{"id":26,"date":"2010-09-23T20:59:27","date_gmt":"2010-09-23T20:59:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/?p=26"},"modified":"2012-07-02T21:52:27","modified_gmt":"2012-07-02T21:52:27","slug":"the-gentleman-thief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/the-gentleman-thief\/","title":{"rendered":"The Gentleman Thief"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

A Black Spectre Adventure<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

JULIA DAVENPORT walked quietly through the large, Greco-Roman-styled Lakeview Heights mansion she shared with her husband, the baby, and their small cadre of servants. She never liked being alone, and even though the servants were there, she certainly felt alone when her husband wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t.<\/p>\n

They had planned to go out together that night.\u00c2\u00a0 It was a business function and, as one of the most prominent attorneys in all of Terminal City, her husband, Cecil Davenport IV (heir to the Davenport fortune) always made an excellent impression with his young, beautiful wife dutifully at his side.\u00c2\u00a0 As such, their social calendar was always full \u00e2\u20ac\u201c either going out on the town or hosting grand, lavish parties at home.\u00c2\u00a0 But she had come down with a headache just before they were to leave and had \u00e2\u20ac\u0153with deep regrets\u00e2\u20ac\u009d opted to stay home and retire early.\u00c2\u00a0 It had simply been an exhausting day.<\/p>\n

Julia went into the sitting room with hopes of finishing the current novel that simply everyone was reading.\u00c2\u00a0 She would love to brag to her friends at lunch the next day that she had already completed it.\u00c2\u00a0 She curled up in her large Queen Anne chair and opened the tome to her bookmark.\u00c2\u00a0There was more left than she remembered.<\/p>\n

She had been reading for some time when a man walked into the room<\/p>\n

and began to peruse the shelves.\u00c2\u00a0 She thought it was Johnson, their manservant, and looked up with surprise to see that it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t.\u00c2\u00a0 Nor was he a servant at all.\u00c2\u00a0 Julia dropped her book with a start and let out a small gasp.<\/p>\n

He, in turn, wheeled around with a start himself.<\/p>\n

Julia saw that he carried a large leather bag with handles that seemed rather full with several of their belongings.<\/p>\n

He was a thief.<\/p>\n

She stared straight at him with fear-filled eyes.\u00c2\u00a0 A million thoughts raced through her head.\u00c2\u00a0 She glanced quickly towards the door and wondered if she could escape.\u00c2\u00a0 She wanted to call for her husband, but he wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t there.\u00c2\u00a0 She wanted to call for the servants.\u00c2\u00a0 She worried mostly for the baby.<\/p>\n

He stopped her with a smile and an apology.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Please, Mrs. Davenport, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m so sorry.\u00c2\u00a0 I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mean to frighten you.\u00c2\u00a0 I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t realize that you would be home.\u00c2\u00a0 My apologies.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

It was at that moment that she realized he had moved between her and the door.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You have such a lovely home,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he continued. \u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I just can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help but admire it.\u00c2\u00a0 Please, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mind me.\u00c2\u00a0 I won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be much longer.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

He went over to the other Queen Anne chair and sat down across from her.\u00c2\u00a0 She remained still in her chair, her eyes still locked on his.\u00c2\u00a0 He was very friendly, but she was too afraid to return his kindness.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153May I ask what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re reading?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he inquired then reached down to pick her book up off the floor.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ah,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he reacted with a smile as he glanced at the spine, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Farewell, Lolly Shaffer.\u00c2\u00a0 Of course, everyone is reading it these days.\u00c2\u00a0 It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s quite the page-turner.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

He cheerily handed the book back to her, careful to keep it open to where it had fallen.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hope you didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t lose your place,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said apologetically.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Again, my deepest regrets for startling you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She stared back at him with fear and confusion then cautiously took the book back.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said courteously as he stood up and retrieved his bag.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mean to take up any more of your time.\u00c2\u00a0 Do have a good evening and enjoy your book.\u00c2\u00a0 Without me rattling on and in your way, you just may finish it tonight.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

