Chapter Ten

Battles and Bravery

Between the six of them, four were decent fishers, but only three of them had the patience to sit around and wait for the fish to bite. Kate, however, being Kate, figured a way to multitask. She both explored and fished (skimming the bait expertly of the water, like a foolish fly), while explaining to a panting Reynie and Sticky (both of whom were trying to stay in league with her jaunty gait) the precise science of fishing.

Not wanting to "waste" any bait, Kate began by talking the boys through the steps (though both were pretty sure they grasped the concept of baiting and casting by now, either by common sense or previous study). She had caught three fat fish by the time she let Reynie and Sticky lay hands on their rods (which were stored in a shack to the left of the pond).

Mark strode over, his five fish stacked neatly in a bucket, "Can I help? I've never taught anyone to fish before."

"Sure," Kate said, "It's your pond, I think you have the right."

"Would you rather split or teach together?" Mark asked.

Color radiated up Kate's neck to gently touch her cheeks, "There's no need to separate," she said hastily. "U-unless you think it'll be more effective that way."

"Nah, it'll be fun," Mark said. He fiddled with the hook at the end of his line, twisting colorful bait onto it. He proceeded to show them how throw a proper cast. Reynie caught on immediately, but Sticky had more trouble, the sharp point of the hook making him nervous and unfortunately causing his palms to sweat, which made his fishing pole slippery. It was spiraling circle of cause and effect.

Mark- infinitely more patient than Kate- helped Sticky untangle his pole from the brush behind him and attempted to bring the color down from Sticky's face.

Kate watched Reynie cast, scrutinizing his every move. He felt her eyes on his form, locking in on his stance, wrist, fingers. He swallowed hard, brought the pole back, and sent the line sailing. The hook slapped the water.

"Reynie, how many times have I told you? Gently, gently," she reminded him, shaking her head.

He half-smiled, sheepish, "I can't help it. You're making me nervous."

Kate rolled her eyes. "Here, your problem is in the wrist," she came up behind him and slid her fingers around his wrist. "Good grief, Reynie, relax," she said and Reynie let his muscles down from their stiffened position. "Now, cast with me." Her fingers encircled his shoulder, placing gentle pressure there. Her voice was a low murmur at his ear, "One…two… three," she said and the line flailed out over the twin blues, a thin dividing line between pond and sky. "Good!" Kate praised, clapping Reynie on the back.

He laughed, surprised, "I- I did it."

"You're a natural," Kate said encouragingly. "Just loosen up a bit and have fun."

Kate had hardly taken two steps before Reynie's bobber sank, tugging the line mightily after it. Reynie dug his heals in the bank, pulling back with all his strength. His hands fumbled to reel in his catch, steadily, just as Kate had taught him. Everyone on the bank began to cheer heartily and his instructor smiled proudly.

Until the fish came into view. It was black, stiff, and square. A handle protruded from, not a fish, but a briefcase.

~::~

"You know," said a menacing voice, carried by a hefty body exiting the woods, "I've told him to be more cautious, but at this point I'm afraid there's no hope for him."

Milligan drew his dart gun out of nowhere, "Children, get behind me, now," he said calmly.

Reynie helped Sticky up (he had fallen in surprise and dismay) and Kate grabbed his wrist, jolting both he and Sticky forward (and very nearly pulling his arm out of his socket). She flipped her bucket open.

Reynie peered over Milligan's shoulder, watching McCracken advance. The Ten Men was in a state of ruin. His cheeks and neck were bleeding, his suit in tatters, tree parts clinging to his hair and clothing. Most of one pant leg was missing, a large purple bruise covering the entire front of his ankle. But gripped in his hand, fully in tact, was the dreaded briefcase.

So there were at least two, another one, weaponless (except for evil intention) roaming the land unless…. Reynie's stomach dropped. Had the other (Crawlings, he guessed) drowned? He pushed the thought away, but his gut churned.

"Joe," Milligan muttered over his shoulder, not taking his eyes off McCracken, "Go with Mark and run. Warn the others. He's after us, not you. Take Sticky if you can, I think he may faint."

With his brawny sailor arms, Cannonball heaved a hyperventilating Sticky onto his shoulder and took off running, but Mark stayed determinedly behind, saying, "If I can, sir, I'd like to help."

Milligan sighed heavily, "I thought as much. For now, stay behind me. I don't think it's safe for you all to run quite yet."

