Victim of Love

by Atonia

(A David Blaine Story follows Tool for Vengeance)

Chapter 1

“And thus I clothe my naked villainy  with old odd ends stolen out of holy writ; and seem a saint when most I play the devil” (Richard III Act 1 Scene 3)

Sir Brennan left Blaine’s hospital room and took the elevator down to his office. Out in the hallway Haines and Howard waited for the interrogation that was coming.

“Haines!”

Haines cast a glance at Howard and walked into Sir Brennan’s office.

“Have a seat. I want to know what the devil happened in Cambridge.”

“Well, Sir, Wright checked the hotel and found out –“

Sir Brennan impatiently waved his hand. “When you came upon them.”

“They were kind of locked together…going at each other pretty good. I ran over and grabbed Kazan around his shoulders and pulled him off of Blaine. Howard was running toward Blaine and he-“

“When you had Kazan around the shoulders how were you holding him?”

“In a bear hug. I shifted him a little to the side and had him by his elbows then I saw Wright pointing the gun.”

“You’re sure he was aiming for Kazan.”

“No doubt in my mind, Sir. He was trying to protect Blaine.”

“But you already had him. At that time Kazan wasn’t a threat to Blaine now was he?”

“No, Sir.”

“What did he do after he fired the shot?”

“Dropped the gun straight down. Dropped it in the grass.”

“At no time did you feel threatened by Billy Wright?”

“No, Sir.”

“Where was Howard during this action?”

“Like I said he was running toward Blaine and he slipped in the grass and went half way down the bank toward the river. He kind of froze when the gun went off and then scrambled for Wright.”

“Wright put up any kind of struggle?”

“No, Sir. As soon as he dropped the gun he ran over to Blaine and was talking to him. Howard cuffed him and he stood up. There wasn’t any resistance at all.”

“Cambridge Police have a knife and a gun in their possession. Did you see the knife being used?”

“No, Sir, I didn’t.”

“We don’t know who had the knife.”

“I’d say it was Kazan. He didn’t have any knife wounds.”

“What did you do when he was shot” How did you handle him?”

“I held onto him for a bit until Howard had Wright cuffed. Then I laid him down on the grass and called emergency services.”

“What was Wright wearing, how could he have concealed a weapon?”

“Just a button up shirt and a pair of slacks. I didn’t see a weapon on him when we picked him up in London.”

“He could have had it down in his pants.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“All right, go write it up and send Howard in here.”

“Sir, Wright believed Kazan was going to kill Blaine.”

“Write it up.”

Sir Brennan removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. When he set them back on his face Howard was sitting across from him.

“All right, Howard, start when you first saw Blaine and Kazan.”

Blaine had been sedated for the trip to Brennan’s estate. He was coming out of it now and what little he knew about Billy was worrying. His left arm and shoulder were bandaged in three different places and he had something sticking to his ribs. He’d been gouged, bitten, bruised.  His right hand was swollen and bruised wrapped in a bandage.  He hurt all over.

He sat on the side of the bed in a cotton wrapper with no idea where his clothes were of if they even made it from Cambridge. He blearily looked around the room recognizing it and wondered if Sir Brennan kept it especially for him.

What he wanted was information. He reached for the button to summon a nurse.

“N…eed..t…see…Bren…n.”

“The doctor said for you to rest your vocal cords. I’ll let Sir Brennan know you wish to see him again. Let’s get you back in bed.”

It was over an hour when Sir Brennan came back into his room. “You’ll speak to me with a civil tongue in your head, Blaine.

“This incident is turning into a shitstorm of monumental proportions. I’ve had statements from Haines and Howard and I need yours.”

“Ca..n…tak”

“Well, you can listen. Cambridge has Billy in a holding cell right now while they compile the charges against him. Illegal possession of a firearm, attempted murder and God help us if that boy dies.”

“N…n…ded?”

