Chapter 46
Seacouver Airport
Duncan picked up his backpack and sword case and made his way out into the arrival lounge, he scanned the sea of faces until he found Joe "Hey Mac.good flight?" Joe asked as Duncan approached him "nothing special.have you found out anything else?" he asked as they both walked towards the exit "Still got guys checking.even Methos is looking into it.but we only know what Richie's watcher told us the other night.my cars over there" Joe said pointing to the disabled bays, he then looked around "Hey where's Dani?" Duncan didn't reply and won't look at Joe, he just waited for Joe to unlock the car. As Joe turned the key he looked over at Duncan "You two haven't had a fight?" Duncan shook his head "No.we haven't had a fight Joe.it doesn't matter right now.what matters is finding Richie" Joe could see the pain in Duncan's eyes and decided not to ask anymore about it, well at least for the moment.
"Ok this is what we have so far.Richie was in the dojo alone when Baxter and his buddies showed up.there was an argument.from what the watcher saw Richie kick their arses .then a few hours later the fire broke out.Richie's watcher called the fire department and he waited until they had searched the building expecting for them to bring Richie out.but there was no one there.he didn't see Richie leave and he's not been seen since" Joe explained. "And there were no Immortals around?" Duncan asked, "Well none that he could see.just Baxter and his buddies.why you expecting trouble?" Duncan smiled and raised his eyebrows "I'm always expecting trouble Joe".
Joe parked his car in front of the dojo and followed Duncan inside, the dojo was smoke stained and there was water all over the floor from the fire hoses, the main damage confined to the office, "So the fire started in the office" Duncan said out loud "Yeah could've been a lot worse if the fire department hadn't got the early call" Joe said as he followed Duncan, Joe watched as Duncan looked around picking up the charred remains of some books from the desk "There's been no notes or phone calls since this all happened?" Duncan asked turning to face Joe "have you checked the loft?" Duncan asked as he walked passed Joe to the elevator "The fire department checked the whole building.but no I didn't.so I guess we had better check it now" Joe said as he followed Duncan into the elevator.
As Duncan raised the gate his eyes scanned the room nothing was damaged, just the arid smell of smoke hung in the air. He walked over to the bed and put his bags down, he then looked around the room for anything unusual but found nothing. He then noticed the faint red glow on the desk he walked over the answer phone light was flashing, with 1 message; he sat on the edge of the desk and pressed the rewind button and then play. "Welcome home MacLeod.I hope you don't mind I thought the place could do with redecoration.Oh and I wouldn't bother looking for your little friend.he's quite safe for now MacLeod.so what'd say we have a bit of fun.what about a little game of hide and seek.I've done my part so all you have to do to find the boy is first solve the riddle.I hope your listening carefully.Find the place were there once was a roar but now there's silence.a place where many stand together their journey at an end.you have 48hrs MacLeod or your little friend is history."
Duncan hit the off button and dropped his head "So was that Baxter?" Joe asked as he walked over to Duncan. Duncan lifted his head "Nope.Costa" Joe stopped "Costa. Enrique Costa?" Joe asked Duncan nodded his head "Yeah Enrique Costa" Duncan said raising his eyebrows "The last we heard he was rotting in some South American prison.Brazil I think".
"Chile.it was Chile.and I put him there.it was 1976" Duncan said as he walked over to the kitchen "I was staying with a friend and his family.Senor Molena .Costa likes playing games with peoples lives.he loves riddles and easy money.it's a long story but he kidnapped Senor Molena's children.left a riddle but it wasn't very good one.we found the children and set him up so he was caught collecting the money." Duncan took two beers from the fridge "So why not just come for you?" Joe asked as he took hold of the bottle Duncan had offered him "Not his style Joe.he wants to play first.while I'm trying to find Richie I can't be looking for him.he wants the game to be by his rules"
"So what are we going to do?" Joe asked, "We aren't going to do anything.I am".
"But."
"No but's Joe.I can't risk him getting to you as well.I want you to stay away at least until this is over" Duncan said he then put the beer bottle on the counter and walked over to the bed "Mac.where are you going?"
"Baxter.he's mixed up in this some how.and I'm going to find out how" Duncan unzipped the sword case taking out his katana, he then grabbed his coat, after he had put it on he slid the sword inside "Joe go home.I'll call you later", Joe shook his head "Ok Mac.you win I'll stay away but I'm gonna still do some digging of my own" Joe said as he went into the elevator.