"And I won't run, Milligan," Kate steamed. "You need me."

Milligan nodded once, knowing now, not only that he would loose this battle with Kate, but also that he couldn't win the one against McCracken without her.

McCracken stumbled forward, smiling like a lunatic. He swung his briefcase, slamming it into a tree. Milligan raised his gun, closing one eye slowly as he took aim. McCracken stumbled on, not taking cover or even seeming to see Milligan. Reynie supposed he was blinded by revenge.

Or perhaps… more than revenge.

Reynie watched the man carefully: his eyes roamed lazily over the scene, never really resting on them or anything at all, for that matter. It was like he was searching for something. McCracken wandered closer, only a few steps from the gun's range. Eyes drifting down to the bruised leg, Reynie's mind buzzed, taking in the black-blue splotch again…

"Milligan don't shoot," Reynie murmured.

Kate made a sound of disbelief, "What are you talking about?" She hissed vehemently. "He's walked right into range- what are you-"

"That's just it," Reynie said, stepping confidently out from behind the Milligan shield. McCracken's eyes locked on his. Milligan, who had not expected Reynie to do such a foolish thing, tried to reach for him, but too late.

Mustering a weak smile, Reynie waved at McCracken, "Good morning," he called loudly.

McCracken's brows furrow, but he lifted his free hand in greeting. Reynie edged forward, only hardly daring to breathe. The Ten Man stopped walking, watching Reynie curiously.

"That looks heavy," Reynie said evenly, gesturing toward the briefcase. "You've walked a long way. May I carry it for you?" He put out a hand and stepped forward. McCracken at first recoiled, pressing the briefcase against his chest with both hands. "I'll give it back as soon as you ask for it, honest."

Apparently realizing his exhaustion, McCracken let his frame sigh to a stoop, hands lax on the handle. Reynie pressed forward and McCracken put out his hands, depositing the briefcase in Reynie's reaching arms, like a child giving up a toy before bed.

"Thank you," Reynie said. "Now, let's say we get you somewhere to rest a while?"

McCracken nodded, letting Reynie support him (or at least try) on his injured side, one hand guiding the big man, the other wrapped around the deadly briefcase. Reynie turned to see the others gaping at him as he led the confused McCracken around the pond, crooning to him like he would a child.

Milligan opened his mouth, and then closed it again, shaking his head. Kate finally asked the question for her father, "What, in the name of hullabaloo, just happened?"

Reynie made a gentle shushing sound before murmuring, "Neurotoxin." He handed an astounded Mark the briefcase, saying quietly, "Don't open that."

Milligan's eyes cleared, understanding flooding in to replace the confusion and amazement, "A strong one."

Kate shook her head, tried to form words, and finally just said, "What?"

"Snake bite," Reynie clarified, carefully smiling at McCracken, who was holding his head in pain and slight bemusement. He addressed the huge man now, his hand still steadying his great arm, "Let's get you somewhere comfy to lie down, okay?"

"A rattlesnake bite," Mark said, understanding. "But… how on earth did you know?"

"His ankle," said Reynie, retaining a pleasant expression. "And the way he was stumbling around. Very unlike him… But, Milligan, we have to get to the house. There will be others. I think it's likely he was posted here just in case we tried to escape and got bitten hidden in the brush."

"Where is Spenser, do you know?" McCracken asked of Milligan. "I can't seem to find him anywhere."

Milligan blinked, "I, uh…" he stared at his enemy and finally decided on a welcoming, amused smile that lit his blue eyes, "You know, I think I saw up at the house."

"My head hurts something awful," he said, hand pressed against his forehead. "And my leg."

"I know it does," Milligan said quietly. Reynie had heard him use the same tone of voice when he spoke to Sticky, Constance or himself when they were hurt. Kate didn't complain or get hurt very often. At least, not without good reason and even then she didn't accept meaningless words of comfort very well. "And I'll fix you up just as soon as I can. Just come with me." He traded places with Reynie, firmly taking hold of McCracken's pinstriped suit sleeve.

"I like your bucket, little girl," McCracken said, stepping toward Kate. Milligan steered him away, still wary of the man that had caused them (his daughter in particular) so much pain. Over his shoulder, he grinned and said, "Red's my favorite color. Roses are red, you know. And fire." Milligan agreed enthusiastically, pulling him up the bank toward the house.

