tintin sighed as they walked down to the dining room.

"Come on Tintin, let's just take a day to unwind, everyone is aware of the danger. It's you they're after. Let's just take it easy today and enjoy some 'us' time. Tomorrow we're back out again" Haddock pointed out.

Snowy and Cocoa came running into the dining hall like pair of horses circling the table jumping up and down on Haddock and Tintin.

"Well good morning to you too Snowy, Cocoa!" Tintin giggled as they each kissed them both good morning.

"You two better behave yourselves" Haddock chuckled petting them both.

"It's been awhile since I've seen Snowy this happy" Tintin commented.

"Can't be a bad thing…" Haddock winked at Tintin.

Nestor came in with the rest of the breakfast on a serving tray.

"I apologize Master Haddock, but not even standby flights are possibly available" Nestor announced setting down the tray on the table.

"Don't worry about it Nestor, we'll find other ways to occupy our time" Haddock replied mischievously.

"Oh I see…" Nestor almost laughed raising an eyebrow. "Its' premium food today Snowy, Cocoa…" Nestor announced as Snowy recognized the 'premium' word. Snowy's eyes lit up.

Cocoa gave Snowy a confused look.

"Don't ask, just follow me" Snowy barked suddenly dancing around Nestor back into the kitchen as Cocoa followed after.

"Tintin! Captain Haddock! Good morning, I thought the two of you were leaving today" Professor Calculus came down in his house robes to join them for breakfast.

"Why Cuthbert! You're actually going to join us for breakfast?" Haddock asked surprised.

"Of course Captain, I'm going to make sure that I get to see my family off before they leave" the professor nodded joining them at the breakfast table taking his plate helping himself to toast, eggs, and a bowl of fruit.

"We're not leaving today, there are no planes available Cuthbert" Haddock explained a bit loudly just in case the professor didn't have his hearing aid in.

"You're not leaving because there are no trains today?!" the professor asked a bit confused.

"No! PLANES!" Haddock shouted.

"Oh…planes, I need to put my hearing aid on" the professor said adjusting it. "That's better!" The professor nodded.

"So you're not leaving today?" the Professor had a sparkle in his eye.

"No, just relaxing today" Haddock continued eating his breakfast.

"I was wondering if you would join me in the lab for just a bit… I have one last thing I would like to show you Captain" Professor Calculus replied beginning to eat.

"If it involves me doing work the answer is no" Haddock replied simply.

Tintin finished his breakfast while listening to them converse back and forth.

"Captain, maybe you should see what the professor has, I'm going to take a quick trip into town" Tintin suggested.

"Where you planning on going Tintin?" Haddock huffed.

"I need to go pay someone dear to me a visit…" Tintin trailed of mysteriously.

"You can help me too if you like Tintin" Calculus suggested.

"Sorry professor, I have something I need to do" Tintin made up his mind.

"An old dear friend?" Haddock asked suspiciously.

"It's nothing for you to worry about Captain, I'm just going back to check something out at my old flat" Tintin explained.

"Can I come with you?" Haddock asked.

"I need to do this alone captain, I need to find some answers" Tintin clarified.

"Do you want me to drive you there?" Haddock asked carefully.

"I'll take my motorbike, besides the professor seems to have something important that could be useful" Tintin suggested.

"Thank you Tintin, it is useful" Calculus nodded. Haddock looked at Tintin still not quite convinced.

"Listen Captain, trust me on this, I won't be gone longer than a couple of hours. If I decide to do something else I will come back for you" Tintin promised.

"Well…ok, but don't you be getting yourself into any trouble!" Haddock shook his finger at Tintin seriously. "Take Snowy and Cocoa with you, I'll feel better if you do" Haddock finished his breakfast sighing. Tintin went back to his room to change.

"Well I'll meet you back down here in thirty minutes" Calculus said returning back upstairs to change. Haddock did likewise catching Tintin dressed in a pair of brown trousers and a blue and white cris-crossed vest with a white button up shirt underneath.

"You be careful now, I don't want to have to come rescue you again" Haddock said giving Tintin and quick hug and peck on the cheek.

