It took two weeks to convince Tessa to stay at home while Conner and Duncan
went to investigate the Manor. Conner picked up Duncan two weeks after his
run in with the man in the coffee shop.
"Bring him home," Tessa whispered giving Duncan a hug.
"If he's there, I will," he promised.
Conner and Duncan drove one hundred and twenty miles out of town to a small private airport.
"No wonder no one could find the kidnappers," Duncan mumbled. The airport was well hidden and way off the main roads.
They met up with a scantily dressed young girl who unloaded their bags before parking Conner's SUV in a small hanger. They were led to a private jet by a boy in nothing but leather pants who a few minutes later was joined by the girl in the cockpit.
"Okay, Duncan, there are some things we should go over," Conner said quietly as they were flying over who knows what because the windows were blocked so no one knew where the Manor was.
"What? We find him; we get him out. What's there to go over?"
"If we find him and we're in public, as it were, then you have to act like you don't know him. The less suspicion we draw, the safer it is for him."
"Conner, what kind of danger would he be in that's worse than what's happening to him now?"
"They may think he called us, which is probably against the rules. And he may have no idea who we are. Apparently, they do quite a number on these kids. We just have to play it cool and if we find him, pay to have him for a week. And if we can, how much to buy him. That will be the easiest way to get him back."
"I'm not paying for Richie!" Duncan hissed.
"You will if that's how you get him back."
"Conner, if he's there. I don't know if I can play it cool."
"You will when you have to," Conner assured him.
"I didn't realize how hard this was going to be."
"I told you I could go myself. When we land, I can have the pilot take you back."
"I'm not leaving."
"Then be ready to find the worst."
The flight was seventeen hours long but neither man could sleep. When they landed, they were driven by limo to the hill top manor. Duncan tried to control the anger welling up inside of him as he watched naked teenagers working on the lawn and in the garden. They were greeted at the front door by the man who owned it all.
"Welcome to The Manor," he greeted cheerfully.
"I'm so glad we're finally here," Conner said in a thick Italian accent. "We have been trying to get here for years!"
"I'm glad you're here, too," Master smiled. "Since it's such a wonderful day I thought we might talk over tea in the garden. Just to go over the formalities of business, of course and to select your child for your visit."
"That sounds lovely."
"I was hoping you would say that; I have had it all arranged. Just follow me."
They were led out the back door into a large meticulously tended garden.
"This is sick," Duncan hissed in Gaelic.
"Shut up," Conner ordered.
They sat down at the garden table and sipped at the tea their gracious host offered them.
"Now, I suppose we should first go over the legal formalities," Master started taking the papers a girl, who was kneeling behind him, handed him. "These are just standard documents that say that should either party get caught by the authorities we will disavow all knowledge of each other. If I get caught, I don't mention names; if you get caught, you don't mention names."
"What about the contract? It will have our signatures," Duncan pointed out mimicking Conner's accent.
"I have a child under the orders to destroy the documents if any unauthorized crafts land on the island. That is why the location is undisclosed. Simple security measure."
"Smart man," Conner commented signing the paper with an assumed name and handing it to Duncan to do the same. "So what about the children?"
Master smiled. "Yes, the children. I believe you spoke to Mr. Harris and he made a recommendation for you?"
"Yes, but we believe lack of talent can be made up if you have a certain look."
"Tell me what you are looking for and I can arrange a line up for you to choose from."
"Male, blonde hair, blue eyes, late teens."
"Mortal or immortal?"
"You have both?"
"Of course. I do not offer immortal children to mortal guests, of course. Not for exclusive service or purchase, anyway. Besides, mortal children are much easier to sell. Men like us like them because there is a need for a new face every few years and mortals don't know any better."
Duncan tuned out the conversation and scanned the grounds for a familiar face. He imagined Richie as a labor slave. He was small, but strong. He had impressed Duncan on more than one occasion with all he could physically handle. He could move objects much bigger and heavier than he was. He sometimes reminded Duncan of an ant. Small, strong, diligent, and set in his ways. Richie was nowhere to be seen. Duncan looked up at the large house. Then something caught his eye.
Or someone, rather.
A boy watching from the doorway. A very familiar looking boy. Even from that distance, Duncan could tell. There was no mistaking those blue eyes or that curly blonde hair. It was Richie.
"Found someone who strikes your fancy?" Master asked drawing Duncan's attention back to the conversation.
"Excuse me?"
"You seem to have found someone." He followed Duncan's gaze. A faint smile played on his lips. "Come here," he said softly gesturing to boy to him.