“No he isn’t. He’s in a coma in Cambridge. I would have had him brought here but at that time they couldn’t stabilize him. He’s stable now and headed into surgery.”

“G…n…min”

“Belonged to you? We might can knock that one down since you’re licensed to carry. Blaine, we’re looking at an international incident here. Did Kazan admit Renee’s murder?”

“No…bu…e…no…e…ded. E…no…I…Ali. I…thin…e…kll…I…thin…e…kill…me.”

“You thought he wanted to kill you? What were you doing in Cambridge?”

“See…m.”

“You went there to see him? Did you go there to kill him?”

Blaine didn’t respond.

“I need a full report from you and I understand you can’t talk but I need it, Blaine. Right now it doesn’t look good for you or Billy. I’ll be honest with you. Because you are an agent of mine I can throw a blanket around you to a point. I’ve told the police Billy was your bodyguard. Billy, for his part, is not talking to anybody. There’s no getting him out of jail tonight. Tomorrow I’ll have legal help for him and for you.”

“Wh…my…cos…go…car.”

“You aren’t going anywhere right now.”

Blaine ripped the IV out of his arm.

“Nurse…get the doctor in here.” Sir Brennan called down the hall. “Guard!”

Blaine was up pushing Sir Brennan from the door. He  was caught in the hall by two assistants and dragged back to the bed where he was restrained and sedated.

Sir Brennan went back to his office  and heavily sat down at his desk. He rested his head in his hands. He’d made a mistake setting Blaine onto this. But there had been no way for him to know Kazan would be involved. Blaine was just too emotionally involved in the whole affair. He looked at his watch and decided he needed some sleep before morning came…hell, it was already morning.

When Blaine woke the next morning he was more or less resigned to his predicament. Still in restraints he managed to push a button his bed for assistance.

“Pee,” he croaked. He thought he might get out of bed but she came back with a urinal. “G..up?”

“When the doctor’s been, Mr. Blaine. I am sorry, love.”

“How are we this morning?” Doctor checked his pulse.

Blaine hated cheerful doctors. What’s with the ‘we’ he was the only one strapped down in bed.  He tried again.

“G…up.”

“I know you want to get up but until we receive orders you’ll have to remain in restraints.”

Blaine closed his eyes. If he ever got out of this place he never intended to come back. Not ever.

Billy spent the night in jail. He understood his situation and if he had to go to prison then he would just have to go. Pity Kazan wasn’t dead. He’d meant to kill him and put an end to it. Otherwise they’d just keep coming at Blaine until there was nothing left of him. The untested gun had pulled to the right or he’d be looking at a charge of murder.

He worried about Blaine there hadn’t been time for him to find out how badly he’d been injured. The whole operation was a cock-up from the beginning. He was too easily moved by Blaine. All he had to do was look at him with those eyes and he’d do anything for him. Still would…today…tomorrow. That’s how it was when you loved somebody.

He hadn’t given them anything except his name. He supposed they’d find out everything there was to know about him down to his last shit. He’d left the other gun in his flat. It was untraceable except to him.  Nobody would tell him anything about anything. He’d only overheard about Kazan. All they had were questions.

A new nurse came in with a breakfast tray followed by a uniformed guard who removed the restraints from his arms and legs.

“Doctor says you can get up now and move around the room. I’ve brought you a liquid breakfast and he asks that you try and get it down.” She turned before she left him. “If you need anything you can push the call button or call for the guard who’s just outside your door.”

Blaine looked at her and nodded with a faint smile. He understood he was more or less under house arrest. His shoulder felt tight and ached when he moved it. The fingers on his right hand were black and blue and there were red , purple and black bruises on his neck down to his collar bone. The boy had fought well…and for what? His life hanging by a thread today where he might have taken a punter out on the Cam. Had he been filled with that much hate for him? Enough hate to kill a man he loved just to hurt him further. And what was all the solicitation for sex about? The boy wasn’t gay of that he was certain.