"I promise captain, I will be extremely careful" Tintin agreed kissing him back then quickly dashed out the door. Haddock followed him out into the foyer and watched him call Snowy and Cocoa out the front door with him. Haddock sighed again hoping that he didn't make a mistake to let Tintin go off alone. Why would he want to go back to his old flat? Surely someone had rented it out by now. Haddock was a bit hurt by Tintin wanting to go alone that he didn't make the connection as to why Tintin went there for a while.

XXXXXXXXX

Allan disappeared for a couple hours that previous night leaving Tom, Ivan, and Mikhail at another pub. Allan watched one of his old girlfriends from a distance. Each time he thought he would have a chance to approach her there were always crowds of people around. Allan watched the place up until closing time hoping to catch Tessie alone with no more than two people. The opportunity didn't come as the pub seemed extraordinarily busy as loud laughing and shouting could be heard. When Allan saw they were finishing closing the place up, he had planned on having a little one on one talk with Tessie for her insubordinate behavior towards him. Unfortunately for Allan she was escorted by three different men and that young bartender.

"If you won't talk to me I will think of another punishment for you!" Allan thought not wanting to deal with that many foes at one time alone. He watched her fine frame walk along with those others lustfully.

"I'm much better than they are!" Allan thought resentfully.

He watched them disappear out of view as the level of anger began to rise in Allan until he decided what he was going to do. Systematically he began setting fire to the building from the back.

"See how you like it you whore!" Allan moved away watching as the fire began to start to catch. Satisfied for the moment that he hurt Tessie back for turning him down, he returned to the pub where Tom and Mikhail were a bit tipsy.

"Come on blokes! We got to go now!" Allan came in quietly.

"Already boss? Why don't you have a drink with us?" Tom said happily.

"Now's not the time for this stupidity Tom, we got to get to the train stop and be on our way towards Colchester" Allan explained taking his and Mikhail's beer from him.

"Hey! Come on boss!" Tom complained.

"That's my beer! You can't have any!" Mikhail said pouting.

"You're going to have some of my fist in a minute you idiots, now get going!" Allan grunted.

Ivan quickly grabbed Mikhail by the arm leading him to the door as Allan did Tom. They quickly made their way to the train station. Allan could hear fire trucks and police cars in the distance which made a wicked smile curve up on his lips as they finally reached a train stop. It was late so there weren't many riders. They rode the train to Colchester and found an inn in town to stay at for the night.

The innkeeper was an unsavory type which was the sort Allan liked to deal with. He figured most minded their business and cared only for their own. There were two small twin beds in the fairly clean room.

"The drunk ones get the floor or the chair" Allan announced, but neither Mikhail or Tom seemed to care. Mikhail had already dozed off on the chair in the corner, while Tom had already passed out on the floor.

"Didn't you mention that Tintin had been spotted in Ipswich?" Ivan asked curiously.

"Yes, but it's too late to get that far, besides, I have a connection or two in this town" Allan said glancing out of the second floor window down at the street.

"This is where you're from?" Ivan asked.

"My original town is up north in Manchester—you'd better get some rest Ivan we got a lot of work to do tomorrow" Allan warned him.

"You think Tintin is really here?" Ivan asked taking off his shoes getting comfortable on the bed.

"We'll see, or we won't be returning to the Sea Serpent. Lieutenant Wagner does not like failure" Allan said opening a window lighting a cigarette.

"Did you take care of your business?" Ivan asked lying on his side as Mikhail and Tom continued to rest out cold.

"You might say that…" Allan took a long drag on his cigarette.

"She must have been the love of your life" Ivan commented.

"More like, 'I use you, then you're no good for me' kind of woman" Allan laughed.

"You got to keep control of your women" Ivan suggested.

"Aye!" Allan laughed.

"You give them too much freedom they forget who is in charge" Ivan continued.

"That's my problem, I'm never around long enough to make 'em mind" Allan nodded.

"I know what you mean…" Ivan agreed.

"I say love 'em and leave 'em" Allan said bitterly taking his last drag of his cigarette flicking it out the window. "Listen Ivan, I'm counting on you to keep Mikhail in line, we can't be fooling around with this mission, got it?" Allan concluded with a serious tone.

"Yes Admiral…" Ivan agreed.

"If we aren't in Glasgow with Tintin by early Monday… we may as well make tracks. This guy doesn't play around" Allan warned.

"So that's why we will find him" Ivan replied optimistically.

