The Time Watchers

By Lee Kendrick 

 “Sir, don't you think it odd that in the past six months, Interpol has known every serious case of ours before we even told them?” Detective Inspector Cuthbert asked.

“Well, sergeant, I agree they have been on the ball, especially these last six months, but it's only because they have better technology than we do!” Replied Superintendent, Dayton.

“ Pardon me, sir, but what type of ball– a crystal ball!” Inspector Cuthbert quipped.

“Anyway, Inspector they get us results, and that is what counts!” The Superintendent fired back.

“ Now, is there anything else, Inspector? I'm very busy," the Super said, moving some paperwork around on his desk.

“Oh yes, you're working on that fraud case aren't you?” The Super asked.

“Yes, sir, at the moment, it's got us all baffled. We've got no leads at present I'm afraid!” Cuthbert answered, rubbing his head.

“Just a “stab in the dark” here Cuthbert, but perhaps you should try Interpol!” The Superintendent Chuckled. 

“Detective Constable Arkwright tell me something positive about this latest fraud case we're working on!”The Inspector asked.

“Sorry, sir nothing to report at present!” Answered the young detective, shrugging his shoulders.

“I was afraid you'd say that Arkwright!” 

“Right, how many men have we got on this case Constable?” The Inspector asked.

“Including me and yourself sir, there's six of us!” 

“Okay Constable, let's see what we've got:

In the past month in the UK, there have been twelve Silver Cloud Rolls Royce cars sold on auction. Selling for a total of over £300,000.

Unusual in that generally only two or three have ever sold in that period; say the auctioneers. Hard to prove any crime here, Constable.”

“Yes, Inspector, but if it wasn't for the one oddity, Interpol discovered!”

“And what is that, Arkwright?” Replied Inspector Cuthbert. 

“In each auction sir, the person who sold the car is a known gang member. Interpol and the French police have been after this Super Marseille gang for years; they just haven't found evidence to arrest them!”

“ Yes, that is interesting. I think it's time we went to Paris and had a word with our Gendarme friends!” Said the Inspector perking up at his desk.

“And afterwards, while we're there in Paris, we can pop to our Interpol friends and see if they have any more earth-shattering news for us.”The Inspector continued.

“Sir, the General Secretariat isn't in Paris anymore, it's in Saint Cloud!”Said Detective Arkwright cutting in.

“That's nice to know, Arkwright, but we're going to the Interpol headquarters in Paris.” 

“But sir, Interpol headquarters is the General Secretariat! It's been there since 1966,” Arkwright replied.

“What I will do is go and see the Super to see if he'll let us go to France tomorrow. Hope you haven't got anything planned for tomorrow detective?”

“Well, Inspector I did plan on taking Lisa to the pictures!” Arkwright replied, feeling a bit peeved because he had already postponed watching the film twice before with Lisa.

After speaking to the Super, Inspector Cuthbert came back to his office: 

“What did the Superintendent say, sir?”Asked the detective with bated breath.

“You'll like this Arkwright, we're going on a little trip to France!” Said Cuthbert, rubbing his hands.

“Don't worry, Constable, I've been in your shoes; if your girlfriend loves you, she will understand the importance of your job!” said the Inspector.

The following morning, the detectives were on the plane to Paris.

“So is everything sorted for us when we get to the airport?” The Inspector asked.

“Yes Inspector, they'll be a gendarm to pick us up outside Orly airport!” Said the Constable.

“Ah! Bonjour, detectives; I hope you enjoyed your flight." Asked the Commissaire lighting his pipe.

“Very good Commissaire!” Said Inspector Cuthbert. Both detectives shaking his hand.

“Please take a seat gentlemen.” He said sitting behind his desk.

“So detectives, this is a most interesting affair; intelligence from Interpol says the Mastermind behind these car auctions is active and may visit London soon for several big classic car auctions." said the Commissaire.

“Commissaire, I can't understand how Interpol found out about all of this!” Said Inspector Cuthbert, looking perplexed.

“You know, Inspector, we In the French police force also think like you! It is baffling how they get their information. But if they help us get criminals behind bars, who cares how or where they get their information from!” Said the Commissaire, shrugging his shoulders.

“Anyway, detectives from the famous Scotland Yard, Interpol have kindly faxed us some photos of the gang members, and here is the man who has eluded us and Interpol for the past seven years." He said, placing the photos of the gang in front of the detectives, on his desk.

“Thank you, Commissaire, for all your help. Said Inspector Cuthbert. Just one more thing sir, how do we get to "Saint Cloud?”

“Oh, but of course you need to go to Interpol HQ for more questions. Don't worry, Inspector, I will have one of my men drive you there immediately.” He Said picking up his phone to organise a driver.

“And if we should crack this case, Commissaire, I would like you to join us to celebrate!” Said the Inspector.

“Inspector, with the best Champagne!” Said the Commissaire, shaking hands with both Detectives.

“ au revoir.”

Finally, after driving the detectives for over an hour the gendarme stopped the car outside the "Saint Cloud" Interpol headquarters.

