angelic_gabe (angelic_gabe) wrote in shadowlands_ic, @ 2018-03-30 15:58:00 |
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Entry tags: | gabriel allen, keira adams, leah allen |
Who: Gabriel Allen, Leah Allen, Keira Adams
What: The three break into a Magistrate's house
Where: Frederick Lawson's London home
When: 20 March, 1889, the early afternoon, shortly after this
Rating: PG
Now that the identity of their blackmailer had been established, the Allens were forced to move on it, and quickly, while the information was fresh, and before the Magistrate knew that they’d found him out.
They had limited choices -- but the man they’d caught had implied that their blackmailer wasn’t merely seeking money -- that they’d been targeted for some reason, and Gabriel strongly suspected that merely paying the Magistrate wouldn’t stop their troubles - which meant that they could either cut their losses and flee, or they could take matters into their own hands.
They’d decided on the latter.
The notion that a Magistrate would be targeting them was baffling -- a man in good social and financial standing -- but those who visited Miss Lydia’s often dipped into the shadowy side of the street as a matter of course, so perhaps this was a similar circumstance. Regardless, their first priority was to attempt to access the information he held and destroy it (with luck, it would be at his London house, and not his country home, or secured at a bank), and…
...he hadn’t quite sorted out what to do next.
He suspected either Biddie or Chiara would be amenable to taking care of him discreetly. Really, there weren’t many other options on the board -- keeping him alive would be a substantial continued risk to the Academy, and, more plainly, to his child, and he wasn’t about to let that happen. Threatening him with charges of sodomy was one thing (a substantial thing), but threatening his daughter… that crossed a rather hard line.
Keira was fetched from L'Albergo, and as soon as she’d heard of their troubles, was all too glad to help -- the next stop on their journey was the Magistrate’s house.
Gabriel shifted in the carriage as it went over the rough road. “How should we manage the servants?” He asked. “We need to get in without their realising. Good Lord,” he muttered, grim-faced, “what a mess.”
A grim certainty had come over Leah once they’d learned who was behind the blackmail. Frederick Larson couldn’t be allowed to live, he’d just remain a threat to her father, herself, and by extension everyone at Miss Lydia’s. So the threat needed to be removed. Her father, God love him, was too kind hearted to do it himself. It would have to be her, she wanted it to be her. She wasn’t a child anymore and it was her turn to protect the family and those who depended on them.
Of course she hadn’t breathed a word of this to Gabriel. Her father wouldn’t approve and she didn’t want to fight over it. She had discussed it with Georgie while they’d waited for Kiera to arrive, and while the other woman was concerned she’d supported her friend. The two had put their heads together and come up with a plan.
“It depends on who’s there.” She responded to her father’s question. “He surely won’t have more than half a dozen, it isn’t his country house after all. They’ll all be busy with their own tasks at this time of day surely? We just have to get in without making too much noise.” Which was where Kiera came in.
The moment that Keira had learned of Gabriel’s and Leah’s troubles, she had known that she would help them in any manner that they needed. In fact, she had looked forward to finding out who the blackmailer was and helping to put a very discrete end to the issue at hand. Needless to say, when the time had come for them to ask for her help, she had dropped everything.
The mood and personality that Keira usually carried with her was now changed to fit the part that she needed to play. She was quiet, thoughtful, her mind working out any issues that may come their way in the task they were to be completing soon. When Gabriel spoke, and then Leah, she looked at them both.
“It won’t be difficult,” she spoke with confidence. She knew how to lure people away if the need arose; a quiet song could enchant and lead astray. “If anything, I will get you inside. No one will recognize me, or if they do they will only know me from the shop. I can keep anyone distracted long enough. Do not worry, you will both have your answers soon enough.”
Gabriel nodded, pale and serious looking, reaching for Keira’s hand to squeeze it. “We’ll follow your lead, darling.”
He’d called her ma petit voleur as a pet name before, as a playful recognition of her role as a Sister in training, but today it was no laughing matter. This would end bloodily one way or another, and he would far rather it end with the Magistrate’s death than his own.
He swallowed. “And if the evidence is not there…” he said, resolved, “we shall simply have to convince him to tell us where it is.”
Leah felt herself relax just a bit once Kiera had confirmed she could handle the servants. She didn’t want anyone harmed who didn’t deserve it, and it set her mind at ease that it wouldn’t happen.
The carriage slowed to a halt at her father’s words and she smiled grimly as they prepared to disembark. “Oh he’ll talk.” With a little of the right kind of encouragement he’d be putty in her hands.
Keira squeezed Gabriel’s hand back and gave him a reassuring smile. She hated that he was going through something like this, that his daughter was caught in the middle of it as well. She easily could have done this on her own, broken in and found what she needed or dragged the magistrate to them. But they were here, they wanted to be here, and she was going to make sure they both got what they needed.
When Leah spoke up, she looked over at the other woman and gave a nod of her head. She had a feeling that Leah would get exactly what it was she wanted. She turned to look out of the carriage window. “Are we almost there?”
Gabriel nodded tightly, and a few short beats later, knocked on the roof of the cab, so it would come to a halt a few blocks before their destination.
