Having finished speaking to Rheneas for the time being, Rusty wondered why Skarloey had lost his temper- again. And at Peter Sam and Sir Handel, no less.
So, the little diesel trundled away, about to meet up with Owen to resume work, when he overheard Peter Sam and Sir Handel talking.
"I can't believe Skarloey's so peeved off about it!" Groaned Sir Handel. "It was ages ago!"
"We shouldn't have done it, Sir Handel." Peter Sam remined him, suddenly feeling unusually glum.
"Can't you keep your mouth shut, Stuart?" asked Sir Handel, sarcastically.
"That's enough, Sir Handel," sighed Rusty, wearily, startling the two ex- MSR engines before Peter Sam could defend himself from his brother's slander. "We've got quite enough on our plates without the possibility of descending into a civil war. Why was Skarloey so angry with you two anyway?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"And what else could be on our plates?" asked the little blue engine mercurially, glaring at Rusty.
"Aside from Luke and the fact we're now squabbling with each other every other day, we've got you two committing some unknown misdemeanor, and something's up with Duncan." Rusty replied steely, unwilling to fall out with Sir Handel. How on Earth he survived as a diplomat for so long he had no idea.
"Something's always up with Duncan!" Sir Handel grouched.
"Alright, we might as well come clean," decided Peter Sam quickly, feeling both ashamed and willing to stop Sir Handel from grumbling about Duncan. "We… snuck out to the old MSR line. The part not owned by the Arlesdale Railway." He added hastily.
"…ok…"
"We took Luke with us," added Sir Handel.
Rusty's jaw dropped in shock.
"… and we got shot at. By someone carrying a gun." Finished Peter Sam, biting his lip as he regarded the little diesel nervously.
"I hope Duke knows what silly engines you are!" Scolded Rusty, furious with his two friends for their recklessness and stupidity. "Why ever would you two make such an irresponsible decision?"
"To be fair," Conceded Sir Handel, guiltily, "Peter Sam did try to stop me that night. Didn't work."
"I'll say," grumbled Rusty, feeling annoyance, anger and concern all stewing and bubbling in his radiator. "Did anyone get hurt?" he asked, through gritted teeth.
"No," said Sir Handel, indignantly. "But it did come pretty close to striking my face."
"Well, thank Proteus it didn't," Conceded Rusty in relief, allowing some of his anger to melt away, and he took a deep breath to calm himself. "But what drove you two to take Luke with you?"
No answer. So, he tried a different tack.
"So how did Skarloey find out?" Asked Rusty curiously.
"That was my fault," Admitted Peter Sam, having the grace to at least look sheepish. "I brought it up to Sir Handel… and Skarloey was right beside us. We were interrogated, and he got cross."
"'Cross' being the biggest understatement in the history of the universe," Objected his older brother.
"He'll cool off," Observed the little diesel, wryly. "He always does eventually. But try not to get into any trouble again, you two. Last thing we need is for Duke to get tangled up in this."
"You're asking a hefty demand," teased Sir Handel, and he and Peter Sam chuckled mischievously. But on seeing the serious look on their friend's face, they relented.
"Alright, we'll try," Promised Sir Handel, gravely.
"Thank you," Sighed Rusty, relieved to have achieved something this morning. "I know this isn't easy; but please, we need to press on together. If we fall apart now, the chances of Luke being found are much higher."
The two engines agreed and apologized to Rusty for putting him through their situation. Rusty accepted their apology, on the concession they didn't do something so thoughtless again.
"So, do you know what's up with Duncan?" Asked Peter Sam, changing the subject.
But Rusty didn't know, and he told Peter Sam so. He added his concerns about Duncan's moods; as mercurial as the Scottish engine could be, he was very rarely down in the dumps; which meant something was up. Mr. Bailey and Duncan's driver also noted that the little yellow engine seemed almost… lethargic, somehow, as though something had sucked out his energy and soul, leaving an empty shell behind.
Rusty hated that comparison, as it reminded him too much of what Luke was slowly and inevitably becoming, deep in the bowels of sin and shame. But he knew they were right. Duncan, like Luke, was depressed; but to a different degree, and probably for a different reason.
Except Rusty had no idea what it was; and he was worried for his best friend.
He set off again, still pondering, leaving Sir Handel and Peter Sam to resume their duties; before Skarloey found another reason to be cross with them.
