Hetalocked chpt 2

Chapter 2
The Guardian Duel

Alfred held out his wrist so the policemen could undo the cuffs, Matthew following suit as he let out a sigh,  just wishing to get off the streets and quit prolonging this fiasco.

"Alright," the inspector gave in, "but you best see to it this doesn't happen again or next time there wont' be any lett'n you off like this- really Mr. Bonnefoy- your too freehanded."

Francis smirked and flashed a dashing smile before rapping both arms round the boys who's' cuffs were now properly removed. "Ahh oui my own great weakness I suppose, bonjur," he chuckled lightly and pulled the lads along to his own awaiting horseless carriage which was a ridiculous site in it's lavishness, but that was just the way he liked it.

Alfred was elated with gratitude, "T-thank you Mister Bonnefoy!" he said rubbing his wrist "I..I never would have expected you to come at such a perfect time, you have to believe me when I say this really has just been a great misunderstanding and.." he paused as he saw the horseless carriage and started to run to it excited. "No way, you have one yourself When did you get it?"

"But of course dear boy what fine handsome gentlemen wouldn't go wizz out one, I picked it up just this morning" Bonnefoy laughed again merrily, all the while taking notice of Matthews glum and withdrawn behavior at having almost been jailed and he hugged him closer.
"Now come mon companions, shall we 'ave a day on zee town? I sink lunch at zee Grand Royal is in order," Francis rolled out his plans happy to have more company and time to spend with his favorite adopted nephews.

Alfred was too engrossed with the motor vehicle for the moment to hear what his dear uncle had to say, but when he did he looked up, this day had just gone from horrible to incredible, but it seemed to Alfred that Bonnefoy had a way of doing that. "Lunch at the Royal, really Mr. Bonnoefoy?" he gasped having always wanted to dine there but Mister Kirkland did not allow it, saying they were to young for such a place.

"Certainly my cherrie and please enough of this Monsieur Bonnefoy it sounds like a dogs toy- Kirkland eez not here so please , its Papa Francis," he said holding open the car door for the children before getting in himself. "

William had said nothing yet still angry about the terrible events prior to France's arrival.
Alfred laughed at this and got in. "Yes Mister...Francis." he said then seeing that William was still looking conflicted and bothered he frowned and started to pulling him into the carriage.
"Come on Matthew, don't be such a ponce!" get in the carriage, forget about this mornings distastefulness and enjoy yourself for once!"

Looking up startled from his thoughts only to give a good scowl to his brother, William grunted as he sat and folded his arms, "I don't' feel like having a good time," and then shooting a side glare looked mournfully at a bit of lint on his jacket. "Have you finished that poison cake case papa?" he asked using the old familiar term of endearment, that he felt only belonged to Francis.

Francis looked a little pleased and reached to ruffle Mattie's hair, "its good to hear you call me papa- and Oui it is finished, so home I came, I certainly missed you both. Working on zat case would have been more fun if you two could have been there."

Alfred looked at Matthew in surprise, Kirkland didn't like to be referred to as father or any of the more patriarchal terms, he felt it more proper to refer to last names, Matthew though never had a problem with that, but Francis was different for certain. Alfred looked at France and then dusted off his sleeve. "We missed you too Francis, can we get dessert at the Royal too?"

Turning his attention to Alfred he smiled and nodded, "Oui who doesn't have dessert when they are there," he grinned and then quietly reached over and squeezed Mattie's hand. Instinctively he reciprocated and gripped it back more fiercely than he meant to, he had really missed Francis and felt his heart may explode and he shut his eyes to keep back some tears.

"Well I must say your timing was perfect," alfred continued back to the topic previously, "for a moment there I thought we were going to be in over our heads....no thanks to Mister Kirkland...would you believe he wouldn't even hear us out when we tried to explain the misunderstanding, and Lestrade...well he was already set on seeing us punished in some terrible way, it was really awful for such a silly thing" Alfred said nodding his head, glad that Francis understood their situation.

"Ahh well- I couldn't 'ave my favorite nephew put in zee local prisons now, though you were very stupid to 'ave taken someones motor car when you could 'ave just waited for me and then all your problems would 'ave been over," he beamed.

"For the LAST TIME!! I did NOT take the motor car!!" Alfred stormed and folded his arms crossly with a pout.

Francis and Matthew both abruptly erupted into bouts of laughter as they drove on down the lane, Francis continued to hold Mattie's hand as he drove them to the 'Royal' where they would have there lunch.

……………

"Oh my, my, " Francis laughed as they sauntered up the walk to the Kirkland dwelling. The three walking feeling warm and contented their bellies full and conversation lively, the fright of the  mornings motor innocent nearly forgotten. Francis paused at the large ornate front door fumbling for the key, "mon due I left it in the motor car, wait 'ere you two," he waved at them dashing down the front steps toward the parked vehicle.

Mattie stood there quietly watching after him before Alfred sighed impatiently and in boredom  looked at the door. Reaching out he twisted the knob, "its not even locked!"

Turning back Mattie blinked, "You- you don't suppose," he swallowed and stood closer to Alfred, "that someone is in there?" he now felt nervous and excited, though his fear came from that he was not very good with the actual confrontations of the villains and or the threatening party.

