Chapter 26
Duncan awoke the next morning to find Alex propped up on one elbow watching him "are you ok?" he asked as he reached out a hand lightly touching her cheek. "I'm fine.just trying to make sense of it all" Duncan smiled. "well if you do let me know.I'm still trying to figure it out" he said as he let his fingers run through her hair, how young her face seemed in the morning light he thought as he pulled her to him. They kissed and Alex settled down in his arms, they must have been there for 20 minutes or more when Alex sat up "fancy a run?" she asked her face alight with her smile "Err.you sure your up to it?" Duncan replied Alex's smile grew "Not afraid you can't keep up with me are you?" Alex said as she swung her legs out of the bed. Alex sat on the edge of the bed picking up her clothes from the night before Duncan's eyes ran over her naked body, her skin seemed to glow as the sunlight danced over it. Duncan reached out his hand and let his fingers run down her back, her skin was so smooth under his fingers "I can think of another sort of work out".
Alex looked over her shoulder, Duncan was now propped up on one arm his long dark hair framed his face she could so easily allow herself to be lost in his brown eyes forever. But there was another hunger that still burned in her soul she would never truly relax until Lazarski was dealt with. "There's enough time for that later.come on or are you getting too old" Alex laughed as she jumped away from the bed to avoid Duncan's grasp. As Alex dressed she moved the clothes she had worn the day before and the phone Ray had given her dropped out "Oh shit!" she exclaimed Duncan had just pulled his top over his head "What.what's wrong" he said as his head came out of the top. "Ray gave this to me yesterday, I turned it off when I went upstairs.he must have rung it by now to find out where I went" Alex screwed up her eyes as she pressed the on button. It took a few moments to connect but then it started beeping as the answer phone messages and text message reached the phone. "I'd better call them.let them know what happened" Alex had started to dial when she saw the concerned look on Duncan's face, "Don't worry I'm not going to tell them exactly what happened yesterday.just my version". Alex saw Duncan relax but she wasn't sure what she could say without them becoming suspicious.
The phone only rang a couple of rings before it was answered "Where the Hell have you been?" Ray fired the question down the phone before Alex could speak "Calm down nothing exciting happened.I followed the guy all over Paris to various places but none of them resulted in finding Lazarski.he must have been a runner, or something, no one important.how did you do?" Alex tried to keep her voice as calm as possible "Nothing yet but one place that Du Pont went looked very promising Thomas is staking it out now.. wait a minute why was the phone off Alex.what is it your not telling me?" Ray said his suspicion that she was up to something was growing.
Alex rubbed her eyebrow as she thought of what to say, "I got fed up and came back to the barge.I hope I don't have to draw you a diagram Ray but I will say it was a night to remember" from the small cough at the other end of the phone Alex knew that Ray had got the gist of what she was saying. "Just remember this case is ours now you stay well clear.we'll call you if we need you or we find Lazarski.now you go and have fun". Alex shook her head she knew that Ray would have a large grin on his face as he put the phone down. Alex sighed with relief that he had bought her story, that way all that happened the night before could remain a secret. "Come on I need to get out in the fresh air" she said as she headed for the door, Duncan followed just grabbing a handful of change from the side before joining her on deck. "Lead on" Alex said pointing down the gangplank, Duncan smiled "Well let's see what you've got," he said before running down onto the river bank.
They had done Duncan's usual circuit of the river bank and surrounding streets, they were on their way back when Duncan stopped at a newspaper stand "I just want a paper you go on and grab a shower I'll be along in a minute" Duncan said throwing Alex the keys to the barge "ok don't be long you owe me breakfast" Alex said as she ran on the spot "What are you talking about?" Duncan questioned "I beat you to the café remember so the bet was that you'd make breakfast"
"You cheated" Duncan replied Alex smiled at him "Now don't be a sore loser.see you at home" Alex said before she ran off not giving Duncan the chance to reply anymore. "Jacques just the usual" Duncan said as he took some change from his pocket "A bad business yesterday Monsieur.those poor children" Jacques replied, Duncan took the paper and unfolded it reading the headline "I don't know how you do it Monsieur MacLeod but I wouldn't mind knowing your secret".