The boy hesitated like a deer in headlights then made his way to the table as quickly as possible. He stopped a few feet away and crouched on the ground.
"You have expensive tastes. This boy is at the top of the list. He's the most expensive one we have."
Duncan's voice was caught in his throat, so Conner spoke up. "Well, let's have a look at him."
"Get up, boy," Master ordered. Richie got to his feet.
Duncan got a good look at him. He was the same shy boy who broke into the antique store all those years ago. He was thin and pale, yet still healthy looking. His head was bowed and hands clasped behind his back. Conner got up and approached him. He walked around him looking him up and down in a feigned appraisal.
"I assume he has the talents we're looking for?"
"Of course. This is actually the child Mr. Harris recommended for you," Master said.
"Oh, what a coincidence. He's prefect. We'll take him."
"Would you like to discuss pricing first? He is quite expensive."
"I'm sure we can afford him. Let's sign the contract. We'd like him exclusively for the week."
"Are you sure you don't want to look through the book first?"
"We might as well. I think he's what we want, but we should make sure, don't you think?" he asked Duncan.
"Sure."
They all sat down again and Richie sat at Master's feet with his head on his knee. Master absentmindedly petted Richie's head as he talked with Duncan and Conner. Conner was doing a good job pretending to be interested in what Master had to say. Duncan was more interested in getting Richie away from his captor. He noticed the way Richie stared at the teacakes and how his eyes followed the ones that Master picked up to eat. He had the same hungry look in his eyes that he had when he had first moved into the loft. Finally Duncan couldn't take it any longer and picked up a cake and tried to coax Richie over to take it. Richie looked up at Master who gave him a nod. He seated himself between Conner and Duncan before accepting the treat, which he gobbled up instantly.
"Looks like someone is hungry," Duncan whispered to Richie handing him another teacake. Richie took it and ate it. He also ate the three others that Duncan gave him.
After pretending to look over the choices, Conner decided on Richie.
"Before you make your final decision, I feel I must warn you that his service comes with a few strings. I have him trained as the baby of the Manor. It took a long time to get him to behave properly. His training was complicated and I find that as long as he follows a routine, he doesn't start to ask questions."
"I'm sure it isn't anything we can't work around," Duncan said.
"Every afternoon after lunch, he takes a nap for an hour and a half."
"We can handle that," Conner said.
"He still gets a little over zealous. Some people find it cute, like the Harris', but some people get annoyed by it."
"We like a challenge," Conner assured him. "But if there are any problems, we can return him, right?"
"Of course. Whatever makes the customers happy."
"In that case, we'll take him."
They signed the papers and Richie took them to their room. As soon as the door was closed, Duncan grabbed the boy and gave him a tight hug.
"Oh, God, Richie I thought we had lost you for good. Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" He held him out at arms length and reached for the collar. "Let's get this off you." To his surprise, Richie took a step back. "Richie, what's wrong? Don't you want this off?"
"It's mine," Richie said in a small, pathetic voice. "Master gave it to me."
"Richie? You're not serious."
Richie didn't answer. "Boy," Conner tried. "Do you like it here?"
"Yes, sir," he answered promptly.
"Your master is good to you?"
"Master is very good to us. He is a very kind master."
"Have you had many masters, boy?"
"No. But I have served many people and Master is one of the nicest."
"One of?" Duncan asked.
Richie's face paled at his slip. "No, that's not what I meant," he retracted. "Master is the best master. I enjoy serving him."
"You said one of."
Richie dropped to his knees. "Please don't tell my master. I didn't mean it. I'm good boy, really I am. I love my master and I'm loyal to him. Don't tell him what I said, please, sir, don't tell him!" he begged.
"Shh, shh, shh." Duncan knelt next to him and held him close. "I'm not going to tell him anything. You don't have to worry."
Richie pulled away and bowed to Duncan the same as he bowed to Master. "Thank you. I didn't mean it. I messed up. Thank you for not telling him. I'll be good."
"I know you will, Rich. You're okay. There's nothing to worry about. Look at me." Richie obeyed. "You don't have to bow or any of that while we're in here, okay?"
"I don't?"
"We're going to try something different," Conner told him. "Do you want to do this differently than everyone else?"
"If you want me to."
Conner forced a smiled. "Good. And right now I think it's time for you to take a nap."
"Yes, sir." Richie got up and headed for the little bed in the corner.
"How would you like to sleep in our bed?" Duncan stopped him.
"The big bed?"
