Jillian Chantal

The word of the week for this first week in February in Tuesday Tales is stolen. What a great word it is. I’m still working on the 20th century historical. I have gone backward a few scenes this time as my mom has been in the hospital and I haven’t had a chance to write new words. Check out the other tales here. 

Before Declan could even register that the truck had stopped moving, it started rumbling along again.

“Where are we and what are you doing in Poland?” Declan asked.

“Clearly you know where we are since you ask why I’m in Poland.”

“I mean, what part of Poland?”

“We’re almost to the Czechoslovakian border now.” The man smiled down at Declan. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”

“You know this person?” Yana asked.

“Yes. I do. The last time I saw him, I would have called him a colleague. Now, I’m not so sure since he’s holding us against our will.” Declan stood and assisted Yana to her feet.

“My dear sir, I am actually saving your lives. You should be grateful.” The man stuck out his hand. “I’m Roman Popov.”

“How do you figure you’re saving our lives? We were on a motorcycle well on our way out of Poland when you sent your men to chase us over rough terrain in order to take us to who knows where.”

“You were actually well on your way to being stopped by a roadblock.”

“What do you mean and if that were true, why would you risk your own clearly criminal act of stealing gold to come to the aid of two people who may have merely been out on a nice, innocent ride?”

“When one sees those people turn and run, all thoughts of believing in an innocent ride, as you call it, go right out of one’s head.” Popov laughed. “Besides, I could tell it was you from the moment I saw the cycle.”

“Really? How is that?” Yana asked. “We were far away.”

“I have a pair of binoculars. I was using them to scan the horizon.”

“So you could tell if anyone was on your trail to stop you from stealing this gold?” Declan moved to lean against the wall but remembered in time that it wasn’t a wall but a canvas covering. He stumbled a little as he regained his footing.

“What makes you think we’re stealing the gold? Why couldn’t I be taking it to a safe place for the Polish government?” Popov asked.

“Yes, Declan, why are you saying that now? You said before that you thought the very thing Mr. Popov is saying is what he’s doing.”

“That was before I knew it was him.”

“Am I as bad as all that, Cavanaugh?”

“Will one of you please tell me how you know each other?” Yana asked.

“We’re part of the same organization,” Declan said.

“Then why don’t you trust him? Why do you think this gold is stolen?”

“To come to Cavanaugh’s defense even though that’s against my better judgment in front of one so lovely as you, he’s got good reason to suspect me of such.”

“Are you a thief then?” The look of horror on Yana’s face almost made Declan laugh.

Popov bowed. “I used to be one of the most talented cat burglars in Europe. I gave it up when I was recruited for the current work.” He clapped Declan on the shoulder. “Can’t blame this one for thinking I’d returned to my old ways.”

“Where is the gold actually going? If we’re almost to Czechoslovakia, then clearly, the bars aren’t meant to stay in Poland.” Declan ran a hand though his hair as he suddenly remembered what else Popov said. “And what kind of roadblock?”

Popov turned to Yana. “Don’t you hate a man who can’t stay on one train of thought?”

This week the word prompt is paint. I am back to working on the vampire story I left behind for a while. This is about 30,000 words into the book so you may get confused. LOL!

We join the hero on a train trying to escape from Russia with the young woman he was sent to rescue. He’s been warned by a former lover that she’s  been required by their captor to drug his tea  and that she will try to minimize the effects by not putting in a full dose. Check out the other writers’ entries here. 

Before Declan knew it, day was upon them and Schumacher returned to their rail car. “Wake up. I have breakfast on the way and we’re almost at the border. Another couple of hours should bring us in.”

Declan shook his head. He hated people who were too happy in the mornings. And who would’ve thought a vampire would be someone who liked the early part of the day?

He rose and raked his hands through his hair. Sure he needed a shave, he made his way to the small lavatory in the car. Even that area was opulent. Gold paint on the wainscoting complemented the cream wallpaper with tiny gold flecks in it. Declan wondered anew just who owned this carriage.

His morning ablations done, he returned to the main section of the railcar and sat at the small table that had been laid with a basket of assorted breads as well as boiled eggs. There was a pot on the table that Declan presumed contained the tainted tea.

Reluctant to take in the concoction, he poured himself a cup. It smelled good but again, he really didn’t want to drink it.

“Don’t you like tea?” Schumacher sat across from him. “You seem to be in a trance of some sort. Drink up.”

“I was enjoying the heat of the cup as well as the scent. What is that I smell in there?”

Schumacher picked up the small silver pot in front of his place. “I think it’s some kind of special blend Allison makes. I prefer coffee myself so I haven’t tried it. It seems she puts some kind of flower in it. Maybe that’s what you smell.”

“Hibiscus.” Annette turned from where she stood by the window.

“Where does one get hibiscus this time of year?” Declan asked.

“You obviously don’t know anything about flowers. They bloom all year in some places and there are these places you may have heard of. They’re called hot houses.”

“Thanks, Allison. I’ve never heard of such things. It’s nice to be educated.” Declan decided he better do as she’d asked the night before and drink the tea. He took a sip.

Yana came to the table. “I’d like some tea as well, please. I’ve never had any with this hibiscus flower in it.”

It seemed Yana was going to cooperate. Declan passed her a full cup of tea. Hoping Allison hadn’t lied and was going to put them under so far that they’d never wake, he took another drink of his.

“Would anyone like an egg?” Schumacher asked.

Now Declan was worried they were laced with something as well. “No thanks. I’ll just have some bread.” He hoped it would soak up the tea faster.

Yana took an egg and ate it.

Before too many minutes had passed, Declan felt the effects of the tea. Woozy and more than a little light-headed, he stood. The car tilted. He grabbed onto the back of the chair. “Sorry, I’m feeling a bit ill.” He could tell his words were slurred but it was hard to hear them. Things were muffled and people seemed too be moving in slow motion. Dear God. She’d given him too much.