"Sorry Jacques.what did you say?" Duncan had only heard some of what Jacques had said as he was concentrating on the story on the front page. "Whenever I see you there is always a beautiful woman at your side.I just wanted your secret" Duncan smiled "I'm sure your wife would not like me telling you". Jacques leaned over the counter of newspaper and sweets "I won't tell her if you don't" both men laughed before Duncan made his way back to the barge. When he got inside he could hear the shower running, so he went into the kitchen put on a pot of coffee before taking the jug of orange juice from the fridge and pouring himself a glass. He then took the glass through to the living area sitting down on the couch and unfolding the newspaper, he read the main story and was engrossed in another story inside the paper when he heard the shower stop and a few moments later. Alex appeared she was wearing his white bathrobe, he glanced around the paper and watched as she rubbed her long blonde hair with a towel. "I made some coffee if you want one" Duncan said without putting the paper down "Great" Alex replied as she went back up the steps to the kitchen.
"Do you want one?" Alex called from the kitchen "No thanks" Duncan replied. So Alex returned with a cup of hot coffee cradled in her hands, as she got to she bottom of the steps her eyes were drawn to the photograph on the front of the newspaper Duncan was reading. As she took in the meaning of the photograph her hands could no longer support the cup and if plummeted to the floor. The sound of smashing china made Duncan look up, all the colour had drained from Alex's face Duncan dropped the paper and just managed to get to Alex as her legs gave way. "Oh my God it's all my fault" Alex kept saying over and over as Duncan helped her to the couch. "Here sit down.What's your fault? Alex stretched out a trembling hand and picked up the newspaper "This" Alex said pointing to the lead story. Duncan had read about the kidnapping of two children the day before but he couldn't see how it could be Alex's fault "What are you talking about.how can you know this has anything to do with you?"
"This is a message to me from Lazarski" Alex showed the photograph to Duncan, he took hold of the paper, the photograph showed the crucifixes that had been found round the necks of the dead woman in one of the kidnap victim's car and the dead driver in the other, pinned to both of them was a number. Duncan put the paper down and turned to her, Alex was leaning forward her elbows on her knees and her hand clasped together in front of her face, she was rocking back a forth, Duncan took hold of her hands "Alex what's the message mean?" For the first time since he had known her, the tears in her eyes broke free and tumbled down her cheek "The crucifixes represents Sister Maria.a..and if I don't contact him those children will suffer the same fate as I did" Duncan could see her anxiety growing, she was finding it hard to sit still "He's telling me that he's done this because of what I have". Duncan gently brushed the tears away "What you mean the disc you gave Ray?"
"No.there's another one.one's he wants more.it's the only way he can get at his money, I took it from Trent without it Lazarski is broke.and if I don't give it to him.." Alex pressed her head into her hands trying desperately to shut out the images. Duncan pulled her hands away and lifted her head to face him "Alex what happened to you?"
Alex took a deep breath she had held this all inside for so long "I told you that Sister Maria was shot what I didn't tell you was that I was there.I was the reason she died.she was trying to stop them".
