Devil in the Church: Chapter 5
Moving carefully, just in case, I risked looking through the broken storefront. No visual signs of the others immediately greeted me. The SUV had stopped smoking but the air reeked of gasoline mixed with an acrid taint of what I thought might have been spilled coolant.
Distant shouting brought my attention across the street, a bit further down the road. Unlike the building I was hiding in, this one didn't have a large boarded up window. Or any windows facing the street on the ground floor. The door was wide open, but the angry voices I could hear didn't sound like they were coming from the ground floor, but the second.
Only two windows weren't boarded up but didn't offer me any insight into what was going on inside. Not until one of them seemed fold slightly, bulge, then return to normal as if nothing had happened.
It happened so quickly I would have passed it off as fatigue from my injuries, or my eyes playing tricks on me, if I hadn't known Vista was around.
She must have somehow separated Dinah from her kidnappers while I was dealing with those two. Now to get her back the others were playing hide and seek inside an abandoned building with someone who played with reality like a kitten and a ball of yarn. It was a rigged game before it even started. I almost felt bad for them.
Still, these guys were persistent, and even Vista wouldn't be able to keep that going forever. She said she needed unobstructed line of sight to put real distance between Dinah and her kidnappers. That wasn't going to happen while trapped in a building.
Conscious of the seconds slipping away and the time I lost with the unconscious gunmen behind me, I looked down the empty street.
They should've been here by now but not only were they not, they weren't anywhere on the street that I could see. That meant they were waiting for these guys to rejoin their buddies before they did. Or, for me to cross the open.
Lovely.
"Well, I guess there's nothing left except to ante in," I muttered.
Sprinting across the street I leaped used the height of the old mailbox to get me high enough up the light pole. My feet no sooner hit when something sparked inches from my leg making my ears ring and white hot fire shoot up my side
Ignoring the pain as best I could, I threw myself toward the window Vista had previously affected a bit ago. Thankfully my powered boost allowed me to shatter the frame easily with my body and my coat protected me from the glass. Passing through, I caught a glimpse of a dark shape appearing on the road far down the street where the shot came from.
Rolling to a crouch in a rain of glass, I drew the attention of everyone in the hall which stretched out before me. At the far end, Vista stood in front of a pale and terrified Dinah. The area around her flexing and relaxing in a way that gave the impression the hallway was breathing. Between us were two of the guys from the car. Neither had their tinker weapons, but improvised wooden clubs.
Both looking right at me. About the only good news I could see here was that Vista had apparently been busy thinning their advantages.
"You," the spare I missed getting at Lord's hissed.
"Annoying, isn't it?" I asked, smirking at their expressions. "Like a bad penny, no?"
Only heads moved, everyone assessing their options. Blond buzz cut looked to Vista, then back to me. His companion, likewise assessed us both. Obviously noting that while his target was backed into a dead end I had a clear shot down that same hall. I met Vista's visored gaze. I couldn't see her eyes, but she could see mine. Quickly flicking them to the right, I hoped she caught it, and understood what was about to happen. With the other group coming, we'd only have a narrow window to make this happen.
Very narrow, I thought, as the cool tacky feeling spread at my side. I knew that my play needed to happen fast. Before my injury slowed me any more than it already had. I still had to get out of this mess.
"Since you boys picked the last game,mind if I choose this one?" I asked directing my full attention to the blond as I brought up my hand. "I was thinking five card, and queens are wild."
Swinging my arm sent both men to the ground in an attempt to dodge my cards. A winning tactic normally, but I wasn't aiming at them. Grabbing Dinah, Vista moved them into the right corner even as the air around them distorted even more from her power.
All five burning cards rocketed down the hall. When they entered Vista's power the spread twisted until each card was stacked so closely it looked like I only threw one. They were also redirected into the opposite corner from Vista. The old building shook hard from the explosion filling my nose and mouth. Infusing me with familiar smells and tastes reminding me of my Street Rat days.
Rushing forward I slammed my knee into the closest. Twisting just enough put my boot across the blonde's head bouncing it off the wall.