TRUE to her usual form, beautiful, auburn-haired reporter Vicky Rose was on reclusive millionaire Brent Gregor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s doorstep early the next morning.\u00c2\u00a0 She was hot on the story, as was every other reporter in the city worth his salt.\u00c2\u00a0 But Vicky had an inside source that the other\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t, a strong bond with someone who actually resided in Lakeview Heights, and she was determined to use it to her best advantage.<\/p>\n

Bernard Worthington, Brent Gregor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s faithful manservant, led her into the warm, bright sunroom\u00c2\u00a0where his employer was enjoying breakfast and reading the mail.\u00c2\u00a0 The room\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s large windows and its position on the back side of the house always allowed for copious amounts of morning sunlight.\u00c2\u00a0 Vicky had only been in this room a few times before, and quickly let her eyes dart about to take in the details once again.\u00c2\u00a0 She could easily imagine herself having breakfast here every morning.<\/p>\n

Brent sat in his wheelchair and pondered an invitation to a party from Julius Kennelly II.\u00c2\u00a0 The only thing that puzzled him more than why Julius would ever invite him was for what reason he would ever want to go.\u00c2\u00a0 But this was Lakeview Heights, after all, and appearances were far more important than childhood grudges.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So, what can you tell me about the Davenport burglary last night? What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the scoop up here on Nob Hill?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Vicky asked before even sitting down across from him.\u00c2\u00a0 Brent\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s attention was lost in her eyes.<\/p>\n

It didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t matter.\u00c2\u00a0 She didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wait for him to answer.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153This is the ninth house now.\u00c2\u00a0 I mean, Lakeview Heights of all places! Who would have thought this neighborhood wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t safe? Nothing like this has happened since…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Vicky stopped short on the thought.\u00c2\u00a0 She was letting her excitement get the best of her.\u00c2\u00a0 Brent\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s grim expression was just the brick wall she needed.\u00c2\u00a0 She certainly didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to remind him of the attack on his family fifteen years earlier.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, in a long time,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she concluded quietly before changing gears.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And for Mrs. Davenport to meet him like that.\u00c2\u00a0 Well, the story just couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get any better.\u00c2\u00a0 Any chance you could get me in for an interview?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Vicky gave him a sweet, coy smile.\u00c2\u00a0 It had the desired effect.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wish I could,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brent offered, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but Cecil is rather protective.\u00c2\u00a0 He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s barely let the police talk to Julia.\u00c2\u00a0 She and the baby are already on a train to Florida.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Vicky crossed her arms in frustration.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re supposed to be my inside man here.\u00c2\u00a0 My connection,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she begged.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Really, Vicky,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he explained. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If there was something I could do, I would.\u00c2\u00a0 But I promise, if anything else comes up, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be the first to know.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, now that he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shown his face, I suppose it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s only a matter of time before The Black Spectre gets him,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Vicky sighed.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I just hope I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m there when it happens.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Black Spectre?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brent asked, puzzled.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t he only help the poor?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Usually,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Vicky replied, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but whoever The Spectre is, I know he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a man of means.\u00c2\u00a0 So surely he won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tolerate a thief in his own back yard.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

AFTER Vicky had left, Worthington wheeled Brent into the study where the young heir spread a map of Lakeview Heights across his father\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s old mahogany desk.\u00c2\u00a0 He added a new \u00e2\u20ac\u0153X\u00e2\u20ac\u009d for the Davenport house and dated the entry.\u00c2\u00a0 The marked homes were scattered about in random fashion \u00e2\u20ac\u201c some close together, others far apart.\u00c2\u00a0 There was just nothing that came to his mind, or Worthington\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, that could lead them to an answer.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Look at this, Bernard,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Brent, pointing to one cluster of three estates.\u00c2\u00a0 The outer two were crossed and dated, but not the center one.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Smiths and the Norsworthys have both been hit, but not the Goulds, who do so much dealing off-the-books that they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re bound to have a bundle of cash lying around, and they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re right between the two.\u00c2\u00a0 Instead, he moved on to the Davenports.\u00c2\u00a0 I just can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t figure it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Certainly odd that,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Worthington agreed.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153There must be some pattern here, Bernard, but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m afraid I just don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see it.\u00c2\u00a0 What do they all have in common?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brent pondered.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Perhaps, Sir, you need some more information,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Worthington offered.<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

