She was tired. Tired of the repetitiveness and emptiness of the task that had befallen her. But she was a member of the British aristocracy, and Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward knew how to fulfil the role she had taken on.
This was the…actually, she couldn't remember how many prisons, how many places she'd visited, hoping beyond hope that this would be the last one. This one would hold the key.
That they would find him.
She had never yet found even a trace of Scott. And although she had promised them she wouldn't stop looking, after ten long months she was beginning to doubt even herself.
'Lady Penelope! We weren't aware of your visit!' The warden, a weaselly little man with damp hands limply shook hers. And for the first time there was a prickling of hope. Something was not right here.
'Really, Warder Meyer? Do the World Council often warn you about surprise inspections?' She arched an eyebrow. The man was breaking out in a sweat, pulling out a rag and moping his brow.
'N…No, Lady Penelope.'
'Well, lead on, Mr. Meyer. Lead on.'
He scrambled to catch up as Penny, head held high, was leading the guards through the entrance. She didn't miss the panicked glance Meyer shared with another guard who promptly disappeared.
The warder just wanted to show her the bare basics, but the directive from the World Council was a thorough inspection, and Penny, in her usual way, charmed the guards and was soon being showed some of the cells, the kitchen and the dining room. Every step she took Penny could feel the warder's concern mounting. He'd taken out what she assumed was a handkerchief and began mopping his brow. Again.
At some point Penny became aware of a whispering between some of the prisoners. Believing that she couldn't understand the language, they were speaking about the 'tall one' having the same colour eyes as she did.
Despite her best efforts, Penny at last began to feel a stirring of hope.
She eventually found herself back at the entrance. Penny was intrigued, and a little frustrated. They had missed the infirmary out completely, and there was definitely something going on here.
Meyers grabbed her hand and pumped it up and down. It was all that she could do not to snatch her hand back.
'Thank you, Lady Penelope. I hope…'
'Mr Meyer. I have yet to see the infirmary.'
'Oh, er…Lady Penelope, I don't think that you should see the infirmary. We, er, we have an infectious prisoner.'
'Mr Meyer. I need to see all the prison. That includes the infirmary, if you please.'
The man deflated on the spot.
There were seven prisoners in the infirmary. One was behind a curtain being seen by the doctor, but the rest were awake and curious. And chatting.
'Thank you, Mr Meyer.' The man perked up, leading her back to the entrance and the office. He reached out to shake her hand and Penny let him shake it again, this time there was evident relief on his face.
As Penny left the building she tried very hard to keep a straight face. It wasn't until she got into FAB1 that she allowed herself to smile.
'Good h'inspection, me Lady?'
'Parker, I do believe our search might be over.'
She took out her compact and opened it.
'John, dear. I believe I might have something.'