Operation Cobra (Book Two of The Savior Fables)

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Hat Trick

Emma meets Storybrooke's resident loner, and the search for Mary Margaret is on.

***

The first thing Emma noticed when she walked into the station with Mr. Gold was the boy sitting on the bench in the hallway with his storybook open and in his lap. "Henry?" she asked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Henry grinned up at her. "I came to congratulate you!"

Emma raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

Henry looked at her with a 'duh' look. "Your genius plan."

Mr. Gold tilted his head suspiciously. "And what plan's that, Henry?" Henry opened his mouth to answer, then he shut his mouth and looked down and away from him awkwardly. "Right," Mr. Gold nodded and continued on to the bullpen.

Henry winced sheepishly. "Sorry," he told Emma. "I thought Mr. Gold was in on it now that he's Miss Blanchard's lawyer."

Emma crossed her arms over her chest, and Henry couldn't help but admire the intimidating figure she made. With the moonlight coming in from the windows, the paleness of her skin brought out the royal purple blouse she had on that day, a perfect match to her black slacks and her hair in a crown braid. "In on what?" she asked.

Henry blinked slowly as if she was stupid. "The escape plan."

Dread trickled down Emma's spine. "The what?"

"Sheriff!" Mr. Gold called from the bullpen. "Could you join me, please?" Emma decided that sounded like an excellent job, and she left Henry to gather his belongings as she sprinted down the hall. When she rounded the corner, she found Mr. Gold standing in the middle of the bullpen, his eyes locked on Mary Margaret's cell, the door wide open. "She's gone," he said unnecessarily.

Emma whipped around and narrowed her eyes at Henry as the boy joined her. "Henry, what did you do?" she demanded.

"Nothing!" he protested. "She was gone when I got here!"

Mr. Gold sighed and shook his head, watching Emma desperately search Mary Margaret's cell. "Her arraignment is tomorrow. If she's not there . . . "

"She's a fugitive," Emma finished with a nervous gulp. "Doesn't matter if she's convicted for Kathryn or not. She's screwed." She shook her head and ran to her office. "I have to go find her before someone notices she's missing."

Mr. Gold raised an eyebrow. "You mean Regina."

It wasn't a question, and Emma snorted, sliding her gun into its holster. "The arraignment is at 8:00 A.M. I'm sure she'll be there bright and early to celebrate her victory."

Mr. Gold made a sound of agreement. "Well, you have until 8:00 A.M., then."

Henry squirmed, hands clasped. "What about me?" he asked. "How can I help?"

Emma's sharp green eyes narrowed as she looked at him. "Go home."

Henry swallowed hard, stepping closer and lowering his voice so Mr. Gold wouldn't hear. "Emma, if she leaves Storybrooke – "

Emma shook her head. "Not now, Henry." She placed her hand on his shoulder and steered him towards the door. "Come on." She already knew what would happen if her mother tried to leave Storybrooke. In order to avoid that happening, she would have to enlist her friends and family for help finding her.

Mr. Gold's cane tapped as he walked with them. "Miss Swan, I know that time is of the essence, but if Miss Blanchard doesn't return, her future is in jeopardy," he warned. "And if you're caught helping her, so is yours."