Ch 4~ The Dark Hand
Jade woke the next morning in the Section 13 Infirmary with a terrible headache. She clutched her temple and whimpered, but very softly- she really didn't want to bother any of the doctors. Finally, one noticed her anyways, and gave her an aspirin.
"Oh, thank you," she said, taking it gratefully and glancing down the hall, hoping her uncle or somebody would come to keep her company, just as long as they weren't too busy. She knew they must be working on the talisman case. Fortunately, her uncle did come not too much later, but unfortunately, he was wearing a very stern expression.
"Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for asking," she added as an afterthought, smiling. Jackie didn't return her smile.
"Then explain- what were you doing in the Talisman vaults last night? That was very dangerous! You could have been hurt!"
Jade didn't meet Jackie's eyes, but she looked very upset when she responded. "I'm really sorry, Jackie. I wanted to stop the bad guy- but I probably just made things worse."
Jackie noticed with surprise that his niece looked near tears, and his expression softened. "It's okay, Jade. I know you only wanted to help- and you had the right idea in the first place. What can you tell me about the man who stole the talismans?"
"I don't know. . .I fell, and didn't get a good look. I think they were wearing black, and kinda short."
Jackie frowned. There weren't many people Jade could consider short, but her description still might refer to a multitude of people.
"What about what you were telling me yesterday? The spy?"
"Oh, yeah. I overheard a cell phone conversation. . .but you were right about the whole jumping to conclusions thing, Jackie. All I heard was that he knew the security code to something, he was meeting someone somewhere at 11:00 that night, and that he'd have all twelve."
Jackie nodded, but was still frowning seriously.
"I must admit, it doesn't sound like much, but it's the only lead we have. What was the guard's name?"
"George McKenzie. That nice new guard, he sometimes does the phone booth."
Jackie scribbled down the name on a scrap of paper to remember, then smiled at Jade.
"Thank you for your help. We'll get the talismans back. . .Jade?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you. I wish you hadn't tried to stop the thief, but it was still very brave."
Jade shrugged, for some reason she didn't seem as flattered as Jackie would've expected her to, but she did smile warmly.
"Thanks, Jackie. But I probably just got lucky. And I'm really sorry for worrying you and all."
Jackie was obviously taken aback. "Oh, uh. . .that's okay, Jade. Thanks. . .well, I suppose I should go talk to Captain Black. You're sure that's everything? Nothing you need?"
Jade grinned. "Well, I could use a new laptop computer. Drew has this really cool one."
Jackie smiled back. "I meant something serious. Besides, you don't need everything Drew has. Jealousy isn't good for you."
Jade shrugged, still smiling even at Jackie's comment. "I'm not jealous, I'm really not. I just like it. . .Oh, wait a sec! The horse talisman!" Jade looked around her hospital bed and bedside table, a nearly frantic expression on her face.
"Oh, right, the horse. Yes, we already found that, when we brought you here- or at least the fragments of it. At least that's one talisman we don't have to worry about. . ."
"I'll try to think of other stuff, Jackie."
"No, you just rest. I'll handle everything from here."
"I'm fine, but I'll rest if you want me to. Just call me if you need any help!"
Jackie was surprised at this response. Jade, agreeing to rest instead of joining the fight? Jackie eyed his young niece suspiciously. She looked the picture of innocence, her eyelids drooping slightly and her mouth stuck in a half awake smile. Maybe he was getting too suspicious. Still, it didn't hurt to have someone keeping an eye on her. . .
"Jackie?"
Jackie turned around, to see Tohru filling the entire doorway, holding a tray that was probably once full of chocolate chip cookies, but now held only a few crumbs..
"Feeling better?"
"I'm fine. I brought some of Mommy's cookies for Jade, but. . ."
Jackie smiled inwardly, knowing full well Tohru's appetite.
"Tohru? Would you do me a favor?"
"Yes?"
"Keep an eye on Jade for me. I need to speak to Captain Black."
With the reassurance that someone would be watching Jade, Jackie left the infirmary in the direction of Captain Black's office. He didn't get far, however, because a dark blue shape came rushing down the hallway, nearly knocking him over. On closer inspection, it was the guard, George McKenzie, hurrying off duty. 'Odd. . .Captain Black told me we'd interrogate the guards after their shift. His shouldn't be until later tonight.'
Without a further thought, Jackie followed McKenzie out of the building, carefully remaining several yards behind and out of sight. The man walked a long time through the streets near Section 13, before sitting down a half hour later at a small French bistro Jackie wouldn't have noticed had he come on his own. Jackie frowned, and crouched down behind several crates to watch.