Kate put her hands on her hips, no doubt indignant of the use of "little girl" even from a delusional Ten Man. "Remind me to repaint my bucket blue," Kate seethed.

Reynie was going to laugh and remind Kate that McCracken wasn't in his right mind, thus she might take his unintentional insult as a compliment (as he most likely meant it as such), but a something small caught and stuck in his mind's filter. Small, yes, but important….very important. He grabbed Kate's arm, yanking her to a stop, eyes wide, "Constance."

~::~

Reynie didn't hear Milligan's calls. Surely he'd already remembered her, but didn't want one of the children to take off recklessly on a lone rescue mission just as Reynie did now. As if from a cannon, Kate shot after him, Mark close at her heals. Milligan was left behind them with the potentially dangerous McCracken, who was waving fondly after the children.

Reynie had never run so fast in his life. He sprinted up hill, keeping in stride with Kate, Mark just behind them. It couldn't have been more than an hour since they left. But that was plenty of time for the Ten Men to retrieve what they wanted… Reynie thought he might loose his breakfast to the spinning earth before him.

"Constance!" he called in a strangled voice. No answer. They burst into the barnyard. The world was eerily quiet, distant animal sounds brushing the misty air. "Constance!" Reynie called again, this time a lament.

Kate, who had rushed into the barn, came out white-faced, slowly shaking her head. The house door opened slowly and Mark reappeared, very much in the same state, but he clutched a note in his hand.

Rushing forward, Kate ripped the paper from his hands and read it through, a sad expression on her face, "Number Two, Rhonda, Moocho, and Violate went to the farmer's market, Reynie. They weren't even here when… she was all alone. They thought she was with us," Kate put a hand to her head like she was dizzy. "This is my fault."

Reynie roughly grabbed her wrists. Her eyes snapped up to meet his, surprised. "Don't you dare blame yourself." Kate swallowed, lost in Reynie's expression, but made herself nod. He'd never looked at her like that before. "Good. Now, we have to find Sticky and Cannonb-"

Right on cue, Joe Shooter staggered around the side of the barn. "They took her," he gasped. Mark's breath caught audibly in his throat. "And Sticky." Cannonball pressed against his side in pain, his clothing stained dark.

"Sticky?" Asked Reynie, shocked. He had felt certain the Ten Men would only take Constance, not wanting to deal with the extra weight. "Why would they-?"

Cannonball's eyes were full of tears and pride, "He wouldn't let go of her. They aren't far, but they have a helicopter- I saw it landing. Where's Milligan?"

"Wouldn't let go?" Reynie repeated. His heart jumped into his throat. What courage it must have taken for Sticky to accomplish such a thing… he couldn't imagine.

"Oh Sticky…" Kate whispered, coming to the same conclusion.

"I'll go back for Milligan," Mark offered and took off running, leaving the briefcase behind in the dirt. Reynie suspected he left to give he and Kate a moment to process what happened.

"Which way did they go?" Kate asked, her voice shrill. The lioness was coming through again, Reynie saw, as she clenched her jaw and fists rapidly, staring daggers into Cannonball.

"They were up by the trees- overlooking that orphanage. The helicopter was waiting for them near some odd little dome-like building. Sticky and I must have arrived only a minute after—he was the one that noticed the footprints- the land is soft here- and we ran after them… I had no idea that he would… that he could fight like that."

Reynie, who was concerned for Cannonball, made him sit down not wanting him to pass out from blood loss. "I wonder why she didn't try to "talk" to me," Reynie said, tapping his head. Kate's brow furrowed.

"She was unconscious," Cannonball explained, his eyes growing drowsy. Kate produced a rag from her bucket and pressed it against Cannonball's side. "They probably put her out while she was still sleeping."

The horrific image of those dreaded watches dominated Reynie's thoughts. He imagined Sticky, surely brutally wounded, crouched over her still body, the helicopter blade circling overhead. He couldn't think coherently and sat down, hard, on the grass.

"Oh, Reynie not you too," Kate sighed, waving her hands to give him air. "We need sane people right now, not— Oh for crying out loud."

Right then, McCracken appeared, Milligan and Mark on either side. His happy slurs were long gone and he was doubled over in pain, cursing, "Let go of me. Where's Spenser? I know you have him." McCracken twisted, sending Mark sprawling. Milligan, however, managed to keep a good grip.