Blaine wasn’t proud of losing his temper with him. It was his attitude that caused him to hit him. He’d wanted to talk to him and find out all he could about Renee’s death. He still believed that Abby had a hand in it somehow. It had gone down badly and now he may never know.

“Mr. Blaine, with Sir Brennan’s compliments, he asks that you write up a report for him.”

He was given a laptop. Blaine nodded and accepted it. He placed it on a small desk near the window. The window drew him and he looked down at the gardens and beyond. Renee had been in this room with him. They’d been in this very window while Renee told him secrets. Knowing he was no longer in this world sent a cold spike through the center of him. He turned and looked at the laptop and sat down to peck out his report.

Later he sent it away with the guard and was told Sir Brennan was not available.

Around midday he had a visitor.

“Un…Trev.”

“David, what the hell have you done?”

“You…know?”

“I think so, I got a call from Sir Brennan. He said I could visit.”

“Nice.”

“You’re in a world of hurt. He’s trying his best to keep you under cover out here because the Cambridge Police want your pretty little arse. You attacked one of their students.”

Blaine shook his head.

“I know that’s not the way it is but that’s the way they’re playing right now. Kazan’s next of kin has been notified so you can imagine”

“V…n…gnce. Ab…e.”

“The old eye for an eye and he was the eldest son. Did he ever know about you and Ali?”

Blaine shrugged. “D…no…sure.”

Trevor sighed and went over and hugged him. “What can I do for you, what do you need?”

“M…bag…B…l…e…car.”

“Here write it out I can’t understand your language.”

“My bag is in Billy’s car at the Varsity hotel in Cambridge. I need it. At Billy’s flat there is a gun on the dining table. Get rid of it? Also my luggage at your flat. Bring please”

Trevor looked up from the note. “Gun is illegal?” He mouthed the words and nodded. “Okay, looks like I’ll be running around for the rest of the day. Should I call Gravesend?”

“Yes and make sure security is still there. Don’t tell Lyssa I’m hurt. I had keys in my jacket pocket. Don’t know where my clothes are. Billy’s address in my phone. Can you find out for me what his status is. I am sorry about  Abby. I lost it.”

Trevor frowned slightly and shook his head not wanting to talk about what happened. “I’ll see how much of this laundry list I can do. They usually send your clothes and belongings along with you in a bag. Looked in the closet?”

Blaine shook his head.

Trevor looked in the closet. “Your knickers and shoes are here. Slacks…nothing in the pockets. Shirt…cut up and bloody. Nasty fight, eh? Keys are here, no belt and no jacket.”

“Than…u”

“I know this is not pleasant for you. You’re hurt, all banged up and bruised, but Sir Brennan is on your side. Don’t be too hard on him.”

“Pris..n…r”

“Better here than out there. I’ll try and help you through this, David. You hang in there, okay?”

Blaine was glad Trevor had come. The world of people he trusted was down to two fingers. Trevor and Billy.

Chapter 2

“I owe him little duty and less love.” (Henry IV Act 5 Scene 3)

“I’ve been to see your Billy and convinced him to talk to the solicitor I’ve sent over to Cambridge. I also took our statements over. Yours I had to edit. No need to tell them anymore than we have to.”

“Truth.”

“But you see, Blaine, you don’t know what the truth is. Kazan did not confess to Renee’s murder. You, on the other hand, did confess to killing his father which was a very dangerous thing for you to do.”

“E…knew.”

“There is no way he could know for sure. He may have suspected but you laid yourself open to him.”

“E…ven…gn…Ali”

“Write it.”

“He was carrying out vengeance for his father. First born son. It is their way. You have a leak in your network.”

Sir Brennan looked up quickly. “Do you know this for sure or is this just speculation?”

Blaine shrugged. “Thin…so…e …know…Renee…dead.” Blaine picked up the note pad. “He did not confess to the murder. He knew about it, taunted me with it. I believed he did it before Cambridge. Now I am not so sure. Maybe he did it to get at me. It was me he wanted to kill. Or was sent to kill. He knew his father did not die in the explosion but died in England. He accused me of it and I think he knew. He’s only 20, young and easily manipulated into thinking he must avenge his father. Leak or mole certainly possible.”

