Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me.

Chapter 2

Challenger shares a theory with Roxton, Finn runs into trouble.

Roxton tipped the waiter and closed the door to is luxury state room. He has not come out of his room since boarding this ocean liner. He nor his elderly 'parents'.

Roxton, Challenger and Jessi had made an effort to make little eye contact, as they boarded the Cornerstone, a newer ship that cost and arm and a leg to book passage on.

From there, the three had stayed in the three room cabin that Roxton had booked. Of course, when he had made the arrangements, he had intended to go alone. Now, out of necessity, he had 'roommates'.

The night Roxton and Jessi had caught up with Challenger, would be burned in Roxton's memory for a long time to come. Never, had he seen people so out of control. Roxton had driven Jessi to their house, only to find that it was being vandalized by an angry mob!

Roxton has parked a good distance down the street. He soothed Jessi, telling her there was no way that George was inside the residence. Then, one of the mobsters threw some kind of torch through one of the glass windows. The place was engulfed in flames in a matter of minutes.

Roxton himself could not stop staring at such madness! He was also angry that Scotland Yard had let this investigation get so out of control! He meant no disrespect to the dead, but no one really knew if the woman who claimed she had been attacked by an ape before she died, had not mistaken her attacker for some other sort of animal. Such as a bear or a wolf?

But there was another part of him that couldn't get it out of his head, that it was such a strange thing to say, that there almost had to be some truth to it. Roxton's memory went back to the day he had accidentally killed his brother, by shooting at an ape that was mauling him. No, once one saw an ape up close, it was near to impossible to mistake it for anything else.

But that still left more questions. Was it possible that Challenger, on the rescue expedition, had inadvertently brought back something? No, because Malone, Finn, Veronica, Marguerite and the other men George took along, would've saw saw something, wouldn't they?

Or had those other men been talking to the authorities all of this time? Maybe they were the ones that had stirred up this hornets nest?

Roxton set the meals down himself, not wanting the waiter to enter the suite at all. He didn't want anyone getting a good look at them. He had no doubt that the authorities were probably on their trail as of now. That was why he had sent Malone a telegram before boarding the ship. Hopefully, the cavalry would be waiting to help as soon as they arrived.

Challenger stepped out of the bedroom. Roxton gave him a questioning look.

'How is she?' Roxton asked.

Challenger sat down. Roxton did as well

'About as well as can be expected. Our home is gone and we are on the run for our lives. She's resting now. Thank you for allowing her the use of the bed.'

'It's nothing, George.'

'It isn't nothing. You've had enough on your plate as it is, John.'

'We're all in this together. Almost like old times back on the plateau. When we can figure out what is going on, George, the sooner we can reclaim our lives.'

Challenger leaned back, not touching his food. 'I sometimes wonder if that will ever be possible. Don't get me wrong, there is no place like home. But there is still such a profound ignorance of science. This is where all of this trouble is stemming from.'

Roxton reached over behind him towards a small table and picked up a cigar.

'What do we know about this killer running loose in London?'

Challenger straightened up. He then cast a careful eye towards the bedroom where Jessi was.

'I've been running that through my head. I don't believe we brought anything back from the plateau. Meaning none of us are half ape and no ape monsters returned with us.'

'But?' Roxton prompted. He lit his cigar.

'But I do think this killer is from the plateau. And I do think that this thing found a way off, just as we did.'

Roxton inhaled. It was quiet. Than Roxton raised a brow.

'So, this is something we've run into before?'

'Yes, maybe. The other thing that bothers me is the timing. We don't know that this killer has not been off of the plateau for awhile now. Yet, with the savagery displayed in the two murders, the killer would not be able to wait days before killing again. Yes, I do believe the killer is only half ape. And I do think they have just arrived in London.'

Roxton raise a brow.

'What?' Challenger asked.

'Or, this may have nothing to do with us whatsoever. Maybe this thing is from the plateau, but maybe the killing was personal. We know nothing about the victims. Maybe they were involved in something that got them killed.'

'Yes, I suppose that is a theory...'

'You're damned right it is! Unfortunately, if you are right, then what we need is for this thing to kill again, while we're far, far away. People might still believe we brought it over, but at least they'll know for damned sure it isn't one of us.'

Challenger nodded, stroking his beard. He then stopped and took a deep breath.

'You said you got word to Malone?'

'Yes. And if I know him, he'll find a place for us to stay while we sort this mess out.'

'So, do you plan on visiting with Marguerite and the baby?'

Roxton gave Challenger a determined look.

'They are one of my highest priorities. Look, I didn't want to say anything in front of Jessi, but I was headed here in the first place. Even before I learned of our troubles in London.'

'Well of course you were. I mean once Emma passed on, I figured you'd want to go to Marguerite right away.'

'Yes, but it is a little more serious than that. I've had a man watching Marguerite and our daughter, for some time now. Plus, Veronica sends me updates. The man, told me on the same night Jessi came to me, that someone else has been spying on Marguerite and the baby.'

Challenger's eyes widened! 'What do you mean?'

'Meaning someone seems to be very interested in Marguerite and Greta, that is the name of our daughter.'

Challenger smiled. 'Yes, I do believe Jessi told me that. So, your man has no idea, why the strange man would be spying on Marguerite?'

'No. But George, it is my secret fear that someone from Marguerite's past has caught up with her. I know she's trying to turn her life around, for the sake of our daughter, but sometimes these things aren't easily forgotten.'

'And,' Challenger added, 'since it is common knowledge that she is the Von Bubrik heir, this someone might feel they are owed God knows what.'

Roxton nodded grimly. He stood up.

'If only this boat moved faster!' Roxton said.