Baxter's Apartment building
Duncan parked the TBird a couple of streets away and made his way on foot, he stopped outside a rather shabby building, and there wasn't a place where the paint wasn't peeling. Duncan walked up the steps, stepping over the litter and the drunk man who was sleeping there, he ran his hand over the mail boxes till he came to 4g, it had Baxter's name on it, he then pushed open the main door, the hall way had old boxes and bags, as Duncan got to the bottom of the stairs he saw some empty syringes "Nice place you have here" Duncan said under his breath he then took the stairs to the 4th floor, he walked quietly along the corridor until he came to apartment 4g, Duncan knocked on the door and waited but there was no answer. Duncan then took a small leather wallet out of his pocket he unzipped it and took out a small thin metal tool, Duncan looked around to make sure he was alone before he started work on the lock, it didn't take long before the door opened and Duncan stepped inside. Duncan took the opportunity to look around the apartment there wasn't much there, an unmade bed, a wardrobe with one door hanging off Duncan checked inside but there was only a few clothes and some body building weights. He then turned his attention to the rest of the apartment, Duncan looked into the kitchen the sink was full of unwashed dishes, Duncan cautiously opened one of the cupboards and jumped back as several cockroaches fell out onto the counter, Duncan backed out not wanting to find out what else could be in the other cupboards.
Then he heard the sound of the key in the lock, quickly and silently he moved to one side of the door so that he could not be seen as the person entered. As Baxter walked in with a bag of groceries in his arms Duncan closed the door after him, as the door banged shut Baxter turned round "What are you doing here.what do you want?" Duncan smiled as he walked closer "I think you know why I'm here Baxter.Where's Richie?" Duncan said as he pushed Baxter backwards, as Baxter tried to keep his balance he dropped the brown bag he was carrying, the bottle of milk inside shattered as it hit the ground. "I d.don't know what your talking about"
"Oh yes you do.Richie the young guy that's kicked your ass on at least two occasions at the dojo.the last time was the other night.it's not something you would forget and he's not been seen since" Duncan pushed him in the chest again and Baxter fell over a chair landing sprawled on the floor "Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way" Duncan said as he walked forward. Baxter looked around in panic and he could see his baseball bat against the wall, before Duncan could stop him he lunged for it "Well I guess you want the hard way" Duncan said raising his eyebrows, Baxter struggled to his feet, his back to the window "come and get then" Baxter snarled, just then Duncan felt the presences of another Immortal, the sound of breaking glass brought Duncan's attention back to Baxter. Duncan could see Baxter's face contorted in pain before he sank to his knees and fell face first onto the floor. The blood spreading across his back confirmed that he had been shot; Duncan rushed to the window just in time to see a figure disappearing over the rooftops. Duncan pushed up the window and climbed out onto the fire escape, he chased after the figure but by the time he reached the edge of the roof he could only watch as the Immortal jumped into a car and drove away "Damn it!" Duncan said as his fist hit the stone wall that surrounded the roof.
The Loft
Duncan poured himself a brandy before going back to the answer phone, he had only just hit the play button when he felt the presence of another Immortal, followed by a knock on the door, Duncan walked across to the door collecting his sword from his coat on the way. He opened the door with his left hand, his right arm ready with the sword behind his back "Greetings MacLeod" Duncan visibly relaxed as he recognised Methos "Methos.What are you doing here.I suppose you've talked to Joe?" Duncan said as he walked back into the loft "Yes.I talked to Joe and I thought you could do with some help". Duncan went to the fridge taking out a beer, he threw it to Methos "You shouldn't be here.Methos.it's not safe" Duncan said as he went back to the desk "I know.Joe told me Enrique Costa is in town.and he wants to play a little game.using Richie as the bait" Methos said as he slid over the arm of the chair until he was sat with his legs dangling over the arm, Duncan turned to face him rubbing his hand over his forehead "That's why I want you to leave.he's already using one of my friends against me.I don't need another.this is between him and me" Methos just sat there smiling at him "What?" Duncan exclaimed.
"It's just funny watching you play Duncan MacLeod alone against the world again.well your not alone.you've got me" Methos said with a big grin on his face "why do you have to make it so difficult for people to help you" Methos said taking a drink of his beer "Look I know how he works.a riddle and a time limit.I think you need all the help you can get.or mores to the point Richie needs all the help he can get" Duncan knew that he was losing this argument "Ok.Ok.but don't say I didn't warn you.listen to this and see what you make of it" Duncan then played the answer phone tape while he got himself another brandy.