Both men recovered quickly. Even as Buzz Cut's head hit the wall, his leg struck at the back of my knee.
"Get her out of here!" I shouted. I barely hit the floor when his partner grabbed the back of my jacket. Pulling my legs under me, I kicked from the ground hard enough to send both of us into the wall. Earning a surprised grunt from the man grabbing me and a curse when we hit.
"What? Without you?!" Vista asked over Dinah's coughing.
He was still holding on to me even as our sudden change slammed him into the wall. Stomping on his foot earned me a yell right in my ear. Tilting my head to the side, I brought my leg upward fast connecting the bridge of my foot with his face. The impact forcing his head back into the wall hard, and finally making him let go.
My distraction gave Buzz Cut enough time to get his feet, and he wasn't looking at me. Vista noticed it as well. My cards opened a large enough hole in the wall for them to get out. However, instead of doing so, Vista stood in front of Dinah protectively preparing for Buzz Cut's rush.
Striking the reeling man behind me with my elbow gave me enough room to throw another card. This one I threw right at Vista.
She barely had time to redirect it into the wall between her and Buzz Cut. Again the hallway shook dangerously. Overhead the roof partially gave way bringing down a large support beam that only missed Vista because of her power still holding that area.
It did bisect the hallway though, and that was better than I hoped for. Now, to even the odds against me.
Spinning, I hammered my fist into the man's stomach. Using my forearm to block his return strike, I returned with a kick to his side. Grabbing his arm I jerked hard enough to send him off balance. Ducking under it, I kept him off balance by once again jerking his arm putting him into an uncontrollable stumble. My jump became a twisting spin before I put my foot into the side of his head hard enough to take him clean off his feet. Impacting the floor with the back of his head.
The room spun sickeningly even as I completed the move back to my feet. This hallway didn't offer a lot of room for my usual style, and I was starting to feel all my accumulated injuries. I needed to get gone now that Vista finally got the hint.
A hard impact into my back sent me into the opposite wall. Using the momentum I used it to backflip over the mercenary. Before I could capitalize on his disadvantage, a large fist impacted against my cheek. Legs barely holding me up gave out once again spilling me to the ground.
A shadow over me, something grabbing my torn shirt before the rain of blows continued. Several to the stomach, sides, until they settled on my face. Each snapping my head side to side distorting the world into only fragments of shouts, vague images, and pain.
"You think this means anything, bitch?" a hard voice growled over me. "If not today, we'll get her sooner or later. Not that you'll be there to see it. This is the last time I, or anyone, is going to ever see you again."
A pain racked cough sent blood flying from my lips. Everything hurt but the worse part was how weak I felt. I could barely see Buzz Cut looming over me, a massive looking knife in his hand. Intentions clear.
Still in his grip, I rasped, "Ever see The Wrath of Khan?"
Once again the hallway brightened from my power. This time however, it wasn't from one of my cards, but from the floor under me. The riot of fluctuating colors quickly spread away, moving like a pool of water until it covered a good portion of the hallway. Understanding instantly erupted behind Buzz Cut's eyes as he realized what I was doing.
Despite the blood trailing from my mouth and side, I smiled brokenly at his stunned expression. "I like how it ended."
"Are you insane?"
"Most likely."
Chuckling regardless of the pain it sent shooting through me I watched his eyes narrow. He reared back, his intent to kill me written clear in his eyes. With the knife rushing toward me, I sparked my power.
XxXGambitXxX
"Hide here," Vista said to her frightened peer indicating the huge rooftop fans of the building they were on. "I'll be right back."
Wrapping her arms around herself, Dinah nodded. "Please hurry."
Giving a reassuring smile, Vista nodded back. When she turned to prepare her leap back, the building Gambit was in lit in a flash of light. Boarded up windows exploded outward, smoke and dust quickly following.
"No," Dinah whispered before rushing toward the edge. "Gambit!"
Grabbing her shoulders Vista held her both to keep her from falling off the building and for her own support. Even as they watched, the roof wavered before partially collapsing inward sending an even greater cloud into the air and streets.