There wasn't long to wait. Within minutes, a man wearing a brown trench coat walked up to the guard. "George!" He said, his voice low. Jackie strained his ears to hear the conversation.
"George, can't talk long, Cynthia's nearby. I gotta thank you for bailing me out last night. Cynthia had already thought that I had forgotten our anniversary. If you hadn't swung by with those roses. . .And I expected you to forget the security code for the gate!"
George and his friend chuckled, and Jackie felt a headache coming on. 'There goes my only lead. . .He was buying roses, not stealing talismans!'
George's friend walked away, and Jackie got up to leave, too, but found that a crate was caught on his sweater sleeve. He was trying to dislodge the crate quietly so as to avoid any embarrassing questions from McKenzie, when something caught his eye. A black car pulled up next to the restaurant, and three men stepped out.
He knew those men- the red-haired one with the crooked nose, the short one wearing a leather jacket and yellow sunglasses, and the taller one with the sickly hue to his skin. Three of Valmont's enforcers were walking right up to George McKenzie. They muttered something Jackie couldn't hear, and George stood up and followed them into their car. Jackie pulled out his cell phone and dialed Captain Black's number.
"Black."
"It's Jackie," he whispered, pulling the crate off his sweater at last.
"Jackie? Where are you? Tohru told me you were on your way to see me a half hour ago."
"McKenzie left the building. I followed him to a Bistro where he got into a car with the Dark Hand."
"We'll be on our way. Don't let the car out of your sight."
"Don't worry." Jackie reached the street corner and hailed a taxi, leaving his phone on so that Captain Black could trace him.
"Follow that car!" Jackie shouted, pointing down the road. The driver arched an eyebrow.
"You're kidding, right?"
"No! Hurry, they're getting away!"
"Listen, nobody does that except in the movies, and. . .hey, aren't you that guy from earlier who couldn't pay his fare?"
"No, I- well, maybe. . .please, go!"
"No way! Get out of my taxi!"
The driver opened the door and shoved Jackie out, then drove away. Jackie instead leapt atop a black motorcycle, snatching the keys out of a biker's hands and zooming away shouting "Sorry, I'll bring it back, thank you!" He had to go full speed to keep the black car in sight, but it wasn't long before he heard the reassuring sound of helicopter blades in the sky- Section 13 was following, far behind so as not to alert the Dark Hand to their presence, but still ready to help.
The car drove into an abandoned parking garage, and Jackie shut off the motorcycle and crept inside. There was no one there but the black car, however he could hear voices upstairs. He crept up the concrete steps and peered around the corner to see the enforcers, McKenzie, and none other than Valmont. Jackie nearly gasped, but stopped himself and instead climbed back down the stairs and spoke into his cell phone.
"Captain Black. Valmont's here."
"Valmont? Don't worry, we're surrounding the building."
And indeed, the next second the sound of footsteps caught Jackie's attention as Section 13 agents entered the garage. They climbed the stairs accompanied by Jackie, and the whir of a helicopter told him that the rest of Section 13 was outside. Captain Black stepped in through the window.
"Valmont, you are under arrest. Hand over the talismans and we may go easy on you."
Valmont, who had previously looked very shocked, recovered and recomposed himself.
"Talismans? I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."
Captain Black raised his eyebrow, and everyone pointed their gun at the man in the green suit.
"Don't play innocent, Valmont. We know McKenzie broke into Section 13 to get them."
Valmont looked as though he couldn't decide whether to appear amused or affronted.
"Section 13 security isn't what it used to be, is it? I've just broken out of jail, I don't have time for talisman heists. I need time to rebuild my empire. My spy is just there to keep an eye on things, although apparently spies aren't what they used to be either, are they?"
Captain Black frowned. What Valmont said did make sense, and he didn't have much to gain through lying. There had never been any proof the Talisman thief worked for Valmont. . .but who other than Valmont knew about the Talisman's powers? A ringing from Captain Black's pocket told him he had a call. Nobody but Section 13 employees had his number, so it was likely something that needed his attention.
"Black."
"Black? Mitchell. There's been a break-in at a Radio Shack downtown. I thought it was minor at first, until we got eyewitness reports. Apparently, the thief was capable of super speed, and could shoot huge beams of light. Sound familiar?"
"The talismans. Mitchell, stats on our thief?"
