A/N: Before starting, I want to thank you guys because you were very patient! I don't know what else to say. So far, my results say I'm fine (went to the doctors' earlier)... bla bla, I don't want to talk about that xD

By the way, for those who are still unaware, Chapter XII is now readable!

Enjoy!

Chapter XIII

Cats and Mice, part I

-What?- Tintin asked, still not believing Allan asked that.

-Who are you?- Allan asked once again.

-Allan, you don't know me?-

-Who's Allan?

-You don't remember anything?-

-Remember what?- he asked with a panicked voice.- Who are you? Who am I?- he asked as he dropped his gun. - What's this place?-

Then, Tom stormed to the room.

-Allan, what the hell's wrong with you?- He said as he turned his head to Tintin.- You! What did you do to him?-

-I did nothing, as you can see!- The lad replied.

-Shut up, you liar!- Tom said as he knocked Tintin down and took Allan with him into the room where the rest of the guys were.

-xxx-

Meanwhile, at the Police Station, Doppler leaves the lieutenant's office and begins to explore the place. It has the touch of an office-like setting, with a few maps hanged over the place. The desks are full of reports. It was a little warm, and the fans were not enough to refresh the place.

Because he was distracted, Doppler bumped into Angela and, by consequence, her stuff fell down to the floor.

-I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going to.- Harold apologized as he was picking up Angela's papers

-No, it's okay.- se replied.- I was also distracted with something.-

-Here you go.- He says to her as he gives her the paper.- And distracted with what, may I know?-

-Are you a detective or something?- she asks as she laughs friendly

-Detective Harold Doppler.- he replies.- I was sent to replace Detectives Thomson and Thompson.-

-Oh...- she said.- When I first heard your name I thought you'd be some kind of...-

-Attractive, American-good-looking, mature person? Everybody says that.-

-Well, I think I should go.- she said as she left.

Then, Doppler noted a piece of paper fell and picked it up.

-Hey, you forgot...- he said as he saw the contents of it.- ... wow!-

It was the portrait modified by Daniella Ferrero.

Meanwhile, at the parking lot, Angela gets into her car, when, suddenly, Harold appears.

-Hey! Stop! Don't go! You forgot something!- he said

She left her car and went towards the detective.

-What happened?- she asked

-You forgot your drawing.- He said as he handled her the paper.

-Oh, thanks!-

-I already know that's not Tintin.-

-What? But how...-

-People might see me as stupid and nerdy, but believe me, I can figure out who is who or who's related to whom, just by seeing their bone structure, and this man is not and not related to Tintin. By the way, Joshua Vlamynck is Dutch, not Belgian.-

-How do you know that?-

-I just can tell it. It's like "2+2=4".-

-Not that. How do you knew this man is "The Tiger of Brussels"?-

-I must confess I'm a fan of his work and I have a few pictures of him. I believed Vlamynck was dead, but now I see this, I'm not really sure, but, may I ask something?-

-What is it?-

-Is he another suspect?-

-What?-

-Let's be sincere with each other, Tintin's not the murderer, even when the Lieutenant, the staff, and the rest of Italy say otherwise.-

-You believe in his innocence?-

-Tintin's a cool guy, and guys whom I consider cool or awesome won't do such thing.-

-What about the Tiger?-

-Just because I like his work doesn't suddenly mean he's cool.-

-What if we continue discussing the case in another place?-

-What about my place?-

-Is it far from here?-

-No, it's just a few streets from here. You'll like it. Interpol's paying one of the fanciest rooms from the hotel.-

-Okay, just because it's getting dark.- she sighed.- Get in the car.-

-xxx-

-What do you mean with that?- Gérémi asked with an angered voice

-It's the truth!- Tom said, trying to convince him.- He doesn't even know his name!-

-But how could this happen?- he asked with his angry voice

-I... I don't know!- the man replied as he shook his head, trying to think of the cause of Allan's amnesia.- The fall!-

-What?- Bonilla asked with a low voice

-Back at the Ghost Town, Allan fell from a building, remember?-

Gérémi starts to remember when he saw Allan falling down from the building.

-Boss...?-

-Just... shut... up.- He replied, trying not to lose his control.-

-Boss, are you alright?-

-Shut up!- he said as he slapped Tom.

Gérémi reacts and sees his strength was enough to leave him on the ground. He then helps him to get up.

-I apologize... I...- Bonilla apologized, his voice was breaking

-I know what's going on.- Tom replied as he was rubbing his cheek.- You're worried about Allan.-

Gérémi tries to keep it cool, trying to handle what he was actually feeling.

The awkward, long silence ends when Tom clears his throat.

-I can torture the boy until he speaks.- Tom said.- I know a great part of his little tricks.-

-You think I don't know what he's capable of?- The old gangster said.- You know you didn't just lose a friend that stormy night in Lavandonia.- he said as he turned and walked towards a corner .-I lost a son.-

-But he's not dead.-

-In a sense, he's dead.- Gérémi continued.- He doesn't even know his own name... he's... useless.-

-What do I do with Allan?-

-Leave him. I'll try to make him recover his memory.-

-What about the boy?-

-I want you to go back down there and make it talk. Break every bone in his body if you have to. I don't care if you amputate his arms or legs. All I want is answers. Just don't kill him!-

-But Boss... I can kill him easily.- Tom continued.- He's very weak, has nothing to defend himself... plus, the more we delay his murder, the stronger the police gets.-

- As "inspiring" as I find your desire for killing, Thomas, I'm the one who must murder Tintin.- He said with a low, serious tone.- Not anyone else. Now go.-

Tom leaves, following the orders of the old gangster.

