Chapter 17
Fitz was in a doorway opposite the hotel his jacket collar turned up against the cold and his pipe sending little clouds in the night air when Duncan arrived. As Duncan approached Fitz peeled himself away from the wall "Good of you to join me Laddie" Fitz said as he approached Duncan "Sorry traffic, is she still in there?" Duncan asked as he put his hands on his hips "Of course MacLeod.not a mouse can get past Hugh Fitzcairn". Duncan smiled "So how did you find her?" he asked his eyes on the hotel "Well it was a stunning piece of detective work I have you know" Fitz said as he took his pipe out of his mouth and tapped Duncan on the chest. Duncan put his head on one side and raised his eyebrows as he said, "So you stumbled on her".
"No.well yes" Fitz replied Duncan listened as Fitz told him all he had seen in the alley, Duncan wiped his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose "Thanks Fitz I'll handle it from here.you get off home" Duncan said as he patted Fitz on the shoulder.
"She in a room on the first floor...3rd door on the right" Fitz said as he relit his pipe and started to walk past Duncan who caught his arm "how did you find that out?" Duncan asked. Fitz smiled "The old Hugh Fitzcairn charm dear boy.met a charming lady.no contest.good luck my friend" Fitz said as he patted Duncan on the arm "Thanks.I'll call you" Duncan said as he watched Fitz walk away into the night. Duncan looked over at the hotel and after taking a deep breath he walked towards the door.
The well-built middle-aged lady behind the reception desk smiled at him as he walked towards the stairs like she was expecting him and Duncan wondered what Fitz had told her. It didn't take Duncan long to reach the landing.
Alex was laid on the bed staring at the cracks in the ceiling she didn't seem to have the energy to move as what she had just done played over and over in her mind; she closed her eyes as she pinched the bridge of her nose trying to stop the whirl of images when there was a knock on the door. Alex sat up and looked over at the door, she wasn't expecting anyone so she assumed they had the wrong room and was about to lay down again when there was another knock. Reluctantly, Alex got to her feet and walked slowly over to the door "Who is it?" she asked as her hand went to the door handle "It's me Duncan" Alex's hand sprang back from the handle, she wasn't prepared to see him, her eyes darted round the room trying to find an avenue of escape, her heart pounded in her chest. Quickly, she crossed to the window but as she opened it she saw Fitz leaning on a lamppost below, he took his smouldering pipe from his mouth and raised towards Alex in a greeting.
"Alex I know you're in there I just want to talk" Duncan said as he leaned against the doorframe trying to keep his voice low. Alex walked half way back to the door "Duncan.you shouldn't be here.. please go I don't want to involve you in this"
Duncan sighed "Look I'm not leaving till I've talked to you.we could do it through a locked door but I can't guarantee that we won't be heard" there were a few moments silence before he heard the key turning in the lock and the door slowly open. Alex just stood there staring all the words she had planned to say dissolved away when she saw his face "Well.are you going to let me in or are we going to stand in the hall all night" without a word Alex backed away gesturing for him to enter. Duncan closed the door behind him before turning to Alex, who was now leant against the small dressing table between the two windows. Alex rubbed her hands together as the warmth had drained from them "Duncan what do you want.this doesn't concern you" he walked towards her but stopped when Alex crossed her arms, her body language evident to Duncan as defensive "This does concern me.it's concerned me the moment we first met.I can't just walk away and watch you destroy yourself".
The smile that came across Alex's face stopped Duncan before he could say anymore "Duncan I'm touched by your concern but I've been looking after myself for quite a while before I met you.I've tried the other options this is the only way" Duncan rubbed his eyes as he looked round the room, on the bed he noticed Alex's bag laying where she had thrown it on her return, just visible was the silence barrel, without a word Duncan walked over to the bed and pulled the gun from the bag "You're here to kill him?" Alex looked at the gun in Duncan's hand as she walked over to him, she reached out a shaky hand and took the gun from Duncan as she looked up into his eyes he could see the tears and pain they held "This is the only way Duncan.I've done everything I can to get that scum off the street but it's never enough I thought it was all over when I shot him the last time but somehow he even managed to cheat death.this has to be done I won't miss a second time" before she lost control Alex turned her back on Duncan and thrust the gun back into the bag.