"Nobody got a good look, he was moving too fast. But the thief is short, and wearing dark clothes, possibly a hood, too. We're trying to get a reading from security cameras, if we can get them to pause in the right frame, we may have an ID."
"Sounds like the vault thief. Apparently he's working solo. But how did he know how to activate the talismans? Listen, I'm on my way. But I need a squad to pick up Valmont."
"I'm on it."
With that, Captain Black flipped shut the cell phone and turned to his friend.
"Jackie, the talisman thief struck again. We'd better go. Gentlemen," he said, turning to the Section 13 agents, "we need three of you to stand guard until the squad can pick up the Dark Hand."
Valmont was furious. "But I didn't steal the talismans! You have your proof right there!"
Captain Black grinned almost sadistically. "But you are wanted for jail break as well as several robberies. Have a nice sentence, Valmont. C'mon, Jackie."
Captain Black stepped out the window accompanied by Jackie into the Section 13 helicopter. They flew away, leaving behind a fuming Valmont.
Author's Note~ I know, you're all wondering why I'm updating on Tuesday. Well, I just got back from Vacation and I'm leaving again tomorrow, so this is my last chance. I have Chapter 5 written and back from my beta, so I just need to do some revisions, but with *sob* school starting next week, I may postpone its release to give me more time to write Ch 6. So thanks.
Oh, one more thing (Heh). Someone mentioned in their review they were mad at Jackie in this story. Don't be, I love Jackie ^_^. You must remember that while to us Jade is funny and cool and we all love to see her amazingly solving the problem (How do you do that??), imagine living with her and being responsible for her safety. I've babysat enough kids who aren't nearly as "cunning" as her, and it couldn't be easy. So have some respect for Jackie, he does a damn good job, all things considered. And Jade's "proof" really didn't prove anything. Originally, McKenzie was going to be an innocent guard, but I like this way better. Ties more into the typical way Jade has of accidentally figuring everything out.
So I'm gonna end this Author's Note with the promise that next chapter, you'll finally learn what kind of lousy thief only uses two of the talismans and only robs radio shack. *coughs* Radio Shack is property of, um. . .Radio Shack. I own nothing. Except this remote control car my uncle gave me from there, but it's broken. Don't sue, any Radio Shack executives that are reading Jackie Chan fan fiction. . .I know there are a lot of you.
Jade woke the next morning in the Section 13 Infirmary with a terrible headache. She clutched her temple and whimpered, but very softly- she really didn't want to bother any of the doctors. Finally, one noticed her anyways, and gave her an aspirin.
"Oh, thank you," she said, taking it gratefully and glancing down the hall, hoping her uncle or somebody would come to keep her company, just as long as they weren't too busy. She knew they must be working on the talisman case. Fortunately, her uncle did come not too much later, but unfortunately, he was wearing a very stern expression.
"Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for asking," she added as an afterthought, smiling. Jackie didn't return her smile.
"Then explain- what were you doing in the Talisman vaults last night? That was very dangerous! You could have been hurt!"
Jade didn't meet Jackie's eyes, but she looked very upset when she responded. "I'm really sorry, Jackie. I wanted to stop the bad guy- but I probably just made things worse."
Jackie noticed with surprise that his niece looked near tears, and his expression softened. "It's okay, Jade. I know you only wanted to help- and you had the right idea in the first place. What can you tell me about the man who stole the talismans?"
"I don't know. . .I fell, and didn't get a good look. I think they were wearing black, and kinda short."
Jackie frowned. There weren't many people Jade could consider short, but her description still might refer to a multitude of people.
"What about what you were telling me yesterday? The spy?"
"Oh, yeah. I overheard a cell phone conversation. . .but you were right about the whole jumping to conclusions thing, Jackie. All I heard was that he knew the security code to something, he was meeting someone somewhere at 11:00 that night, and that he'd have all twelve."
Jackie nodded, but was still frowning seriously.
"I must admit, it doesn't sound like much, but it's the only lead we have. What was the guard's name?"
"George McKenzie. That nice new guard, he sometimes does the phone booth."
Jackie scribbled down the name on a scrap of paper to remember, then smiled at Jade.
"Thank you for your help. We'll get the talismans back. . .Jade?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you. I wish you hadn't tried to stop the thief, but it was still very brave."
Jade shrugged, for some reason she didn't seem as flattered as Jackie would've expected her to, but she did smile warmly.
"Thanks, Jackie. But I probably just got lucky. And I'm really sorry for worrying you and all."