“Wh…n..c..n …I…go?”

“Not until this is cleared up. The only reason you aren’t keeping Billy company in Cambridge is because  you’re here under my protection. Kazan is still in a coma and you have absolutely nothing to stand on. You met him in his father’s penthouse and because he wanted to see you again you drove up to Cambridge, armed with a gun, and attacked him. He tried to defend himself with a knife. That’s what Cambridge is looking at. You haven’t any proof it was anything more than that.”

Blaine’s eyes flashed and grabbed the notepad. “What about the blanket and the lighter? That was Renee’s way of saying if something happens to me look here. I think he met with Abby, he knew him as Ali’s son and he was afraid for his life.”

“All he has to do is deny it. He denied knowing him to you. That’s what you wrote.”

“He knew about Renee and me. Who told him that? Who knew we had a relationship other than you?”

“I imagine any number of people would know. It’s not like you tried to keep it a secret is it?  Your wife knew ,your uncle knew. I just used them as examples.”

It was an unfortunate choice of examples. A frustrated Blaine threw the note pad across the floor.

“I n…n..ver…come …bak…here. Done.”

Sir Brennan clamped his lips together and looked at Blaine and nodded slightly. He didn’t blame him. He left the room.

There was nothing for him to do. He turned on the TV and watched it with the sound turned off. Nurses were constantly in and out performing their duties. He couldn’t swallow pills so his medicine was given intravenously.

“Wh…is..that?”

“Something for pain.”

“Don…no want.” Blaine was afraid they’d sedate him again.

It was nearly 7:00 when Trevor returned. He pushed Blaine’s leather suitcase in first and followed with his man bag and a paper bag.

“Brought you something.” He handed him a milkshake. “It’s probably half melted by now and you should get it down easily enough.

“Feed…m…Wil…e…fud.”

“Yeah, I know. I been there too. Got a Karate chop in my throat once. Nothing but baby food.  I was able to take care of everything on your list.”

“Gud.”

“I went to see Billy. He’s talked to the solicitor Sir Brennan sent over. He’s okay…looking it straight in the eye. He sends his love.”

Blaine smiled a little.

“I…m…n…tr…ble.”

“Yes you are.” Trevor sat down on the side of his bed. “Unless he wakes up and confesses his sins or Sir Brennan pulls a rabbit out of his hat.”

Blaine shrugged. “Can…do…nothin.”

“You can’t…no you can’t. Just keep your head down”

“Abby…knows.”

“Knows…what?”

“Ali.”

“Knows what happened on Regent Street?”

Blaine nodded. “Sm…told. Leak.”

“There were a lot of people down in that basement that day. Could’ve come from anywhere.  There are no secrets, Blaine, not anymore. You can bet your ass his embassy was on it.”

“Abby…knows…not die…explo.”

“It was a set up. I think he was a marked man, Blaine. Two tries didn’t take him out.”

“Who…try?”

“Don’t know but he pissed a lot of people off along the way.”

Blaine turned his milkshake around and stared at the cup for a minute. He touched his finger on a flag and turned it around to Trevor. Trevor saw it and narrowed his eyes. He shook his head slightly and touched his ear.

“Drink your shake, Blaine.”

“N…ed…Bil…e…out.”

“That’s a tough one right now. By the way, your bags were searched downstairs. Good thing you don’t carry anything like cigarettes with you.”

Blaine’s eyes widened.

“Cause you’re not allowed to smoke in here and with your throat bashed in it’s not a good idea.” Trevor opened his jacket and pulled out Renee’s lighter. “Glad I quit…you need to think about that too.”

“You…quit?”

