Torn Hearts, Lost History

Chapter Nine: The Hunt

Benjaminclimbed the stairs with a sinking feeling in his stomach. He knewsomething wasn't right, but what could possibly have been wrong?With each step up to his office more intrusive thoughts flew threwhis head, but too fast to be able to grab one and think on it.

Benjaminwas lost in thought, or rather trying to find a thought. He didn'tnotice Thomas and walked right into him. "Oh my; I'm very sorry,"Benjamin said and he came back to reality.

Thomaswas about to speak when his smile faded as he looked upon the oldman's face. He had appeared to have aged ten years in one night.His eyes were sunken, his complexion pale and he was no his usualcheerful self. "Are you alright sir?" Thomas couldn't help butask. He placed a hand on Benjamin's shoulder causing Benjamin'shead to lift. Their eyes connected and all Benjamin's thoughtsrushed into his head again.

Astears started to swell and Benjamin's face became red fromembarrassment; Thomas quickly opened the door to his office andguided the man in. Closing the door behind them, he insisted Benjamintake a seat.

Thomasstarted to brew some tea as Benjamin sat silently. Thomas picked up acup to pour some tea when Benjamin managed to let the words escapehis lips. "Cora's gone," he said. "She's missing, I don'tknow where she is or what happened. She just disappeared."

Timeseemed to stand still. Thomas's ears started to ring and his headstarted to throb. He heard nothing but the hard thumping of his heartand the cup slipped from his fingers and shattered in seemingly slowmotion on the floor between his brown leather shoes. The screamingof the kettle broke through the shock and terror bringing Thomas backto reality. He turned to Benjamin, eyes wide with fear.

Benjaminstood up, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be bothering you with this."He quickly went for the door and Thomas ran after him.

"Areyou ok?" Thomas spoke, but who he was asking no one really knew.Benjamin said nothing and left the room. Leaving Thomas to stew inthe horror of the situation. Slowly he found his way to his seat.Gone: That's what Benjamin said. But what did he mean? How couldshe be gone? Where could she have gone? None of this made sense toThomas, and he knew his reaction was more dramatic than that of adoctor and his patient. Does Benjamin now suspect something?

Benjaminwas in his office trying to busy his mind with work. Telling himselfover and over again that she'll be there when he gets home. A knockon his office door interrupted this. "I said I didn't want to bedisturbed today!" He said angrily.

Thedoor opened and Alice entered behind the police officer. "I'mterribly sorry Sir, but this is of the utmost importance I assureyou." The Officer said bowing his head slightly to the Lord.Benjamin's eyes darted to the worried look on Alice's face.

"Closethe door please," he said quietly sounding exhausted.

Theofficer stepped deeper into the room as Alice shut the door gently."I have spoken with your maid here and think there is reason tobelieve Cora has been kidnapped."

Benjaminlooked up shocked. Relief had flown across his face, but worryquickly returned. "Forgive me sir," Benjamin said quickly. "WhenI saw you here I had assumed the worst, but this means there is stillhope, yes?"

Theofficer hesitated, surprised at the Lord's reaction. He had notsent his maid to the police, but he clearly appeared to greatly carefor this missing woman. "What do you know of Lady Cora'sdisappearance?" The officer asked as he pulled a note pad andpencil out of his pocket.

Benjaminblushed, "She's not Lady Cora, not yet." He explained. Theofficer apologized and Benjamin went on to explain the past night'sevents followed by the morning.

Theofficer paused. "I see," he had not wanted to cause problems, butknew that Alice would need to share with Benjamin what happened andmaybe more in order for the case to be solved. He turned to look atAlice, "I think you should inform Sir Benjamin of last night'sevents. Do you agree?"

Benjaminlooked at Alice's pale face, she looked sick with fear. "Whateverit may be Alice, if it helps get her back please do not hold backinformation." Alice looked at her feet.

Sheclosed her eyes and squeezed them shut, anxiety growing like awildfire in her stomach. "A man came to visit Cora last night, so Iwas told by one of the other maids." Alice blurted out. "I gavethe police man the description the other maid told me."

Benjaminsighed, though he said nothing he understood the situation clearly."May I read that description?" He asked the officer with ahollow, sad voice.

Theofficer flipped through his note book to find the description andpassed the note book to Benjamin. "All we know is the man is talland has a scar on his mouth." The officer explained. "I have sentsome of my men to question your staff, hopefully we will find someonewith a more clear description."

Benjamin'shead was spinning, "I see so many faces every day, and such a minordetail is not likely to be remembered in my old head. I remember menby their handshake, not their facial features." He sighed and gotup from his seat and headed for his office door. "There's onlyone other person I can think to help us."

Thethree of them walked down the stairs to Thomas's office. Benjaminknocked on the door. Thomas opened it quickly with a hopefulexpression, almost as if he had been waiting for Cora to show up withsome long explanation as to what happened. He put his head down andstepped aside holding the door, allowing everyone to enter.

Theofficer walked over to the broken cup on the floor and looked down atit, "It's a shame when mistakes happen to such beautifulobjects," he said.

Thomasnodded in agreement and embarrassed went to clean up the mess. He hadforgotten about the cup on the floor. "It appears as if Cora hasbeen kidnapped by a tall man with a scar on his mouth last night.Could she have been expecting a visitor?" The officer asked Thomas.

 Thomasfroze, "Ex-excuse me?" He asked unaware of what exactly theofficer was asking, yet he couldn't avoid a shaking in his hands. Hismind began to become defensive when Benjamin interrupted.

"Doyou know of anyone not in this room who may know Cora?" Benjaminasked. He did not care about Thomas's feelings for his fiancé,getting her back was the first priority. If they were to call Thomasout now, he may not be as willing to help.

"NoI don't believe-"he paused and went over to his records. Thomaspulled out Cora's file and looked over it. "There was a man whohelped her get to my office when she fainted in the lobby." He saidlooking up from the file. "I have his name here." Thomas passedBenjamin a slip of paper with the name MathieuWilliams scribbledon it.

 "Weshould check that name with any files of visitors you have had Sir,"the officer said to Benjamin. "If Cora did not know anyone outsidethis room, then it is likely this is an attack at you rather thanher. If that is the case, hope of finding her well is high." Hesaid reassuringly.

Alicestayed with Thomas as Benjamin and the police officer went to crossreference the name. "I didn't say anything about you and Cora Ipromise," Alice explained in a panicked tone to Thomas.

 Thomassmiled, "I know Alice, I know." He sat on the edge of his desk."But to think that we wouldn't eventually get caught was stupid.Everyone gets caught in the end." He looked at Alice again andlooked right into her eyes to make sure she knew how serious he was."What matters right now is we find her, we can worry about thisproblem when we come to it. Priority is finding her."

Alicesmiled. She was reassured that Thomas was not angry with her. Thoughthe choice she made was a tough one, she now knew for certain it wasthe right one.