Chapter V
Suspicions, part II
-But how could he be the murderer?- one of them asked.- He's a very nice person.-
-We think this might have been some kind of mistake.- The artist said.- If the lieutenant finds out about this, she'd either believe it and arrest the reporter or just ignore it and take it as a joke.-
-I think the lack of lights made us think the murderer was Tintin.- another of the witnesses said.- I mean, he might not know the duo with the worst-name-ever.-
-Plus, I heard he was invited to DiLeo's party.- another one commented.- How could he be the killer if he was in the event at the same time Mr. Rawlins and Mr. Williams met that horrendous fate?-
-That has a lot of sense.- One of the officers said.- That can't be possible.-
-So, can we go now?- another asked.
-You're free.- An officer said and showed the witnesses the exit.
Now, the artist and the officer were alone in the room.
-What are you going to do?- the officer asked
-I think I'd just give the lieutenant the description.- the artist replied as she left the room.
A couple of hours later, Captain Haddock returned to the Manor, with the newspaper. He went towards to Tintin, who was making a few diagrams about the murdering.
-Lad, the police finally released the description of the culprit.- He commented.
-I'm listening.- Tintin replied.
-Red hair, pale skin, and medium-height.- Haddock read.- Any idea of who, Tintin?-
-I don't have anybody at mind.- Tintin replied.- The killer might have been either a local or an Irish.-
-You think?-
-It's just an idea.- said as he was leaving the room.
-Where are you going?- The Captain asked
-To search more clues, that's for sure!-
Tintin then left the Sakharine Manor, just to find something useful on the British case.
-Snowy, you think there's something fishy around this?- The lad asked
-There's always something fishy when you're around! Gee, seriously, take some vacations! I want to return to Marlinspike!- The dog protested
-It's suspicious, I know that too.-
The dog wanted now to face-paw.
-First, a party, then I meet someone who ends murdered later.- Tintin said.- I think there's someone who does not want me here.-
-Either that or those men were attacked by thieves!- Snowy "said".- Leave that to the police before you get in more troubles!-
Meanwhile, inside the Manor, Mr. Sakharine, who happened to be reading the newspaper, heard a knocking. He left it and went towards the door. He opened it and saw Thomson and Thompson, of course, wearing (ridiculous) traditional Italian outfits.
-Mr. Sakharine?- Both asked at unison
-Who are you?- The Russian asked
-I'm Thompson, with a p, as in pterodactyl.- Thompson said.
-And I'm Thomson, without a p, like in vuvuzela.- Thomson added.
-We're detectives from Interpol.- said at unison again.
-Now I remember you.- Mr. Sakharine said.- You're the ones who almost filed me as dead back in Greece.-
-That was a mistake, Mr. Sakharine.- Thompson said
-To be precise, a mistake it was.- Thomson added.
-How can I help you?- the Manor's owner asked
-Is Tintin here?- one of them asked
-He left a few minutes ago.- Mr. Sakharine said.- He said he was going to search for more clues. Want to leave him a message?-
-Well...- Thomson said
-Is Captain Haddock here?- Thompson asked
-Of course I'm here.- Captain Haddock replied as he was approaching.
-Good, good.- one of them said.- We want to talk with you, in private.-
The dim-witted detectives entered to the house as Mr. Sakharine took his newspaper and left to another room.
-What happened now?- the Captain asked.
-You might know the description of the murderer has been revealed in the newspapers, right?- Thomson asked
-Why, of course.- The Captain replied.- I don't even have an idea of who might have killed those guys.-
-That's the reason we're here, Captain Haddock.- Thompson said.- It's about the description.-
-It's just a description.- The Captain added.- It's not that I know the culprit, right?- he asked with an unsecure-like voice.
-Can you remember it?- Thomson asked.
-Sure.- The Captain replied.- Red hair, pale skin, and medium-height.-
-Does that sound familiar to you?- one of them asked
-Not really.- he replied
-Are you sure?- the other one asked
-I've already told you that I don't...- then, the sailor paused, realizing what were they trying to say.- Wait... are you implying Tintin's the murderer of the duo with the worst-name-ever?- he raged a little
-We're not implying that, Captain.- Thomson said.- We believe in facts.-
-To be precise, in facts we trust.- Thompson commented
-Jellyfishes! Butterflies! Barnacles!- The Captain cursed.- Tintin's no murderer! And you even know that!-
-What if he really killed those innocent men?- Thomson suggested
-Plus, we're already aware of his anger at Mr. Rawlins before he was murdered, along with his assistant.- Thompson added.
-He was angry.- Captain Haddock said.- You're from Brussels. That Rawlins man said something very offensive.-
-Like what, may we know?- Thompson asked
The Captain repeated that blasphemous commentary.
.
.
And, like Mr. Sakharine back in the party, their expression was one full of disgusting, anger, and surprise.
-I told you it was blasphemous.- The Captain said.
-If... you excuse us, Captain Haddock...- Thomson said.- ... we'll try to forget that blasphemy.- said as both were leaving.- May God have mercy on that man's soul!-
And then, they left.
The Captain was now alone.
Tintin the murderer of those two? Haddock thought as he was returning to the guests' room.
He closed the door, and then, started to have an inner fight. He's not the murderer. I know. He's not capable of doing something like that. His walking to one side of the room to another was not helping him. He can't be. It's not in his blood.
Suddenly, he started to remember things from last night.
He recalled Tintin was angry enough, possibly with the motivation on killing a human being. When he found him near the lake, he remembered the lad had messy hair, and looked like if he did something so wrong and then regretted it.
It's just a coincidence. He thought again.
Then, he remembered he felt his anger.
It's just a coincidence! There's nothing that will make me change my mind. Tintin's not a cold-blooded murderer!
Meanwhile, Tintin was walking into Palermo's park. It has been two hours since he left from the Manor.
The people of the surroundings were watching him. Not like before. This time was... different. They were just launching him a cold look, like if they knew what happened last night. He could feel their anger and warnings, like if he was being exiled from that place. He wanted to get answers. If he approached somebody, it'd suddenly evade him.
Odd. He thought.
The weather was getting cold, and mute.
Tintin finally decided to return to the Manor.
He was now wondering why suddenly the people were being that cold with him. What did he do? Something like murdering, perhaps?
-It's like they knew, don't you think, Snowy?- He asked to his dog.
-All I remember you did was getting angry with the man who was killed.- Snowy "replied".- Is it a crime to do that in Italy?-
-I know. I also want to return.-
When he finally arrived to the Manor, he started to feel there was something different inside. The lad plucked up some courage and entered.
-I can feel the change.- Tintin said.- Something happened here.-
He started then to explore the Manor.
The Sakharines were not at home. They were probably taking Bonnelyn to a psychiatrist, because of the severity of her depression.
Tintin then went towards the guests' room, and found the Captain, sleeping.
I think I'm just imaging things. Said as he went to his bed, and finally, took a nap.
-xxx-
A/N: Short chapter is short.
What Sakharine said about "almost declared dead" by the Thom(p)sons is a reference to his visit to Greece with the Semiologist Claude Morris (referenced in "The Circle of Paris").
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