DCH 80
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Eighty: The Ransom of Richard Redstone
"Good to see you guys again," Duncan told Mandrake as he stood with him, Atascadero and Lothar and stepped out of the shop.
"It's good to hear from old friends," Mandrake replied.
"I bet you wonder what the occasion is," Lothar grinned.
Duncan turned to see a tow truck, "Hey, hey, hey! Hey! What? Stop! Arrete! What's going on here?"
"That's what I want to know," Mandrake chimed in as the three were behind the Highlander.
"James Foulard, Mr. MacLeod," the man introduced himself before seeing the tow truck, "Take it away."
"No, no, no! Wait!" Duncan exclaimed, "That's my car!"
"What is the meaning of this?!" Mandrake added.
"You will get your car back when I get mine," Foulard told Duncan, who then asked, "What are you talking about?"
Foulard handed Duncan a court order, "See you in court."
"W – w – wait," Duncan stammered, "What's this all about? I don't understand."
"Don't play with me," Foulard told the Highlander, "I want my Ferrari."
"Well, that's not a Ferrari, is it?" Duncan asked before Mandrake told the driver, "Unhook it."
"No! Take it away!" Foulard exclaimed before telling Duncan, "Your name and address were given as security."
"By who?" Duncan asked.
"Unhook that car right now!" Lothar told the driver.
"No! A young American," Foulard explained, "He took it from my dealership for a test drive. He has not come back."
"Oh, and he gave you Mr. MacLeod's address?" Atascadero asked.
"Yeah," Foulard answered.
"Not enough," Duncan replied before telling the driver, "Unhook it."
"No! NO! NO!" Foulard exclaimed before he reached into his pocket, "Hah! He left this."
He handed a passport to Duncan.
Name: Richard Redstone
Birthday: October 15th
Place of Birth: New York City
The four saw Richie's picture on the passport.
"Must be an IUA mission," Mandrake muttered.
"Oh," Duncan looked at the passport.
"So you know him?" Foulard asked.
"Well, yeah, who wouldn't know….Red Richovich?" Duncan asked.
"Who? It says here his name is Redstone," Foulard replied.
"Well, it would," Mandrake chimed in, "It is an alias. Richovich is a killer from the Russian Mafia. He's the most wanted man in all of Europe – and you know where he is?"
"Exactly," Duncan added, "I hope you have good life insurance."
"Hey, hey, hey, please," Foulard asked, "What do you mean?"
"Well, you know what they do to informants, right?" Atascadero asked.
"I do?" Foulard interjected.
"First of all, they take fishhooks and they put them in your nose," Duncan elaborated, "They just pull them behind your head to expose the Adam's apple."
"Then they take the leeches," Lothar added, "and they…...you don't want to know the rest."
Duncan eyed the tow truck driver, "They say they've got informants everywhere."
"So, what do I do?" Foulard asked.
Duncan sighed, "Look, if I were you, I'd tell the police it was all a mistake."
"What he said," Mandrake nodded in agreement.
"Right," Foulard replied.
"Yeah," Lothar chimed in.
"Unhook it please," Foulard told the driver.
"Maybe you should take it away," Duncan suggested.
"No, no, no, no, unhook it, I tell you!" Foulard exclaimed, "You have the wrong car!"
He then faced the group and told them, "Sorry, so stupid. Bye."
"Have a good one, good sir," Mandrake waved Foulard off as he left.
"Red Richovich," Lothar muttered.
Duncan put his groceries in the backseat of the car and looked at the passport again, "Richie, this better be good."
"More like Intergalactic Union Agency, this better be good," Mandrake pointed out the outside of the passport.
Duncan noticed the IUA logo on the passport at the corner of the passport's front, "What could they be doing this time?"
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"You didn't have to come, Tori," Richie told his wife as they walked around the casino, "I mean, you are still recovering from your ordeal with the Horsemen."
"I insist on it," Tori replied, "Besides, my mom said it was a good opportunity to play Mr. and Mrs. Smith."
"Ah, this is more like, Mr. and Mrs. Smith meets James Bond," Richie quipped.
"You can say that," Tori nodded in agreement before she asked, "You know what to do, right?"
"Anyone asks who I am," Richie answered, "go by my alias Richard Redstone."
"Perfect," Tori nodded, "and my alias is Victoria Redstone, your wife married for four years."
She smirked and continued, "We've barely been married a year, but it feels like we've been married for nearly five years."
