Chapter 14
Alice and Jack ran through the square, there were plenty of people milling about; they just hoped there would be enough to cover their tracks as Max entered the square after them. Alice was trying desperately to think on her feet, where could they go? No use going to the den, he would ransack the place and still find time to murder them. The police were out of the question, all three of them would be arrested if they did that. There was only one place to go.
"The posh street!" Alice told Jack. He instantly understood and changed their direction. Well if he had the choice of being murdered or meeting Mr Brownlow and being forced to explain himself then he guessed it would have to be the latter.
They turned into the posh street, Jack suddenly becoming uncomfortably aware that he didn't fit in. Jack held back sauntering down into a brisk walk. There was no immediate sign of Max and running looked awfully suspicious down this particular class of road. Alice linked her arm with Jack's to make it seem more casual and authentic, although she was using this position to keep Jack moving as she knew what must be running through his mind. She couldn't let him have time to dote on it.
Jack instinctively stopped before they reached the steps to the Brownlow residence. It just didn't seem right to go any further. Alice, regarding Jack's worried expression made a quick and firm decision. Clasping his hand Alice pulled Jack down the servant's stairway. He wouldn't have to face Mr Brownlow this way. But when they Alice reached the last step and Jack had realised her idea, he also became aware, out of the corner of his eye, that Max had entered the street. Pulling her into the shadows, Jack silently made her alert of Max's presence.
They stayed crouched down, hidden from immediate view as Max searched in vain above them.
"Show yerself!" Max bellowed. He knew they were close but he couldn't pin point exactly where.
Alice gripped tighter to Jack. She didn't know who was in the most danger, him or herself. She could feel herself shaking with fear. Being that close to a murderous villain with the clear intent to kill her was an all too terrifyingly new experience. And Jack. Even if they did survive this scrape how could she let him out of her sight knowing that Max was determined to see him dead?
"Come out come out wherever you are! I only want to kill you. This is just draggin' it out. I will get you Dodger and your sweetheart." Max taunted.
Jack's grip tightened on Alice. He felt hopelessly useless. He couldn't protect himself let alone Alice. Being outside Alice's current home did not make matters better; it was disconcerting to think that her great uncle could be sat there in the comfort of the living room while his great niece was murdered on the doorstep. And try as he might there would be no way of preventing Max from doing it. The sudden thought of death scared him. He had never honestly been this close to it and having spent most of his life learning how to survive and avoid anything that could lead to this situation; he was exasperated to find himself in it.
"You'll pay for this, I promise you, Dodger, I will get both of you!" Max thundered, his voice shuddering through Jack's body. Max had already proven to be a man of his word and Jack knew this threat was no different.
The ever so slight creaking as the Brownlow's front door was opened made Alice jump. Whoever it was that opened the door took three echoing steps before making themselves known.
"Excuse me, young man, but is it really necessary to be shouting and hollering outside my doorstep? You are disturbing the whole neighbour, including my household!" it was Mr Brownlow who had spoken. Distracted from his work he had ventured out to see exactly what had caused the disturbance.
Alice felt her heart flip. Her great uncle had just walked obliviously into possibly one of the most dangerous situations he had ever encountered. She couldn't just sit here and watch, could she?
"Shut up yer old tosser. Or I'll stick this in yer first." Max replied shining the glint of his dagger in the older man's eyes.
"Well, really, is that the way to treat a stranger?" Mr Brownlow added indignantly.
"I'm warning yer!" Max reinforced his threat, stepping closer towards his victim.
She couldn't stand it any longer, something had to be done. Alice was positive that with her uncle present Max wouldn't commit his threatened deed against her. Not when a rich gentleman with connections with the magistrate and numerous prison officials watched on by. She was prepared to risk it.
Feeling Alice move Jack tightened his hold on her. He knew what must have rushed through her mind and was trying to silently warn her against it.
"It's ok, he wouldn't risk doing anything in front of my uncle." Alice whispered reassuringly. Jack looked wide-eyed at Alice but nodded. She was right; Max would be a fool to actually do anything in front of Mr Brownlow and the rest of the street.
Breathing deeply, she ascended up the metal staircase into the scene.
"Alice!" Mr Brownlow exclaimed in confusion. He couldn't work out why his great niece was emerging from the servants' quarters. His thinking time was cut short as Max, finally able to reach his target, grabbed hold of Alice and pinned her against the wall.
He pointed his knife at Alice's neck and then scratching her he flung it in the direction of Mr Brownlow.
"How do you know who she is?" he spat.
"Because she is my great niece, now unhand her!" Mr Brownlow cried, stepping closer to her only to be shunted back by Max's dagger.
His attention returned to Alice. Swapping his knife into the other hand he leant uncomfortably into her. Alice braced herself and maintained her position as his foul smelling breath covered her cheek.
"Does your great uncle know about your little…indiscretion?" Max hissed in her ear. By her silence he assumed not.
"I could rip you apart, let the whole world know of your secret." Max lowered his knife so the point was resting dangerously on Alice's stomach.
Stifling her panic, Alice glared at Max.
"You wouldn't dare." She told him.
"Oh but I would!" Max replied.
"Really, even when you are watched by the whole neighbourhood and a man who has significant ties with many law officials, including the magistrate?" Alice suddenly felt her confidence grow. She could see Max clench his hands into fists and the knife lower away from her. She was right and irritatingly Max knew it. He'd sign his own life away if he killed her right now. It would have to wait.
"This isn't over. Don't think for a minute that I won't be back to get you and the Artful Dodger where ever you've hidden him. You'll regret messing with me." Max said his final words, pushing Alice to the side and legging it out of the street.
Mr Brownlow hurried to help Alice. She had already gotten herself up and dusted herself down, ready to go inside.
"Are you ok? Did he hurt you in any way?" Mr Brownlow fused. Alice told him she was fine and that he hadn't done anything.
Mr Brownlow insisted on escorting her into the house where he immediately called for a servant to bring Alice and glass of water despite her protests that she didn't want one.
"You have suffered a terrible ordeal, a glass of water will calm you down."
Alice sighed wondering how she could be any calmer.
"That was nothing." Alice stated, pulling away from her overprotective relative. She had been completely confident in that encounter that she was safe. It was nothing compared to earlier.
Mr Brownlow watched Alice disappear into the drawing room. What did she mean by that remark? If that was 'nothing' what else had she experienced that had been even more terrifying then that? It was a question he felt that if he knew the answer he could understand Alice just that little bit more.