Chapter 19
Alex's nerves had been on edge since Duncan had told her over breakfast that Ray and Thomas were coming at 10:30am, her continual pacing had been too much for Duncan so he had decided to go outside to train. Since he had told her Alex's she had been like a caged animal desperately searching for an escape route. Alex again checked her watch it was 10:25am, her mouth was so dry making swallowing difficult so she went to the kitchen for a glass of water as she returned she heard voices outside, Alex took a drink of the cool water as she walked over to the desk making sure she had the back to the other door so she had an avenue of escape should she need one.
Alex put the glass of water down on the desk as Duncan came down the steps wiping his face with a towel as he took the towel away he could see that Alex was primed to run the look in her eyes reminded him of a cornered animal as she again looked over her shoulder checking her escape route "Your friends have arrived" Duncan said as he got to the bottom of the stairs and stepped to one side to allow Ray Muir and Thomas Bishop to enter the barge. "Take a seat Gentleman" Duncan said as he walked over to Alex to show her his support. "Ray.Thomas" Alex greeted the two men "Alex it's nice to see your all right" Ray said as he sat down he then motioned with his head for Thomas to do the same, after hesitating for a moment he too sat down. Duncan put out his hand to guide Alex over to the couch but instead of sitting in the chair as he had expected she walked pass the chair around the coffee table and stood in front of the fire facing Ray and Thomas who were sat on the couch. "Would you like some coffee?" Duncan asked.
"Yeah that would be great" Ray replied, Thomas didn't say anything only nodded. While Duncan was in the kitchen he listened to see what was happening in the other room but there was only silence. As he walked back into the room he could sense how tense the atmosphere had become, Duncan sat in the chair that was by the couch before pouring the coffee, still no- one spoke as he hand the coffee to Ray and Thomas, as he handed Alex her cup he smiled and raised his eyebrows seeming to signal that she should start talking, Alex took Duncan's cue.
"Just so your in no illusions if you've come here to make me go back you've wasted your time" Alex's voice was clear and firm as she spoke and Duncan could see the fire in her eyes had returned.
Ray raised his hands in front of him "We're not here to take you back.we're here to help.we know Lazarski is alive we've seen him" Alex looked away she had been ready for a fight she hadn't expected this, she took a few moments to get her emotions under control "How. I mean where?" she asked still surprised at what Ray had just said. "We followed you to the café and to the office building the other day.when you left the man you followed came out with Lazarski.that was the same night we tried to grab you remember.sorry about that by the way just trying to do our jobs" Ray replied Thomas sat in silence just sat staring at Alex's face.
"Oh God I can't believe I was that close.Damn it!" Alex exclaimed ignoring Ray's apology as he had thought she would, he knew that she understood she didn't have to say it. Ray got to his feet and walked round the coffee table but Alex took a step to the side as he approached "Look I know you have more reason than the rest of us to want him" as soon as Ray had said the words he knew that he shouldn't have as the look Alex gave him could have frozen molten lava, Alex had told him in confidence about her past with Lazarski when he had gone to see if she was all right after Phil was killed and he had promised her that he wouldn't mention it again. Duncan had noticed the way Alex looked at Ray "Please Alex let us help you.. your suspended.you've got limited resources.If we go through the official channels.we'll get more resources onto this than you working alone".
Alex thought for a moment she had always found it easier to work alone but what Ray said made sense "So McCormack has agreed to all this?" she said looking Ray in the eyes "Well has he?"
Ray looked over to Thomas who just shrugged "No we haven't told him that we've seen Lazarski too yet.we.I wanted to talk to you first, this will be much easier if we're not falling over each other " Alex turned to Duncan as he got to his feet "He's making a lot of sense Alex.give them a chance" he said as he placed his hand on her arm.