Suddenly, Richie bumped into a beautiful young woman, "Oh, pardon. Je me tres, uh….uh…."
"Clumsy?" the woman asked, "A klutz perhaps? Don't worry, no harm done."
"My husband has a knack for being clumsy sometimes," Tori added in.
"So, you speak English," Richie inquired.
"Yes, at least I think so," the woman answered before she extended her hand to introduce herself, "Marina LeMartin."
"Richard Redstone," Richie shook her hand in turn, "and this is my wife, Victoria."
"Nice to meet you," Tori shook Marina's hand next.
"You guys come here often?" Marina asked.
"Well, only when the Mirage needs servicing," Richie answered.
"Oh really? You have a plane?" Marina asked.
"You can say that," Tori answered.
"Well, it's just a small one," Richie added, "You know, the, uh, the company jet? Shall we?"
Richie and Tori led Marina away from the area, preparing themselves. Moments later, Marina met up with Richie and Tori at the gambling table and she asked, "Maybe I've heard of your company?"
"Ah, it's….." Richie proceeded to answer. He thought fast as he saw a box of matches on the table, "Match – Match – Tech. You know, uh, computers, modems, that sort of thing."
A man handed him a drink, followed by Tori.
"Merci," Richie replied before accepting the drink.
"Thank you," Marina took the third flute. She sipped her champagne, "Oh, I think he wants you to bet."
Richie and Tori took sips from their respective glasses before the former spoke up, "Well, let it ride on black."
He drunk again before clinking glasses with his wife and Marina, "Here we go. C'mon, black…..looking for black now."
"Red, fourteen," the dealer announced once the wheel stopped.
"Red, fourteen," Richie stated.
"Oh," Marina stated in displeasure, "all that money gone."
"Yeah, well, you know, easy come, easy go," Richie replied before he suddenly bent over, feeling strange, "Oh!"
"Something wrong?" Marina asked in concern.
"No," Richie assured her, "I just need a little fresh air."
"Sounds like a good idea," Tori replied, "Sounds like you've had too much to drink."
"Oh, why don't we go for a drive?" Marina suggested, "You can tell me all about your new company."
"That's a good idea," Richie relented, appearing to be clearly drunk, "Let's go, shall we?"
Tori was left in the casino as she noticed the man who served them the drinks was leaving the casino with Marina and her husband, "Something fishy is definitely going on here."
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Marina pulled over and stopped.
Richie looked at her as he was slurring, drugged to the gills, "Why are we stopping here?"
"Um, because I thought you might want to," Marina answered.
"Oh, that's a good idea. Perfect, Marina," Richie replied, slurring, "You are just perfect."
He leaned towards her, but Marina pushed him back and walked out of the car. Edward appeared, facing Richie, which brought his attention, "Hey, hey. You're that waiter guy."
"So?" Edward inquired.
"So, let's have another round," Richie replied, slurring before he passed out face first across the driver's seat.
"How much did you give him?" Marina asked.
"One dose," Edward answered, "Fifty milligrams, like the farmer said."
"The farmer?" Marina replied in surprise, "but it was – It's a dose for a horse."
Edward pushed Richie back into the passenger seat and Marina joined him and sat on Richie's lap as Edward got into the driver's seat.
"Where are we going?" Richie asked, slurring.
"My place," Marina answered.
"Oh great," Richie replied, slurring, "Wake me up when we get there."
He snuggled up to her, his hand on her chest.
"Does he have to do that?" Edward asked, annoyed.
"Edward, he's unconscious," Marina answered.
"He's American," Edward told her, "and they have this ridiculous obsession with breasts."
"Just shut up and drive," Marina replied as Edward started to ignition, "We've got our millionaire."
Then, they drove away.
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Richie came to on a comfortable bed, and he found that both of his wrists were handcuffed to the bed, "What the?!"
He tugged sharply on the chains.
"Please, don't scratch the wood," Marina said as she entered the room, "Besides, you will hurt your wrist."
She offered him a glass of water.
"No, thanks," Richie declined, "the last time I had a drink with a girl, I wound up handcuffed to a strange bed."
Marina set the glass on a table, "Are you cold? I could get a blanket, or maybe a couple of pillows."
"Oh no, thanks, I'm fine," Richie answered, "Nice bed, lots of atmosphere. What more can a guy ask for?"
