Once Upon a Clock Tower: Huntsville's Dark Society

By M.E. Champey

Private investigator Aloysius Contrite was an ordinary detective until he discovered his new ability to envision the future every hour on the hour. Come join Aloysius and his team solve the case of the missing jewel. But beware, danger lurks ahead as the Huntsville Billionaire's secret society has other plan

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.E. Champey
• Release date: Jul 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088202852

Book preview

Once Upon a Clock Tower

Once Upon a Clock Tower

Once Upon a Clock Tower: Huntsville's Dark Society Copyright © 2023

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Written by M.E. Champey

First Printing, 2023

Other titles by M.E. Champey

Mouse Train

Mouse Train (illustrated): Dirby's New Home

Mouse Train 2: Dirby's World Tour

The Magical Scarves: Daniel Stone Book 1

The Dragon Thief: Daniel Stone Book 2

The Sorcerer's Return: Daniel Stone Book 3

The Winter Garden Alliance: Daniel Stone Book 4 

The Realms of River-Earth: The Witchle's Fire Box

Ben Hensley and the Legend of the Four Kings

M.E. Shorts: Volume I

The Boyorgs: Search for the Criterion Blade

Young Allen Shooster: The Great Frontier

Fiory: The Enchanted Ice Horse

Contents

1 Snowfall

2 A Jewel Thief in Benzington

3 Suspicions and Visions

4 Wilfred

5 A New Recruit

6 Full Moon

7 A Small Town

8 Huntsville's Dark Society

9 Calling Hubert McKale

10 Strawberry Fields

11 Claude DeShomp: World Famous Private Investigator

12 42 Crooked Hill Road

13 The Clock Tower

14 One Year Later…

About The Author

Once Upon a Clock Tower

Huntsville's Dark Society

M.E. Champey

1

Snowfall

It was a snowy night in the depths of Benzington Village and the city was bustling with street cars everywhere. The crowds gravitated towards the market places, restaurants, bars, pubs, and little boutique shops of the like. Yet, one pub in particular, by the name of Jackie O'Learys, had a rather lively group with live entertainment and live music performing.

Now, as the bartenders worked their shifts, they served people their drinks from the time they opened to the time they closed. But, there was one patron in particular that's worth mentioning and his name was Aloysius Contrite. He was a very peculiar young man because he would take notes of everything and anything.

While he jotted down these notes, Aloysius thought to himself, is there anyway perhaps, maybe, where I can understand the theory behind socialization.

When he thought of this question, he reminded himself that he thought of this very question every single night.

So as he sat in the corner booth, writing away, he thought, well why do I ask myself this question every single night?

When he turned around, he looked up from his writing journal and noticed a very charming, young lady sitting at a nearby table. He looked up at her and wondered how a creature could be so beautiful and carry so much elegance. So he jotted these thoughts down as the other patrons drank their pints and listened to the live music.

But as he was finished drinking his pint, Aloysius stood up from his booth, gathered his belongings, and prepared himself for the blistering cold weather outside.

When he stepped outside, Aloysius could feel the snowflakes land on his face as he walked down the stairs of Jackie O'Leary's Pub. When he started his way down the block, Aloysius passed many Christmas carolers huddling together. But as he continued to walk down the block, he noticed something rather peculiar. The sign of a bank. You see, this was no ordinary bank, this was actually the only bank in town. Its name was Louie Dinkon’s Banking Company of Benzington. Mr. Contrite continued his way near the bank. And as he approached its sign, he noticed that some of the lights were not working.

Examining the unlit lights, he interestingly thought to himself, if I knew how to fix a sign, I would fix all the lights in there, that's for dang sure. Because a bank of that stature should be recognized. Any sign should be working properly, that is, of course, to serve its functionality.

So Aloysius continued to walk down the block, holding his coat collar closer to his neck as the temperature precipitously began to drop. He made his way closer to his apartment, which was only a few blocks away from Jackie O'Learys.

