Chapter 16
Alex leant back against the wall as she watched from the shadows, the café had been open of nearly an hour a few customers had come and gone but still no sign of Du Pont. Alex looked down at her feet and kicked at the dust that had collected in the alcove she had found between the buildings opposite the café. "Damn it.what's he doing here?" she muttered under her breath as she watched Duncan approach the café, she hoped that he would continue on but he went in, Alex pressed herself as far back in the shadow as she could as she watched Duncan talking to the café owner there could only be one reason for him being here, he was looking for her.
Duncan sat at a table in the window so he could have a clear view of the street, Alex had hoped that after finding out that she hadn't been in there he would leave but when he pulled out a small book from his long black coat she knew he was there waiting for her. She couldn't risk leaving the alcove, as he would see her so all she could do was wait it out hoping that he would give up before Du Pont showed up. Duncan started reading looking up every now and then as the waiter brought him another cup of coffee, he also check out the street to see if he could spot her. From where she was watching she could clearly see his face and the worried look that he had worn since he arrived, part of her longed to go to him but she pushed it back. How had he managed to get to her like this? For as long as she could remember she had held men at arms length, she had been out of dates but only when she had run out of excuses not to. Only a couple of men had managed to break through her protective shell in her entire life but none had made her feel the way Duncan did.
The memory of how tenderly Duncan had touched her, how secure and safe she had felt in his arms made her breath quicken. Had it been the amnesia that had made her forget the sickening feeling she usual got when a man touched her, she had felt it just after they had met but it soon disappeared. There was something different about him, was it in his eyes or the velvet tone of his voice, she couldn't quite put her finger on it but something allowed her to relax like she had never done before. As she looked back at Duncan he looked up and she felt like their eyes met she pressed herself harder against the wall hoping that he hadn't seen her, when Duncan didn't move she knew that only her eyes had made the connection, all he had seen was the darkness that was hiding her. She mentally scolded herself she had to stay focused she couldn't let her feelings for Duncan get in the way but while he sat there all she could think about was him, would he really understand if explained it all to him or would he recoil at who she really was and what is had been through to get this far.
Just when her heart started to win the battle over her doubts and was trying to convince her to cross the small distance of the road to talk to him, when she saw Duncan put down his book and take out his phone. He then quickly got to his feet, putting some money on the table before leaving; he took one last look around the street before he walked quickly away in the direction of the barge.
Alex sighed her mind no longer needed to battle her heart he was gone and even though she was sad to see him leave at least now she could concentrate on finding Du Pont and then Lazarski.
Duncan wished he had brought his car as he hurried back to the barge the phone call had been from Maurice who had heard a disturbance on Duncan's barge when he got there he had found Joe at the bottom of the steps unconscious. Duncan hadn't been expecting Joe to call and he wondered what could've brought him to the barge without calling first. As Duncan came down the steps to the riverside he could see Maurice and Joe sitting on the deck, Joe's head was bowed forward and he held an ice pack on his head. "Joe are you all right.what happened?" Duncan asked as he strode up the gangplank. Joe looked up "Don't panic Mac nothings broken only my pride" he said as Duncan reached where they were sitting Duncan reached out "here let me have a look at that" he said as he moved Joe's hand away "I think we should get you to the hospital.give me your keys" Joe waved him away "stop fusing Mac I'm fine a little bruised nothing serious.do you think we could go inside?" Duncan nodded and helped Joe to his feet, he had just turned to help Joe down the steps when he remembered Maurice "Thanks for your help Maurice but I can take care of it from here". Maurice shrugged "I'm glad I was able to help my friend.I was cooking lunch when I heard shouting..Oh my I left the oven on.I must go" Maurice said getting to his feet in a fluster "Oh it was nice meeting you Joe.sorry it wasn't under more pleasant circumstances" Joe didn't get a chance to respond before Maurice was down the gangplank and heading for his barge.
Duncan sat Joe on the couch "you going to tell me what happened?" Duncan asked as he sat down in the chair "When I got to the steps I saw a man fiddling with the lock, so I asked him what the hell he was doing then he ran up the steps.I tried to hold onto him but he managed to knock me down then he kicked me down the steps.the next thing I remember is your friend Maurice standing over me".
Duncan ran his fingers across his chin "did you recognise him?"
Joe looked confused "Why would I recognise him.anyway it all happened too fast.any chance of a drink around here?" Joe asked.
