A smirk grew across his face as he in fact had devised the most dastardly plan in his mind.
Larry knew his father would put up a king's ransom for Isobel. This little scheme would clear him and he wouldn't have a target on his back any longer. He had no doubt in his mind that
He went back to the hotel satisfied that he would be able to finally sleep a little easier that night.
It was afternoon when Larry awoke to a knock at his door.
Rubbing his eyes, Larry stumbled out of bed and headed over to the door, tying his robe as he did so.
" Excuse me sir, sorry to disturb you. A letter arrived this morning and I was told to bring it up."
Larry raised a brow but took it, thanking the bellman that brought it up.
He curiously opened the letter and read it.
Inside was just an address and a time.
Looking at his watch on the nightstand, Larry realised he would be late.
He threw on his clothes and got a cab as quickly as he could to the location.
It was another bar that was utterly repulsive in every way, much like every bar he found himself gambling in.
A nervous feeling grew in the pit of his stomach, wondering what was to come of this trip.
When he stepped inside there, sitting with his back to the door was the man he didn't want to see.
Jeremy Finch. In the flesh.
He gulped as his blood ran ice cold.
" Don't just stand there Mister Grey." Finch, with his posh accent, spoke.
He didn't even turn around. He knew his letter would beckon him.
" Please, take a seat." he spoke once more before motioning for the bartender, " He'll take what I'm having."
The bartender silently nodded before focusing on making the requested drink and tuning out what was going around him.
Larry carefully approached the bar before turning to meet the man he had only heard about.
Finch finally turns around. Larry nearly trembles in his shoes. The man had eyes that were almost soulless. He was cold and inhumane.
" One of my workers tried to collect yesterday evening. You sent him a name in return. An Isobel Grey. And what pray tell does she offer as collateral?"
" It's my father's new wife. He'll put up a king's ransom for her. Her son was the former heir to Downton. The family would put up money as well to see that she is safely returned. I promise you she's worth every penny." Larry spoke without hesitation.
" It was a bit foolish to assume that I would take this woman as collateral until payment is received but I think your game is much more fun to play." Finch raised a glass towards Larry.
Larry nervously smiled at the man before taking a sip of his drink.
Larry wrote a number down on a piece of paper he pulled from his pocket before showing it to Finch.
He studied his face, unable to read his response, nervously shuffling his feet below the bar.
Was the amount he wrote too low? He gulped, his pulse was racing and he was beginning to perspire.
" This is more than I expected." Finch finally spoke.
Larry's face relaxed as he let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding.
" I'll send my men there tomorrow evening on the first train down, that way by dusk they can get into position, and learn the lay of the land."
" It's settled then." He replies.
" Indeed." French reached out, waiting for Larry to seal the deal.
They shake on it and before long, the two men part ways.
Larry lingers a bit at the bar, gripping the glass as he tries to make sense of the plan. He can't be over zealous but the money…was so close.
He gets a cab back to the hotel, staring out the window at the long wordless drive.
Larry felt that the plan would go down easily, without anyone knowing anything. As if his father could tie him to this scheme? Certainly not.
With Isobel out of the way it would give Larry a chance to reason with his father once more about this marriage.
He had no idea the effects this would have on his father or Isobel for that matter.
…..
TBC...