"No, he hasn't agreed to any of this but I'm sure the old man will reinstate you when he finds out you were right but until then you'll have to take a back seat.an advisory role so to speak" Ray said as he stood with his hand on his hips. Alex was about to protest when she felt Duncan squeeze her arm, she looked up into Duncan's eyes and knew she was outnumbered "OK.all right.I'll back off for 5 days but if you don't get near him I'm going to do it my way" she looked from Ray to Thomas who both nodded "All right then, I guess you want to know what I've got?" Alex asked both Ray and Thomas nodded " Well the man I was following his name is Du Pont he's Lazarski's right hand man for the moment anyway.you'll need to find him if your going to get close to Lazarski I managed to find out that he has offices on Rue Leblanc.I know Lazarski is planning something big but I don't know what Trent didn't know the details but if you question him again he might be more co-operative" the expression on Ray's face stopped Alex speaking "What?" she asked Ray took a deep breath "we can't ask him anything Alex, he's dead".
"I didn't do anything to him that would've killed him" Alex said as she looked at Duncan's face he could see from her eyes as they plead with him to believe her. Ray put his hand up "It's all right we know you didn't kill him.but someone got to him in the hospital" They all watched as Alex processed this new information "If Trent is dead Lazarski must know he talked to me.if he knows I'm on to him, he'll have to make a his move soon.you see he's had a little cash flow problem the past few years" Alex walked over to the desk where her small black bag was on the chair, she had placed it there in case she needed to make a speedy exit, she unzipped it and put her hand inside it didn't take her long to locate the two computer discs as her fingers grasped the discs but after a moments thought, she let one drop back into the bag 'No need to tell them everything right now' she thought. Alex tossed the disc to Ray "he needs this to sell the last acquisition I know of.he gambled a large sum of money on buying this weapon.he had a buyer all lined up for it two years ago.only this disc contains the command codes, the weapon is useless without it" Alex said tossing the disc to Ray.
Duncan turned to her alarm evident on his face "Does he know you have this?" he asked as he walked towards her "Yes.well I guess so I took it off what I thought was a dead body but we all know now that he wasn't dead".
"You've had that all this time and you didn't think to turn it in" Thomas spoke for the first time the anger evident in his voice. "Well at the time I was a little preoccupied.when I thought the he was dead and it was all over I just forgot.I had a lot on my mind that night.if you remember but when I saw him at that Embassy Ball I remembered I had it.He must have engineered our meeting.he's not normally so careless so I figured he must have come back for it ".
"So you started your one woman campaign and in the process got Phil killed.you never thought that telling McCormack about that could have made a difference". Thomas said as he got to his feet. Duncan took hold of Alex's arm but she pulled her arm free and squared up to Thomas standing a few inches from his face "No one not you, not Ray and certainly not McCormack believed me. Only Phil believed me that he was alive and I don't think any of you knowing I had that disc would have changed that. Do you? .I tried to find him but came up empty so I put the word out that I still had the disc I needed something to get him into the open.I tried to keep Phil out of it .I didn't need anyone else to worry about.he was supposed to be at home that night but he followed me.He shouldn't have been there.it should never have happened".
"Then you would have been dead and Lazarski would have the command codes" Thomas spat as he took a pace forwards both Ray and Duncan saw Alex step back and her muscles tensed "Lazarski's not stupid he knew if he killed my he would never get the disc and I'm sure he would've known I wasn't stupid enough to have it on me.his shot was meant to wound.Phil just got in the way"
"Oh yes Rogue charging around doing her own thing.not a thought for anyone else.this isn't the first time someone else has got hurt because of you and your methods" Thomas said raising his voice. Duncan quickly moved across the room and pushed between them "This really isn't going solve anything.now is it?" he said looking from Alex to Thomas, he then turned back to Alex and pushed her away "let them do the work.what does it matter who brings Lazarski in.I thought the idea was to get him off the streets" even as he spoke he knew that there was really only one way to stop Lazarski and no one in the room but him could do that. Ray who had been watching from where he stood across the room went over to Thomas "Come on we had better get going.we need to talk to the old man.Alex we'll keep you up to speed I promise" Ray said as he went over to where Duncan and Alex were standing, Thomas was already on his way out the door.