"You don't have to be sarcastic," Marina told him, "This is the best room in the chateau."
"Oh, excuse me. I forgot my manners," Richie replied before yelling, "Sweetheart, you kidnapped me!"
"Don't yell at me please," Marina replied.
"Oh God," Richie groaned.
"All we need is two hundred thousand francs," Marina told him.
"What are you talking about?" Richie asked.
"The chateau has been in my family for three hundred years," Marina explained, "Without that money, it's gone. It can't be gone. You have to help us. Please, Mr. Redstone. Two hundred thousand francs – it's nothing to someone like you or your wife."
"Marina, don't you have any rich relatives hidden away somewhere?" Richie asked.
"Grandfather was hopeless with money," Marina answered, "He lost everything. He had to take a loan against the chateau to pay the bills….and now, the loan is due."
"Look, Marina, I hate to break this to you, but this isn't going to work," Richie told her.
"Of course, it will. It has to," Marina insisted before she started to leave.
"Look, Marina, Marina, wait, wait, wait, I gotta go," Richie insisted.
"Um, as soon as we have the money," Marina replied before she was leaving the room.
"Marina, wait. No, no, no, no. Marina, you don't understand," Richie called out, "I mean, I gotta go! Marina, I….."
Marina closed the door behind her as she left the room.
"Tori is going to kill me," Richie muttered.
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"So, this is the casino he might have been seen?" Atascadero asked.
"This has to be," Duncan answered as he disguised himself as an old person, "I know, I was there nineteen years ago. I dated a woman named Desiree around that time and we went to this casino, and I met the baron during this time."
"Well," Mandrake replied, "there's only one way to find out."
Duncan was fully dressed in his disguise before the group stepped out of the car and arrived at the casino.
"Monsieur MacLeod!" the owner greeted Duncan, "What a pleasure!"
"Carlo Capodimonte," Duncan shook his hand, "This is Mandrake the Magician, his assistant Lothar, and Mandrake's girlfriend Atascadero."
"Nice to meet you all," Capodimonte shook Atascadero's hand, followed by Mandrake and then Lothar before he told Duncan, "It's been twenty years!"
"Oh, no, it's uh, been nineteen, I believe," Duncan replied.
"Yet look at you," Capodimonte stated, "You've hardly changed."
"Oh, good diet," Duncan replied, "Regular exercise. You look good yourself. Um, where's the baron?"
"Eh, but – I'm afraid he's not here," Capodimonte answered, "The old Baron went a little daffy, most regrettable. I had to take over the casino."
"What a shame," Mandrake replied.
"Yeah," Duncan added, "he was a good man."
"So, how can I help you?" Capodimonte asked.
"Well, we're looking for a young American – apparently he was here a few days ago," Mandrake explained, "He was in a red Ferrari and his name's Richard Redstone."
Capodimonte turned to a valet, "George? A young American a few days ago in a Ferrari?"
"A red Ferrari?" George revealed, "He left yesterday afternoon…...with Miss LeMartin."
"LeMartin?" Mandrake asked.
"The Baron's granddaughter?" Duncan added.
"I believe so," Capodimonte answered.
"Oh Merde," Mandrake muttered.
"Mandrake!" Atascadero exclaimed in shock, "That language is unbecoming of you!"
"My apologies," Mandrake tipped his hat before he took a deep breath and said, "I had a feeling this baron was familiar. He's my long lost father! Lenore and I hadn't seen him in a long time! Then that means…"
"Marina is your niece," Tori spoke up as she arrived in the room.
"Exactly!" Mandrake exclaimed.
"I had no idea you'd be related to people in this area," Atascadero stated.
"I knew Theron taught him the magics," Lothar chimed in, "but he usually prefers to keep his personal family life private unless he gives out bits and pieces."
"And now the cat's out of the bag," Mandrake declared.
Duncan chuckled, "She's a baby. How old can she be?"
"Old enough," Capodimonte answered.
"Ah, well, thank you," Lothar replied.
"Yes," Capodimonte shook hands with each of the group, including Tori.
"Be seeing you again," Duncan told the owner.
"Of course."
"Au Revoir, monsieur," Tori shook the man's hand.
Duncan, Tori, Mandrake, Lothar and Atascadero left the casino.
"Now I believe I know where to go," Mandrake declared.
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"I didn't spend three years at the Sorbonne – to carry chamber pot," Edward stated as he carried the covered chamber pot out of the room, "I loathe this."
