Chapter XIV
Cats and Mice, part II
-What do you mean with that?- the Lieutenant asked
-We haven't heard from them.- the female detective said.- Is there something we've missed?-
-No, there's nothing.- Lt. Bertotti replied.- I just... it's just... - She continued very worried
-Lieutenant, I know this case is between the UK and Italy, but...- the male detective said.- ... if Thomson and Thompson don't appear soon, your department will be dismissed from this case, and the British Police will handle it instead.-
-But how am I supposed to search them if I don't have officers left?- the lieutenant asked.
-This is where Interpol "makes its appearance in stage".- Det. Keenan said.- Six commissioners were assigned to locate the missing detectives.-
-How much time will this take?- the lieutenant asked
-So far we know, since the case was classified as dangerous...- Det. Cambridge said.- ... we have one day to find them, dead or alive. If they don't appear, we'd take over this case.-
-You can't do that!- the lieutenant said.- This is one of the most important cases I've ever had!-
-We're sorry about that, but the laws forces us to do it.- Det. Keenan said as he crossed his arms.- If you excuse us, we'd go to contact the commissioners. Good afternoon.-
Both detectives leave the Lieutenant's office and the Police Station.
-Don't you think the environment back there was a little damp?- Det. Keenan asked
-I believe it's not in good conditions.- Det. Cambridge replied
-I think a little remodelling won't be that bad for them.-
-That reminds me, why X33 and X33b are still in Interpol despite their stupidity and incompetence?- Det. Cambridge asked as both arrived to their car
-That, my partner, is the biggest mystery of all the time.- Det. Keenan replied as both were getting in and left.
-xxx-
Meanwhile, the Captain, the dim-witted detectives, and Snowy are approaching the place where Tintin is being held as a prisoner.
-Are you sure this is the way?- the Captain asked
-Of course we're sure!- Thompson replied.- A dog's sense of smell never lies!-
-To be precise...- Thomson added.- A dog's sense of lies never smell!-
After a few minutes, they stop.
-Why do we stop?- the Captain asked
-We're here.- The Thom(p)sons replied
The Captain glances at the white house.
-Easy as pie. There are no guards.- the sailor said as he was getting out of the motorcycle.-
-No!- Both detectives said at unison.- Don't go.-
-Why?- he asked.- It's our opportunity, Jellyfishes! No one's keeping an eye on the house!-
-That's the problem, Captain.- Thompson said
-What do you mean?- he asked again
-It's too easy.- Thomson replied.- Look the house's surroundings closer.-
The Captain glances at the house once again and sees there are guards wearing some kind of camouflage.
-Those baboons!- The Captain cursed.- Wait, how do you knew there were guards around?- he asked
-Captain, we're detectives with experience.- Thompson replied
-To be precise...-Thomson added.-... it was quite obvious.-
-Now what, Captain?- Thomson asked.- Do you have a plan?-
The Captain gives one more glance to the surroundings, and realizes they're not far away from the suburbs. He starts to wonder what to do.
After a few minutes, he comes up with something.
-Ok, this is the plan.- the sailor said.- You must go to the station and rally the cops. I'll look for Tintin.- he said determinedly
-Are you sure?- Thompson asked
-I have been in situations like this before, and this sort of looks like a nightmare I had some time ago.- he replied as he was getting out of the motorcycle at the same time he was staring at the house.
-But Captain Haddock...- one of them said
-What part of "go to the damn station" you don't get?- he asked, trying not to raise his voice.- Now go!- The Captain said in a low, commanding voice.- We don't know how much time we have left.-
The detectives leave, trying not to make a single sound.
Snowy starts to growl.
-Easy, Snowy.- The Captain said.- If those guards hear you, we're screwed.-
After a few minutes, the sailor and the dog walk slowly until they get near to a tree. Now, from behind the Acer platanoides (Norwegian Maple Tree), they observe close up the camouflaged guards.
-Guards. I hate this part of the plan.- The Captain whispered to himself. Then, he directed to the dog, who was staring at one of the guards, and smiled.- Snowy, this is where I need your help.-
A few seconds later, Snowy growls and stares at the black-bearded human when he realizes what he really means with "needing his help".
-Are you serious?- Snowy "said"- They might kill me!-
-Come on.- The Captain said to the dog.- You have to create a diversion.-
The dog ignored Haddock.
-I know you can do it.-
Snowy was still ignoring him.
-Please. Do it for Tintin.- he begged
Snowy finally decided to help his owner's best friend.
The white dog leaves the tree and starts to bark like crazy and attacks one of the guards. The animal bites another guard and then runs off to lead them away. Captain Haddock suddenly makes it by.
