As they neared the treehouse just as the sun completely faded from the sky, Marguerite reflected back on the conversation thus far. Hannah had done most of the talking and nothing of any importance had been revealed. She was surprised Malone had not asked many questions about how they got on the plateau or their past with her. Thank God for small wonders! She smirked as she remembered how many times Hannah had assured Malone that Douglas was her brother not her husband. I guess that's the way they're playing it this time. I better not tip my hand until I figure out what exactly they have planned.
"Marguerite, you are the most selfish and thoughtless person I've ever—! You've been gone all day! We might have all been hurt going out to look for you," Roxton said by way of greeting. Looking her over, obviously (to anyone other than Marguerite) checking her for injuries. Seeing none, he immediately relaxed.
Malone almost laughed as he thought, Translation: Marguerite, I love you and I was worried sick the whole time you were gone with that wimp Malone! But he only said, "You had a right to be worried Roxton, she took us to the raptor breeding grounds."
A look of concern crossed his face but it was swiftly chased away as anger clouded his face and he turned to start in on Marguerite again when he realized they weren't alone. Quickly he analyzed their guests and took an instant dislike to both. Perhaps it was because of the drawn, sheltered look on Marguerite's face or the way the woman had draped herself all over the Malone. Whatever the reason, he viewed them with a suspicious eye.
Marguerite had yet to say a word as they all piled into the elevator and ascended towards the treehouse. She was too busy thinking of the deep pit she had suddenly found herself in. Not to mention how she could get out of it without revealing too much and still keeping everyone safe. Although she would never admit it, she had grown fond of all her friends and didn't want anything to happen to them.
"What a marvelous place Mr. Malone! I bet you built it all by yourself," Hannah prattled on as they made their way up.
"Actually Veronica's parents were the ones who constructed the treehouse and Challenger has made some improvements for safety reasons," Malone answered matter-of-factly.
Hannah noticed the change in his expression when he spoke the woman's name. So the pup has a girlfriend, she thought. Oh this is simply too delicious! Too bad this is a business trip or I might try to become friendly with Marguerite's rugged Lord Roxton. She sighed as she cast an appreciative glance over Roxton's body.
Marguerite caught the look and almost laughed out loud. Poor Hannah can't decide which man to sink her teeth into first. Out of spite towards her former employers and a genuine need for some reassurance, she reached out and warmly squeezed Roxton's hand. He looked down at her, startled at her unexpected display of affection, and gave her a crooked smile that made her regret grabbing his hand. I'll never be able to think of a way out of this if he keeps looking at me like that!
They were greeted at the elevator by the rest of the group, who expressed their concern over the long absence of their friends. Veronica looked suspiciously at the young woman clinging to Malone's arm and then shifted her eyes to the dark-haired man standing in the shadows. Try as she might, she couldn't keep her eyes from being drawn back to Ned and the beautiful woman.
"Ned, who have you brought to visit?" It was Summerlee who had finally voiced the question on everyone's mind.
"There will be time for introductions later, you two come with me," Marguerite demanded as she turned towards her room, not even waiting to see if they would follow her . . . she knew they would.
"If you will excuse us, we know better than to keep Marguerite waiting," Douglas said, prying Hannah off Malone and making their way behind Marguerite.
The group watched the unusual parade back to their friend's room and didn't tear their eyes away until the door was shut behind Douglas. Then their eyes turned to Malone. Roxton cocked his eyebrow questioningly at his young friend but Malone was too busy smiling at an obviously fuming Veronica to notice.
Slowly it dawned on Malone that everyone was waiting for an explanation and he said, "Don't look at me. They're Marguerite's friends."
"Really? You looked like you were pretty good friends with the woman," Veronica said with the slightest twinge of jealousy in her voice. Had Malone not been so preoccupied, he would have been encouraged by her tone.
"I got the feeling she really doesn't like them very much. She wanted to leave them in the cave. I figured no matter who they are they don't deserve to be devoured by raptors and I invited them back to stay with us."
"That's Marguerite for you," Veronica said, although this time she didn't think she would have cared if Marguerite had left the visitors in the cave. She immediately regretted her thoughts and turned her attention back to conversation.
"How did they get on the plateau?" Roxton asked, his eyes never leaving the closed door. Malone knew he was listening for any signs of trouble in case he needed to kick it in.
"I don't know. Any time I asked a question in that direction, Douglas or Marguerite would change the subject. They seem harmless enough and they're unarmed."
"You searched them?" Roxton asked hopefully.
"Well, no. But he said they were," Malone admitted.
"Really, Roxton, they seem like very pleasant people and if they are Marguerite's friends I'm sure they're not dangerous," Summerlee said.
Roxton almost smiled at the old man. Although none of them, including himself much to his frustration, knew about Marguerite's life before the expedition, it wasn't exactly a secret that Marguerite was accustomed to rough company. But he held his tongue, not wishing to disillusion Summerlee about Marguerite's past.
"I guess we'll just have to wait until they come out to see what is going on," Challenger said.
And they all sat down and waited expectantly for an explanation.
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In Marguerite's room, information wasn't flowing any better. "How did you find me?"
Douglas grabbed her roughly and asked, "Why is he still alive Marguerite? You left over 2 years ago with one simple assignment. You were lucky to even get that with the way you messed up at the Zoological Society meeting."
"How was I supposed to know that henchman was one of yours? How did you find me?" she asked again as she untangled herself from his hands.
"You should have killed him that night . . ."
"Yes, right in the middle of the lecture hall. Great plan— I can see why they put you in charge!"
Hannah spoke up and said, "We didn't pay for this expedition so you could play house with a bunch of eggheads and goodie-goodies. Although I must say that Lord Roxton is quite a catch . . . too bad he seems like the honorable sort . . . must get incredibly dull around here."
"It has its moments," Marguerite said neutrally while she frantically tried to find a way out of this mess.
"Why haven't you killed him? It doesn't seem like it would be too difficult to gain his trust. Obviously you haven't tried your more feminine charms yet," Douglas said as he trailed a hand down her arm and slowly licked his lips. "Or perhaps he just turned you down for Tarzan's little sister."
"Listen, I don't think he's the right man. I mean, you've talked to him . . . does he seem capable of spying? I doubt he even speaks German, he's an American for God's sake! They were our ally!" Marguerite stared straight into his eyes and prayed that he believed her.
"There were German sympathizers everywhere, including the United Kingdom and the United States—"
"I've been through all of his things dozens of times, there is nothing to indicate he's a spy!"
The slap echoed in the silent room. Marguerite felt blood trickle down the side of her face as she kept herself from attacking him or screaming for help. She knew Roxton would be there in a flash but she didn't want anyone to ask questions yet.
"We do not pay you to think, just do—"
"You don't pay me at all!"
"Is that what this is all about Marguerite? I saved you from being executed for your husband's murder! Isn't that payment enough?"
"After you murdered him for being a double agent and framed me! You're really all heart Douglas," she said coolly.
"How do you think your Lord Roxton, or any of them for that matter, would treat you knowing that you were convicted of your husband's murder?" Hannah said quietly.
Marguerite flinched and immediately regretted it. Leave it to Hannah to poke at her most tender spot. After composing herself, she tried to persuade them again, "You have the wrong man! Malone isn't a spy. He's a reporter. He's too young, there was no way he could have pulled it off."
Douglas slapped her again. "Maybe you're comfortable with letting the man responsible for the deaths of hundreds of our finest men go free but I'm not. Kill him Marguerite. You have one day. You won't like what happens if you don't do your job. Now, shall we join the others."