Chapter 33
It hadn't taken Ray long to find Le Blues bar, he looked at his watch as he entered there was still 10 minutes to the deadline, he made his way passed the tables towards the bar people's conversations stopped as they watched the bruised and blooded man walk past then towards the bar. Joe looked up from talking with a few of his regulars as he realised the normal background noise had stopped, he then saw the stranger leaning on the bar to steady himself. Joe excused himself and moved down the bar "you look like you could do with a drink" Joe said as he took a bottle down from the shelf behind the bar "No thank there isn't time.are you Joe?"
"Yeah I'm Joe and you are?" Joe replied putting the bottle down and leaning on the bar "Alex.Alex Rogan told me to come here" Joe looked around to see if they had been over heard "you had better come on back" Joe said motioning to the office "Hey I'm just got some stuff to do in the office.can you hold the fort" Joe called out to his barman who waved his acknowledgement. Joe held the door for Ray to enter the office, Ray stumbled as he walked inside Joe only just managed to help him to the couch "you still haven't told me your name"
"I'm Ray Muir and I'm with British Criminal intelligence.Alex is in big trouble she said you'd know what to do" before Joe could answer the phone rang Joe moved over to the desk "Le Blues bar.Joe speaking"
"Joe it's Alex.is Ray there?" Joe recognised her voice and could hear a slight tremble in it "Yeah he's here.do you want to talk to him?"
"Please Joe" he picked up the phone and handed it to Ray "Alex?"
"Ray were you followed?" Alex asked
"No I'm alone Alex you ca." the phone went dead before Ray could finish, he handed it back to Joe. "Now tell me everything" Joe said as he sat against the desk after Ray had told him all he knew without saying anything Joe reached for the phone, he ran his hand through his hair as he waited for the phone to be answered.
"MacLeod"
"Mac it's Joe.I need you to get here right away" Duncan looked across at Methos who was stood beside him "we'll be there in 15 minutes" Duncan closed the phone and took off towards his car with Methos close behind, he hadn't said anything as Duncan's reaction told him whatever it was it was serious.
Lazarski put the phone back on its cradle and handed it to one of his men "Now I've done as you asked where is the disc?" Alex looked him in the eye and smiled "Check mate" Alex said as she glared at him, she knew if she made it too easy Lazarski wouldn't believe where she was going to tell him the disc was, she needed to give Duncan and Adam time and this was the only way she knew. "Why you bitch" Lazarski shouted as he backed handed her with such force it knocked Alex and the chair over, Alex's face felt like it was on fire but she'd been here before and she had to hold out no matter what he did to her, at least for a while, then he would believe her story.
The tyres on Duncan's car squealed as he slammed on the brakes outside Joe's, he didn't bother to park the car he didn't even turn the engine off before throwing the door open and running into Joe's. Methos leant across and switched the engine off and pulled out the keys before following Duncan pushing the drivers door shut as he went. As Methos entered the bar he saw Duncan disappearing into the back office "Joe" Duncan said as he opened the office door "in here Mac.this is Ray Muir" Joe said as he stood up "I know Ray.what happened to you?"
"Lazarski.if it wasn't for Alex I'd be dead now" Ray replied, Duncan moved towards him "What do you mean?" Ray filled Duncan and Methos, who had just entered the room; on the details he had told Joe. Duncan paced the room his anger obviously began rising as he took in what Ray was telling him. "Do you know where they're holding her?"
"I'm afraid not.I was blindfolded" Ray replied as he moved to the edge of the couch "Look I need to get hold of my partner.can I use your phone?" Ray asked Joe who nodded "Sure.We'll just be outside" Joe said as he walked over to Duncan putting his hand on his arm turning him to the door, Methos followed. In the bar Joe grabbed 3 glasses and a bottle of whisky, he motioned them to a table at the far side of the bar and Duncan and Methos followed him. After the 3 of them were seated Joe poured them all a drink "I did some checking, my man is still in with Du Pont.he has no idea where Lazarski is but he did tell me that Du Pont is hosting a dinner at Chez Jenny, boulevard du Temple.he'll be there from around 7 in the Province Room". Duncan looked at his watch "that's over 2 hours away.doesn't he know where he is now?" Duncan demanded before drinking down the whiskey Joe had poured for him. "calm down Mac.will find her" Methos said as he put his hand on Duncan's arm but Duncan pulled away as he got up "Well let's hope we're not to late" Duncan said as he glared at Joe and Methos before he stormed out of the bar. Methos got to his feet "Thanks Joe.I'll deal with Mac".