"Don't mind him Alex he's never liked the fact you solved that case without him.why don't you try and think of this as a holiday" Ray said turning to Duncan "Not that she'd know what to do on holiday.our Alex here has never taken a holiday in all the time I've known her maybe you could get her to relax a bit".
"Are you coming or what?" Thomas shouted from the door Ray smiled and shrugged his shoulders "I'll be in touch" he said before walking towards the steps, Duncan followed him across the room when Ray reached the bottom of the steps he turned to Duncan "Look after her.she's been through a lot and this isn't going to be easy for her" Duncan patted Ray on the arm "I will" Ray then took a last look at Alex before joining Thomas outside "You really didn't need to be like that with her.we are all on the same team remember" Ray said as he caught up with Thomas at the car "Rogue doesn't know the meaning of working on the same team" Ray threw his hands up and shaking his head he got into the car "Let's see what the old man has to say shall we" Ray said as he watched Thomas slam the car into gear.
Duncan cleared away the coffee cups, when he returned Alex was staring out one of the portholes, her arms crossed protectively across her body, it seemed to Duncan that she was trying to hold herself together, he laid his hands on her shoulders "So you were going to use yourself as bait? It's a hell of a risk to take" As Duncan spoke Alex turned round to face him "It was a risk I was willing to take" she said as Duncan ran the back of his hand down her cheek "Even if it cost you your life?"
"It's my life Duncan.I have a right to do what I want with it" Duncan looked deep into her eyes what he saw looking back reminded him of a small child who had just awoken from a nightmare only to find it was real "there's something troubling you.what is it?" Alex pulled away walking a little way down the room before turning back to him "It's just.it's not only my life I'm risking now is it? .It's theirs and yours.in fact anyone who has contact with me".
"So that's why you left Fitz's isn't it? You were trying to protect me?" Alex nodded " This has nothing to do with you.I didn't want to involved" Duncan sighed as he walked over to her, at this moment she looked like the world was on her shoulders, he wrapped his arms around her "Oh Alex you can't protect everyone, not Ray, not Phil and there are some things in my life that you can't protect me from.. the world is not your responsibility, give yourself a break".
"You don't understand Phil should be at home with his wife and child not laying alone in some cold cemetery" Duncan lifted her chin so he could see into her eyes "Phil didn't die because of you.he made the choice to follow you on his own and it was Lazarski's bullet that killed him not yours.you were just trying to do your job" as Duncan spoke the look in her eyes told him this went deeper than just her job there was something very personal in it as well "Was I?".
"Look I'll just take a quick shower then we'll go for a walk along the Seine, it will give you time to think about this and then you can treat me to lunch" Duncan said smiling at her, the warmth of his smile lifted Alex's heart and she smiled back "Looks like hotdogs for lunch then".
Du Pont opened the door to Lazarski's apartment at first he thought the room was empty but as he walked in the chair behind the large desk turned round slowly from the window to face into the room. Lazarski leaned forward replacing the handset of the phone "Good of you to join us" he said as his cold gaze sent a chill down Du Pont's spine, Lazarski motioned for him to sit in the chair nearest to him "Sorry there was a delay at the airport in London.they never did explain why.so do you know how we are going to get our hands on enough money to pay for the shipment?"
Lazarski face broke into a smile "yes and I think this will manage to solve all our problems.the money and get that damn woman out of my life for good"
"So what is the plan?" Du Pont asked as he settled back in the chair "It's taking place tomorrow I've lined up the snatches. the ransoms on each of them will cover what we need and any delay on the parents part and we will make some extra from a deal I have lined up on the side and the publicity will bring Alex Rogan to me" he smiled as he took a cigar from the silver box on the desk. Du Pont knew of Lazarski's past dealings and wasn't keen on the idea of being part of it but he knew that if he showed any sign of disapproval he could be dead. "So how have you set this up?" Du Pont asked.