Swallowing thickly, Vista clenched her gut looking desperately for the cape but not seeing anything until another black SUV screeched to a halt. A man jumped out, looked through the cloud for a moment and then reentered the vehicle. It took off quickly heading away.
Pushing the button on the side of her helmet, she reported in.
"Console, this is Vista."
"Report, Vista," Director Piggot's frosty voice ordered.
"I have the victim but…"
"Velocity is still two minutes out. You were not given permission to engage."
"There wasn't time," Vista returned trying to keep her voice level despite her shock. "We have an emergency. The building we were trying to use to evade the kidnappers just fell on Gambit!"
The line was quiet a moment before the director asked, "Status on you and the victim?"
"Gambit bought us enough time to get to safety but…"
The Director's authoritative voice cut her off. "We will dispatch emergency vehicles to your current location to handle the situation there. You will clear the area and escort the victim to Earhart Street where Velocity will join you. Transport is already heading in your direction for retrieval."
"But, Ma'am, Gambit..."
"Is no longer your concern."
"She could be…"
"Need I remind you, Ward, of the perilous situation you are in? Console directed you to the Bank, you disobeyed. Console informed you that under no circumstance were you to assist the villain, Gambit. You disobeyed. Console instructed you to not engage the kidnappers but to wait for Velocity, and you disobeyed."
"She's not a villain and there wasn't time!"
"Regardless to the emergency, objective, or success achieved, you are in a great deal of trouble, young woman," Piggot's iron voice continued. "The number of protocols and regulations you violated today is unknown to me as yet, but I will find every single one of them. When I do, we are going to have a very frank discussion about your future in the program.
"Now, start moving Vista. This is an order you do not want to disobey. The very fact I had to be brought on to the Console should tell you exactly how serious your transgressions are."
XxXGambitXxX
Pacing back and forth in a spartan room of a seemingly abandoned factory, Danny cursed to himself. Renée should have been here by now. Calling her cellphone sent him directly to her voicemail. He left the office when the fourth call likewise didn't bear fruit. He told her where to go and at the moment, it was the only clue he had to where she would end up.
Every second passed agonizingly slow. Every small noise caused his heart to jump thinking it was her. Each echo sent him to the door only to be greeted by the empty factory floor.
He'd been here almost two hours, waiting. An hour ago it became too much. Risking heading back to the office, he put the word out to a few trusted people to keep an ear out for anything relating to Gambit. Once done, he rushed back to the factory hoping his calls weren't needed and she was waiting for him, but she wasn't. So he paced and waited. Either for her to arrive, or someone to bring him information on what was going on.
A loud screech of metal spun him around. Ignoring the twinge in his back at the fast movement, Danny rushed to the door. However, instead of the welcome face of his daughter, he was greeted by the confused face of his friend Kurt.
Kurt's expression wasn't promising when they locked eyes.
"What happened?" he asked quickly.
"Danny, what is..."
"What did you find out?"
"Fine," Kurt sighed, running his hand through his hair. "There was a cape fight over on Flowers. Remember Old Marty?"
"Welder, retired last year?"
"That's him. Well, his boy's in PD now and was one of the responders to the fight to keep an eye on the Emergency crews. When Old Marty asked his boy said that the fight was pretty bad and the PRT had intel that Gambit was involved."
"What happened? Was she hurt? Where is she now?"
"I don't know, but Danny, the building fell in," Kurt hesitantly said. "They think she was inside when it did."
"No," he whispered. Feeling his knees weaken Danny grabbed the door frame to keep upright.
"They pulled a trench coat and a couple of guys from the rubble," his friend hurried to say. "But not her yet. They're still searching but she might have gotten out before the roof fell."
Feeling his heart start beating again, Danny drew a shaking breath. "Yes, of course she did. She's resourceful, she had to have gotten away."
"Danny, what's going on? Seriously, why the interest in capes all the sudden?"
"Give me your phone."
"What? Danny…"
"Your cell phone, Kurt. Please!"