"Hey no problem.I just hope you get to her in time" Methos nodded and smiled weakly "so do I Joe.so do I" he then followed Duncan out to the car. He found Duncan leaning against the car as he approached Duncan straighten up "Sorry Methos.I didn't mean to.."
"I know.let's just make sure we get to her in time.we'll pick him up when he arrives at the restaurant" Methos said as he went round to the passenger door.
"Pick her up" Lazarski demanded and Alex felt two pairs of hands grab her arms hauling her and the chair upright. "Bring her to the basement" Lazarski said as he made for the door. As the two men untied her from the chair Alex hoped they might make the mistake of untying her hands but she was disappointed as they dragged her from the chair dragging her along as they followed Lazarski towards the basement. Images from her past flashed into her mind, the terror inside her started to take control Alex knew if she let it take over Lazarski had won. Alex closed her eyes trying to detach herself from what she knew was going to happen, the men dragged her down the steps her heels bouncing on the wood as her ankles were still bound, before they reached the bottom of the stairs they threw Alex to the ground she landed heavily on her side, with her hands tied behind her she had no way to cushion her fall. Lazarski walked over to where she was laying and stood over her turning her to face him with his foot "Do you feel like talking or do I have to get Jimmy here to persuade you" Alex glared up at Lazarski "Face it you've lost" Alex replied. Lazarski smiled down at her before kicking Alex in the side "we'll see who's lost shall we" Lazarski said as he beckoned his men forward, one hauled Alex to her feet holding on to her from behind, the other man stood in front he cracked his knuckles and smiled.
Duncan parked the car in the next street, he then looked across at Methos "So any ideas how we do this?" Methos twisted in his seat "I think your charm is our best bet.you go in find a waitress to let you into the room.call me and I'll come round the back".
"Ok I'll give it a try" Duncan said as he started to get out, Methos's hand on his arm made him stop and look across at his friend "We will find her Mac" Duncan smiled weakly before getting out of the car. It didn't take Duncan long to find a young waitress to whom he explained that he was a friend of Du Pont who he hadn't seen in a long while and he wanted to surprise him, he persuaded her that it would be all right to let him wait in the room. Duncan kissed the young waitress on the back of the hand after she had shown him into the Province Room, as soon as he was left alone he took out his cell phone and called Methos. A few minutes later Methos appeared at the doors to the garden and Duncan let him in "Nice room" Methos said as he stepped inside "Well, all we have to do is wait" he said as he sat at the table that was already laid for dinner.
After nearly an hour of Jimmy's attention Alex had thankfully dropped into unconsciousness, free for a while from the pain, but the shock of cold water brought her back, the first thing she saw was Jimmy's face "Did you think you could escape me that easily" Alex closed her eyes against the pain as she was again hauled to her feet "ok.ok.it's in a locker at the airport" she said as Jimmy readied to hit her again, he grabbed hold of her neck "which airport?"
"Charles De Gaulle Arrivals.red locker 136" Alex gasped as blood trickled over her swollen lips. Jimmy looked over to where Lazarski was sitting, he nodded and Jimmy hit Alex again but the man supporting her moved away and she crashed to the floor. Alex managed to slide across to the far wall as she watched Lazarski and his men started to climb the stairs leaving her alone in the basement. Suddenly, Lazarski stopped spoke to Jimmy would started back down the stairs, Alex pressed herself against the wall "The combination bitch?" he said grabbing her throat banging her head against the wall "1.9.9.8" Alex just managed to say he then squeezed her neck hard before releasing his grip he then climbed the stairs out of the basement. Alex closed her eyes as she hoped that it would take them sometime to get to the airport, find the locker and get back, she wasn't looking forward to their return as she knew they would be very angry when they realise that she had lied.