"I've got two teams and the snatches will take place roughly the same time tomorrow.Parks and Hack are leading the groups.they have their orders but I need you to take these to them" Lazarski said handing him two envelopes, Du Pont opened one of the envelopes and tipped the contents into his hand, a rosary fell onto his palm. Lazarski could see the confused look on his face "I see you don't know the significance of them" Du Pont shook his head "No I don't" he answered. Lazarski smiled "Just tell them to put them around the neck of who ever is travelling with the child and attach the note.all will become clear very soon". Suddenly, the door burst open and Claude entered the room, he had been listening to the conversation from he next room, where Lazarski had told him to wait, but he wanted to be involved "It would save a lot of time if I took control of one squad" he said reaching for one of the envelopes in Du Pont's hand. Du Pont didn't get time to react before Lazarski was on his feet, knocking Claude's hand away "You will do as I have told you to.I don't want your incompetent bungling to screw this up" Lazarski said with a dismissive hand gesture towards Du Pont he that he was his cue to leave, so without another word he left Lazarski's apartment to find Parks and Hack.
As soon as Du Pont had left the room Lazarski rounded on Claude "How dare you question my orders" Lazarski shouted his face red with anger. The next thing Claude knew Lazarski's sword was ripping into the skin on his neck "I tolerate you.just as long as you have your uses..I would tread very carefully my friend as at this moment I'm starting to ask myself if you have any" Claude swallowed as his throat dried, Lazarski hand never been friendly towards him but since Du Pont had arrived on the scene he had been pushed aside, no matter how hard he had tried it was never enough. His hand went inside his coat but Lazarski had seen him move and lifted his sword biting deeper into Claude's flesh. "That wouldn't be very smart.especially if you want to live a little longer" Lazarski said grinning, Claude let his hand drop away from his coat, he knew in his heart he was no match for Lazarski. But unknown to Lazarski Claude had been practicing in secret 'One day my time will come' he thought as Lazarski leaned closer to him "Now go and do what I have told you to do" Lazarski said dropping his sword away from Claude's throat.
Claude slammed the door after him "I'm going to show you.I'll get MacLeod to bring me the girl and then I'll know why she is so important" he said under his breath as he left the building.
Alex's nerves had been on edge since Duncan had told her over breakfast that Ray and Thomas were coming at 10:30am, her continual pacing had been too much for Duncan so he had decided to go outside to train. Since he had told her Alex's she had been like a caged animal desperately searching for an escape route. Alex again checked her watch it was 10:25am, her mouth was so dry making swallowing difficult so she went to the kitchen for a glass of water as she returned she heard voices outside, Alex took a drink of the cool water as she walked over to the desk making sure she had the back to the other door so she had an avenue of escape should she need one.
Alex put the glass of water down on the desk as Duncan came down the steps wiping his face with a towel as he took the towel away he could see that Alex was primed to run the look in her eyes reminded him of a cornered animal as she again looked over her shoulder checking her escape route "Your friends have arrived" Duncan said as he got to the bottom of the stairs and stepped to one side to allow Ray Muir and Thomas Bishop to enter the barge. "Take a seat Gentleman" Duncan said as he walked over to Alex to show her his support. "Ray.Thomas" Alex greeted the two men "Alex it's nice to see your all right" Ray said as he sat down he then motioned with his head for Thomas to do the same, after hesitating for a moment he too sat down. Duncan put out his hand to guide Alex over to the couch but instead of sitting in the chair as he had expected she walked pass the chair around the coffee table and stood in front of the fire facing Ray and Thomas who were sat on the couch. "Would you like some coffee?" Duncan asked.
"Yeah that would be great" Ray replied, Thomas didn't say anything only nodded. While Duncan was in the kitchen he listened to see what was happening in the other room but there was only silence. As he walked back into the room he could sense how tense the atmosphere had become, Duncan sat in the chair that was by the couch before pouring the coffee, still no- one spoke as he hand the coffee to Ray and Thomas, as he handed Alex her cup he smiled and raised his eyebrows seeming to signal that she should start talking, Alex took Duncan's cue.
"Just so your in no illusions if you've come here to make me go back you've wasted your time" Alex's voice was clear and firm as she spoke and Duncan could see the fire in her eyes had returned.
