The crowd of voices died down as Jacob closed the door to the dining hall behind him. He needed a breath of fresh air.
Tonight the temperature sent him outside.
In the gloom outside John and Tom were already sitting next to the door. John was just finished packing his pipe and now he struck a match to light it. His hand cradled the bowl as he lowered the flame near the tobacco. Drawing air in small puffs, it shortly kindled, lighting up with orange embers and John shook out the flame. His eyes narrowed slightly as he inhaled. As he slowly exhaled, the smoke spread out like a grey, sweet-smelling haze in the warm evening air.
Jacob leaned against the doorframe, looking out at the starlit sky above. The rain had been pouring down all week, but now had finally stopped and the stars were just appearing.
An hour before I have to go, he mused, then checked his watch in the light from the hallway to confirm it.
"Where are you off to tonight, then Boss?" Tom asked as Jacob pocketed the watch and took a seat facing the door.
Jacob wondered what to tell them. I'm being blackmailed by a little old lady, didn't sound good. That would surely be the end of him leading the Rooks. I'm taking the prime minister's wife on a tour of the slum was little better. It would bring up the question, "why?" which in turn would lead back to the first part.
"Devil's Acre," he said. The lads exchanged a surprised glance.
"Do you want company?" John asked and drew another puff from his pipe, the orange glowing embers illuminating his face in the falling light.
"No thanks' John. I appreciate the offer, but I must conclude this business on my own."
John and Tom were among his best men, and there were no one he would rather have at his side, however, tonight, he wanted them as far away as possible.
John nodded, blowing the smoke out his nose.
"You've been busy this week, Boss," Tom said. "We've hardly seen you."
There was so much to do, Jacob had scarcely been back to sleep the last few days. Tonight had gone back to the base only for a couple of hours to get something to eat and drink before heading back out again.
"Mm, I know. Hopefully things will look up soon."
They sat in silence for a while. A smile tugged at the corner of John's mouth as his face lit up with the glow from his pipe.
"Harry's training is coming along well," he said and Tom threw him a crooked smile.
"He floored Liam more often than not in training today."
"Liam won't hear the end of that for a while, I'll see to it," Tom said and John chuckled. Jacob grinned at the two Rooks. Their company could always light his day.
"He'll be knuckling down, next session," he said serving them a wide grin knowing Liam's competitive spirit and the blow this had served to his pride. His comment was met with amused hums of agreement, the other two inwardly seeing the same.
The lads fell silent. Inside, the sounds of the dining hall rose and fell as the door to the dining hall opened. Jacob leaned sideways to see Elisabeth approaching, looking back over her shoulder at the door as she hurried towards the exit. She did not see where she was going.
A wry smile crossed his face. Paying no attention to where she was going was a bad idea. An invite for someone to pull a trick. Jacob hid against the doorframe and signalled the lads to stay silent, a wry smile on his face.
As Elisabeth stepped through the door, Jacob threw her around and pushed her up against the wall. A startled scream trailed out in the darkness and she fought against his grip, her body rigid in resistance.
Jacob leaned close, his eyes shining with mischief.
"Boo," he said and met her gaze.
Elisabeth stopped struggling as he let her go. Tom and John were heartedly amused at her reaction and chuckled in the darkness.
"Jacob?" Elisabeth's voice caught shrilly in her throat as her mind caught on. Then anger erupted from within her.
"You IMBESILE!" she shouted. Her face contorted in anger as she threw out a fist, punching him square in the chest with all her strength. The two Rooks sitting by the door broke out in hollers of laughter. Jacob did not bother blocking her punch and felt the crooked blow connect before toppling over laughing.
Elisabeth walked off across the yard in the direction of the kitchen.
Rubbing the sore point where she hit him, Jacob walked after her, chuckling.
She stopped a few yards away, stroking a hand over her hair and blew her breath out through pursed lips. Her right hand she kept cradled to her chest, but as he closed up on her, she shook it out, only to flinch and bring it back up.
"I'm sorry Elisabeth, I didn't mean to scare you that bad," he said, trying hard to stop laughing. "How is that hand of yours?"
Elisabeth looked down at her hand, and in the darkness he could barely make out her teeth barred in a in a slight frown.
"You pack quite a punch, Love," he said rubbing a hand over his chest. "I hope you didn't break anything?"
As in all fighting, punching was all about technique, directing the force in a straight line through the arm and into the opponent. An angle in the wrist meant the force left out the side, delivering a weaker blow, and more seriously, at the risk of injury. Elisabeth had no training; her punch was thrown in anger and it was far from clean.
"It hurts," she answered glumly, "I'm sorry that I hit you."
"Come on, I need more light to look at this."
He brought her upstairs into the office and lit the oil lamp over the table, adjusting the flame until the light flooded the room in a warm yellow sheen.
Then he turned to beckon her closer and Elisabeth stepped into the light, gingerly holding out her hand.
Jacob unbuttoned the cuff and stroke back the sleeve to reveal a swollen and bruising wrist. Clicking his tongue, Jacob tilted his head and turned her arm over.
He had seen his share of bruises and this was a classic beginner's mistake.