SPIDER MARKOWICZ was awakened sharply by the unearthly rumbling of his tattered and stained bed.\u00c2\u00a0 He grabbed the mattress with his small, bony fingers, thinking that the entire building was shaking.\u00c2\u00a0 He looked up with groggy eyes.\u00c2\u00a0 A dark figure loomed over him, silhouetted by the scant rays of the afternoon sun that crept through his window.\u00c2\u00a0 Spider let out a shriek.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What are you doing here?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asked, rubbing his head from the pains of a still-lingering hangover.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I thought you didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t come out in the daytime.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Same as always,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The Black Spectre replied.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I need answers.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Spider stared up at the black mask adorned with the gleaming white skull<\/p>\n

shadowed by the wide-brimmed black hat and framed by the long, blood-red scarf that hung to one side.\u00c2\u00a0 The sight of it still unnerved him.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I want to know who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s behind the break-ins at Lakeview Heights,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The Spectre grumbled emphatically.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who paid you off?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Spider asked with a nervous chuckle.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t usually work that end of town.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Spider\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bed shook with a furious rumble that threatened to empty his stomach in every direction.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just tell me!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The Spectre demanded.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay, okay,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the small man pleaded, holding his weakened stomach.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Please, just don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do that again.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Spider took a deep breath and waited a moment to make sure that everything stayed down for the moment.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know who it is, I swear.\u00c2\u00a0 But word on the street is it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s someone from out of town.\u00c2\u00a0 Spats and Whitey sure want to know, too, so they can get a piece of the action.\u00c2\u00a0 They don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like nobody muscling in, you know?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good job, Spider.\u00c2\u00a0 I knew I could count on you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The Spectre replied, then vanished in an instant.<\/p>\n

And with that, Spider raced to the hallway bathroom and surrendered to the inevitable.<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

WORTHINGTON checked in on Brent to find him once again pouring over the map in his study.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I take it we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not going out this evening, Sir?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Worthington asked.<\/p>\n

Brent\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lack of response confirmed his suspicion.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Would certainly make things easier if the Thief struck my house,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brent mused.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Worthington agreed, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153though I suppose the iron fences and armed guards make it a far less attractive prospect.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Brent sat straight up in his wheelchair as a sudden thought struck him.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he stated emphatically.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You just found the answer, Bernard.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The answer, Sir?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Worthington asked.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, instead of looking at the houses that have been hit, I should have been looking at the ones that haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t.\u00c2\u00a0 What do we all have in common?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Worthington pondered the question.\u00c2\u00a0 Certainly theirs was the only house that was guarded like a fortress.\u00c2\u00a0 Then the answer hit his just as clearly as it had Brent.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Of course, Sir.\u00c2\u00a0 We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have parties.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

VICKY pushed Brent\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wheelchair through the foyer and into the living room of the sprawling Kennelly mansion.\u00c2\u00a0 She tried her best to look comfortable, but she couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help but stare at the Victorian opulence that surrounded her.\u00c2\u00a0 As despicable as she knew Julius Kennelly II to be, she thought she could learn to tolerate him in order to live in such a house.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not sure I belong here,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she whispered to Brent.\u00c2\u00a0 Even in her best dress, it was clear that her appearance didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t measure up against the women around her.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he reassured her.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re the most beautiful woman in the room.\u00c2\u00a0 None of these men will care what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re wearing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Vicky\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes lit up with surprise.\u00c2\u00a0 That was the first time Mr. Gregor had offered her such a compliment.\u00c2\u00a0 She was glad that her boyfriend, Denny, hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t been there to hear it.\u00c2\u00a0 Of course, Denny hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t been to keen on her evening out with Brent Gregor in the first place, working or not.<\/p>\n

