Lost

Chapter 33


At first light Connor and several men went back to the ruins to recover Lacasse’s body and to recover any items they didn’t want to have to explain. Then, once that was done, most of the Foxtrot and Delta forces left as well. Pierson would contact them later with the rest of their pay as well as the generous bonus each man would receive. Foxtrot 1 had worked with the man they called Pierson a few times before. He was always generous.

Methos stroked the dark hair spread out on the pillow. Duncan still seemed to be in a state of shock. Upon their return, both he and Louisa had been able to clean him up somewhat and get him into bed where he fell asleep and had yet to awaken. It had been nearly thirteen hours and still he slept, Methos sitting silent guard over him except for a short time when Louisa had kicked him out for a reason she failed to disclose. He’d been suspicious but her statement that it was a level of personal care only she could provide gave him an inkling of what she needed to do. Seeing the pump confirmed his suspicions. Neither Connor nor Richie understood the darkness that had settled on Methos as he sprawled in the library sucking down whiskey like water nor did they question him once they saw the look in his eyes. They merely left him alone until it was light enough for Connor to retrieve Lacasse’s body. They needed to wait for the police to show so they could close this situation and get out.

Mac sat in the bed waiting for the police to arrive. With Louisa’s help he’d bathed and put on a fresh gown and makeup but he remained somewhat dazed and completely silent. He seemed to understand the version of events as they needed to be told but he was clearly frightened.

There was a tap at the door and Duncan heard Richie’s voice saying the police had arrived. “Methos…I don’t want Richie seeing me like…this.” Duncan wrung his hands together. It broke Methos heart to tell him that Richie had been there when they’d brought him back. Duncan paled and, after a moment, nodded his head. They would all know his shame soon. Everyone he loved would know. But then, he reminded himself, it wouldn’t matter in the long run. That thought brought a measure of calm. Methos nodded and asked Louisa to stay with Duncan while he went downstairs with Richie.

Mac was waiting for the inspector to interview him when Richie asked to come into the room. Mac’s stomach tied itself into knots at the thought of this young man, whom he thought of as his son, seeing him like this. He pulled the covers closer to his chest, his knuckles white where they fisted around the covers. He wanted desperately to hide but knew the futility of it. Louisa, seeing his agitation, moved to his side and put her arms around Mac.

“I’ll leave if you want, Mac…” Richie offered tentatively once he saw Mac’s reaction to his presence. It sent a shard of pain through his chest. Goddamn that bastard Lacasse! Richie felt himself close to tears at the sight of the man he loved like a father so distraught.

“No, Rich…it’s okay…” Mac steadied himself, his natural inclination to provide comfort to those he loved worked to settle his own agitation. “Everything is going to be alright.” Mac nodded as he spoke.

Richie wasn’t sure if Mac was trying to comfort him or himself. The faraway look in the dark eyes made him nervous. “Yeah, that’s right, Mac, it just needs a little time.” Taking a deep breath he moved to a chair by the balcony. “I’ll just sit over here, okay?” He sat down at Mac’s nod and quietly wished that Lacasse was still alive so that he could kill him again.

Inspector Bertrand continued his notes as he stood in the hallway outside of the bedroom with Dr. Pierson. As it turned out, the documentation and interviews with household staff supported that Lacasse had been walking a fine edge due to his illness and problems with his business. He quickly conducted his interview with Mrs. Pierson due to her mental state and then left her in the arms of her cousin, Connor MacLeod, and her friends, Louisa Martín and Richard Ryan. She had been calm but her distress was obvious. It lent credibility to her statement that Lacasse had taken her to the ruins – he again wished they hadn’t pulled out the body themselves – and tried to kill her. They’d struggled and Mrs. Pierson was able to get the gun and fire one round. His men had the gun, a 9mm which appeared to match the wound in Lacasse’s shoulder. Unfortunately, the round had exited the deceased and they didn’t have the slug. Mrs. Pierson ran but had turned at Lacasse’s scream only to see the wall collapse on top of him. The housekeeper had pulled the dusty clothing out of the trash to validate that portion of the story. His review of the site confirmed the instability of the walls. He believed the gunshot wound was self-defense and that the medical examiner would confirm that Lacasse had died from crush injuries.

“So you learned that your wife had come to the estate once you returned from your place of business. Is that correct?” Bertrand consulted his notes. Mrs. Pierson had stated that she had been called to the estate by her ex-husband to discuss his will.

“Yes, I received the message as soon as I returned home.” Methos had on his best Adam Pierson face, earnest, innocent and with a heavy dose of concern.

“Why would you feel a need to follow? Were there problems between Monsieur Lacasse and your wife?”

Adam looked down, embarrassment coloring his face. “No, it’s just that I’m a bit...jealous, you see.” True. “I don’t like that the two remained such good friends after the annulment.” He gave another embarrassed smile.

