1.2. Where's The Jewel Box?

The unyielding sun drove a layer of sweat from Frank's skin that glued his shirt to his body. Walking home, he felt the familiar call of a morbid temptation, teasing him to cross under the Roman Arch and step over to the forbidden side. But today, he eschewed it. His pace was tight in the heat as he headed home through the town's center - the straight way. Frank knew the Arch would lure him back soon enough, for beyond it lay a macabre mélange of memories and fascination.

Autumnfield's streets were nearly deserted, even in the town's centre. They were a somewhat ghostly sight under the hot sun, yet one to be expected on a midsummer afternoon: the few people that weren't at work or on vacation were in the park, strolling about or lying in the shades under the trees. In fact, Frank observed quite a lot of them as he treaded the park's neat paths.

Still, nobody seemed to notice the three boys who had cornered a girl in front of the center stone fountain. She was trapped with her back to the wall between the curved stairs at the left and right, and the boys were standing in front of her threateningly.
As he approached them, Frank could hear their voices.

"We don't care what Tango said", one of them was telling her. "Where is the damn jewel box, bitch?" His tone suggested he wasn't asking that question for the first time. Yes... Frank knew the girl. Her name was Mélanie. Then, he recognized the blokes.

"Well well well", he said, now climbing the stairs next to them and jumping down so he stood beside Mélanie. "It's Conrad Equal Chances, Jimmy The Gentleman and Danny Fair Fight. What a surprise."
"Get out of our sight, Clearwater", Conrad retorted, pointing his finger at Frank. "This is none of your business."
"Oh but I think evening the odds should be anybody's business."
"There are no odds to even. We're just having a little talk."
"Yes, I overheard. About the jewel case, no less. Isn't that interesting." Frank took a step forward, reassured by the glances that were now directed at them from people passing by. He was younger than them, yet taller and strongly built from years of exercise and sports. They stepped back.
"How the hell do you..."
Calmly, Frank produced his PDA and brought up a name on the video phone: Tango. "You see, lads. This is not about me knowing. This is about Tango knowing... What you're doing behind his back." He held up the device, his finger ready to make the call. "I'm sure he'd love to know who you're seeing."

There was a short pause as the boys pondered what to do. "Tango hears about this, and we'll knock you out", Danny threatened. "Sure you will", Frank answered.
They stared at him menacingly, then Danny said: "Let's go." And they wandered off.

"Thanks Frank", Mélanie said from behind. Frank turned around and looked at her. Her make-up was fierce as he knew it; it lined her strong, beautiful features. Though she had acknowledged being outnumbered and overpowered, Frank could tell the boys had not intimidated her. She was a tough one.

"Go home, Mélanie", he said.