Author's Note: I just want to thank everyone for reading my story and leaving reviews! It means so much to me. I apologize for not getting back individually, but I will soon! Enjoy chapter 3.
Dusk had fallen on Downton as the two workers for Finch stepped off the train onto the platform to get down to business.
Larry had given clear directions to the Crawley home and the two men found it without any trouble.
He had arrived back to Cavenham the night prior and had driven an old car into the brush near Crawley house for the men to use as their escape route.
As the two approached the home, they made their way to a window along the side of the home that gave them a clear view into the house.
There were a few lights on in the home.
Louie could see their target at the dinner table. She and her husband were finishing up their meals.
" She's a nurse. I know exactly the right way to handle 'er." The man known only as Fingers states with a crooked grin. He figured the woman was strong and would put up a fight and was prepared to handle things if she got a bit testy.
" So what's the plan, boss?" Louie asks as the two back away from the house to execute their plan.
" We wait another 10 minutes and you take care of the old man, I'll take her for myself." He laughs in a sinister way.
The two wait behind an old tree towards an old worn path before executing their move, lurking like predators hunting their pray.
Fingers motioned for Louie to knock on the door. At this hour, he knew according to what Larry had told them, not to expect any help around the home, but only his father and their target.
As promised, the knock had startled Dickie from his walk to the study. With Isobel cleaning and at this late hour, he decided to open the door, unsure of who it could be.
" A moment!" He calls.
Dickie opens the door and immediately is met with a fist to his eye that sends him right to the ground, not really giving him any time to react.
Isobel had been drying her hands when she heard the commotion.
" Dickie? Are you alright?" She calls, waiting for a reply.
With a nurse's intuition that noise had caught her attention and she worried for her husband.
As she comes down the hall, she sees Dickie on the ground and the door wide open without anyone there.
He was unconscious on the floor and his eye is swelling and bruised. Her eyes grow wide as she searches around, not seeing who could've caused the trauma.
" Dickie!" She kneels down about to pull his head into her lap, when she feels two arms from the dark hall wrap around her waist and another clamp over her mouth.
At that moment, Isobel felt her soul leave her body.
She didn't put up a fight and kept her eyes shut tight, shaking under his grip as his arm wrapped around her tighter.
" Surprised yous ain't a stubborn one. Not like any nurses I know." The man grins.
" That was easy boss!" Louie grins at fingers, playfully punching his arm.
" Pipe down you bloke! Help me tie 'er up!" Fingers orders.
The two get to work on blindfolding and gagging Isobel.
She can't see as her world becomes dark. She swallows hard as a lone tear runs down her cheek.
All she could think of at that moment was her husband and her family, worrying about whether or not she would see them again.
Louie and Fingers carry Isobel to the waiting car in the field, she's wiggling and squirming the whole walk, causing the two to become frustrated.
" We should-a left the dame and brought the car around." Louie says as he hoists her in the back of the laundry car they had.
" No you bloke. It's easier this way." Fingers shut the door and the two men quickly headed away, beginning their long journey back to Finch…
Dickie comes too unable to open one of his eyes as he feels the swelling and bruising around where he had been punched.
When his vision in his other eye becomes clear, he looks around for Isobel only to find the front door to their home wide open and her locket on the ground.
" Isobel?" Dickie calls out.
With no answer and a growing headache, the only thing Dickie can do is call Robert Crawley.
He phones the Abbey, with Barrow answering the phone. He senses that something is wrong by the tone of Lord Merton's voice.
Robert and Cora were in the study with each other enjoying a nightcap long after their company had left and everyone had gone off to sleep.
" M'lord, Lord Merton is on the phone and seems rather unwell. I believe you're needed at Crawley house along with Dr. Clarkson."
Cora sets her glass down and grabs Robert's wrist gently.
" You don't suppose anything is wrong with Isobel do you?" Cora asks.
" I'm not sure. Thank you Barrow. Can you please have the car ready for me? Carson, can you phone Dr. Clarkson along with the police and have him meet us at Crawley house?" Robert stood up, anxious to get to his cousin.
" Of course, M'Lord." Carson bows before heading out to make the call. He knew Elsie would be wondering what's keeping him and hopes Lady Merton will be alright.
" Darling, I'm coming with you, don't try and stop me." Cora was adamant about joining her husband on the short ride to Crawley house.
Barrow has the car waiting and the two zip down swiftly towards Crawley house.
As they arrive, they find Dickie sitting on the steps, holding a rag to his eye.
Robert and Cora swiftly join him in the sitting room so he can sit comfortably.
" My God, Dickie! Whatever has happened to you?!" Robert gasps as Dickie momentarily removes the rag from his eye.
" These m-men came to the door and a smaller man threw a punch, knocking me to the floor. I came too and Isobel was gone. I think they took her!" Dickie exclaims, wincing a bit as the growing headache is causing him pain.
" Why don't you rest until Dr. Clarkson gets here. We've also had our staff phone the police." Cora tenderly says.
" That's alright. I'll rest once I know my Isobel is going to be alright." Dickie stands and paces across the sitting room.
TBC...