Kate helped Mark up, offering him too a rag (for his nose had unfortunately collided with McCracken's elbow). Reynie assisted Milligan escort the Ten Men (who was now attempting to fight) inside. One they got him in a chair, Milligan barred his arm over the big man's shoulders, pinning him to the chair and tugged the handkerchief from McCracken's pocket and pressed it against his threatening mouth. They all sighed when his muscles finally slacked.

"He's going to die if we don't get him medicine," Milligan said bluntly. "It may already be too late."

Reynie watched Kate recoil, her eyes narrowing, her face burning with rage. She held her tongue though and went back out to help Cannonball while Mark looked for medicine. Reynie followed, stopping her in the hallway. They retreated to a private corner and Reynie took her hand earnestly, "I know. I know it's hard. But we can't let him die."

"Why?" she seethed. "He would let us die and you know it." Her eyes were blazing, "Why should we help him, Reynie? He deserves to-"

"No. Don't say that," Reynie said firmly. Kate flinched back from his stern expression. Apparently he was better at reprimanding her than Milligan. "No one deserves to die like that, Kate, especially when there are good people available to help. Listen," he said, this time more gently. "If not for his sake, for mine, for yours—could you live with his blood on your hands? I know he wouldn't save us- any of us- but isn't that the very thing that makes us different?" He didn't wait for her to reply, but turned away, not wanting to look into her eyes another moment.

Outside, Cannonball had managed a sitting position. Reynie knelt by him, taking in his white face, "You need rest and a doctor. What was it?" An eerie calm had taken Reynie over. His only thought, his soul purpose, was to rescue his friends. There wasn't room for fear.

"Clip board," he wheezed.

"Let me see it," Reynie said, removing the cloth. He helped the young sailor unbutton his shirt, revealing a series of cuts, the largest- and most dangerous- at his side. "We have to clean it so it doesn't get infected. Milligan will call the doctor. Do you think you can walk if I help you?"

Cannonball nodded, watching the boy in no small amazement. Reynie pulled him up and let him lean against his shoulder. Mark, recovered from his nosebleed (it didn't appear to be broken) helped Reynie situate Cannonball inside.

Milligan was on one knee, cutting away McCracken's pant leg. He didn't look up when Reynie came to his side, "I called the police and few special operatives- they're on their way with an ambulance." Pulling away the fabric, Milligan began to clean the puncture wounds with an ointment.

"What's that?" Reynie asked.

"Something of Mr. Cole's creation," he said, carefully binding the wound in white cloth.

"Saved my life last year," Mark said from the corner, also consumed in his work. He wound similar gauze around Cannonball's mid section. He tugged the shirt back down around the sailor and smiled, "My dad is something of a genius when it comes to medicine. I didn't even have to go to the doctor."

Milligan stood and beckoned for Kate. He pressed her into his arms for a moment, closing his eyes. Reynie suddenly realized what Milligan must have gone through. He had just saved the life of his daughter's kidnapper and attempted assassin, as well as his own. Kate's hands clung around her father's back and they simply stood for a moment, quietly. Reynie and Mark turned and pretended to assist Cannonball.

Finally, Milligan stepped away from his daughter, keeping his hand on her shoulders. She was too tall now, for him to kneel when he spoke, but he leaned his head down against hers and murmured, "I am so proud of you, Katy. And I know that sometimes… the worst battles take place in our heads," he kissed her forehead, "and our hearts."

Kate nodded stiffly, "Sometimes… I can't believe my thoughts are even mine. We're not… I'm not the one who should be thinking… the way I do."

"It doesn't matter what you think- it only matters what thoughts you act on," Milligan reassured her. "And today you were a hero."

Kate laughed breathily, "Today isn't over."

Milligan agreed, stepping back, "No, it isn't. Now, would you mind getting that briefcase for me, Katie-Cat?"

She dashed out of the room and Milligan smiled fondly after her. She was back in under a minute with, not only McCracken's briefcase, but also the one Reynie had caught.

Milligan went to work as the sirens bellowed over the farm. He formed super-strength handcuffs from paper-clip chains for each of McCracken's hulking wrists and replaced the handkerchief with a spare he found in a zipper pouch. Cocking his ear, he listened, eyes calculating, "They'll be here in, oh, a minute- minute and a half. We need to go or we'll be too long detained." He turned to Mark, "Can I ask something of you?" He said, his hand heavily on the boys shoulder.