"Shit, yeah, here you go man."
Snatching the hateful device, Danny quickly pulled out his wallet. From it, a piece of paper. He eyed listed numbers in feminine scraw given to him not very long ago. Unsteadily dialing the number, he thankfully didn't have to wait long.
"Bonjour."
"Penny," Danny hurryingly greeted.
"Danny?"
"Listen, if Renée was hurt, where would she go?"
"Renée," Kurt asked in surprise. Raising his hands and shutting his mouth just as quickly at Danny's hard look.
"Renée's hurt?" his daughters ex-roommate asked loud enough that both men heard it.
"I don't know," Danny answered. "Something happened earlier. She said someone was in trouble because of her and after that she was going to ground. I told her to meet me at a safe house I put together but she's not here. Penny, I need to find her."
"She could be anywhere, Danny," Penny answered worriedly. "Finding hard to find places to lay low is something she's pretty good at. Ask anyone who's ever tried to find her when she didn't want to be found."
"But if she was hurt, she just wouldn't go anywhere. So where would she go?"
"How hurt?"
Licking his lips, Danny ruthlessly pushed the bile rising up his throat. "A contact in the police department said they pulled her coat from inside a knocked down building."
Penny cursed. "But not her, right?"
Looking at Kurt had the man shaking his head. "Not when I talked to him."
"Who's that?" Penny asked sharply.
"A friend," Danny answered, eyeing Kurt the whole time.
"He can be trusted?"
"Without question. I've known him for half my life."
"I hope you're right," Penny sighed. "Danny, if she's hurt she'll go somewhere no one would expect. Someplace isolated or far away from any people. She doesn't heal very fast unless she sleeps. Even then, depending on how bad it is, it could take a long time. Fractured ribs can take a week alone. If she was hurt badly she'll look for a place to sleep without worry of being found. Like abandoned buildings in the bad part of town."
"That's a third of the city, Penny."
"I'm sorry, Danny but that's what she would do. She wouldn't go near places she associates or that could be linked to her in any way. Not until the heat wore off or she could fabricate an alibi. If she's not in your safe house, then that only leaves abandoned buildings or..."
"Or?"
"Or the last place anyone would ever think to find a devil eyed woman."
XxXGambitXxX
Hissing in pain, I struggled momentarily with the large door before getting it open. Once inside, I was welcomed by a sweet scent not dissimilar to the incense Sister Mary used. Through blacken eyes, I squinted at the polished marble, dark woods and vibrant red carpet of the vestibule before finally focusing on the basin just ahead.
Stumbling, I thankfully made my way toward it without falling. Dipping shaking fingers into the water, I crossed myself, silently giving a prayer of thanks. Once finished, I painfully make my way forward. Struggling with another set of large doors before entering the nave.
After few steps inside I took a moment at the first first row of pew's. Clenching my teeth to keep from making a sound, I lowered myself to one knee, genuflecting to the tabernacle. Once again, crossing myself whispering the prayer long drilled into me by the Sisters.
The nave had a few people in it which looked ridiculous considering the size of the open area. Mostly just a few older women seated randomly. Most holding rosaries and whispering prayers aside from a guy lighting a candle.
None of them looked toward my direction. If they had they would have been treated to quite a sight. I was filthy, my shirt and pants ripped in several places showing torn and bloody skin. Unfortunately, I lost my coat to the ruined building, but all things considered, a small price to pay for my life.
Ignoring them, I once again stood, slowly stumbling down the aisle. Instead I paid attention to each step trying to keep my balance. A task made harder by the colors streaming through the stained glass windows.
I always enjoyed the riot of color they transformed sunlight into. Soaking everything beneath them in bright colors. Between that, the flowers, and beautiful paintings, the entire atmosphere of the church was a much needed peaceful environment. My painful progress eventually led me to a row of pew's that put me about as far from everyone as I could get.
Easing myself along, I kept my arm tight around myself until I reached my spot. Ribs once again protested the stress of lowering myself into the offered seat. Once settled, I took a moment to just breath. Thankful to be mostly out of sight and off my feet for the moment. The serenity of the church was just as welcome in my current exhausted state.
