Chapter 28
When Alex, Duncan Joe and Methos arrived back at Le Blues bar Fitz was already there leaned against the bar with a glass of what looked like brandy in his hand "There you are my good fellows" Fitz said as he walked over them "Now we're all here shall we proceed" Fitz said as he finished his drink and placed the empty glass on the nearest table. As Joe walked to the bar he took hold of Duncan's arm "You be careful out there my friend" Duncan smiled "I always am Joe".
"Alex will come with me.Fitz you're with Adam". Duncan said as he walked towards where the cars were parked.
Methos followed Duncan's car and as they turned into the road where Du Pont lived, Methos flashed his lights, it was the signal that he was going round the back of the building. Duncan stopped the car in front of one of the buildings just down the street, he didn't want to risk them being seen by Du Pont leaving the car together, as this would lose them the element of surprise. As Duncan pulled on the parking brake he looked across at Alex "Are you sure you want to do this.we could try another way" Alex smiled Duncan's concern was very touching, no one had ever shown this much concern for her safety except Sister Maria "Duncan, I'm fine.remember this sort of thing is part of my job" Alex replied but she could see from Duncan's eyes that he wasn't convinced she was ready for this and deep inside the part of her was still the terrified 11 year old child, Alex looked away from Duncan out of the window at Du Pont's building and struggled to control her inner fear.
Duncan hadn't missed the look of terror in her eyes, as images from her past played in her mind, he had seen her eyes reflected in the window, just before she closed them as she took a couple of deep breaths. "Let's do this," she said turning and smiling at Duncan, who just nodded and got out of the car. He knew that there was nothing he could say to stop her even though all he wanted to do was hold her in his arms and protect her from this horror. Alex walked on ahead of Duncan stopping just before the door, the last barrier between her and Du Pont; she took another deep breath, trying to push everything from her mind, clearing it so she could focus on the present. Duncan had taken up position by the door out of sight as Alex reached up and pressed the intercom button, she held her finger on it for at least a minute until an irritated voice crackled from the speaker "Who's there?" Alex lent forward so she could speak quietly into the intercom "It's Alex Rogan".
"What are you doing here?"
"I've got the disc your boss wants so bad.now are you going to let me in or do I just destroy it here" Both Alex and Duncan heard the intercom click off and movement from inside the house.
Methos turned the headlights off as he coasted his car to a stop at the rear of Du Pont's house. There was a high wall and a metal gate, Fitz got to the gate first he tried pushing it open but it didn't move "Locked" he said turning to Methos, he then started work on the lock, Methos looked around to see if they were being watched. "Don't worry old man I'll have this open in a jiffy" Fitz said as he grinned at Methos, who raised his eyes to the sky before walking away further down the wall "I'm going to get you for this MacLeod" he said under his breath as he leant back against the wall. "Did MacLeod tell you about the time we broke into the Tower of London.what a night that was.he wasn't much help.we only got as far as we did because of my skill" Fitz said looking across to where Methos was standing "I take it lock picking isn't one of them" Fitz took a double take not quite sure if he had heard correctly but going back to work on the lock. Methos scanned the area for anyone approaching when he noticed several bins outside the back of a house a little way up the alley, one of them looked about the right height to get him over the wall, so without saying anything to Fitz he wandered off towards the bins. Fitz was still engrossed in trying to undo the lock as Methos pushed the larger bin into position. With the added height of the bin it didn't take Methos much effort to pull himself over the wall. The garden was streaked with the light from the windows of the house as he dropped softly onto the other side of the wall; keeping to the shadows he made his way to the gate. The gate was dimly lit by the light just reaching it from one of the windows, Methos took a good look at the gate, and a grin broke out across his face as he shook his head.
Fitz was surprised to see Methos on the other side of the gate "How the devil!" he exclaimed, Methos took hold of the gate and pushed it open, Fitz jumped back as the gate swung open towards him "Well of course it's obvious I unlocked it without knowing it" he said as he walked through into the garden. "Well don't just stand there old boy MacLeod is counting on us" Methos rolled his eyes as he followed Fitz up the path to the back door, as Fitz was about to start working on the door lock Methos tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to the open window "I think this will be quicker" Methos said as he started to climb through the window.
