Gordon Campbell wished that the cicumstances he had visited Highroyds City Stadium were for more pleasant endeavours. He was not here for the football game between The Kiaser Colonies and Ocaterra. He was here to solve a disappearance or possible murder. During the last game a Mr. Simon Black had been taken by two men dressed in black. His friend, Gerald Brook, was the only witness but he had been attacked and restrained at the time by two other men. He had told Campbell that he had not seen the registration number of the car Mr. Black had been taken away in but he did say that it had come down the road towards them as they were leaving the stadium. Campbell was also certain that by now the men would come for Mr. Brook as they would need a hostage to get Mr. Black, who had no family, to speak. This in Campbell's mind was one of the smaller cases he had been asked to observe and he was sure he would crack it easily. He had only ventured into the stadium to lose his accomplice, Tom Simpson. Simpson had been cautious to believe him when he told him they were going to the match. He knew that Campbell had little or no interest in sports and anything out of the ordinary was almost certainly the business of working on a case. A roar erupted from the crowd. The Kiaser Colonies had scored their second goal of the match. It was nearing half time and the hooliganism was, in his mind, a notorious killer of logical thought. He decided that now was the time to leave.
"Going to the bathroom Tom. I will return in one piece no need to worry," he said. Simpson looked up at Campbell as he departed. He knew something was up. once out of sight he took a left. He had not failed to notice that for the men in the car to know what exit to drive to, there would need to be someone watching Mr. Black as he left. He also deduced that it was highly improbable that they had purchased tickets near enough to him so they would need to come in another way and out without Mr. Black seeing them. Somewhere there was no staff checking for tickets or too many people. Campbell knew exactly where such an entrance was. It was perfect for all reasons. It was the stairs through the pipe room. This was only open to staff and only a few electricians or plumbers, possibly no one at all at the time. He had "borrowed" the id card of a steward while entering the stadium for opening the door. Thankfully there was nobody there now either. As soon as he looked at the back of the door he had seen the signs of a forced entry. It was easy to tell that they had nothing to break the door with. They dents were that of a man charging with his shoulder. He had seen such marks compared to others throughout other cases. He came to the bottom of the stairs and opened the door. As he had expected there was a car waiting and three men were waiting beside it. They were clad in black and one was nursing his right shoulder. He noted this possible weakness. Then he looked to the other two. One of them had a pistol in his pocket. This was a dangerous one now. Just how he liked it. he strolled out along the alleyway. The men turned to look at him. None too happy that someone had come across them. He was a witness that could not be left. Campbell stopped as they advanced.
"Do any of you happen to know a Mr. Simon Black?" he quizzed. The men stopped and looked at each other surprised. Then the man with the gun spoke.
"You shouldn't be here. It's dangerous in the alleyways of Highroyds Mr.?"
"Campbell. Gordon Campbell," he replied.
"It was nice knowing you Mr. Campbell. Get him," he said as he nodded his head towards Campbell. The men began to advance towards him. The man with the sore shoulder swung at him with his left arm. He stepped back and ducked a little. The man swung with his right. Gordon used this as an opportunity. He ducked, moved left, rose up, grabbed the attacker by his shoulder and his wrist then pulled his arm behind his back. He shouted with pain. The second man attempted a punch but Campbell blocked it with the first man's right shoulder. Another shout and the second man tried another punch which Campbell blocked with the man's left shoulder. As the second man prepared another punch, Campbell threw the other into him. He hit him straight on the jaw, which broke leaving the first man lying in agony on the ground. The remaining attacker charged at him. He dropped to the floor and kicked the attackers legs out from under him. He fell hard on his face and broke his nose. As Campbell got to his feet he heard a gun being cocked behind his head.
"Impressive Mr. Campbell. Very impressive. But we cant let you stop our plans. Goodbye," the third man had just finished his sentence when Campbell heard a blow being struck to his head, then the sound him hitting the ground. He looked up and saw Simpson.
"Tom. How pleased am I to see you?" said Campbell.
"Very I should imagine. What were you thinking?" Simpson asked. Before he could reply they heard the engine of the car start. It was reversing for them. They dived opposite sides from each other. Simpson picked up the gun and fired at the driver then the wheels. The car stopped. Campbell opened the door. The driver was alive. He had only been hit in the shoulder.
"Where's Mr. Black and who do you work for and where is he?" Campbell asked.
"Warehouse 1 on the old harbour. I don't know who we work for. We never knew his name. Only his initials. R B, we were told to bring Mr. Black and another man we were waiting for to St Martin in West Zirconia" he replied. Campbell knew at once who it was. Richard Brook. Master criminal. He closed the door of the car. Just then a number of stewards and several police officers arrived at the scene. Campbell explained everything to them. That was an easy case. Now the hard part began. The game of cat and mouse that would cross boarders and oceans in which he must find Brook. There was no telling what he was up to but it would need to be stopped.
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