The Man In The Bowler Hat

By Tony Brunal

Detective Christian Santorino was not supposed to be here. It's his day off. He can't believe he has to leave his New Year eve party to investigate a theft at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. An Egyptian cross, called the Ankh artifact, has been stolen under heavy security. Christian must crack the connection to the other thefts. Then, when a mysterious man appears on surveillance video, Detective Santorino is duty bound to capture him.

 

What is the great mystery of the Gods of Egypt? How are all the thefts connected? And who is The Man In The Bowler Hat?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tony Brunal
• Release date: Jul 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393847779

Tony Brunal

I have always loved Science Fiction and Sci-Fi movies, from authors like Ray Bradburry to Authur C. Clark. Being in the technology field for over 30 years, I love the way the world can change rather quickly, and how authors have always been able to predict certain scientific trends and technologies. 

Book preview

CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES OR HOW I CAUGHT

THE MAN in THE BOWLER HAT

by

Tony Brunal

DEDICATION

To my love, Kim.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 — THE OSIRIS EFFECT

Chapter 2 — THE AMON REIGN

Chapter 3 — THE THOTH SCRIBE

Chapter 4 — THE APAEP CON

Chapter 5 — THE SISTRUM AMULET

Chapter 6 — THE ISIS ANIMUS

Chapter 7 — THE HORUS RUSE

Chapter 8 — THE SHAI CONFLICT

Chapter 9 — THE MA'AT BALANCE

Chapter 10 — THE HATHOR ENCHANTMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I want to say thank you to my family. You inspire me each, and every day.

#

Mrs. Alfonso, your enthusiasm, and honesty have helped me immensely.

Tony Brunal © 2020

Chapter 1 — THE OSIRIS EFFECT

July 19, 1924 – The RMS Mauretania arrives at the port of Southampton. A large crowd gathers at the pier entrance as thousands of spectators come to watch the arrival of the large Cunard line ship. On board in a first-class cabin, a well-dressed man sits under a table lamp. He concentrates on the shiny amulet on the corner of the intricately adorned desk. The man picks up the amulet and looks over the ruby and onyx stones that surround the small gold artifact. He writes instructions on the ship’s RMS Mauretania letterhead paper. The black ink follows the silver fountain pen as he writes, the ink shining against the light as it dries. Once his writing and the collection of words are completed, he stops at the bottom of the paper to think. The well-dressed man signs it with his initials.

Your faithful servant, H. C.

The well-dressed man folds the letter and places it at the bottom of a small oblong box that holds the amulet. The box, made from tamarisk wood, is old, and slightly weathered. Adorned with various Egyptian hieroglyphs, aside from the letter, it sits empty on the corner of the table. He looks at the artifact one more time noting the energy he feels while holding it, and places it in the wooden box. As he stands, he closes the box and places it safely into his overcoat’s inner pocket. The man puts on the black overcoat made of thick rich cotton. He fixes the scarf that hangs on both sides of his overcoat and places a black top hat on his head. The man grabs the cotton white gloves that lay on the bed and reaches for the cabin door. He walks through the hallway, and down the grand staircase that leads to the grand promenade. Finally, he arrives at the long gangplank that leads to the pier. He walks past the departing travelers, down the stairs and towards an awaiting car. The driver holds his door open as he makes his way through the crowds. The gentleman says hello, and ducks into the luxurious Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall Tourer. As he sits and waits for the luggage to be strapped to the car, he lights a pipe and smokes it, the smoke billowing out of the car window. In the interior opulence of the car the passenger checks his watch. Once the luggage has been completed being bound to the car, the driver informs the luminary that the fog is dense, and it will take longer to drive to the Parkers Hotel. The driver also informs the gentleman that the Prince of Wales will arrive on the 25th of July as scheduled. The well-dressed man adjusts his lapel pin and makes note of the news. He decides in his head that he will present the Prince with the amulet during the formal dinner that night. While pondering the plans for the amulet, the driver starts the car and drives past the ogling crowds.

The fog makes driving difficult through the dimly lit cobblestone streets. Bombarded by the soupiness, it challenges the driver to focus on the road. Once on Bridge Street, the stone facades blend into one another, while the streets seem empty and quiet. Only a few stragglers stand outside of Parkers Hotel. They appear inebriated as they stumble by the entrance. Aside from the sounds of the drunken voices, the rhythmic murmur of the long black vehicle’s engine is heard as it slowly rolls to the entrance. The bellhop smartly walks to the car upon stopping. He reaches the door handle with his white gloves and tips his hat as he opens the door to let the gentleman out. The well-dressed man thanks the bellhop and tips his own hat back. As he reaches the entrance, one of the stumbling drunkards, bungles his step, and careens into the man with the overcoat.

Annoyed, the gentleman raises his voice in disgust, Excuse me Sir!

My apologies! -Hiccup- ... I should mind my step, sir. is said as the drunkard waddles along.