As a figure came closer to the front door Duncan saw Alex tense and he knew that he had to be ready. The door opened slowly and a gun came into view first as Du Pont edged towards Alex his eyes fixed on her, Duncan waited until most of the arm was visible to him before making his move, he brought his arm down on Du Pont's with such force the bone broke and the gun fell to the ground, Duncan moved quickly following the move with a blow to Du Pont's chest forcing him back into the house, Duncan and Alex followed, Alex closing the door behind her. Duncan picked up the crumbled form of Du Pont by the throat and pushed him into the first room "Is there anyone else in the house?" Duncan asked as he squeezed Du Pont's throat, Du Pont nodded "How many?" Du Pont just managed to speak "2 their in the back room" Du Pont had just finished speaking when Duncan heard two thuds and he turned to the door as Methos and Fitz came in "There that didn't take long" Fitz said as he entered the room.
Duncan forced Du Pont into one of the chairs, Alex who had been behind him came round to face Du Pont, she reached under her jacket and brought out a gun, letting the safety off as she pointed it into Du Pont's face. "Now where are the kids being held?" Du Pont just laugh, "Do you think I'm really going to tell you?"
Alex smiled as she ran the gun barrel down Du Pont's face "It would be the easier option.you see I have enough bullets here to make it very painful for you".
From the door Methos could see what was happening and the look on Duncan's face as he watched Alex, so he walked over to Duncan "Mac Let me do this.take Alex and Fitz outside.this shouldn't take long" one look into Methos's eyes told Duncan that he should do as he was asked, without a word Duncan stepped up to Alex his hand taking hold of the gun "Let Adam try" Alex was about to protest but Duncan was already moving her to the door, Duncan motioned with his head for Fitz to follow and all three left the room.
Du Pont watched this slim built man pick up one of the other chairs and place it in front of where he was sitting. Methos didn't say a word he just sat down and stared unblinking at Du Pont, this made the man nervous he tried to look anywhere else in the room except this strangers face but the man's eyes keep drawing him back, Du Pont swallowed hard "You don't scare me.I'm not afraid of you or anything you could do to me" a small smile crossed Methos face "When I first saw you I thought you were a bright man.but maybe I was mistaken".
"Why do you say that?" Du Pont felt compelled to ask.
"You see a bright man knows when he should be afraid.I can understand you not being afraid of the others but you should be afraid of me" Methos said reaching forward with one touch Du Pont found himself paralyzed. Methos saw the look of terror in Du Pont's eyes, he leaned closer so his voice was only a whisper "I learned that one in China but I've many others that will make you wish that you were dead and this way the neighbours aren't disturbed by your screams" Methos said as he moved his hands and Du Pont's face was racked with pain "I can keep this up for hours but I'm not sure about you"
Alex paced up and down the hall she didn't like not know what was happening in that room, there were no sounds, no talking nothing "What's going on in there?" she said as she walked towards the door, Duncan put out his arm stopping her "Adam knows what he's doing.give him a chance" he could tell that this was hard for her and he could understand how she felt. Alex nodded and walked over to where Fitz was sitting on the stairs and sat down, Duncan relaxed a little but he too wanted to know what was happening in the room.
About fifteen minutes went by before the door opened and Methos stepped out "One's at an old warehouse Quai Jules Guesde, the other is at a house Rue Du Moulin" Methos said making for the door "What about Du Pont?" Alex asked as she got to her feet "He'll be unconscious for at least 12 hours and he won't be able to talk for at least another 6".
Duncan pushed the door open and peered inside Du Pont was still sat in the chair but slumped forward, Duncan raised his eyes to the ceiling before following Methos and the others out the front door, he caught hold of Methos's arm before he reached Duncan's car "What the hell happened in there?" Methos looked across at him "trust me MacLeod you don't want to know".