“Yep, packed it in. It was time…you know. It was nice to get out of the cottage today. Your decorator had me running up and down like I knew what was going on. Floors are dry and he’s going to start moving the furniture back in tomorrow. It’s going to be really nice, Blaine. Good idea you had…good idea.” He turned the lighter over a couple of times and handed it to Blaine.  “Some things are worth keeping.”

“Yes.” Blaine wished they could talk freely. What had prompted Trevor to quit his job? He’d been on the fence about it the last time they’d talked.

“I’ll be back around tomorrow. Want something to read?”

Blaine nodded.

“A good spy story?” Trevor grinned.

“No.”

“I’ll bring you a cookbook.”

Blaine smiled and reached out and hugged him. “Luv you.”

Sir Brennan was standing behind his desk with a sheet of paper in his hand.

“Mr. Blaine, Sir Brennan would like to see you before you go.”

Trevor turned from the door and walked into Brennan’s office. “You wanted to see me, Sir?”

“What…what the bloody hell is this?”

“I wasn’t sure about the correct form but I thought you’d get the gist of it.”

“You’re resigning, retiring…what?”

“Stopping. Retiring sounds good.”

“Why now, of all times, have you decided to do this? I need you, Trevor.”

“Sorry about the timing, your timing. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. Today was the day.”

“It wouldn’t have anything to do with your nephew upstairs would it?”

“My decision to retire has nothing to do with him. I’m 55 years old, too old to be taking chances in the armpits of the world. I’m burnt out with it. As far as David goes, I’d like to help him through this ordeal.”

“On your own or as an agent?”

“Can’t be an agent, I’ve retired. He needs somebody right now. I’d like permission to come and go to visit him.”

“Of course you can, Trevor.”

“How long are you going to keep him locked in a hospital room?”

“He is not locked in. He needs medical attention and until he’s healed and the doctor releases him it’s the best place for him.”

“He has children at home who need him. He’s all they have, Sir Brennan.”

“If you’re here to plead his case you’re wasting your time. I’m already pleading his case. So I take it this is your official letter of resignation. Mrs. Hallstead will be in touch with you about your retirement.”

“Thank you, Sir. It’s been a pleasure.” With that Trevor turned around and walked out of the house, saluting the unofficial guards at the door dressed as butlers.

Chapter 3

“There is nothing neither good or bad but thinking makes it so” (Hamlet Act II Scene II)

Haines held his phone close to his ear. “Kazan has just had some visitors. His mother, her brother, an official of some sort from the embassy and a younger brother.”

“Are they still there?”

“No, Sir, they just pulled away from the curb.”

“Kazan?”

“Still out, Sir.”

“Thank you, Haines, stay with him.”

Now it would hit the fan. Sir Brennan ran his hands over his face.

Blaine winced a little as the doctor manipulated his left arm. “Still a little stiffness there.”

He’d had his stitches out and without the constricting bandage he felt more comfortable. “Can I exercise?” He asked. His voice was still hoarse and barely above a whisper.

“Sure, best thing for you just don’t overdo.”

It wasn’t likely he’d overdo anything confined as he was. He buttoned his shirt and slid off the examining table.

Four days he’d spent in his hospital room. Sir Brennan was having him moved upstairs to a suite. Accompanied by a guard carrying his bag he stepped off the elevator and realized he was going into the same suite where Renee had been kept. The guard turned and looked at him, “Going in, Sir?”

Blaine took a breath. “Yes.”

Left alone he wandered around the room and ended up at the piano. His face bore the sadness he felt. He sat down and with two still swollen fingers picked out a few o f the notes Renee had taught him.  He felt a resolve building in him. “I will find out…it will not rest…Renee.”

Blaine hadn’t seen Sir Brennan in two days. Their last interview had not gone well. Out of the hospital room and wearing his own clothes a seed of rebellion began to grow. With it a distinct hatred for Sir Brennan and all he represented. The puppet master had pulled his strings for the last time. Billy had been formally arraigned for attempted murder. For all Brennan’s claims that he was trying to protect Blaine by keeping him undercover, Blaine saw it differently. Billy was going to take the fall for him. He could see it being orchestrated.

