Fates Intertwined Chapter 11
The trio quickly made their way back to the Sheriffs Department. Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible to draw very little attention they hastened to the late Sheriff Corbin's office to have a look at his files. Only when they got there they found it to be completely empty. All of his things had been moved out to make way for the new boss while they were out.
"Damn it. They're gone. Corbin's files. They've all been moved. Wait here. I'll find out where they went," said Abbie, going to see if she could get any answers on where Corbin's files had been transported to in light of his tragic recent passing.
Ichabod and Irina were left alone. Abbie foolishly believed that leaving them there would prevent them from drawing any unwelcome attention. She should've known better than that.
There were still so many wonders in this new time that they just had to explore.
Curious about the light fixtures hanging from the ceiling Ichabod reached up to cautiously probe one.
"May I help you?"
While they'd been occupied with this a stranger had taken that time to approach unseen.
In the doorway stood a young man of Mexican descent. He's tall, dark hair, brown eyes, and definitely did not look happy to see them there.
Recovering quickly, shaking his head, Ichabod said "Nope, nope. Just perusing, thank you."
Arms crossed, Luke Morales said "You're Ichabod Crane."
"I am indeed," said Ichabod.
Pointing a finger at Irina, Luke Morales said "And you're Irina Brunt."
Irina nodded in acknowledgement.
"And you are…," said Ichabod, waiting for this stranger to declare his own name to them.
"You were a suspect in Corbin's murder," said Luke Morales, focusing solely on Ichabod and choosing to ignore Irina.
Irina took offense to that along with the underlying suspicion in this strangers comment. Apparently Ichabod did too.
Speaking on both of their behalf's, Irina said "Wrongly accused as it were, and duly released."
Luke Morales eyes trained on her now instead. Irina proudly raised her chin refusing to be cowed under his gaze.
Eyes narrowed, he said "So, what are you still doing here?"
"I'm a history professor. On leave from Oxford," said Ichabod.
That wasn't exactly a lie. Before the American Revolution he did teach at the renowned Oxford University for a time. This way he wasn't completely lying.
Aiming the next words he spoke at Irina, Luke Morales asked "And you?"
"From Oxford, as well," said Irina, hands clasped behind her back. "I'm a student there and Ichabod is a family friend. When I learned he was traveling here I volunteered to accompany him."
"Oxford, huh? You know, I had a cousin who studied at Oxford. What did you teach," asked Luke Morales, digging further into where he didn't belong.
"Treatises of Civil Government. With the focus on the American Revolutionary War," informed Ichabod, a bit testily.
Laughing mockingly, laced with sarcasm, Luke Morales said "That's got to be embarrassing. You know, teaching a course about how we kicked your ass."
Brow quirked in intrigue, Ichabod said "We? I didn't realize you were there?"
"No," said Luke Morales, scowling, "but I was 101st Airborne in Iraq."
Ah, so he was a soldier too. Irina partially relaxed her posture staring at this handsome stranger with more interest than before.
"What war did you fight in, Professor," said Luke Morales, spitting out the title.
"One that I pray is never doomed to repeat itself, sir," said Ichabod, far more respectful.
Hears clicked on the floor announcing the return of Abbie Mills as she rounded the corner.
Spotting her first, Irina greeted "Lieutenant."
Demeanor softening considerably, Luke Morales said "Abbie. Hey."
Awkwardly, Abbie said "Hi, Luke. I see you three have met."
"What are they doing here, Abbie," murmured Luke Morales.
"He's consulting to the sheriff's department on orders from Irving," said Abbie.
Touché to Luke. What she just said confirmed what Ichabod and Irina had been telling him the past few minutes.
Motioning at Ichabod and Irina, Abbie said "We're on the clock. Talk later, let's go."
Abbie led the way down the hall. Ichabod cast a smug smirk at Luke Morales as they took their leave. In the back Irina couldn't help but look coyly over her shoulder one final time at this mysterious Luke. She blushed and quickly threw her gaze back forward when she saw he was still watching them.
Hightailing it out of there Irina quickly caught up to Ichabod and Abbie.
Leaning in close to Abbie, gleefully, Ichabod said "Facial expressions have changed little, if at all, over the centuries. Were you and Luke formerly betrothed?"
"He's me ex. We weren't betrothed. There was no betrothing. And we've got bigger problems. The files were moved to the archives. I need clearance to get in and Irving isn't answering his phone," said Abbie.
"Where's the building," said Irina.
"Across the street, the one with the guard out front," answered Abbie.
Eyes brightening in recollection, Irina said "The armory?"
"We know another way in. To the basement," said Ichabod, taking the lead this time.
Ichabod then brought them to the lower levels of the foundations of the building after Abbie pointed out where the entrance was. They went into the basement that held some of the more older and ancient holding cells for prisoners.
"Your affair did not end well, I take it," guessed Ichabod.
"What's in the basement," asked Abbie, evasive, trying to change the subject of conversation away from her.
"I'll show you," said Ichabod. "What was the impetus of your disbandment?"
"We broke up when I was leaving for the FBI," said Abbie.
Brow raised, perplexed, Irina said "But you didn't leave."
"Nope," said Abbie.
"Then theoretically you could rekindle the relationship," suggested Ichabod.
Annoyed, Abbie said "I will literally pay you to stop talking."
"I would happily accept because we are currently in need of currency, but since you did not hesitate to interrogate me about Katrina, I think I'm entitled to my query," said Ichabod, stopping for a second to check where they were.
They were in the right room.
"I believe I'm entitled to tell you it's my private business," shot back Abbie, glaring.
"Sleepy Hollow is full of secrets," said Irina, hands on hips. "And now we're gonna show you another."
Ichabod went over to the back wall shoving aside a cabinet that stood there. He then went about feeling around the wall thoroughly examining it.
"What is this," said Abbie.
"It's been sealed off," said Ichabod.
"What are you doing," demanded Abbie, exasperated.
Irina got an axe from an emergency fire equipment box and handed it off to Ichabod.
"Won't be a moment," he said. He then stabbed the axe into the wall much to Abbie's shock and dismay.
"Whoa! Whoa, whoa, you can't do that," exclaimed Abbie.
But Ichabod simply continued on with his task until he found what he was looking for. The wall eventually gave way revealing the hidden passageway that lay beyond. The door that stood there was already broken into. All Ichabod had to do at this point was push it open and it did so on creaking hinges. It opened up into the catacombs. A place no one has explored for decades if the cobwebs, roots, and vines were any sort of proper indication.
Ichabod and Irina stepped through the opening with Abbie following with much more hesitance and caution. Abbie switched on a flashlight she carried on her person in order to see better. The other two didn't require one. Irina picked up a lantern that hung off a hook, holding it still so that Ichabod could light it with a match.
"During the war we built a series of subterranean tunnels beneath the city to allow us to transport munitions and supplies in secret. This entrance should connect us directly to the annex," said Ichabod, holding up the lantern to light the way. "Shall we?"
Authors Note:
Do you guys think Irina should have a developing relationship in the works with Luke?