"No problem" Duncan said walking over to small cabinet against the other wall where two crystal decanters were sat, he picked up one of the decanters and two glasses before returning to the couch "there was Immortal watching from the bridge this morning.I just thought if it was him you might know who he was" Joe shook his head "sorry Mac if it was the same guy I didn't really get a look at him.all I can tell you is he was about my height, black hair and in his late twenties" Duncan poured the brandy into one of the glasses and handed it to Joe. "Don't worry I'm sure he'll be back.anyway what are you doing here in the first place?" Joe took the glass and drank down some of the amber liquid "I did some more checking on this Lazarski guy.the Watcher records are a little sketchy but he is one evil dude" Joe took another sip of his drink "he's had several watchers over the years many of which have turned up dead.he deals in anything that will turn a profit.drugs, arms even people.he doesn't come up in many other chronicles so he tends to avoid his own kind but then ones he is in all his wins seem to be aided in some way by someone else.can't you leave this guy alone Mac".
Duncan stared into his glass "No Joe.I don't think I can.but my first priority is getting Alex as far away from him as possible.if he's as evil as you say someone has to stop him" Duncan replied looking up from his glass.
"So where were you today?" Joe asked as he held out his glass for Duncan to refill, Duncan picked up the decanter and refilled Joe's glass "I went back to the café I'm sure she'll turn up there but if she was there this morning I didn't see her.I have to find her soon I can't keep stalling her colleague for ever"
Joe drank the last of the brandy in his glass before rubbing his head "Do you think you could drive me home Mac I don't think it's a good idea for me to drive" Duncan nodded and got to his feet, he held out his hand to help Joe. Joe smiled as he gratefully took hold "you know Mac I'm going to give Alex's description out see if any of my guys can find her" he saw a worried look come over Duncan's face "It's ok I'll tell them not to approach her but to contact me if they spot her.I'll tell them something about believing she is a new Immortal I can tell them I was mistaken after we find her" Duncan nodded "Thanks Joe" as he help him up the steps.
Alex was sat on her haunches her eyes were tired and her stomach was rumbling, as she hadn't eaten all day, she was glad when the café closed. She was just about to go back to her hotel when she saw the owner leaving a feeling that he knew how to find Du Pont came over her, Alex silently broke cover and followed the owner as he walked home. As Alex followed the man into an alley he stopped abruptly turning around, Alex melted into the shadows when he was happy that he wasn't being followed he continued his journey. Alex knew she had to act before she lost the element of surprise; quietly she picked up her pace gaining on her prey before he could reach the end of the alley. As she came up behind him she took out her gun hitting him across the back of the head she watched with a detached look on her face as he crumpled to the ground.
When the café owner came around he was greeted by Alex's smiling face "good of you to join me" she said. The man went to lash out but found his hands tied "please take my wallet.please don't hurt me" Alex lean closer so that she could speak in a whisper "I don't want your money.all I want is to know where Du Pont is" Alex could see the fear in his eyes just at the mention of Du Pont's name, so she was sure he knew something "Please he will kill me if I talk to you" the man pleaded. But Alex's heart had grown cold all she cared about was the information she needed, she brought her gun up to the man's face and let the cold steel run down his cheek "I wouldn't worry about Du Pont he's not here.but I would worry about me.you see I just want to know where to find Du Pont and I don't care what I have to do to find him.do I make myself clear?" Alex said pulling back the hammer, the sound it made seemed to reverberate around the alley.
The sound of the gun being cocked caught the attention of a man who was just leaving a building back down the alley. He walked slowly up until he could see what was happening "Oh dear God!" he exclaimed quietly to himself, he then back away into a door way a he fumbled in his jacket finally taking out a cell phone and pressing one of the preset numbers. He waited as the phone on the other end rang.
"Not feeling very talkative.let me see shall what start with" Alex whispered as she ran the cold steel of her gun down his cheek, along his chest down to his knee "It's kinda hard to wait on tables with no knees". To her surprise the man smiled "you won't do it.everyone will hear", Alex couldn't help smiling as she reached into her jacket pocket "your so right they would if I didn't have one of these" she said as she screwed a silencer onto her gun "are you sure there isn't anything you want to tell me?". She watched as the colour drained from the man's face, she put her head on one side and raised her eyebrows "Ok.OK he has an office on Rue Leblanc.that's all I know I swear" Alex could see from the man's eyes that this was all she was going to get, she stood up and rubbed her eyes "All right I believe you but I think for your own good, you should keep this little chat between us.Du Pont won't hear from me that you told me but if I find out that you have lied to me I'll be back and I won't be asking anymore questions.understand?" the man nodded furiously. Alex helped the man to his feet she then took a knife from her pocket causing the man to back away "turn round" the man hesitated so Alex took hold of his arm and turned him, she cut the ropes that was holding the man "now get going and don't look back". The man didn't wait for Alex to say anything else he took off out of the alley leaving Alex alone. She looked down at the gun in one hand and the knife in the other she quickly put the knife back into her pocket but her eyes seemed to be transfixed on the gun.