Brent, too, was surprised by his own forwardness.\u00c2\u00a0 He quickly changed the subject.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Besides,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he continued,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re here for a story, aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you? Just do what you do best.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Vicky straightened up and scanned the room again, this time looking at the faces of her fellow guests.\u00c2\u00a0 There were many she recognized, and just as many she didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t.\u00c2\u00a0 If the Thief was there, she would have a hard time picking him out.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you think he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll even show his face again, now that he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been seen?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I certainly hope so,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brent answered.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Since the Davenports won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be here, I suspect he might.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, my God!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 A booming, alcohol-slurred voice echoed across the room.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Brent Gregor!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Julius Kennelly II stumbled, laughing with every step, towards Brent\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wheelchair.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153How in the hell did you get in here? Someone carry you up the steps?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 The room was mostly quiet save for Julius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 laughter.\u00c2\u00a0 He was always the funniest man in the room.\u00c2\u00a0 To himself, anyway.<\/p>\n

Brent did his best to smile and offered a handshake.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hello, Julius.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have invited you if I thought you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d actually come!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Julius chuckled in response.\u00c2\u00a0 He looked up until his drunken gaze locked on Vicky.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the dish, Brent? How\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d you ever get a date with her, huh? \u00c2\u00a0She like sitting down?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Julius smirked at his own wit then twisted his expression in thought.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You look familiar, Doll.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Vicky smiled at him graciously.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Victoria Rose,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she introduced herself.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Daily Crusader.\u00c2\u00a0 Nice to see you again, Mr. Kennelly.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right, right….\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Julius smiled with suspicion as his foggy memory suddenly achieved a degree of clarity.\u00c2\u00a0 Particularly about the circumstances under which he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d met her before.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What are you up to, Brent?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not a thing,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brent smiled back.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just being neighborly, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Julius slurred, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153you two have a good time.\u00c2\u00a0 And if you want to have a better time,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said to Vicky, you come find me, okay?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Julius gave her a quick wink, then stumbled off towards his disapproving wife.<\/p>\n

Just then, Vicky felt a familiar chill.\u00c2\u00a0 There was another \u00e2\u20ac\u0153intruder\u00e2\u20ac\u009d at the party as well, she was sure of it.\u00c2\u00a0 She quickly glanced around, though she would have been more surprised had she actually seen him.\u00c2\u00a0 But he was there, no doubt.\u00c2\u00a0 The Black Spectre was definitely there.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Everything all right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Brent asked.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just fine,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Vicky reassured him.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just thought I recognized someone.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

BRENT and Vicky spent the next several hours moving from room to room, mingling, making small talk, yet all the while observing.\u00c2\u00a0 Occasionally they split up then met back together to compare notes.\u00c2\u00a0 Brent worried about the length of time they remained at the party.\u00c2\u00a0 For someone who was well known for rarely attending social gatherings, he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to arouse suspicion by staying longer than he would have otherwise.<\/p>\n

But one of the guests had caught his attention.\u00c2\u00a0 After they rejoined in Julius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 sprawling library filled with a vast array of clearly unread leather-bound volumes (and with only a handful of other guests), Brent offered up his suspicions as he directed her attention to his quarry.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You see that tall fellow over there?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 he asked.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The tall blond man with the friendly expression?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she answered, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been here most of the night.\u00c2\u00a0 Seems a bit of a wallflower.\u00c2\u00a0 He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s probably the only man here who hasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t whistled at me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Exactly.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Brent told her.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Watch his hands.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Vicky watched the Blond Man peruse the many shelves, though he seemed far more interested in the various artifacts on display rather than the books themselves.\u00c2\u00a0 Then she noticed him casually raise a cupped hand and appear to quickly jot something down.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s making notes!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she whispered quietly.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m willing to bet my family fortune that this house is where our neighborhood burglar strikes next.\u00c2\u00a0 If you want to catch him, I suggest camping out here the next time the Kennellys are out for the evening.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The return of a familiar chill told her that she would not be alone.<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

VICKY had never broken into a mansion before, but there was always a first time for everything.\u00c2\u00a0 She was just glad that the Kennelly estate wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t nearly as protected as the Gregor Mansion.\u00c2\u00a0 She was certain she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d never steal her way into a place so thoroughly protected as that.\u00c2\u00a0 Not without using her feminine wiles, of course.<\/p>\n

Finding the service road that led to the back of the estate, she drove around to the service gate.\u00c2\u00a0 No doubt where liquor deliveries were a regular occurrence.\u00c2\u00a0 After parking quietly behind the servant\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s garage, she took a quick look around and made for the rear gate.<\/p>\n