NOV 09, 1989 – THOUSANDS of revelers stand in front of the Brandenburg Gate stand yelling at the communist soldiers to open the gate. Communism is on the brink of falling, and even before the Politburo and Egon Krenz made the mistake of allowing travel through the entry points, the situation was ready to explode. The East Germans were ready for freedom, and the DPA newspaper communiqué caused confusion when Günter Schabowski stated that the travel restrictions will take effect immediately. On the televised news conference this one word, immediately, swelled the crowds at all border crossings. This caused sheer pandemonium at the wall.

Away from the multitude, a museum guard stands vigilant in front of the Egyptian Antiquities display. Inside the Altes Museum, a collection of rare gems and stones twinkle against the lighted display case. Under one display case highlighting Akhenaten’s wealth, stands a Khepri Scarab medallion holding a shiny red ruby. The light glints and glimmers, when suddenly the glass is broken, and a ghostly figure races away. The guard immediately runs into the display room and sounds the alarm.

"Alarm, Alarm! Jemand bewahrt die Juwelen auf! Alarm, Alarm! Jemand bewahrt die Juwelen auf!" the guard repeats over and over, letting his colleagues know that jewels have been stolen.

Moments later several whining police cars arrive and police detectives rush into the building.

DEC 31, 1999 – HUNDREDS of thousands of people fill the tiny corner of Times Square standing in the cold and waiting for the ball to drop. They scream and yell and listen to bands hosting the celebration. The revelers' breaths can be seen against the cold, along with silly hats and glasses that make a numeric 2000 symbol that cover their faces. 

Further north and away from the festivities, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is dark and empty, as revelers celebrate the coming millennium. The MET interior is a sophisticated web of wiring, with alarms and cameras that stand guard against potential intruders. At the Egyptian Art in the Age of the Pyramids display, the Ankh artifact is prominently displayed under a secured and well-lit round glass showcase. The gold covered, and emerald crusted, cross is mounted securely. Glass breakage, and item removal sensors continually send their heartbeats to security computers.

Inside a secured room, two armed guards monitor the wall of Television displays that pan every inch of the property. Both guards would rather be with the Y2K revelers than sitting watching the silence.

Man, I need to get up! Jamal stands and reaches for the ceiling.

Miguel, the other security guard, covers his mouth as he begins to yawn, MMahh... Get me some coffee too, if you’re getting s’om.

Jamal walks to the automatic coffee machine and enters two quarters into the slot. He selects the Medium Brew and presses the large clear button. A Styrofoam cup drops into the cup cubby hole, and the aroma of coffee fills the room as the machine pumps out the energizing brew into the cup. Jamal removes the cup and places it on the table where the sweeteners and creamers are held.

You want sugar and cream? Jamal asks Miguel.

Miguel smiles and jokes with Jamal, You know how I like it, light and sweet just like my females.

OK, here we go, Jamal quips back.

Just as Miguel reaches for the cup of coffee, a sudden glass breakage alarm begins to ring.

Jamal gets serious and stares at the sensor health board. The single alarm blinks red on the monitor screen. Sector 1 – Glass Breakage – Display 24 is the description. Jamal looks to Miguel, and they both use the camera joystick to point the camera to the position. The Ankh artifact is no longer in its holder, and Miguel quickly picks up the phone with a direct line to the police.

Code 1, we’ve had a break in! Miguel exclaims on the phone.

Miguel watches Jamal scan the camera with the joystick and looks at the other CCTV views to see if he can capture the person responsible.

Miguel keeps the person on the phone updated, No. We do not have a visual.

Jamal looks over to the door sensor display, I don’t see any open doors.

Miguel relays the information, No. No doors have been breached.

Miguel looks over to Jamal who is still looking for the perpetrator, How soon before you arrive? OK. We’ll be here.

Two minutes later multiple police cars begin arriving with their red lights blazing and the NYPD prominently displayed on the doors. The Courtesy, Professionalism and Respect lettering announce their arrival. Tires screech to a stop, and multiple police officers jump out.

They run to the exits and begin to secure the building.

SOUTH AND EAST OF THE museum, at a corner building on 63rd Street and 1st Avenue, a distinguished red building is holding an intimate party. Three couples are celebrating the new year watching the celebratory television shows and listening to Dick Clark describe the festivities. The couples laugh and joke as old friends usually do. They reminisce about past parties and past loves, as they raise glasses to a variety of toasts.

Interrupting the fun. is a ringing Motorola StarTAC telephone belonging to Detective Christian Santorino. He moves his arm from around the back of the couch next to his girlfriend and stands to reach for the flip phone. Holding his hand on the other ear to listen, he excuses himself as he looks onto his disappointed partner.

Hello. Yes, hold on let me get to a quieter spot, he says as he steps into the kitchen.

What? But I’m not on call tonight? Christian tries to argue.

On the refrigerator there are several pictures of intimate hugs between him and his girlfriend attached by magnets. He looks at them while listening to the caller on the cell phone.

Hey, I specifically asked for today off, he continues to protest.

Yeah, yeah. I know we are a little short. Why can’t Gonzales take it? He loves overtime. Detective Santorino continues to push back.

Alright, Alright. Hold on. Let me grab a pen or something. Relenting, he sees the notepad that hangs on the refrigerator door labeled Groceries. He rips a page from it and uses the attached pen to write some notes.

