Welcome to The Great Chocolate Conspiracy!
Chocolate Digestive biscuits have disappeared from the shelves right across the eastern seaboard of the USA, and now the shortage has spread to London. Detective Chief Inspector Sam Adamson and his international team of investigators from the Metropolitan Police’s Confectionery Crimes Unit (CCU) have been tasked to solve the mystery.
This is the ninth installment of a multi-part flash fiction story that originated during a chat between the authors on Twitter. You can read how it all began here. (Links to all the installments will be added to the author list as they are posted)
The next installment will appear on Friday, November 5th at Cecilia Dominic’s Random Oenophile, and you can keep up on developments in the meantime by following the #GtChocCo hashtag on Twitter.
Adamson leaned back in his chair. It tilted with his movement, and he grinned. He bounced back and forward, reaching under the chair to yank on the levers. The chair slid down with a hiss. Juniper rolled her eyes; no inspector would be that impressed by ergonomic furniture in Italy.
“Having fun there?” asked Agent Bronyaur. Aside from the dark circles under his eyes and the slightly vacant expression, he seemed none the worse for wear after his ‘episode’ at the crime scene.
“By Christ I am,” replied the DCI. “My chair back home’s held together by sticky tape and good luck. If I leaned back on that, I’d make a right arse of myself.”
Bronyaur and Juniper exchanged a smirk. Adamson had relaxed the moment he dunked his first chocolate digestive in his coffee. La Paglia made an obscure Jekyll and Hyde reference.
“You seem unusually buoyant,” she remarked.
“I think we’ve made some progress. Might get this wrapped up sooner than we thought,” replied Adamson.
“So we’ll have chocolate again?” asked Bronyaur. Adamson couldn’t tell if his eyes glazed over at the thought of a decent Mars bar, or if he still suffered the effects of the tranquilliser.
“That we will. And coffee.” Adamson took a swig of his cappuccino. He didn’t normally like “that fancy stuff” but La Paglia persuaded him to try it. Juniper giggled at the DCI’s new foam moustache.
“Can we get started soon?” asked La Paglia. She drummed well-manicured nails on the table.
“Not without Motley and Marier,” replied Adamson.
“Motley and Marier…they sound like they should fight crime,” said Bronyaur.
“Oh give over, you pillock. They already do!” said Adamson.
Agent Bronyaur hid his blush behind another chocolate digestive.
“Where are they?” asked Juniper.
“Motley said something about needing to make a personal call while they were in the briefing. Marier’s gone to get her,” said La Paglia.
The door opened. Motley walked in first, followed by Marier. She cast glances at Motley all the way to her seat beside Adamson.
“You alright there, Prof?” asked Adamson.
“Yes, fine. Everything’s fine.” Motley looked at the replenished platters of biscuits and chocolate.
“Help yourself, Prof,” said Adamson.
“Maybe later.”
“So what did the Sheriff want?” asked La Paglia.
“Just a run down on what’s been going on. Who it could be, why, and whatnot,” replied Adamson.
Somewhere in the depths of Middle America, a man shouted “Eureka”.
Motley’s phone buzzed. Everyone turned to look at her. She pulled the phone from her pocket, and glanced at the screen. A smirk hovered around the corners of her mouth.
“Something you want to share with the group, Prof?” asked Adamson.
“Just good news, that’s all,” replied Motley.
“About your…ah…family matter?” said Marier.
“That’s right.”
“As you were saying?” asked La Paglia. She glared at Motley before turning back to Adamson.
“You and Bronyaur are going back to DC. I need you to investigate the Biological Weapons division of the Counter Terrorism and Terrorism Departments. Bronyaur will fill you in on the details on the way,” said Adamson. “Marier and Juniper, you’re going to Sacramento to check out the Intelligence Communication Department.”
“What about me?” asked Motley.
“You’re coming with me,” replied Adamson.
Bronyaur and La Paglia left the room. Marier and Juniper headed to the door. Juniper cast a longing gaze over her shoulder at the platter of biscuits. Marier cocked her head, looking at Motley. The professor returned her scrutiny with cool detachment.