Bowing my head brought my hair to obscure my face. Hopefully that would discourage anyone from sitting next to me while I was here. I just needed to rest for a few moments before I continued looking for a spot to hold up for the night.
The creaking of the pew signaled the death of that hope.
"Are you alright, child?" the masculine voice asked. I had the impression of someone about Danny's age but not as old as Father Dominic. Looking through my hair showed greying man dressed in black.
"I won't stay long," I said lowly instead of answering.
"Were you attacked? I can call the police or an ambulance for you."
"No thank you. I'm fine."
"You don't look well, my child."
"How about relatively okay then," I said trying not to give into my chuckle. "Honestly, I'll be okay. I don't mean to impose."
"You can stay as long as you like. All of God's children are welcome in his house."
"That's kind of you to say but I just need a few moments to get my strength back."
"If you are sure," he said obviously not agreeing with my assessment. Thankfully he didn't push. "May I ask, why do you think you are unwelcome here?"
Looking a little closer revealed the while collar around his neck. That explained the interest. Curiosity to the point of conversation was usually frowned on during the quiet times. "I'm generally not that welcome in the church, Father."
"I do not understand why you would think so," the priest said quietly.
Chuckling weakly, I looked up and directly into the older man's eyes. Seeing them widen in shock as he got a good look at both the damage, and my own eyes. I smiled sadly at his reaction. "My… appearance isn't generally conducive to peaceful worship."
Sighing, I lowered my head again feeling the aches from all over throb to my heartbeat. Knowing I wasn't going to get any rest here, I reached for the pew in front of me to rise when the priest spoke again.
"No need for that," he assured me. Looking back, he offered me a sad smile of his own. "I am saddened to see such petty bigotry has affected someone so young. Is that how you became so injured? Where you attacked because of your appearance?"
Licking my lips, I tried not to hiss in pain from the split I received from Buzz Cut as I lowered my head again. If only so I didn't have to keep looking into the worried eyes of the man next to me.
"No. This was… something else."
"I can understand the need for secrecy, considering, but you really appear to need medical help. Are sure I can't at least call an ambulance for you? I'm sure they have contingencies for people in your position."
"No need to worry about me, Father. I always pay the debts I owe. Even for my sins."
"I can't see what a young woman like yourself could have done to earn what appears to be a vicious beating."
"I'm not a good catholic, Father," I said, sighing at his persistence. "Never claimed to be. Circumstances and my own choices see me walking a… sinful life by the church's standards. Which is fine, but we all have to pay for our vices sooner or later."
"And your, vices, earned… this?"
He remained quiet as I gathered my thoughts.
"It's the life I chose," I eventually answered. "Despite my lifestyle, I have always tried to do right by those I could, you know? Protect them from my sins, defend them when necessary. Even if it means a few weeks recovering. Or worse. Earlier it meant fighting. Right now, that means being alone."
Nodding, the priest looked toward the altar at the far end of the nave. "I see. So the reason you do not wish me to call an ambulance is because the police will get involved."
"Yeah, we're not exactly on speaking terms at the moment," I tried joking before clutching my ribs tighter as pain lanced through me.
"I hesitate to ask, but the ones who hurt you?"
"Were alive when I last saw them," I confessed quietly. "Though I'm not sure how happy they were about that. Things got… desperate at the end. If you think I look bad, you should see them. They're going to be recovering a lot longer than I will."
"I see."
The silence between us thickened uncomfortably. Again reaching for the pew to steady myself, I started rising to my feet. "I'm sorry to disturb the church, Father. I'll leave now. Thank you for allowing me to stay for a while."
Standing himself, the older man gently placed his hands on my shoulder, stopping me. Risking another look showed his concern.
"Rest, child."
"And should someone enter the church looking for me?" I asked wearily.
"This is the house of the Lord," the older man said. "The world of men stops at the door."
Lowering my head again, I whispered, "Thank you, Father. I won't impose much longer."