It hadn't taken Ray long to find Le Blues bar, he looked at his watch as he entered there was still 10 minutes to the deadline, he made his way passed the tables towards the bar people's conversations stopped as they watched the bruised and blooded man walk past then towards the bar. Joe looked up from talking with a few of his regulars as he realised the normal background noise had stopped, he then saw the stranger leaning on the bar to steady himself. Joe excused himself and moved down the bar "you look like you could do with a drink" Joe said as he took a bottle down from the shelf behind the bar "No thank there isn't time.are you Joe?"
"Yeah I'm Joe and you are?" Joe replied putting the bottle down and leaning on the bar "Alex.Alex Rogan told me to come here" Joe looked around to see if they had been over heard "you had better come on back" Joe said motioning to the office "Hey I'm just got some stuff to do in the office.can you hold the fort" Joe called out to his barman who waved his acknowledgement. Joe held the door for Ray to enter the office, Ray stumbled as he walked inside Joe only just managed to help him to the couch "you still haven't told me your name"
"I'm Ray Muir and I'm with British Criminal intelligence.Alex is in big trouble she said you'd know what to do" before Joe could answer the phone rang Joe moved over to the desk "Le Blues bar.Joe speaking"
"Joe it's Alex.is Ray there?" Joe recognised her voice and could hear a slight tremble in it "Yeah he's here.do you want to talk to him?"
"Please Joe" he picked up the phone and handed it to Ray "Alex?"
"Ray were you followed?" Alex asked
"No I'm alone Alex you ca." the phone went dead before Ray could finish, he handed it back to Joe. "Now tell me everything" Joe said as he sat against the desk after Ray had told him all he knew without saying anything Joe reached for the phone, he ran his hand through his hair as he waited for the phone to be answered.
"MacLeod"
"Mac it's Joe.I need you to get here right away" Duncan looked across at Methos who was stood beside him "we'll be there in 15 minutes" Duncan closed the phone and took off towards his car with Methos close behind, he hadn't said anything as Duncan's reaction told him whatever it was it was serious.
Lazarski put the phone back on its cradle and handed it to one of his men "Now I've done as you asked where is the disc?" Alex looked him in the eye and smiled "Check mate" Alex said as she glared at him, she knew if she made it too easy Lazarski wouldn't believe where she was going to tell him the disc was, she needed to give Duncan and Adam time and this was the only way she knew. "Why you bitch" Lazarski shouted as he backed handed her with such force it knocked Alex and the chair over, Alex's face felt like it was on fire but she'd been here before and she had to hold out no matter what he did to her, at least for a while, then he would believe her story.
The tyres on Duncan's car squealed as he slammed on the brakes outside Joe's, he didn't bother to park the car he didn't even turn the engine off before throwing the door open and running into Joe's. Methos leant across and switched the engine off and pulled out the keys before following Duncan pushing the drivers door shut as he went. As Methos entered the bar he saw Duncan disappearing into the back office "Joe" Duncan said as he opened the office door "in here Mac.this is Ray Muir" Joe said as he stood up "I know Ray.what happened to you?"
"Lazarski.if it wasn't for Alex I'd be dead now" Ray replied, Duncan moved towards him "What do you mean?" Ray filled Duncan and Methos, who had just entered the room; on the details he had told Joe. Duncan paced the room his anger obviously began rising as he took in what Ray was telling him. "Do you know where they're holding her?"
"I'm afraid not.I was blindfolded" Ray replied as he moved to the edge of the couch "Look I need to get hold of my partner.can I use your phone?" Ray asked Joe who nodded "Sure.We'll just be outside" Joe said as he walked over to Duncan putting his hand on his arm turning him to the door, Methos followed. In the bar Joe grabbed 3 glasses and a bottle of whisky, he motioned them to a table at the far side of the bar and Duncan and Methos followed him. After the 3 of them were seated Joe poured them all a drink "I did some checking, my man is still in with Du Pont.he has no idea where Lazarski is but he did tell me that Du Pont is hosting a dinner at Chez Jenny, boulevard du Temple.he'll be there from around 7 in the Province Room". Duncan looked at his watch "that's over 2 hours away.doesn't he know where he is now?" Duncan demanded before drinking down the whiskey Joe had poured for him. "calm down Mac.will find her" Methos said as he put his hand on Duncan's arm but Duncan pulled away as he got up "Well let's hope we're not to late" Duncan said as he glared at Joe and Methos before he stormed out of the bar. Methos got to his feet "Thanks Joe.I'll deal with Mac".