Ray raised his hands in front of him "We're not here to take you back.we're here to help.we know Lazarski is alive we've seen him" Alex looked away she had been ready for a fight she hadn't expected this, she took a few moments to get her emotions under control "How. I mean where?" she asked still surprised at what Ray had just said. "We followed you to the café and to the office building the other day.when you left the man you followed came out with Lazarski.that was the same night we tried to grab you remember.sorry about that by the way just trying to do our jobs" Ray replied Thomas sat in silence just sat staring at Alex's face.
"Oh God I can't believe I was that close.Damn it!" Alex exclaimed ignoring Ray's apology as he had thought she would, he knew that she understood she didn't have to say it. Ray got to his feet and walked round the coffee table but Alex took a step to the side as he approached "Look I know you have more reason than the rest of us to want him" as soon as Ray had said the words he knew that he shouldn't have as the look Alex gave him could have frozen molten lava, Alex had told him in confidence about her past with Lazarski when he had gone to see if she was all right after Phil was killed and he had promised her that he wouldn't mention it again. Duncan had noticed the way Alex looked at Ray "Please Alex let us help you.. your suspended.you've got limited resources.If we go through the official channels.we'll get more resources onto this than you working alone".
Alex thought for a moment she had always found it easier to work alone but what Ray said made sense "So McCormack has agreed to all this?" she said looking Ray in the eyes "Well has he?"
Ray looked over to Thomas who just shrugged "No we haven't told him that we've seen Lazarski too yet.we.I wanted to talk to you first, this will be much easier if we're not falling over each other " Alex turned to Duncan as he got to his feet "He's making a lot of sense Alex.give them a chance" he said as he placed his hand on her arm.
"No, he hasn't agreed to any of this but I'm sure the old man will reinstate you when he finds out you were right but until then you'll have to take a back seat.an advisory role so to speak" Ray said as he stood with his hand on his hips. Alex was about to protest when she felt Duncan squeeze her arm, she looked up into Duncan's eyes and knew she was outnumbered "OK.all right.I'll back off for 5 days but if you don't get near him I'm going to do it my way" she looked from Ray to Thomas who both nodded "All right then, I guess you want to know what I've got?" Alex asked both Ray and Thomas nodded " Well the man I was following his name is Du Pont he's Lazarski's right hand man for the moment anyway.you'll need to find him if your going to get close to Lazarski I managed to find out that he has offices on Rue Leblanc.I know Lazarski is planning something big but I don't know what Trent didn't know the details but if you question him again he might be more co-operative" the expression on Ray's face stopped Alex speaking "What?" she asked Ray took a deep breath "we can't ask him anything Alex, he's dead".
"I didn't do anything to him that would've killed him" Alex said as she looked at Duncan's face he could see from her eyes as they plead with him to believe her. Ray put his hand up "It's all right we know you didn't kill him.but someone got to him in the hospital" They all watched as Alex processed this new information "If Trent is dead Lazarski must know he talked to me.if he knows I'm on to him, he'll have to make a his move soon.you see he's had a little cash flow problem the past few years" Alex walked over to the desk where her small black bag was on the chair, she had placed it there in case she needed to make a speedy exit, she unzipped it and put her hand inside it didn't take her long to locate the two computer discs as her fingers grasped the discs but after a moments thought, she let one drop back into the bag 'No need to tell them everything right now' she thought. Alex tossed the disc to Ray "he needs this to sell the last acquisition I know of.he gambled a large sum of money on buying this weapon.he had a buyer all lined up for it two years ago.only this disc contains the command codes, the weapon is useless without it" Alex said tossing the disc to Ray.
Duncan turned to her alarm evident on his face "Does he know you have this?" he asked as he walked towards her "Yes.well I guess so I took it off what I thought was a dead body but we all know now that he wasn't dead".