“Bonjour, can I help you, gentlemen?” Said the officer behind the desk.

“Yes, we are expected, we're from Scotland Yard.” displaying their identity cards.

After the officer phoned his superior a woman officer came down and greeted the detectives.

“Bonjour! she smiled. It's an honour to meet two detectives from Scotland Yard! Please come with me,gentlemen.” 

Entering a lift they were taken to the top, the sixth floor.

Suddenly, as they walked down the corridor, the detectives heard a noisy chorus of officers on phones radios, electronic sounds, and dozens of officers talking. Finally as they walked to the end of the corridor the woman officer then, knocked on a door, saying, ‘Controller.’

“Entrée,” a male voice shouted:

“Good morning detectives! Come in please, and take a seat.”

“Now, I am the senior officer here. I have everything ready for your investigation. dossiers of the criminals etc.” He said, holding up a green folder and pointing down at his desk at numerous photos.

“Thank you, officer. Can you get me copies of everything, please? Asked Inspector Cuthbert.

“ But of course, Inspector right away.” The officer said, reaching for his phone.

“Before you go, detectives, would you like to see our operations room?” He offered.

“Inspector, we haven't got that much time!” Said Constable Arkwright.

“Just a quick look around, officer!” Replied the Inspector.

“Oh don't worry, I'll get you to the airport in time, detectives.” The officer said.

Right, this room is where we keep our files of every crime. As you can see, the files are colour-coded. If it's red, this means we need to extradite a particular criminal to another country to face criminal charges. Blue is for missing persons and so on!” Said the officer.

“Let's go upstairs. I think you will find this room extremely interesting detectives. The officer opened a silver door:

“Wow!” said detective Arkwright, "I've never seen technology like this before!” 

“Nor me Constable!” Cuthbert said.

“You are right, gentlemen. This is, as they say- “State Of The Art!” 

“But what does it do, officer?”Asked Inspector Cuthbert.

“This sophisticated computer speeds up our investigations a hundred times or more! it saves us so much time we can put our energies elsewhere." He said.

“What's through this door officer? "Asked detective Arkwright, opening the door...observing something strange!

“Please, this is forbidden! No one's allowed in here, the officer shouted !” quickly shutting the door.

“Alright, detectives, I hope you enjoyed your little tour, Evette will take you downstairs now, and a driver will drive you back to the airport. Au revoir!”

As the detectives waited in the noisy airport for their plane they sat and drank coffee in the cafeteria:

“So Arkwright, what was it you saw in that room, at Interpol?” Asked a curious Inspector Cuthbert, sipping some coffee.

“It was a bit weird, sir; I'm not sure myself!” He replied. Then continued:

 “Three officers were talking about jumping and were wearing these oversized watches on their wrists. But the strangest thing of all, Inspector, was one of the men's watches emitted a beam of light, hitting the wall, like something you'd see in a science fiction movie!” He said, excitedly.

Back at Scotland Yard, the team of six police officers sifted through the information on the desk, given to them by Interpol. Something on one of the photos caught detective Arkwright's attention...

“Inspector, sir look at this photo of the man the French police told us is the Mastermind behind this car business; Look at his wrist” he pointed.

“Yes, is that the type of watch you saw on the officers at Interpol?” The Inspector inquired.

“Exactly, sir! Something is very odd about all this!” Said Arkwright.

“The watch could be a clue to this whole business!” Said Inspector Cuthbert.

“Arkwright, bring that photo and come with me, we're going upstairs to have a word with the Superintendent.”

“Inspector Cuthbert, what the devil are you doing?” Shouted the Super, looking surprised, as if he was a robber who got caught 'red-handed' as both detectives walked in his office with someone else...

“Wha, what is he doing here? How the heck did the Interpol officer get here when we only arrived at Scotland Yard less than an hour ago?” shouted Cuthbert. 

“Look sir, he's wearing one of those watches!” Exclaimed Arkwright.

“I think we need an explanation, sir, don't you think?” Said Inspector Cuthbert.

“You both better sit down, detectives; it's a long story!” Said Superintendent Dayton.

“So, let me get this straight, sir, a gang of time traveller thieves from our time in 1988, has gone back to the 1960s and beyond, buying classic cars, especially ...Rolls Royce cars, with counterfeit money. So authentic no one back then would know the difference. And then bringing the cars back to the present time to sell for massive profits.” Said the Inspector.

“That's it in a nutshell Inspector!” The Superintendent said. 

“But what's this got to do with these watches?” Asked Constable Arkwright.

“ Let me demonstrate, detectives.” Said the Interpol officer.

With that, he turned a dial on his watch and became enveloped in a white luminous light and promptly vanished. Both detectives stared at each other, mouths wide open.

Seconds later, the Interpol officer reappeared in a flash of blue light.

It's like something out of a science fiction movie hey detectives. A Swiss scientist named, Andre Duval invented this, specifically for Interpol so they can catch criminals.

“You see gentlemen, this is exactly what the gang are using to go back in time.” He said.