“You’re looking a lot better,” Trevor remarked.

“I could walk out of here today. There is nothing keeping me here now except Sir Brennan.”

“Outside that door, David, is a hailstorm.”

David motioned him over. “Is this room clean?”

Trevor looked up and moved around the room checking this and that. He knew what to look for and where to look. “Appears to be.”

“I know it was when Renee was imprisoned here but I did not know if things had changed for me.”

“What’s up?”

“Get me out of here.”

“Uhhh,” Trevor said tilting his head.

“Do you not see what is happening? While Sir Brennan keeps me here he has sent his so-called legal team to support and protect Billy. What has happened?  Billy has been charged, he has not been let out on bail. He will be sacrificed so that I may walk away from this fiasco…his agent, uncharged. His name and reputation intact.”

“Not sure he’s as dastardly as you make him out to be. Billy told me he’d confessed to his solicitor. He meant to kill Kazan and was not sorry for it.”

“Why have no formal charges been made against me?”

“Because Sir Brennan went to bat for you. You’re trying to paint him as a villain in this, David. It ain’t so. I don’t like his methods either. I especially don’t like the way he’s used you.”

“He will not use me again. I know very well his methods and I will not be so foolish as to fall into it again. I have my own legal resources. The best that money can buy. If I give you their names will you go and see them on my behalf? Get me out of this prison and I want them to represent Billy.”

Trevor walked away from him over to the tall windows. He’d lived for so long associated with Sir Brennan. Trusted him with his welfare and decisions of importance. It never occurred to him that Sir Brennan was in any way self serving. It was all for the good of the country. For the Queen and England had he served him for half his life. Now as he looked at his nephew and his present circumstances and looked from the outside of the organization, he could see where David was coming from. David was essentially a private citizen that Sir Brennan contracted. Unlike himself who’d been an agent full time.

“Yeah, I’ll go see them on your behalf.”

“I am deeply grateful. This is something I could not have asked you to do before you resigned. Even now you may have second thoughts. I do not wish you to involve yourself, only to contact them on my behalf as I am unable to do. My phone and internet are blocked here. You see, I am being held prisoner and not for my own protection. A charge of assault I could easily handle on my own.”

“I’ll do what I can, David, but keep this in the back of your fertile mind; there may be more afoot that you are aware of.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sir Brennan does not confide in me. I’m just saying that keeping you here for your own protection may not be too far from the truth.’

“It just occurred to me that his men are at Gravesend, at my request,  to protect my family. Could he or would he use them against me? To control me?”

“You’ve been spending too much time reading spook stories. And, no, to answer your question, I don’t for a minute think he’d do anything like that. “

“I am at the point where I do not put anything past him. Do you think if Billy had killed Abby that he would be now in custody in Cambridge? Or would he be considered a hero and be languishing here at Sir Brennan’s country estate? Case of Renee Blevin’s death solved…and avenged. He lives and should he wake and tell what he knows…who would go down for that?”

“Probably you, David. If the boy wakes up and wants to start pointing fingers, he’ll point at you. Why would he point them at Sir Brennan Johnson who operates a hospital for special cases as a tribute to his deceased wife? A man known and respected from one end of this realm to the other. A man deep into sponsoring charity events for crippled children and children with leukaemia. No hint of controversy has ever touched him. He remains a benevolent soul with a wide range of interests. That’s his public persona. He’s able to separate himself from the clandestine operations that happen here. If you have any idea of taking him down, David, you’re defeated before you begin.”

Blaine sat down in a chair and rubbed his eyes. “All I want is to leave this place and for Billy to be freed. I don’t care what happens to Sir Brennan. If there is an assassin out there who has killed Renee then he needs to be brought to justice one way or another. I do not need a benevolent soul  directing my hand.”