****

Marguerite slammed the door and stepped into her entrance way. Veronica appeared from another room.

'Hey! I was wondering where everyone had went off to!'

Marguerite gave Veronica a deliberate casual smile. This has been the first time she had set eyes on her since Finn's 'revelation'.

Unfortunately, Veronica was not fooled by Marguerite's fake smile.

'What's wrong?' she asked.

Marguerite shrugged. 'Why does anything have to be wrong?'

'Marguerite!'

'Okay, okay. I went to see Malone. He told me some news.'

Having said that, Marguerite began to walk into the drawing room. She then stopped and looked around.

'Is Greta down for her nap? And have you seen Finn?'

Veronica, having followed her into the drawing room, folded her arms.

'Finn took Greta for a stroll. Now what about this 'bad news'?'

Marguerite took a deep breath. 'Challenger and Roxton are in trouble. We're going to hide them here.'

'What do you mean they're in trouble? What's happened? And how does Ned know about it?'

'Apparently, from the little I could gather, poor Ned is being pressured to do a story about these murders that are going on in London. The authorities think the killer is some sort of half ape, half human. They also think that either Challenger brought the creature back with us, or that either Roxton or him turns into this creature themselves!'

Veronica's mouth dropped open!

'That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!'

'Yes, well, welcome to civilization, my dear. Sometimes I wonder if we all would've been better off if we'd stayed on the plateau.'

Marguerite then took off the hat she had been wearing and smoothed her hair.

'And ridiculous or not, they'll be needing a safe place to stay until this whole mess can be sorted out. This place is better than any other I can think of right now.'

'When are they expected?'

Marguerite sighed. 'The telegram said tomorrow. They're coming by oceanliner, though which one, they did not say.'

Veronica nodded. 'We'll just go down to the docks tomorrow and figure it out.'

Marguerite looked at her. 'Actually, I would prefer it if Finn and you did that. I'll stay here and get things ready.'

Veronica pursed her lips. Marguerite rolled her eyes.

'What?'

'What? Did I say anything?' Veronica asked.

'You didn't have to. Look, I'm not going to pretend that I'm not nervous about seeing Roxton again after all of this time. You know, I also found out that his wife died a couple of days ago.'

Veronica walked over to her and rubbed her arm.

'He's coming here for you...and Greta.'

'He doesn't even know if he has a son or a daughter, Veronica.'

Veronica cut her eyes away. Marguerite squinted at her.

'What?'

Veronica held up her hands in surrender. 'Alright. I have been writing him, this whole time.'

'Veronica!'

'Marguerite! You know good and well that the things that kept you two apart were beyond his control. Did you really think that Ned or I or even Finn, wasn't going to let him know how you were doing? Can you imagine how hard this whole thing has been for him? Worrying about you, in another country, pregnant with his child, while he waits for his wife to die?'

Marguerite looked down. She then looked at Veronica again.

'I am not unmindful of these things.'

'I hope not! Look, when he gets here, just throw away your resentments and whatever else that's been keeping the two of you apart. He's going to need you, hell from the sounds of things, Challenger is going to need you....all of us, to prove that neither one of them is some stupid ape-man!'

Veronica then reached out and hugged Marguerite. Marguerite was more than just a bit taken aback. Marguerite let go of her.

'What was that for?'

Veronica smiled. 'For whatever our disagreements are, you are like the big sister I never had. And there was no way that Ned and I weren't going to make sure that Greta and yourself weren't being looked after. I could never forget the kindness you've shown Finn and I, helping us fit into society, allowing us to live her with you. It's your turn to be happy, Marguerite. When Roxton gets here, don't let anything stand between the two of you.'

Veronica was about to turn and leave the room, when she stopped suddenly, then looked at Marguerite again.

'What?' Marguerite asked.

'What made you decide to go and see Ned anyway?'

Marguerite flashed her the sincerest smile of her life! 'I had a few questions about howmany in his family would be attending the ceremony.'

'Probably none!'

'Veronica, his mother will come around.'

Veronica nodded then turned and walked out of the room. Marguerite stared after her, her expression a bit apprehensive. Because at that moment, Veronica's future happiness lay first and foremost in her mind.

Marguerite turned and stared over at the fireplace. She had known Veronica a lot longer than she had known Finn. It had occurred to her briefly, that Finn might have been lying about this supposed liaison with Malone. It was possible. Maybe Finn wasn't what she appeared to be.

But even if she was telling the truth, hadn't Malone noticed anything odd about Veronica since this 'incident'? Meaning, it was always Marguerite's understanding that once one engaged in marital relations before marriage, one couldn't go back to holding hands! Surely, Malone had attempted some sort of relations with Veronica, only to be rebuffed, hadn't he?

Or, maybe Marguerite was wrong about Veronica. Maybe she and Malone had had this sort of relationship the whole time, thus, causing neither Ned or Veronica to notice anything out of the ordinary.

Marguerite tried to clear her head of these sort of thoughts. But if worried her that Finn may be looking to cause trouble for Ned and Veronica. She personally liked the girl, and couldn't believe that her trust would've been so misplaced. And Finn was so good with Greta.

Which made her wonder where that pair had went off to?

****

Finn coughed, then sat up abruptly. Where the hell was she?!

All she remembered was taking Greta for a stroll in a park nearby the estate. She sat down on a bench, then nothing.

Finn also remembered that the part of the park she sat in, was more than a bit deserted looking. She had begun to feel uncomfortable, when she....that was all she remembered.

Good God! Where was Greta? Finn began to stand and take in her surroundings. It looked as if she were in some kind of cellar. She began to look around and squint. There was not much light.

Finn walked over to the stairs and began banging on the cellar door.

'HELP! HELP ME! GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!'