"You've had that all this time and you didn't think to turn it in" Thomas spoke for the first time the anger evident in his voice. "Well at the time I was a little preoccupied.when I thought the he was dead and it was all over I just forgot.I had a lot on my mind that night.if you remember but when I saw him at that Embassy Ball I remembered I had it.He must have engineered our meeting.he's not normally so careless so I figured he must have come back for it ".
"So you started your one woman campaign and in the process got Phil killed.you never thought that telling McCormack about that could have made a difference". Thomas said as he got to his feet. Duncan took hold of Alex's arm but she pulled her arm free and squared up to Thomas standing a few inches from his face "No one not you, not Ray and certainly not McCormack believed me. Only Phil believed me that he was alive and I don't think any of you knowing I had that disc would have changed that. Do you? .I tried to find him but came up empty so I put the word out that I still had the disc I needed something to get him into the open.I tried to keep Phil out of it .I didn't need anyone else to worry about.he was supposed to be at home that night but he followed me.He shouldn't have been there.it should never have happened".
"Then you would have been dead and Lazarski would have the command codes" Thomas spat as he took a pace forwards both Ray and Duncan saw Alex step back and her muscles tensed "Lazarski's not stupid he knew if he killed my he would never get the disc and I'm sure he would've known I wasn't stupid enough to have it on me.his shot was meant to wound.Phil just got in the way"
"Oh yes Rogue charging around doing her own thing.not a thought for anyone else.this isn't the first time someone else has got hurt because of you and your methods" Thomas said raising his voice. Duncan quickly moved across the room and pushed between them "This really isn't going solve anything.now is it?" he said looking from Alex to Thomas, he then turned back to Alex and pushed her away "let them do the work.what does it matter who brings Lazarski in.I thought the idea was to get him off the streets" even as he spoke he knew that there was really only one way to stop Lazarski and no one in the room but him could do that. Ray who had been watching from where he stood across the room went over to Thomas "Come on we had better get going.we need to talk to the old man.Alex we'll keep you up to speed I promise" Ray said as he went over to where Duncan and Alex were standing, Thomas was already on his way out the door.
"Don't mind him Alex he's never liked the fact you solved that case without him.why don't you try and think of this as a holiday" Ray said turning to Duncan "Not that she'd know what to do on holiday.our Alex here has never taken a holiday in all the time I've known her maybe you could get her to relax a bit".
"Are you coming or what?" Thomas shouted from the door Ray smiled and shrugged his shoulders "I'll be in touch" he said before walking towards the steps, Duncan followed him across the room when Ray reached the bottom of the steps he turned to Duncan "Look after her.she's been through a lot and this isn't going to be easy for her" Duncan patted Ray on the arm "I will" Ray then took a last look at Alex before joining Thomas outside "You really didn't need to be like that with her.we are all on the same team remember" Ray said as he caught up with Thomas at the car "Rogue doesn't know the meaning of working on the same team" Ray threw his hands up and shaking his head he got into the car "Let's see what the old man has to say shall we" Ray said as he watched Thomas slam the car into gear.
Duncan cleared away the coffee cups, when he returned Alex was staring out one of the portholes, her arms crossed protectively across her body, it seemed to Duncan that she was trying to hold herself together, he laid his hands on her shoulders "So you were going to use yourself as bait? It's a hell of a risk to take" As Duncan spoke Alex turned round to face him "It was a risk I was willing to take" she said as Duncan ran the back of his hand down her cheek "Even if it cost you your life?"
"It's my life Duncan.I have a right to do what I want with it" Duncan looked deep into her eyes what he saw looking back reminded him of a small child who had just awoken from a nightmare only to find it was real "there's something troubling you.what is it?" Alex pulled away walking a little way down the room before turning back to him "It's just.it's not only my life I'm risking now is it? .It's theirs and yours.in fact anyone who has contact with me".
"So that's why you left Fitz's isn't it? You were trying to protect me?" Alex nodded " This has nothing to do with you.I didn't want to involved" Duncan sighed as he walked over to her, at this moment she looked like the world was on her shoulders, he wrapped his arms around her "Oh Alex you can't protect everyone, not Ray, not Phil and there are some things in my life that you can't protect me from.. the world is not your responsibility, give yourself a break".
