A Series of Unfortunate Events One Shots

Memory Lane Part 5

Begin!

~Quigley's POV

I got into Jacques' taxi and gave him a solemn smile. It was nice to see him again, but all I could think about right now was the submarine that just left port to continue its V.F.D. work without me.

"So where are we going first," I asked after he started up the car.

"We're going to start at the Baudelaire mansion. I have a theory on who did it, but we need to investigate further."

"So Kit told you what happened then? Captain Widdershins said she was trying to contact you about the news."

"She didn't need to contact me; I already heard," Jacques replied, "It was our brother she was trying to reach. He's in hiding and the news of the Baudelaire fire is something he would need to hear."

I gave him a puzzled look, "Why him?"

"It's a long story," He replied, "And not one you need to concern yourself with."

I nodded in understanding and fell quiet for the rest of the car ride. Every now and then Jacques would look at me through the rear view mirror. I assume he figured out what my problem was.

"I'm sorry," He said gently. "Miss Widdershins is a very lovely girl; I've known her for years. I could see you were happy together. I'm sure you'll see each other again someday."

~

We started at the ruins of the Baudelaire mansion. It was a truly sorrowful sight. Jacques was looking around for anything that might have been a clue or lead, but arson usually doesn't leave much evidence, if any at all. I found a strange clock that had been turned into a toaster and chuckled at the idea that someone would ever need such a combination of things.

"Well, it doesn't look like we're going to find anything here," Jacques said after an hour.

He took me to his most recent hideout choice, a small apartment, and I listened while he had a phone conversation with his associate Jacqueline about the situation. Apparently the safety of the Baudelaires was a concern for some reason; the safety of everyone is a concern to be honest. I heard the name Count Olaf mentioned a few times, but Jacques wasn't keen on sharing details quite yet because he kept his voice down during those parts. I sat down on my bed and pulled out my commonplace book and looked inside. Most pages were my notes on V.F.D. and my maps, but I stopped on a particular page.

Attached to the page were two pictures. One was the picture Fiona gave me to identify her brother with, just in case. And the other was a picture of me and Fiona taken earlier today. I wanted it so I would have her with me in some way, and she agreed. She took a copy for herself too. I stared at the picture for a minute thinking about how much I already miss her.

"What happened to your commonplace book?"

Jacques had noticed the altered color from the last time we were together. I smiled at the newer design.

"I accidentally ruined my old one. And I like this color better anyway."

He nodded in understanding. He then explained a few more things about V.F.D. to help me along in our situation. He told me the secret passage to the headquarters, and how to get into the Vernacularly Fastened Door; both of which I noted in my notebook for future reference just in case. He told me about an evil man named Count Olaf who was a dangerous enemy of the organization. He didn't tell me much about why he was a problem, but I assume details could come later if they were necessary. Right now all I needed to know was that he was dangerous and I need to avoid him.

And for the next many days, Jacques would come and go on his investigation. Tonight he'd bring Jacqueline and Gustav over to talk business late at night while they thought I was asleep. After 6 days of living with a non-agent, the Baudelaires were apparently supposed to go to Dr. Montgomery's house to live permanently. But it's been 8 days after those first 6 and they still hadn't shown up.