Chapter 34
The basement was lit by one bulb hanging at the far end of the room Alex thanked whoever had forgotten to switch the light off. It might be only a dim light but it was better than having to wait it out in darkness. The room didn't have much in it some old packing cases and an old ornate metal garden table that Alex could see was damaged leaving a small but sharp edge. Alex inched herself closer she then used the wall to help her into the kneeling position, she then was at the right height to rub the rope which was around her wrists. It took sometime, as the rope was thick and the sharp metal only small. Although the ropes cut into her flesh as she worked she was grateful that they hadn't used handcuffs or chains. Finally, the ropes fell away and Alex rubbed her wrists to get the circulation going again before untying her legs. She then pulled the first packing case under the light and started to search through it, the first thing she found was a cracked mirror she stared at her battered face, split lip and her nearly closed left eye. Alex placed the mirror on the table she didn't need to see anymore.
Two taps on the door was the signal that Du Pont had arrived. Methos got up from his chair and sat on the edge of the table facing the door, he crossed his arms as he waited to be the first thing Du Pont saw as he entered the room, Duncan took up position by the door to take care of anyone else that came into the room with Du Pont. A few moments later the door handle turned Duncan nodded to Methos to confirm he was ready just as the door opened Du Pont strode into the room talking to the two men that followed him, he was quite a distance from the door when he noticed Methos "What the Hell are you doing here?" Du Pont's eyes scanned the room in front of him "Being here alone is either very brave or stupid," Methos laughed as he looked down at the floor then back up at Du Pont "Well I'm neither just careful". Duncan then tapped the last man in the group on his shoulder "He's not alone".
Duncan said as he landed a punch to the man's face knocking backwards onto the floor, the next man turned and lunged at Duncan, who just managed to block the blow spinning the man round until he had him in a neck lock. "See I told you I was careful.now I think we have to talk" it was then that Methos noticed something on the man Duncan was holdings arm as he clawed at Duncan's arms trying to break his hold but Duncan had no intention of releasing him, Methos could see the look in Duncan's eyes and knew that his friend was about to let his temper make him cross the line, "No Mac!" Methos shouted as he pointed to his own wrist, Duncan took one arm away from the man's neck grabbing the man's wrist he turned it towards him ignoring the shout of pain. Duncan recognised the tattoo at once he spun the man round still holding onto his neck he then sent him crashing to the ground with one punch the Watcher landed on top of the other man Duncan had knocked out "Over to you" Duncan said as he leant against the table.
Du Pont turned back to Methos his hand already on the gun he had concealed in his jacket but as he pulled it free of the material Methos brought his arm down, the crack of breaking bone made both Duncan and Methos wince. The pain caused Du Pont to drop his gun and it clattered to the floor. There was a groan from the floor as the first man Duncan had knocked out started to regain consciousness, Duncan looked down as the man stirred one kick and he was sent back into oblivion.
Du Pont realising that he was on his own started to move towards one of the garden doors holding his broken arm "What do you want?.I told you all I knew about the kids the other day" the fear evident in his voice, Duncan didn't know what happened in the room in the house but whatever it was, it was very clear in Du Pont's mind. Methos took a step towards Du Pont "You might want to look away Mac, this isn't going to be pretty". Methos could see the fear rising in Du Pont's eyes "Now why don't you just tell me where to find Lazarski and save yourself a lot of pain"
"If I tell you he'll kill me" Du Pont replied "If you don't you'll be wishing that he had" Methos said as he walked forward rolling up his sleeves "you won't do anything here.people will hear". Methos's face broke into a grin "no one heard your screams last time why should they hear them now?" Methos said as he reached out but Du Pont backed away "Mac would you mind holding our friend here".
Duncan stood up "Not at all" he replied as he crossed the room taking hold of Du Pont around the neck, Duncan could feel Du Pont's body tremor. Methos's touch again paralyzing Du Pont's body but he could still talk "Last chance" Methos said as he move his hand towards Du Pont again "Ok.Ok he has a place on the outskirts Suresnes.54 Rue des Maris.now leave me alone" Du Pont pleaded "of course unless we find out you've been lying to us.then we'll be back" Methos said as he gripped Du Pont's body again, he fell unconscious only held upright by Duncan's grip. "Come on Mac" Methos said as he made his way to the door, Duncan release Du Pont from his grasp and he crashed to the floor "Sweet Dreams" Duncan said as he stepped over Du Pont as he followed Methos out into the garden.
