Chapter 12: Follow the Scent
"How did this happen?!" Roberta asked, infuriated.
"We think one of Kane's men made his way onto our boat," Dutch explained. "From the ship. He must have told Kane where we were."
"I can't believe this," the Bloodhound continued. It was one thing to have Fabiola taken, but the fact that Kane was not content with one hostage and also took Garcia was almost too much. Only Lagoon Company, Roberta and Wolf were present. Hotel Moscow and the Triad had returned to wherever it was they ran their respective organisations from, though they assured Dutch they would be in contact concerning the cartels. The time to take the fight to Kane was approaching fast. His brazen kidnapping of the Lovelaces only served to usher in the time to fight even faster. "Where did he go? Surely you had someone follow him?"
"Relax, princess," Revy mumbled. "We were off talking to the cartel. What was he gonna do, send Benny after them?"
"I am not in the mood to be screwed around," Roberta spat back at the gunslinger.
"He wants you to follow him," Dutch weighed in. "That's why he didn't just kill the two of them the second he walked in the door. He knows you'll track them down one way or another and when you do, he'll kill you. It's a trap."
"What do you suggest, that we do nothing?"
"I suggest we keep our fucking heads," Dutch insisted. He sighed deeply. "We'll figure this out. The Black Marchers only operate fully in one district of the city. They'd be crazy to take two hostages anywhere the Triad or Hotel Moscow still control. That narrows it down. First thing tomorrow, I'll have someone keep an eye out."
"Who?" asked Rock. "The cartels haven't technically given us their service yet."
"Shenhua," Dutch told them. "Benny tracked her down, asked for her help. She was more eager than I would have thought. Her and those two freaky roommates of hers are stopping by in the morning." That was something, at least. They could all feel the storm approaching fast. Soon, they would have one final confrontation with Kane. When that happened, Roanapur would either be saved or condemned. While none of them were eager for the battle to arrive, they also longed for it to be over. Roberta went to the balcony that night while the others were sleeping. She knew that she could easily track down Garcia and Fabiola's location if she wanted to. She could find them tonight. The thought both pleased and discouraged her. In her prime, perhaps she could have taken on this Kane one on one. But now, she was far from in peak condition. If she was forced to tangle with him, there was no doubt he would overcome her easily. Then, the Lovelaces would be dead and she would have helped nobody. She did not know how to proceed.
"Restless night?" The voice was Wolf's. He strode up beside her and leaned his bare back against the railing. Roberta noticed the wolf tattoo between his shoulder blades, one she assumed had more meaning than just shared symbolism with his name.
"I wish I was out there," she said longingly. "The Young Master needs me. And dear Fabiola…I hate to imagine what those men might do to her. I should be with them."
"If you were with them you'd be dead," Wolf reminded her. "It's like Dutch said. Kane doesn't want loose ends. Just like at the estate. He sent those soldiers to wipe you all out."
"I know," she breathed. That did not change the fact that it pained her to be away from her family. There was a prolonged silence as the two of them simply stood there, taking in the view of the city. The intermittent sounds of gunfire and explosions were unsettling. "Your shoulder seems to be healing." Wolf glanced at the bandaged wound. It was much better now, truth be told. He had been working out since a few days after the injury. Nothing too strenuous that might open up the wound again, just basic exercises to make sure his muscles were healing and doing their job. Part of it was also because he wanted to be in top condition when he met Kane again. He did not want a repeat of their first encounter.
"I need it to heal faster," he admitted. Though it had been healing at a rather impressive rate already, he was not entirely satisfied. He could not afford even the slightest weakness going into this war with the Black Marchers. He had severe issues with vulnerability and weakness, a trait he shared with Revy. "I need to be stronger."
"You're afraid," Roberta told him. He would not admit it, but she was right. "You're afraid that if Kane finds you again, he will kill you." Wolf did not answer, though his expression said it all. He looked away from her. She could not tell, but it seemed as though he longed to say more. Her hand went to his face, turning his head to look at her again. "It's not something you need to hide." He managed a smile at that. It was strange, with others, Wolf had always shown a tough, cold exterior. Weakness and compassion were not things he showed often. But Roberta was different. Though she had possibly committed some of the most ruthless and depraved crimes known to man, she was also one of the most humane individuals currently in the city. And that made Wolf more comfortable around her, in a strange way. Part of him did not like it, urging him to maintain his cold persona. He was not sure where his association with the oddly compassionate Bloodhound would take him.
"You look cold," he told her, changing the subject.
"I'm always cold," she said, referring to more than her temperature. This did not go unnoticed by the assassin.
"Me too," he told her before gently taking her hand from his face and making his way back inside. The storm was coming, and it was coming with ferocious anger. Kane and his army were on the horizon. Only time would tell who would live and who would die.