It was high and made of black-painted wrought iron.\u00c2\u00a0 Certainly scalable, but none too easy.\u00c2\u00a0 Particularly for her.\u00c2\u00a0 She was certain that The Black Spectre would be there, too, and was ready for him to show at any moment.\u00c2\u00a0 Preferably, before she attempted to climb the fence.<\/p>\n

After taking another look at the bars, she wondered if perhaps she could just squeeze through.\u00c2\u00a0 They were widely spaced and she was thin.\u00c2\u00a0 If she could get her head through, she thought she might be able to squeeze all the way.\u00c2\u00a0 It was worth a try.\u00c2\u00a0 Or so she thought.<\/p>\n

She put her head up against the bars to test her theory.\u00c2\u00a0 It was close, but the last thing she wanted to do was get stuck.\u00c2\u00a0 She pressed a little closer.\u00c2\u00a0 A rather tight fit.\u00c2\u00a0 Tough decision.\u00c2\u00a0 But nothing was going to get in her way of getting this story.<\/p>\n

She pressed her head more firmly between the bars.\u00c2\u00a0 It was much tighter than she thought.\u00c2\u00a0 If she pushed a little harder, she might make it through or be stuck there for days on end.\u00c2\u00a0 Not an attractive prospect.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mind if I help?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 asked The Black Spectre.<\/p>\n

She jerked her head free with a start and scraped the side of her face.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh! You startled me!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she gasped, feeling rather embarrassed.\u00c2\u00a0 Now she really wished he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d arrived sooner.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said, and offered a red kerchief to wipe away the trickle of blood that ran down her delicate face.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thank you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she smiled and held the kerchief to the side of her face.\u00c2\u00a0 It was silk, just as she suspected.\u00c2\u00a0 More proof that he was a man of means.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I could really use some assistance.\u00c2\u00a0 If you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mind.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Of course,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said, then moved closer to her.<\/p>\n

She looked straight up into the dark caverns for eyes that adorned his mask.\u00c2\u00a0 She reacted with another start and her heart skipped a beat when he took her firmly by the small of her waist.<\/p>\n

Before she could even make a sound of protest, she felt the strange numbing sensation she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d felt when he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d lifted her before.\u00c2\u00a0 She quickly grabbed his shoulders as she felt her feet slip from the ground.\u00c2\u00a0 They rose gently into the air and she felt the two of them glide like a feather on the wind as they drifted over the fence.\u00c2\u00a0 They hovered in the air momentarily before descending softly down to the earth on the other side.<\/p>\n

Vicky caught her breath then collected her thoughts before noticing the locked gate just a few feet from them.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You could have just unlocked the gate, you know?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 she said smartly.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he answered, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but this was more fun.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Her slight smile showed that she agreed.<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

VICKY nestled quietly in one of the Kennelly\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s large, comfortable den chairs and waited patiently.\u00c2\u00a0 Even with the lights off and having been spent a reasonable amount of time there during the party, the room didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fail to impress her.\u00c2\u00a0 It was a high-ceilinged room well furnished with Victorian furniture, high windows adorned with heavy curtains, and small tables and shelves containing many artifacts from Julius\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 frequent travels.\u00c2\u00a0 There were plates, cups, bowls and figurines from lands near and far, such as Mexico, Peru, Japan, India, and Egypt.\u00c2\u00a0 On the mahogany lamp table next to her, there was a miniature globe with the continents stamped from gold leafing.\u00c2\u00a0 On another shelf behind The Spectre, there was a collection of scrimshaw: images of ships carved into whale\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s teeth and items carved from them, such as walking sticks and pie crimpers.<\/p>\n

If The Black Spectre hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t been there, she certainly would have explored most of the house and possibly even tried on some of Mrs. Kennelly\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fur coats.\u00c2\u00a0 Spectre or no, that still wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t out of the question.<\/p>\n