Meanwhile, Tintin, who was blindfolded, was being beaten down by Joshua.

-Are you going to talk?- the gangster asked

-Why am I going to talk if I don't know the reason I was kidnapped?- Tintin said

Unfortunately, that answer causes the Dutch to lose his patience. He then approaches Tintin and puts one of his arms around the reporter's neck. Realizing what would happen, he struggles.

-Shh, struggling never helps.-

Vlamynck leans his head next to the reporter's, pressing his head sideways, at an awkward, unnatural angle.

-In about a few seconds from here, you' be unconscious.- Joshua said with a low voice.- I'm compressing the artery that transports oxygen to your brain.-

Tintin keeps squirming, desperately fighting for air.

Tom suddenly enters and sees this scene.

-Joshua, stop!- Tom commanded

-Why are you stopping me of doing this.- He said and he stopped as the lad was coughing

-The Boss doesn't want him dead.- Tom said

-Wasn't that the plan?- Joshua asked

-He wants to kill him.- Tom continued.- He ordered us to torture him, not to kill him.-

-You know Tintin's a single little pest.- Joshua said.- I can kill him easily.-

-The Boss ordered to torture him. Not to kill him.- Tom said.- Understand?-

-Fine. I got bored anyways.- He said as he left the room and closed the door.

Tom suddenly notes Tintin was blindfolded, and smiles at this. From his pocket, he takes a couple of knives and approaches the lad's ear. The thug starts to make a few noises, giving the reporter the idea of the knives being sharpened.

-Ready for my torture, boy?- Tom asks with a persuasive-like voice

Tintin didn't respond.

-I said... are you ready for my torture?- He asks again

Still no answer.

Tom then checks Tintin.

Bloody bastard! He left him unconscious. He thought as he put his pocket knives away and left.

It appears he fell for that one. The lad thought as he shows a fainted smile

-xxx-

Captain Haddock was now searching Tintin around the residential areas of Palermo. He appeared to be aware the police (also) "forgot" to search in these areas, due to the presence of guards, concluding it was not necessary to take a look.

The areas were deserted, the sky was gray, and the wind was calm, full of desperation. The black-bearded sailor knows something: the reporter is still in Palermo, disguised.

But where?

He wouldn't mind to pass the night at the street. Haddock left a note at the Manor, saying "where he might be staying for a while" or something. All he wanted was the present nightmare to disappear.

He also reported Snowy to be missing, but, with the city being deserted, he doubted if the search was actually...

A howl was heard.

Could it be? Haddock wondered and turned his head.

The same howl is heard, this time, a little stronger than before.

The Captain continues turning his head, trying to locate, the source of the sound.

One more time, the howl is heard, along with some mumbling and motorcycle noises.

Snowy!

The sailor approaches and sees the white dog, who was accompanied by the dim-witted detectives.

-Jellyfishes! Where've you been?- He exclaims as he recognized them

-We've been searching Tintin, Captain Haddock.- Thomson replied.

-To be precise...- Thompson added- ...we're searching Tintin.-

-Why? Because you still think he's a murderer?- The Captain asked

-Oh, no!- Thomson said.

-We know he's innocent!-

-It was about time!- The Captain said

-Look, we found more evidence that clears Tintin from murdering the Ying-Yang Boys.- Thomson said.

-Really? And why are you searching him?- The Captain asked once again

-We've been fired.- Thompson said

-And because no one has heard about Tintin since we sent the Red Alert.- Thomson added

-And, are you searching him?- Thompson asked.

-Oh, I'm not. – Haddock answered.- I'm exploring these areas... BLISTERING BARNACLES, JELLYFISHES! OF COURSE I'M SEARCHING MY BEST FRIEND!-

Haddock's last like scared the hell out of the detectives.

-So... you... want to help us?- Thompson asked with a scared voice

-Fine. I'll join you.- The Captain replied.- Just because I want to keep an eye on you.- He said menacingly.- If I see this is one of your pesky little tricks, I'll be the last person your eyes will see. Understand?- He continued with that tone.

-Ok, get in.- a very scared Thomson said

Snowy starts to bark and follows his owner's scent. The dim-witted detectives and sailor follow the dog, thinking they are getting closer to where the missing reporter is.

-xxx-

-Lieutenant Bertotti?- The female asked

-Yes?- She asked

-We're Detectives David Keenan and Pepper Cambridge, representing Interpol.- The male detective said as both were showing their IDs.

-How can I help you?- Lt. Bertotti asked as she left the papers she was working with.

-A few days ago, Detectives Thomson and Thompson were supposed to return to the base in Belgium.- Det. Cambridge said.

-And what's the problem?-

-They haven't returned.- David said

-xxx-

A/N: Now you know Tintin's not related to Joshua ;)

Sorry! Short Chapter is Short, I know.

I'm currently dealing with writer's block and stuff.

If there was something OOC, please tell me so I can fix it!

BTW, if I have grammatical mistakes please tell me (and where are they xD)!

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