"I need you to squeeze my hand," he said.
Elisabeth did and drew her breath sharply through gritted teeth.
"Hm…" She had not held back in the punch, but usually it took quite the effort to break your own bones.
Holding onto her fingers, he gripped her lower arm with his other. His eyes followed her face as he gently pulled apart. There was no significant reaction and Jacob reversed the direction, gently pushing instead of pulling. Again, her features remained unaltered. The bones of the arm were not broken.
"Move your fingers for me," he said. She did as ordered, and the painless movement confirmed his hopes, the only damage was to muscle and soft tissue.
"Luckily, I don't think anything's broken," he said and met her gaze, "but this will remain sore for a few days until the swelling goes down."
He retrieved a roll of bandage form the cupboard in the corner.
"You know, I should teach you some technique if you plan to continue picking fights and punching people," he said as he came back. His crooked grin drew her lips up in half a smile that did not quite reach her eyes.
"Hold out your arm," he said. He fastened the end of the strip of fabric and started wrapping it in a fishbone pattern down her arm. Elisabeth's eyes followed his work and then trailed across the room to settle on the cupboard in the corner.
"Is this where you store the spare key to my room?" she asked.
Jacob paused as he shot her a cautious glance.
"Why do you want to know?" he asked as he continued.
She shrugged her shoulders minutely and stayed silent for a moment.
"I was just wondering if you carried it on your person or if it stays here."
Again, he stopped to look at her, alarms going off inside at her choice of topic.
"It stays here," he said, his senses now highly aware of her reaction. "How else would the guards be able to check your room if you don't answer?"
She nodded quietly, and when she made no sign to continue, Jacob resumed making the fishbone pattern down to her wrist. There he wrapped the bandage over the back of her hand, across the palm and back around her wrist again in several layers until it nearly reached her fingers.
"Could you give the key to someone, say Mrs Cutler for instance, for safekeeping?"
Jacob froze slightly at her question, however this time he kept on dressing her arm, stalling the answer while his mind worked.
What on earth was going on? These were too fishy questions for it to be a chance subject, and he would have to find out what her agenda was.
Getting to the end of the roll, he tore the tip of the bandage in two. He then wrapped the split -ends either way around her hand and tied it on her wrist, before turning his focus to her face.
At that, Elisabeth turned away. Jacob raised a hand and turned her chin to meet her gaze. There was worry in her eyes, not mischief like he thought he might find.
"The key is safe where it is," he said. In her eyes doubt lingered like fog, closing her thoughts off from him.
Why would she doubt his word?
Then something clicked in his mind.
"You were really frightened when I grabbed you earlier. Why?"
Her eyes hardened and a frown spread on her brow.
"Anyone would be from that little act," she said.
"No, I don't think you would. Not like that."
Elisabeth sighed and turned away crossing her arms over her chest.
"I thought you…" she stopped mid-sentence and waved off the rest of her answer, giving him a forced smile. Jacob felt his heart sink. He did not like the reaction he had seen, nor the anxiety shining through her smile. Her questions about the key suggested she did not feel safe, and fear would certainly explain her somewhat excessive reaction earlier.
"I think I'll just call it a night," she said and started walking towards the door.
In two steps, he caught up with her, grabbing hold of her arm to stop her.
"Just wait a minute! You thought … what, Love?"
She looked away across the room searching her mind for an answer to give him. With a cautious glance at the door, she shortly met his gaze.
"It's nothing, really." Her low tone of voice was not fooling him. She was trying to smooth things over and ease his worry, but he would have none of that. She was supposed to feel safe inside the base and if she did not, then something was wrong.
"You thought I was someone else!"
It was not a question, and she did not answer, but he knew it was the truth.
"Elisabeth, I want to know who," he said.
She sighed. The fire crackled lazily in the fireplace, bathing her face in the flickering sheen as she turned to face him. Her eyes were stern as she met his gaze.
"Don't bother, Jacob. Some blokes just won't take no for an answer, it's nothing new."
Jacob's jaw clenched, and the look in his eyes hardened.
"Who?" he said.
Elisabeth turned away.
"No, Jacob. You'll only make it worse," she said shrugging his hand off her arm. "I don't want to be labelled a snitch and you can't be my chaperone. Just make sure to keep that key out of the way and I'll be all right."
Her reasons were sensible and he hated it. Hated the fact that within his flock there were those who would try to force themselves on a woman, and that she felt obliged to keep quiet about it. For a moment, he considered making her talk, but shortly thought better of it. There were other ways to find out. He would deal with the matter, without her aid.
He felt her gaze burn on his side, quietly awaiting a response, and clearly expecting him to press her for information, her eyes gleaming in protest as he met her gaze.
"I'll make sure the key is safe. On that you have my word," he said. Her countenance eased somewhat.
"Thank you," she said and gave him a faint smile.
"Shall I escort you to your room, before I leave?" he asked. Normally she would have protested, Jacob mused, but tonight she did not decline his offer. She met his gaze with eyes slightly wide with surprise, understanding that he saw through her unease. After deliberating internally she nodded shortly.
