Chapter 18

A Warning

Summer, 1943

The Philippines

Alvin backed up against a crater, surrounded on all sides by the sound of gunfire and explosions. He was breathing heavily, holding his Thompson close to his chest. So far he hadn't fired a single shot — because he hadn't seen a single enemy yet. Other men in olive drab uniforms piled into the crater with him.

"What do we do, Al?" Sergeant Kelso yelled.

Alvin tried to peek over the ridge of the crater and saw the enemy bunker dead ahead, piled sandbags marking the trenches. Flashes of muzzle fire erupted from the line.

"We've got to take that trench!" he shouted back. "Kelso, gather some of your men and cover me from the front, right here! I'll take some men and flank them from the side!"

"Are you sure?" Kelso replied. "I don't want you getting shot up!"

"Trust me, I've got this!" Alvin gather four of his fellow soldiers. "We'll move left! Ready? … Cover me! Let's go, go, go!"

And he was up, sprinting, as Kelso and his men provided covering fire from behind.

…

Los Angeles

Summer, 1947

Alvin risked a glance over his shoulder. The man was still following him, and keeping to the shadows so that his identity remained a secret. Dang it, he was good!

The chipmunk crossed streets while the stop light was still green (and nearly got hit by a car in the process) but still his tail kept right up on him. There were a couple of times that he honestly considered just pulling out his badge and gun and arresting the guy, but then he remembered what kind of weapons could be hiding beneath that trench coat. No, it was best to stay safe.

Crap, he was starting to think like Simon.

A couple of blocks later, he turned again, to the left this time, and crossed the street. All the while, Alvin kept a sharp eye out.

"Where are you? Where are you?" he thought, getting more frustrated.

What if he didn't find what he needed? Should he risk a fight out here?

Just then, he spotted it…

"Theo!" he called.

Theodore and his partner were leaning against their squad car chatting. His younger brother smiled.

"Hey, Al!"

Then he noticed the look on Alvin's face.

"Alvin, whats up?"

Alvin didn't say a word until he got close to Theodore, who he pulled into a hug.

He whispered: "I'm being followed. Guy in the trench coat. Is he still there?"

Theodore paused. "He's standing across the street, lighting a cigarette."

Alvin let go of the hug. "Hopefully when he realizes I'm talking to a cop he'll back off."

"Do we need to go arrest him?"

"Let's not. The last thing we need is a shootout."

"Like that guy who tried to shoot us up in the packed diner?"

Alvin glared at him. "Do you want to draw your gun?"

Theodore pursed his lips and shook his head. He never did enjoy some of the violence that came with the job. "He's starting to leave."

Alvin risked a glance. The man was starting to wander away. Only when he turned the corner did Alvin let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. Let's give it a few minutes to make sure he's gone."

"What's going on, Alvin?" Theodore asked.

"I don't know. But I think it has to do with the Dollar Bills…"

"Really, but how could…" Theodore paused. "Wait, what if Simon is being followed too?"

Alvin's heart skipped a beat. Oh no, Simon was last at the store!

"Do you know where Marco's Shop is?" Alvin asked.

"Of course!"

"Then let's go! We've got to pick him up!"

Theodore called his partner and together they leapt into the police car, and set the lights flaring!

…

Simon clawed for his glasses. Where on earth were they? He couldn't see a single thing without them. His heart pounded with each oncoming step of a stranger.

Suddenly, arms gripped him. He was hoisted up and slammed against a wall. He couldn't tell who had him — whoever it was apparently had his collar turned up and his hat pulled down because the already blurry face was covered. When he spoke, however, the voice was oddly familiar.

"You are getting too deep, Detective. I hate to do this, but you guys need to learn a thing or two."

Something was placed over Simon's eyes — a cloth, a blindfold. There came the screeching sound of a car coming to a stop, then Simon was hustled into the back seat. A car door slammed, and they were off.

…

"There!" Alvin snapped, and Theodore pulled to a stop.

Alvin jumped out of the car before it had even fully halted. What he saw on the sidewalk made his stomach hurt.

There, next to a brown paper bag, were an unmistakable pair of glasses. Simon's glasses.

Simon had been taken…

Then something caught Alvin's eye. Stuck beneath the corner of the toppled bag was an envelope. Stooping, Alvin opened it — typewritten on a piece of paper were the following words:

Either Simon or the necklace. Each are worth $10,000. You can only pick one.

Ian's. Tomorrow.

There you go! We're getting closer to the climax of this story, everybody! Don't worry, more will come!

What are you thinking of the story? What will happen to Simon? Will they be able to save the day?

Find out next time, on Munk Noir!