The Stag Gem: Part 1 Prelude

London, England

The thirteen year old boy ran through the rain wearing a faded fedora which hinted that at one point it was once had a rich auburn color, and an equally faded overcoat that were three sizes too big.  The hat swam on his head and the jacket also sagged on his young frame. Although the overcoat did theoretically do its job of protecting its wearer from the elements, the bottom of the jacket dragged in the dirt and water which splashed and seeped up the fabric. 

            “Oh man I’m in deep trouble now,” he scolded himself as he ran down the rain slicked side walk.  The amateur detective gave himself lectures of how his mentor and boss would handle a situation like this.  Then he realized that Bradley Brackett would never screw up this bad, especially if this would be his first case.  Feeling both scared and nervous he tried to think of an excuse for his lateness.  Many raced through his mind:

                        I was kidnapped.

                        I was in a burning building.

I escaped by kidnappers bonds and saved six people from said burning building.

Yeah, that’s a good one…

            His train of though derailed once he saw the black car, its patience finally weaned, began to drive away from Hanbury Street # 49.

            “Wait!  Wait!  I’m here!”  The boy tripped over the long wet over coat as he was able to catch the back of the black car and slapped the trunk, loud enough to get the driver’s attention.

            The car came to an abrupt halt, tripping the boy over the back of the car.  The amateur detective looked up from the puddle of water as he lay in the middle of the street to see two large tree trunk of legs step out of the driver’s side of the car.  The boy’s eyes slowly moved up to see the tree trunk legs attached to a refrigerator of a body, all covered in a tight-fitted black suit.  The man’s head sat on his shoulders looking like a large pale bowling ball with a thick black moustache and saucer-like sunglasses.

            “You have a lot of nerve, boy.  Nobody touches the boss’ car.”  The giant of a man began to walk towards the child.

            The boy rolled over and picked himself up.  “Hold it, big man.”  He held up his hand towards the driver.  He pulled out the rain soaked note pad, “I am supposed to meet a black car here.”

            The man’s aggression paused, “You have some tongue.  Who sent you?”

            “My boss, Mr. Brackett.”  The child was also surprised he spoke so sharp.  Since Bradley took him under his wing, he learned to use his wit and courage as a defense against these situations.

            The large man took a more measured look at the drenched child.  “Well, I guess this is for you, then.”  He leaned into the car a pulled out a large manila envelope.  “Give this to your boss.”

            The boy took the envelope and noticed it had a wax seal on it.  “Tell your employer that he will be paid in full once Mr. Cantaloupe gets his gem back.” 

            The boy’s cool demeanor faded as he became an excited child once more.  “No problem, mister.”  He held the envelope close to his chest.

            The large man smiled, his demeanor also seemed to slip as he smiled briefly.  The boy watched him turn and step back into the car.  The motor started up and the black car that used to be parked on Hanbury Street # 49 was now a memory in the child’s mind.