“You might need him behind you. You’ve already confessed to Kazan that you killed his father.  If he wakes up and starts talking to the police…you’re toast. If you turn your back on Sir Brennan now, he’ll let the wolves devour you. He’d have no choice. His first priority is to protect his operation.”

“I know what you say is true. I am deeply involved with Billy, Uncle Trevor. I cannot sit by and do nothing for him and in here I am helpless.  I asked him to help me find Renee’s killer and I believed that I had found him. Billy was only trying to help me. I cannot go to the police and plead for him, I know this. I am sorry but I do not trust Sir Brennan to have Billy’s interest at heart.”

“All right, David, I’ll pay a visit to your legals.”

“Thank you.”

“I almost forgot.” Trevor reached in the inner pocket of his jacket. “My own personal favorite for a sore throat.” He pulled out a small bottle of whiskey.

“Ahh, you are a good doctor.”

“I thought, if it’s all right with you, I’d go down to Gravesend this weekend. I can tell them you’re working if you’d like.”

“I would like.”

“I’ll see how things are there. That will give the decorator time to finish putting on the last of his frou- frou.”

David smiled, “How do you like his frou- frou so far?”

“Looks good. I’ve already had my feet on the sofa.” He took a drink from the bottle and handed it back to Blaine. “You know, I wouldn’t mind having the kids up for awhile…if this thing drags out.”

“I like that idea. I would trust them with you, Uncle Trevor. Sir Brennan can call off his dogs.”

“Just a thought.”

Chapter 4

“Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast” “Romeo and Juliet Act II Scene III)

Sir Brennan walked into Blaine’s room with a heavy, cream colored, watermarked piece of stationary from one of the most prestigious Barrister’s in London.  He tossed it on the piano where Blaine was sitting.

“What is it you think you’re trying to accomplish here?”

“Leave.” Blaine looked up at him without expression.

“Go.” Sir Brennan flung his arm toward the door. “Go on out there. You have no idea what this will cause. As long as you and Wright are in custody I’m keeping Kazan’s family, their solicitors, their diplomats and God knows who else, from my door and yours. If you want to turn this into an international incident…walk out. You don’t beat up a member of a foreign royal family and walk away from it. You don’t shoot ‘em and walk away from it. If the boy dies Billy will stand trial for murder. He’ll be acquitted. If he doesn’t die and remains in a coma, Billy will stand trial for attempted murder. He’ll be acquitted. If the boy lives and starts talking about an agent of mine who admitted killing his father  we’ll deny it. We’ll counter with the suspected murder of Renee Blevin.

“I’ve had the forensic reports and I’ve had the results gathered by London Police about a young man fitting his description who visited Renee two nights before his death. He was noted because Samson ran out barking when Renee opened his door. His neighbor who happened to be walking up his path helped Renee catch him. He said the young man seemed nice enough and even offered to help catch the dog. We know he was in the house two days prior. He was not seen returning.”

“Why have you not told me this?”

“I’ve been busy, Blaine, and not in a hurry to talk to someone who acts like a petulant schoolboy. You will treat me with respect and conduct yourself in a proper manner in my presence .”

Blaine looked down at the keyboard. “I am sorry if I have offended you. My only thought was to help Billy out of this situation. I cannot stand the thought of him being in jail. I thought you were going to let him take the blame for what I have done.”

“He’ll stand for his own actions as he must. He shows no remorse and that’s not going to help him.”

“Would it be possible for me to see him?.”

“I doubt it since you are reportedly in custody.” Sir Brennan walked to the window. “None of this would be happening if he hadn’t fired that shot. Haines would have brought Kazan in and we would have gotten to the bottom of it.”

“Or if you had left me alone to work it out in my own way. I did not know about Haines and Howard. I thought I left Billy in London. I was on my own. I had no intention of killing Abby. I too wanted to get to the bottom of it.”

“And if he’d confessed the murder to you, what then?”

“I would have brought him to you in slightly better condition than he is now.”