The three of them exited the coach, and Gabriel felt full of a nervous energy as they began to walk down the street, Gabriel incredibly aware that they needed to not draw attention as each person passed them by, and running through the list of places where a man would keep such damning material. What if there were a safe?
He could feel the letter in his pocket -- the one from the Magistrate -- he’d had a spell put on it at the Goblin Market to help trace the evidence against them, and he could only pray it would help some in their endeavours.
Leah kept silent as they walked, focused on their task and not drawing attention to themselves. With the ring given to her by Lady Una she was unrecognizable to those not in the know, but it was still best to be utterly forgettable right now.
Soon enough they reached the front entrance of the Magistrate’s home and she looked between her father and Kiera, eyebrow raised. Would they go to the front or go around to the back?
Keira let her eyes roam about as they strolled towards the Magistrate’s home, keeping a lookout for anyone else that might see them or recognize them. So far it was pretty quiet, which was just how she liked it. She looped her arm through Gabriel’s and smiled up at him, making it look as if the three of them were just on a stroll.
“Around the back,” she murmured when they came to the front. “Less chance of being noticed picking a lock if we are away from the street,” she said. “Quickly, now,” she smiled and then started to lead them to the back. So far, so good, she thought, but she knew their luck could be running out and she did not wish to be caught.
It took a few moments to get around to the back. “Keep a lookout, if anyone sees us they will have to be dealt with quickly,” she said and then pulled a small kit from her pocket. Inside it were tools mean to pick locks that had been specially made for her. It had been a lovely gift and she took pride in it, even if it were used for nefarious reasons. Quickly, she went to work, eyeing the lock and then pulling out the small tools she thought she would need. “It might take a moment, this lock is a bit more...intricate than some,” but she knew it wouldn’t take too long.
Gabriel knew little of the Magistrate-- from memory he was a dour faced widower without any offspring to speak of, and little presence in society, although this foray into blackmail suggested that he was more interesting than would appear and should not be underestimated. He wondered how loyal the man's household was -- resentful servants were less likely to be vigilant. The street was quite empty at this time of day, and while he started at the slightest sound they were mercifully undisturbed.
Keira’s work made the lock yield quickly before her, and Gabriel managed a quiet “Well done”.
Leah had kept a close lookout in the opposite direction from her father, making sure that both sides were covered, fortunately there hadn’t been much traffic and no one seemed to be paying them any mind. When Keira made the lock give way and the door open, Leah gave a sigh of relief and quickly followed the mermaid and her father into the building and out of public view.
Keira smiled gently to the ‘well done’ and put her tools away as she walked into the home. It was quiet, thankfully, but almost too quiet. It put her slightly on edge. “Let us find his office, and possibly his bedroom, to search for what it is you seek,” she said to the two of them. “Or find him, and make him sing,” she glanced across to Leah and rose an eyebrow before proceeding. “Shall we split up? I can take the bedroom if you two wish to take the office?”
Gabriel nodded tersely, and gestured for Leah to follow behind him as they went down the narrow hall. Despite being a wealthy gentleman, the Magistrate’s London quarters were simply decorated, very nearly sparse -- he could see a dining room clearly not equipped for social gatherings as they made their way carefully to the study.
The study itself, however, was stuffed to the gills with books of all sorts -- he had, it appeared, an eclectic taste, ranging from history to law to a surprising number of books that appeared to be fiction at first glance -- as soon as they shut the study doors behind them gently, Gabriel began scanning the shelves.
“Look for a place where he could be hiding letters,” he said to Leah, his voice low.
“Right.” Leah looked at the book lined walls in frustration. There could be letters anywhere! Where to start?
She took a deep breath and forced herself to stop and think. Frederick wasn’t going to hide them, this was his office. He’d feel safe here, there’d be no reason for him to hide them. But that didn’t mean it wouldn’t be under lock and key, he’d want to keep them secure just in case the servants snooped.
Those thoughts in mind it didn’t take more than a heartbeat for her to go to the large mahogany desk near the window. “It must be here somewhere...” she muttered to herself, starting to go through the drawers one by one. A few minutes of searching produced stationary, ledgers, stamps and assorted writing paraphernalia, but nothing along the lines of what she wanted...until the large bottom drawer wouldn’t budge. “Papa, I think I have something. This drawer is locked.”
Gabriel made his way over to the desk with quiet haste, and knelt quickly beside the drawer, pulling out his letter. He could feel the letter tremble beneath his fingers slightly, the paper rustling, the ink turning warm, and he nodded. “It’s there,” he said, softly.
He frowned. “It’d do us no good if they discovered the lock was forced. We should fetch Keira. Carefully.”
Leah nodded. “Stay here and keep an eye out the window in case he returns. I’ll fetch her.” She gave him a quick embrace and moved to leave the room, picking up the handbag she’d placed by the door as she went.
She made her way toward the master bedroom as quietly as she possibly could, which required her to move more slowly and carefully than she normally would. The sound of a servant coming upstairs had her darting behind a door until they passed, waiting until the footsteps faded into nothing before coming out again.
