Chapter 21
The Conflict
"Thank you! Goodnight, everyone!" Brittany said to the applauding audience. She blew them kisses, bowed her head, waved to regulars among the crowd. Her band stood up with their instruments and took their bows as well.
She slipped behind the curtain and to her room backstage, marked by a door with a big glittery star and the name "BRITT" in large pink neon-like print. Behind that door was a couch, a mirror, two closets of clothing, make-up, and even a table laden with food (which Eleanor liked to eat).
She slipped inside, and wondered where her sisters were. They were supposed to meet her here. They had business to discuss. Obviously Jeanette at least should have been there — after all, Simon was… of course. It was hard to see her sister so upset. Apparently Jeanette really seemed to like this guy. Odds are, Eleanor was also with Theodore, or at least that would make the most sense since she took the day off from the paper.
Brittany slipped off the feather boa from her neck when something on her make-up table caught her eye. In front of the mirror, someone had left a piece of paper.
She picked it up. It looked like it came from a file, the letters USO printed in bold letters across the top. Attached to the paper was a note, scrawled with a very confident hand: I THOUGHT YOU LOOKED FAMILIAR. THANKS FOR LIFTING OUR SPIRITS IN HAWAII.
She didn't know whether she should smile or outright laugh. Maybe he wasn't such a tough guy after all.
…
Jeanette paced her laboratory.
…
"Ian?" Alvin exclaimed.
"I've got no choice, Alvin," Ian said with a smug grin. "It's either this or I spend my days trying to get money wearing a bird suit."
"Al," Simon grumbled, "Don't worry about me. Just get that necklace back, for Jeanette."
"Shut up!" Ian shouted, jostling Simon.
"Don't worry, Si, we'll figure this out," Alvin said. He couldn't believe this — the fact that Ian had fooled them. After all the work they had put in to clearing his name the last time, and now this? Ian? A criminal?
"So you took the necklace?" Alvin asked.
"That's right," Ian said. "Wasn't hard… After all, you Munks aren't the biggest… uh, creatures… around. All it took was a mask, watching that purple-clad little missy leave the library each day, and finally making my move."
"I don't understand. You're one of the Dollar Bills?" Alvin shook his head.
"One of…" Ian said. "There's more."
"Like who? Enlighten me."
"Ah, ah, nice try, Al. But you're not going to get me to sell out my bo…"
"Your bosses? So you're just a hired thug, huh?" Alvin asked.
"Al, Si, I've got to tell you guys, I like you. I really do. It brings me no pleasure to do this. But you both have got in way over your heads. So just give me the money, I let Simon go, and then we all go home." Ian gripped Simon more tightly, and only then did Alvin truly notice the pistol shoved into his brother's side.
"This doesn't make sense," Alvin said.
"It's not complicated, Al," Ian said.
"Alvin's right," Simon panted. "You had the necklace, the ransom note, you were going to get the money. Why kidnap me?"
"Because you were digging in things that were none of your business!"
"You have the necklace, the secret formula inside — why not just take it? You could use it and there would be no evidence that could be brought against you…"
"Something's fishy…" Alvin said, and quickly drew his pistol. "But we'll have plenty of time to ask you questions at the police station."
"You really don't want to do that, Al," Ian said. "Remember, I currently have a gun trained on your brother. So put your gun away."
"Give me Simon, I'll give you the money. Who cares about a stupid necklace?" Alvin grumbled.
"Smart move, Alvin."
Suddenly, the backdoor to the restaurant opened, and out stepped Theodore with a Thompson machine gun in his hands, pointed directly at Ian's back.
"Hope I'm not late for the party," Theo said. "I wanted to give my compliments to the chef — those French Fries were amazing!"
"You realize you just confessed to two, and now three, cops?" Alvin asked Ian.
"Please, you think you've got me?" Ian asked. "I've still got all the cards! Only I know where the necklace is, AND I've still got a gun in your brother's side!"
Alvin took a deep breath. Nothing about this made sense. The clue's he'd gathered already… there was something more… there had to be. But he couldn't think about that right now. Right now he had to save his brother.
"Simon… do you trust me?" Alvin asked.
Simon nodded without hesitation.
"Theo, Simon, don't move," Alvin said.
"What are you planning, Al?" Ian demanded, his teeth gritting. "Don't try anything funny!"
"One last chance, Ian… will you come quietly?"
"Fat chance, copper! I'm not going anywhere! You're going to give me that money and let me go, or else we'll have a shootout right here!"
"Not a shoot out. Just… one… shot…" Alvin slowly squeezed the trigger.
BANG!
Alright, you all! Things are heating up! In fact, there's only a couple of chapters left in the story! What will happen next?
Also, just a friendly reminder that I do NOT own Alvin and the Chipmunks. ALL credit goes to their respective creators!
Also also, PLEASE check out my other story, Indiana Jones and the Forbidden Eye, based on the Disneyland ride! Once I finish this story I will get back to updating that one!