CHAPTER 28 (PART - A)


Fortunately for the Detectives one of the perks of working for INTERPOL is getting an escorted chauffeur or access to a police vehicle. It was the latter of the two for the Detectives, and their driving kept poor Chang on his toes at times forgetting to get on the opposite side of the road. People were shouting at them as Thomson still needed to be reminded where he was.

"Are you mad!? Get on your side of the road you buffoon!" someone shouted as they were going down the road.

They finally arrived back at the pub on the outskirts of the east side of town. Some windows had been broken out and there was evidence of scorching in the doorway. The workers were temporarily boarding up some of the windows and cleaning up the the rest of the debris the firs left behind. The owner was trying to get the repairs quickly so she could open the pub back up soon. They parked a short distance away taking note of anyone who was at the scene. They saw an officer and differently dressed man in a business suit taking notes and examining things on the outside.

“That’s Detective Mullens, he should have some answers for us” Thompson declared.
“Too right you are!” Thomson agreed. “Come along Mr. Chang, this could be educational” Thomson said proudly. Chang shook his head and followed silently observing.
“Detectives Thompson and Thomson, good day,” the short stocky dark haired man greeted tipping his hat.
“Detective Mullens,” the Detectives replied both tipping their hats back.
“So how can I help you this fine day?” He asked examining the front of the building.
“We come to see if Scotland Yard has any clue as to if this was arson or accident” Thomson got right to the point.
“Indeed…pay attention now Mr. Chang…” Thompson answered then whispered to Chang standing next to him.
“It was definitely arson, we’ve already spoken to the owner and it seems that a Mr. Allan Thompson is a person of interest. Luckily a fire trucks happened to be passing by when the fire was discovered” he said at length as they walked closer to the restricted area. A few neighbors in the area were watching from a distance.

“Mr. Chong-Chen was correct” Mr. Thomson gave Chang a surprised look.
“What do you mean? Who is he?” Detective Mullens gave Chang a scrutinizing look.
“He is an agent from INTERPOL sent to assist us in our investigation of the four murders” Thomson explained.
“You gents have been assigned to that case too eh? Good luck with that one…” The stocky man rubbed his forehead.
“What’s wrong with that case?” Chang asked curiously.
“We discovered two more bodies further out in the bay… it hasn’t been announced publicly for now because we have no way of identifying who they are” Detective Mullens said grimly.
“Yikes!” Thomson frowned.
“Any possible motive?” Thompson asked.
“None whatsoever… may or may not be tied with the four we found on the other side of the docks…without any possible identification we have no way of establishing anything.” Detective Mullens explained. Chang looked at the building noticing they had different points where the fire did more damage, especially on the side of the building.

“You’re more than welcome to look around Detectives, but I’ve already inspected inside and outside. You can inspect the outside if you like, I have pictures developing down at the lab of the inside.” he finished.
“Who told you the name Allan Thompson?” Thomson asked.
“The lady who owns the pub…apparently they had a disagreement a few days ago…must have been a lover’s quarrel. That’s all we’ve been able to get out of her,” Detective Mullens answered thoroughly. Chang knew she was hiding something and this had to be it, or was it? Hopefully this would be more of an argument in favor of pursuing the ship.
“That’s not what she told us yesterday” Thompson looked confused.
“Typical of a woman to leave out details…” Detective Mullens sighed.
“What did she say the argument was about?” Chang spoke up.
“She only said it was because she wanted to end their relationship and he wasn’t so willing… these kinds of domestic cases happen all the time. Nevertheless Allan Thompson is wanted for questioning” Detective Mullens replied.
“Should we go and examine the photos?” Thomson said rhetorically.
“Or should we try to find Allan Thompson” Thompson finished.
Both of the Detectives stood there in thought for a moment while Chang knew the obvious answer.

“I think we should have a little talk with Mr. Allan Thompson” Thomson looked up.
“Indeed!” Thompson agreed.
“…but where did he go?” Thomson scratched his head.
“Either he’s still around or he left” Thompson deduced.
“I’ll give you gents a hint, eye witnesses say they saw him about 1:30 AM last night out and about” Detective Mullens said finishing his examination.
“What time did the Sea Serpent leave port?” Chang asked.
“According to the registry, it was about 3:00 AM” Thomson remembered.
“He has to be on that ship” Chang suggested.
“Well I guess it could make sense” Thompson nodded still not convinced.
“Well the mate does have a criminal record and he is listed as the captain of that ship…” Thomson mentioned.
“I think we should meet them in Glasgow” Chang suggested again.
“Well Mr. Chong-Chen you may be on to something there” Thomson seemed convinced.
“But what about the photos? We may miss something,” Thompson objected.
“What’s there to see Thompson?” Thomson retorted.
They walked back over to the car as Chang listened to the two Detectives trying to rationalize the decisions. Ten minutes later they finally decided to go with Chang’s logic as they got in the car and started it.
“So how are we going to go?” Thompson asked.
“We could drive there” Thomson suggested.
“Oh but that would take forever” Thompson complained.
“About how long would it take?” Thomson asked opening up a glove compartment pulling out a map.
“I’m telling you, that’s an all day trip” Thompson countered.
“Then what do you suggest?” Thomson folded his arms.
“Maybe we should take a plane” Thompson pointed his finger.