The silent figure of The Black Spectre sat across from her and just stared straight back.\u00c2\u00a0 Or, at least, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what she thought.\u00c2\u00a0 With his mask on, it was impossible to tell just what had his attention.\u00c2\u00a0 Curiosity and reporter\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s instincts got the best of her.\u00c2\u00a0If she was going to spend all this time alone with him (and not explore the house), she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d better well make the most of it.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So, who are you really?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 she asked playfully.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Black Spectre,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he answered, matter-of-factly and offered nothing more.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, I know a few things about you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she teased.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 he asked, curious.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Definitely,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she answered.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153First of all, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the whole \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcX\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 thing.\u00c2\u00a0 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve thought about this one a lot.\u00c2\u00a0 Could be that Three-Finger Ned Vogel killed someone close to you, so you took his mark to get back at him.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She was right on target with that one, but The Spectre stayed silent and stoic so as not to betray himself.\u00c2\u00a0 Vicky watched carefully for a reaction, but there was none.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Or,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she continued, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153you could just be a copycat.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Brent shifted ever so slightly to purposely display a sense of discomfort.\u00c2\u00a0 Vicky displayed a sly smile.\u00c2\u00a0 She was sure that she was getting somewhere.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I also know that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re very well off.\u00c2\u00a0 Your bulletproof car and the fact that you have a driver gave that away.\u00c2\u00a0 Not to mention the silk handkerchief.\u00c2\u00a0 You probably even live in this neighborhood.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 he asked.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hear you drive over here, for one,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she offered.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Have you ever heard me walk?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 he asked.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she answered reluctantly.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Then who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s to say I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do the same with a car?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she admitted with a furrowed brow.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You got me on that one.\u00c2\u00a0 But since you are rich, it only makes sense that you live here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay then,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he challenged as he sat forward, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153who do you think I am?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Vicky sat up, enticed by the game.\u00c2\u00a0 It was something to which she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d given a great deal of thought.\u00c2\u00a0 She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d never had enough information to come to a firm conclusion, but by questioning The Spectre directly, she thought he might offer some clue that could reveal his true identity.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she reasoned, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153clearly you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a reasonably young man, so that narrows it down somewhat.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s see, you could be Julius Kennelly for starters.\u00c2\u00a0 The drunken, womanizing, cheating, chauvinist, absolutely loathsome, criminal bore would be an excellent cover….\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 She threw out as many negative adjectives as she could and studied his reaction.<\/p>\n

There was none.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she continued, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who else have we got?\u00c2\u00a0 There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Cecil Davenport IV, Walter Reardon Smith, Johnson Norsworthy, William Wentworth….\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The Spectre was glad that she couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see him smile beneath his mask.\u00c2\u00a0 He hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seen Billy Wentworth in years, but thoughts of Billy always led to thoughts of Abbie.\u00c2\u00a0 And that most definitely would have betrayed his identity.<\/p>\n

Vicky studied him again, waiting for something, anything to show that she was on the right track.<\/p>\n

But there was nothing.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she continued, an air of frustration coloring her voice, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153the only person who even acts like he could be you is Brent Gregor, but that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not even a possibility.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Once again, he was glad that she couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see him smile beneath his mask.<\/p>\n

She was about to continue when The Spectre held up his hand and stopped to listen intently.\u00c2\u00a0 That was when she heard the footsteps, too.<\/p>\n

Someone else was in the house.<\/p>\n

In one silent, graceful move, The Spectre floated quickly from his chair and, taking her into his cloak, pulled the two of them back into a dark corner.\u00c2\u00a0 She felt the same numbness as when he had lifted her before, but much more so felt the warmth and security of being held in his arms.\u00c2\u00a0 Not knowing what to expect next, it was exactly where she wanted to be.<\/p>\n

They waited and watched the doorway ahead of them.\u00c2\u00a0 Soon they saw the dark silhouette of a tall man carrying a large, handled bag.\u00c2\u00a0 As he stepped into the light from a window, his features became visible.<\/p>\n

It was the man from the party.<\/p>\n

In his other hand was a piece of paper.\u00c2\u00a0 As he strolled into the room, he went directly to a set of shelves in the corner.\u00c2\u00a0 He seemed to know exactly where he was going.\u00c2\u00a0 He set his large bag down on a nearby chair and quickly plucked a neatly folded bundle of kerchiefs from it.\u00c2\u00a0 He casually draped them across his arm as a waiter would a wine towel then, with careful precision, wrapped each dish and placed it in the bag.<\/p>\n

