Yay! Another chapter! I would like to thank all of you who reviewed. In response to one review, I guess I have been making Tessa kiss too often. I shall try to make her more in character! Thanks for pointing that out, Alyss! Now, we shall see what happens next!
Cold and frosty. That was how yet another day started for Will. The terrible weather reflected how Will felt perfectly. Well, almost. There was also some anger in there.
It had been a week since Tessa had been kidnapped on her outing with Jessamine. So far, there had been no luck finding any clues at to who the napper was, but that didn't discourage him any. He got dressed and headed out early. Maybe he would try the cafe near the park. There had to be someone who saw Tessa and the mysterious man together. And who knew something about them.
Will was just at the main door when a voice behind him stopped him. "Going somewhere?" Will turned around to see Jem leaning against a statue.
"Hunting for clues. Why are you up so early? You should be resting."
Jem waved away the thoughts of concern. "I'm fine. I actually thought I would join you."
"Fine by me." Will said. Jem could be of some help. He seemed to have a better way with people than him.
After ordering coffee and bagels, Will and Jem sat down at a table in the back of the cafe. If there was anyone with some useful information, they would be here. All the mundanes liked to sit right up front, displayed to the world. Downworlders preferred a little more privacy. They hung around for an hour or so, but it didn't seem like anyone who could help was here. So they decided to wander around in the park.
They strolled up and down the pathways, seeming to enjoy the day. Then they wandered into the wooded area. They sat down on a bench. Ironically, it was the same one Tessa and Jenkens had sat upon. "This is so annoying!" Will exclaimed. "It seems as if they just vanished into thin air! Where could they have gone?"
"Vanished, ye say?" A rather short man popped out of the bushes. A leprechaun. "That's a right neat trick, vanishin'. Veery useful if ye want a maid that don't want you. 'Specially if she's, er, not feelin 'erself, so to say."
"What are you talking about?" said Will. "For that matter, who are you?"
"That be nun a you're business, Shadowhunter." said the small man. "This here's my neck o' the woods, ye see, so it seems I should be askin' you the questions."
Will almost spanned back at the little man, but Jem cut him off. "Pardon us, sir. We did not know. But we were wondering, did you see a young lady here? She would have been about our age, about a week ago?"
The leprechaun smiled craftily. "Maybe ah I did, maybe ah didn't. What's it to ya?"
"Well, she's our friend, you see." Jem replied, putting on a look of concern. "She went missing. The last place she was seen was in this park. We were only wondering. We're very concerned."
"Well, it might help the ol' noggin if somethin' shiny was involved, if'n ye catch mah drift?"
"Oh, we might be able to work something out." Jem said casually, playing with a small sack. You could hear small tinkling noises from it when it moved.
"Ah, yes, I remember now." said the leprechaun. "A pretty lass, to be sure. Brown hair, nice grey eyes."
"Yes, and was she with anyone?" Will asked.
"Well, now, it was a while ago, and ye can't expect a fella to remember everything, can ye?" The meaning in his voice was all too clear.
Will looked as if he was going to pounce the little man, but Jem replied coolly, "You know, bribery is against the law. So is harassing Mundanes with magic. It is very unwise."
The leprechaun paled. He had been known for that, and more. "Oh, yes, I remember now. A young man, nice young fella. Young Master Smith."
Jem nodded. "You know him?"
"Yes, yes, he's rather fond of this stretch. Likes to take his, ah, guests here. Gives em some of 'is magic juice, takes em to ''is place in the country. That's all ah know."
Jem tossed the bag to the leprechaun. "Your cooperation is much appreciated." He looked at Will meaningfully and said, "I feel like a drink, how about you?"
"Sounds good to me." Will said, getting up. When they were out of the park and on their way to some of the more- interesting- bars, Will looked at Jem and said, "So, do you always go around bribing leprechauns?"
Jem simply smiled and said, "It never hurts to have a little extra cash on you."
"So, let me get this straight." Charolette said, shaking her head. "You believe Tessa was kidnapped by a Mr. Smith, a drug lord. And you also believe she is being held hostage somewhere east of Portsmouth?"
"Yes, we do." Jem said, starting to get annoyed.
"I'm sorry, but that just seems a little far fetched. Where did you get your information again?"
"We talked to leprechaun in the park, then we went to some of the bars and talked to people there." Charolette went to talk, but Jem cut her off. "Look. I know it's only one lead, and the sources aren't exactly reliable, but it's the only one we've got so far. We're not even that busy. Let me and Will go down south for a week or so, just check things out. If she's there, we'll get back here immediately for some back-up, if not, then at least we'll have that area eliminated. We haven't had any other leads so far."
Charolette considered for a moment, then came to a decision. "Alright. You Have my permission to go for two weeks. At the most. If you find anything, anything at all, I want you back in London immediately. If we are dealing with who you say, we might have more than just a kidnapping on our hands."
Jem nodded. "Thank you, Charolette."
"Oh, and Jem?" she said, "Keep Will in check, will you? I don't want any unnecessary trouble being stirred up."
"I'll watch him like a hawk." Jem replied, smiling.
He went up to Will's room to tell him the news. They decided it would be best if Jem went alone to talk to Charolette. He opened the door without even knocking. Will was expecting him. "Well, what did she say?" Will asked, pausing momentarily. He had been pacing the whole time.
"We have two weeks." Jem said, smiling. Will nodded. Two weeks was more than enough.
"When do you want to leave?" Will asked. He wanted to make sure Jem was rested enough for the journey.
Jem's smile widened into a wolf's grin. "How fast can you pack?"
Well, there it is. I'm soo incredibly sorry it took so long for this chapter. I really have no good excuse for it. I hope it was good enough. I will make a very big effort to have the next chapter up by Saturday at the latest, sooner if possible. Well, that's all for now. The only thing left for me to say is, REVIEW!