Seacouver Airport
Duncan picked up his backpack and sword case and made his way out into the arrival lounge, he scanned the sea of faces until he found Joe "Hey Mac.good flight?" Joe asked as Duncan approached him "nothing special.have you found out anything else?" he asked as they both walked towards the exit "Still got guys checking.even Methos is looking into it.but we only know what Richie's watcher told us the other night.my cars over there" Joe said pointing to the disabled bays, he then looked around "Hey where's Dani?" Duncan didn't reply and won't look at Joe, he just waited for Joe to unlock the car. As Joe turned the key he looked over at Duncan "You two haven't had a fight?" Duncan shook his head "No.we haven't had a fight Joe.it doesn't matter right now.what matters is finding Richie" Joe could see the pain in Duncan's eyes and decided not to ask anymore about it, well at least for the moment.
"Ok this is what we have so far.Richie was in the dojo alone when Baxter and his buddies showed up.there was an argument.from what the watcher saw Richie kick their arses .then a few hours later the fire broke out.Richie's watcher called the fire department and he waited until they had searched the building expecting for them to bring Richie out.but there was no one there.he didn't see Richie leave and he's not been seen since" Joe explained. "And there were no Immortals around?" Duncan asked, "Well none that he could see.just Baxter and his buddies.why you expecting trouble?" Duncan smiled and raised his eyebrows "I'm always expecting trouble Joe".
Joe parked his car in front of the dojo and followed Duncan inside, the dojo was smoke stained and there was water all over the floor from the fire hoses, the main damage confined to the office, "So the fire started in the office" Duncan said out loud "Yeah could've been a lot worse if the fire department hadn't got the early call" Joe said as he followed Duncan, Joe watched as Duncan looked around picking up the charred remains of some books from the desk "There's been no notes or phone calls since this all happened?" Duncan asked turning to face Joe "have you checked the loft?" Duncan asked as he walked passed Joe to the elevator "The fire department checked the whole building.but no I didn't.so I guess we had better check it now" Joe said as he followed Duncan into the elevator.
As Duncan raised the gate his eyes scanned the room nothing was damaged, just the arid smell of smoke hung in the air. He walked over to the bed and put his bags down, he then looked around the room for anything unusual but found nothing. He then noticed the faint red glow on the desk he walked over the answer phone light was flashing, with 1 message; he sat on the edge of the desk and pressed the rewind button and then play. "Welcome home MacLeod.I hope you don't mind I thought the place could do with redecoration.Oh and I wouldn't bother looking for your little friend.he's quite safe for now MacLeod.so what'd say we have a bit of fun.what about a little game of hide and seek.I've done my part so all you have to do to find the boy is first solve the riddle.I hope your listening carefully.Find the place were there once was a roar but now there's silence.a place where many stand together their journey at an end.you have 48hrs MacLeod or your little friend is history."
Duncan hit the off button and dropped his head "So was that Baxter?" Joe asked as he walked over to Duncan. Duncan lifted his head "Nope.Costa" Joe stopped "Costa. Enrique Costa?" Joe asked Duncan nodded his head "Yeah Enrique Costa" Duncan said raising his eyebrows "The last we heard he was rotting in some South American prison.Brazil I think".
"Chile.it was Chile.and I put him there.it was 1976" Duncan said as he walked over to the kitchen "I was staying with a friend and his family.Senor Molena .Costa likes playing games with peoples lives.he loves riddles and easy money.it's a long story but he kidnapped Senor Molena's children.left a riddle but it wasn't very good one.we found the children and set him up so he was caught collecting the money." Duncan took two beers from the fridge "So why not just come for you?" Joe asked as he took hold of the bottle Duncan had offered him "Not his style Joe.he wants to play first.while I'm trying to find Richie I can't be looking for him.he wants the game to be by his rules"
"So what are we going to do?" Joe asked, "We aren't going to do anything.I am".
"But."
"No but's Joe.I can't risk him getting to you as well.I want you to stay away at least until this is over" Duncan said he then put the beer bottle on the counter and walked over to the bed "Mac.where are you going?"
"Baxter.he's mixed up in this some how.and I'm going to find out how" Duncan unzipped the sword case taking out his katana, he then grabbed his coat, after he had put it on he slid the sword inside "Joe go home.I'll call you later", Joe shook his head "Ok Mac.you win I'll stay away but I'm gonna still do some digging of my own" Joe said as he went into the elevator.
