Chapter 22
Alex was stretched out on the couch with one of Duncan's books in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other; she laid the book down on the coffee table as she heard someone at the door. Alex had just got to her feet when Duncan appeared at the top of the steps she could see that he had been working out by the way his skin glistened with perspiration "Duncan I was getting worried" Alex said as she walked over to the steps. Duncan wiped his face with the towel that was around his neck "Sorry but you were still sleeping and I didn't want to wake you so I went for a run.I didn't intend to be so long but I ran into someone and kinda lost track of time" Duncan replied as he walked into the kitchen "Do you want a drink?" he said popping his head round the door "No I'm fine just had a coffee.there's still some in the pot I think" Alex said as she walked up the steps and stood in the doorway, she watched as Duncan took a jug of orange juice from the fridge and poured himself a glass, he took a long drink before turning to face her, "I'm going to grab a quick shower then I'll make us some lunch" he said as he put the jug back in the fridge "Alex I know I said last night that we'd go to the Louvre today but something's come up and I need to deal with it today" Alex was concerned by Duncan's manner and how distant he seemed, she walked into the kitchen and leant against the counter "Duncan it's fine.you don't have to entertain me.I'll just hang around here or take a walk along the river.you know I could get used to this Lady of Leisure life" Alex said smiling at Duncan.
After his shower Duncan prepared lunch for both of them and Alex found herself watching him as he ate, he was lost in his own thoughts and Alex didn't want to disturb him but her instincts for trouble had served her well over the years and they were telling her something wasn't right. Duncan had never been this quiet, Alex started to clear the dishes from the table as Duncan put on his shoes and tied back his hair "are you sure you don't mind clearing up?" Duncan asked as Alex came back from the kitchen for the last dishes "Honestly Duncan it's fine.don't worry just get what you need to do done and I'll be here when you get back" She then saw a distant look come over Duncan's eyes "Are you all right?" she asked as she walked towards him "I'm fine" Duncan replied smiling as he grabbed his coat that had been laid on the chair next to him, he had only just got to the top of the steps as the door opened and Methos came in "Adam?" Duncan said as he looked back at Alex "I thought I said we would meet at Joe's". Methos looked confused as he knew Duncan wasn't expecting him but as Duncan raised his eyebrows and motioned towards the door he knew that Duncan wanted to talk to him without Alex hearing "Errr.Hello Alex.I thought it would be quicker if I came here first" Methos said raising his hand in greeting to Alex, "Hi Adam" Alex said as she squeezed past the both of them into the kitchen.
As Methos followed Duncan out onto the deck he caught hold of Duncan's arm "Hey Mac, do you mind telling me what all that was about?" Duncan looked back at the door "Not here.in the car", nothing more was said between the two Immortals until they were seated in the car out of earshot "What are you doing here?" Duncan asked Methos shifted in his seat so that he could look at Duncan "I came to see if you've seen Joe I've been to the bar and his place but no one has seen him since yesterday" Duncan leant forward resting his head on the steering wheel, he had been clinging to the small hope that Claude had managed to separate Joe from his cane but he knew that chance was now gone "Claude D'Aubigne has him".
"Claude D'Aubigne he's one of Lazarski's men" Methos exclaimed "but what does he want with Joe?" Duncan lifted his head and looked across at Methos "he wants a trade" a look of horror came across Methos's face "you can't give him your head.Joe wouldn't want that".
"It's not me he wants" Duncan said as he started the car Duncan could see what Methos was thinking from the expression on his face "and no he doesn't want yours.he wants Alex". Methos let Duncan's words sink in and he watched Duncan as he checked the road was clear before pulling out onto the main road "and your not going to do that either.are you?"
"Nope" Duncan replied shaking his head "I take if from the antics back at the barge she doesn't know about this?"
"No and she isn't going to find out.if she finds out she could do something stupid like going after Lazarski herself and I'm not going to let her do that she has no idea what she's dealing with.I'm going to deal with this.I just wish I knew why he wanted her so badly.other than the fact that she shot him" as Duncan glanced over at Methos he could see that he was lost in thought "Hold on a minute you said it was D'Aubigne that has Joe"
"Thanks right.but he works for Lazarski" Duncan replied "So it must be him pulling the strings". Methos shook his head "I don' t think so if it was he would have gone after her directly.gone for something that effects her not you".