"Yeah, how about it, tough guy?"
"Are you going to take a nap, too?"
"Not this time. It'll be just you."
"All by myself?"
"Just you."
"I've never slept in a big bed by myself before," Richie looking at the bed in wonder.
"Then you better get in and see how it feels." Richie got a big grin on his face as he crawled onto the bed and started to curl up at the foot.
"No, up here, like a big boy," Conner prompted, patting the pillows.
With an elated look, Richie got under the covers. Duncan tucked him in and smiled down at him. "You comfy?"
"Yes, sir."
"You go to sleep."
Richie closed his eyes and was asleep in an instant.
"Let's just buy him and get out of here," Duncan said turning to Conner.
"It's not that easy. He's not for sale."
"What? What sort of slavery ring doesn't sell the slaves?"
"He's the only one not for sale. We could get any kid here."
"How many of them do you think are actually kids?" Duncan asked. "Richie's nearly thirty years old. I can't believe he's actually here. We found him. And he has no idea who we are. He has no idea who he is. It's like this is the only life he knows."
"I warned you, Duncan. I told you he probably wouldn't have any memory."
"Conner, he was just a child. Someone, probably that sick man in the garden, robbed him of his childhood! He went from a stable life to hell!"
"Duncan."
"That boy used to turn bright red if I saw him in his boxers. Now he is completely naked except for those cuffs and a collar. A collar! They act as if he is a dog. He's gone. That is not the boy that left all those years ago."
"I warned you. I told you. This is what you have to work with. You can always leave him here."
"Leave him? Leave him! I'm not leaving him! Richie Ryan is somewhere in there and I'm going to find him."
"Then you have to play along."
"What?"
"Play along. He's the slave; you're the master. He's going to serve us dinner, he's going to want to take care of everything he can for us and you have to let him. Something tells me that if he doesn't like us, he can get out of the contract just as easily as we can."
"If he's the slave, he doesn't get a choice."
"You weren't paying attention to the man who owns him."
"No one owns him!"
"That man is attached to Richie. He is his pride and joy. He would do anything for him. I bet Richie gets anything he wants."
"Really?"
"I saw the way he looked at Richie and the way he looked at the others. Richie's the favorite. I bet he gets whatever he wants, when he wants it."
Despite the desperate aching in his heart, Duncan smiled a fraction. "Only Richie could become a spoiled slave."
"Bring him home," Tessa whispered giving Duncan a hug.
"If he's there, I will," he promised.
Conner and Duncan drove one hundred and twenty miles out of town to a small private airport.
"No wonder no one could find the kidnappers," Duncan mumbled. The airport was well hidden and way off the main roads.
They met up with a scantily dressed young girl who unloaded their bags before parking Conner's SUV in a small hanger. They were led to a private jet by a boy in nothing but leather pants who a few minutes later was joined by the girl in the cockpit.
"Okay, Duncan, there are some things we should go over," Conner said quietly as they were flying over who knows what because the windows were blocked so no one knew where the Manor was.
"What? We find him; we get him out. What's there to go over?"
"If we find him and we're in public, as it were, then you have to act like you don't know him. The less suspicion we draw, the safer it is for him."
"Conner, what kind of danger would he be in that's worse than what's happening to him now?"
"They may think he called us, which is probably against the rules. And he may have no idea who we are. Apparently, they do quite a number on these kids. We just have to play it cool and if we find him, pay to have him for a week. And if we can, how much to buy him. That will be the easiest way to get him back."
"I'm not paying for Richie!" Duncan hissed.
"You will if that's how you get him back."
"Conner, if he's there. I don't know if I can play it cool."
"You will when you have to," Conner assured him.
"I didn't realize how hard this was going to be."
"I told you I could go myself. When we land, I can have the pilot take you back."
"I'm not leaving."
"Then be ready to find the worst."
The flight was seventeen hours long but neither man could sleep. When they landed, they were driven by limo to the hill top manor. Duncan tried to control the anger welling up inside of him as he watched naked teenagers working on the lawn and in the garden. They were greeted at the front door by the man who owned it all.
"Welcome to The Manor," he greeted cheerfully.
"I'm so glad we're finally here," Conner said in a thick Italian accent. "We have been trying to get here for years!"
"I'm glad you're here, too," Master smiled. "Since it's such a wonderful day I thought we might talk over tea in the garden. Just to go over the formalities of business, of course and to select your child for your visit."
"That sounds lovely."
"I was hoping you would say that; I have had it all arranged. Just follow me."