"You don't understand Phil should be at home with his wife and child not laying alone in some cold cemetery" Duncan lifted her chin so he could see into her eyes "Phil didn't die because of you.he made the choice to follow you on his own and it was Lazarski's bullet that killed him not yours.you were just trying to do your job" as Duncan spoke the look in her eyes told him this went deeper than just her job there was something very personal in it as well "Was I?".
"Look I'll just take a quick shower then we'll go for a walk along the Seine, it will give you time to think about this and then you can treat me to lunch" Duncan said smiling at her, the warmth of his smile lifted Alex's heart and she smiled back "Looks like hotdogs for lunch then".
Du Pont opened the door to Lazarski's apartment at first he thought the room was empty but as he walked in the chair behind the large desk turned round slowly from the window to face into the room. Lazarski leaned forward replacing the handset of the phone "Good of you to join us" he said as his cold gaze sent a chill down Du Pont's spine, Lazarski motioned for him to sit in the chair nearest to him "Sorry there was a delay at the airport in London.they never did explain why.so do you know how we are going to get our hands on enough money to pay for the shipment?"
Lazarski face broke into a smile "yes and I think this will manage to solve all our problems.the money and get that damn woman out of my life for good"
"So what is the plan?" Du Pont asked as he settled back in the chair "It's taking place tomorrow I've lined up the snatches. the ransoms on each of them will cover what we need and any delay on the parents part and we will make some extra from a deal I have lined up on the side and the publicity will bring Alex Rogan to me" he smiled as he took a cigar from the silver box on the desk. Du Pont knew of Lazarski's past dealings and wasn't keen on the idea of being part of it but he knew that if he showed any sign of disapproval he could be dead. "So how have you set this up?" Du Pont asked.
"I've got two teams and the snatches will take place roughly the same time tomorrow.Parks and Hack are leading the groups.they have their orders but I need you to take these to them" Lazarski said handing him two envelopes, Du Pont opened one of the envelopes and tipped the contents into his hand, a rosary fell onto his palm. Lazarski could see the confused look on his face "I see you don't know the significance of them" Du Pont shook his head "No I don't" he answered. Lazarski smiled "Just tell them to put them around the neck of who ever is travelling with the child and attach the note.all will become clear very soon". Suddenly, the door burst open and Claude entered the room, he had been listening to the conversation from he next room, where Lazarski had told him to wait, but he wanted to be involved "It would save a lot of time if I took control of one squad" he said reaching for one of the envelopes in Du Pont's hand. Du Pont didn't get time to react before Lazarski was on his feet, knocking Claude's hand away "You will do as I have told you to.I don't want your incompetent bungling to screw this up" Lazarski said with a dismissive hand gesture towards Du Pont he that he was his cue to leave, so without another word he left Lazarski's apartment to find Parks and Hack.
As soon as Du Pont had left the room Lazarski rounded on Claude "How dare you question my orders" Lazarski shouted his face red with anger. The next thing Claude knew Lazarski's sword was ripping into the skin on his neck "I tolerate you.just as long as you have your uses..I would tread very carefully my friend as at this moment I'm starting to ask myself if you have any" Claude swallowed as his throat dried, Lazarski hand never been friendly towards him but since Du Pont had arrived on the scene he had been pushed aside, no matter how hard he had tried it was never enough. His hand went inside his coat but Lazarski had seen him move and lifted his sword biting deeper into Claude's flesh. "That wouldn't be very smart.especially if you want to live a little longer" Lazarski said grinning, Claude let his hand drop away from his coat, he knew in his heart he was no match for Lazarski. But unknown to Lazarski Claude had been practicing in secret 'One day my time will come' he thought as Lazarski leaned closer to him "Now go and do what I have told you to do" Lazarski said dropping his sword away from Claude's throat.
Claude slammed the door after him "I'm going to show you.I'll get MacLeod to bring me the girl and then I'll know why she is so important" he said under his breath as he left the building.