- thank you spygirl for alerting me to the formatting issue. I've reposted part 2 and hopefully the separators will come through this time :) Chapter Five
Godric looked out the window, noting that snow was beginning to fly and that in a few more hours it would be dark outside. With nightfall, he knew the temperatures would drop even more.
He began bundling up in his thick coat, conscious of the fact that he would need to bring in more wood for the fireplace. Never mind that he had had the foresight to install a perfectly good generator and electrical system into the cabin in the months prior to executing what he believed was his one glorified goal in an otherwise pitiful existence on this hunk of rock. Despite an American upbringing, he was still Russian and as such, he knew the joys of a roaring fire and good Vodka to chase away the winter's chilly hold upon a weary body.
As he moved towards the door he looked back at his acquisition and smiled.
"My revenge is glorious, little mouse, is it not?"
SMK – SMK - SMK
Leatherneck slowly voiced his question.
"Which piece was broken?"
"Oh, the Scarecrow. The Scarecrow was the piece them darn kids broke."
At the sound of that, Lee turned quickly to look at the old shopkeeper and for the first time in what seemed like an eternity, Francine heard the once familiar voice of Scarecrow the agent.
"You're sure of that," Lee asked.
The man nodded.
"I remember it seemed to upset her, that it wasn't there. And then the fellow paid for his stuff, grabbed her by the hand and pulled her out of here."
"Do you know where they went?" Francine hurriedly asked.
"I believe he said something about purchasing old man Howard's cabin. Howard moved on up to the DC area about twenty some years ago and finally sold the cabin when he got too old to travel down each year for hunting."
"Mrs. Dinty's brother-in-law," Francine exclaimed. "I wondered why on earth the flyer was in there. Now we know."
"Where is this cabin, my friend?" Leatherneck quickly asked.
"I can draw you a map," the shopkeeper said, already going back to his countertop. The three agents quickly followed him.
Francine caught a glimpse of Scarecrow's determined face and for the first time in many, many long months she saw a glimpse of the man who had buried himself far below the layers of the agent.
Chapter Six
"Yeah, that's right Billy, Howard. And make it fast."
Lee hung the phone up and then looked at his fellow agents.
As much as he wanted to just race to the cabin, he had made a promise to his Section Chief. Hell, it had been more like a variant on the oath that all agents took when they vowed to do justice in the name of national security.
However, a promise to his Section Chief and long time friend was a promise and he had to stick to it, even if it meant waiting longer for the resolution. It wouldn't do them any good to go rushing in until they were positive that the cabin was the location that they needed to be heading to. Although Lee's gut instinct told him to go, he had to hold back, he had to follow the rules.
It wasn't something that Scarecrow was used to doing; action was his strong point. Acting on those instincts made him feel as though he was accomplishing something, anything. Waiting, well that was something that was hard to do, given the circumstances. Scarecrow hated waiting but at this point, the man behind Scarecrow, Lee Stetson, had to admit for all the right reasons that this time inaction was the more plausible scenario.
It was a promise that he had made and by God, he was going to stick to it. Even if it meant waiting longer for resolution. It wasn't going to do them any good to go rushing in until they were positive that the cabin was the location they needed to be heading towards. Although Lee's gut instinct told him to go, he had to hold back, he had promised to follow their orders.
In the meantime, the waiting was hell. It was driving him nuts. Therefore, to compensate the surging impulses roaring through his body, he began to pace the tiny hotel room that they were currently awaiting in.
For now, it seemed pacing and waiting were all that the Scarecrow could do.
SMK – SMK – SMK
Inside the cabin, the fire now burned brighter, the heat from her flames rippling outward and eliminating some of the chill. Music resonated throughout, a recording of Giazatto's Adagio in G minor. As the hauntingly dark, over nine minutes long composition from the recorded orchestra rose and fell Godric Devylrokovskii's fingers rapidly pounded upon the keys of his typewriter.
Like a man on a mission, possessed by whatever demons held control over his soul, he pounded away and the words spilled upon the page with a frantic flurry. Over and over the arrangement played and over and over Gordic tapped away.
And, in the corner, his little mouse sat huddled, her knees drawn up to her chin.
Her dark eyes were void of anything cognizant and yet they looked as haunted as the melody that played out around her.
Chapter Seven
The sky was still dark, the morning light of the sun not yet ready to rise. Beneath the cold inky blackness, inside one of the motel rooms, the occupants had already risen and were more than willing to begin the day despite the absence of the sun. Backup from the Agency had arrived, maps had been strewn out upon the scratched surface of the wooden desk and the plan of attack had been finalized as much as it could be, given the variables.
The Agency Section Chief had arrived, along with several other agents in the late hours of the evening and he now quietly sipped hot coffee as he reviewed everything one final time. The team would not move until he gave the word and he would not give it until he was certain.
Despite the annoying pacing of Scarecrow, William Melrose would not be hurried. If the mission were to be successful then he wanted every advantage to their side. He was not going to consider the alternatives but he was considering every detail and no matter how much pacing Scarecrow did, Melrose was going to take his time.
Finally, satisfied that they had a feasible plan, Billy took one final sip of the bitter brew and then set his mug down.
"All right people, let's get this show on the road," he informed them.
With a precision born from years of being in the business, his team moved into action. It wouldn't take them long to finish loading their gear into the vehicles and then they would be on their way. He knew they were all anxious to get going, it was in their blood. The need for action, the thrill of achieving their goal, the very qualities that made them all good agents and it was these very qualities that assured Melrose that they would meet their objective.
As the last one out of the room, he said a silent prayer as he flipped the light switch out.
He only hoped that they were not too late to make a difference.