The Time Hunters and the Box of Eternity by Carl Ashmore Page A

card, ’ Uncle Percy said. ‘ Well, it is, but that ’ s not it. I mean, it ’ s shocking, of course. ’ He appeared furious
with himself. ‘ I just can ’ t believe I didn ’ t make the connection. I ’ m such an idiot! ’
    ‘ What ’ re you harping on
about, ’ Joe said.
    ‘ It ’ s just something
happens today - February 14 th 1929 - right here, in Chicago.
Something monumental. And I forgot about it. ’ Uncle Percy shook his head, furious with
himself. ‘ What
a bloody fool you are, Halifax! ’
    ‘ What troubles you, old
friend? ’ Will asked, clearly as puzzled as Becky and Joe.
    Uncle Percy exhaled heavily. ‘ Today is perhaps the most infamous day in the
history of this great city, and I ’ m not saying we ’ re involved, we ’ re probably not. It ’ s most likely just Emerson ’ s idea of a joke. But I don ’ t want to take that
risk. ’
    ‘ So what happens today? ’ Becky asked.
    Uncle Percy hesitated. ‘ The Saint Valentine ’ s Day Massacre! ’
    ‘ Okay, I ’ ve heard of it, ’ Becky said. ‘ But I don ’ t know anything about
it. What happened? ’
    Uncle Percy sighed. ‘ It ’ s not a pleasant story. ’
    Becky looked defiant. ‘ Nothing with the word ‘ massacre ’ in is gonna be all cuddly wuddly. But I think we ’ ve got a right to know
what happened before we make the decision whether to leave or not? ’
    ‘ We ’ re not making the
decision. I am, ’ Uncle Percy replied firmly.
    ‘ But we need that
painting, ’ Joe said.
    ‘ We need to stay alive,
Joe, ’ Uncle Percy replied, looking to Will for support. ‘ Don ’ t you agree, Will? ’
    Will thought for a moment. ‘ I agree with Miss Becky. ’
    Becky gave a look of satisfaction as she turned to Uncle Percy. ‘ So what happened at
this massacre? ’
    Uncle Percy fell silent. ‘ From what I remember, it is alleged that some of Al Capone ’ s men –’
    ‘ Al Capone? ’ Joe repeated. ‘ He ’ s like the number one
gangster of all time, right? ’
    ‘ He does have something
of a reputation. ’
    ‘ His nickname was
Scarface, wasn ’ t it? ’
    ‘ I believe it was. ’
    Joe nodded excitedly. ‘ I wish I had a cool nickname like that. ’
    ‘ What ’ s wrong with the one
you ’ ve
got? ’ Becky asked, irritated. ‘ I think Wally Foo Foo suits you just fine. Now, shut up! ’
    ‘ Eat me, ’ Joe barked back.
    ‘ Do you want to hear
about this or not? Uncle Percy asked testily.
    ‘ Sorry, ’ Becky and Joe said at
the same time.
    Uncle Percy took a deep breath. ‘ As I was saying, it is alleged some of Al
Capone ’ s
men captured seven members of a rival gang, lined them against a wall in a
garage and shot them dead. The victims worked for the Irish mobster, Bugs
Moran. You see, Becky, I ’ m guessing Emerson ’ s spelling was just fine and dandy. ’
    Becky considered this for a moment.   ‘ I
mean obviously that ’ s bad. I mean really bad. But at the end of the day there ’ s nothing to suggest
we ’ re
involved, is there? If we were, then surely we ’ d be in the history books and stuff. ’
    Uncle Percy looked unconvinced. ‘ Well, err, time travelling is complicated.
Events can be changed, you know. The Omega Effect doesn ’ t always happen. ’
    ‘ I know, ’ Becky said, ‘ but we might only have
one chance to get this painting. One chance. We have to get it, and then get
out of here double quick - no gangsters, no garages, no hanging around. ’
    ‘ That ’ s right, ’ Joe concurred.
    Uncle Percy eyes met Will ’ s, who nodded to indicate he agreed with Becky.
    Uncle Percy looked defeated. ‘ Very well, I hope you ’ re right. ’ He heaved open the
trap door, to reveal a ladder that led below. ‘ Come on then… ’
    Eagerly, Joe followed Uncle Percy down, trailed by Will, leaving
Becky to bring up the rear, feeling happy she had got her way, but racked with
bitterness that her first Valentine ’ s Day card had come from a murderous psychopath.

Chapter 14