Duncan gently took hold of her shoulders "And what you did in the alley is that part of the master plan" Alex didn't turn round "I had no choice I needed to know where Du Pont.he'll lead me to Lazarski" Duncan turned her to face him "and what if the café owner hadn't known or was too afraid to say.would you really have blown his knees to pieces?" Alex went to turn away but Duncan held her firmly "Well would you.he runs a café.he's not part of this either but it didn't stop you involving him" Alex refused to meet Duncan's gaze she looked everywhere else, Duncan's hand went to her chin so she couldn't move her head away. Alex took a deep breath before she let her eyes meet his "I don't know Duncan.I just don't know" Alex used the brief moment that Duncan relaxed to break away, she walked over to the window looking out on the street below Fitz was no longer by the lamppost, Alex wrapped her arms tightly around her tying desperately to hold her emotions inside her.
Duncan stood watching a very different woman than he had grown to know, this one had placed a barrier between them, which she was desperately trying to hold in place against all the emotions she was feeling. He needed to get inside if he was ever going to be able to get to the real person, the real Alex Rogan, he walked over to her and folded his arms around her, not saying a word just letting her feel his warmth. Alex bite her lip as Duncan's arms went around hers 'why won't you let this go' she thought as she watched an old man in the street walking his small dog. There was no pressure now Duncan asked no more questions but Alex was finding that harder to bear "Oh Duncan what have I become?" still he didn't answer just lightly kissed her hair "I've dealt with villains and crooks, men who's only aim in life was death and destruction.. and never come to this place.I look in the mirror and don't recognise the face looking back.the nightmare was supposed to be over 2 years ago.how can it be happening again".
Alex didn't resist as Duncan turned her to face him, he smiled as he gently ran his hand down her cheek "I haven't always been an antique dealer.revenge doesn't end the pain" Alex looked up, Duncan noticed the light catching the tears in Alex's eyes still she fought them back "How do I stop it Duncan?"
"Live.you only have one life don't waste it on vengeance" Duncan said as he kissed her lips lightly "and let him go on hurting other.let him go on killing" Alex said pulling away, Duncan knew that she wouldn't give this up entirely she had to do something "We'll involve the proper authorities get them to deal with it"
Alex laughed, "You don't get it the authorities aren't looking for him they all think he's dead and I'm crazy.I have to do this there is no one else".
"No not all.your colleagues know your not crazy they want to help.let them help you do this the right way" Duncan could see that Alex was a little shocked at what he had just said "you've talked to Ray and Thomas?".
Duncan leant against the dressing table "I had quite a long chat with them the other morning.come back to the barge with me.I'll arrange for you to meet them.it can't hurt to hear what they have to say.now can it" Duncan said reaching out his hand to her, Alex couldn't explain why but she felt compelled to take hold of his hand Duncan then pulled her towards him. Alex knew this was madness she should send him away and do what she had planned but with him here so close, his eyes searching her inner soul 'how can one human being have this sort of effect on me' she thought as her breathing quickened. "Your not an assassin.I've seen the real Alex Rogan.this isn't who you are.stop now before you do anymore that you will regret for the rest of your life" Duncan's hands were now on her hips holding her in place "Please talk to them.for me?" Duncan asked as he looked up into her green eyes, he put his head on one side and smiled as he saw Alex's eyes change, he had seen that look in women's eyes many times before and he knew that he had won, well this round anyway. "my whole life" Alex smiled as she spoke and something in her expression worried Duncan a little but he pushed it from his mind he would as her about it later. He then stood up and pulled her close to him as their bodies touched the last of Alex's resolve against him disappear, so when he leant forward and kissed her, Alex returned his kiss as Duncan folded his arms around her.
Duncan finally broke the embrace "Get your things together.I'll go and settle your bill" Alex didn't seem to be able to find any words she just nodded as she watched Duncan walk out the door. Alex looked around the room she still wasn't sure how she had ended up agreeing to go back to the barge but she got her stuff together, it didn't take long as there wasn't much to start with. As she closed the room door she stopped for a moment 'If this doesn't work out.I can always do what I came here to do' she thought as she headed down the stairs.
As she got to the bottom of the stairs Alex could see Duncan chatting to the lady behind the reception desk, they both smiled at her as she walked over to join them. "Ready?" Duncan asked Alex nodded as Duncan took the small black bag from her "Merci Madame" Duncan said as he linked arms with Alex. The lady behind the reception desk smiled as she watched them walk away, her husband came out of the office and slipped his arms around her waist, "Vous quels sont sourire de?" (What are you smiling about?) The lady clasped her hands together "Le jeune amour.isn't il merveilleux?" (Young love.isn't it wonderful?).