"He kidnapped you.but what for you didn't have any money" Alex tried to look away but Duncan held her face gently but firmly "That's not the way he made his money then.he took me away from everything I knew and loved.he used me as a commodity, to be bought and sold to the highest bidder" Alex closed her eyes but the images were free now and there was nothing she could do but face what had happened to her. Duncan put his arms around her as her body started to shake, "You don't have to tell me anymore if you don't want to"
"No it's ok.I've held this inside for too long" Alex said as she looked up at Duncan through the tears "He had quite a stable.I wasn't the only one you see.but I must have been the most trouble, as he took control of me himself.he boasted that he would break me.I lost count of the beatings, the cut lips, the black eyes, they all seemed to blur together.my lost years" Alex said trying to smile, she was finding it difficult to look Duncan in the eyes, he was quick to notice she seemed to be ashamed "Alex.it wasn't your fault.you where just a child" Duncan said as he lightly kissed her on the forehead "There's more Duncan.Lazarski found a market for me, people who liked it better if you resisted.as I got older it became a regular everyday thing to me.if someone was in the slightest way kind to me it was a big event.when I was 16 I knew that my life was worth less to Lazarski as the market for me had faded.I was sold to one of the men who had been a fan of mine so to speak.thankfully, he wasn't as careful as Lazarski and I managed to get a knife.after he had beaten and raped me he fell asleep" The memory of this man touching her made her skin crawl and she had to fight the bile down from her throat.
Duncan wanted to take her in his arms and tell her it was going to be all right but he knew that she need to face it all if she was ever going to be able to move on, so he just sat with his arm around her showing her support. "When I thought he was fully asleep I slipped out of the bed.I took the knife.I don't know why but I slit his throat.I stood there and watched him drown in his own blood.he even reached out for me to help him but I just stood there and watched I felt nothing.numb.totally numb.I found some clothes and climbed out of the window.for the first time in 5 years I was free.it took me 4 days to find my way back to the convent and thankfully they took me back.they never asked me what had happened and I never told.you're the first person I've ever told the whole story to" Alex's eyes fell on the photograph again "I'm not going to let that happen to them" Alex said getting up and walking over to the desk where her black bag lay, she pulled out the gun checking it.
Duncan got up walking over to her "Alex you can't do this alone.your not on your own with this anymore.You know that giving him the disc won't save them don't you.Alex where would he keep them?" Duncan asked Alex didn't have to ask what he was thinking she already knew "he would keep the separated.Du Pont would know".
"You get dress I'm going to take a quick shower.then we're going to see Joe" Duncan said as he wiped the last tear from her cheek "I promise you he will pay for what he's done.you have nothing to be ashamed of.we'll get him together.but first we find the children."
Duncan awoke the next morning to find Alex propped up on one elbow watching him "are you ok?" he asked as he reached out a hand lightly touching her cheek. "I'm fine.just trying to make sense of it all" Duncan smiled. "well if you do let me know.I'm still trying to figure it out" he said as he let his fingers run through her hair, how young her face seemed in the morning light he thought as he pulled her to him. They kissed and Alex settled down in his arms, they must have been there for 20 minutes or more when Alex sat up "fancy a run?" she asked her face alight with her smile "Err.you sure your up to it?" Duncan replied Alex's smile grew "Not afraid you can't keep up with me are you?" Alex said as she swung her legs out of the bed. Alex sat on the edge of the bed picking up her clothes from the night before Duncan's eyes ran over her naked body, her skin seemed to glow as the sunlight danced over it. Duncan reached out his hand and let his fingers run down her back, her skin was so smooth under his fingers "I can think of another sort of work out".
Alex looked over her shoulder, Duncan was now propped up on one arm his long dark hair framed his face she could so easily allow herself to be lost in his brown eyes forever. But there was another hunger that still burned in her soul she would never truly relax until Lazarski was dealt with. "There's enough time for that later.come on or are you getting too old" Alex laughed as she jumped away from the bed to avoid Duncan's grasp. As Alex dressed she moved the clothes she had worn the day before and the phone Ray had given her dropped out "Oh shit!" she exclaimed Duncan had just pulled his top over his head "What.what's wrong" he said as his head came out of the top. "Ray gave this to me yesterday, I turned it off when I went upstairs.he must have rung it by now to find out where I went" Alex screwed up her eyes as she pressed the on button. It took a few moments to connect but then it started beeping as the answer phone messages and text message reached the phone. "I'd better call them.let them know what happened" Alex had started to dial when she saw the concerned look on Duncan's face, "Don't worry I'm not going to tell them exactly what happened yesterday.just my version". Alex saw Duncan relax but she wasn't sure what she could say without them becoming suspicious.