Jackie was obviously taken aback. "Oh, uh. . .that's okay, Jade. Thanks. . .well, I suppose I should go talk to Captain Black. You're sure that's everything? Nothing you need?"
Jade grinned. "Well, I could use a new laptop computer. Drew has this really cool one."
Jackie smiled back. "I meant something serious. Besides, you don't need everything Drew has. Jealousy isn't good for you."
Jade shrugged, still smiling even at Jackie's comment. "I'm not jealous, I'm really not. I just like it. . .Oh, wait a sec! The horse talisman!" Jade looked around her hospital bed and bedside table, a nearly frantic expression on her face.
"Oh, right, the horse. Yes, we already found that, when we brought you here- or at least the fragments of it. At least that's one talisman we don't have to worry about. . ."
"I'll try to think of other stuff, Jackie."
"No, you just rest. I'll handle everything from here."
"I'm fine, but I'll rest if you want me to. Just call me if you need any help!"
Jackie was surprised at this response. Jade, agreeing to rest instead of joining the fight? Jackie eyed his young niece suspiciously. She looked the picture of innocence, her eyelids drooping slightly and her mouth stuck in a half awake smile. Maybe he was getting too suspicious. Still, it didn't hurt to have someone keeping an eye on her. . .
"Jackie?"
Jackie turned around, to see Tohru filling the entire doorway, holding a tray that was probably once full of chocolate chip cookies, but now held only a few crumbs..
"Feeling better?"
"I'm fine. I brought some of Mommy's cookies for Jade, but. . ."
Jackie smiled inwardly, knowing full well Tohru's appetite.
"Tohru? Would you do me a favor?"
"Yes?"
"Keep an eye on Jade for me. I need to speak to Captain Black."
With the reassurance that someone would be watching Jade, Jackie left the infirmary in the direction of Captain Black's office. He didn't get far, however, because a dark blue shape came rushing down the hallway, nearly knocking him over. On closer inspection, it was the guard, George McKenzie, hurrying off duty. 'Odd. . .Captain Black told me we'd interrogate the guards after their shift. His shouldn't be until later tonight.'
Without a further thought, Jackie followed McKenzie out of the building, carefully remaining several yards behind and out of sight. The man walked a long time through the streets near Section 13, before sitting down a half hour later at a small French bistro Jackie wouldn't have noticed had he come on his own. Jackie frowned, and crouched down behind several crates to watch.
There wasn't long to wait. Within minutes, a man wearing a brown trench coat walked up to the guard. "George!" He said, his voice low. Jackie strained his ears to hear the conversation.
"George, can't talk long, Cynthia's nearby. I gotta thank you for bailing me out last night. Cynthia had already thought that I had forgotten our anniversary. If you hadn't swung by with those roses. . .And I expected you to forget the security code for the gate!"
George and his friend chuckled, and Jackie felt a headache coming on. 'There goes my only lead. . .He was buying roses, not stealing talismans!'
George's friend walked away, and Jackie got up to leave, too, but found that a crate was caught on his sweater sleeve. He was trying to dislodge the crate quietly so as to avoid any embarrassing questions from McKenzie, when something caught his eye. A black car pulled up next to the restaurant, and three men stepped out.
He knew those men- the red-haired one with the crooked nose, the short one wearing a leather jacket and yellow sunglasses, and the taller one with the sickly hue to his skin. Three of Valmont's enforcers were walking right up to George McKenzie. They muttered something Jackie couldn't hear, and George stood up and followed them into their car. Jackie pulled out his cell phone and dialed Captain Black's number.
"Black."
"It's Jackie," he whispered, pulling the crate off his sweater at last.
"Jackie? Where are you? Tohru told me you were on your way to see me a half hour ago."
"McKenzie left the building. I followed him to a Bistro where he got into a car with the Dark Hand."
"We'll be on our way. Don't let the car out of your sight."
"Don't worry." Jackie reached the street corner and hailed a taxi, leaving his phone on so that Captain Black could trace him.
"Follow that car!" Jackie shouted, pointing down the road. The driver arched an eyebrow.
"You're kidding, right?"
"No! Hurry, they're getting away!"
"Listen, nobody does that except in the movies, and. . .hey, aren't you that guy from earlier who couldn't pay his fare?"
"No, I- well, maybe. . .please, go!"
"No way! Get out of my taxi!"