Fitz was in a doorway opposite the hotel his jacket collar turned up against the cold and his pipe sending little clouds in the night air when Duncan arrived. As Duncan approached Fitz peeled himself away from the wall "Good of you to join me Laddie" Fitz said as he approached Duncan "Sorry traffic, is she still in there?" Duncan asked as he put his hands on his hips "Of course MacLeod.not a mouse can get past Hugh Fitzcairn". Duncan smiled "So how did you find her?" he asked his eyes on the hotel "Well it was a stunning piece of detective work I have you know" Fitz said as he took his pipe out of his mouth and tapped Duncan on the chest. Duncan put his head on one side and raised his eyebrows as he said, "So you stumbled on her".
"No.well yes" Fitz replied Duncan listened as Fitz told him all he had seen in the alley, Duncan wiped his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose "Thanks Fitz I'll handle it from here.you get off home" Duncan said as he patted Fitz on the shoulder.
"She in a room on the first floor...3rd door on the right" Fitz said as he relit his pipe and started to walk past Duncan who caught his arm "how did you find that out?" Duncan asked. Fitz smiled "The old Hugh Fitzcairn charm dear boy.met a charming lady.no contest.good luck my friend" Fitz said as he patted Duncan on the arm "Thanks.I'll call you" Duncan said as he watched Fitz walk away into the night. Duncan looked over at the hotel and after taking a deep breath he walked towards the door.
The well-built middle-aged lady behind the reception desk smiled at him as he walked towards the stairs like she was expecting him and Duncan wondered what Fitz had told her. It didn't take Duncan long to reach the landing.
Alex was laid on the bed staring at the cracks in the ceiling she didn't seem to have the energy to move as what she had just done played over and over in her mind; she closed her eyes as she pinched the bridge of her nose trying to stop the whirl of images when there was a knock on the door. Alex sat up and looked over at the door, she wasn't expecting anyone so she assumed they had the wrong room and was about to lay down again when there was another knock. Reluctantly, Alex got to her feet and walked slowly over to the door "Who is it?" she asked as her hand went to the door handle "It's me Duncan" Alex's hand sprang back from the handle, she wasn't prepared to see him, her eyes darted round the room trying to find an avenue of escape, her heart pounded in her chest. Quickly, she crossed to the window but as she opened it she saw Fitz leaning on a lamppost below, he took his smouldering pipe from his mouth and raised towards Alex in a greeting.
"Alex I know you're in there I just want to talk" Duncan said as he leaned against the doorframe trying to keep his voice low. Alex walked half way back to the door "Duncan.you shouldn't be here.. please go I don't want to involve you in this"
Duncan sighed "Look I'm not leaving till I've talked to you.we could do it through a locked door but I can't guarantee that we won't be heard" there were a few moments silence before he heard the key turning in the lock and the door slowly open. Alex just stood there staring all the words she had planned to say dissolved away when she saw his face "Well.are you going to let me in or are we going to stand in the hall all night" without a word Alex backed away gesturing for him to enter. Duncan closed the door behind him before turning to Alex, who was now leant against the small dressing table between the two windows. Alex rubbed her hands together as the warmth had drained from them "Duncan what do you want.this doesn't concern you" he walked towards her but stopped when Alex crossed her arms, her body language evident to Duncan as defensive "This does concern me.it's concerned me the moment we first met.I can't just walk away and watch you destroy yourself".
The smile that came across Alex's face stopped Duncan before he could say anymore "Duncan I'm touched by your concern but I've been looking after myself for quite a while before I met you.I've tried the other options this is the only way" Duncan rubbed his eyes as he looked round the room, on the bed he noticed Alex's bag laying where she had thrown it on her return, just visible was the silence barrel, without a word Duncan walked over to the bed and pulled the gun from the bag "You're here to kill him?" Alex looked at the gun in Duncan's hand as she walked over to him, she reached out a shaky hand and took the gun from Duncan as she looked up into his eyes he could see the tears and pain they held "This is the only way Duncan.I've done everything I can to get that scum off the street but it's never enough I thought it was all over when I shot him the last time but somehow he even managed to cheat death.this has to be done I won't miss a second time" before she lost control Alex turned her back on Duncan and thrust the gun back into the bag.