After he had removed all of the foreign dishware, he consulted the paper, retrieved a pencil from behind his ear and checked them off his list.\u00c2\u00a0 From there he went straight to the gold-leaf globe and carefully bagged it as well.<\/p>\n

As he was about to move to the scrimshaw, he was startled to see the frightening figure of The Black Spectre looming before him.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, heavens!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he gasped, touched his heart and leaped back.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You gave me such a start!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d With a quick glance around, he assessed his situation.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Looks like I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been caught, haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t I?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Vicky stepped out from behind The Spectre.\u00c2\u00a0 If she didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get any closer to discerning his identity, this certainly made up for it.\u00c2\u00a0 She would have quite a good story for City Editor Frank Matson in the morning.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, hello there!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the Thief said with a smile when he saw her.\u00c2\u00a0 Now this is a most welcome surprise.\u00c2\u00a0 Quite pleased to make your acquaintance.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

#<\/p>\n

MRS. DENNIS MCKAY, a pretty young schoolteacher expecting her first child, was quite startled when she heard a loud knock on the door of the tiny, sparse Crawfordsville apartment that she shared with her husband.\u00c2\u00a0 Particularly when a gruff voice on the other side shouted \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Police!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and requested her to open it.<\/p>\n

She rushed to the door and did so, where she was equally startled to see the large, grizzled figure of Detective Shayne, accompanied by two of his uniformed officers, as well as Bill Hammond, the Crawfordsville Sheriff.\u00c2\u00a0 She worried immediately for her husband, from whom she hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t heard since he went out of town two days earlier.<\/p>\n

Det. Shayne removed his hat and offered a quick apology upon seeing her condition.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Pardon me, Ma\u00e2\u20ac\u2122am.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry to bother you, Evelyn,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sheriff Hammond offered as he stepped forward, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but these officers came out here from Terminal City and they need to ask you a few questions.\u00c2\u00a0 It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about Dennis, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m afraid.\u00c2\u00a0 But don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just fine.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Mrs. McKay\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face went flush anyway and she motioned politely for them to come in.\u00c2\u00a0 She was relieved to know that her husband was safe, but knew that he must be in some terrible trouble for the Terminal City police to drive the nearly three hours to get there.<\/p>\n

Detective Shayne was polite but still straight to the point as he asked her a round of questions, mostly about her husband\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s activities when he was out of town (which, of course, she knew nothing about) and whether or not he had a storage unit of any kind.\u00c2\u00a0 She affirmed that he did and led them to a large closet in the spare bedroom that he kept secured with two padlocks.\u00c2\u00a0 She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d always wondered what was in that closet that had to be locked so tightly, but her husband would never say.\u00c2\u00a0 Now, she wondered if perhaps she didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to know.<\/p>\n

Detective Shayne had one of his officers retrieve the fire axe from the outside hallway, then asked her to stand back and proceeded to chop his way into the cabinet.\u00c2\u00a0 After breaking the locked handles off of the doors, they pulled them apart to reveal what was inside.\u00c2\u00a0 There, stacked quite neatly on the shelves was a small fortune in jewels and other very expensive treasures from her husband\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s many forays into thievery.\u00c2\u00a0 Mrs. McKay clutched her heart in shock.\u00c2\u00a0 Sheriff Hammond caught her when her legs gave way and directed her to a chair.<\/p>\n

She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d had no idea.<\/p>\n

Detective Shayne stepped in for a closer look.\u00c2\u00a0 That was all the evidence that they needed.\u00c2\u00a0 But what grabbed his attention even more was the large \u00e2\u20ac\u0153X\u00e2\u20ac\u009d drawn on the inside of the left cabinet door.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Black Spectre Adventure JULIA DAVENPORT walked quietly through the large, Greco-Roman-styled Lakeview Heights mansion she shared with her husband, the baby, and their small cadre of servants. She never liked being alone, and even though the servants were there, she certainly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-black-spectre"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightningbugpress.com\/blackhoodpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}