"Take as long as you need, my dear," he assured me as he left me alone.
Finally relaxing I allowed myself to be lost in the unique smells, warm colors, and general peace around me. At some point I must have blacked out because when I opened my eyes again, I wasn't in the nave anymore.
Tensing at having been moved without knowing it, I looked around as quickly as I could, considering. Someone had brought me to what looked like a small office or something. The couch I was laying on was a lot softer than the pew and a blanket had been draped over me. Moving my arm to bring it away from my face, I noticed the bandage over my bare arm. My boots were also sitting next to the desk in front of me instead of on my feet.
"Peace," a soothing feminine voice cautioned.
The voice belonged to an older woman. I amended that to nun as I took in her overall garb. She was kneeling next to me, holding a bowl of blood stained water complete with washcloth.
"Where am I?" I rasped.
"Father Benedict's office," she replied. "I am Sister Janice. Father Benedict brought you in here when you passed out and asked me to help you. Rest assured, child, no one but me has been in this room since you entered."
Relaxing slightly, I nodded. That was good. Lifting the blanket enough to look, I asked, "my clothes?"
"Were little more than filthy rags and more a hindrance to tending to your injuries than anything," the woman answered easily. Looking into her eyes showed she understood my discomfort but easily judged it acceptable to tend to me. "I found replacements that should fit you close enough in our collection surplus."
Following her hand, I noticed the pile of clothes sitting in the chair.
"Do you need help getting dressed?"
"No thank you. I think I can manage it. Sister?"
"Yes, dear?"
"Why are you helping me?"
The older woman smiled softly. "You are one of God's children in need."
"That's not what I meant."
"I know, but the answer is still the same."
I didn't know quiet how to reply to that. Considering how most reacted to me, I always considered Sister Mary's attitude to be more of the exception than the rule. I had enough biblical insults thrown at me over the last two years to feel confident in that. Yet, neither Sister Janice nor Father Benedict reacted the way I figured they should from past experience.
"I don't think I need to tell you that you are not in any condition to move about much," she continued. The look in her eyes telling me she guessed my thoughts but wasn't going to call attention to them. "Go slowly, and if you need help, I'll just be on the other side of the door. Alright?"
"Thank you Sister. For... everything."
Smiling gently, Sister Janice nodded. Rising, she carried the bowl to the door. Once she left, I started getting dressed.
Looking at the damage it didn't seem as bad as it felt. The bandage taped to my side was bloody, but not so much that the bandage wouldn't hold it. Several scratches, cuts, and such I'd gained over the afternoon were all taken care of. Sister Janice did good work, and far better than I deserved.
Lacing my boots back on, I considered my options. I needed to get in touch with Calle to find out how bad the warrant was against me. This whole thing started with Glory Girl, and according to my research, her mom was a damn good lawyer. That pretty much guaranteed the situation was bad even without adding grand theft auto, reckless driving, causing an accident, and instigating a parahuman fight at Lords. Pretty sure whoever owned the building I dropped was going to be pissed too, if for no other reason than for added charges.
I heard sirens when I crawled free of the ruin, so hopefully emergency crews got there soon enough so that I didn't have to worry about manslaughter charges. Looking through the window showed night had fallen. No traces of daylight at all.
Calle would also be the best option for passing a message along to Danny. He had to be out of his mind worrying right now.
Moving still hurt, but not as badly as it had earlier. If nothing else, my nap had done me some good. Taking a piece of paper from Father Benedict's desk, and his pen, I wrote a quick message thanking them for everything. Done, I opened the window easing myself through. There was no reason to involve the church in my troubles. They had been kinder than I deserved.
Moving along the stone building, I stuck as much as I could to what cover there was. Fortunate, as once I got to the corner overlooking the street, a car parked in front.
It was too open and I was too slow to risk leaving so I waited. Two men got out of the old car, appearing to be arguing quietly about something as they climbed the steps. At the doors, one turned to the other. Whatever he said made him rake his hand through his hair in a familiar manner. The first entered, leaving the second to wait outside.