The driver opened the door and shoved Jackie out, then drove away. Jackie instead leapt atop a black motorcycle, snatching the keys out of a biker's hands and zooming away shouting "Sorry, I'll bring it back, thank you!" He had to go full speed to keep the black car in sight, but it wasn't long before he heard the reassuring sound of helicopter blades in the sky- Section 13 was following, far behind so as not to alert the Dark Hand to their presence, but still ready to help.
The car drove into an abandoned parking garage, and Jackie shut off the motorcycle and crept inside. There was no one there but the black car, however he could hear voices upstairs. He crept up the concrete steps and peered around the corner to see the enforcers, McKenzie, and none other than Valmont. Jackie nearly gasped, but stopped himself and instead climbed back down the stairs and spoke into his cell phone.
"Captain Black. Valmont's here."
"Valmont? Don't worry, we're surrounding the building."
And indeed, the next second the sound of footsteps caught Jackie's attention as Section 13 agents entered the garage. They climbed the stairs accompanied by Jackie, and the whir of a helicopter told him that the rest of Section 13 was outside. Captain Black stepped in through the window.
"Valmont, you are under arrest. Hand over the talismans and we may go easy on you."
Valmont, who had previously looked very shocked, recovered and recomposed himself.
"Talismans? I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."
Captain Black raised his eyebrow, and everyone pointed their gun at the man in the green suit.
"Don't play innocent, Valmont. We know McKenzie broke into Section 13 to get them."
Valmont looked as though he couldn't decide whether to appear amused or affronted.
"Section 13 security isn't what it used to be, is it? I've just broken out of jail, I don't have time for talisman heists. I need time to rebuild my empire. My spy is just there to keep an eye on things, although apparently spies aren't what they used to be either, are they?"
Captain Black frowned. What Valmont said did make sense, and he didn't have much to gain through lying. There had never been any proof the Talisman thief worked for Valmont. . .but who other than Valmont knew about the Talisman's powers? A ringing from Captain Black's pocket told him he had a call. Nobody but Section 13 employees had his number, so it was likely something that needed his attention.
"Black."
"Black? Mitchell. There's been a break-in at a Radio Shack downtown. I thought it was minor at first, until we got eyewitness reports. Apparently, the thief was capable of super speed, and could shoot huge beams of light. Sound familiar?"
"The talismans. Mitchell, stats on our thief?"
"Nobody got a good look, he was moving too fast. But the thief is short, and wearing dark clothes, possibly a hood, too. We're trying to get a reading from security cameras, if we can get them to pause in the right frame, we may have an ID."
"Sounds like the vault thief. Apparently he's working solo. But how did he know how to activate the talismans? Listen, I'm on my way. But I need a squad to pick up Valmont."
"I'm on it."
With that, Captain Black flipped shut the cell phone and turned to his friend.
"Jackie, the talisman thief struck again. We'd better go. Gentlemen," he said, turning to the Section 13 agents, "we need three of you to stand guard until the squad can pick up the Dark Hand."
Valmont was furious. "But I didn't steal the talismans! You have your proof right there!"
Captain Black grinned almost sadistically. "But you are wanted for jail break as well as several robberies. Have a nice sentence, Valmont. C'mon, Jackie."
Captain Black stepped out the window accompanied by Jackie into the Section 13 helicopter. They flew away, leaving behind a fuming Valmont.
Author's Note~ I know, you're all wondering why I'm updating on Tuesday. Well, I just got back from Vacation and I'm leaving again tomorrow, so this is my last chance. I have Chapter 5 written and back from my beta, so I just need to do some revisions, but with *sob* school starting next week, I may postpone its release to give me more time to write Ch 6. So thanks.
Oh, one more thing (Heh). Someone mentioned in their review they were mad at Jackie in this story. Don't be, I love Jackie ^_^. You must remember that while to us Jade is funny and cool and we all love to see her amazingly solving the problem (How do you do that??), imagine living with her and being responsible for her safety. I've babysat enough kids who aren't nearly as "cunning" as her, and it couldn't be easy. So have some respect for Jackie, he does a damn good job, all things considered. And Jade's "proof" really didn't prove anything. Originally, McKenzie was going to be an innocent guard, but I like this way better. Ties more into the typical way Jade has of accidentally figuring everything out.
So I'm gonna end this Author's Note with the promise that next chapter, you'll finally learn what kind of lousy thief only uses two of the talismans and only robs radio shack. *coughs* Radio Shack is property of, um. . .Radio Shack. I own nothing. Except this remote control car my uncle gave me from there, but it's broken. Don't sue, any Radio Shack executives that are reading Jackie Chan fan fiction. . .I know there are a lot of you.