Chapter 44

Paris

By the time darkness had fallen, Duncan had decided that the thoroughness of the fabled Watcher database was a bunch of "malarkey". Despite his best efforts, he'd found no clues among the lists of active immortals that might possibly lead to the 'Paris Slasher'. Perhaps in Joe's hands... the database might have revealed something. He'd studied those Chronicles for decades and would be more familiar with slight changes in location or routine. But to Duncan... the files told him nothing.

Finally he sat back in disgust. "This is useless!"

"Perhaps we need to do this the old fashioned way," Phillip suggested with a glint of humor in his brown eyes.

Duncan found himself smiling, almost looking forward to the jest. In the time he'd spent with the genial man, he'd found himself thinking of Fitzcairn for some reason... except... there appeared to be a greater depth and capability about Phillip than there had ever been about Fitz. In Phillip were unplumbed depths of abilities just waiting to be tapped. "And what way would that be?" Duncan finally asked.

"Footwork!"

Duncan shook his head as laughter bubbled up. "Somehow I thought you'd say something outrageous."

"Why's that?" the Greek leaned back in his chair and regarded the Highlander evenly... but his eyes still glittered merrily.

"In my rather limited experience with you... you always seem to have something outrageous to say."

"Oh." Phillip was quiet a moment. "Well... instead of walking all over Paris... we could drive... we'd cover more ground that way."

"I tried that last night."

"Well... we won't find him sitting here going through that database. We need to get out there and do something before he strikes again."

Duncan nodded. He turned off the computer. "Maybe if my Watcher Joe were here... he's the one who was shot..." he said as Phillip nodded soberly, "he might be able to find something."

"I am sorry about that... If I'd moved sooner perhaps I could have prevented his shooting," the Greek added sadly.

"We do what we can," replied Duncan. "Darius once told me that our regrets are what make us human. Without them... we have no conscience."

Phillip rose to stand looking out the window at the Paris skyline. In the distance, he could see lights on the Arch de Triomph and the Eiffel Tower. He could recall when there had been next to nothing here. "Darius always did have a way of putting things into perspective."

"Even before he came here?" Duncan wanted to know, recalling suddenly that the two men had known one another for almost three hundred years before Darius had come to Paris.

Phillip glanced back at him with a smile. "Oh yes. He always seemed to know what he wanted and he went after it."

"What about Eleanor? What was the deal there? His letter to me... that's where he was going wasn't it?" Duncan felt that he might get an answer from Phillip that neither Methos nor Eleanor had been willing to give.

But the Greek appeared to be as reluctant to say anything as the others had been. Finally after a long silence he said quietly, "Truthfully Highlander, I don't know. That they loved one another... I knew even before they knew. It was in the way they were with one another. They laughed. They shared secrets. They trusted one another. But did they ever act on their feelings? Only Eleanor could tell you that."

"What about Methos?" Duncan pushed. "He and Eleanor appear to have been..."

He was interrupted by Phillip's laugh. "Oh those two! For centuries I think they tried to deny to themselves that they cared about each other... then that one couldn't trust the other one... then I think they tried to believe that the other simply didn't care for them the way they cared." He threw up his hands in mock exasperation. "Yet every time they met... they 'jumped one another's bones' is how I think the young people say it today." Phillip shook his head. "It was as if they were oil and vinegar... completely different... unable to co-exist... but together... if the circumstances were right... they were a pair."

"And now?" Duncan wanted to know.

"Now?" Phillip shrugged. "I think they've finally decided that what they have always felt for one another is more than just great sex... I think they've decided that it is love. But I do worry where this decision may lead them both." Phillip glanced darkly at the bedroom where he'd stripped a bloody bed the day before. He decided that was one thing he'd best keep secret. He still didn't know what it was all about... but he'd seen them the next morning... whatever his friends had done... it had changed them both. He'd first noticed the beginnings of a change in them that last day he'd been in the hotel with them in Seacouver. But now... Phillip shrugged once more and regarded the Highlander evenly. "Once again, MacLeod, I fear you are asking the wrong person these questions. I am not privy to their inner thoughts. Just what I observe."

Duncan grinned, "But you observe quite a bit."

Phillip nodded with a gesture. "Ah... then you have discovered my secret. My genial demeanor and laughter is all an act to hide the fact that I am a careful observer of human nature. Now then... shall we formulate our plans to cover the city of Paris?" He spread a detailed map of the city out on the table.

"Alone or together?"

"I'd say together. While we may not be able to help one another in a challenge... perhaps we can bear witness to whoever this immortal is and find a way to stop him."

Duncan nodded. "But what we really need is help to do this. Any suggestions?"

Phillip stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I've not been in Paris nearly as much as you in the last few centuries... You'd likely know who's about town that we could enlist better than I." He snapped his fingers. "I did meet someone recently... rather young... but seemed a good sort."

"Who?"

"A friend of Liam Riley's... you do know Liam... right?"

"I've heard Amanda mention him... " Duncan's voice trailed off at the thought of Amanda. She had seemed so self-contained and secretive when he'd seen her yesterday. He knew her far too well to just accept that in her.

Duncan's focus returned to Phillip's continued words, "... We could go there. Liam likely would know how to reach him."

Duncan agreed. It was at least a place to start... and a chance to gather allies.

Their initial plans made, Duncan and Phillip gathered up their swords and maps, hid the book and the laptop once more in the room, and... carefully avoiding the security camera, left the hotel. They'd have to walk until the rental agencies opened in the morning. Then they could get a car.

***

Across the street, Kenny, just out of range, watched the immortals leave. Well... wherever they were going... they'd have a shadow. Small, unseen and unfelt... he slipped through the darkness of the Paris night behind them... always keeping them far enough ahead that they could not feel him... but close enough that he could see them.

Beneath his coat... the boy fingered the hilt of his small sword with glee. With any luck... he'd finally take a head this night.