Baxter's Apartment building
Duncan parked the TBird a couple of streets away and made his way on foot, he stopped outside a rather shabby building, and there wasn't a place where the paint wasn't peeling. Duncan walked up the steps, stepping over the litter and the drunk man who was sleeping there, he ran his hand over the mail boxes till he came to 4g, it had Baxter's name on it, he then pushed open the main door, the hall way had old boxes and bags, as Duncan got to the bottom of the stairs he saw some empty syringes "Nice place you have here" Duncan said under his breath he then took the stairs to the 4th floor, he walked quietly along the corridor until he came to apartment 4g, Duncan knocked on the door and waited but there was no answer. Duncan then took a small leather wallet out of his pocket he unzipped it and took out a small thin metal tool, Duncan looked around to make sure he was alone before he started work on the lock, it didn't take long before the door opened and Duncan stepped inside. Duncan took the opportunity to look around the apartment there wasn't much there, an unmade bed, a wardrobe with one door hanging off Duncan checked inside but there was only a few clothes and some body building weights. He then turned his attention to the rest of the apartment, Duncan looked into the kitchen the sink was full of unwashed dishes, Duncan cautiously opened one of the cupboards and jumped back as several cockroaches fell out onto the counter, Duncan backed out not wanting to find out what else could be in the other cupboards.
Then he heard the sound of the key in the lock, quickly and silently he moved to one side of the door so that he could not be seen as the person entered. As Baxter walked in with a bag of groceries in his arms Duncan closed the door after him, as the door banged shut Baxter turned round "What are you doing here.what do you want?" Duncan smiled as he walked closer "I think you know why I'm here Baxter.Where's Richie?" Duncan said as he pushed Baxter backwards, as Baxter tried to keep his balance he dropped the brown bag he was carrying, the bottle of milk inside shattered as it hit the ground. "I d.don't know what your talking about"
"Oh yes you do.Richie the young guy that's kicked your ass on at least two occasions at the dojo.the last time was the other night.it's not something you would forget and he's not been seen since" Duncan pushed him in the chest again and Baxter fell over a chair landing sprawled on the floor "Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way" Duncan said as he walked forward. Baxter looked around in panic and he could see his baseball bat against the wall, before Duncan could stop him he lunged for it "Well I guess you want the hard way" Duncan said raising his eyebrows, Baxter struggled to his feet, his back to the window "come and get then" Baxter snarled, just then Duncan felt the presences of another Immortal, the sound of breaking glass brought Duncan's attention back to Baxter. Duncan could see Baxter's face contorted in pain before he sank to his knees and fell face first onto the floor. The blood spreading across his back confirmed that he had been shot; Duncan rushed to the window just in time to see a figure disappearing over the rooftops. Duncan pushed up the window and climbed out onto the fire escape, he chased after the figure but by the time he reached the edge of the roof he could only watch as the Immortal jumped into a car and drove away "Damn it!" Duncan said as his fist hit the stone wall that surrounded the roof.
The Loft
Duncan poured himself a brandy before going back to the answer phone, he had only just hit the play button when he felt the presence of another Immortal, followed by a knock on the door, Duncan walked across to the door collecting his sword from his coat on the way. He opened the door with his left hand, his right arm ready with the sword behind his back "Greetings MacLeod" Duncan visibly relaxed as he recognised Methos "Methos.What are you doing here.I suppose you've talked to Joe?" Duncan said as he walked back into the loft "Yes.I talked to Joe and I thought you could do with some help". Duncan went to the fridge taking out a beer, he threw it to Methos "You shouldn't be here.Methos.it's not safe" Duncan said as he went back to the desk "I know.Joe told me Enrique Costa is in town.and he wants to play a little game.using Richie as the bait" Methos said as he slid over the arm of the chair until he was sat with his legs dangling over the arm, Duncan turned to face him rubbing his hand over his forehead "That's why I want you to leave.he's already using one of my friends against me.I don't need another.this is between him and me" Methos just sat there smiling at him "What?" Duncan exclaimed.
"It's just funny watching you play Duncan MacLeod alone against the world again.well your not alone.you've got me" Methos said with a big grin on his face "why do you have to make it so difficult for people to help you" Methos said taking a drink of his beer "Look I know how he works.a riddle and a time limit.I think you need all the help you can get.or mores to the point Richie needs all the help he can get" Duncan knew that he was losing this argument "Ok.Ok.but don't say I didn't warn you.listen to this and see what you make of it" Duncan then played the answer phone tape while he got himself another brandy.