Duncan gently took hold of her shoulders "And what you did in the alley is that part of the master plan" Alex didn't turn round "I had no choice I needed to know where Du Pont.he'll lead me to Lazarski" Duncan turned her to face him "and what if the café owner hadn't known or was too afraid to say.would you really have blown his knees to pieces?" Alex went to turn away but Duncan held her firmly "Well would you.he runs a café.he's not part of this either but it didn't stop you involving him" Alex refused to meet Duncan's gaze she looked everywhere else, Duncan's hand went to her chin so she couldn't move her head away. Alex took a deep breath before she let her eyes meet his "I don't know Duncan.I just don't know" Alex used the brief moment that Duncan relaxed to break away, she walked over to the window looking out on the street below Fitz was no longer by the lamppost, Alex wrapped her arms tightly around her tying desperately to hold her emotions inside her.
Duncan stood watching a very different woman than he had grown to know, this one had placed a barrier between them, which she was desperately trying to hold in place against all the emotions she was feeling. He needed to get inside if he was ever going to be able to get to the real person, the real Alex Rogan, he walked over to her and folded his arms around her, not saying a word just letting her feel his warmth. Alex bite her lip as Duncan's arms went around hers 'why won't you let this go' she thought as she watched an old man in the street walking his small dog. There was no pressure now Duncan asked no more questions but Alex was finding that harder to bear "Oh Duncan what have I become?" still he didn't answer just lightly kissed her hair "I've dealt with villains and crooks, men who's only aim in life was death and destruction.. and never come to this place.I look in the mirror and don't recognise the face looking back.the nightmare was supposed to be over 2 years ago.how can it be happening again".
Alex didn't resist as Duncan turned her to face him, he smiled as he gently ran his hand down her cheek "I haven't always been an antique dealer.revenge doesn't end the pain" Alex looked up, Duncan noticed the light catching the tears in Alex's eyes still she fought them back "How do I stop it Duncan?"
"Live.you only have one life don't waste it on vengeance" Duncan said as he kissed her lips lightly "and let him go on hurting other.let him go on killing" Alex said pulling away, Duncan knew that she wouldn't give this up entirely she had to do something "We'll involve the proper authorities get them to deal with it"
Alex laughed, "You don't get it the authorities aren't looking for him they all think he's dead and I'm crazy.I have to do this there is no one else".
"No not all.your colleagues know your not crazy they want to help.let them help you do this the right way" Duncan could see that Alex was a little shocked at what he had just said "you've talked to Ray and Thomas?".
Duncan leant against the dressing table "I had quite a long chat with them the other morning.come back to the barge with me.I'll arrange for you to meet them.it can't hurt to hear what they have to say.now can it" Duncan said reaching out his hand to her, Alex couldn't explain why but she felt compelled to take hold of his hand Duncan then pulled her towards him. Alex knew this was madness she should send him away and do what she had planned but with him here so close, his eyes searching her inner soul 'how can one human being have this sort of effect on me' she thought as her breathing quickened. "Your not an assassin.I've seen the real Alex Rogan.this isn't who you are.stop now before you do anymore that you will regret for the rest of your life" Duncan's hands were now on her hips holding her in place "Please talk to them.for me?" Duncan asked as he looked up into her green eyes, he put his head on one side and smiled as he saw Alex's eyes change, he had seen that look in women's eyes many times before and he knew that he had won, well this round anyway. "my whole life" Alex smiled as she spoke and something in her expression worried Duncan a little but he pushed it from his mind he would as her about it later. He then stood up and pulled her close to him as their bodies touched the last of Alex's resolve against him disappear, so when he leant forward and kissed her, Alex returned his kiss as Duncan folded his arms around her.
Duncan finally broke the embrace "Get your things together.I'll go and settle your bill" Alex didn't seem to be able to find any words she just nodded as she watched Duncan walk out the door. Alex looked around the room she still wasn't sure how she had ended up agreeing to go back to the barge but she got her stuff together, it didn't take long as there wasn't much to start with. As she closed the room door she stopped for a moment 'If this doesn't work out.I can always do what I came here to do' she thought as she headed down the stairs.
As she got to the bottom of the stairs Alex could see Duncan chatting to the lady behind the reception desk, they both smiled at her as she walked over to join them. "Ready?" Duncan asked Alex nodded as Duncan took the small black bag from her "Merci Madame" Duncan said as he linked arms with Alex. The lady behind the reception desk smiled as she watched them walk away, her husband came out of the office and slipped his arms around her waist, "Vous quels sont sourire de?" (What are you smiling about?) The lady clasped her hands together "Le jeune amour.isn't il merveilleux?" (Young love.isn't it wonderful?).