"So what are you saying?" Duncan asked he wanted to concentrate on what Methos was saying so he found a parking space in a side road, as he turned the engine off he turned to face Methos "It's not his style Mac".
"And how would you know what his style is?" Duncan asked the surprise evident in his voice "Let's just say I knew him a long time ago.if her wanted her, he'd use something that would hurt her or was important to her.like you" a look of realisation came over Methos's face "This could be a set up to get your head.that settles it I'm coming with you.where is the exchange taking place?" Methos asked he had an uneasy feeling about all of this, Duncan handed Methos the piece of paper Claude had given him this morning "There at 8 O'clock tonight.he said bring the girl alone or." Methos raised his hand "This isn't open to debate I'm coming and that's the end to it.I'll stay back he won't even know that I'm there.anyway I feel responsible".
"Why" Duncan asked he couldn't see how Methos could be responsible for Joe being snatched, Methos put his hands to his face letting his fingers come together around his nose "I was his teacher".
"YOU WERE WHAT?" Duncan exclaimed as this new piece of news took him completely by surprise "I found him not long after his first death.he was alone.he was confused and lack confidence in anything he did.he was with me for about a year I didn't see what he had become until it was too late.one night he decided he no longer need a teacher.he was never that good with a sword so he arranged a little accident for me if it hadn't been for the idiot he hire to attack me doing by the river and not being quick enough.I would have been dead.permanently".
After finishing clearing up Alex had sat back on the couch and picked up the book she was reading earlier but although her eyes followed the words on the page but her mind seemed to wander off over how Duncan had acted, it still worried her, she knew something was wrong, she looked at her watch it was a little after 4 in the afternoon and still no call from Ray, Suddenly, a thought came to her she had told Duncan that she might go for a walk but she hadn't said where and how would he know if her walk took her to Du Pont's office. Alex closed the book and dropped it onto the couch before heading to the kitchen to make a flask of coffee and some sandwiches.
It didn't take Alex long to get to the street Du Pont's office was on she knew that Ray and Thomas would be watching it, it didn't take her long to see the car they were using. As she approached the car she kept out of the line of sight of their mirrors as much as possible and as they were watching the building they didn't see her until the last moment when she opened the rear door "What the Hell are you doing here?" Thomas exclaimed as he turned to face her "Now is that anyway to greet a friend bring fresh coffee and sandwiches?" Alex replied as she poured a cup of the hot coffee into one of the cups she had brought with her, Ray twisted in his seat to look at her "You know Thomas is right.your still suspended Alex and you promised us 5 days."
"I know but I never said that I wouldn't bring my friends something to eat on a stakeout.I know how awful these things can be" Alex said handing the other cup to Ray, she also dropped a packet of sandwiches into Thomas's lap "that should keep your stomach from making those weird noises "my stomach does." Thomas started to protest when Alex raised her hand and both Ray and Thomas followed her gaze to 2 figures walking up the road "That's him.Du Pont.I don't recognise the other one though" Alex said pointing down the road Ray squinted "you can recognise him at this distance.I think I need an eyetest".
"I would recognise him anywhere.I have a built in scumbag detector" Alex replied as they all watched the 2 men walking towards the office building when they were nearly there a man came out of the doorway next to the office, there was something about this new man that Alex recognised but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. The three men started talking and then from their body language Alex could see that it was getting heated. Then the man who had just joined them threw up his arms and stormed off, a few words were exchanged between Du Pont and the man he had been walking with before he started walking back the way they had just come. Alex knew this was her chance "Look there are 3 of them and anyone could lead to Lazarski.why don't I follow the guy that left in a hurry and you two could take one of the others" she could see the doubt in Ray and Thomas's eyes as they look at each other "I promise I won't do anything without clearing it with you first.give me that spare cell phone you have then you can contact me" she looked at both of them trying to gauge their reaction "Look I'm not armed and I'm not looking for trouble.come on what damage could I do?" she said trying to make her expression as innocent as possible. Ray sighed "I hope I don't live to regret this Alex" Ray said as he took the spare cell phone from the glove box and handed it to Alex "Trust me.see you two later" Alex said as she got out of the car and started her pursue.