She walked back into the darkness of the alley her heart was pounding, her breathing rapid 'what had she just done' she thought as she sat down on the metal step of a fire escape she cradled the gun in her hands feeling the coldness of the metal against the warmth of her hands. She had held it lots of times but this was the first time she had ever fitted a silencer, she felt a wave of nausea flow over her she just managed to control it. She had held this gun to the heads of criminals and terrorists but never against a 'normal' person like a café owner, who was just a man trying to make a living, he had no control over who decided to come to his café. A noise from further down the alley brought Alex to her feet she pushed the gun into the bag she had over one shoulder, she moved away from the fire escape to get a clearer view down the alley but she saw know one. Brushing her hair back behind her ears she headed out of the alley back to the hotel. Tomorrow she was going to pay a visit to Monsieur Du Pont and would need to be alert he won't be so easy.
Duncan returned to the barge after taking Joe home, he had stayed for dinner and a few drinks, so it was getting late when he returned to the barge, as he entered he could see the flashing red light on his answer phone, Duncan flicked on the light switch before walking over to the desk, hitting the rewind button. While he waited for the tape to rewind he hung up his coat and poured himself a drink before returning to the desk, he pressed the play button as he sat in the high backed chair that was next to the desk.
"MacLeod it's me Fitz where the devil are you.Well I was just leaving my tailor when I saw her.Alex I mean.well call me as soon as you get in"
Duncan put down the glass and picked up the phone "Fitz it's Duncan.where are you?"
"I'm outside her hotel just like you asked me and I'm freezing" Fitz replied Duncan sighed, "You know that Immortals don't die of a chill.where exactly are you?" Duncan listened as Fitz gave him directions "I'm on my way stay there and if she leaves call me on my cell phone". Duncan then grabbed his coat and rushed out the door only just remembering to lock the door.
Alex leant back against the wall as she watched from the shadows, the café had been open of nearly an hour a few customers had come and gone but still no sign of Du Pont. Alex looked down at her feet and kicked at the dust that had collected in the alcove she had found between the buildings opposite the café. "Damn it.what's he doing here?" she muttered under her breath as she watched Duncan approach the café, she hoped that he would continue on but he went in, Alex pressed herself as far back in the shadow as she could as she watched Duncan talking to the café owner there could only be one reason for him being here, he was looking for her.
Duncan sat at a table in the window so he could have a clear view of the street, Alex had hoped that after finding out that she hadn't been in there he would leave but when he pulled out a small book from his long black coat she knew he was there waiting for her. She couldn't risk leaving the alcove, as he would see her so all she could do was wait it out hoping that he would give up before Du Pont showed up. Duncan started reading looking up every now and then as the waiter brought him another cup of coffee, he also check out the street to see if he could spot her. From where she was watching she could clearly see his face and the worried look that he had worn since he arrived, part of her longed to go to him but she pushed it back. How had he managed to get to her like this? For as long as she could remember she had held men at arms length, she had been out of dates but only when she had run out of excuses not to. Only a couple of men had managed to break through her protective shell in her entire life but none had made her feel the way Duncan did.
The memory of how tenderly Duncan had touched her, how secure and safe she had felt in his arms made her breath quicken. Had it been the amnesia that had made her forget the sickening feeling she usual got when a man touched her, she had felt it just after they had met but it soon disappeared. There was something different about him, was it in his eyes or the velvet tone of his voice, she couldn't quite put her finger on it but something allowed her to relax like she had never done before. As she looked back at Duncan he looked up and she felt like their eyes met she pressed herself harder against the wall hoping that he hadn't seen her, when Duncan didn't move she knew that only her eyes had made the connection, all he had seen was the darkness that was hiding her. She mentally scolded herself she had to stay focused she couldn't let her feelings for Duncan get in the way but while he sat there all she could think about was him, would he really understand if explained it all to him or would he recoil at who she really was and what is had been through to get this far.
Just when her heart started to win the battle over her doubts and was trying to convince her to cross the small distance of the road to talk to him, when she saw Duncan put down his book and take out his phone. He then quickly got to his feet, putting some money on the table before leaving; he took one last look around the street before he walked quickly away in the direction of the barge.
