73. In Her Eyes.

“Stop looking at me!” Ava couldn’t contain her fury, or the burning threatening to rise in her throat. Why did Cece think this decrepit old thing could possibly be--

"Excuse me,” Marie cut in firmly, “If you will not show some respect, I must ask you to leave.”

Ava’s voice shook with anger as she spoke. “Fine by us!” She turned to Abe, fully intending to show Marie just how disrespectful she could be--but he avoided her look. 

"Listen, Ava, if she’s a Coulise...” 

“I’ve never seen this woman before in my life!” She clenched her teeth, determined to stay at least a little bit calm. “My family is not a big one, Abe. I would know if I was related to her.” She turned to storm out, trying with all her might to stop the tears from forming--she had really hoped, she had really been stupid enough to think that this might actually--

"Ava.” The old woman’s voice rang out clear and strong across the room, nothing like her mutterings from before.

Marie gasped. Ava turned back and finally looked at the Madam -- really looked. There was something familiar in those eyes.

“How do you know my name?”

45. A Face In The Crowd.

She couldn’t have deboarded yet! The doors had only opened seconds ago! Ava stared out over the crowd swimming through the Paris train station.

Abe came running after her, and handed her the bag she’d left behind. She barely noticed him, so fervently was she scanning the hair color of everyone she could see. “You’re welcome,” he said, mostly to himself.

"There!” she cried, startling the passengers nearest her. A woman with long, extraordinarily bright red hair was walking coolly towards the exits. “I remember her sitting near us! Before I fell asleep!”

Ava lunged forward through the crowd, but Abe grabbed her by the elbow to hold her back. “We can’t attract too much attention,” he hissed. Ava nodded and they moved as urgently as subtlety would allow, but the redheaded woman was getting closer to the door.

Ava didn’t want to think about what they’d do if she made it out into the Paris streets before they did; the city was full of taxis to hide in. She swore loudly at the thought and broke into a sprint. 

Read Chapter 46: Alone In The Shadows

44. The Train To Paris.

"That lady wants to go brush her kitty!" Ava woke abruptly at the sound of a young boy announcing this much too near to her face. She ignored him and rubbed her neck; thankfully, it looked like the train was finally pulling into the Paris station. "She had ginger hair just like me!" the boy cried, determined to be noticed. "And she's going to brush her kitty!"

"That's very exciting," Ava conceded wearily. Kids could be so weird.

"Georgie!" a maternal voice called out. "Georgie, get back in your seat!"

Ava nudged Abe awake and stood to gather her own bag. As she stretched her legs, she realized with a wakening jolt that her pockets were empty.

"You!" she snapped after the little boy. "Did you go through my things?" She leapt down the aisle to where he and his mother were putting their jackets on. "Did you take my watch?" she yelled again, but the boy just shook his head fearfully.

Abe's groggy voice came muttering from behind her. "Please," he said slowly, "please tell me you're joking..."

Read Chapter 45: A Face In The Crowd

43. Baggage.

Packing his bag was a surreal sensation for Abe. He’d been caring for his father for five years now, and to be leaving so indefinitely was disconcerting. Of course, Ava had finished packing almost immediately. She was probably waiting on the stoop, still irritated at Charlie for the meager information he’d offered. He seemed to think if he told her everything, she might not come back--and Abe had to admit he was probably right.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt at how much they were really withholding. Like this ‘favor.’ Charlie had only just told him about it, and the notion sickened and thrilled Abe all at once. If Ava found out, she’d almost certainly abandon them. 

Which, Abe reluctantly agreed with his father, was something they simply couldn’t afford.

He tightened his jaw as he threw an extra sweater into his bag. Then he grabbed one more bottle of vicodin for his med kit. He could at least try to keep her alive until then.

Read Chapter 44: The Train To Paris

42. To Go Alone.

 "I'm not handing out blank IOU's," Ava blurted. "No offense, Abe, but I'd rather do this on my own anyway. So I'll take this," she grabbed the watch and stood up from the sofa, "and head to Paris myself."

"Don't be a fool!" Charlie cried suddenly, startling her. "I know more about that watch than you ever will. Why do you think I bloody have it in the first place? I could write a dissertation on the set of Coulise skills you only just realized you even have!"

Ava narrowed her eyes. "And why exactly is that?" she asked.

"I met your grandad, about twenty years back," he said. "Oh, yes. Struck a particular interest after he disappeared. Ended up doing a bit of research--" At this, Abe gave a sort of guffaw, but quickly covered his mouth under Charlie's glare. "More than a bit, perhaps," the old man admitted. "Point is, I can help you. As can my boy -- how long do you think you would have lasted without him by that plane?" He sat back smugly and folded his arms.

Ava didn't want to admit it, but he had a point.

Read Chapter 43: Baggage.