Oil is thicker than blood

1.3 Poison mixed with honey will kill you all the same.

Katlyn is searching through Jack's room, opening and closing drawers. Jack doesn't understand what she is trying to find.

"Darling, calm down."

"No!" Katlyn yells. "There must be some information here. About when Richard comes back." She is panting like she has run several miles. Tears run down her face.

"We have come so far. I am not letting this plan be ruined because that asshole doesn't show up."

After opening some more drawers and finding nothing, she sits down on the bed, defeated. Jack goes to sit next to her and holds her hand.

"It's okay, darling, we will think of something. Don't worry."

Jeremy enters the room. He is carrying an empty carry-on suitcase behind him. He walks in without a care in the world, whistling a song. Then he spots Jack and Katlyn on the bed.

"I am so sorry, Miss Malone, Jack. Am I interrupting something?"

Jack lets go of Katlyn's hand. "No, it is okay, Jeremy."

Jeremy enters the walk-in wardrobe. Jack and Katlyn stand up and follow him. "So Jeremy, can you tell me what you are looking for?"

"Yes, Jack, I am gathering more clothes for mister Bellmond, on Mrs Bellmond's request."

Jack looks at the clothes Jeremy has already packed. They consist primarily of pyjamas. "In what exotic location is Richard stationed? Is there a place where pyjamas are the new trend?"

Jeremy sighs. "Mrs Bellmond specifically told me not to tell anyone."

Katlyn crosses her arms. "He is my husband, Jeremy. I have the right no know where he is!"

Jeremy startles. "This is the first time you ever called me by name, Miss Malone."

Katlyn and Jack exchange a look.

"I guess you do have the right to know. Three days ago, the airship carrying Mister Bellmond and his son crashed. Arthur Bellmond died on impact, and Richard was brought to saint Volta's hospital in critical condition."

Katlyn gasps. "Why did Mrs Bellmond want to keep this secret?"

Jeremy shrugs. "I didn't ask. That would be improper of me."

He closes the suitcase. "I'll leave you two to it then." In a hurry, he leaves the room.

"So," Jack asks. "What is the plan?"

"Luckily, Richard is brought to the hospital you work at. Maybe you can visit him."

"I can do that. Are you staying here to finish the rest of the plan?"

"I will." Katlyn smiles. "We will adapt the plan. We always do."

Katlyn kisses Jack. Jack feels butterflies in his stomach. He gently lets her go and smiles.

"We can always just walk away, Katlyn."

"Not a chance. I want to finish this."

***

An hour later, Jack sits at lunch with Katlyn and Mrs Bellmond. Mrs Bellmond is giving her usual speech.

"So today I had the kitchen prepare fugu fish for you. This toxic puffer fish is one of the deadliest fish in the ocean. A small error in preparing this fish can poison or even kill an unsuspecting person. No chef has been adequately trained to prepare this fish in city twenty-two and even Cordillera. Luckily, I imported a chef capable of such a task."

Two waiters and Jeremy enter the room, each carrying a plate. The dish looks like a single piece of overcooked fish. It does not look appetising.

Mrs Bellmond continues. "Lucy had told me she wasn't feeling well, so she wouldn't join us."