Chang did see the logic in talking to the bar owner again but neither of the Detectives suggested doing that. Chang did wonder if there was more to the story than just what Detective Mullens had mentioned. Even if there was Chang’s focus was finding the Sea Serpent and accomplishing his mission, and then after that he would do whatever INTERPOL asked him to do. Chang looked up and both Detectives were still arguing about their mode of transportation. Chang buried his face in his hands thinking that the Sea Serpent may reach and leave Glasgow before they can even get there. When the Detectives finally agreed on a decision, they decided they were hungry. Another debate about where to eat ensued.

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Benton spent the entire Thursday recovering from his drinking binge. That night he was hoping Lucille and the kids would come home but they didn’t. He tried to clean up the house a little and get some rest for long day fishing off the Ipswich harbor tomorrow. He found a couple shots left of gin in a bottle and decided to drink them to help him sleep. He felt bad mentally and physically even though he had hardly done anything but clean up the house.

As soon as he lied down it felt as if it was time to get up. He heard someone walking around the room and lifted his head to see Lucille opening drawers and packing clothes. He sat up a bit confused. Drawers were taken out of the dresser and were set on the floor empty.

“I see you’re finally awake…” Lucille said somberly.
“What do you mean? I got to go to work” Benton answered hoarsely with it being so early.
“You were supposed to work yesterday dear…” Lucille shook her head.
“I work today” Benton corrected sitting up. “What’s wrong with you?” he noticed Lucille’s uncharacteristic attitude.
“I just can’t deal with it anymore Benton, your bigotry and lies, the kids need a better father who can set a better example” she said absently finishing her packing.
Benton rubbed his eyes getting out of bed as if he had just been hit by a wall of bricks.
“What are you talking about? I don’t drink in front of the kids, you and I agreed to that and I’ve kept my word” Benton said a bit more forcefully.
“It’s not enough anymore…I’m tired of your half truths and your dodgy past. My parents aren’t even sure they know who you really are” she said coldly.
“What more do you want me to do!?” Benton began raising his voice a little. “I’m trying, I can’t help my past!? What do you want from me!?” he replied in frustration.

“Nothing… it’s over” Lucille remained calm as she picked up her things and walked out of the room.
“Lucille! You’re acting crazy! You can’t just walk out on me! We’re married!” Benton said frantically.
Lucille stopped and turned around putting down her things and pulled off her wedding band. “I release you from your duties…give it to someone else” she said callously handing him the ring.
Lucille opened the front door as there was a car and three men loading the trunk with Matthew and Heidi’s belongings. They were the same three men who attacked him in Ipswich. One man was playing with Heidi while the other was trying to get Matthew into the back seat.
“Hey! Get your hands off my children!” Benton ran up to one shoving him away from Heidi.
“Benton what are you doing!?” Lucille shouted at him.
“They’re MY kids! Where are you going with these low lives with MY children!?” Benton demanded.
“I told you, the kids need a better father who can set a better example, something that YOU’RE not doing” Lucille emphasized.

“I love you Lucille! Please stop this!” Benton pleaded.
“It’s too late…” she turned away from him.
“I won’t let you take the kids away from me!” Benton said grabbing a two by four waving it menacingly at the men as he grabbed Heidi’s hand pulling her away.
“Come back inside Matthew!” Benton instructed, but to his dismay Matthew would not listen and Heidi was trying to pry her hand free from his.
“Don’t you kids love me?!” Benton shouted in disbelief.
“No daddy, we want to be with mum!” Heidi said struggling away.
“You’re a no good loser!” one of the men taunted as Lucille got in the car with the kids.
“Sorry Benton, but you just aren’t fit to do anything…” Lucille said hauntingly as the car drove away with the three men laughing at him.
Benton dropped the two by four and fell to his knees.
“Lucille! LUCILLE!! Don’t leave me PLEASE!” he screamed about in tears. He watched as the car disappeared and the house now looked empty. He walked back inside to see there was no furniture or anything. There were only a couple chairs and many cobwebs.

Suddenly he heard a beeping outside the house. He ran quickly to see two cars with unknown occupants beeping continuously. Instantly he was awake with a sweaty brow, but the beeping was real. Benton peaked out the window and realized it was one of his co-workers waking him up as usual to go to work. Benton took a deep breath in relief realizing it was all just a bad dream. He opened the front door and shouted to his co-worker.

“Just another minute!” he waved.
“Hurry up or we’re going to be late again!” the man shouted back from his truck.
Benton rushed around throwing his fishing clothes on, pulled his hair back, and started locking up the house looking at the clock before he left as it was 4:30 AM. Once Benton got in the car they were off to Ipswich Harbor.

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