“Go on then, clear off. Yes, Juniper, you can take some biccies with you,” said Adamson.
Juniper squealed with delight, filling her pockets with biscuits. Marier relented and grabbed a chocolate bar. They closed the door behind them.
“So, DCI. What’s the plan?” asked Motley.
“Well first of all, you’re going to tell me why the hell you never said you were allergic to chocolate.”
This is ace! I like the directions you’ve taken the story in, and your ending is perfect; for some strange reason I feel like I ought to have known the Prof.’s allergic to chocolate.
Thanks for giving the DCI some excellent lines BTW, I do occasionally use the word pillock IRL, and your description of the chair on which I currently sit is spot on.
She mentioned it in an earlier episode that people might be allergic, and we’ve never seen her eat any. She also seems strangely composed, like she’s not bothered the chocolate’s gone.
Oooh! Great ending. I’ve had such fun following this, and as it builds it gets more and more fun. Awesome job on this one, Icy.
I dunno how I *just* came in on this, but I’m going to start back from the beginning, because it looks just hella fun. I will say that if this somehow gets chocolate digestives put on the shelves in the USA by the time I’m back there, I’ll be a happy camper. Right now, the only places you can find them are at international grocers or where I live, there’s actually a British grocery store.
Another episode that was a lot of fun to read. The tension is really starting to heat up now!
Sweet ending! I’m so glad I ran into this story. Another fun chapter!
Even though it’s got crime and tension, this series is so cute. A fun running game. Thanks for joining, Icy.
Oh! I love the twist! I was wondering if you would reveal the identity. Another great episode.
Ah, the plot thickens like a nice choc pudding!! Nice one.
There’s a chocolate bar here. I’m not taking any chances. I’m turning it over to the authorities.
Love this installment and the twist at the end. I’ve never trusted people who are either allergic to chocolate or don’t like it. Just thought I’d add that.
Ah it’s the Prof, or is it??? With you guys there is no telling what will happen next. Who is she trying to get back at. What does the formula do? Lots of questions still to answer. Namely why mess with the COFFEE as well? If she is allergic to coffee as well, she must be an alien.
Another awesome installment with twists and turns. The part about Sam’s chair is great, Icy, and the allergy to chocolate…well, makes one wonder. 🙂
This thing is so fun and just keeps getting better and better.
Jim
I’m laughing so hard right now. I never trusted that Motley either…
Very clever to have her allergic. Great episode, Icy!
And like Jim says, it gets better and better, does this story.
*whispers* I’m really not allergic to chocolate or coffee. 😉
“Juniper rolled her eyes; no inspector would be that impressed by ergonomic furniture in Italy.”
*bwahhaahaahaaa!* I love it! but oh, the rest of us will have such a tough act to follow 😀
Laurita – Glad you liked it!
Heather – I’d be really cross if chocolate digestives ever do go missing.
Eric – Lots of questions to be answered!
Jax – Thanks!
John – Yeah, it’s a really fun story if you take out the exploding confectionary.
Danielle – It might not even be the Prof! Or is it…?
Maria – Teehee, thanks!
David – That’s probably wise…
Rachel – Yeah, I don’t understand people who say they don’t like chocolate. Have they never tried it?
Theresjustlife – Can’t wait to see what Cecilia does with it!
Laura – I just figured Sam would love swinging on a chair!
Jim – I can’t wait to see how it ends.
Grace – I didn’t think you were allergic. ^_^
Techtigger – You’ll do fine!
I’m loving the way this series is developing. Can’t wait for my turn (no pressure, mind you *gulps*)
Cool pacing and leaking of information. Ace.
Adam B @revhappiness
OH GRACIE! *sob* How could you!! WELL thought out, Icy, I like how you put together clues in your head and chose Motley. You’ve crafted it really well. *snort* “Pillock”
Thank you, Monica!! I can well imagine Sam using a word like ‘pillock’.
I have possibly played too many detective games on my DS…
Squeeee! I’ve got biscuits! heheh
Loved how you twisted even more the story,Icy. WELL done! 😀