Chapter 6 of 12
(Bladelover)
When Kendall sensed immortality as he approached the door to the hostel, he knew immediately that Benjamin had found out about his inadvertently leading Meinhoff right to Benjamin's doorstep. Certainly it was too soon for him to be responding to the message Kendall had left at the tavern.
Loathe to face the angry version of his old teacher (with whom he was unfortunately rather well-acquainted), Kendall nearly kept right on walking. But he knew that he would have face the music eventually, and it was important to him to show Benjamin that he would clean up the mess he'd made. So, he took a deep breath and entered the hostel.
A smiling Duncan MacLeod was the last person he had expected to find inside.
"Hello again, Kendall Crane," said the Scot amiably. Seeing Crane's reflexive reach to within his coat, MacLeod waved a hand reassuringly and, retaining his smile, said, "I'm not here for your head, just for a conversation." Leaning closer, and with a glance at the still-bickering young couple, he added, "Is there somewhere more private for us to talk?"
Sensing no ulterior motive (and relying heavily on Benjamin's characterization of MacLeod as a "Boy Scout"), Kendall grunted and led the man to the room he occupied in the hostel. "How did you find me?" he demanded brusquely.
"We have a friend in common." In reality, Duncan had badgered Joe into parting with Crane's address, but he certainly couldn't say that.
"Benjamin told you where to find me?" Crane seemed incredulous. Duncan wished belatedly that he had found out exactly what moniker Methos used with his former student. Was Benjamin the first or last name?
Ignoring the question, Duncan came to the point. "Look, I came to find out exactly why you're in Paris. He won't discuss it, but I can tell that… Benjamin… is concerned about something. Something to do with you."
Kendall looked crestfallen. Sitting down heavily on the unmade bed, he sighed and looked up at Duncan. "He knows about Meinhoff, then?"
Duncan shifted uneasily. "Possibly… Should he?"
Giving a short, bitter laugh, Kendall said, "You could say that. Especially since it seems I've led him right to Adam."
This was getting more confusing by the second, but Duncan was determined to sort it all out. "And Adam wouldn't like that, I gather?"
Suddenly suspicious, Crane sprang to his feet. "Look here, these are some pretty odd questions for someone who wants me to think he has Benjamin's confidence. Why don't you tell me exactly what you know about all this?" He positioned his right hand for easy sword access, just for emphasis.
Duncan sighed. "The truth is, I don't know anything. But I can tell when… Adam is worried, and that doesn't happen without real potential trouble on the horizon. I just want to find out what that trouble is and be ready to help if needed. That's all."
After a long, searching gaze at the Highlander's face, Crane nodded. "Okay, I guess I believe you. Have a seat."
Taking the rather rickety small wooden chair, Duncan said, "Tell me about Meinhoff."
"He's an immortal," said Crane, sitting again on the bed. "An artist too, a good one they say. But definitely no cream puff in the challenge department. He's also a collector of arts and antiquities, which is how Benjamin and he crossed paths a few centuries ago."
"What happened?"
"I'm not sure. Benjamin was always stingy with the details, but I gather that he somehow prevented Meinhoff from acquiring a particularly precious item. Meinhoff vowed revenge, was after Adam for a lot of years."
Duncan frowned. "And?"
"That's it."
"He just… gave up?"
"I don't know. I told you, Benjamin never told me the whole story."
He never does, Duncan thought. "There must be more to it than Benjamin simply interfering in the acquisition. I wonder if he knows something about what happened to the item in question. That might explain why Meinhoff hasn't simply challenged him to avenge the incident."
"You mean, Meinhoff thinks Benjamin could lead him to the thing, whatever it is?"
Duncan shrugged. "Only one person can tell us the answer."
Crane heaved a dramatic sigh. "You're welcome to wait here for him. I left word for him to reach me."
Clapping Kendall on the arm, Duncan rose. "Come on, I think I can do better than that."
***
Watching the hostel from outside sensing range, Methos was annoyed to see a certain broad-shouldered Scot now accompanied Crane. They stopped at a pay phone. His frustration was boundless.
"Blasted nosy Highlander! Friends! What a royal pain in the – " He answered his ringing cell phone.
"Hi," said Duncan's voice. "I need to talk to you. It's urgent. Meet me at Joe's place in half an hour."
Swallowing a sigh of impatience, Methos agreed. Hanging up, he realized there was no point in continuing to follow Crane. He certainly wouldn't lead him to Meinhoff now. He turned and set out in the opposite direction, rather put out.
He never noticed the man trailing well behind him – staying just out of his sensing range.