“Annulment? How long ago was that?” He’d have to look into some of this later. Mrs. Pierson wasn’t a very feminine woman. In fact, she looked rather mannish to him with her broad shoulders and large hands, but apparently she was attractive to some men judging by her two quick marriages.

“The actual annulment was finalized only a week ago. Sarah and I were married two days later.” All verifiable thanks to Amanda’s guy. “You see, Sarah and Andre were married several months ago on a bit of a lark. Of course they realized shortly afterwards that they’d made a mistake. Sarah moved back out and she and I began to see one another. Once we realized that we wanted to get married we looked into it and realized that she could get her first marriage annulled.” A look of understanding crossed Adam’s face. “I wonder if that is part of what sent him over the edge.” He looked at the inspector as though an idea had crystallized in his mind. “I was always sure that Andre loved Sarah more than she loved him. And with all of the problems he’s been having lately...well, it makes sense, doesn’t it?” Sad understanding was now evident in the young face.

Connor could just see Pierson through the partially open doorway. They had all been listening to the incredible acting going on just out in the hallway. So many lifetimes, so many different roles...of course he’d be good at acting. Acting would have to be a skill he’d perfect in order to stay alive for over 5000 years, he thought. And there was no doubt he could fight if he had to he thought remembering the dagger at his throat. Plus the bastard could plan like a son-of-a-bitch. Yes, that made sense, too. You drop your risk if you avoid fighting. The reality of what Methos did in order to survive was incredible. But how long would he stay alive around his kinsman? Duncan drew trouble like shit drew flies. He shook his head and looked at his cousin. Duncan had his stone face on and he was rocking slightly. What was he thinking?

Inspector Bertrand nodded. He’d verify what Dr. Pierson had told him, but it seemed the events took place just as Pierson had said. Very well. He glanced back at the bedroom door and could partially see Mademoiselle Martín now sitting next to Mrs. Pierson who sat up in bed, quietly stroking her hair. It seemed she had several people who cared a great deal for her. He’d asked if she would receive some professional help and wrote down Dr. Sean Burns name when Dr. Pierson provided it. She should be fine. Closing his notebook with a definitive snap he turned to leave. Dr. Pierson accompanied him downstairs and they saw the morgue van preparing to leave. “I’ll contact you if I have any more questions.”

Methos saw the inspector out and watched as the vehicles left the estate. He let out a deep sigh. At least that was done and the entire issue should be closed quite satisfactorily. He turned and walked back upstairs. He walked back into the room only to see Ryan sitting in a chair chuckling and shaking his head. “What?” he tossed over his shoulder as he moved back to Duncan’s side.

Richie laughed again. “Man, you are incredible! You had that cop believing exactly what you wanted him to believe.” Admiration was obvious on the young face.

“The key, Ryan, is to stay as close to the truth as possible and to make sure you can back up what you’re saying.” Louisa had moved away as Adam approached, so he sat on the bed next to Duncan. He was a bit concerned over the stillness of the beloved face. Duncan was flushed and kept his eyes down.

“So can you?” Duncan looked up as he spoke his first words since Inspector Bertrand had left him. At Methos’ questioning look he repeated his question in his soft voice. “Can you back up what you told him?”

Methos noticed that Duncan was twisting his wedding band as he asked the question and he understood. “Yes, Duncan. Inspector Bertrand will find recorded in the Hall of Records as well as in the church records that Father John Le Clerc married Adam Pierson to Sarah MacLeod four days ago, two days after the marriage of Andre Lacasse and Sarah MacLeod was annulled. Lacasse was very thorough.” He took Duncan’s hand in his ignoring the other people in the room. Looking deeply into the dark eyes, he knew that he wanted more than anything to remain at this man’s side...married or not. But Duncan was not well, would he want this once he was? “But that doesn’t really mean anything, Duncan. I can fix it if you want. I’ll do whatever you want.” He was vaguely aware of the click as the door was closed. They were alone.

Fix it...what did that mean? Duncan looked at the pale hand holding his. He was Methos’ wife...of course that meant something. But maybe not to Methos. That thought sent a crushing pain through his chest. What did he want? But it was too much to think about. His thoughts were skittering away in confusion. Bringing a hand to cover his eyes, he felt Methos bring an arm around his shoulders and pull him close. That seemed to ground him as he leaned back against that solid strength. This is what he wanted. What he needed. “Please stay with me.” The voice died to a choked whisper. “Help me.”

Oh, Gods, he sounded so broken, so afraid. Methos felt his heart wrench in his chest as he pulled the Highlander closer to him. “Of course I’ll stay, darling. For as long as you want me to.” He leaned back to lay them both down on the bed and tucked Duncan’s head deeper into his chest. Duncan’s arms were around him, clutching him desperately. He stroked the dark hair and rubbed the broad back. “Forever if you want me to.” He could feel some of the tension ease out of the arms grasping him. In time, he realized that Duncan was again asleep.

The End…for now
TBC in The Long Road Home