When the Hunter Becomes the Hunted...part 14
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by GersGal  Sept.26, 2000
   
      

      

                      ~Part 14 of "Hunter"~

LaCroix and Nicholas glanced at one another, trying their best to hide
their fear from their powerful, unwanted visitor.
LaCroix was the first to speak, "Someone has deprived you of your
pleasure. Someone ended her life three years ago".
The entity walked up to LaCroix and eyed him intently, then spoke.

"How do you know of this? Were you her executioner?" An almost inaudible 
growl emminated from the entity's throat.

"Her executioner sought to cause me great pain and suffering. He
succeeded in doing so when he ended my daughter's life", Lucien told the
entity.

"Do you know where her remains lie?", inquired the powerful being, still
watching LaCroix's face intently for the slightest sign of nervousness.
LaCroix, ever the conqueror, had never faultered in battle, even when he
faced death, and he was not about to do so now.

"She lies  peacefully in the ruins of her homeland, where I lay her to
rest with my own hands", LaCroix told Neferhotep. Neferhotep stepped away 
from LaCroix and walked toward the door, then hesitated, and again turned 
to face LaCroix.

"I will go to her", he told LaCroix, "Fall upon your knees and plead for
mercy, for if I fail to find my golden child where you say, you will
need it", Neferhotep told LaCroix and Nicholas. And with that, he departed 
as quickly as he came.

Nick and Lucien let out a deep sigh. They both knew the being would
return, for they had cremated Divia upon a funeral pyre, and the entity
would not find her resting in her homeland, as LaCroix had promised he
would. 

Nick sprang into action. "LaCroix, I must go and prepare for
Neferhotep's return. I have to get Nat and my partner to a safe place.
Then I'll be back to help you prepare for....for....Nick's words trailed
off as he strode away, but Lucien already knew what Nicholas meant. He
meant he would be back to help prepare for all hell breaking loose.
Nick approached his partner where he sat on a barstool, rubbing his head
and looking bewildered.

"Schank", Nick said, "Let's go! We don't have much time! I think I know
who the murderer is". Nick took Natalie's hand and winked at her.
"I don't want to say anything until I am sure. But I need you to come
with me. I need to check something out and I need you to protect Natalie
in a safe place while I investigate."

Schanke obligingly followed Nick and Nat out of the Raven and slid into
the passenger side of Nick's green caddy, mentally promising
himself he would have to get more sleep. Schanke had the distinct
feeling of missing time, or that he had dozed off right in the middle of
something, but for the life of him, couldn't remember just what. Schanke
shrugged it off.

"Where are we headed?", asked a puzzled Schanke.

"To the airport", replied Nick, "And I don't have time to explain right
now. The two of you just have to trust me and do as I say. The
explanations will come later". Nick reached into his back pocket and
retrieved his wallet and removed a credit card from it and handed it to
Schanke.
"Purchase a ticket for you and Nat on a flight that will take 24 hours
round trip", NIck instructed Schanke, "By the time you return, Nat will
no longer be in danger". Nick did not want to inform his partner that he
was also in danger. Some things were better left unsaid.
Nick pulled up in front of the airport and Schanke got out to do his
bidding.

"While you are in flight, try to think of how we are going to explain
this mess away to the press and at the princinct. I will take care of
everything else", Nick told Natalie.

"No blood around the corpses is easy", Nat responded, "Dead bodies don't
bleed. I can simply say they were dragged to the Raven by animals. I
will iron out all the fine details when we return. But I don't feel
right leaving you behind, Nick".

Nick spotted Schanke returning with the tickets. "Trust me, Nat. It's
the only way I can be sure you and Schanke will be safe. And the two of
you are powerless to help in this matter", Nick told her. Then he put
his arms around her and hugged her and kissed her deeply. He reached
across her and opened the car door for her to get out. Natalie obliged.

"Thanks, partner, I knew I could count on you!", Nick told Schanke,
"Take good care of my girl".

Then he drove off in the direction of the Raven, his thoughts reeling
about how to deal with this dark and angry force that would soon return,
seeking revenge.

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~next?~