The phone only rang a couple of rings before it was answered "Where the Hell have you been?" Ray fired the question down the phone before Alex could speak "Calm down nothing exciting happened.I followed the guy all over Paris to various places but none of them resulted in finding Lazarski.he must have been a runner, or something, no one important.how did you do?" Alex tried to keep her voice as calm as possible "Nothing yet but one place that Du Pont went looked very promising Thomas is staking it out now.. wait a minute why was the phone off Alex.what is it your not telling me?" Ray said his suspicion that she was up to something was growing.
Alex rubbed her eyebrow as she thought of what to say, "I got fed up and came back to the barge.I hope I don't have to draw you a diagram Ray but I will say it was a night to remember" from the small cough at the other end of the phone Alex knew that Ray had got the gist of what she was saying. "Just remember this case is ours now you stay well clear.we'll call you if we need you or we find Lazarski.now you go and have fun". Alex shook her head she knew that Ray would have a large grin on his face as he put the phone down. Alex sighed with relief that he had bought her story, that way all that happened the night before could remain a secret. "Come on I need to get out in the fresh air" she said as she headed for the door, Duncan followed just grabbing a handful of change from the side before joining her on deck. "Lead on" Alex said pointing down the gangplank, Duncan smiled "Well let's see what you've got," he said before running down onto the river bank.
They had done Duncan's usual circuit of the river bank and surrounding streets, they were on their way back when Duncan stopped at a newspaper stand "I just want a paper you go on and grab a shower I'll be along in a minute" Duncan said throwing Alex the keys to the barge "ok don't be long you owe me breakfast" Alex said as she ran on the spot "What are you talking about?" Duncan questioned "I beat you to the café remember so the bet was that you'd make breakfast"
"You cheated" Duncan replied Alex smiled at him "Now don't be a sore loser.see you at home" Alex said before she ran off not giving Duncan the chance to reply anymore. "Jacques just the usual" Duncan said as he took some change from his pocket "A bad business yesterday Monsieur.those poor children" Jacques replied, Duncan took the paper and unfolded it reading the headline "I don't know how you do it Monsieur MacLeod but I wouldn't mind knowing your secret".
"Sorry Jacques.what did you say?" Duncan had only heard some of what Jacques had said as he was concentrating on the story on the front page. "Whenever I see you there is always a beautiful woman at your side.I just wanted your secret" Duncan smiled "I'm sure your wife would not like me telling you". Jacques leaned over the counter of newspaper and sweets "I won't tell her if you don't" both men laughed before Duncan made his way back to the barge. When he got inside he could hear the shower running, so he went into the kitchen put on a pot of coffee before taking the jug of orange juice from the fridge and pouring himself a glass. He then took the glass through to the living area sitting down on the couch and unfolding the newspaper, he read the main story and was engrossed in another story inside the paper when he heard the shower stop and a few moments later. Alex appeared she was wearing his white bathrobe, he glanced around the paper and watched as she rubbed her long blonde hair with a towel. "I made some coffee if you want one" Duncan said without putting the paper down "Great" Alex replied as she went back up the steps to the kitchen.
"Do you want one?" Alex called from the kitchen "No thanks" Duncan replied. So Alex returned with a cup of hot coffee cradled in her hands, as she got to she bottom of the steps her eyes were drawn to the photograph on the front of the newspaper Duncan was reading. As she took in the meaning of the photograph her hands could no longer support the cup and if plummeted to the floor. The sound of smashing china made Duncan look up, all the colour had drained from Alex's face Duncan dropped the paper and just managed to get to Alex as her legs gave way. "Oh my God it's all my fault" Alex kept saying over and over as Duncan helped her to the couch. "Here sit down.What's your fault? Alex stretched out a trembling hand and picked up the newspaper "This" Alex said pointing to the lead story. Duncan had read about the kidnapping of two children the day before but he couldn't see how it could be Alex's fault "What are you talking about.how can you know this has anything to do with you?"