Jacob walked after her down the hall and followed her inside her room. Like a child fearing monsters under the bed, Elisabeth finally relaxed finding the room empty, and then turned slightly embarrassed at having succumbed to an unfounded fear. Jacob payed no heed to her unease, just made sure she was safe before leaving. He stopped in the doorway on his way out and found her eyes across the room.
"Sleep safely, Elisabeth," he said before closing the door.
He heard her lock the door as he walked back to the office. There he found the key to her room in the drawer.
All the guards knew its location, and he had not considered it a risk. He trusted the men with his life; however, would he trust them with her innocence? The thought had not occurred to him before and now he was not quite sure he could answer a definite "no". It was a matter to sort out and he had deliberately made Elisabeth no promise to leave the problem alone.
In the dining hall, he found Charles and Rob sitting in a corner and sat down.
"I've got a task for you," he said addressing Charles.
Charles and Rob eyed him surprized. Noting the austere tone of his voice, they both straightened in their seats. Charles shot a glance about the room before meeting his gaze.
"Is somethin' da matter?"
"Have you noticed if anyone's shown an interest for Elisabeth, lately?"
Charles exchanged a glance with Rob, and with a short nod, his eyes flicked across the room to the table in the corner where the lads were sitting.
His mates.
"Who?" Jacob said
"Take a guess," Rob said before drinking deep from his tankard.
Jacob looked the men over and his eyes landed on a long lean fellow, sitting with his back to him. Of course.
"Then I'd stake my money on Greg," he said, turning back to the two former Clinkers. Charles hummed a confirmation.
Jacob found the key in his pocket. Covertly he handed it over, and Charles brow raised in surprise.
"This is the key to her room," he said. "Can I trust you to keep it safe?"
"It's come ter that, 'as it?" Charles shot a dark look across the hall towards the table where the lads were occupied in a game of whist. Turning back to Jacob his eyes wore a softness Jacob had never seen before.
"She reminds me ov' me own daughters," Charles said and pocketed the key. "I won't let anythin' 'appen to 'er, Boss."
Jacob saw the earnest look in his eyes and knew the key was safe with Charles. Patting the man on his shoulder, Jacob rose to his feet and crossed the hall, weaving in between the tables, answering comments and cheers as he made his way toward the corner.
The lads were just finishing the game when he walked over.
"Greg. A quiet word outside if I may," he said. It was no question, and Greg threw down his cards while Tom and John exchanged a glance. They knew Jacob was heading out and that he would go alone. They were bright enough to figure out what this issue with Greg was, but Jacob did not care. He met their gaze shortly as Greg rose from his seat.
Greg followed him outside without a word. In the gloom, Jacob turned to face him, a burning anger in the pit of his stomach as he saw Greg in a new light.
Greg was a handsome lad, bright blue eyes and wavy blond hair. More than a few of the women at the base would have gladly welcomed his attention, as would most other it seemed, if half the rumours about him were true, however, Greg did not stop there it seemed.
I should have seen this earlier.
"How can I help you, Boss?" Greg's voice was carefree and easy. Jacob remained silent for a moment. When he spoke, his voice was cold and hard.
"You thread a very fine line, Greg, are you aware of that?"
Greg fell quiet and his eyes locked with Jacob's as he continued.
"You know how I feel about those who pray on the weak. Make no mistake, just because you have my friendship, does not grant you allowances in that regard!"
Greg looked across the yard and his jaw tightened.
"This is about Elisabeth, I guess?" he said. "What has she been saying?"
His eyes were dark and there was defensive anger in his countenance when he turned back his gaze.
"She would not be labelled a snitch, so she said nothing." Jacob barred his teeth in anger and clenched his fists. He was not letting Greg make this Elisabeth's fault. "However, finding out the cause for her unease, wasn't very difficult."
"I never touched her, Frye!"
"You would not be standing here if you did."
Greg was positively fuming, averting his gaze in anger as Jacob continued.
"From now on, you will leave her alone. Tomorrow you will treat her with the respect she deserves, or you will answer to me. And that goes for any other woman that comes in your way as well."
Greg kept his fists clenched at his side and his jaw tight. He was taking his time to acknowledge the order, and Jacob was shortly losing patience.
"Is that clear, Greg?" he growled.
He would end this, now, before he left. Greg would either bow to his will or face the consequences.
Greg grunted. "Whatever," he said, shrugging his shoulders and tucking his hands into his pockets. "It's not a big deal to me, Boss."
His countenance levelled and he finally looked back in something other than anger. Jacob held onto his gaze a few moments more, searching assurance for his word. As Greg met his gaze firmly in indifference, Jacob nodded curtly.
"Fine," he said. "You go back to the lads and I will see you all in the morning."
Greg inclined his head in a curt nod. They stood for a moment, watching each other in silence as if seeing the other for the first time and assessing him, and then, as if on cue, they both turned and walked away without another word.
The empty blackness of the night soon enveloped Jacob as he walked off, on his way to satisfy the whim of a woman in exchange for information. How the hell did it come to this? he mused. Jacob Frye, leader of the Rooks, able to spike fear in Blighters and make men follow his will, but forced to bow to a frail, old lady.
The Rooks had better not find out.