Alex finally found what she was looking for in the second packing case, they weren't ideal but they would have to do. Alex made her way up the stair listening out for any kind of movement on the other side, Alex put the tools she had found to work on the lock it took a while as she kept stopping to check if there was any movement but finding none she kept working. The there was a click and Alex started to smile but stopped as her lips stung. Alex slowly pushed the door open checking that the corridor was empty slowly she made her way to the door, her hand finally grasping the door handle that led to her freedom when she saw the large desk in the other room and another part of her took over. What Ray had said came back to her and she wanted to find the people who were going to sell the chemicals, she had to find something to identify them and she knew that this maybe her only chance. As she walked into the richly decorated study she thought of all the lives that had been lost to pay for all of this. She calmed her anger, as she had to focus on what needed to be done. Alex ran her hand over the papers on the desk but they were just bills next she pulled out the drawers and searched through them but they didn't reveal anything about Lazarski's business partners.
Alex was about to give up when she saw the computer on another desk by the wall she rushed over pulling out the chair, sitting down and turning the computer on, she waited as the computer came to life. "Damn it!" she exclaimed as a password screen appeared, Alex ran her hands through her hair as she tried to think what he could have used she tried dates, place names and even names of people they both knew but none worked. She banged the keyboard in frustration, then she tapped at the keys not really paying attention to what she was typing, just a split second after she hit the enter key Alex saw what the password was 'ALEXANDRIA' her own name, it sent a chill threw her but she knew that she had to get on with finding anything that could be of use. She viewed file after file until she found the one containing all the information she could ever need she shook her head at Lazarski putting so much in one place he must have thought it was safe. Alex got up and went to the main desk pulling open the large desk drawer; she took out a couple of computer discs before going back to the machine. Alex had just made two copies when she heard Lazarski arrive back and he wasn't in a good mood. "Bring the bitch to me" Lazarski shouted as he entered the building. Alex switched off the computer before looking around for an avenue of escape but all the windows had bars on them in this room, there was a connecting door it was risky, as she had no idea of where it led.
Methos pulled the car into the side of the road "What the hell are they doing here?" Duncan said as Methos followed his gaze and there getting out of another car was Ray Muir and Thomas Bishop. "Well they are in intelligence" Methos replied as he took the keys from the ignition before getting out and following Duncan over to the two British agents. "What are you doing here?" Duncan asked as he got closer "We could say the same about you.Alex is a member of British Criminal Intelligence" Thomas replied, "I'm here because she's my friend and this really isn't anything you should be involved in". Thomas squared up to Duncan "I think it's you that doesn't know what your dealing with.this is no time for amateurs" Thomas said looking Duncan in the eyes, Ray pushed between them "This isn't the time.Alex is still in there and we just saw Lazarski go in and he didn't look very happy.now as we are all here we should work together on this" Ray said as he looked around all the faces. Methos caught hold of Duncan's arm and they moved a little distance from Ray and Thomas "Mac.they have an advantage we don't.Lazarski is going to sense us coming but he can't sense them".
"Ok.Ok.we'll work together" Duncan replied as he followed Methos back to where Ray and Thomas were standing "Right it's agreed you two go to the front.Mac and I will take the rear"
"wait a minute aren't you supposed to be working with the French Authorities?" Duncan asked Ray turned to him "we are they've something big on right now but as soon as some men come free they will be sent here"
"Come on we're wasting time" Methos reminded everyone. Ray and Thomas started down the road to the front of the building drawing their weapons; Duncan and Methos took off round to the rear the house.
Alex opened the door she made her way into what looked like a dinning room, a large polished table and 12 chairs were in the middle of the room, paintings in large golden frames hung from the wall. Alex ducked under the table when she heard more shouting "WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE'S NOT THERE.FIND HER YOU FOOL OR YOU'LL BE TAKING HER PLACE" then there was the sound of running feet and doors being opened, Alex tucked the 2 discs into the band of her trousers as the footsteps got closer. Alex looked up at the windows there weren't any bars on these, it was her only hope, she moved the chair aside and made her way to the windows, she had just managed to get the rusty handle to move and the window to open just a little, it obviously hadn't been opened in years, when the door was flung open "GET AWAY FROM THE WINDOW.OR I WILL SHOOT YOU" Alex turned around to find Jimmy standing in the doorway his gun pointing at her "This way" he said motioning with his gun. Alex walked over to the door Jimmy grabbed her arm twisting up her back he forced her into the study there sat behind the desk was Lazarski "Trying to leave so soon" Lazarski said as he got up and walked around the front "I take it you didn't find what you were looking for.ever the professional.if you had just thought of yourself you would've escaped".
"Go to Hell" Alex spat back, she then felt a sharp pain in her arm and back as he shoved her with such force that she crashed to the floor at Lazarski's feet, as she looked up Alex knew that her only hope now was for her delay to have given Duncan and Adam time to find her.
