Back to the Basics
Chapter 4
Leaning forward from her position in the back seat she handed over a wad of bills to the taxi driver. He counted out the money and nodded his head. He handed her a few bills from the outer layer and tipped an imaginary hat to her. "G'day, miss."
"Thank you, sir," Rory said distractedly as she stepped out of the small cab and stood up straight.
In front of her stood, well, a castle was the only word that came to Rory's mind. The building was built entirely out of individually sculpted stone slabs. No two looked exactly a like. It reminded her of the cold and foreboding mansions in Hartford, the only difference was the landscaping. The backdrop on all sides of the 'house' was ocean, as far as the eye could see; big, blue and beautiful. She was able to see a large stretch of beach that disappeared behind the house and continued on the other.
Rory walked up to the oversized front door. Her mom had commented once that doors like this existed not for the purpose of keeping thieves and rapists out but to keep the precious and innocent socialite children in. Inside where their parents and nannies could keep a constant watch on them and control their lives. Keeping them prisoners in their own home. As she rang the doorbell Rory wondered briefly how Finn escaped. She waited a few moments and when no one answered the large door she rang again. For the second time there was no answer.
Seemingly possessed by worry for her Australian friend Rory reached out and turned the doorknob. She had learned a long time ago that doors were never locked during the day, in Hartford society anyway. She figured it was worth a shot.
The door opened easily and she stepped in. She knew it was wrong but she had to find Finn. Who knew what kind of trouble he had gotten himself into? He has been known to do some awfully dangerous and stupid things while upset. Judging by Finn's phone call he was just upset but he was distraught.
The interior of the house was even more magnificent then the exterior. The entrance hall was large and airy. The ceiling was vaulted and had a painting on its surface. The walls and surfaces were lined with exquisite pieces of art. It was like a museum holding all originals.
Rory placed her small carry all bag on the floor next to the door.
"Hello?" she called. Her voice echoed off the walls. "Is anyone here?"
No answer.
Odd, Rory thought. A house this large is usually full of servants running around. Rory wondered through the halls looking for a sign of inhabitants. Nothing seemed to be out of place, it actually looked like no one lived there and it was simply for show. The only evidence that someone lived there was a half empty cup of cold coffee on an end table in the sitting room.
As she neared the centre of the house she could have sworn she heard a soft tick, tick, tick. There was something about the house that didn't sit right with her.
It was late evening, yet all the lights were out as though no one was home. She had seen a pricey Mercedes parked out front. Someone had to be there.
The shadows cast on the floors and walls resembled something out of her childhood nightmares. She half expected a man in a white mask to jump out at her from every corner she passed holding a nine inch kitchen knife. There mere thought caused her heartbeat to increase until it beat wildly.
The feel of her own pulse and the incessant tick, tick, tick reminded her of the Tell Tale Heart. Great, she thought, just what I would need: a dead body.
The tick, tick, tick rapidly grew louder, as did her breathing. The sound was soon all se could hear there was no more eerie silence just tick, tick, ticks.
"Stop it! I didn't kill anyone!" Rory suddenly screamed out, covering her ears.
"No one said you did."
Rory spun around. Leaning against a doorframe was an older man whom she assumed was Finn's father. He was sporting an amused expression that held a hint of confusion as well.
Rory felt her cheeks heat up. She gave a nervous laugh. "You're probably wondering who I am and why I'm in your house, huh?"
"Not at all." Rory wasn't sure whether or not he was being sarcastic or not. His expression was impassive.
"Oh, um, the front door was open," Rory, explained nervously, nevertheless.
"I didn't ask," Mr Rothschild said.
Silence. Tick, tick, tick.
"Step into my office Miss Gilmore," he said suddenly, stepping away from the frame of the door to let her pass.
"How did—"
"Emily and Richard," he said as way of explanation.
"Right." She walked through the open door to come to a spacious home office. There was a large desk that held all the necessary things—a computer, telephone, papers, and pens—the room was furnished with a set of filing cabinets, a couch and two arm chairs as well as a grandfather clock that went tick, tick, tick.
She sat down in one of the armchairs in front of the desk while he sat behind it on a high winged leather chair.
"Did you have trouble getting here?" he asked politely.
"No," Rory said. I just had to drive to New York with a broken foot and max out several major credit cards but it wasn't any trouble, Rory thought bitterly to herself.
"I think its time you answer that question you asked me earlier," Mr Rothschild said leaning closer to the desk. A folder lay open on his desk; a pad of paper lay next to it full of notes written upon it. He had obviously been working.
"What question?" Rory asked confused.
He sighed tiredly. "The one about why you are in my house."
"Oh, well, I got a phone call from your son during the night," she said, "he sounded terribly upset."
"He always was an emotional boy," he commented dismissively, "a real drama king."
Rory's eyes narrowed. "Where is Finn?"
-
The Lion's Den, the local pub was similar to the Richman's Shoe pub back in Connecticut. It was nothing special but it was still a local hangout. This is where Mr Rothschild had informed Rory that Finn was.
Rory got out of the cab seeing red. She couldn't believe he had tricked her into coming to Australia. For all she knew he could have been upset from drinking too much. She was ready to wring his neck.
She stormed into the pub. The door hit the wall from the force of her entrance. Everyone in the room—though it wasn't many—turned to look at her. She scanned the room until she saw Finn at the bar, empty glasses littered the surface in front of him.
She narrowed her pretty blue eyes and strode towards him.
"Winston Finnegan Rothschild!" She said angrily, her hands on her hips. "What do you think you're doing?"
Finn attempted to turn stand and turn around at the same time resulting in an unfortunate outcome. He fell clumsily to the floor.
"Rory!" he slurred. "I didn't think you were coming, love!"
"Obviously," Rory muttered sarcastically.
She stooped and helped him up. "Lets get you home," she said exasperatedly.
"Rory."
"Later Finn."
He didn't say anything more.
-
Rory awkwardly helped him up the stairs and into his bed due in part to her crutches and his drunken weight.
She set him down on the bed gently. She yanked off his shoes and threw them behind her before pulling back the covers and helping him slide in.
"Goodnight Finn," Rory said tightly.
She made for the door but was stopped by Finn's voice.
"Rory," he whispered. "She's not going to make it."
"So you've said already, Finn!" She spit out angrily. "You know what, we'll talk about this tomorrow." She figured his statement was simply a drunken ramble.
Author's note: Ending sucked, I know. I also am aware that a few things need to be explained. Like why was the house empty? and what is the deal with Finn's father? All in good time, my friends, all in good time.
Review...be nice.