Tom and Erich watched Anna closely, anticipating her questions about what had happened that day. Anna's hands shook as she read over the letter.
Mr. Branson,
Trust that the young man delivering this to you means to help and do what he asks under our instruction. As I am writing this, his lordship is writing a letter requesting ransom for our release. It will be delivered to Anna and should be read by you at once – there will be subsequent letters regarding this ransom request. We have been held captive since our arrival in London. The building is abandoned and located at 689 Glenarm. We are trapped on the first floor - something large blocks the door. Please assure Lady Grantham and Anna we are both well. They, and Lady Mary are in danger - please insure their safety. Without time for details, you need to know our captor is a very much alive Vera Bates. Her plan is elaborate but we are confident our escape can succeed with the help of our inside ally bringing you this letter, and your cooperation with his instructions. Give Anna my love and assure her I will see her very soon.
John Bates on behalf of Lord Grantham
Anna held back tears as she read John's words. If only she could assure John of her love for him. Anna didn't contemplate very long after reading the letter before asking, "How can this be? How can this be Vera's doing?"
Tom was the first to respond, "Its unbelievable isn't it?"
"The boy you killed? Was he their ally?"
Tom continued looking at Anna, his faced warped with fear, "It was; he was carrying this letter."
"But why did you kill him?"
"We were following him. It all happened so quickly. We struggled to gain control of a knife he charged at me with and he fell on it… and died soon after. We discovered this letter on him."
"Did he say anything?"
"...Nothing helpful."
"So you don't know what the instructions are from Mr. Bates?" Anna almost sounded hysterical.
"I'm sorry Anna, we don't." Tom reached for Anna's hand but she quickly pulled it away - from the hands that killed her husband's ally- and covered her mouth in despair considering all he had said.
Attempting to comfort Anna, Erich intervened the conversation. "We might not know their plan, but we have confirmation of where they are."
"But what about the other letter? Why did we receive that if they plan to escape?"
Tom speculated that he knew why, "I believe they are making it appear as though they are requesting money to appease Mrs...uh, Vera. But his lordship's request clearly states the money should come from Mathew's shares."
"So what does that mean?"
"I think it is his way of saying not to prepare ransom. We invested Mathew's shares after his death. Mathew's money is tied up long-term, there is no longer an account to withdraw money from."
Anna pondered for a few moments before asking, "what did you do with the boy's body?"
Tom looked at Erich, "we hid it." Erich responded coldly.
"You hid it?"
Tom spoke up, "we had to run. Another group of boys were coming."
"So what do we do next?"
"You...do nothing. You heard your husband's warning, you're in danger, and we mean to keep you safe. In fact, I think you should return to Downton Abbey." Erich spoke very sternly.
"I will do no such thing Mr. Adler. I've never backed down from Vera, and after all she's done to ruin John's life, I will not leave now that I know for certain where he is."
Erich smiled at her. "Well, I didn't think you'd go soft on us now anyway, but I had to try for a harsh warning nonetheless."
Anna gave them a determined look. "We need to devise a plan, and we need to do it now. I'll not risk my husband's life any further to this crazy woman."
"I've already enlisted for help. There are several colleagues on their way to meet me here. We'll devise a plan and take action tonight."
"Why have we not involved the authorities now that we know where they are?"
"Lady Mary and Lady Grantham have asked us to do whatever is necessary. We have more freedom to act on our own than under the authority of Scotland Yard. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"I do. I just want my husband back safely. I don't care how, just do it."
Anna curled her legs up and purred softly as she stretched her arms in the air. A warm hand wrapping itself around her, John pulled her quickly back against his body and Anna giggled joyfully. He ravished her neck with his mouth and pushed her long hair up and over the top of her pillow. Then positioning himself above her, he began to laugh.
"What is so funny Mr. Bates?"
"You should see your hair."
" I thought you loved my hair messy."
"Messy, yes. But right now it looks more like a bird's nest atop your head."
Anna giggled. "Well then...I will braid it tightly before bed every night for the rest of our lives."
No longer laughing, he played serious for affect. "You'll do no such thing."
"Oh really? And who's going to stop me?"
"I'll torture you, right here, just where you like it." And he lowered himself to her stomach to tickle her with his scruffy morning chin.
Anna squirmed beneath him and laughed until she could barely breath, "okay! okay! I won't do it!"
John stopped the torture and looked her in the eyes teasingly, "You won't do what?"
She gave him a delicious grin and rolled over saying, "I won't listen to a word you say!"
"Oh. You are naughty when you want to be aren't you?" and with that John began tickling her sides with his fingers and torturing the back of her neck with his chin.
"Stop! Stop! I promise! I promise! Anna was laughing hysterically.
John stopped and flipped her back over to look at him. "You promise what?"
"You're relentless Mr. Bates!"
"Tell me what you promise."
"I promise NOT to braid my hair before bed every night for the rest of our lives." She lay there so beautiful, so innocent and comfortable with him. Her hands softly above her head, John leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose playfully. "Tell me what YOU promise John."
He smiled. "I promise to make love to you everyday for the rest of our lives."
"That's quite a promise Bates", Lord Grantham chimed in. John looked over his shoulder to find Robert standing in their room.
"John! Where are you?" Anna was frantically yelling for him. John could no longer see her. He sat up in the bed and raised his palms to his eyes.
"Bates!... Bates! "Lord Grantham frantically yelled for him.
Anna was gone; John was leaning up against the wall on a hard wood floor. "Bates! Come on man..."
John opened his eyes, the room was dark but he could make out Robert on the other side of the room yelling for him. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, the warmth of the dream fading fast, reality setting in with a startling chill.
"Milord? What is it?"
"Bates, something is happening, I hear Vera yelling orders to the boys."
They had hoped for confirmation from the boy they enlisted for help, but he had yet to return. They continued to hear yelling on the other side of their door. Soon after, Vera was in the room towing four gun holding boys and barking orders, "Plans have changed. We're moving you at once."
Before Robert or John could say a word the boys handcuffed them and covered their heads with black hoods. They roughly prompted them to stand and lead them from the room, out of the building while others kept watch, and into a car. They were forced into the back, and under the dark cover of night, no one would notice them as they sped away.