Chapter XXIII: One Way or Another
A/N: Sadly this chapter is filler. But I hope you all enjoy this. Again, cowgirlbookworm is top notch. I know nothing about basic training for any of the armed services. We're into August of 1912. Looking forward to seeing what you all think! SSD
Basic training took everything Fabrizio had both physically and mentally. At least he was too tired to think about the Titanic or the upcoming trial.
He'd managed to make two friends, Sigurd and Haakon Falk. They were from Montana and their families had been in the country for over 50 years. So, they were able to tell him more about the history of the country than the Lethbridge's.
Today everyone was headed down to shooting range for practice and would be handed the rifles for use. Just as Fabrizio was handed his rifle, First Sergeant Bowren called out, "Ferretti, give your rifle to the man behind you. You're for the machine gun.
He handed the rifle to Sigurd and went on his way. Multiple people had told him that his skill with the machine gun bordered on the unnatural.
Fabrizio had become so accustomed to the sound of gunfire, he could tune it out almost, so when he heard the explosive shot that was out of the ordinary, he stopped firing. Target practice, at this point in training, didn't have screams and yells for the medic. He joined the flood leading over to the man lying on the ground.
Upon getting closer, Fabrizio saw that it was Sigurd lying on the ground. He wasn't moving, half of his face was blown off. Fabrizio had to blink away memories of Tommy.
"GET OUT OF THE WAY, THAT'S MY COUSIN!"
Haakon's yell brought him back to the present. The man pushed past Fabrizio, only to get to his cousin that was practically his brother just as the medic said, "He's gone."
While Haakon was howling his grief, out of the corner of his eye, Fabrizio saw out of the corner of his eye Corporal Breed edging away from the scene. The man had been awfully insistent about the rifle he'd handed to him. Scuttlebutt was that the corporal liked to play cards. And was not very good at it.
Fabrizio was not the only one who noticed the man trying to leave. First Sergeant Bowren saw him and shouted, "Stay where you are Corporal!"
The man tried to run, but was soon tackled by a squad of guards.
Fabrizio had a bad feeling about this. Only two people on the base were aware of the trial he was going to be testifying at later this year. Did Hearst get someone inside?
Roland was pleased to be at work. It gave him something to focus on. Who knew planning a wedding was such a fuss!
Cecily was trying with Ghislaine. Mostly helping with music selection, which she had a really good ear for. A few days ago she and Ghislaine tag teamed his future mother in law on bridesmaid dresses into being navy blue with silver sashes.
God he couldn't wait for Erik to get back in two days. Roland would have someone to talk at, at least when his friend wasn't making goo-goo eyes at Lucy.
Going through his mail, Roland found a telegram from Alex, Lucy's brother. Curious as to the contents of the message, he opened it.
Roland. My mother tried to arrange a match for Lucy. I put a stop to it, but unless Lucy marries someone quickly, my mother will not stop. When is Erik next in port? My family and I are on our way to DC. We'll be staying in a hotel.
He sighed when he put the telegram down. Roland did not want Cecily finding out about this. Because if she did, she would likely ask Antin to have Lucy's mother (deservedly after everything she'd done over the years) killed and Antin would probably even consider it! This was not something they needed at the moment!
He wrote down a quick message before heading to the wireless guys. A message needed to get to the Florida and fast.
Olive noticed that since Mr. Lowe's visit Cecily's spirits were a mite better. She was sleeping slightly better but was still not allowed coffee or any kind of beverage that would keep her awake at night. Cecily slept about five hours at night now.
On a happier note, she had a letter from James. He was on a ship called the Adriatic, which was on the Atlantic route as well.
Olive had read the letter multiple times already. This one was the reply to the one of hers in which she'd sent the picture of her. Until she'd received this letter, Olive had been frantic to learn of his reaction to it. She had almost started biting her nails again.
James loved the picture. It was a basic dress but flattering. He'd said that he was hoping to come see her soon.
Olive was walking by Cecily's room when she heard a delighted bark. Opening the door she saw Lucy and Cecily chasing a large black dog around the room!
"Miss Lethbridge, Miss Trent, what in the world are you doing," Olive went to try and grab the dog who was now romping around on the bed bouncing.
"We're playing with this charming dog. He was at my door, looking so lonely. Isn't he sweet," she cooed as she made to scratch his tummy. One of the dog's back legs began shaking in time with the scratches.
