Chapter 12 – The "Kidnapping"
"I don't like it either, Emmy, but this is the only way that we can get him out."
"I really don't see why the police wouldn't listen to you. They know of your high reputation, they wouldn't just say no and assume you to be crazy!" Emmy exclaimed, frustrated.
"Bronev and I have already discussed this, and it would simply take too long for the officials to decide whether to let him out of not," the professor said simply. "And anyway, I think I have an idea that can get us out of trouble in that instance."
"Oh, really?" Emmy looked dubious.
"Yes. Provided we can get that time machine to work, we may be able to use it to send Dimitri back in time to the moment before he was 'kidnapped' and stop the officers from thinking he has escaped. That way, Dimitri will still be in police custody, no one will suspect any sort of foul play and that will give us one less thing to worry about."
"Well... what if it goes wrong some other way? I still don't have a good feeling about this."
"I'm afraid we'll have to pool our faith in this plan, as it is the only real option we've got," the professor said, looking exasperated. "Let's just hope this works."
"They're late," Bloom said, checking his watch. "I was certain that Bronev said half past two."
"Mmm."
"What's wrong with you, Alex?"
"I don't like this."
"Well, you'll have to. You're doing this for Emmy, remember? Your cousin? And your uncle, Bronev?"
"Yes," Alex replied. "But that doesn't mean that I'm not suspicious. What would Uncle Leon want with a crack-pot scientist? Something must be terribly wrong... and mother is not going to like this."
"I thought you were going to leave Alicia out of this?" Bloom asked.
"Yes, but knowing what she is like, she won't be able to keep her nose out of it. You know how she loves bossing Leon around."
"Well, she is his big sister," Bloom replied. He spotted a police vehicle approaching in the distance out the window through his binoculars. "Put your mask on, for Christ's sake, they're coming!"
Alex did as he was told and Bloom dragged him behind a pillar. They watched from a distance as the police entered the church with Dimitri in tow, dressed in his best suit. The two officers looked puzzled to see the church empty. Dimitri turned to the officer beside him.
"May I use the lavatory while we're here? I really think that we've come to the wrong church," he said.
"Er... alright," she said, still looking confused.
The let him out of his handcuffs and Dimitri made for the hall and turned off into the bathroom.
"Right," Bloom whispered. "This way."
"Wait," Alex stopped him, "I have an idea."
He took off his mask and made for the two officers.
"What is he doing?!" Bloom thought frantically. "We'll get caught—"
"Excuse me; are you here for the funeral of Doris Allen?"
"Yes, we are," the officer replied, looking relieved.
"Well, I'm afraid that the funeral has been rescheduled."
"Oh, is that so?"
"Yes, you see, initially, we were told that she didn't need an autopsy, as there was a doctor present, but now her doctor has gone on holiday and we are unable to contact him, and we need medical clarification of what happened to her, so they decided that she was in need of an autopsy after all, just to confirm the cause of death, so the proceedings will not be taking place today."
"Ah," the officer replied. "I understand. So we will take Doctor Allen back to prison until another date is set."
"Perfect," Alex said, waving his hand at Bloom behind his back. "I just thought that I had better come here, just in case someone didn't hear—"
"Oh, that's fine, thank you, Mr...?"
"Allen," Alex replied. "Jacques Allen."
Bloom got the signal and ran to the bathroom where Dimitri was waiting. "God damn, that was close," he thought desperately as he ran.
When he reached the bathroom, Dimitri exited, looking flushed.
"Where are you going?" Bloom demanded. "We have to leave! Now!"
"And we will be. The Dimitri you are looking for is in there. Have a god day, Mr. Bloom." Dimitri strolled back to the officers.
Bloom looked confused, and this expression only increased as another Dimitri came out of the bathroom. "... What... but... but he... but you...?"
"I'll explain on our way out," Dimitri said quickly. "We must leave for now. Come."
"Er... alright," Bloom said, shaking his head. He leaded the way out, with Dimitri following closely.
Dimitri walked up to h officers. "Have you got everything sorted yet?" he asked.
"Yes. Your mother is in need of an autopsy after all, so the date of the funeral has been changed. We will have to go back, I'm afraid."
"Alright." Dimitri turned to Alex. "Good to see you again, Jacques," Dimitri said, shaking his hand. He turned back to the officers. "Come; let's be off."
Dimitri ad the officers left, leaving Alex standing alone, looking very confused.
"Duck down," Bloom ordered, looking at the entrance to the church through his binoculars. He saw the other Dimitri and the two officers heading to the squad car. He shook his head again.
"Why on earth are there two Dimitri's? How?" Bloom asked as he spotted Alex approaching the car.
"Has Bronev not explained the situation to you?" Dimitri asked. "Well, I think it would be best if you asked him. So, where exactly are you taking me?"
"To Layton's place," Bloom replied as Alex opened the front door on the passenger side.
"I don't know what he was doing, Leonard, he just left with the police—" he stopped as he got into the car and spotted Dimitri. "What... how—"
"Apparently we are to ask your uncle," Bloom said, reading Alex's expression. "I say we head to Layton's place and confront him."
"Yes," Alex agreed. "I want to know what he's getting himself and Emmeline into."