Alex sighed her mind no longer needed to battle her heart he was gone and even though she was sad to see him leave at least now she could concentrate on finding Du Pont and then Lazarski.
Duncan wished he had brought his car as he hurried back to the barge the phone call had been from Maurice who had heard a disturbance on Duncan's barge when he got there he had found Joe at the bottom of the steps unconscious. Duncan hadn't been expecting Joe to call and he wondered what could've brought him to the barge without calling first. As Duncan came down the steps to the riverside he could see Maurice and Joe sitting on the deck, Joe's head was bowed forward and he held an ice pack on his head. "Joe are you all right.what happened?" Duncan asked as he strode up the gangplank. Joe looked up "Don't panic Mac nothings broken only my pride" he said as Duncan reached where they were sitting Duncan reached out "here let me have a look at that" he said as he moved Joe's hand away "I think we should get you to the hospital.give me your keys" Joe waved him away "stop fusing Mac I'm fine a little bruised nothing serious.do you think we could go inside?" Duncan nodded and helped Joe to his feet, he had just turned to help Joe down the steps when he remembered Maurice "Thanks for your help Maurice but I can take care of it from here". Maurice shrugged "I'm glad I was able to help my friend.I was cooking lunch when I heard shouting..Oh my I left the oven on.I must go" Maurice said getting to his feet in a fluster "Oh it was nice meeting you Joe.sorry it wasn't under more pleasant circumstances" Joe didn't get a chance to respond before Maurice was down the gangplank and heading for his barge.
Duncan sat Joe on the couch "you going to tell me what happened?" Duncan asked as he sat down in the chair "When I got to the steps I saw a man fiddling with the lock, so I asked him what the hell he was doing then he ran up the steps.I tried to hold onto him but he managed to knock me down then he kicked me down the steps.the next thing I remember is your friend Maurice standing over me".
Duncan ran his fingers across his chin "did you recognise him?"
Joe looked confused "Why would I recognise him.anyway it all happened too fast.any chance of a drink around here?" Joe asked.
"No problem" Duncan said walking over to small cabinet against the other wall where two crystal decanters were sat, he picked up one of the decanters and two glasses before returning to the couch "there was Immortal watching from the bridge this morning.I just thought if it was him you might know who he was" Joe shook his head "sorry Mac if it was the same guy I didn't really get a look at him.all I can tell you is he was about my height, black hair and in his late twenties" Duncan poured the brandy into one of the glasses and handed it to Joe. "Don't worry I'm sure he'll be back.anyway what are you doing here in the first place?" Joe took the glass and drank down some of the amber liquid "I did some more checking on this Lazarski guy.the Watcher records are a little sketchy but he is one evil dude" Joe took another sip of his drink "he's had several watchers over the years many of which have turned up dead.he deals in anything that will turn a profit.drugs, arms even people.he doesn't come up in many other chronicles so he tends to avoid his own kind but then ones he is in all his wins seem to be aided in some way by someone else.can't you leave this guy alone Mac".
Duncan stared into his glass "No Joe.I don't think I can.but my first priority is getting Alex as far away from him as possible.if he's as evil as you say someone has to stop him" Duncan replied looking up from his glass.
"So where were you today?" Joe asked as he held out his glass for Duncan to refill, Duncan picked up the decanter and refilled Joe's glass "I went back to the café I'm sure she'll turn up there but if she was there this morning I didn't see her.I have to find her soon I can't keep stalling her colleague for ever"
Joe drank the last of the brandy in his glass before rubbing his head "Do you think you could drive me home Mac I don't think it's a good idea for me to drive" Duncan nodded and got to his feet, he held out his hand to help Joe. Joe smiled as he gratefully took hold "you know Mac I'm going to give Alex's description out see if any of my guys can find her" he saw a worried look come over Duncan's face "It's ok I'll tell them not to approach her but to contact me if they spot her.I'll tell them something about believing she is a new Immortal I can tell them I was mistaken after we find her" Duncan nodded "Thanks Joe" as he help him up the steps.
Alex was sat on her haunches her eyes were tired and her stomach was rumbling, as she hadn't eaten all day, she was glad when the café closed. She was just about to go back to her hotel when she saw the owner leaving a feeling that he knew how to find Du Pont came over her, Alex silently broke cover and followed the owner as he walked home. As Alex followed the man into an alley he stopped abruptly turning around, Alex melted into the shadows when he was happy that he wasn't being followed he continued his journey. Alex knew she had to act before she lost the element of surprise; quietly she picked up her pace gaining on her prey before he could reach the end of the alley. As she came up behind him she took out her gun hitting him across the back of the head she watched with a detached look on her face as he crumpled to the ground.
