Tintin and the Will of Hartley Manor

by crayonsruletheworld

Tintin is given a new assignment - the will of Mr. Hartley. His money and estate was supposed to have gone almost entirely to charity, but distant cousins are now the sole inheritants. Is there a later will? Why are there men tailing Tintin? And what does the beautiful girl who just moved in across the hall have to do with this?

18. Chapter 18

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Chapter 18 – The Roof

Eva and Tintin sat silently with their backs to the desk for the rest of the night, not speaking, not resting. They were both completely determined, and had no need for words as the will of Mr. Hartley lay on the floor between them.

The air suddenly seemed to stir as the chair in the next room creaked, and the dull thump of a finished book being laid to rest was heard.

They were ready as the sound of footsteps receded, silently getting to their feet. Suddenly, the door to the second study swung open. They froze for a second, but there was no one in the room beyond.

"Whoever rigged this was a genius," Eva commented as they slid past the open door. After a second it closed behind them, and she added quietly, "and I'm forever indebted to them."

She moved for the door, but Tintin stopped her. "Wait. We should both know the fastest way to the roof – in case."

Eva noted that he didn't say what the case would be. The glow from the window setting a quick pace for her pulse, Eva gave the journalist directions as adrenaline began to enter her system. We're so close. Now, it doesn't matter what happens to me. As long as the will gets to someone who can put the money where it belongs.

"That's all then. Ready?" Tintin asked, moving his hand to the doorknob.

Eva paused for a second, and opened her mouth. How do I – she closed it. There's no time now. She simply nodded, letting her liquid blue eyes hold her feelings.

Tintin checked the hallway quickly and waved at Eva to follow. Staring into the hallway, he let Eva past him and they began to move faster.

"There's the stairs to the roof," Eva pointed with her free hand as Snowy followed at her heels.

Suddenly, a shot rang out behind them. Reacting instantly, Tintin put a steady hand on Eva's back and urged her forward. "Go!" He called, not bothering to look back at the armed man he knew was behind them.

Eva was already through the doorway, her gun aimed down the hall and her face fierce. "This one's mine – take the will and get to the roof!"

Tintin took the will from her but instead tossed it to Snowy, who caught it in his mouth. He heard two shots go off in quick succession, before taking Eva around the waist and pulling her away from the hallway. Pulling her to the stairs, he said nothing as they began to move up together, ducking instinctively as another shot went off.

They turned a corner, and came to a door. Eva began to pull at it frantically.

When it didn't give, she turned to move past Tintin. "Maybe I can buy us some time, I can –"

"No," Tintin said forcibly, taking her by the shoulders. "Eva." His voice was gentle, despite the yelling behind them. Her face was white, her eyes huge. "I know. I do know. Just because he died here, it doesn't mean you have to. You don't have to be tied to this place. Those who are gone wouldn't want us to linger."

The frenzy in her eyes vanished. In a second, she was on her toes, pressing her lips to his with a touch that was there, then gone. The next thing they knew, they had shot off the lock and pushing open the door to the roof.