Marguerite checked her bags one more time. She looked over at the pile of treasures she had collected over the years and sighed. Twenty-four hours ago getting more of those was my greatest concern . . . times certainly are changing. She placed a note on top saying goodbye to everyone. At least they can have some fun ripping it to bits and dancing around while they burn it to ashes!
She wouldn't have any trouble sneaking out tonight. Roxton and Veronica had gone to look for Summerlee, leaving Challenger to guard Malone at the treehouse. She had almost made it to the elevator when Malone's voice stopped her in her tracks.
"It's not safe to go out by yourself Marguerite. Roxton is going to be disappointed when he hears about this."
"The only way Roxton would be disappointed is if I came back."
"Oh, I see, so you're running away? How noble of you!"
Marguerite had to hide her smile. He really is being a good sport about this whole murder thing. "Not exactly. I'm going to find Summerlee. I just don't plan on hanging around after I drop him off."
"You know where they took him don't you?"
"I have my suspicions," she said nonchalantly. She felt a stirring of friendly emotions rise to the surface and couldn't stop herself from saying, "I really will miss you Malone. You're like the pain-in-the-ass little brother I never had."
"Umm, thanks, I think. You're like the bitchy much older sister I never had."
She turned to leave and found him beside her with his rifle slung over his shoulder. "What are you doing?"
"Helping you rescue Summerlee."
"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you as soon as we're far enough away from the treehouse for no one to hear your screams?"
"As you so elegantly pointed out earlier, if you wanted me dead I would be dead. The way I see it, you can't do this without me. They're not going to let you just waltz up and take Summerlee away without proof you've done their dirty work. But if you show up with me as your prisoner and offer an exchange . . . well, that's a different story."
Marguerite's eyes shimmered with respect for his simple plan but she couldn't let him risk it. "Sorry Malone, I can't let you do that."
"What are you going to do? Knock me unconscious?"
"That seems to work so well in a variety of other situations . . . it might be worth a try," she said stepping onto the elevator and making no move to stop him from following.
"Very funny Marguerite . . ."
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"I hate this place! I had no idea there were this many insects in the world much less in just one little field," Hannah complained as they returned to the cave to check on their prisoner.
"Don't worry darling, it will all be over soon," Douglas assured her as his eyes scanned the terrain for more of those nasty little dinosaurs.
"I don't see why we couldn't just kill him. Why must we wait for Marguerite to do it?"
He sighed. He had already been over this twenty times. "Because darling, the Brits are already starting to suspect that Mr. Malone isn't really the evil creature I've made him out to be. If one of us kills him, it will throw even more suspicion on us. Do you really want to see yourself hanged for being the mysterious German spy?" As she shook her head no he asked, "And do you want to see me executed?" Again, she shook her head no.
"We must get Marguerite to collaborate our story if we don't want to be caught. Implicating Mr. Malone was a stroke of genius and we must now see it through to the end," he ended happily. He checked the ropes that bound Professor Summerlee once again and almost chuckled aloud at his own craftiness. In a few more hours, Mr. Malone would be dead and Marguerite would be on her way back to London with them. Then the most notorious double agent of World War I, or double agents he should say, would be completely beyond the reach of justice. No one would ever suspect the head of a large Intelligence network and his lover of being the infamous German spy again. It's just too perfect!
The night of the Zoological Society meeting he had been scared. He thought Marguerite was starting to ask to many questions. The woman was just too bright for her own good. When she killed his agent instead of his agent killing her, he really started worrying. But now everything was going according to plan. Too perfect . . .
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"Roxton, we're not going to find them. Let's head back to the treehouse. I have a bad feeling about leaving Malone there with just Challenger to protect him from Marguerite," Veronica said. "Besides, we need to rest and we can start out again in the—"
She noticed that Roxton had stopped walking and was looking at her. "What? Do you hear something?" She began looking around in the darkness to see if anyone was watching them.
"Veronica, do you ever get tired of kicking Marguerite when she's down?"
She narrowed her eyes and said, "Are you actually trying to defend her? She was sent to kill Ned! What part of that is not sinking into your lovesick brain?"
"Veronica, she didn't do anything besides risk her own life by not following orders. Malone isn't holding it against her, why are you?"
"You want me to get over it?? She's been leading you around since day one, you just don't want to admit you could be so wrong about someone."
"I think you're the one who's wrong. I can understand you were shocked, we all were, but I know Marguerite would never intentionally hurt any of us."
"You're acting like a fool—"
"No, I'm acting like a friend. We are all Marguerite's friends and you're making a difficult situation worse. Now let's get back and get some rest so we can start off again in the morning."
They walked the rest of the way in silence, each trapped in their own thoughts. Roxton was worried that Marguerite might try something stupid and he was very anxious to get back to check up on her. Veronica was mulling over Roxton's argument and came to the tough decision that he was right. Marguerite had saved all of their lives on several occasions and she deserved better than how she had been treated. As soon as this is all over, I'll have to find some way to make it up to her. I'm just terrified of losing Ned!
As they entered the living room and went their separate ways, not a word was spoken. Roxton headed towards Marguerite's room. He looked around and immediately knew she was gone. All the warmth had been sucked out of him as he looked at her empty closet and noticed her guns were gone. Then he spotted the pile of jewels and made a move to get the note that was setting on top when he heard Veronica's frustrated growl. He grabbed the note and met her halfway in the living room. By that time Challenger was up and he joined them.
"He's gone," Veronica said angrily.
"So is Marguerite but she left a note."
"Probably a ransom demand," bitterness seeping into her every word. And to think I was going to apologize to her! Ned is probably dead by now!
"I've had just about enough of that Veronica," Roxton warned. He opened the note and read it swiftly.
"My dear boy, what does it say?" Challenger's face was burning with curiosity and shame. It was his job to keep track of him and now he was missing.
"Read it yourself, I'm going to start searching for them," he said, handing the note to Challenger.
I'm going to find Summerlee. I know Ned will be safe with Challenger.
I'll make sure the Professor gets back safely but I won't disturb you. Sorry
I caused so much trouble but I'm sure it didn't come as a surprise. Goodbye.
"We're coming with you, Roxton," grabbing his gun, Challenger walked over to join him. Veronica took one last look around and followed them out.