Alfred was always a little more forward and pushed open the door and peeked inside, he didn't say anything and did it slowly, his senses tingling, there was somebody inside he was sure of it and wished now that Kirkland would let him carry a weapon of some sort, even an umbrella would be helpful right now. Then deciding on the element of surprise he swung the door open fully and forcefully rushing in.
Mattie stayed behind Alfred just incase he needed to run for help or do anything that would make him not get captured, drugged or punched.
"Show yourself!" he added on his own.

There leaning on the foyer banister stood none other than Mister Kirkland, he did not seem surprised in the least as he saw the two boys at the door, he looked comfortable  with his legs crossed smoking a pipe, staring them down.

Alfred was stunned and relieved, then cried out. "Bloody Hell!"

"you gave me a heart attack ! and why are you home already?!" Matthew shrieked a bit and felt his heart rate doing nothing but go up as he grabbed his chest.

"Oui, what are you doing my love, I sought I told you to meet me for noon tea at 'Speedy's cafe, really can't you even wait zat long," Francis grinned strolling over and leaning forward a little to give him a smirk.

Mister Kirkland did not looked pleased and looked up at Francis. "Well that was before you decided to treat my boys out to lunch, when I was hoping they would be learning their lesson in a cell downtown. Really Mister Bonnefoy, I thought we had made an agreement that you would not stand in the way of my methods of parenting," he responded calmly and puffed away at his pipe.
Alfred suddenly felt that maybe Matthew and he should not be here for this conversation.

"Our boys you mean-You are so silly, and I am not interfering, but I can see you 'ave neglecting them somesing terrible, the poor boys are starving of attention and proper diet, i told you not to sneak in poison to his food! Poison your suspects all you like but leave my little children poison free!  az  papa I sink I 'ave a right to interfere here and zere, but you obviously can't keep your word about zat and why 'ave you still been buying them clothing from zee east side and only let him 'ave hair cuts every third wednesdays on a cold day instead of every week as I insisted on a friday- and why are you changing brands of tobacco ?" Francis said in a whirl wind of deduction and rage.

Kirkland put down the pipe seemingly miffed. "Why does everyone think that I put poison in my food? there is no hard evidence of this! Yes I know my food seems bland and sometimes its overcooked. "He said now looking highly offended. "as for clothing and hair cut, I never promised to be as meticulous as you, its not my style and you knew that from the beginning and its not a different brand of tobacco its a new pipe," he said affronted.
Alfred watched this exchange with great curiosity it was always enjoyable to watch the masters argue.

"I made a promise to you and you to me mon captain- and you 'ave not kept it! zat is the point here not your new laces for your old bland and boring horse leather shoes, not the fact you pressed your pants but neglected your cravat , I asked you do ziss whenever I am away on cases!" France let his voice raise, indeed he was upset. He had seen how things had gone since his departure two months ago.  An Entire two months since he had really gotten to see the lads, Mattie in particular. Two months not having been face to face. He sent telegrams and notes, they chatted over the line once, every so often. But now that he had seen with his own eyes deduced the state of things, he was even more certain than he had been before."
Matthew watched all this greatly impressed too but remained silent, alfred for once also kept quiet, the both of them listening with intensity.

Kirkland held up a hand to Francis and shook his head side to side, and nodded swiftly in the lads direction, "One moment Mister Bonnefoy, our quarrel can wait," he turned on his heel to look directly at Mattie and Alfred. "First you two," he looked like he was holding back a good lecture and then let out a snorting sort of sigh. "Up stairs," he gave a jerk of his head, " and remain in your rooms until we fetch you to discuss your punishment for damaging other peoples property."

None to eager, but observing the tone there guardian used was indeed a serious one and not to be argued with, Matthew and Alfred silently nodded and scuttled up to there rooms.
Even as they were not but half way up the stairs, the boys could hear the argument starting up again the adults having started to move towards the parlor. The voice pitching here and there with shouts of, "Zats not good enough!" and "GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF RIGHT NOW!"

"They sure are at it today," Alfred tried to chuckle, and distract Matthew. He knew how much his brother didn't like when both guardians got into it like this.
Pulling away from his brothers hand Mattie rushed the rest of the way up and dashed past his own bedroom and ran down the hall not caring really where he was running just to run, to get away from the moment to think.

Worried Alfred took chase and followed a few strides behind watching the blond head bobbing and thought he heard a sniffling sound.
The two didn't stop running until Matthew had made it all the way to the back door near the coal bin.
He paused there to take in a long breath, "its all my fault, I shouldn't have let you go for that stupid motorcar."

Coming behind him Alfred placed a hand on his brothers shoulder, "Don't' blame yourself for this," he hoped his sound logic and reasoning would get threw to Matthew. "come, you need some air," he spoke decidedly, and reached for a near by scarf and hat from the back wall peg.

Being spun round a little Mattie looked startled as if he had not been paying attention to his brother, "but what about-

"we'll be back in  half a tick, you need a good stretch of the legs to settle yourself," Alfred gave a wink.