“ But how do they transport the cars officer?” Said Inspector Cuthbert, looking baffled. 

“That's a good question, detective!”

The officer said. 

“After researching in their historic archives they visit the place where they know a classic car is, a showroom, private sellers, etc. Buy the vehicle and drive it somewhere quiet. Thereafter, four men using the four compass points North, South and so on all together turn on their watches and voiler! They teleport forward to this time, 1988. The watch's magnetic energy and the car"s frequency is strong enough to transport them and a large car!”

He continued: 

“The gang then take the car, let's say a Rolls Royce, Silver Cloud 1. In an auction; they can guarantee they will get between £15- £30,000. Going to say, ten of these auctions with assorted classic cars; in one month they can make £200-300,000.”

“However, detectives, next week in London, there is going to be a massive auction of classic cars, not one auction, but six of them. The gang stands to get £3-£5 million! The largest fraud crime in history!”

I will see you there with a team of Interpol ‘Time jumpers’. 

“Anyway, detectives, your Superintendent will fill you in about the operation. I have to go now, see you on the day- au revoir!”

With that, the Interpol officer vanished in a flash of white light, back to the Interpol headquarters in 'Saint Cloud.'

“Interpol tells us that the gang and their Mastermind will be travelling to a large Mansion called, 'Carnaby Hall' just outside London soon after they have finished all the auctions!” Said the Superintendent. Luckily for us, they won't be getting their bounty until weeks after, when their cheques will clear in the banks.”

“Thanks to Interpol's hard work monitoring all the members of the gang, we know who they are and we will round them up and lock them up for a very long time!” 

“Superintendent, just one question: how long have you known about the Marseille gang and worked with Interpol?” Asked Inspector Cuthbert.

“ When I went to 'Saint Cloud' a month ago to be filled in about the gang and to prepare Scotland Yard for the gang's visit to London next Friday,” He said. 

“And yes, I know you're both angry because I never told you earlier. But detectives we have had to have absolute secrecy. Interpol believes someone in Scotland Yard, and even their own organisation may be a spy for the Marseille gang. For all we know they may be one step ahead of us!” Said the Superintendent.

Inspector Cuthbert and detective Arkwright sat in the unmarked car waiting for the gang, including the Mastermind, to exit their last auction–Bonham auction house. They had sold a total of 30 classic cars including 20 Rolls Royces. 12 SILVER Clouds mostly sell for around £30,000. One 1964 model Silver Cloud 11 sold for £150,000. 

But no one expected them to have in their possession the following cars:

A 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom, 1 Round Door sold for a staggering £6 Million. And the 1904, first-ever Rolls-Royce 10 HP sold for £7 million. With a 1912 Double Pullman Limousine that sold for £5 million. The gang made an unbelievable total of £20 million.

Finally, getting into the back of his own Silver Cloud, was Mr Big himself wearing dark glasses, and a cigarette in his mouth... the 'Marseille Mastermind.' A convoy of some ten cars drove towards the Manor, just on the outskirts of London. Following behind them but not too close behind were the Scotland Yard detectives with three other unmarked cars carrying a dozen police officers.

“The Interpol officers are already hiding in the Manor’s woodland ready for my word to go in and surprise them. All our officers are carrying guns in case it gets nasty.” Explained Inspector Cuthbert to detective Arkwright.

Back in the woods, things were happening: the three Interpol officers there used their timeslip watches to teleport and surprise the gang's bodyguards knocking them out.

Finally, after letting all the gang settle in the Manor, Inspector Cuthbert radioed to his men to storm the place: 

“Go! Go!Go!” He shouted.

A score of officers including the detectives jumped out of their cars and raced through the grounds to the Manor House. 

Bash!Bash! The Police Knocked the Manor house old wooden door down.

"police! Stop where you are!" The police shouted.

Just then a butler said: 

“Can I help you please, what seems to be the trouble officers?”He asked.

“Where are they?” the out of breath Inspector said.

“There's no one here, sir; Lord Palmer, is abroad in Marseille. He went a couple of days ago.”

“Officers, I want every room searched from top to bottom!” The Inspector shouted.

“Sir, the Super just radioed in that you need to speak to him now.” Said an officer.

“Which car constable?” Asked the Inspector.

“Here sir," said the officer, passing him the radio handset.

“Hello, Superintendent.”

“Inspector, you can stand down; the gang isn't at the Manor house. They jumped to Marseille. Interpol and the French police were ready for them and arrested the whole gang. An informer told the police the gang new Scotland Yard were after them, so they were prepared with their jump watches to flee back to Marseille.” 

“But sir, we still never got a good look as to who the Mastermind was?” 

“ No Inspector, no one, not even Interpol saw the real Boss. The man they thought was the Mastermind was my second in command, he did all the leg work for me. You see, Inspector Cuthbert, I had the perfect cover. Who would have ever thought a Superintendent of Scotland Yard was the Mastermind of a criminal gang? Still, don't be disheartened, Inspector. You still won by preventing me from getting all those millions from the cars! And I win to fight another day!

Au revoir Inspector!"

Ends