Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for my characters and this story.

Miss Mystery

Chapter 1

Brussels, Belgium, was quiet today. The sky was dim and the sun failed to break to the thick layer of clouds, leaving instead a cold chill. The market place was almost empty save for a few hopeful merchants who couldn't afford to relieve themselves of a day's work, and a fog shrouded the surrounding streets in a ghostly blanket. The only thing occupying these otherwise vacant cobblestone roads was the figure of a boy and a dog trotting beside him, the former's strawberry blonde hair stood out starkly in the bleak environment.

Tintin enjoyed days like these, probably one of the very few that did. It gave him all the time, freedom and privacy that he could want without having to be cooped up at home in Marlinspike. While the manner was beautiful, there was only so much that could be done in such a place before things became null and boring, especially for someone who so avidly sought out adventure.

As of late the young journalist had been finding it more and more difficult to relax in this rare span of tranquillity that followed the events of his last adventure, which had found him his first real friend, Captain Archibald Haddock, a hat full of treasure and a map in a globe.

Tintin smiled to himself as he thought back on the events that had got him a real friend. He had had plenty of acquaintances, people who were constantly offering him grateful gifts for his help or just people he met while travelling abroad. He never really had the comfort of friends, people he could really talk to, or who got as excited about his adventures as he himself. It was… different. And welcome. There were certainly things he would need to get used to now that he was living at Marlinspike hall, such as his food constantly going missing from the fridge and the mess that always seemed to lay in the wake of the Captain.

These were only minor pet peeves, and living at the manor had been considerably better than his small apartment, where he was reminded of the death of a man on his doorstep, his place being broken into multiple times and his own kidnapping every he went through the door.

A gust of wind tugged at his coat and he pulled it further around him.

Passing a newspaper stand, he grabbed one of the flapping papers and read through the pages in search of any new developments.

He knelt down so Snowy could stand on his knee and read the newspaper as well, a habit Tintin had somehow gained. Sometimes he wondered if his dog was smarter than some people he knew. Together, they skimmed pages of advertisements and horse racing results, all of which had no appeal to Tintin.

"Well, I'd say nothing is happening at all right now. I need to find another story for this pathetically poor paper. Brussels has been lacking in excitement for a whole month, and I think it's high time we changed that. Isn't that right, Snowy?"

The terrier woofed in reply, his short tail wiggling happily; Tintin patted his head when he finally found an article.

"Oh wait, here's something that we could check out; 'Priceless Heirloom Returns to Family'. Says here that this Corbleau family received some kind of pendant that according to recently deceased Alexander Corbleau will bring the family, now only consisting of a daughter and sister, out of all their debt troubles if they know how to use it. It remains a mystery as to what riches the pendant will bring. Maybe we could get ourselves an interview with the daughter? It says Elaine Corbleau is currently living here in Brussels." Tintin examined the picture of the shining golden pendant, completely worthless according to the caption, as it was made of fake gold.

"Obviously selling it isn't what Mr. Corbleau meant for it to be used for, and it is the key to mysterious riches. I certainly can't stay away from a story like this. Come on then, Snowy. I'm sure Nestor has something warm cooked up for us back home."

In the shadows of a damp alley, a body shifted in an effort to return feeling to numb limbs.

The person was clad in a long, dark jacket that didn't quite fit and hung loosely over the shivering frame, doing an awful job of keeping the cool air out and the warmth in. Around their face was a thick scarf and they wore a black cap, leaving only their eyes visible.

Right now, the eyes were frowning in annoyance. Like many of the merchants on the streets, the person was forced to work today no matter the dreary whether, even though their work involved a more illegal means of getting money.

For the person waiting there was in fact a thief. And this thief was waiting for one particular person, or more, a particular thing said person was supposedly carrying.

After what seemed an eternity to the impatient thief, a carriage at last rode up to a lavish building. It was a rich family from what the thief would gather, and it was clear that this was who they were meant to target. Rubbing their hands together to warm their stiff fingers, they hugged close to the walls, keeping their hands in their pockets.

Two women exited the carriage, stepping lightly on delicate shoes – shoes that probably cost a fortune. No wonder the family was in debt, the thief mused.

Then they saw it; a large purse, no doubt carrying more than enough goods to sustain a destitute pilferer.

So it was with this goal in sight that the thief suddenly sprang into action, clearing the distance in a few strides. The woman didn't even register what had just happened until a couple dumbfounded moments later, when the slight ache of having the large purse ripped out of her hands set in and she whirled around to the figure disappearing around a corner.