"Exactly, only Tintin is already on to us, so we're going to have to be clever" Allan explained.

"The Lieutenant should have let us go after him earlier" Ivan shook his head.

"Aye, but you can't question the likes of him…not a good idea" Allan closed the window. "We got a long day ahead of us tomorrow" Allan sat on his bed.

"Night Admiral" Ivan said turning over and shutting his eyes.

Allan turned the lamp off and lied down mentally trying to work everything out.

The next morning was a bit rough for Tom and Mikhail as they were having hangovers. Allan was already out and about connecting with his network while Ivan was downstairs getting the crude snacks they had. Before it became too late, Allan and Ivan woke Mikhail and Tom up reminding them of their mission.

"I have an old mate who set me up with a guy who would take us later to Ipswich, he knows the guy we need to talk to" Allan mentioned as they were walking downtown. The town was crowded as traders and vendors were dealing with merchants and folks were going about their daily business.

"So where are we supposed to meet this bloke boss?" Tom asked.

"At the corner of the farmer's market" Allan replied watching everyone suspiciously. Ivan and Mikhail followed quietly. Ten minutes later they spotted a stocky man near a fish stand.

"Ah, there's the guy" Allan smiled. "Mikhail, Ivan, wait here, Tom, come with me…" Allan instructed.

The man had a fish stand and his skin looked fairly red and weather beaten. He wore a patch over one eye and was missing a couple teeth. He wore a white tank top and a pair of jeans with boots.

"'ello mate, can I sell you a fish or two?" he asked showing his selection of codfish, sea bass, and shrimp.

"Not bad… good catches, I was told you were going to Ipswich later to meet a friend" Allan said discreetly.

"Yes I am, and who might you be?" he asked suspiciously.

"I'm the Admiral" Allan bent over and whispered to him.

"Oh… well that changes things then. I should be done a little after lunch. I got to sell these fish" he nodded.

"Get me to Ipswich by noon and this is yours" Allan whispered taking a pound note out.

"Fair enough…we leave in an hour, I know where your friend is" he whispered.

"You got somewhere to store these fish?" Allan asked inspecting the good quality.

"Yea, let me take them home and put them on ice, tomorrow is Saturday, I'm sure I'll sell the whole lot then" He replied.

XXXXXXXX

Alyssa and Mary Ann were at the farmer's market just about done with their shopping until they passed an odd couple of guys. A tall and a short man were talking quietly until one stepped right in front of Mary Ann almost causing her to drop her sack of vegetables.

"Excuse me please!" Mary Ann said a little loudly.

"Sorry madam, didn't see you there" Mikhail said a little condescendingly.

"I know I'm short, but I'm here!" Mary Ann made her presence known attracting attention including Tom's, the man at the fish stand, and Allan's.

"Come on mum, let's go…" Alyssa glanced not liking the vibe of these men.

"Sorry…good day" Alyssa nodded prompting her mother on.

"Guess I got a bit carried away" Mary Ann whispered.

Alyssa waited until they were several yards ahead and glanced back as the two men were still staring at them.

"Keep going mum, I don't like the air of those blokes" she whispered.

"What language were they speaking?" Mary Ann asked as they finally turned a corner disappearing from site.

"It sounded like it could be Eastern European… I'm not sure" Alyssa replied.

"We still need to run to Ipswich for that whisky you got for your Uncle Frederick…now Bob wants a bottle of that stuff too" Mary Ann explained.

"Let's get out of here, I don't like how those blokes looked at us" Alyssa rushed her mom.

XXXXXXXXXX

After an hour in the clothing store Thompson and Thomson finally found an outfit they were happy with. A pair of black slacks, white button up shirt with a collar, and a burgundy vest since Chang mentioned that was a color the monks wore up in Tibet. Then they took him to a shoe shop and bought him a nice pair of slick brown loafers.

"I'd say he looks rather sharp Thompson" Thomson shook his head.

"I'd say so myself" Thomson agreed.

"Yea Mr. Chang, turn around again" Thompson said making sure all of the clothes fit well enough.

"Slightly a bit big on you, but close enough" Thomson smiled.

"Great, so we're ready now?" Chang asked patiently. Chang felt a little silly.

"Oh, put on your hat!" Thompson said handing Chang a nice brown puffy hat. He put it on and looked in the mirror. It wasn't as bad as he thought as his long braided pony tail swung all the way down his back.