They were led out the back door into a large meticulously tended garden.
"This is sick," Duncan hissed in Gaelic.
"Shut up," Conner ordered.
They sat down at the garden table and sipped at the tea their gracious host offered them.
"Now, I suppose we should first go over the legal formalities," Master started taking the papers a girl, who was kneeling behind him, handed him. "These are just standard documents that say that should either party get caught by the authorities we will disavow all knowledge of each other. If I get caught, I don't mention names; if you get caught, you don't mention names."
"What about the contract? It will have our signatures," Duncan pointed out mimicking Conner's accent.
"I have a child under the orders to destroy the documents if any unauthorized crafts land on the island. That is why the location is undisclosed. Simple security measure."
"Smart man," Conner commented signing the paper with an assumed name and handing it to Duncan to do the same. "So what about the children?"
Master smiled. "Yes, the children. I believe you spoke to Mr. Harris and he made a recommendation for you?"
"Yes, but we believe lack of talent can be made up if you have a certain look."
"Tell me what you are looking for and I can arrange a line up for you to choose from."
"Male, blonde hair, blue eyes, late teens."
"Mortal or immortal?"
"You have both?"
"Of course. I do not offer immortal children to mortal guests, of course. Not for exclusive service or purchase, anyway. Besides, mortal children are much easier to sell. Men like us like them because there is a need for a new face every few years and mortals don't know any better."
Duncan tuned out the conversation and scanned the grounds for a familiar face. He imagined Richie as a labor slave. He was small, but strong. He had impressed Duncan on more than one occasion with all he could physically handle. He could move objects much bigger and heavier than he was. He sometimes reminded Duncan of an ant. Small, strong, diligent, and set in his ways. Richie was nowhere to be seen. Duncan looked up at the large house. Then something caught his eye.
Or someone, rather.
A boy watching from the doorway. A very familiar looking boy. Even from that distance, Duncan could tell. There was no mistaking those blue eyes or that curly blonde hair. It was Richie.
"Found someone who strikes your fancy?" Master asked drawing Duncan's attention back to the conversation.
"Excuse me?"
"You seem to have found someone." He followed Duncan's gaze. A faint smile played on his lips. "Come here," he said softly gesturing to boy to him.
The boy hesitated like a deer in headlights then made his way to the table as quickly as possible. He stopped a few feet away and crouched on the ground.
"You have expensive tastes. This boy is at the top of the list. He's the most expensive one we have."
Duncan's voice was caught in his throat, so Conner spoke up. "Well, let's have a look at him."
"Get up, boy," Master ordered. Richie got to his feet.
Duncan got a good look at him. He was the same shy boy who broke into the antique store all those years ago. He was thin and pale, yet still healthy looking. His head was bowed and hands clasped behind his back. Conner got up and approached him. He walked around him looking him up and down in a feigned appraisal.
"I assume he has the talents we're looking for?"
"Of course. This is actually the child Mr. Harris recommended for you," Master said.
"Oh, what a coincidence. He's prefect. We'll take him."
"Would you like to discuss pricing first? He is quite expensive."
"I'm sure we can afford him. Let's sign the contract. We'd like him exclusively for the week."
"Are you sure you don't want to look through the book first?"
"We might as well. I think he's what we want, but we should make sure, don't you think?" he asked Duncan.
"Sure."
They all sat down again and Richie sat at Master's feet with his head on his knee. Master absentmindedly petted Richie's head as he talked with Duncan and Conner. Conner was doing a good job pretending to be interested in what Master had to say. Duncan was more interested in getting Richie away from his captor. He noticed the way Richie stared at the teacakes and how his eyes followed the ones that Master picked up to eat. He had the same hungry look in his eyes that he had when he had first moved into the loft. Finally Duncan couldn't take it any longer and picked up a cake and tried to coax Richie over to take it. Richie looked up at Master who gave him a nod. He seated himself between Conner and Duncan before accepting the treat, which he gobbled up instantly.
"Looks like someone is hungry," Duncan whispered to Richie handing him another teacake. Richie took it and ate it. He also ate the three others that Duncan gave him.
After pretending to look over the choices, Conner decided on Richie.
"Before you make your final decision, I feel I must warn you that his service comes with a few strings. I have him trained as the baby of the Manor. It took a long time to get him to behave properly. His training was complicated and I find that as long as he follows a routine, he doesn't start to ask questions."
"I'm sure it isn't anything we can't work around," Duncan said.
"Every afternoon after lunch, he takes a nap for an hour and a half."
