SIN FOR ME PAPACITO

Just like His Father

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The boat stopped at the edge of the wood and Lady Benita descended alone, dismissing her drivrr with a wave of her gloved hand. She wore her plainest cloak, the grey fur, and wore no jewels. For this, she could not be recognized.

She started walking from the river to a open part where only one person can pass. She got to a damaged house and entered.

She pressed her hand against the bark, found the hidden catch, and pushed. A section of the trunk swung inward, revealing a narrow stairway carved another patg

She descended the stairs till she got to the bottom.

At the bottom, a small chamber opened up, furnished with a plain wooden table, two chairs, and a lantern that burned with a steady, smokeless flame. A man stood waiting. A tall and lean man, with the weathered face of someone who had spent years in the sun and wind, and his eyes were the colour of his eyes is all black no iris.. He wore blue sleek top and trouser, but the way he held himself straight-backed, hands clasped behind him spoke of military discipline.

"Lady Nita," he said, and bowed his head,a deep bow. "You came alone."

"As instructed," she replied, pulling back her hood. "Have you find anything, Aldric?"

Aldric nodded in denial,she had known him by three others over the years gestured to the chair. She sat, and he took the seat opposite her. On the table lay a map, its edges curled and worn, marked with symbols she did not fully understand.

"We've been tracking the signal since you activated the beacon," Aldric said "It was faint at first. The device your son carries is old technology, and the battery was nearly depleted. But we isolated it three hours ago."

He placed his finger on the map, on a small village near the border.

"He's there. Or he was, as of this morning. The signal hasn't moved since."

Benita leaned forward, her breath catching in her throat. "Is he alive? Can you tell if he's alive?"

Aldric's expression softened. "The device is still transmitting. It hasn't been deactivated or destroyed. That's a good sign, my lady. He's either still wearing it, or it's hidden somewhere placed deliberately. Either way, he's not been discovered."

She closed her eyes, and for a moment, she let herself feel the relief. Then she opened them again, and the fear was still there, banked but burning.

“I was threatened you know, who dare threaten me!, I told him—" She stopped herself, pressing her lips together. "I told him so many times. He was never supposed to go far or any where not the mansion and his company."

Aldric said nothing, his slate- black eyes patient and unreadable.

Benita looked at the map, at the tiny village marked in red ink. "He's too much like his father," she murmured. " Too reckless."

"His father," Aldric repeated, leaving aweight to the word "We haven't spoken of him in a while."

"We haven't spoken of that night in six years," she said quietly. "And I would prefer to keep it that way."

Aldric inclined his head. "As you wish, my lady. But you know the connection is there. The men who need the evidence are the same men who kidnapped your so border. If Joe has drawn their attention-"

"He doesn't know," Benita cut in, her voice sharp. "I never told him. I thought... I thought if I kept it from him, he would be safe. I thought ignorance would be his shield."

"Instead, it may be his undoing."

The words hung between them Benita stared at the map, but she was seeing a different scene now. A different night. The rain had been falling then, too, just like tonight. She remembered the sound of it on the roof of the mansion.

She remembered her husband's hand, pulling away from hers.

"Don't," she had said. "Please don't go."

And he had smiled, that infuriating, beautiful smile, and told her it would be fine. It would all be fine.

She had believed him. She had been a fool.

"I can't lose Joe," she said now, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't. He's all I have left and the evidence no one is getting it."

Aldric reached across the table and placed his hand over hers.

"You won't lose him," he said. "I gave you my word six years ago, and I have not broken it yet. I will find your son, Nita. Whatever it takes."

She pulled her hand back, straightening in her chair.

"How many men do you have?"

"Twelve. All of them loyal, all of them skilled. They're already positioned around the village. They're waiting for my signal."

"Then give it."

Aldric rose, moving to a small chest in the corner of the chamber. He opened it, revealing a communication device. He pressed a button, spoke a few words in a language Benita recognize, and then closed the chest.

"It's done," he said. "They'll move within the hour. They'll extract Joe and bring him here, to this location, for the rendezvous. You'll have him back by dawn."

Benita nodded, but her hands were trembling. She clasped them together, pressing them against her lap, and forced herself to breathe.

"And what about the others?" she asked. "The ones who took him? Will they follow?"

Aldric's face hardened. "If they do, they'll regret it. I've been waiting six years to settle that score, my lady. I won't let this opportunity pass."

"Neither will I," she said.