The Masks We Hide Behind

Chapter Three: "TRIPLE THEFT"

Once again, I held the reigns while Roth gave directions. This time, Roth and I were kidnapping three people that had high-ranking jobs given to them by Starrick. A policeman named Charles Swinebourne, who was really a Templar spy. A woman named Hattie Cadwalladar that stole paintings and resold them to give Starrick more money. And a member of the Blighters by the name of Benjamin Raffles, who was a bit too rough with citizens.

As they drove, my curiosity got the better of me. I asked, "Why the Alhambra?"

"Every criminal needs a place to invest is ill gotten gains," Roth answered.

"Oh, come now," I smiled, sharply turning and ending up considerably closer to Roth than I had ever been before. Neither of us made any attempt to move, "You can't tell me you don't enjoy the applause at the end of a well-received play? The plaudits and praise? The reviews?"

Roth smiled warmly, "I enjoy being entertained, Jacob, as well as providing entertainment." I didn't know what it was, but the way he stressed the word entertainment made it seem like he was talking about something far different. More intimate.

I was silent for a short time before saying, "I should like to see one of your shows."

"I highly recommend that you do. I look forward to seeing your face more often, Jacob, dear. Our adventures together are always enjoyable, don't you agree?" His question seemed rhetorical, and so I didn't answer. But, as we continued our drive, I found myself almost leaning into Roth. It was as if he had some sort of magnetic pull on me.

I parked the carriage and Roth waited near it in case of trouble. The first of our targets, Cadwalladar, was commonly seen in the gardens of Whitechapel. I found that she had a hideout in the sewers near there, and was able to find her and apprehend her without much difficulty.

Without being seen, I took her back to where Roth waited, knocked her out, and threw her in the back of the carriage. Then,  Roth and I drove to a park in Westminster, where our second target, Raffles, commonly patrolled.

I chased him down, and did exactly what I'd did with Cadwallader. As I took Raffles towards Roth’s carriage, Raffles spoke, “Roth sent you? The villain!”

I shook my head slightly, “I’m afraid you’re confused. The real villain is the man you work for.”

After that situation was sorted out, Roth and I quickly tracked down their final target, Swinebourne, and then headed to a dock on the Thames River.

I helped Roth load the three captured Templars onto a small boat. Then, Roth smiled at me, “Splendid! Starrick will be on his knees in no time. My hat is off to you,” He stepped onto the boat.

“Roth?” 

“Hmm?”

“Shall I come see you again?” I asked. I was unsure of exactly why, but whenever I was with Roth, my heart beat a little faster. Even stranger, I found that I was extending my hand.

“Yes. Find me at the Alhambra in two days time. I have more excitements planned for us,” Roth took my hand, and with a slight bow, he kissed it softly. Then, he dropped it, and the boat headed out across the water.

Again, I stood silently as I watched Roth leave. I headed back to my train, surprisingly eager to see Roth in the near future.

Two days seemed to drag on forever, but eventually they passed. Evie and Henry were off doing who knows what, and I headed directly to the Alhambra.

Upon my arrival, I noticed that Lewis was not standing near the door. I raised my hand as if to knock, but didn’t have to. Roth opened the door, a huge grin on his face, “Darling!” He put a hand on my arm, “Come! I have something to show you.”

I followed him, and found that we were leaving in the carriage again. Just like always, I took the reins, and Roth began directing.