When Alex, Duncan Joe and Methos arrived back at Le Blues bar Fitz was already there leaned against the bar with a glass of what looked like brandy in his hand "There you are my good fellows" Fitz said as he walked over them "Now we're all here shall we proceed" Fitz said as he finished his drink and placed the empty glass on the nearest table. As Joe walked to the bar he took hold of Duncan's arm "You be careful out there my friend" Duncan smiled "I always am Joe".
"Alex will come with me.Fitz you're with Adam". Duncan said as he walked towards where the cars were parked.
Methos followed Duncan's car and as they turned into the road where Du Pont lived, Methos flashed his lights, it was the signal that he was going round the back of the building. Duncan stopped the car in front of one of the buildings just down the street, he didn't want to risk them being seen by Du Pont leaving the car together, as this would lose them the element of surprise. As Duncan pulled on the parking brake he looked across at Alex "Are you sure you want to do this.we could try another way" Alex smiled Duncan's concern was very touching, no one had ever shown this much concern for her safety except Sister Maria "Duncan, I'm fine.remember this sort of thing is part of my job" Alex replied but she could see from Duncan's eyes that he wasn't convinced she was ready for this and deep inside the part of her was still the terrified 11 year old child, Alex looked away from Duncan out of the window at Du Pont's building and struggled to control her inner fear.
Duncan hadn't missed the look of terror in her eyes, as images from her past played in her mind, he had seen her eyes reflected in the window, just before she closed them as she took a couple of deep breaths. "Let's do this," she said turning and smiling at Duncan, who just nodded and got out of the car. He knew that there was nothing he could say to stop her even though all he wanted to do was hold her in his arms and protect her from this horror. Alex walked on ahead of Duncan stopping just before the door, the last barrier between her and Du Pont; she took another deep breath, trying to push everything from her mind, clearing it so she could focus on the present. Duncan had taken up position by the door out of sight as Alex reached up and pressed the intercom button, she held her finger on it for at least a minute until an irritated voice crackled from the speaker "Who's there?" Alex lent forward so she could speak quietly into the intercom "It's Alex Rogan".
"What are you doing here?"
"I've got the disc your boss wants so bad.now are you going to let me in or do I just destroy it here" Both Alex and Duncan heard the intercom click off and movement from inside the house.
Methos turned the headlights off as he coasted his car to a stop at the rear of Du Pont's house. There was a high wall and a metal gate, Fitz got to the gate first he tried pushing it open but it didn't move "Locked" he said turning to Methos, he then started work on the lock, Methos looked around to see if they were being watched. "Don't worry old man I'll have this open in a jiffy" Fitz said as he grinned at Methos, who raised his eyes to the sky before walking away further down the wall "I'm going to get you for this MacLeod" he said under his breath as he leant back against the wall. "Did MacLeod tell you about the time we broke into the Tower of London.what a night that was.he wasn't much help.we only got as far as we did because of my skill" Fitz said looking across to where Methos was standing "I take it lock picking isn't one of them" Fitz took a double take not quite sure if he had heard correctly but going back to work on the lock. Methos scanned the area for anyone approaching when he noticed several bins outside the back of a house a little way up the alley, one of them looked about the right height to get him over the wall, so without saying anything to Fitz he wandered off towards the bins. Fitz was still engrossed in trying to undo the lock as Methos pushed the larger bin into position. With the added height of the bin it didn't take Methos much effort to pull himself over the wall. The garden was streaked with the light from the windows of the house as he dropped softly onto the other side of the wall; keeping to the shadows he made his way to the gate. The gate was dimly lit by the light just reaching it from one of the windows, Methos took a good look at the gate, and a grin broke out across his face as he shook his head.
Fitz was surprised to see Methos on the other side of the gate "How the devil!" he exclaimed, Methos took hold of the gate and pushed it open, Fitz jumped back as the gate swung open towards him "Well of course it's obvious I unlocked it without knowing it" he said as he walked through into the garden. "Well don't just stand there old boy MacLeod is counting on us" Methos rolled his eyes as he followed Fitz up the path to the back door, as Fitz was about to start working on the door lock Methos tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to the open window "I think this will be quicker" Methos said as he started to climb through the window.