"The feeling's mutual, pal," Richie replied. Marina picked up a plate of food from the side table, sat on the edge of the bed, and tried to feed him a forkful of food. Richie faced her, "Marina."
"Please, it's very good," Marina replied, "My grandfather made it himself."
"There's got to be some other way," Richie told her.
"No, there isn't. How can I expect a man who has everything to know what it's like to have nothing?" Marina explained to him, "My parents are buried in the garden. I was born in this very bed, and my grandfather wants to die here. This isn't just my home, it's my life."
"Marina, can't you renegotiate the loan?" Richie asked.
"There's only one thing he wants more than money. Me," Marina answered, "The pig wants me to marry him."
"Marry him? Are you serious?" Richie retorted.
"If you don't give me two hundred thousand francs, it's what I'll have to do," Marina replied.
"So kidnapping me was your only option," Richie inquired.
"Yes, it was Edward's idea," Marina answered, "He says America is full of millionaires."
"Brilliant," Richie retorted, "Your boyfriend's a real criminal mastermind."
"He's not a criminal and he's not my boyfriend," Marina told him, "He's a painter. My family has supported artists for centuries. They say Monet painted his first waterlilies in the back garden."
"So, why don't you let Rembrandt here sell some of his works of art?" Richie asked.
"Oh, well, I'm afraid he's not very good," Marina answered.
"Oh great," Richie retorted, "So he's not just a crook and a sponge; he's also a hack."
"You can talk," Marina stated, "What kind of man leaves a casino without his wife and with the kind of woman who lets a strange man buy buy her a drink?"
She shoved a forkful of food in Richie's mouth, "Oh."
She then set the plate aside and picked up a napkin, "You spilled."
Marina wiped his mouth with the napkin. He leaned back, trying to resist her charm, "I should go."
"Marina, Marina, please," Richie pleaded, "One cuff. Please. I promise I won't go. Please."
Marina pulled a key out of her cleavage and unlocked Richie's left hand. She then tucked the key back into her dress.
"You gotta understand why I have to resist you," Richie stated, "Not only am I married, and you've met my wife, of course, but I have a daughter at home."
Marina perked up in surprise, "A daughter?"
"Yeah," Richie answered, "She's at home and I have someone watching her while her mother and I are away."
"Think I might meet her if everything goes well?" Marina asked.
"Perhaps," Richie nodded, "If Tori approves it."
Suddenly, he sensed the Buzz. He suddenly saw flashes of Kelsea, Christian, Felicia, Kristin, Kenny, Kern, Kronos, Silas and Caspian, which caused Richie to look around in a panic, "Marina, the other cuff. Unlock me."
"You promised!" Marina exclaimed.
"Marina, the key, the key," Richie insisted, "There's no time!"
He tried to reach for the key in her dress. In turn, Marina slapped him, "You pig! I trust you. You take advantage."
"Marina, you don't understand," Richie insisted, "Somebody's coming."
Marina slapped him again, "Now, you're lying!"
She stormed out as Richie called out, "Marina, I could die! Marina, we could all die! Damn it!"
He braced his feet, pulled the entire headboard and canopy down, and crawled out from underneath, "Damn."
Richie carried the broken bedpost he was still attached to, opened the window and climbed out.
He then fell down to the ground with a clatter, "Okay, pal. I'm ready for you."
Richie found himself meeting with not only Duncan and Tori, but Mandrake, Atascadero and Lothar as well.
"What are you guys doing here?" Richie asked before he noticed Duncan looking different, "Did you do something to your hair?"
"That's not the point," Duncan stated before he asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I can answer that," Tori spoke up, "Mom sent us to that casino and she didn't give us full details about what the mission actually is."
"Alias Richard Redstone, international car thief," Atascadero quipped.
"And my alias is Victoria Redstone, wife to Richard Redstone of five years," Tori chimed in.
"And I didn't steal that car," Richie stated, "I borrowed it and I had every intention of bringing it back until I was drugged and kidnapped."
"You don't say," Mandrake replied.
"We met a beautiful French girl at this casino," Richie stated.
"Marina LeMartin?" Duncan asked.
"Yeah," Richie answered.
"We were with her," Tori stated, "and he got drunk shortly after we met her."
"Yeah," Richie added, "She was with us, and next thing I know – bam! I'm out like a light."
"And she kidnapped you all by herself?" Atascadero asked.