"We can handle that," Conner said.
"He still gets a little over zealous. Some people find it cute, like the Harris', but some people get annoyed by it."
"We like a challenge," Conner assured him. "But if there are any problems, we can return him, right?"
"Of course. Whatever makes the customers happy."
"In that case, we'll take him."
They signed the papers and Richie took them to their room. As soon as the door was closed, Duncan grabbed the boy and gave him a tight hug.
"Oh, God, Richie I thought we had lost you for good. Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" He held him out at arms length and reached for the collar. "Let's get this off you." To his surprise, Richie took a step back. "Richie, what's wrong? Don't you want this off?"
"It's mine," Richie said in a small, pathetic voice. "Master gave it to me."
"Richie? You're not serious."
Richie didn't answer. "Boy," Conner tried. "Do you like it here?"
"Yes, sir," he answered promptly.
"Your master is good to you?"
"Master is very good to us. He is a very kind master."
"Have you had many masters, boy?"
"No. But I have served many people and Master is one of the nicest."
"One of?" Duncan asked.
Richie's face paled at his slip. "No, that's not what I meant," he retracted. "Master is the best master. I enjoy serving him."
"You said one of."
Richie dropped to his knees. "Please don't tell my master. I didn't mean it. I'm good boy, really I am. I love my master and I'm loyal to him. Don't tell him what I said, please, sir, don't tell him!" he begged.
"Shh, shh, shh." Duncan knelt next to him and held him close. "I'm not going to tell him anything. You don't have to worry."
Richie pulled away and bowed to Duncan the same as he bowed to Master. "Thank you. I didn't mean it. I messed up. Thank you for not telling him. I'll be good."
"I know you will, Rich. You're okay. There's nothing to worry about. Look at me." Richie obeyed. "You don't have to bow or any of that while we're in here, okay?"
"I don't?"
"We're going to try something different," Conner told him. "Do you want to do this differently than everyone else?"
"If you want me to."
Conner forced a smiled. "Good. And right now I think it's time for you to take a nap."
"Yes, sir." Richie got up and headed for the little bed in the corner.
"How would you like to sleep in our bed?" Duncan stopped him.
"The big bed?"
"Yeah, how about it, tough guy?"
"Are you going to take a nap, too?"
"Not this time. It'll be just you."
"All by myself?"
"Just you."
"I've never slept in a big bed by myself before," Richie looking at the bed in wonder.
"Then you better get in and see how it feels." Richie got a big grin on his face as he crawled onto the bed and started to curl up at the foot.
"No, up here, like a big boy," Conner prompted, patting the pillows.
With an elated look, Richie got under the covers. Duncan tucked him in and smiled down at him. "You comfy?"
"Yes, sir."
"You go to sleep."
Richie closed his eyes and was asleep in an instant.
"Let's just buy him and get out of here," Duncan said turning to Conner.
"It's not that easy. He's not for sale."
"What? What sort of slavery ring doesn't sell the slaves?"
"He's the only one not for sale. We could get any kid here."
"How many of them do you think are actually kids?" Duncan asked. "Richie's nearly thirty years old. I can't believe he's actually here. We found him. And he has no idea who we are. He has no idea who he is. It's like this is the only life he knows."
"I warned you, Duncan. I told you he probably wouldn't have any memory."
"Conner, he was just a child. Someone, probably that sick man in the garden, robbed him of his childhood! He went from a stable life to hell!"
"Duncan."
"That boy used to turn bright red if I saw him in his boxers. Now he is completely naked except for those cuffs and a collar. A collar! They act as if he is a dog. He's gone. That is not the boy that left all those years ago."
"I warned you. I told you. This is what you have to work with. You can always leave him here."
"Leave him? Leave him! I'm not leaving him! Richie Ryan is somewhere in there and I'm going to find him."
"Then you have to play along."
"What?"
"Play along. He's the slave; you're the master. He's going to serve us dinner, he's going to want to take care of everything he can for us and you have to let him. Something tells me that if he doesn't like us, he can get out of the contract just as easily as we can."
"If he's the slave, he doesn't get a choice."
"You weren't paying attention to the man who owns him."
"No one owns him!"
"That man is attached to Richie. He is his pride and joy. He would do anything for him. I bet Richie gets anything he wants."
"Really?"
"I saw the way he looked at Richie and the way he looked at the others. Richie's the favorite. I bet he gets whatever he wants, when he wants it."
Despite the desperate aching in his heart, Duncan smiled a fraction. "Only Richie could become a spoiled slave."