“You went there to meet him with a gun.”

“I would have used it if…I would have used it. I thought he meant to kill me and I could not go unprotected.”

He felt responsible for Blaine. Knowing he’d made a mistake in bringing him in on this. Yes, Blaine had bollixed  it up…still.

Sir Brennan returned to the piano and picked up the letter. “This is your ticket out of here. They are absolutely correct. I have no legal right to hold you. There are no charges against you. You’re free to go, Blaine, but let me warn you to be careful. Do not, under any circumstance, approach a member of Kazan’s family.  Do not show your face in Cambridge. I would also advise you not to interfere with Billy’s council. We have that under control. The outcome for him is certain but he has to pay the piper first.

“ The best thing for you to do right now is to disappear for awhile. Take a holiday.”

“Daddy!”

“Hello, Lyssa, how are you baby?”

“You don’t sound like Daddy.”

“Daddy has a sore throat. How is Willy?”

“Willy is bad, he’s a bad boy.”

“Why, what did he do?”

“He bit me. Are you coming home?”

“I cannot come yet. I hear you are going to the farm with Uncle Trevor?”

“Uncle Trevor is funny.”

“You be a good girl until Daddy comes home.”

“When your throat gets better you can come?”

“I will come when my throat gets better. I love you, Lyssa.”

“I love you too daddy. You should go to the doctor.”

“I will. Be safe, be careful, until I come home.”

Blaine was in Billy’s flat. He and Trevor brought Billy’s car back to the garage and Blaine’s too. Trevor left for Gravesend a little while ago. He was going to take Toomes and the children up to the farm for awhile. Blaine was waiting for them to be on their way north before he went home. His throat was still bruised but the bruising on his face had faded. He never wanted Lyssa to see him hurt again.

He planned to take Sir Brennan’s advice about the holiday. As for Billy, he’d asked a member of his legal staff to keep him abreast of the proceedings and if at any time Billy looked to be in trouble he was to step in and assist in his defense. It was all he could do for him. If Sir Brennan was truthful…was truthful…then his interference may cause him some problems. He still didn’t trust Sir Brennan completely, but he had little choice but to go with his recommendation for now.

He arrived at Gravesend after dark. Fish and Mrs. Broadus were to have a holiday of their own. The house was lit by a single lamp in the front hall. He dropped his bag and went into his study. There he flipped through his mail and then tossed it aside. It seemed strange to be there in silence.

Upstairs he drew his bath and emptied his bag into the laundry. Early in the morning he would repack it for a warmer climate. He called his pilot to make sure everything had been arranged. Slipping into his tub he laid his head back and closed his eyes. After a moment tears washed his cheeks until he let himself sink under the water.

“Il y a quelqu’un pour vous voir, un homme.” Her housekeeper let her know.

She quickly washed her hands in the kitchen sink and dried them on her shirt as she walked toward the open front door. She paused a few feet from the door and took him in. His back was to the door and the warm breeze was playing in his hair and lightly billowing his pale blue shirt. The dark slacks fit snuggly across his hips down to the heels of his shoes. He had a jacket over one arm and the other hand he ran though his hair. She took a breath.

“Bonjour.”

Blaine turned and smiled. “Bonjour, Christine.”

“You have come…you come alone?”

“I came alone.”

“Well, you’d better come in.”

“You do not mind that I did not call?”

“Non, I do not mind. I too am alone.” She closed the door behind him.

“What happened to your houseguests?”

“Lara and Janine left this morning for England. She has a friend there. He has a farm and has invited her to visit.”

“A farm. Where is this farm?”

“Ah, I think…Yorkshire….no York.”

Blaine smiled barely containing himself.  “What fortunate timing.”

“What happened to your voice do you have…um…sore throat.”

“Yes, I do. Accident crushed my larynx.”

“Ohhh, you will need, um, tender care.” She smiled and tilted her head.

“I am in need of much tender care.”

“You have come to the right place, David Blaine.”