Count Down To Love

VII~Got the Lead~

~He who reigns in himself rules passions, desires, and fears is more than a king. (John Milton)~

        After hours of driving from the castle we are finally coming up to the safehouse. "Now I am going to warn you these men are very protective of me and will likely ask you many questions. They are good men but they are a little rough so, please, don't be stupid."

        "You got it!" Ealron chirps with great enthusiasm, I suppose he's excited to find out what I've been hiding.

        "Shall we?" Leonidas nods and motions for me to lead the way. I walk in front of them to the main living space where many of the men are sitting around drinking beer and laughing with one another while some have women on their laps. "Ladies, would you please take these two with you and give me some time with the men?" I gesture to Leonidas and Ealron as the scantily clad women stand from their pearches on my men's laps.

        Leonidas looks confused but Ealron is the one that speaks, "If you wouldn't mind I would like to stay with you, perhaps I can be of assistance. My brother can keep the women company, there is no need for both of us to help you."

        I know exactly what he wants and I am willing to oblige. "Very well, Leonidas please go with the ladies and I shall come collect you once I've finished this."

        "But...." I give him a stern look. I know that Ealron will be able to handle what is about to happen but Leonidas is all about peace and diplomacy. "Of course." With that the women lead him out and away from what is about to transpire.

        After I know that they are out of ear shot I begin. "First, someone get me a beer. Second, does anyone have a light? Third, where is he?" The moment I speak the first two there is a beer in my and a lighter being held out. I remove a cigarette from my pack and place it to my lips. Immediately it is lit for me and Kyle steps forward.

        "Follow me, Boss." Blowing the smoke out I take a long swig of the beer and follow Kyle. "He's going to be a tough one."

        "Wonderful." With a wicked smile I look to Ealron, "I want you only to watch and what you are about to see is not to be spoken of to your brother, do you understand?"

        "Perfectly." With a smile we both follow Kyle in silence.

        Once we are outside the makeshift interrogation room, I peer through the glass to see a man cuffed to a chair facing an empty one. "He looks to be in good shape, apart from the black eye."

        "We didn't want to rough him up too much before you got here. I will stay here with your friend and watch."

        Nodding I walk in and take a seat across from the man. "How have my men been treating you? Did you get enough to eat? Would you like some water?"

        "Don't act like you care, I'm not going to tell you anything."

        "I was trying to be nice but since you want to get right down to it I will begin." I look at the man sitting across from me. He obviously has no family which makes this easier and harder at the same time. I don't like threatening family and I really don't like when I have to follow through on those threats but that means I have less leverage over this man. "I want to know who took Julius and I want to know where they have put him."

        "I told you I'm not talkin'."

        "Oh, I know what you've said but you've already told me a lot. You see I already know that you are a cop. Now I'm not the biggest fan of law enforcement but I don't like killing them if i don't have to. I also know that whoever took him has you in his pocket, otherwise you would have already told us. You know who I am and that is why you are nervously looking around, hoping that you can find some way to get out of here. If you give me the information I need now, this will be a lot easier on you and I won't have to hurt you but if you don't well.... Let's just say I get to have some fun."