Blood Is Thicker...
By
Christine

Part Three

Chapter 19



Emil Fouchon paused outside the back door of the mansion, placed his palms against the wall beside it and leaned there, calming himself and conniving a thousand different ways to murder this unknown lover of his daughter. And he would, and had no doubt he would eventually be able to discover his identity. He was still astonished that Pik hadn't been able to track him down after all this time. Pik…it had been fortunate for Madeleine that Pik had accompanied him to the cottage. Fouchon truly believed he could have hurt her in his rage, but Pik had jumped right in, more than once, and held him off. There had even been a serious threat in Pik's eyes, especially when Fouchon had tried to backhand her. Then, all at once, so many things clicked into place. Fouchon dropped his arms, spun, and leaned his back against the wall, looking up at the stars.

Pik, all this time it had been Pik. Of course! Why else hadn't he been able to find the mystery lover? The way he had just put himself in harm's way on her behalf at the cottage. All the times he had seen them whispering together. And when he had dismissed the maid service, he had learned Madeleine had quit nearly two weeks earlier without notice, not two days as he had thought. He laughed out loud to the sky. "That son on a bitch!" he thought, I'll kill him!" He walked quietly back the way he had come.

He waited silently outside the cottage, gun drawn, listening intently. There was nothing but silence, and he concluded they must have left already. He entered the living room, surveying the damage he had done. He hadn't seen them leave by way of the mansion, so he was positive they must have left along the back drive. He hadn't heard or seen a vehicle, so he knew they must be on foot. At least for the time being. He holstered the gun and flipped open his phone.

"Get your boys together, have them ready for target practice. Send half of them on the bikes up the back drive from the highway, have the rest go down the drive from the house."

"Um…Shouldn't Van Cleaf be the one handling this?" the puzzled voice questioned.

"Mr. Van Cleaf is the one you are looking for."

"Huh?"

Fouchon sighed, irritated. "Van Cleaf is traveling on foot down the back drive toward the highway. He probably has a car parked somewhere along the way. Do what you need to do to get a hold of him, but don't kill him."

"Mr. Fouchon, I don't think I und…"

"Don't think, idiot. Just listen. My daughter is with him. She is not to be harmed in anyway. Is that absolutely clear? Do you think you can handle this, or are you a complete moron?!"

"Yes, Mr. Fouchon. I mean no. I mean, yes, I can handle it."

"Then do it. I'll meet you there in my car." He headed to the garage to retrieve.


***


They walked hurriedly down the unpaved road, their hands clasped. Suddenly Madeleine stopped, yanking Pik to a halt. She looked back over her shoulder, but then began to walk again.

"What is it?" he asked her.

She stopped again, "I…I didn't bring my rings, we rushed out…."

"Hey, I told you I always think of everything. I got them earlier when you dozed off before the party. They're in my pocket."

He reached inside his front pants pocket and pulled out both of the rings.

"Here," he said, taking her hand, "we don't ever need to take them off again." He slid them onto her finger. Then he pulled a chain out from under his shirt. His own wedding band was threaded through it. He unfastened the chain and handed her his ring. She slid it onto his finger, and they stood there for a moment holding hands and staring into each other's eyes.

"Let's seal this with a kiss," he said softly and bent to kiss her. Their kiss turned deep and passionate, and his hands easily found her exposed thighs. He pulled her tightly to him and she felt something hard pressing into her just under her ribs. He sighed her name and his embrace grew stronger, but the hardness dug into her so painfully she abruptly pulled away from him.

"Ouch! What the hell!" she exclaimed, her hands under her ribs. Pik was truly puzzled. She felt a hard object through the coat, and reached inside. Her hands grasped onto hard steel, and she pulled out a revolver, its black metal glinting in the moonlight.

"I thought this was you," she said, giggling a little.

Pik chuckled a little himself. "Here," he said, taking it from her, "let me hang on to that."

"Why?"

"You never know…we might end up needing this tonight."

"Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously….we're not out of the woods yet."

Madeleine glanced at their surroundings and said with a smirk, "Very funny."



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