When the café owner came around he was greeted by Alex's smiling face "good of you to join me" she said. The man went to lash out but found his hands tied "please take my wallet.please don't hurt me" Alex lean closer so that she could speak in a whisper "I don't want your money.all I want is to know where Du Pont is" Alex could see the fear in his eyes just at the mention of Du Pont's name, so she was sure he knew something "Please he will kill me if I talk to you" the man pleaded. But Alex's heart had grown cold all she cared about was the information she needed, she brought her gun up to the man's face and let the cold steel run down his cheek "I wouldn't worry about Du Pont he's not here.but I would worry about me.you see I just want to know where to find Du Pont and I don't care what I have to do to find him.do I make myself clear?" Alex said pulling back the hammer, the sound it made seemed to reverberate around the alley.
The sound of the gun being cocked caught the attention of a man who was just leaving a building back down the alley. He walked slowly up until he could see what was happening "Oh dear God!" he exclaimed quietly to himself, he then back away into a door way a he fumbled in his jacket finally taking out a cell phone and pressing one of the preset numbers. He waited as the phone on the other end rang.
"Not feeling very talkative.let me see shall what start with" Alex whispered as she ran the cold steel of her gun down his cheek, along his chest down to his knee "It's kinda hard to wait on tables with no knees". To her surprise the man smiled "you won't do it.everyone will hear", Alex couldn't help smiling as she reached into her jacket pocket "your so right they would if I didn't have one of these" she said as she screwed a silencer onto her gun "are you sure there isn't anything you want to tell me?". She watched as the colour drained from the man's face, she put her head on one side and raised her eyebrows "Ok.OK he has an office on Rue Leblanc.that's all I know I swear" Alex could see from the man's eyes that this was all she was going to get, she stood up and rubbed her eyes "All right I believe you but I think for your own good, you should keep this little chat between us.Du Pont won't hear from me that you told me but if I find out that you have lied to me I'll be back and I won't be asking anymore questions.understand?" the man nodded furiously. Alex helped the man to his feet she then took a knife from her pocket causing the man to back away "turn round" the man hesitated so Alex took hold of his arm and turned him, she cut the ropes that was holding the man "now get going and don't look back". The man didn't wait for Alex to say anything else he took off out of the alley leaving Alex alone. She looked down at the gun in one hand and the knife in the other she quickly put the knife back into her pocket but her eyes seemed to be transfixed on the gun.
She walked back into the darkness of the alley her heart was pounding, her breathing rapid 'what had she just done' she thought as she sat down on the metal step of a fire escape she cradled the gun in her hands feeling the coldness of the metal against the warmth of her hands. She had held it lots of times but this was the first time she had ever fitted a silencer, she felt a wave of nausea flow over her she just managed to control it. She had held this gun to the heads of criminals and terrorists but never against a 'normal' person like a café owner, who was just a man trying to make a living, he had no control over who decided to come to his café. A noise from further down the alley brought Alex to her feet she pushed the gun into the bag she had over one shoulder, she moved away from the fire escape to get a clearer view down the alley but she saw know one. Brushing her hair back behind her ears she headed out of the alley back to the hotel. Tomorrow she was going to pay a visit to Monsieur Du Pont and would need to be alert he won't be so easy.
Duncan returned to the barge after taking Joe home, he had stayed for dinner and a few drinks, so it was getting late when he returned to the barge, as he entered he could see the flashing red light on his answer phone, Duncan flicked on the light switch before walking over to the desk, hitting the rewind button. While he waited for the tape to rewind he hung up his coat and poured himself a drink before returning to the desk, he pressed the play button as he sat in the high backed chair that was next to the desk.
"MacLeod it's me Fitz where the devil are you.Well I was just leaving my tailor when I saw her.Alex I mean.well call me as soon as you get in"
Duncan put down the glass and picked up the phone "Fitz it's Duncan.where are you?"
"I'm outside her hotel just like you asked me and I'm freezing" Fitz replied Duncan sighed, "You know that Immortals don't die of a chill.where exactly are you?" Duncan listened as Fitz gave him directions "I'm on my way stay there and if she leaves call me on my cell phone". Duncan then grabbed his coat and rushed out the door only just remembering to lock the door.