Orphans Beloved: "Beth Rhymes With Death…"
Summary: Like my Immortal Beloved and Sheldon Swifties bits in my Buffyverse and Sheldonverse, these are fragments and short bits, some longer…Just to fiddle with ideas, possibly forming longer tales later.
Disclaimer: No copy write infringement intended…
Part XVII…
"Right in the very heart of it…Thompson, Thompson…" Donnie sang as the Hendrixes strolled the small airport. Pulling his coat and zipping, the balmy 8 degrees outside somewhat reflected inside.
"Donnie…" Alison, frowning, pushing up her dark sunglasses, pulling down fur cap… "There's no need to attract attention."
"Ally, our names are on the tickets…There's no way you could disguise that beautiful pusser from any Dyad or Castor guy on our tail or just casing the airport for Helena. In fact, better they think it's her, right?"
"What, I should end up black-bagged to be opened in Paul Dierden's office?" frowning stare.
"Well, no…But I doubt they'd do that." Shrug.
"They kidnapped Helena in the middle of Toronto. Who knows what they can do in Thompson…" she pointed out. "Here, put these on and try to look unobtrusive…" she handed him a pair of dark sunglasses.
"Now we look like the local Mafia…" he noted, peering at himself in a mirror, she looking as well… "If my moll were Audrey Hepburn, of course." Gallantly.
"Fine, make a joke of it…" nervous frown and wave… Slight pleased smile…
"Ally…You and I…Rescuing Helena…From some weird combination of the world's military?" he eyed her. "What can I do but make a joke of it? The only thing being funnier would be Felix and me doing it."
"I should have brought Sarah…" she frowned. "She'd take this seriously…"
"And she'd be just what they'd want if they don't have Helena. We were the only option and I won't get hurt, Ally." Fond look. "Thanks for being freaked for my safety."
"You're welcome…" sheepish look.
"Just remember…We have Helena on the team." He nodded to her. "They're the ones who oughta run…If she hasn't got them runnin' already."
"Absolutely. Just don't get shot, nail-gunned, or beaten up by Paul's soldiers." She urged, lightly as she could but with pleading look. "Please…?"
"Do my best. Now, lets go pick up your sister Beth the Toronto cop with the psycho boyfriend problem and the sporadic Ukrainian accent."
"Right. If we can fake it here…" nervous smile.
"We'll fake it…Anywhere…" Donnie continued, with grin.
"It's up to you, Thompson…Thompson…" they chorused, bumping at end.
"Hey, they have a golf course…And bear hunts…" he noted, pointing to posters. "I mean I'd only use a camera…" to her look. "We're supposed to be unobtrusive tourists, right?"
….
Later, evening…Downtown Toronto…A very elegant, very favored restaurant of the elite…
God, what a place…Beth repressed an urge to peer into every corner, noting the elegant elite apparently demonstrating such by as little movement or conversation as possible.. And God, look at these prices…
Not to mention, Jesus…If you're gonna charge me a week's pay, don't give me a drop of sauce and a sliver of chicken…Eyeing one passing plate.
Am I dressed right? I took what looked like "icy bitch queen on the town" from her closet…She glanced down at her dress.
And thank God I chose dark blue. Cause I doubt you can take clothes like these to the dry cleaners if I spill anything.
Boy, Cosima thought I was fancy dress lady…
Though, I can be pleased I did pretty well on a fraction of evil sister's cash…
She avoided staring around the place but felt all eyes on her.
I'm screwing it, I know I am…She thought, sighing inwardly. Unable to avoid looking over at another table where a rather brittle tall blonde, in elegant yet rather revealing gown gave her the slightest of glances. Sneering contempt never so neatly put…
Either Rachel is not very popular or it's the custom to sneer at your fellow diners here or probably both, she thought. And either way, I'm screwin' it…
Ok, I can do this…I've been doing this. Just be the biggest bitch I can imagine and act as if I own the place.
Heck, I know a few of Toronto's finest who would say Beth Childs fit that bill neatly.
"Rachel…" Marion's voice startled her for a second…She looked up from her seat.
"Hey…Uh…I'm so glad you could make it this evening, Marion. I know it was short notice." Beth smiled, concentrating to maintain her British-tinged accent. Do I get up and kissy-kiss on cheeks or…No, she's moving to sit. "I desperately needed to get out."
"I'm glad too, Rachel." Marion, benign if stiff nod as she sat, broad if cool smile…
The wealthy living dead need their airing…So I take it we're not all that close, Beth observed. So, might be best not to go too far in phony confidences…At least till she's safely sloshed.
Hafta be a bit careful with the new chassis, though. Rachel may not be up to a cop's drinking skills…
"So." Brittle smile, hands folded.