-Suckers.- He said
Haddock is making his way to the house's door. He successfully arrives and, quietly, opens it and peers inside. The living room is so mysterious, dark, strange, and eerie enough to send a chill up the spine. It was also sort of dusty, with an empty feeling. The walls are covered with photos: a few of them were just mere quick sketches, some were from newspapers, accompanied by some information, like if it was the album of some sadistic or vengeful serial killer. There were also a few notes, written in a strange language.
Where have I seen these kinds of letters before? Haddock thought.
The Captain gives a look to the photos and then takes the notes and tries to decode them, thinking he'd get a clue where the hell Tintin is or something.
Unfortunately, there was nothing to help.
He turns his head and sees a staircase leading probably to an attic.
As he climbs, the sailor feels it's very slippery. Ignoring it and with the desire of finding his "murder-accused friend", he continues climbing. Two seconds later, he falls off the staircase and hitting the floor's rug, leading him to activate a trapdoor. He falls again and screams as he slides pretty fast, in a hair-raising 'fall'.
After a few seconds, Captain Haddock finally lands in a bag pile.
He stands up, full of dust and a few spider webs, and stares surprised and confused at the steel-made slide and sees there are signs of dry blood.
Suddenly, hurtful screaming echoes deep within the silver-like chamber. The Captain is scared and turns away and sees a corridor, partially illuminated. He plucks up some courage and walks through it.
The screaming sounds are heard again. This time, those were pretty clear.
Tintin! The sailor exclaimed in his mind and continued his search.
-xxx-
One hour later...
Back at the police station, detectives Keenan, Cambridge, and six commissioners are already reunited in a room near the Lieutenant's office.
-Now you know where to go?- Det. Kennan asked
-Affirmative, Det. Keenan.- a Commissioner said.
-Ok. Now everybody...- before Det. Keenan could finish his sentence, the the dim-witted detectives appear.
-Don't worry! Stop whatever the researches you're doing!- Thompson said
-Found 'em- another Commissioner said at the same time he was laughing.
-Detectives Thomson and Thompson?- Det. Cambridge asked.- Where were you?- She asked with a sort of worried tone.- I just hope you weren't fooling around like always.-
-Detective Cambridge...- Thomson said.- ...we were searching for clues!-
-Both of you had us worried!- Det. Keenan said.- Explain yourselves! Why didn't you at least phoned the office you were going to fool around or something?-
-As we said before, we were searching for clues!- Thompson said
-What kind of clues? You were fired!- Det. Keenan said
-We know where Tintin is!- both said at unison
-Really? That's nice of your part.- Det. Keenan said and then he turned his head to the rest of the Commissioners.- We can finally arrest him!-
-NO!- the dim-witted detectives said at unison
-Why the hell not?- Det. Keenan asked with an angry tone
-He's not the murderer! It's impossible!- Thompson said
-Of course it's possible! We have the clues! Everything links him to the murders!- Det. Keenan said.- You know what? I'm going to recommend both of you to immediate, permanent suspension when we get back to...-
-You're going to what?- a young, male voice said
They turn to see Detective Doppler, wearing his trademark jacket, standing behind the door with Ms. Black, who was carrying a sketchbook and the detective's notes.
-Detective Doppler?- Det. Cambridge asked
-You're questioning the Thompson twins? As what? As accomplices or something like that?.- Doppler asked with a desperate tone.- Back the hell off my friends!- he said as he approached the detectives.- I investigated, I re-read the reports like nine times.-
-And what's your point?- one of the Commissioners asked
-Do reports have continuity errors?- he asked with a rhetorical voice
The Interpol members get surprised when they hear that.
-But how...?- one of the Commissioners asked
-Tintin's not able to stand in his toes for a long time.- Angela added.
-Explain that.- Det. Cambridge asked amused
-I studied the bodies one more time and there's a sign of precision. The person who shot the Ying-Yang Boys and the so-far-unidentified British tourist has professional skills with guns and weapons. Tintin doesn't. If he was the one who really murdered them, the marks left by the bullets will say another thing.- she said
-But why the witnesses said they saw Tintin shooting them?- Det. Keenan asked
-Because they were fake.- Doppler said.
-What do you mean?- a Commissioner asked
-I helped in that part.- Angela said.- I must confess I was in that street when it happened.-
Everybody gasped at this.
