Eliot is sitting on the couch watching the game when his phone begins ringing. He pulls it out and looks down to see it's Avery calling him. After answering the call, Eliot puts the phone to his ear.
"Thought you weren't going to call until tonight?" Eliot asks with a smirk as he keeps his eyes on the TV screen.
"Dad, these guys are chasing me," Avery's breathless voice says hurriedly through the phone.
"What? Who?" Eliot asks as he instantly stands up and his body tenses. He's immediately in father mode and he glances at the rest of the team. They all heard the tone in Eliot's voice change and are now watching him carefully.
"I don't know, but they seem like they know what they're doing. Like they've had some sort of training," Avery quickly explains as her breath begins to come back.
"Where are you now?" Eliot asks into the phone as he moves towards where Hardison has just sat in front of his computer.
"In a cab. In London. I lost them for now," Avery explains while looking out the back window of the cab. Eliot sighs but his body is still tense and worry still flooding his eyes. Eliot looks down at Hardison and sees his fingers flying over his keyboard.
"Hardison…" Eliot begins and Hardison is already pulling up a map of England on to his computer screen.
"Where?" Hardison asks, not taking his eyes off the screen and sharing it to the television screen for everyone to see.
"London," Eliot replies with the phone still held to his ear. Hardison types furiously into the computer for a few moments before the map of England zooms in to a map of London. A red dot appears on the screen and is moving slowly along the street. Nate had Hardison implant a tracking device in Avery's phone and sneakers; Hardison is finding himself very glad they did. His fingers fly over the keyboard as more tabs are opening on his screen.
"Hardison," Nate says as he, Sophie and Parker join Eliot and Hardison at the table.
"Already booked five tickets to London. Our plane leaves in two hours," Hardison says as he presses a button on his computer before shutting it down. The team look down at their phones and see the tracking system is broadcasting on their screens.
"Let's go steal us an Avery," Nate says before walking out the door with the team hot on his heels.
"Ave, we're coming. I'm going to call Quinn. See if he's nearby. Just… stay out of sight," Eliot says urgently into the phone and he feels his jaw clench back up.
"Okay," Avery replies with a nod of her head and the call is disconnected. Eliot dials Quinn's number and waits for him to answer.
"What?" the blond Hitter barks into his phone.
"Avery's in trouble. You anywhere near England?" Eliot says hastily over the line completely skipping any and all pleasantries. He knows not to beat around the bush and he knows that Quinn will help if it's Avery that needs it.
"I'm in Germany. I can be there in a couple hours, tops," Quinn replies as Eliot hears the man already moving around. "Where is she?"
"London," Eliot replies as he runs a hand through his hair.
"I got a friend there she can hole up with until I get there," Quinn continues and Eliot hears a door shut in the background. "I'll give her a call. Give her a heads up."
Quinn quickly gives Eliot the address before the two Hitters hang up their phones. Eliot calls Avery back and relays the address to her before telling her to go there and that Quinn will meet her in a few hours. They hang up the phone and Eliot sighs in frustration. He realizes he never explained what was going on to the rest of the team and he takes the opportunity to do so now.
LEVERAGE
Avery looks out the window as the cab pulls up to a Bed and Breakfast. She quickly hands the driver some money before exiting the vehicle. Hearing the cab drive off, she takes in the building in front of her. With a glance at the street around her, Avery finally opens the door and enters the Bed and Breakfast. A bell tinkles overhead to announce her arrival. A woman in her mid-forties and slightly graying hair emerges from a back room. She sees Avery and gives her a smile. The woman glances behind Avery and her smile falters before looking back at Avery. Avery's hair is amiss and a tenseness is evident throughout her body. Her eyes watch the woman closely.
"Can I help you?" the woman asks with a furrow of her brow even as she's already sure Avery is the girl Quinn called her about.
"Um… a… friend… told me to come here…" Avery explains before biting her cheek, not sure how much to give away.
"You're the girl Quinn called about," the woman acknowledges with a nod of her head and another glance at the door behind Avery. Avery nods her head in confirmation and sighs in relief. The woman walks over to Avery and rests a hand on her shoulder which is no longer tense. "Follow me. My name's Amanda."
The woman leads Avery up a flight of stairs and Avery follows after her. Avery picks up on the fact that Amanda doesn't have a British accent and is, in fact, American. Avery looks around her as they climb to the third floor and takes in everything she can. It's here Avery remembers Amanda had given her, her name.
"My name's Avery," Avery introduces herself as Amanda opens a door and leads her inside.
"I wish we could've met on better circumstances," Amanda says truthfully as she turns to face Avery and gives her a sympathetic smile. "You can stay in this room until Quinn gets here. Would you like something to eat? Drink?"
"Um… yes, please," Avery replies with a smile before looking around the room.
"I'll bring up some food from dinner," Amanda says with another smile before walking out the door.