"No, no, no, no, no," Richie answered, "She's got this unemployed painter named "Eduardo" working with her. Anyway, he's very strange."
"I'll say," Tori nodded in agreement, "especially as I saw him leaving with you guys. They think we're millionaires!"
"There must be a reason why she did what she did," Mandrake stated, "after all, I don't know Marina that well, since I haven't seen her grandfather in years, but she couldn't be doing that out of malice."
"They're about to lose the family chateau," Richie spoke up, "The baron lost all of their money, and now if she doesn't marry the guy who holds the loan, they're going to be on the street. Guys, you've got to help. She needs two hundred thousand francs."
"You think she's cute?" Tori asked.
"Every time it's a girl, you always assume….." Richie started to say.
"Not always," Tori shook her head, "but some of your women you've interacted with haven't had the most honest reputation."
"I like her like a good friend," Richie stated, "but I really want to help her."
"That's just like you," Tori gave her husband a pat on the shoulder.
"So why are you running away?" Duncan asked.
"I'm not running away," Richie answered, "I'm…."
"Playing baseball?" Lothar cut him off.
"Very funny," Richie replied before the group shared a chuckle, "Anyway, I've got to get back before they know I'm gone."
"He's gone!" Marina shouted from inside the chateau.
"Oh God," Edward replied.
"I think they've just found out," Atascadero stated.
"Go on," Tori told her husband.
Richie returned to the chateau and rang the front door. It opened, revealing Edward.
"Hi. I was, uh, looking for the bathroom. Can I come in?" Richie asked. Edward stepped aside before Richie entered the chateau, "Sorry about the bed there. No hard feelings?"
He pat Edward on his shoulder, who then answered, "No. None."
"So, where's Marina?" Richie asked.
He felt a blunt object brake over his head.
"In the bath," Edward answered before Richie blacked out.
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Richie came to and found himself gagged and chained to a wine rack. Marina and Edward entered the wine cellar.
"You're not happy just destroying the bed?" Marina spoke up, "You have to ruin the wine cellar too? What kind of guest are you?"
She removed the gag from Richie, who then exclaimed, "I am not a guest! You kidnapped me twice!"
"Yes, but in civ – in a civilized way," Marina replied, "We always treated you well."
"Hmph, we were wrong," Edward chimed in, "Richard Redstone is a fraud."
"Is this true, Richard?" Marina asked, "You're not really a millionaire?"
"Yes, Marina. I'm sorry," Richie answered, "I don't have any money. My wife and I were playing big shots. You kidnapped the wrong guy."
"So, you are really married?"
"Yes, but we've only been married for less than a year, and our child is adopted, but she's being watched by a friend," Richie explained.
Marina nodded, "You still lied to me."
"Yes, but now I want to help you," Richie told her, "I swear, if you let me go, I will."
"But how do I know I can trust you?" Marina asked.
"Marina, if I was lying," Richie interjected, "would I have escaped and come back?"
"Oh, of course," Edward retorted, "I understand it all now. He wants us to pretend he's poor, trying to pretend he was rich, to trick us into letting him go, but he's really rich, pretending to be poor, pretending to be rich, so that we'll let him go after all!"
"That is ridiculous!" Richie exclaimed.
"See? He denies it," Edward chimed.
"Of course I deny it!" Richie replied.
"Quiet, both of you!" Marina exclaimed.
The doorbell rang.
"Keep him quiet," Edward told Marina, "I'll get the door."
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"Carlo Capodimonte," Capodimonte greeted the group.
"Richard Redstone and this is my wife Victoria," Richie introduced himself and Tori.
"Richard Redstone."
Richie was relieved that Duncan and Tori were able to bail him out of the situation and give him the two hundred thousand francs, and hoped the owner would accept this money. Mandrake helped as well as he was the uncle to Marina.
"The Richard Redstone, the millionaire and his wife," Marina chimed in, "Surely you know who he is."
"Perhaps….but why would I be interested?" Capodimonte asked.
"Because we're paying off the debt of the chateau," Richie handed him the cashier's check.
"Hmmm. Two hundred thousand francs," Capodimonte stated before turning it down, "I'm afraid I don't want it."
"What do you mean you don't want it?" Marina asked, "You have to want it."
"Two hundred thousand francs is in the agreement," Tori added, "That's the chateau's deed, free and clear."