Cursing my luck, I consigned myself to waiting until the man turned revealing a face I knew.
"Danny?"
He turned immediately to my whisper. "Renée?"
"Thank God." Danny rushed toward me, frustration that seemed etched into a haggard face replaced by worry as he approached. "I've been looking everywhere for you."
"What are you doing looking at all?" I asked easing myself deeper into the shadows. "I told you I would contact you when I could."
Looking around and not seeing anyone watching, Danny stepped into my hiding spot. Eyes tracking over me taking in the visible damage. "Look at you…"
"I told you I can take care of myself, Danny. Do you have any idea how much trouble you're going to be in if the PRT or police place us at the same place after today?"
Concern and worry lined his face but he snorted at my comment. "Do you seriously think you're the first woman in my life to get me in trouble with either of those authorities?"
"What?"
"It might shock you to know, but you are far more your mother's daughter than you realize."
Shaking his head, Danny knelt beside me. Hand brushing my hair away from my bruised face as he touched me as gently as he could. "Oh, Renée."
"It looks worse than it is. I'm fine," I tried deflecting. "We can't be seen together, Danny. People are looking for me and I don't want you going down for my mistakes."
"And I am not going to let my daughter live on the streets," he returned firmly. "Look at you, Renée. You're barely able to sit here without hurting. You need a safe place to rest, medicine and someone to look you over to see how bad your injuries are. You could be bleeding internally or something."
"I've been tended too."
"Maybe, but you still need a safe place until we figure out what to do. Where did you plan to stay? Some drafty powerless building? How is that going to help you get better? How are you going to take care of yourself? You need help and I am not going to let you hurt yourself more than you already have."
"You are the worst kind of minion," I grumbled knowing he was right.
"I'll take that as compliance," Danny chuckled weakly. "Come on, let's get you in the car. As soon as Kurt get's back, we'll take you somewhere safe."
Not resisting his help to my feet, I let Danny walk me to the car. "Kurt's good people?"
"You used to call him Uncle Kurt."
Instead of asking again, I sighed and let it go. If Danny trusted him, then that was about as good as it was likely to get. Proof would be in the doing.
"I need to get in contact with Calle to find out how bad, bad is."
"I'll arrange that, as well as make a few calls of my own once we get you settled."
"Who?" I couldn't help asking curiously.
"Associates from the old days," Danny replied vaguely. "Some of them might still have connections into the life and they owe me."
"People owe you?" I asked letting my smile form. "Old days? Sounds like there's a story there."
"You would be surprised at the favors I've accumulated over the years," he answered. "One of the benefits of being an old man who's been around the block a time or two."
Opening the car door, he helped me into the rear seat before taking the passenger front. Once his own door was closed, he turned to me.
"I won't lose you again. We will figure this all out, Renée."
I shook my head. "This is a rather large mess, Danny. The PRT knows I was involved and I dropped a building on people. They might have been kidnappers, but that isn't going to protect me in the courts. That doesn't even include that mess at Arcadia with Clockblocker and Glory Girl."
"Don't worry about the Dallon's," Danny smirked. "From what I hear, your lawyer is better."
"Maybe, but it's still shooting craps and the dice are not exactly rolling in our favor."
"Then we'll just have to cheat," he said. "And I happen to know a few people who can help with that. Some help is already on the way."
The driver's door opened letting in a man with the frame that spoke of someone who'd done manual labor all his life.
"I talked to a priest in there, but he wouldn't say if he saw her or not," he said, turning to Danny once he was inside. Then noticed me.
"Bonjour."
After a moment of staring, he turned back to Danny.
"Kurt, I'm sure you remember my daughter Renée."
"I knew he was lying," Kurt grumbled, turning the key. "Where too?"
"Back to Estate Paper," Danny answered.
"Good. She looks like she needs rest and I need a beer. Or six."
Smiling at 'Uncle Kurt's' reactions, I allowed myself to relax in the seat. This mess was likely to end any chance I had for a 'normal' life with Danny. But for this moment, I had this.