The basement was lit by one bulb hanging at the far end of the room Alex thanked whoever had forgotten to switch the light off. It might be only a dim light but it was better than having to wait it out in darkness. The room didn't have much in it some old packing cases and an old ornate metal garden table that Alex could see was damaged leaving a small but sharp edge. Alex inched herself closer she then used the wall to help her into the kneeling position, she then was at the right height to rub the rope which was around her wrists. It took sometime, as the rope was thick and the sharp metal only small. Although the ropes cut into her flesh as she worked she was grateful that they hadn't used handcuffs or chains. Finally, the ropes fell away and Alex rubbed her wrists to get the circulation going again before untying her legs. She then pulled the first packing case under the light and started to search through it, the first thing she found was a cracked mirror she stared at her battered face, split lip and her nearly closed left eye. Alex placed the mirror on the table she didn't need to see anymore.
Two taps on the door was the signal that Du Pont had arrived. Methos got up from his chair and sat on the edge of the table facing the door, he crossed his arms as he waited to be the first thing Du Pont saw as he entered the room, Duncan took up position by the door to take care of anyone else that came into the room with Du Pont. A few moments later the door handle turned Duncan nodded to Methos to confirm he was ready just as the door opened Du Pont strode into the room talking to the two men that followed him, he was quite a distance from the door when he noticed Methos "What the Hell are you doing here?" Du Pont's eyes scanned the room in front of him "Being here alone is either very brave or stupid," Methos laughed as he looked down at the floor then back up at Du Pont "Well I'm neither just careful". Duncan then tapped the last man in the group on his shoulder "He's not alone".
Duncan said as he landed a punch to the man's face knocking backwards onto the floor, the next man turned and lunged at Duncan, who just managed to block the blow spinning the man round until he had him in a neck lock. "See I told you I was careful.now I think we have to talk" it was then that Methos noticed something on the man Duncan was holdings arm as he clawed at Duncan's arms trying to break his hold but Duncan had no intention of releasing him, Methos could see the look in Duncan's eyes and knew that his friend was about to let his temper make him cross the line, "No Mac!" Methos shouted as he pointed to his own wrist, Duncan took one arm away from the man's neck grabbing the man's wrist he turned it towards him ignoring the shout of pain. Duncan recognised the tattoo at once he spun the man round still holding onto his neck he then sent him crashing to the ground with one punch the Watcher landed on top of the other man Duncan had knocked out "Over to you" Duncan said as he leant against the table.
Du Pont turned back to Methos his hand already on the gun he had concealed in his jacket but as he pulled it free of the material Methos brought his arm down, the crack of breaking bone made both Duncan and Methos wince. The pain caused Du Pont to drop his gun and it clattered to the floor. There was a groan from the floor as the first man Duncan had knocked out started to regain consciousness, Duncan looked down as the man stirred one kick and he was sent back into oblivion.
Du Pont realising that he was on his own started to move towards one of the garden doors holding his broken arm "What do you want?.I told you all I knew about the kids the other day" the fear evident in his voice, Duncan didn't know what happened in the room in the house but whatever it was, it was very clear in Du Pont's mind. Methos took a step towards Du Pont "You might want to look away Mac, this isn't going to be pretty". Methos could see the fear rising in Du Pont's eyes "Now why don't you just tell me where to find Lazarski and save yourself a lot of pain"
"If I tell you he'll kill me" Du Pont replied "If you don't you'll be wishing that he had" Methos said as he walked forward rolling up his sleeves "you won't do anything here.people will hear". Methos's face broke into a grin "no one heard your screams last time why should they hear them now?" Methos said as he reached out but Du Pont backed away "Mac would you mind holding our friend here".
Duncan stood up "Not at all" he replied as he crossed the room taking hold of Du Pont around the neck, Duncan could feel Du Pont's body tremor. Methos's touch again paralyzing Du Pont's body but he could still talk "Last chance" Methos said as he move his hand towards Du Pont again "Ok.Ok he has a place on the outskirts Suresnes.54 Rue des Maris.now leave me alone" Du Pont pleaded "of course unless we find out you've been lying to us.then we'll be back" Methos said as he gripped Du Pont's body again, he fell unconscious only held upright by Duncan's grip. "Come on Mac" Methos said as he made his way to the door, Duncan release Du Pont from his grasp and he crashed to the floor "Sweet Dreams" Duncan said as he stepped over Du Pont as he followed Methos out into the garden.