After what felt like an eternity she reached the bedroom and slipped inside. “Kiera, father needs you in the study.” she told the mermaid in a low murmur just above a whisper. “We found what we’re looking for, but it’s in a locked drawer.”
Keira had gone in search of the master bedroom when they three of them had split up. She crept carefully through the house, silent as a church mouse, and when she came to the room, she gently knocked on the door before going in. It would do her no good if someone had been inside to call out that she were an intruder. In the room, she started to open drawers and go through them, making sure to put everything back as it had been.
She had found nothing of interest and was going through pockets of clothing that hung in the closet when Leah came in. She gave a nod of her head and then pointed to the closet and then under the bed where she had not looked yet; just in case what they were looking for was not in the box, they needed to finish giving the room a thorough search.
Then she was heading out of the room, checking first to make sure it was clear out before she stepped out. There was a servant that was out, making her have to duck into some shadows. The servant came a little too close for comfort, making Keira on edge. Thankfully, they continued on, ignoring her, and after a few more moments Keira was able to finish to her destination without any other issue.
“Gabriel,” she whispered his name as she stepped into the office, shutting the door behind her. “We should hurry, there is a servant walking about,” she explained and then went to the drawer that she was sure that Leah had been talking of. She pulled her kit from the pocket of her dress, opening it up and setting it on the desk by the drawer. She studied the lock and chewed on her bottom lip for a good moment before finally deciding on the lock picks to use. She worked methodically, carefully, and it took a few breathless moments before there was a click in the soundless room. “Ahh…” she grinned triumphantly and then opened the drawer and stepped to the side. “Quickly now,” she murmured, putting her tools away.
There was a pile of letters in the drawer, and some photographs as well, and while he didn’t recognize all of them, it didn’t take long for Gabriel to find a small packet of letters in his own hand addressed to a lover who’d died years before. Carmichael died suddenly -- he might’ve kept the letters for some sentimental purpose, and not had the heart to burn them, and when he’d died, his estate might have come to Larson as his solicitor, or a relative…
There were a few photos of Leah as Vicky as well -- blurry and partially obscured, but in a few, her face was clearly seen and unmistakable.
He stuffed the letters and photos into his coat pocket, and, after a breath’s hesitation, grabbed the rest of the papers in the drawer for good measure.
“Let’s go,” he said, his voice low. He paused, looking up for the first time since Keria’d entered. “Where’s Leah?”
Keira kept watch while Gabriel dug through the box. She would ask later if he had found what he needed, but she was positive that he had. The way he stuffed the letters into his pocket and then grabbed more papers made her feel confident that he had exactly what he needed to put it all at rest.
“She stayed upstairs to finish going through the room,” Keira answered. “We can get…” she trailed off and touched a finger to her lips. “Someone is coming,” she mouthed and then grabbed a letter opener, it would make a decent weapon if need be. “We need to go…”
Gabriel’s heart started hammering in his chest as they edged over to the wall by the door. “Leah,” he replied, his lips forming the word without putting breath behind it, in fear for his daughter. Why had he let her come with? How would they warn her?
Keira took Gabriel’s hands in hers and tugged until he looked down at her. “Leah will be fine,” she tried to assure him, her words so quiet. “She is strong and a woman of means. If we don’t get out of here, then we are all at risk.” She was almost positive that Leah could handle herself, and she was sure Gabriel knew that as well or he would not have allowed her to come along on this mission. “Come. Now!” She took hold of one hand, gripping it firmly and then cracked the door open. She listened and looked out. When she thought it was clear, she moved forward, pulling him behind her towards the back door they had come in on. If she had to, she would go back in for Leah, but first to get Gabriel out. One at a time. If they both went after her, then all their lives were in danger. The moment they made it outside, she then was moving around the house to where the bedroom window was and picked up a pebble to toss at it, hoping Leah would look out.
After the third pebble, Leah’s face appeared at the window. They could only see from the shoulders up, but what was visible was bare. Her face broke out into a wide grin at the sight of them and her hands came into view to make ‘shoo’ing motions. Go on, get out of here! she mouthed. I’ll handle the rest.
Gabriel realized what his daughter intended with a sharp swoop in his stomach. “No,” he murmured under his breath, looking up at her, his face a picture of concern. It was too late to do anything short of storming the house, however, and after a beat, he shook his head, resigned. “For God’s sake, be careful,” he said, looking up at her solemnly.
He looked over at Keira. “We should leave,” he said, feeling the tension still tight between his shoulders. Yes, their blackmailer would no longer be an issue if things worked as Leah planned… but at what cost?
“Oh...ohhhh...my,” Keira let out as she looked up at the window and caught the glimpse of bare shoulders. It seemed Leah had her own idea of what she wanted to do. Which she couldn’t judge. Not one bit. Keira, herself, might have done the same thing in her position.
She turned her gaze to Gabriel and gave a nod of her head. “She’ll be fine,” she murmured, and prayed it were true. She gave one last look to the window and then turned and looped an arm through Gabriel’s to be escorted down the street back towards the carriage. “Let’s go back to your home. I’ll wait with you there until she returns. And if she doesn’t show soon, then I will go back after her.”