AC Syndicate: Isolated Files [OS]

Something's Wrong With Jack

In the faint haze of smoke left over from the previous day's cigars and various odors, as the sun broke through the dust particles, grunts of effort and pain, as well as blows, could be heard in the empty room. It was one of Robert Topping's clandestine fighting places. A man and a woman were fighting, one younger than the other. The brunette was congratulating him on well-placed blows or blows that had been perfectly blocked or avoided. But the more the fight progressed, the more violent it became. The thirty-something's limits had been reached, even exceeded. Despite this, she decided not to stop training.

But after a very violent punch in the jaw, she changed her mind. Especially as, shortly before that, she'd seen a much darker look than usual in her apprentice, whom she'd watched grow since leaving Lambeth... A murderous look she'd never seen in anyone before. And it was not to be confused with determination, whether of a civilian or an Assassin. The woman's instincts, which had already been on alert for some time with regard to her student, alarmed her again. On the ground after the collision of fist and jaw — almost dislocated — eyes staring at the floor, she waved her hand to stop the fight, just as her opponent was about to strike again.

– That's enough for today, Jack, she could barely say, massaging her jaw.

– Seriously, Vic? We've only just got down to business!

The mentor glared at him despite her position and let go of his face. What about him? Was he serious? Did he really mean what he said? Hadn't he realized that he'd almost broken her jaw

– We all have our limits. And you exceeded mine.

– If I'd known, I would have gone with the Rooks. You're weaker than Jacob. I'm wasting my time with you.

Driven by anger, Victoria leaned on one of the ring ropes to get to her feet.

– Well, why don't you go with the Rooks, since you're so disappointed," she spat.

Inwardly, she added that she would talk to Jacob. She had to share her concerns about him. It was no longer possible for her to go on like this. Turning a blind eye to Jack's violence or turning a deaf ear to the occasional questionable word. She hoped Jacob would understand... and intervene... Jack and Victoria glared at each other for a moment. Then the first walked away with a shrug. He stepped out of the ring to change. As soon as she heard the door close, Victoria relaxed and sighed, her eyes resting on the recent bloodstains on the ring.

Later, while Jack was still outside, Victoria arrived at the door of Jacob's apartment. She knocked, apprehensive about the conversation. She hoped she had his confidence about Jack. They'd argued so much about him. The Frye twin allowed her to enter, and she complied. When he saw it was the former waitress, his face lit up. But he wasn't alone. His wife was there, visiting him at home with a fifteen-year-old teenager and a little girl under ten. Victoria had no idea that Jacob's family was here. The eldest child was delighted to see his father's former partner again — and the feeling was mutual. But Daisy, the Assassin's wife, hardly shared this feeling. They barely exchanged a glance, just long enough to greet each other neutrally. But once eye contact was broken, rivalry took over again.

– I didn't know you had company, said Victoria as Jacob's son walked away from her.

– It's nothing, don't worry. In any case, Daisy would be leaving soon. Harry and Constance's tutors would soon be arriving at her home.

Daisy kept her calm despite Jacob's words. She cursed the teachers' arrival. She didn't like it when her husband and the woman he cared about were in the same place. But unfortunately, she had to adapt.

– I won't be long anyway, said the Master Assassin, looking at the family she could have had with Jacob. Can I talk to you in private? It concerns the Brotherhood.