Story Notes: I am very happy to finally upload this chapter. This chapter took so long to write, and I'm not sure why. But anyway, please enjoy and review, fav, and follow.
Chapter Summary: Tintin returns to the mountains with four ZEPO'S and Haddock
Suggested Music
1. Unstoppable - AD Infinitum
2. Teufelsgeiger - D'artagnan
3. Damaged - John Lunn
4. Pray for Me - Max Richter
5. 2nd Piano Concerto (Rachmaninov) - HAUSER
x
Tintin, Haddock, Snowy, and Agent Koziel and his men spread out in one main direction once they reached where they'd left off.
Tintin still couldn't erase the thoughts from Muskar's office.
Someone planned this and waited, Tintin silently posited.
Whoever it is was very patient... Who would wait this long...
Snowy's urgent barking silenced the last of the thoughts.
Haddock and Tintin surged ahead as a vile curling stench filled their nostrils. He gagged slightly as the sight of the smell came into view; a dead sheep.
"Blistering .."
"Poor thing... there's no blood though.." Tintin managed before averting his gaze, trying his best not to extricate the contents of his stomach. Haddock gently grabbed his arm, motioning to the road winding down the hill and into another valley.
"There's a few more down there, all next to the road,"
Tintin motioned for Agent Koziel to follow them as they continued down the road, spotting a small farm and its owner, who was moving bales of hay not too far from them.
"Maybe he's seen something," Tintin commented quietly, observing the farmer. Until the last incident, this man didn't stick out. He blended in effortlessly. Rough trousers, wellies.. he certainly could be genuine.
"I'm coming with.. especially after what happened last time," Haddock replied, picking up the pace as Snowy ran ahead.
Tintin picked up the pace as Snowy started to sniff around the hale bale as if examining the situation for his master. Wagging his tail, satisfied with the hale bale he approached the farmer sniffing his boots.
"Hello .. where did you come from?" The farmer slowly dropped down onto one knee letting Snowy sniff his hand. Tintin hurried, observing the situation. Within moments Snowy licked the farmer's hand and let the farmer stroke him. He playfully wagged his tail as the man scratched him behind the ears.
Tintin smiled, glad that Snowy had the sense to check out the situation first. Snowy then turned and sat, as if waiting for him to join him.
"I've seen no one for weeks. Now you're the second group of people I've seen here in a week. I take it you're here about the car," The Famer exclaimed.
"Second? ... Interesting," Haddock mused.
"What car are you referring to?" Tintin questioned.
"The car that killed three of my sheep! Out of control, that thing was,"
A car ... could this be what we missed...
"When did this occur?" Tintin asked
"A few nights ago. I can't remember the exact date," The farmer replied, calming from his outburst. "I felt sorry for the poor child and the lass, especially in her condition,"
Haddock and Tintin suddenly focused on the Farmer
"Her condition?"
"She was pregnant. The car's down the road," The Farmer replied, motioning down the winding road. Kozeil and Haddock broke off into a run, following the direction of the road.
"Thank you. You've been very helpful," Tintin exclaimed as he pursued the team.
I knew it. I knew the answer was out here.
ZEPO told me I was wrong ...
Prince Dymitr told me to leave it alone...
I'm on the right track now... I was always on the right track.
Spurred on by new positive thoughts he overtook Haddock and the agents, skidding to a halt next to the car, which had been left at an odd angle on the road with its doors open. A glint of sunlight on metal drew Haddock to the front seat of the car.
"Blistering Barnacles, Tintin look,"
Haddock opened his palm to reveal a gold cufflink with a tiny K on the pattern on a dark blue hue. Koziel stood there, gazing at Tintin in amazement.
"You were right," Koziel admitted quietly, which likely wouldn't have been easy for him to say.
"It's almost like a trail," Tintin couldn't quite find the word.
"Breadcrumbs," Haddock finished.
"They are giving us all the clues we need, " Tintin realised.
Agent Koziel turned round a few times, glanced at the sky and then to the road ahead.
"What direction are we facing?" Koziel commented, motioning to Haddock in the process.
"West.. that's where the sun is going," Haddock didn't even have to think about the answer.
"This might be a shot in the dark but .. if I remember rightly this road leads to one of the old royal safehouses. It's worth a try,"
If that's the case then this has something to do with someone who is close to the royal family or works in the place, Tintin.
Part of him questioned how Muskar would feel if this indeed was the case. He'd been through enough in recent years, why would someone do something so cruel? He had to find them... for Muskar. He couldn't bear the thought of Muskar's illness taking him, especially if he didn't find his son.
I'm close.. so close... I won't let go now.
Who would?
The Bordurians?
A staff member?
Kawalczyk?
X.
By the time the safehouse eventually came into view, the sky started to darken as the sun began to dip in the sky exposing the smoke escaping from the chimney. After parking the car out of sight, they found a place to lie down and survey the house. Tintin scanned the house with his binoculars. A car stood on the driveway with the bonnet up as someone messed with the engine.
Tintin gaze averted to the barn but immediately flipped back, narrowing in on a motorcycle.
It can't be...
How did that get here?
"Tintin? Tintin, what's wrong?" Haddock questioned, clearly not understanding what he'd seen.
"The motorcycle.."
"What of it?" Koziel asked, adjusting his binoculars so he could have a look.
"It's the same motorcycle from the palace garage,"
"See I knew you were right" Haddock squeezed his shoulder."It must belong to one of the staff members,"
As Tintin looked at the agent as he paused. Something had spooked him.
"Not just any staff member... that's Olek Kaminski's motorcycle,"
X
Muskar could no longer sleep.
The medication had managed to help him sleep for about five hours. Part of him wondered how long he could keep the news from Marianna and Dymitr. She knew something troubled him. Telling them would be just as hard. He briefly considered lying in the solitude of his chambers, but his curiosity and eagerness dominated.
If he'd called, I would know by now, Muskar thought as he reminded himself that Tintin and the others had returned against ZEPO's orders to the mountains. Regardless, he dressed and used his newfound energy to wander to Olek's office.
He should still be in his office. It's only half past four.
After pacing down the ground floor, the corridors fell silent. The clicks of his shoes reverberated as he walked the remaining distance.
The door is open.
He knocked just in case, but no one replied.
"Olek?"
Muskar pushed open the door. He couldn't see Olek in the office.
This is most unusual.. where is he?
Muskar closed the door, retreating down the corridor to find another member of staff.
"Nikolev, have you seen Olek?"
"I saw him heading to the garage sire, but that was a while ago,"
"Thank you,"
Olek wouldn't leave his post without justification, Muskar thought as he strode into the garage, receiving an unwelcome surprise.
Where's Dymitr's car gone?
He'd witnessed Tintin and Haddock leave in a ZEPO Jeep so it couldn't have been them.
Observing the absence of the car he quickly noted that Olek's bike had also disappeared.
Muskar swung around, noting Olek's helmet and motorcycle clothing still on the hooks. After a moment he shook his head in despair.
I'm overthinking this... I should go back to bed. I'm losing my faculties.
After briefly steadying himself he walked away, failing to register the red blood dripping from the edge of the cabinet and onto the stone floor.
See you for the next upload.