Ok, I’ll be there in ten minutes, -Christian sighs deeply- and who do I reach out to when I get there? He listens and writes a name down - Dr. Aaron Mitchell.

He closes the flip phone and walks back into the living room. The look on his girlfriend's face gives away that she already knows that he must leave. Kim Relyea is a wonder-woman looking brunette that makes leaving a room very difficult.

Christian whispers into her ear as he leans over to kiss her, Sorry baby. I’ll miss you.

She looks up at him, and holds his face in her hands, I’ll miss you too. Happy New Year babe.

Kim kisses his lips, and holds his hand, as he asks forgiveness from the other guests. Detective Santorino says his goodbyes and grabs his coat out of the closet on his way out. He walks down several flights of stairs and out into the cold. Out on 63rd Street, he thanks the heavens that he was able to find a parking spot right across from the building entrance last night. Then, just as quickly, he curses the sky as he realizes that he is about to lose the prime spot. He reaches for his keys and opens the car door. He enters the Ford Crown Victoria quickly and starts the car. There is no time to warm up the car, so Christian rubs and blows on his hands to warn them up some, before touching the steering wheel and reaching for the frozen steering column handle. Officer Santorino puts the vehicle in drive and maneuvers out of the parking spot. He drives west on 63rd Street past 2nd, 3rd, and then Lexington Avenue until he makes the right turn unto Park Avenue. Christian notices the scenic buildings as he drives North on the avenue, until he turns to the left unto 83rd Street. The cars parked on either side make the street look very narrow and claustrophobic. He continues west through the corridor, and on past Madison Avenue, until finally reaching his destination.

Outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the scene is noisily bright. The quantity of vehicles, and the number of rotating and blinking lights, creates sporadic flashing shadows on the exterior of the white stone building.

Hey Detective, what a way to spend New Year’s! Police Officer Fernandez greets Christian.

Christian greets his friend warmly, Hey Ferny, I see you’re staying off those donuts.

"Tell me what d ’we got?" he asks his old beat buddy.

Police Officer Vincent Fernandez and Detective Christian Santorino grew up in the same neighborhood. Both decided to join the force straight out of high school. Once graduated from the academy, the friends patrolled the same streets and were recognized as very capable police officers. When the time came, Ferny suggested they study for the detective exam, but unfortunately Santorino was the one who ended up with the promotion. Since then, Christian and Vincent do not spend as much time together as they used to, especially since Christian found his new love. After getting serious, Chris and Kim recently moved west across the river to the east side of Manhattan with her nouveau friends and higher social circles.

Ferny continues to brief his old friend, Looks like we have a break-in and the theft of a fancy cross.

Christian walks with his friend along the outside of the building, All these cops for a cross?

Ferny smiles and answers back, Nah, not that easy. Looks like the perp has himself cornered. The doors automatically lock when the alarm goes off, so we believe he’s still inside.

Christian, looking annoyed as he looks at his watch, informs his friend, I could be celebrating right now. Happy New Year, Ferny.

Officer Fernandez places his arm around his friend as they walk, Happy New Year to you too.

As the duo walk to the entrance of the Museum, a bright light flashes overhead and goes unnoticed. The constellation of flashing police cruiser beacons overwhelms the cityscape.

Who let us know the artifact was missing? Detective Santorino questions Officer Fernandez.

Ferny looks into the front door with his face up against the glass, We have two security guards in the vault. They hit the panic button as soon as the glass-breakage detection sensor was activated at 11:18pm.

Chris writes some notes down in a small leather-bound notebook, How did the perp get inside?

Ferny steps away from the door and chides Chris, Wait, wait. Isn’t that what you are supposed to find out, Mr. Detective?

Chris smiles and fires back, Hey, in order to pass the exam, you need to know this. Getting the lay of the land, is step one.

Ferny smiles back, As near as we can tell there are no visible signs of forced entry. We have a patrolman stationed outside each of the exterior doors.

Chris, trying to act like the source of all knowledge elaborates to his friend the possible scenario, The perp could have hid inside until closing, and we are going to have to take that into account when we go over the surveillance video.

Ferny smiles and interjects, I already have you covered. I asked the security group to pull the video on all the cameras for the past day.

Chris tries not to smile too much, What’s next, my friend?

Ferny looks at his watch and responds, I’m waiting for the Incident Commander, a Sergeant McConnel, who has an Emergency Services unit coming to clear the building.

Christian, really upset, can't help but remind his friend, Yah know! I could be at home right now toasting the New Year in. This is going to take a while to clear this large of a building.

Ferny, understanding his desire, antagonizes his friend further, Yeah, we can’t go in until the security team scans to make sure they can safely open the doors. I don’t know why they called you already. The buildings are not secure yet. So, I guess the Lieutenant must be trying to get some brownie points with the Mayor.

Moments later another Crown Victoria vehicle and the Emergency Service Unit BEARCAT vehicle arrive at the scene. As the tactical team gets ready for entry, Detective Santorino walks over to greet the Sergeant.

Sergeant McConnel is the first to reach out his hand, McConnel, 23rd Precinct.

Chris shakes his hand while making introductions, "Detective Santorino, and Officer Fernandez,