"Hey no problem.I just hope you get to her in time" Methos nodded and smiled weakly "so do I Joe.so do I" he then followed Duncan out to the car. He found Duncan leaning against the car as he approached Duncan straighten up "Sorry Methos.I didn't mean to.."
"I know.let's just make sure we get to her in time.we'll pick him up when he arrives at the restaurant" Methos said as he went round to the passenger door.
"Pick her up" Lazarski demanded and Alex felt two pairs of hands grab her arms hauling her and the chair upright. "Bring her to the basement" Lazarski said as he made for the door. As the two men untied her from the chair Alex hoped they might make the mistake of untying her hands but she was disappointed as they dragged her from the chair dragging her along as they followed Lazarski towards the basement. Images from her past flashed into her mind, the terror inside her started to take control Alex knew if she let it take over Lazarski had won. Alex closed her eyes trying to detach herself from what she knew was going to happen, the men dragged her down the steps her heels bouncing on the wood as her ankles were still bound, before they reached the bottom of the stairs they threw Alex to the ground she landed heavily on her side, with her hands tied behind her she had no way to cushion her fall. Lazarski walked over to where she was laying and stood over her turning her to face him with his foot "Do you feel like talking or do I have to get Jimmy here to persuade you" Alex glared up at Lazarski "Face it you've lost" Alex replied. Lazarski smiled down at her before kicking Alex in the side "we'll see who's lost shall we" Lazarski said as he beckoned his men forward, one hauled Alex to her feet holding on to her from behind, the other man stood in front he cracked his knuckles and smiled.
Duncan parked the car in the next street, he then looked across at Methos "So any ideas how we do this?" Methos twisted in his seat "I think your charm is our best bet.you go in find a waitress to let you into the room.call me and I'll come round the back".
"Ok I'll give it a try" Duncan said as he started to get out, Methos's hand on his arm made him stop and look across at his friend "We will find her Mac" Duncan smiled weakly before getting out of the car. It didn't take Duncan long to find a young waitress to whom he explained that he was a friend of Du Pont who he hadn't seen in a long while and he wanted to surprise him, he persuaded her that it would be all right to let him wait in the room. Duncan kissed the young waitress on the back of the hand after she had shown him into the Province Room, as soon as he was left alone he took out his cell phone and called Methos. A few minutes later Methos appeared at the doors to the garden and Duncan let him in "Nice room" Methos said as he stepped inside "Well, all we have to do is wait" he said as he sat at the table that was already laid for dinner.
After nearly an hour of Jimmy's attention Alex had thankfully dropped into unconsciousness, free for a while from the pain, but the shock of cold water brought her back, the first thing she saw was Jimmy's face "Did you think you could escape me that easily" Alex closed her eyes against the pain as she was again hauled to her feet "ok.ok.it's in a locker at the airport" she said as Jimmy readied to hit her again, he grabbed hold of her neck "which airport?"
"Charles De Gaulle Arrivals.red locker 136" Alex gasped as blood trickled over her swollen lips. Jimmy looked over to where Lazarski was sitting, he nodded and Jimmy hit Alex again but the man supporting her moved away and she crashed to the floor. Alex managed to slide across to the far wall as she watched Lazarski and his men started to climb the stairs leaving her alone in the basement. Suddenly, Lazarski stopped spoke to Jimmy would started back down the stairs, Alex pressed herself against the wall "The combination bitch?" he said grabbing her throat banging her head against the wall "1.9.9.8" Alex just managed to say he then squeezed her neck hard before releasing his grip he then climbed the stairs out of the basement. Alex closed her eyes as she hoped that it would take them sometime to get to the airport, find the locker and get back, she wasn't looking forward to their return as she knew they would be very angry when they realise that she had lied.