-And why didn't you say a word?- Det. Cambridge asked to her
-I was scared, okay?- Angela replied.- Well... my art teacher phoned me earlier that day because he had a few dark-coloured pastels he wanted to give me. After I left the station, I went to his house, we talked, he gave me a few tips about how to use them, and we practiced a bit. Later that night, I was about to leave, when I heard a few shootings.- she continued.- He told me to hide, but, because I was very curious, I went outside and I heard one shoot more.-
-And there were no witnesses, right?- Det. Cambridge asked
-No one around.- Angela replied
-So, from where were the witnesses came from?- a Commissioner asked
-Like a half-an-hour later, the witnesses whom we interviewed arrived to the scene.- Angela replied
-But that doesn't answer why they were murdered.- Det. Keenan said
-That doesn't matter for now.- Doppler said.-By the way...-he said as he directed to the dim-witted detectives.- ...where's Tintin?- he asks
-We believe he's being held as a prisoner in a house in a creepy area.- Thomson said
-You heard that?- Doppler said.- We must save Tintin! We don't know who has him captive but we know where is he.- he then turned his head to the Thom(p)sons.- Come on guys, show us the way!- and then he turns his head to the Commissioners.- And you too! Come with us!-
Doppler leaves and, at the same time, the dim-witted detectives and the commissioners follow him, leaving David, Pepper, and Angela alone.
-I'm the one who gives the orders!- Det. Keenan said as he decided to follow them.
-I think you could be able to come with us.- Det. Cambridge said.- Take your stuff with you.-
And then, both females leave the room.
-xxx-
Meanwhile, at the silver-coloured chamber, Alphonse and Scott leave the room where Tintin is.
-That boy won't talk. It doesn't matter what we do.- Alphonse said as he was massaging his knuckles.- Besides, why are we torturing him? Aren't we supposed to kill him?-
-Take it easy, bro.- Scott replied.- When the Boss decides to kill him, it'd be over.- he continued.- It's according to his plan: once he murders that kid, he'd make it look like a clear suicide.-
-I just hope Tintin dies today. I have a feeling the police's getting closer.-
-Don't get scared, man. Those jackasses don't know how to do their work.-
-By the way, where's the Boss?-
-He left to see one of his contacts. He'd be back soon.-
They kept talking as they were leaving the area.
A few seconds later, Allan entered and went towards where Tintin was.
What he saw spoke of rage and hate.
The reporter had an awful look: He looked to be sort of asleep. The slashes, scratches, and bloodstains in his skin and clothes told of a messy "end". He was barely breathing due to being hit several times in the abdomen.
Tintin was lying in the floor, still bleeding and attached to that hell of chair, on the cold, silver floor now being stained with red.
How can so much blood come from one, young body?
-Now I guess you've recovered your memory?- the reporter asked with a low voice.
-Actually... I still don't know who you are.- Allan replied.- No one's around so... I think I'd be glad to...- he said as he took a dagger from his jacket and approached the young Belgian.
Tintin closed his eyes, not wanting to see how he's being killed.
-I'm ready.- he whispered.
Suddenly, he felt the dagger cutting something near his arms and legs. Surprised he opens his eyes, just to see he was no longer attached to the chair by the duct tape.
-What?-
-I'm leaving you free.- He whispered to his ear.- Get out of here while you can.-
-But...?-
-He told me not to say a word. Now go!-
Tintin tries to stand up. He's shaking a lot. Allan takes one of the lad's arms and puts it around him.
-Let me help you.- Allan said.- You're very weak.-
As he silently leads him toward the room's only door, Captain Haddock enters.
-You!- the Captain exclaims as he sees Allan with a very, very injured Tintin
-xxx-
Meanwhile, in what appears to be countryside, Gérémi and Joshua walk towards the door of the only shack.
-Are you sure about this?- a sort-of worried Joshua asked
-Just. Be. Quiet.- Gérémi said with an angry tone as he knocked the door
-Sir, I think we need to...- Joshua said, still worried
-I already sped the project, Joshua.- Gérémi replied, sort of angered.- Now what we need is something that distracts the police. And this friend of mine has been helping me since the beginning.- he said as he knocked the door.
The owner of the shack, after a few minutes, opens the door.
It was Luciano DiLeo.
-Luciano, we need to talk.- the old French said with a monotonous-like voice
-xxx-
A/N: Things are getting intense, right? I hope you liked this chapter!
By the way, I'd be getting a break on writing. Don't worry! I'd be just a couple of years.
Just kidding! Just a week or two. My job is literally boring. I'm more a secretary than a graphic designer. And the pay sort of sucks: $100 USD per month. At least it's something.
Returning, If there was something OOC, please tell me so I can fix it!
If I have grammatical mistakes please tell me (and where are they xD)!
Got Hooked? Please Read and Review!
PS. Because I'm that good, here's a spoiler: PEOPLE DIE. :trollface:
EDIT 17-JUL-12: I detected there was a continuity error. I fixed it.