"This is a message to me from Lazarski" Alex showed the photograph to Duncan, he took hold of the paper, the photograph showed the crucifixes that had been found round the necks of the dead woman in one of the kidnap victim's car and the dead driver in the other, pinned to both of them was a number. Duncan put the paper down and turned to her, Alex was leaning forward her elbows on her knees and her hand clasped together in front of her face, she was rocking back a forth, Duncan took hold of her hands "Alex what's the message mean?" For the first time since he had known her, the tears in her eyes broke free and tumbled down her cheek "The crucifixes represents Sister Maria.a..and if I don't contact him those children will suffer the same fate as I did" Duncan could see her anxiety growing, she was finding it hard to sit still "He's telling me that he's done this because of what I have". Duncan gently brushed the tears away "What you mean the disc you gave Ray?"
"No.there's another one.one's he wants more.it's the only way he can get at his money, I took it from Trent without it Lazarski is broke.and if I don't give it to him.." Alex pressed her head into her hands trying desperately to shut out the images. Duncan pulled her hands away and lifted her head to face him "Alex what happened to you?"
Alex took a deep breath she had held this all inside for so long "I told you that Sister Maria was shot what I didn't tell you was that I was there.I was the reason she died.she was trying to stop them".
"He kidnapped you.but what for you didn't have any money" Alex tried to look away but Duncan held her face gently but firmly "That's not the way he made his money then.he took me away from everything I knew and loved.he used me as a commodity, to be bought and sold to the highest bidder" Alex closed her eyes but the images were free now and there was nothing she could do but face what had happened to her. Duncan put his arms around her as her body started to shake, "You don't have to tell me anymore if you don't want to"
"No it's ok.I've held this inside for too long" Alex said as she looked up at Duncan through the tears "He had quite a stable.I wasn't the only one you see.but I must have been the most trouble, as he took control of me himself.he boasted that he would break me.I lost count of the beatings, the cut lips, the black eyes, they all seemed to blur together.my lost years" Alex said trying to smile, she was finding it difficult to look Duncan in the eyes, he was quick to notice she seemed to be ashamed "Alex.it wasn't your fault.you where just a child" Duncan said as he lightly kissed her on the forehead "There's more Duncan.Lazarski found a market for me, people who liked it better if you resisted.as I got older it became a regular everyday thing to me.if someone was in the slightest way kind to me it was a big event.when I was 16 I knew that my life was worth less to Lazarski as the market for me had faded.I was sold to one of the men who had been a fan of mine so to speak.thankfully, he wasn't as careful as Lazarski and I managed to get a knife.after he had beaten and raped me he fell asleep" The memory of this man touching her made her skin crawl and she had to fight the bile down from her throat.
Duncan wanted to take her in his arms and tell her it was going to be all right but he knew that she need to face it all if she was ever going to be able to move on, so he just sat with his arm around her showing her support. "When I thought he was fully asleep I slipped out of the bed.I took the knife.I don't know why but I slit his throat.I stood there and watched him drown in his own blood.he even reached out for me to help him but I just stood there and watched I felt nothing.numb.totally numb.I found some clothes and climbed out of the window.for the first time in 5 years I was free.it took me 4 days to find my way back to the convent and thankfully they took me back.they never asked me what had happened and I never told.you're the first person I've ever told the whole story to" Alex's eyes fell on the photograph again "I'm not going to let that happen to them" Alex said getting up and walking over to the desk where her black bag lay, she pulled out the gun checking it.
Duncan got up walking over to her "Alex you can't do this alone.your not on your own with this anymore.You know that giving him the disc won't save them don't you.Alex where would he keep them?" Duncan asked Alex didn't have to ask what he was thinking she already knew "he would keep the separated.Du Pont would know".
"You get dress I'm going to take a quick shower.then we're going to see Joe" Duncan said as he wiped the last tear from her cheek "I promise you he will pay for what he's done.you have nothing to be ashamed of.we'll get him together.but first we find the children."