"I doubt Mr. Murdoch will be much pleased with this," Olive muttered as the dog panted with his tongue hanging out of his mouth.
"Why would he care," Cecily asked.
"Because that's his dog," Olive explained.
Cecily paled for a moment then giggled, "Your master could learn a few things on being charming from you!"
"What in the blazes is my dog doing here and why is he up on a bed?" Will had arrived and he was leaning on the doorway.
"He was scratching at my door. Looked like he needed some attention. Can't imagine why," Cecily drawled.
Ignoring the clear implication Will said, "Rigel's not allowed on beds. Now I'll have to train him back out of the habit."
"We had no way of knowing he wasn't allowed on beds. My apologies. Lucy and I had quite a bit of fun chasing him around," Cecily apologized.
Will clicked his tongue, Rigel was by his master's side in an instant. Though the dog still had a goofy grin on his face.
Michael was on his way to a bar when he got the feeling that he was being watched.
Will was a lovesick idiot. Ever since his wife arrived he had become easier to be around. Ada really could get that man to do anything for her. Many of the 40 Thieves, including Antin, suggested getting a leash as a joke.
Everyone also kept having to shoo them away from any kind of secluded area. Balconies, the garden, linen closets. They were making up for lost time. There was one memorable occasion involving the kitchen. Will and Ada were now forbidden from the kitchen after Rafaela spotted Will lying Ada down and getting ready to join her. The woman turned on the lights, began cursing in Spanish for defiling her kitchen among other things, and started whacking Will with a large wooden spoon on his way out. Rafaela had the entire kitchen staff clean the kitchen from top to bottom that day. Ada did help with the cleaning and the Lethbridge family ate out that night!
God he missed Duncan. There had been letters but it wasn't the same. Thankfully his son's 10th birthday had been right before he'd left so Michael had gotten to celebrate with him.
He was not bringing his son over, it was far too dangerous. The almighty alone knew what would happen if he did.
Michael was so distracted in his thoughts that he didn't hear the 4 different sets of steps behind him.
"You had your chance Mr. Turner, now you'll pay the price for it!"
He'd been expecting this. All of them had. Angered by the inability to bribe the witnesses, Hearst would likely escalate to violence against the witnesses themselves. Hence why Captain Torrey had procured a revolver for Michael that was listed as "expended in service"
Not even bothering to turn around, Michael grabbed the revolver from his shoulder rig. Going on instinct, he shot two of them point blank in the chest. One of the remaining attackers ran away. The one with the gun had been the first he'd shot.
The sole remaining attacker he'd use his bare hands!
It had begun. Antin had a few ideas of how Hearst had gotten someone inside the base to where Fabrizio was, all of them involved someone being a bad gambler or a heavy drinker.
As for Chief Turner, Hearst had done the same thing he would have done, albeit with far fewer men. Antin would have sent more men after Turner and would have been prepared to lose most of them!
He still hadn't figured out what Hearst would do for his retaliation against Will and Cecily, as they were the hardest ones to get at. Their refusals of the bribe offers had been to the point, Cecily's had been quite graphic.
Accusing them of adultery was only the beginning of the revenge. Antin knew that they would be attacked in a more direct manner in one way or another.
Ever since he'd gotten the telegram from Roland, Erik had been on edge. Performing his tasks to his usual standard, he practically flew off the Florida with his whites in a box as soon as he could once they were docked.
(And another quite important box in his pocket!)
Roland had picked him up with Adam, then brought him to the main house for a real shower.
Lucy was out of the house. Cecily, their aunt, and Lieutenant Murdoch's wife were keeping her away so that he could talk to her brother Alex without distractions.
Once Erik was dressed, he left the room. Upon his arrival in the library, he noticed Roland was there with Alex.
His (hopefully) future brother in law looked him over in his uniform. "Excellent. You're ready for what I'm sure you've been wanting to do for years!"
"I'll ask her as soon as she gets back!"
"Let her get dressed in something nice for dinner," Roland suggested.
"May I see the rings," Alex inquired.
Erik handed the box over with shaking hands. Opening the box, "These are heirloom rings?"
"Yes, they belonged to my maternal grandparents," he replied.
"What do the runes on the inside mean," Alex handed the box back to him.
"Luck and protection mostly.
Erik left out that there were fertility runes!
A/N 2: Short but sweet. Had fun with this, the next chapter or two will be focusing on Lucy and Erik. I think they've earned it haven't they? Looking forward to seeing what you all think! SSD