LEVERAGE
Avery sets the dirty dishes in the sink downstairs. It felt weird allowing Amanda to wait on her so as soon as she was done eating Avery brought her dishes down to Amanda. Avery turns the water on and prepares to wash the dishes but Amanda's voice stops her.
"Don't worry about. I'll do it," Amanda says with a wave of her hand as she walks over to the sink.
"I can do them. Really," Avery argues as she looks over at Amanda and catches her eye. Amanda waves her off again and swiftly begins washing Avery's dishes. Avery watches her for a moment before asking what she's been wanting to.
"How do you know Quinn?" Avery asks, looking up at Amanda's face. Amanda smiles but doesn't answer right away. Avery waits patiently for her to answer.
"He's my younger brother," Amanda finally answers, causing Avery's eyes to widen and her eyebrows to arch.
"I didn't know…" Avery begins with a shake of her head but stops herself. Amanda finishes the dishes and turns the water off.
"Few people do," Amanda replies with a glance at Avery before grabbing a towel and drying her hands off. She looks out the window. "Quinn should be her…"
Amanda drops off as she stares out the window at something. Avery furrows her eyebrows and moves to see what has Amanda's attention but Amanda immediately stops her. Avery gives her a curious look and Amanda throws the towel on the counter before shoving Avery towards the stairs.
"What's wrong?" Avery asks as she walks up the stairs and allows Amanda to usher her into the room.
"There are two men outside and they don't look friendly. If it comes to it there is a trellis outside your window," Amanda says as she points to one of the windows before leaving the room and shutting the door behind her.
Avery can't understand how the two guys found her; she was far ahead of them. Not that it mattered now. They have found her and Avery will more than likely have to make another run for it. The tinkle of the bell above the door has Avery turning her attention to the door to her room. She slowly and quietly walks over to it and places her ear against it. Voices are heard and she can just make them out. Suddenly, Avery's eyes grow wide and she hastily backs away from the door.
LEVERAGE
Lance and Tony walk up to the Bed and Breakfast. It is getting late and they know the girl will have to find some place to stay for the night. Ever since they lost her, they began searching every inn, hotel, and Bed and Breakfast they knew and came across. The two men walk in to the entryway of the building and see a woman behind a desk.
"Can I help you?" Amanda asks with a smile as the two men walk through the door.
"We're looking for a girl. About seventeen, with brown hair and blue eyes. About yeah tall," Tony says, holding his hand out at Avery's height. Amanda makes like she's thinking but then shakes her head.
"No, I'm sorry. Is she lost?" Amanda replies with a furrow of her brow and worry lacing her tone.
"It's my niece. We got into an argument and she took off on us. Now we can't find her," Tony explains with a grimace. Amanda forces a smile.
"I'm sorry. I'll keep an eye out for her," she replies, wanting to get rid of these guys as fast as she can.
"I think we'll just take a look around," Lance suddenly announces, his tone leaving no room for argument. Lance and Tony walk determinedly past Amanda and over to the stairs. Amanda curses under her breath and quickly follows after them.
LEVERAGE
"Can't this plane move any faster?" Eliot growls as he glares in front of him. Sophie and Nate sigh. Eliot had been irritable and impatient since Avery's call; and he had every right to be. It doesn't make it any more fun to deal with though.
"The plane can only go so fast Eliot," Nate replies calmly after running a hand through his hair. "Even if we're in a hurry."
Eliot looks over at Nate and sends his glare towards the team leader. Nate sighs and focuses his attention back in front of him. With a glance at Nate and a reassuring pat on his arm, Sophie takes a turn. She looks over at Eliot and sends him a reassuring smile.
"We'll get there in time. And Quinn was heading there too right?" Sophie tries with a raise of her brow and keeping her gaze on Eliot. Eliot grumbles but doesn't actually say anything. He slumps down in his seat and crosses his arms as death glares shoot at everyone and everything around him.
LEVERAGE
Avery's eyes widen as she hears boots ascending the stairs. Her heartbeat picks up and she quietly shuffles further backwards before turning and hurrying over to the window. She opens it up and peers outside it, looking on either side of the window and seeing the trellis to her left. It is a long way down and Avery takes a couple deep breaths to steady her nerves. The boots are getting closer and Avery glances behind her before climbing out the window and over to the trellis. She forces herself to not look down and tries to control her breathing. Why does it have to be heights? Avery thinks to herself. Avery hears the boots just outside the door and she quickly descends the trellis as fast as she can. When she gets near the bottom, she hears a shout and she looks up to see the short-haired guy looking down at her with a scowl. Avery looks below her and sees she's only a short distance from the ground. She jumps off the trellis and lands on her feet, going to a crouch to limit the impact.
Avery stands up and takes off at a sprint down the street. Knowing the thugs will be running after her, Avery doesn't slow down. Avery skids around a corner and continues running at full speed down the alley. As she passes an indent in the building, a pair of arms reach out and grab her, yanking her into the building through the open door.