Alex was stretched out on the couch with one of Duncan's books in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other; she laid the book down on the coffee table as she heard someone at the door. Alex had just got to her feet when Duncan appeared at the top of the steps she could see that he had been working out by the way his skin glistened with perspiration "Duncan I was getting worried" Alex said as she walked over to the steps. Duncan wiped his face with the towel that was around his neck "Sorry but you were still sleeping and I didn't want to wake you so I went for a run.I didn't intend to be so long but I ran into someone and kinda lost track of time" Duncan replied as he walked into the kitchen "Do you want a drink?" he said popping his head round the door "No I'm fine just had a coffee.there's still some in the pot I think" Alex said as she walked up the steps and stood in the doorway, she watched as Duncan took a jug of orange juice from the fridge and poured himself a glass, he took a long drink before turning to face her, "I'm going to grab a quick shower then I'll make us some lunch" he said as he put the jug back in the fridge "Alex I know I said last night that we'd go to the Louvre today but something's come up and I need to deal with it today" Alex was concerned by Duncan's manner and how distant he seemed, she walked into the kitchen and leant against the counter "Duncan it's fine.you don't have to entertain me.I'll just hang around here or take a walk along the river.you know I could get used to this Lady of Leisure life" Alex said smiling at Duncan.
After his shower Duncan prepared lunch for both of them and Alex found herself watching him as he ate, he was lost in his own thoughts and Alex didn't want to disturb him but her instincts for trouble had served her well over the years and they were telling her something wasn't right. Duncan had never been this quiet, Alex started to clear the dishes from the table as Duncan put on his shoes and tied back his hair "are you sure you don't mind clearing up?" Duncan asked as Alex came back from the kitchen for the last dishes "Honestly Duncan it's fine.don't worry just get what you need to do done and I'll be here when you get back" She then saw a distant look come over Duncan's eyes "Are you all right?" she asked as she walked towards him "I'm fine" Duncan replied smiling as he grabbed his coat that had been laid on the chair next to him, he had only just got to the top of the steps as the door opened and Methos came in "Adam?" Duncan said as he looked back at Alex "I thought I said we would meet at Joe's". Methos looked confused as he knew Duncan wasn't expecting him but as Duncan raised his eyebrows and motioned towards the door he knew that Duncan wanted to talk to him without Alex hearing "Errr.Hello Alex.I thought it would be quicker if I came here first" Methos said raising his hand in greeting to Alex, "Hi Adam" Alex said as she squeezed past the both of them into the kitchen.
As Methos followed Duncan out onto the deck he caught hold of Duncan's arm "Hey Mac, do you mind telling me what all that was about?" Duncan looked back at the door "Not here.in the car", nothing more was said between the two Immortals until they were seated in the car out of earshot "What are you doing here?" Duncan asked Methos shifted in his seat so that he could look at Duncan "I came to see if you've seen Joe I've been to the bar and his place but no one has seen him since yesterday" Duncan leant forward resting his head on the steering wheel, he had been clinging to the small hope that Claude had managed to separate Joe from his cane but he knew that chance was now gone "Claude D'Aubigne has him".
"Claude D'Aubigne he's one of Lazarski's men" Methos exclaimed "but what does he want with Joe?" Duncan lifted his head and looked across at Methos "he wants a trade" a look of horror came across Methos's face "you can't give him your head.Joe wouldn't want that".
"It's not me he wants" Duncan said as he started the car Duncan could see what Methos was thinking from the expression on his face "and no he doesn't want yours.he wants Alex". Methos let Duncan's words sink in and he watched Duncan as he checked the road was clear before pulling out onto the main road "and your not going to do that either.are you?"
"Nope" Duncan replied shaking his head "I take if from the antics back at the barge she doesn't know about this?"
"No and she isn't going to find out.if she finds out she could do something stupid like going after Lazarski herself and I'm not going to let her do that she has no idea what she's dealing with.I'm going to deal with this.I just wish I knew why he wanted her so badly.other than the fact that she shot him" as Duncan glanced over at Methos he could see that he was lost in thought "Hold on a minute you said it was D'Aubigne that has Joe"
"Thanks right.but he works for Lazarski" Duncan replied "So it must be him pulling the strings". Methos shook his head "I don' t think so if it was he would have gone after her directly.gone for something that effects her not you".