Yeah, we really are not that close…Unless, for people like Bowles and Duncan…This is giggly girls' night out.
"How are you? You seem in good spirits." Appraising look.
"Getting by. Perhaps two-dimensional vision is opening a new world for me." Smile.
"We're doing all we can regards the eye…" Marion, hastily…Regarding the bandage and patch.
"It's quite all right. I really am getting rather used to it." Nod. "And I assure you, no plans just right now for vengeance upon my clone." Thin smile, touch of hair.
How to strike a balance between…Clearly scheming to have my sis' face burned off and "my new disability just makes me want peace, love, and togetherness…"?
"That's good to hear." Frosty beam… "Yes…Martini for me…" Marion eyed the arrived waitress.
"Sam Adams, please." Beth, catching herself too late.
"Beer?" Marion eyed her. "Unusual choice for you."
"Widening my horizons and taking a bit of care with my budget…" Beth, off-handedly. "Perhaps I just want to spiritually commune with Sarah via her sort of beverage." She managed a faint, wintry smile.
Though spring compared to yours, lady…She thought, eyeing Marion's brief return upturn of lips.
"Well, enough of that…" she waved a hand. "What about my new position at Dyad? What can you tell me? When do I start whatever minor tasks I'll be allowed?"
"Rachel…Far too soon for that." Marion, attempt at warm smile…About five degrees higher. "And I assure you, your position is secure and will be one consummate with your skills and experience. But for now, you need to rest and recreate."
"Perhaps you're right…" shrug. "I clearly was too bound up in the LEDA project and a few weeks' rest might do me a world of good."
"That's the spirit." Marion nodded. "Why not enjoy this chance at a break? Travel, perhaps."
"Perhaps I could take my father's ashes back to England and have them properly buried in his home town. I saw from the Dyad records he was cremated." Calm stare.
"We felt it for the best…" Marion noted. "Sorry if that was not in keeping with your wishes, but his own benefits package from the old days called for it."
"I'm sure it's what he would've wanted, as a scientist concerned with the Earth, that sort of thing. So…Can I have them, the ashes?"
Hmmn…Should I have said, May I?...
Nah…This bitch would never suggest she was pleading for something…
"Of course. I'll see they're brought to your apartment."
"Pity I can't have Mother's as well…" fixed stare. "I imagine Susan Duncan's ashes were swept up with the trash after that fire…"
"Rachel…" Marion took her hand. "What Aldous did was not sanctioned by the board. And it's in the past…Best to let it go. Along with Aldous…"
"Of course…" cool stare. "It does seem strange though…That her remains weren't identified after the fire."
And Detective Childs is back on the case, thank you, Dyadnet, she beamed inwardly.
"There was little left of any of the victims, I understand." Marion noted.
"Not even teeth...?" shrewd smile.
"It was a very high temperature fire…What is this about, Rachel?" she eyed her.
"Just curiosity." Brittle smile… "I have time on my hands now and perhaps I just feel like doing a little detective work."
"Indeed. Best to put all that in the past, dear. But I will see about Dr. Duncan's remains…"
"Thank you." Nod. Both quiet as the waitress returned and set down their drinks.
"There is one other unusual thing…Speaking of detective work…" Marion smiled at the beer which Beth refrained from taking in hand, letting the waitress pour it.
"Yes?" Beth, calmly…Taking a sip.
"Your sudden interest in…Even concern for…Detective Bell." Fixed stare. "You met with him? And you went to the hospital after his attack?"
"I met with him to tell him about Ferdinand." Beth, coolly. "I won't deny I'm nervous about his showing up. And that I might wish to make my own allies, just in case."
"Rachel…" Marion sighed. "That would not be wise."
"Aren't you going to ask me if I am Rachel?" Beth smiled. "I could remove the patch and bandage if you think the sight wouldn't spoil everyone's meal?"
"Hardly necessary, dear, your sisters Sarah and Cosima are accounted for, they're with Detective Bell. And Alison, while out and about…Is hardly able to impersonate you."
"Wasn't she the actress?" Beth smiled.
Just picturing what my sis would do to you, Bowles if she ever heard that one. Helena would be more merciful…
"Not quite the Oscar-winning caliber…I've no question about your identity Rachel." Marion smiled.
"And of course, we have ways to confirm it…" Beth, innocent stare. "Should I expect the medical team tonight or tomorrow?"
"Rachel…Dear…"
"Just being realistic, Marion…I'd prefer to know so that I can put a few valuable items away when a few heavy-handed oafs start lumbering around my place."
"I've no plans for such action. I can't say as to Ferdinand or Delphine."