He nodded, blue eyes hard, "Yes sir."

"Someone needs to stay here- watch over McCracken. I know he seemed harmless today… but you've heard the stories. If he stirs- even a little or you only think he might have moved, press this cloth over his mouth and nose and let him breathe several deep breaths. Warn the police and EMTs of his condition and strength and let them know who he is," he said evenly. "If the police ask, tell them that I said we went east, alright?"

"Yes sir," Mark repeated, this time with less gusto. Reynie felt sure that he had hoped to be asked to assist them in the rescue of their friends.

"Your father will be here any moment, now that he's heard the sirens. Tell him what I have told you," Milligan said. "Do you understand?"

In answer, Mark paced to the window, stationing himself there, "Go," he said confidently.

Milligan beckoned to Kate and Reynie, tipping his hat to first Mark and then Cannonball saying, "Hang in there, Joe."

The sailor winked back, but couldn't find the strength to reply. Milligan ushered Kate and Reynie out the door and they broke into a run. "I'm afraid we can't take the car," he sighed after a time, hardly fazed by their rapid pace. "They'll be on the look out for any vehicles. It's not that I don't trust the police," Milligan clarified, turning to look at Kate and Reynie (one of which was nodding along with what he said, the other panting and trying to look conscious and doing his best not to gasp for breath). "But I want you to understand that at least one among them is a spy for Mr. Curtain."

"What makes you say that?" Kate asked when Reynie couldn't manage. When she raised her eyebrows at him, he nodded, communicating that she had asked the correct question. Kate beamed.

Milligan sighed, "I directly ordered that that plane be apprehended. Apparently the mission was unsuccessful and no one told me that it failed. That's more than a misunderstanding."

Kate nodded knowingly and Reynie tried not to pant too loudly. They were at a brisk jog (a sprint for Reynie), but he didn't want them to turn back for his sake, even though his legs were burning. He tried to nod with Kate but found that it made him dizzy. Instead, he chose to look as agreeable as he could, which most of his effort. He squinted his eyes against the morning sun. Had so much occurred so fast? He sheltered his eyes, but realized that having his hand lifted impaired his breathing.

Reynie suddenly stopped, the sudden action jarring his being. They were running toward the sun. Meeting Milligan's concerned gaze, he wheezed, "We're headed west."

Milligan shifted uncomfortably, "Yes."

"But you told Mark we were going east," Reynie said. He heard Kate inhale sharply.

"I told him to tell the police that I said we were going east. I hate to lie, you know I do." It was true- Milligan was perhaps the most honest person Reynie knew. "But, unfortunately, it was necessary. And," he half-smiled, "it wasn't exactly a lie. We will head east eventually. But for now, we really do need to move. It's only a little further, Reynie. Do you need us to slow down?"

"No," Reynie said, almost defensively. "No, thank you. I can manage."

They pushed on again at the same rapid pace (though Reynie felt sure it was faster.), Milligan in the lead, Reynie behind him, and Kate, hand hovering over her bucket, ready for action, taking up the rear. Reynie soon learned that a "little further" for Milligan meant several miles with thirty second breaks every half mile or so. These, Reynie knew, were for his benefit only. Milligan never broke a sweat and Kate went so far as to run in place when they stopped.

The sun was directly overhead by the time the group finally slowed to a walk. Milligan led them past a stream, where Kate got down on her knees to drink, but Reynie put a hand on her shoulder and shook his head, "You shouldn't."

Kate gave him a questioning look, "Why?"

Reynie and Milligan exchanged looks, not wanting to scare Kate. Milligan sighed, kneeling down to match his daughter's position. "Remember, Katie-Cat, the fish Reynie caught this morning?"

Kate nodded, confused, "The briefcase…" her eyes widened with understanding and her face grew pale. "If the Ten Man drowned, then—"

"The water may be poisoned," Milligan said, cutting her off. "This stream is downhill from the pond and water moves quickly. We must be cautious." He drew a canteen from thin air (quite a natural thing to for Milligan) and bade them drink, not taking any water himself. Reynie constrained himself to small sips even though he wanted to down the whole thing and pour the rest down his shirt.

From there, they began to hike, making a tight triangle, Milligan at its point, the children walking side by side. Reynie thought of his friends, of tiny Constance in the hands of the Ten Men, reckless Sticky with her. He tried to reach the small girl's thoughts, but all her found was silence.