But, again, he thought to himself, I'm feeling a little buzzed from that pint and maybe I should perhaps be in the company of another. In particular, a female.

Yet, as it was, he knew that this would have to wait. But his urge for companionship, female companionship, was rather strong. So he continued and walked past his apartment with the snow drifting heavier through the night.

Aloysius continued his way and walked past the markets and little boutiques that were adjacent to his apartment building. When he walked by Caruso’s Coffee Shop, he noticed that it appeared rather empty inside. Though, when he looked again, he noticed a very attractive young female sitting alone at a table. He saw her writing deep in thought.

And at first he wondered, what could she be writing about? But then he thought, oh did it even really matter, did it even really matter at all.

He then decided to be bold and courageous and approach the young female. When he entered Caruso's, he felt the warmth that the tiny little coffee shop offered. But, as he approached the young lady, the fear inside him crept up quickly.

Quickly, he turned around and headed for the door like a coward.

He abruptly stopped himself and thought, no not tonight. Tonight you will be brave, tonight you will be bold.

So he turned around again and started to walk towards the young lady who proceeded to calmly write in her notepad.

Thus, as Aloysius approached the young lady, he cleared his throat and said, Excuse me miss, I'm very curious, I do wonder what indeed you are writing in that notepad of yours. Please if it's too personal don’t mind me, I was just curious after all.

The young lady stopped writing. When she looked up, Aloysius noticed she had beautiful, bright blue eyes with short black hair and a red bonnet upon her head. Her red bonnet framed her face perfectly. She wore a red dress with navy blue stockings and tan brown shoes.

When she looked up she replied, Oh, it's quite alright. I'm just writing a list of things I need to buy. However, every once in a while, I do like to write poetry.

The young man stared, and at the same time, grew a quick penchant for the young lady.

Yes, a liking for the girl he had indeed. Aloysius smiled and she smiled back.

Now feeling quite giddy, Aloysius asked, Do you come here quite often?

The girl replied, Why yes I do. I just love their cinnamon coffee. It's quite delicious.

Aloysius agreed with a nod and replied, Yes, I feel the same way.

And as he now lowered his head in a bit of bashfulness, Aloysius introduced himself and said, My name is Aloysius Contrite. If you don't mind me asking, what’s yours?

The young lady quickly looked down. She then raised her head once again with her cheeks flushed rosy red.

She responded, Well, my name is Carly McKale.

Aloysius smiled, happy to have heard her name and said, It’s a pleasure to meet you Carly McKale. He then asked, "Do you mind if I join you?''

No, not at all, please, have a seat.

So graciously, Aloysius sat down and said, Why thank you.

The young lady began, So, Mr. Contrite…

Please! Carly McKale, call me Aloysius.

Oh! remarked the young lady. She then continued, Aloysius, if you don't mind my asking, what do you do for a living?

Aloysius replied, I’m a private investigator. But when I’m not working, I like to write poetry and partake in writing short stories and the like. Aloysius then asked the girl, So Ms. McKale…

Oh, Aloysius, please call me Carly.

Aloysius corrected himself and said, Oh, excuse me. Carly, what do you do for a living?

Carly answered, Well I’m a fourth grade English teacher, and I’ve been so for the past seven years.

Aloysius replied, Oh, that’s just grand, just grand.

The two quickly hit it off. They proceeded with their conversation and continued to learn more about one another. The weather outside, however, continued to snow. And as the wee hours passed into the night, the café now came five minutes to closing.

Although they ignored the time, the café owner approached them and said, Excuse me folks, but you two will have to leave. We’re closing in five minutes,

Aloysius replied, Oh, why certainly sir.

So the two quickly stood from the table, gathered their belongings, and put on their jackets to brave the weather outside, once again.

When they left the restaurant, the door’s bell could be heard, as the store owner shut the door behind them. With the steam coming off their breaths, both Carly