Alex finally found what she was looking for in the second packing case, they weren't ideal but they would have to do. Alex made her way up the stair listening out for any kind of movement on the other side, Alex put the tools she had found to work on the lock it took a while as she kept stopping to check if there was any movement but finding none she kept working. The there was a click and Alex started to smile but stopped as her lips stung. Alex slowly pushed the door open checking that the corridor was empty slowly she made her way to the door, her hand finally grasping the door handle that led to her freedom when she saw the large desk in the other room and another part of her took over. What Ray had said came back to her and she wanted to find the people who were going to sell the chemicals, she had to find something to identify them and she knew that this maybe her only chance. As she walked into the richly decorated study she thought of all the lives that had been lost to pay for all of this. She calmed her anger, as she had to focus on what needed to be done. Alex ran her hand over the papers on the desk but they were just bills next she pulled out the drawers and searched through them but they didn't reveal anything about Lazarski's business partners.
Alex was about to give up when she saw the computer on another desk by the wall she rushed over pulling out the chair, sitting down and turning the computer on, she waited as the computer came to life. "Damn it!" she exclaimed as a password screen appeared, Alex ran her hands through her hair as she tried to think what he could have used she tried dates, place names and even names of people they both knew but none worked. She banged the keyboard in frustration, then she tapped at the keys not really paying attention to what she was typing, just a split second after she hit the enter key Alex saw what the password was 'ALEXANDRIA' her own name, it sent a chill threw her but she knew that she had to get on with finding anything that could be of use. She viewed file after file until she found the one containing all the information she could ever need she shook her head at Lazarski putting so much in one place he must have thought it was safe. Alex got up and went to the main desk pulling open the large desk drawer; she took out a couple of computer discs before going back to the machine. Alex had just made two copies when she heard Lazarski arrive back and he wasn't in a good mood. "Bring the bitch to me" Lazarski shouted as he entered the building. Alex switched off the computer before looking around for an avenue of escape but all the windows had bars on them in this room, there was a connecting door it was risky, as she had no idea of where it led.
Methos pulled the car into the side of the road "What the hell are they doing here?" Duncan said as Methos followed his gaze and there getting out of another car was Ray Muir and Thomas Bishop. "Well they are in intelligence" Methos replied as he took the keys from the ignition before getting out and following Duncan over to the two British agents. "What are you doing here?" Duncan asked as he got closer "We could say the same about you.Alex is a member of British Criminal Intelligence" Thomas replied, "I'm here because she's my friend and this really isn't anything you should be involved in". Thomas squared up to Duncan "I think it's you that doesn't know what your dealing with.this is no time for amateurs" Thomas said looking Duncan in the eyes, Ray pushed between them "This isn't the time.Alex is still in there and we just saw Lazarski go in and he didn't look very happy.now as we are all here we should work together on this" Ray said as he looked around all the faces. Methos caught hold of Duncan's arm and they moved a little distance from Ray and Thomas "Mac.they have an advantage we don't.Lazarski is going to sense us coming but he can't sense them".
"Ok.Ok.we'll work together" Duncan replied as he followed Methos back to where Ray and Thomas were standing "Right it's agreed you two go to the front.Mac and I will take the rear"
"wait a minute aren't you supposed to be working with the French Authorities?" Duncan asked Ray turned to him "we are they've something big on right now but as soon as some men come free they will be sent here"
"Come on we're wasting time" Methos reminded everyone. Ray and Thomas started down the road to the front of the building drawing their weapons; Duncan and Methos took off round to the rear the house.
Alex opened the door she made her way into what looked like a dinning room, a large polished table and 12 chairs were in the middle of the room, paintings in large golden frames hung from the wall. Alex ducked under the table when she heard more shouting "WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE'S NOT THERE.FIND HER YOU FOOL OR YOU'LL BE TAKING HER PLACE" then there was the sound of running feet and doors being opened, Alex tucked the 2 discs into the band of her trousers as the footsteps got closer. Alex looked up at the windows there weren't any bars on these, it was her only hope, she moved the chair aside and made her way to the windows, she had just managed to get the rusty handle to move and the window to open just a little, it obviously hadn't been opened in years, when the door was flung open "GET AWAY FROM THE WINDOW.OR I WILL SHOOT YOU" Alex turned around to find Jimmy standing in the doorway his gun pointing at her "This way" he said motioning with his gun. Alex walked over to the door Jimmy grabbed her arm twisting up her back he forced her into the study there sat behind the desk was Lazarski "Trying to leave so soon" Lazarski said as he got up and walked around the front "I take it you didn't find what you were looking for.ever the professional.if you had just thought of yourself you would've escaped".
"Go to Hell" Alex spat back, she then felt a sharp pain in her arm and back as he shoved her with such force that she crashed to the floor at Lazarski's feet, as she looked up Alex knew that her only hope now was for her delay to have given Duncan and Adam time to find her.