"So what are you saying?" Duncan asked he wanted to concentrate on what Methos was saying so he found a parking space in a side road, as he turned the engine off he turned to face Methos "It's not his style Mac".
"And how would you know what his style is?" Duncan asked the surprise evident in his voice "Let's just say I knew him a long time ago.if her wanted her, he'd use something that would hurt her or was important to her.like you" a look of realisation came over Methos's face "This could be a set up to get your head.that settles it I'm coming with you.where is the exchange taking place?" Methos asked he had an uneasy feeling about all of this, Duncan handed Methos the piece of paper Claude had given him this morning "There at 8 O'clock tonight.he said bring the girl alone or." Methos raised his hand "This isn't open to debate I'm coming and that's the end to it.I'll stay back he won't even know that I'm there.anyway I feel responsible".
"Why" Duncan asked he couldn't see how Methos could be responsible for Joe being snatched, Methos put his hands to his face letting his fingers come together around his nose "I was his teacher".
"YOU WERE WHAT?" Duncan exclaimed as this new piece of news took him completely by surprise "I found him not long after his first death.he was alone.he was confused and lack confidence in anything he did.he was with me for about a year I didn't see what he had become until it was too late.one night he decided he no longer need a teacher.he was never that good with a sword so he arranged a little accident for me if it hadn't been for the idiot he hire to attack me doing by the river and not being quick enough.I would have been dead.permanently".
After finishing clearing up Alex had sat back on the couch and picked up the book she was reading earlier but although her eyes followed the words on the page but her mind seemed to wander off over how Duncan had acted, it still worried her, she knew something was wrong, she looked at her watch it was a little after 4 in the afternoon and still no call from Ray, Suddenly, a thought came to her she had told Duncan that she might go for a walk but she hadn't said where and how would he know if her walk took her to Du Pont's office. Alex closed the book and dropped it onto the couch before heading to the kitchen to make a flask of coffee and some sandwiches.
It didn't take Alex long to get to the street Du Pont's office was on she knew that Ray and Thomas would be watching it, it didn't take her long to see the car they were using. As she approached the car she kept out of the line of sight of their mirrors as much as possible and as they were watching the building they didn't see her until the last moment when she opened the rear door "What the Hell are you doing here?" Thomas exclaimed as he turned to face her "Now is that anyway to greet a friend bring fresh coffee and sandwiches?" Alex replied as she poured a cup of the hot coffee into one of the cups she had brought with her, Ray twisted in his seat to look at her "You know Thomas is right.your still suspended Alex and you promised us 5 days."
"I know but I never said that I wouldn't bring my friends something to eat on a stakeout.I know how awful these things can be" Alex said handing the other cup to Ray, she also dropped a packet of sandwiches into Thomas's lap "that should keep your stomach from making those weird noises "my stomach does." Thomas started to protest when Alex raised her hand and both Ray and Thomas followed her gaze to 2 figures walking up the road "That's him.Du Pont.I don't recognise the other one though" Alex said pointing down the road Ray squinted "you can recognise him at this distance.I think I need an eyetest".
"I would recognise him anywhere.I have a built in scumbag detector" Alex replied as they all watched the 2 men walking towards the office building when they were nearly there a man came out of the doorway next to the office, there was something about this new man that Alex recognised but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. The three men started talking and then from their body language Alex could see that it was getting heated. Then the man who had just joined them threw up his arms and stormed off, a few words were exchanged between Du Pont and the man he had been walking with before he started walking back the way they had just come. Alex knew this was her chance "Look there are 3 of them and anyone could lead to Lazarski.why don't I follow the guy that left in a hurry and you two could take one of the others" she could see the doubt in Ray and Thomas's eyes as they look at each other "I promise I won't do anything without clearing it with you first.give me that spare cell phone you have then you can contact me" she looked at both of them trying to gauge their reaction "Look I'm not armed and I'm not looking for trouble.come on what damage could I do?" she said trying to make her expression as innocent as possible. Ray sighed "I hope I don't live to regret this Alex" Ray said as he took the spare cell phone from the glove box and handed it to Alex "Trust me.see you two later" Alex said as she got out of the car and started her pursue.