"You just wait here Mr. Chang, we're going to go pay for your clothes" Thomson smiled.

"Thank you gentlemen, but I assure you it's not necessary" Chang smiled weakly.

"Don't you worry Mr. Chang, we got everything under control" Thompson shook his head.

" , could I ask you to turn around one more time?" Thompson closed one eye as if he was inspecting Chang's clothes closely.

"Ok Mr. Thompson, I've already twirled several times for you and Mr. Thomson..." he said naively slowly turning with his arms up. Thompson nodded in satisfaction, "What a beautiful young man!" he thought.

Almost another hour passed until they finally made it down to the harbor. Police officers were nearby further along the dock removing a truck that appeared to have been in some sort of fire.

"I wonder what happened to that truck?" Thompson said rhetorically.

"Let's go find out" Thomson nodded.

Chang kept looking down the harbor at the boats that were in port. He saw a couple of black hulled ships but nothing really struck him as peculiar so he just followed the Detectives quietly.

"Stay clear of this, police business!" an officer warned as some workers were loading the burned truck on to the back of another for removal.

"We're investigators from INTERPOL" Thompson replied showing his badge.

"Precisely" Thomson did likewise.

"So this must be important indeed if INTERPOL is getting involved" the officer raised an eyebrow.

"Indeed" Thompson replied.

"We're here to investigate the four murders" Thomson mentioned.

"Oh those…you think this truck is tied in with all of that?" the officer asked.

"Possibly" Thompson shrugged.

"Where were the bodies found?" Thomson asked.

"On the other side of the dock" the officer replied watching the workers carefully hoist the truck up.

"Where was that?" Thompson said taking out a small notepad.

"Take a walk about six blocks it should bear near the old crab meat warehouse" the cop said. "We already investigated the four ships nearby… the Blazer, Sea Nymph, Sea Gull, and the Red Whale" the cop said slowly remembering the names.

Thomson looked at the empty ports in front of him stroking his mustache, "What was the name of the boats right here?" Thomson had a confused look. Chang was starting to become impressed with the Detectives line of questioning.

The officer took out a notepad of his own. "Hmm… I didn't get them written down, I know one was the Rum Runner and the other… it escapes me" he stopped glancing up.

"The Sea Serpent?" Chang suddenly mentioned.

"Why that's it! How did you know?" the officer looked at Chang amazed.

"Where was it heading?" Chang asked with his heart rate pumping a bit faster.

"That I don't know, you will have to check with the registry" the officer frowned.

"Are you sure that's the one ship we should investigate Mr. Chang?" Thompson questioned.

"I feel without a doubt that's where we need to go" Chang nodded confidently.

The two detectives and the officer gave each other puzzled looks.

"We'll check with the registry, thank you officer, good day" Thomson and Thompson took off their hats to him.

"Good day to you too gentlemen, hopefully your search yields more than what we have" the officer nodded. Chang finally felt now they were actually starting to get somewhere as the Detectives hailed a taxi and took them to the registry. After another hour of searching through records they finally found their answer.

"They're going to Glasgow" Thompson clasped his hands together. "I hope your feeling is right Mr. Chang" he sighed.

"I have a real strong feeling this is it" Chang reiterated.

"We still have these murders here Mr. Chang" Thomson pointed out.

"Do we have any other leads?" Chang asked rationally.

"Not really…" Thomson shrugged looking down at the desk the registry noticing a news article.

"…wait a minute! The bar we were at yesterday caught fire!" Thomson said picking the newspaper up.

"It did?" Chang looked a bit startled.

"It says no one was hurt and the establishment suffered only some minor damages" Thomson finished.

"Now that sounds suspicious" Thompson agreed.

"Precisely which is why we should go down there and investigate" Thomson said putting the paper down.

"What relevance does that fire have to the ship? Don't you think they would be gone by now?" Chang asked a bit confused.

"There might be clues down there, plus didn't you say you got a peculiar name from the young man near the bar yesterday?" Thompson rationalized.

"Yes, it's true" Chang nodded in defeat.

"Exactly, so let's hurry" they said running out of the registry. Chang didn't know what else to say so he just followed them. So this is what is like to be an investigator Chang thought. Without further delay, they chased back across to the east end of London.