CheckingInWith the nagging thought running through his head about what Decuma told him about Elissa's kidnapping and forcing Jules' hand, Jack knew he better go and check in on his little brother. He wasn't sure what kind of shape Jules would be in with a deadline looming closer. Of course, Jack knew what those people were or could be like and he was sorry his brother was mixed up with the likes of them. No one should do that to his brother. Let alone take away the one girl he saw his brother take notice of. After a few false starts from his apartment, Jack finally made his way to Jules' quarters at the Anderon house and knocked on the door. He leaned against the doorframe and pressed a handkerchief to his nose. Checking it to make sure it was clean, he looked around his surroundings. Then he shoved his hands and the piece of cloth in his pockets. It took a few minutes, but eventually Peterson opened the door. He sounded a little surprised as he said, "Good afternoon, Master Jack!" Then he went on to ask, "Are you looking for Lord Giulian?" "Hello, Peterson," Jack said with a nod. "Is he in?" "Seeing it's you, sir, I'm sure he will be," answered Peterson, stepping back and opening the door further to allow Jack to enter. Having done so, he led the way not to Giulian's sitting room, but across the hall to his study. He rapped sharply on the carved wooden door before opening it slightly and announcing, "It's Master Jack, my lord." "Oh!" Giulian's voice sounded a little surprised, too. "Show him in, then, Peterson." The manservant swung the door wider. Jack gave Peterson a light rap on the back in thanks and strolled into the study. He glanced around and then dropped in a free chair. "Hello, Jules. Decuma paid me a visit. What's going on?" Giulian sat behind the burnished oak desk, a litter of papers in front of him. As Jack entered, he straightened and laid aside his pen. "Jack. It's good to see you." A smile lit his face, but was unable to banish completely his drawn look or the shadows under his dark eyes. It wasn't difficult for Jack to guess that he hadn't been sleeping much in the past few days. "I meant to look you up, make sure you were all right," he went on, "but things have been... well, you know. I'm glad Decuma thought to." "He needed some information that I had," Jack said with a slight shrug of his shoulder. "Why haven't you talked to Father? He could have stopped this." Giulian's expression shuttered. "Father has enough to do," he said flatly. "You don't want him to know about her, do you? Even though our mother came from the same level," Jack said as he leaned back and stuck out his feet. He crossed his legs at his ankles. "So what are we going to do about this?" "Father knows all about Elissa," said Giulian, "and he's made it clear he doesn't approve. Even if he would help, I'm not about to ask him. The price might be more than I'm willing to pay. I have to do this ... well, not by myself." His expression softened a little, looking at his half-brother. "But with the help of my own friends and contacts." "That's rich, coming from him. He doesn't approve of anything that isn't pure," Jack said with a snort. Giulian sighed. "It isn't that ... not entirely," he disclaimed. "If Father were a private person, it might be different. As Regent of Aquila -- well, I can see his point of view. I just don't share it." "And are you getting information about these people?" "Enough, I hope." Giulian's eyes took on a predatory gleam. "I know who they are, what they do, at least some of the places they occupy. Tomorrow night..." His hand swept over the desk, and the stack of sealed notes that lay in front of him. "...we attack." Jack blinked once. Then twice. An eyebrow rose up. "Attack?" "Not the way we rescued Renata," said Giulian. "Call it reconnaissance." He went on to explain, "We don't know yet where Elissa is being held, but we've collected several possible addresses for this Tonio. Tomorrow night they're all going to be visited, one way or another." "And you believe this will do what for Elissa's chances? Have you completely planned all this out? What if someone else gets hurt or taken... Rescued Renata?" Jack straightened as he stared at his brother. "Little brother, what have you been up to?" "What, Decuma didn't tell you about that? It was during the coup attempt. Some ruffians -- well, it appears that at least some of them were linked to the insurgents -- snatched Renata out of the hospital and were holding her, trying to use her to get their hands on Harry. Decuma and Elissa and I found out about it and went with Harry to get her back. The Windhaven twins joined up with us, too. I wasn't actually in the fighting, of course. I waited outside with my curricle and the horses for a quick getaway." His briefly animated expression darkened. "But that was when Elissa was taken, I think. She was standing lookout -- and chucking stones in at the windows, Decuma said! -- and when we had to make a dash for it, she got left behind. I thought... I thought she'd be able to make it back on her own, but it appears she had enemies lurking about." Jack massaged his temple with his fingers. "Chucking stones? Interesting tactic to use, but works in a pinch. They're always around when needed." He leaned his head back. "And you got some kind of note for her ransom. I'm amazed they came to you and not Father to pay to get her out of your life." "They may have, for all I know," said Giulian, frowning. "The note he sent me makes it pretty clear that Tonio is out for the most he can get. But if he did try to contact Father, Father hasn't said anything to me about it." Jack shrugged and waved his hand. "Where do you need me?" Giulian shook his head. "This isn't another daring rescue attempt. I have to assume that's what Tonio will expect. That's why I'm working through people who aren't my family and close friends." He ran his finger down the stack of sealed notes. "Building inspectors. Ratcatchers. City Guard." Jack look at the notes and listened to his brother. "You're trying to give her an opening," he said as the pieces came together. "That's part of it," Giulian acknowledged. His eyes meeting Jack's, he went on, "I have to believe that Elissa will be trying to escape, trying to get back to me. Could be a big enough distraction is all she needs. Not to mention that all these people will have every excuse to go over the whole building, without warning ... and I'll see to it that I get reports." He grinned, mirthlessly. "If it's the City Guard who hits it lucky, they can arrest Tonio on the spot. They'll ostensibly be looking for pockets of insurgents, but kidnappers will do." Jack chuckled. "I'll be sure to stay out of the way then," he said. "Father would be pleased to hear about this." Giulian's eyes sparked. "If nothing else, it will prove to him that I can take care of my own, if I need to." "Perhaps. Perhaps not. One never knows what goes through his thoughts, especially about his heir apparent." Jack raised a hand to scratch the whiskers on his chin. "Considering what you said of her background, I'm sure your lady is not taking things lying down. She's putting up a good fight of her own." "I hope so," said Giulian. "I pray so. I know her, but... I don't know her captor as well, or how far he may go." "Just be here when she comes home, that's all. Expect nothing more than what she can give at that time. Hold her close and let her talk and don't push her. That's what she'll need. Just someone to hold her close and tight and care for her," Jack said as he pushed himself to his feet. Giulian looked up into his brother's face, remembering not for the first time that Jack had been a prisoner once, too. "Always," he said softly. "She'll need you more than she realizes and lets you know," Jack said. "Don't let her pull away..." He shrugged and shook off the feeling that raced down his spine. "Very well. You know where to find me if you need me. Though, you seem to have things well in hand." "If all goes as planned," said Giulian, then added wryly, "but does it ever? Keep us in your prayers, Jack." He gave Jack a direct look. "And don't you pull away, either." Jack moved to the door and paused. He looked back and met his brother's gaze and gave him a sad smile. "Little brother, it's too late for me and we both know that. Don't let it be too late for her." He opened the door and left his brother to plan things. |
