| Subject: Chapter 203 - Part 2 (end of chapter 203) (16 and above) |
Author:
KatherineG.
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: Monday, October 03, 07:38:41am
In reply to:
KatherineG.
's message, "Dreams in the Dark (203 > )" on Monday, October 03, 07:35:40am
The door opened wider to allow in Roger, the visitor's head bowing politely to the man he knew by reputation alone. His heart was pounding so quickly he almost couldn't hear the businessman's offer to sit down, but he tried to keep himself together; he had to. If he had any chance of seeing his son alive again, this was the only way.
The visitor didn't know why he was there, but he knew enough not to question; Mr. Jones smiled benevolently at him, before he spoke, making an inner chill run deeper. "I appreciate you coming to see me, Mr. Fain." Roger nodded again, waiting. "I have a small favor I'd like to ask of you."
There were at least a hundred different reactions in his guest's heart with these words, but he was wise enough not to show them. Even a small amount of time in his line of work taught you clearly that some men were not to be underestimated.
He managed to sound clearheaded and pleasant, as much of a stretch as that might be at the moment. "Of course." Whatever was to come, he would have to see it through. Even Volker's money and trust meant nothing compared to what was at stake for him now.
Jones smiled again, appreciating the man's calm; it made deals so much easier. He got down to business. "I hear that you've been hired to guard Kitty Ward and her new husband, Samuelle."
Roger noted the unusual order of the names--the woman first--not to mention the rather disapproving tone attached to the actor's, but said nothing. Motives were not an issue here. And, since it wouldn't exactly aid him to scream, "Of course I am, you immoral freak!" he simply nodded again. He could do nothing at all until he knew what this man wanted.
His host understood this, appreciated the other man's approach; he continued. "Mr. Volker, I assume, has told you that they're in danger of attack." The guard nodded, and Jones could see from his eyes that he had only been informed of half the story, at most. It was probably for the best. "I might wish your help in the matter."
This statement left much to be desired--and interpreted--none of which the younger man liked. Still, he remained calm. "What do you want?" There was no way out, especially if he didn't understand what was happening.
The smile on his captor's face was subtle once more, his nod of approval very little reassurance--his words even less, despite their gentility. "There's no need for alarm. I wouldn't wish to interfere with your work. Besides, Mr. Volker is undoubtedly being overly cautious." Roger waited for the inevitable, ignoring this preamble. "Still, if this attack, this . . . contest, between this person and Samuelle does happen, I'd appreciate it if you allowed me to see the outcome."
His forced guest's mind was spinning by now, only starting to understand what this man really wanted--even if he was still utterly perplexed as to his motives. He tried to comprehend. "You don't want me to guard them."
Jones's head tilted slightly. "I'm sure you'll keep them quite safe, in most cases. Still, if either of a certain couple of men should appear . . ." He kept his guest's eyes, while he opened a drawer, pulling out two photos to slide across to him. "I'm sure you'd understand if the man you're protecting would rather handle it on his own."
Roger was staring at the pictures, the events of the night still spinning around him. One of the photos nearly looked like a mug shot of some really slimy gunman, but the other was a pricey portrait of a young man, one he had seen before; his brow knit, trying to remember. If only he could pull back the face . . .
The look of shock he gave a moment later was evident for several seconds, until he remembered to cover it--praying he hadn't just angered the man. He knew of Jones, of course--anyone with any real knowledge of this town did--and he also knew of the man's son. Everyone had assumed he was dead, but--from this conversation--the guard assumed not. His eyes nearly goggled at the "businessman" across from him, trying to take this in. Was Jones asking him to let his son kill Samuelle and Ward? The amazed thought deepened. Or was this a way to get rid of the son who had disgraced him, once and for all?
Roger couldn't quite get past this revelation, wasn't certain that he successfully hid his disgust, either--the situation flooring him. Here he was, trying to ensure that his own son lived, and he was being given orders by the boy's captor, a man who might very well be trying to kill his own offspring; the thought nearly brought tears of horror to his eyes, until he firmly clamped down his guard's facade once more. It was just more than a little difficult to take.
This wasn't the end of the man's requests, however--even if Roger only remembered to nod in agreement a second later, fighting back his dread. Jones's voice sounded so reasonable again. "I appreciate your help. Still," he nodded in supposed thought, "I do have one more favor which would require more of your . . . active participation." He smiled quite companionably. "I'm sure I have your agreement."
To his own surprise, his captive still sounded quite calm; it was a feat of will. "What do you need?" He was only too terrified to find out.
The request came all the same, leaving him little way to escape. "I'm certain you understand these men's desire to fight their own battles." Roger didn't but nodded, all the same. "Still, if Samuelle wins, there would be publicity." The businessman's smile chilled him once more. "It would be a shame if it were allowed to ruin his career."
This was only the prologue, of course, and Roger's heart beat faster at the thought of what might come--saying the only thing he could. "What do you want me to do?"
The smile across from him deepened terribly. "I'm just thinking of the way this town works. If Samuelle is alive, his career, his life, would be ruined. But, if he failed to survive this conflict . . ."
Jesus! He understood it now, as much as he prayed that he could ignore the knowledge. The man wanted the actor dead, wanted Roger to be the one to pull the trigger--assuming the two men in the photos were incomplete in the job; his heart pounded, the horror almost overwhelming. How in God's name had he ever gotten himself into this?
Jones saw the man's emotions, answered the unspoken question for him, after a few seconds had passed without the man's response. He appeared to be changing the subject. "Your son is quite a handsome boy." His smile went wide. "Kyle is such an unusual name. However did you decide on it?"
The mention of his boy finally brought Roger back to the conversation from his horror, but it was difficult to keep the hate out of his eyes. The last thing he intended to do was discuss the thoughts of his parents' birth country the boy's name had evoked. It was none of this man's damned business. Still, he managed, with an effort, to seem quite calm--answering the real question before him. "I'll do what you need of me."
"Good." His captor seemed so genuinely pleased, as though they were discussing true business; it was only to Roger's disgust that he realized that, to Jones, this *was*. The man kept the guard's eye for a few more, endless moments, before dismissing him. "I'm sure you have duties you need to return to. I'll call you the same way again, if you're needed."
"Of course," the poor man said, knowing when to go. There was no way to argue, even if he had stayed. He had never been the world's greatest father, was just happy knowing his ex-wife and her new husband were taking care of the boy well, but he couldn't ignore this. Without his help, Kyle would die; he shuddered, as he left. He could only hope there was still a chance the boy would live, if he saw this through.
Jones was smiling, as his victim disappeared, saw his plans finally coming together. There would soon be no reason for despair. Perhaps Madeline's plans were coalescing less quickly than he had hoped--the couple's wedding night not as interrupted as he would have liked--but he *would* see an end to the pair eventually. Soon, the newlyweds would be separated in the one way that could ever fully satisfy him. He smiled. Death alone was the only real bar the pair could never overcome.
Extra note: You might remember Roger. His (and his son's) one appearance in LFN is in the episode, "Treason."
[End of Part 203]
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 