The person stopped in the doorway of a closed building to rifle through the bag. Disappointment was slowly setting in when barely anything of value was found, and the bag was almost dropped right there until a glint shone from the bottom. The eyes above the scarf crinkled in a smile as gloved hands lifted out a small, golden medallion. Surely this is what they were sent to obtain!

Happily, the thief set off down the street, but had not even made it halfway when another pair of footsteps could be heard. The only course of action at this point was to not look back and simply try to run faster, certainly not wanting to be caught after all the waiting they had gone through just for that opportune moment.

They grunted at the awkwardness the purse was causing and struggling to keep their balance.

An intersection lay just up ahead, and the thief was intent on losing their pursuers there.

What they were not counting on was the pursuers being ahead of them, and they skidded to a halt when a burly, ominous man materialised on the street, striding forward like some kind of gorilla that had halfway evolved into a person.

From behind came another man, not as big as the first, but big enough to dwarf their victim. This was confusing. These men were definitely not with the woman or her chauffeurs.

The gorilla spoke in a gravelly voice, sounding vaguely Russian, "Alright rat, hand over the bag. We don't want to make this hard."

Panicked, they hugged the purse close to their chest and searched for an escape.

Seeing the figure was not giving in, he growled and lunged forward. At that moment the thief dropped the bag aside and dove to the right. They scrambled upright and raced away, making the mistake of looking back. In an instant they hit something very solid and both went careening into the pavement with cries of surprise, and probably pain.

"What in the… I'm sorry, are you alright?"

There was a moment of silence as Tintin looked into the frightened eyes a young girl, scarf fallen from her face to reveal a terrified expression.

"You!" Both their heads snapped to the angered man who was barreling towards them. Tintin scrambled to his feet and stood defensively, Snowy immediately growling at his side. However, just when the man was almost upon them, his comrade called out.

"Oi, Harry, the rat dropped the bag! Let's take it and get out of here, we've got what we need!"

The man, Harry (sort of ironic, the girl thought), gave one last glare, before turning back and racing off into the fog.

Tintin sighed in relief and turned around. The girl was panting heavily, looking to be in quite a state with her scarf barely hanging off her shoulders and her hat halfway off her head, letting some loose strands of long brown hair blow in the light wind.

Tintin was a bit out of breath himself, still recovering from his rather harsh introduction to the pavement.

"Are you alright?" he tried again.

"I… yes, I-I'm fine. Ah, thank you, for that…"

Tintin smiled. "For what? Acting as a cushion?"

Her eyes widened, "Oh, no, that's not what I meant!"

He only chuckled, "It's alright. I didn't do much, though. I'm pretty sure I'm not the one who scared off that brute." He said, gesturing to his small stature. Just then, he noticed a small object on the ground. He knelt down and picked it up, looking over the gold pendant.

"This pendant; it's the one from the newspaper. Does this belong to you?"

The girl grabbed it back somewhat hastily.

"Yes, it does. Thanks, again Mister…?"

"Tintin," he held out his hand and she gave it a gentle shake. Snowy gave a yip, not wanting to be forgotten. "And this here is Snowy. And, if that pendant belongs to you, then I take it you are Miss Elaine Corbleau?"

"Ummmm…yes, yep. That's me. Elaine… I own this… thing…"

"Well, this is quite my luck. May I see it again?" Tintin asked curiously. The girl hesitantly placed it back in his hands, "I was actually looking to set up an interview with you. But, I suppose now isn't a very good time." He looked down apologetically.

"No, it isn't. I don't really fancy interviews in the middle of a cold, abandoned street."

Just as she said that, another brisk wind blew through and Tintin stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Great snakes! Where are my manners? Would like to accompany me to Marlinspike hall for a hot drink? It's the least I could do."

She opened her mouth to accept, welcoming the thought of a hot tea and warm fire, but remembered that she had more important business to return to.

"Maybe another time. I really must be going," she said as politely as she could, already moving away so she could just get away from this mess of a job. Tintin seemed unfazed.

"If you insist. However, if you ever want to take me up on that offer, our door is always open. Good day to you, miss Elaine."

"Good day to you as well Tintin, Snowy."

The two turned to go their own ways. Tintin towards Marlinspike Hall, and 'Elaine' to her own home.

What neither of them remembered as they continued on their separate ways was the small pendant still resting in Tintin's pocket.