As a figure came closer to the front door Duncan saw Alex tense and he knew that he had to be ready. The door opened slowly and a gun came into view first as Du Pont edged towards Alex his eyes fixed on her, Duncan waited until most of the arm was visible to him before making his move, he brought his arm down on Du Pont's with such force the bone broke and the gun fell to the ground, Duncan moved quickly following the move with a blow to Du Pont's chest forcing him back into the house, Duncan and Alex followed, Alex closing the door behind her. Duncan picked up the crumbled form of Du Pont by the throat and pushed him into the first room "Is there anyone else in the house?" Duncan asked as he squeezed Du Pont's throat, Du Pont nodded "How many?" Du Pont just managed to speak "2 their in the back room" Du Pont had just finished speaking when Duncan heard two thuds and he turned to the door as Methos and Fitz came in "There that didn't take long" Fitz said as he entered the room.
Duncan forced Du Pont into one of the chairs, Alex who had been behind him came round to face Du Pont, she reached under her jacket and brought out a gun, letting the safety off as she pointed it into Du Pont's face. "Now where are the kids being held?" Du Pont just laugh, "Do you think I'm really going to tell you?"
Alex smiled as she ran the gun barrel down Du Pont's face "It would be the easier option.you see I have enough bullets here to make it very painful for you".
From the door Methos could see what was happening and the look on Duncan's face as he watched Alex, so he walked over to Duncan "Mac Let me do this.take Alex and Fitz outside.this shouldn't take long" one look into Methos's eyes told Duncan that he should do as he was asked, without a word Duncan stepped up to Alex his hand taking hold of the gun "Let Adam try" Alex was about to protest but Duncan was already moving her to the door, Duncan motioned with his head for Fitz to follow and all three left the room.
Du Pont watched this slim built man pick up one of the other chairs and place it in front of where he was sitting. Methos didn't say a word he just sat down and stared unblinking at Du Pont, this made the man nervous he tried to look anywhere else in the room except this strangers face but the man's eyes keep drawing him back, Du Pont swallowed hard "You don't scare me.I'm not afraid of you or anything you could do to me" a small smile crossed Methos face "When I first saw you I thought you were a bright man.but maybe I was mistaken".
"Why do you say that?" Du Pont felt compelled to ask.
"You see a bright man knows when he should be afraid.I can understand you not being afraid of the others but you should be afraid of me" Methos said reaching forward with one touch Du Pont found himself paralyzed. Methos saw the look of terror in Du Pont's eyes, he leaned closer so his voice was only a whisper "I learned that one in China but I've many others that will make you wish that you were dead and this way the neighbours aren't disturbed by your screams" Methos said as he moved his hands and Du Pont's face was racked with pain "I can keep this up for hours but I'm not sure about you"
Alex paced up and down the hall she didn't like not know what was happening in that room, there were no sounds, no talking nothing "What's going on in there?" she said as she walked towards the door, Duncan put out his arm stopping her "Adam knows what he's doing.give him a chance" he could tell that this was hard for her and he could understand how she felt. Alex nodded and walked over to where Fitz was sitting on the stairs and sat down, Duncan relaxed a little but he too wanted to know what was happening in the room.
About fifteen minutes went by before the door opened and Methos stepped out "One's at an old warehouse Quai Jules Guesde, the other is at a house Rue Du Moulin" Methos said making for the door "What about Du Pont?" Alex asked as she got to her feet "He'll be unconscious for at least 12 hours and he won't be able to talk for at least another 6".
Duncan pushed the door open and peered inside Du Pont was still sat in the chair but slumped forward, Duncan raised his eyes to the ceiling before following Methos and the others out the front door, he caught hold of Methos's arm before he reached Duncan's car "What the hell happened in there?" Methos looked across at him "trust me MacLeod you don't want to know".