"You think Dr. Cormier…Cosima's lover…Would have me anally probed?" smile. "Surely wasted effort if I were her and Cosima and the rest's spy."
"Dear…You did bring it up."
"She could hardly fake the results to cover me up."
"Perhaps not…"
"Leaving Ferdinand as my secret admirer…" faint smile. "Does he suspect me?"
"You know he suspects everyone…Including me. It's his job." Marion, slightest of shrugs.
"Well…" Beth lifted her beer glass… "Thanks for the warning. Here's to my confirmation as Rachel Duncan."
Marion, frosty smile again… "As to your efforts to negotiate with Detective Bell, dear. Please to let that sit."
"Only attempting to mend a few fences. Let the clones know I bear no ill will and that I might have useful information for them, as to their safety. In exchange for what protection they can offer. I'm keeping none of this secret, you see." Cool smile.
"I doubt Sarah will wish to negotiate. I'm just trying to help you, Rachel. You are arousing concerns by your actions."
"Which actions and what concerns, precisely? And as that, tell me, was any action taken toward Detective Bell?" tense tone, desperately repressed.
"As to…?" Marion blinked, a bit startled by the sudden intensity which Beth struggled to control.
"His heart attack…Was it induced?"
Yeah, just a bit too far…Sigh. I'm blowin' it after a good start…Beth eyed Marion.
"Why should anyone wish to harm him just now?" Marion, genuinely puzzled. "It would only frighten Sarah and the others and drive them away. Rachel? Ferdinand has expressed curiosity about your contact with Bell. If you think he's responsible…He'd surely not take such a risk without being sure of killing him. Or if it was a message to the ladies, he wouldn't have been so subtle…"
"No, of course not…Sorry." Beth nodded, waving hand. "Forgive me, everything about Ferdinand seems to be making me a bit nervous. Helsinki, you know."
"Surely you're not feeling guilty…" Marion eyed her. "Your actions were approved by the board in retrospect."
Mine…?
"I think it's just that now…I might be on the receiving end, Marion. A bit worrisome when one has no power." Nervous look.
"You have full protection, Rachel. No one is considering any further action against you." A note of real concern. "You can trust me, you know. I wouldn't lie to you about that."
"Well, you asked why I'd make contact with Bell. Now you know. I'm simply afraid. Happens to the best of us, Marion." She paused. "Perhaps the best thing is to continue our dinner…"
Such as it is…I'll have to eat some real later…
"Of course…" renewed brittle smile.
On the one hand…I likely blew it, Beth thought. Though no test should reveal me anything but Rachel… On the other hand, I know now just what a bitch of a Michael Corleone my sister was.
Dear God, I've stumbled around and put Art in danger all over again, she suddenly thought…
Phone buzz…Marion eyeing her.
"I'm so sorry…I should have turned mine off." Beth apologized, glancing…
"Meet me in the ladies room across the way. You go first." the message on screen…
Marion eyeing her coolly, just the slightest eye movement.
"No." Beth shook head. "It seems someone thought to make a joke on my phone. But I'm not the one they wanted."
"I see…" Marion smiled. "Well these crank callers must have their fun."
"Yes. Would you excuse me a moment, Marion? I need to…Powder my nose…"
"Of course, dear." Nod.
….
Toronto General, Cardiology floor…
"I hate this…" Sarah shook her head.
"You love it…" Art grinned from his bed. "Come on, you've been itching to be a detective again. It's in your blood, you're a natural like your sister. No wonder Helena was always so good at eluding Dyad and finding her victims. You guys are born detectives."
Well…Hey, no… "Art…" she frowned. "You know I mean for your sake. You've got no business getting deeper here. Rachel cannot be trusted."
"Which is why I got my old partner to cover me…" Art noted. "I can either do this alone, which might be better given what a tight-assed screw up you are..."
Hey…She blinked.
"…Or we can do this together and figure out what kind of crazed power play Rachel is up to here."
She sighed, eyeing him.
"You're sure that's why…" she regarded him. "Not at all sold on her story?"
"Well, I was thinking of getting her to dress up like Beth ala Jimmy Stewart in 'Vertigo'." He grinned to her concerned, then sour look.
"What, a black cop can't appreciate Hitchcock? Especially so appropriate a flick." Smile. "And after all…We were already there, Beth."
"Dipshit." She glared.
"Just remember…I'm not dressing up for this."
"I sure as hell hope not…Be damned creepy after telling me I was next in line." Grin. "Don't worry, not a word to Cal, even in jest."
"Who bloody said it was jest…?" she eyed him…Smiling now.
"Dipshit…And creepy dipshit at that." He grinned. "I see where Rachel gets it from…"
"Kinda like ta meet Mum, genetic, myself." Sarah nodded.
…..