"Not anymore. Deadline was yesterday," Capodimonte declared, "You missed it. Chateau LeMartin is mine."
"No! You can't do this," Marina argued.
"Carlo, this isn't fair," Richie added.
"Of course, I might be interested in selling it," Capodimonte told the group.
"How much?" Tori asked.
"Ten million francs," Capodimonte answered.
"Ten million francs, are you out of your mind?" Richie asked.
"I don't have that kind of money!" Marina exclaimed.
"I suggest you talk to Mr. and Mrs. Redstone," Capodimonte suggested, "After all, they're the millionaire couple."
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"Ten million francs? That's over two million dollars," Duncan stated, "You've got to be out of your mind."
"I know, but Mac, we're supposed to be a millionaire couple," Richie told the Highlander.
"Exactly what the IUA told us about the mission," Tori added.
"We know, but you're not millionaires," Duncan replied, "You don't have two million dollars. You don't have one million dollars. In fact, you, Richie Ryan, still owe someone a Ferrari."
"Yeah, I know," Richie replied, "but it's still in one piece. Hey, listen, Mac, what if you put up the money to make the chateau into the hotel?"
"What are you saying?" Mandrake asked.
"Well, you told Marina yourself it would be a good investment," Richie answered.
"Yeah, it probably would," Mandrake told him, "but two million dollars by Friday? I don't know, lad, I would have to call Bruce and see if he can help, but I don't really know….."
"It's not going to happen!" Duncan exclaimed.
"Money transfers take longer than you think," Lothar stated.
"Exactly!" Mandrake added.
"Then what do you expect me to tell her?" Richie asked.
"Well, maybe you should try something different for a change," Duncan suggested.
"Like what?" Richie asked.
"The truth," Lothar answered.
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"I don't believe it," Edward stated in disbelief, "The Ferrari?"
"Borrowed," Richie answered, standing while the LeMartins were sitting on the table, and Duncan, Lothar, Mandrake, and Atascadero stood nearby and Tori stood next to Richie.
"The two hundred thousand francs….." Edward started to ask.
"Ours," Tori answered.
"Who are you anyway?" Edward asked.
"I'm an old friend," Duncan answered.
"And I am the long lost uncle to Marina," Mandrake added.
"You already told me," Marina eyed her uncle.
"It was a fake, all of it," Richie told the group, "Even the tux was rented."
"I even carried his pot," Edward stated in disgust.
"Marina, we…..I'm so sorry," Richie apologized, "I never meant to get your hopes up."
"You never expected to be kidnapped, taken from your wife," Marina replied, "I'm sorry, Grandpa, Uncle Mandrake."
"It'll be okay, my dear," Mandrake assured his niece.
"You did what you could, my child," the Baron assured her, "You all did. It is an old man's foolishness that has caused this. Meanwhile, I have a request."
He made his request to Edward, "Paint for me a picture of the chateau then. Something to take with us."
"I'll get some new canvas tomorrow," Edward replied.
"I'm sure I can arrange for you guys to live with us," Mandrake told his family, "that way you are not homeless."
"You are too kind, Mandrake," Baron told his son.
"We haven't spoken in years, Father," Mandrake told his father, "but there's no way I'm going to let my family be in the streets. Besides, I think the Defenders won't mind more company."
"There's a ton of canvas in the upstairs bedroom," Richie spoke up.
"A ton of what?" Atascadero asked.
"Old canvases," Richie answered, "They're all rolled up, stuck to the top of the bed."
Everyone exchanged looks before they hurried to the mentioned bedroom. Richie and Tori followed, confused.
The group gathered around the pile of rolled up canvases sitting on top of the collapsed bed canopy.
"Do you realize what could be sitting there?" Edward stated, "Monets….Cezannes….Degas…...Picassos."
"Painters the LeMartins supported for centuries," Duncan chimed in.
"If one them left a canvas…." Marina started to say.
"Then you're very rich," Tori told her.
"What if they're no good?" Richie asked.
"Doesn't matter," Duncan answered, "A Picasso's still a Picasso. It could be worth millions."
He untied the string on one of the canvases.
"Picasso, Monet – I believe Van Gogh stayed here once," Baron told the group.
"Quite interesting," Mandrake stated, looking through the canvases as well.
Edward held up a portrait of a man.
"Is it a Picasso?" Richie asked.
"I don't think so," Tori shook her head.
"No," Duncan added, "Albert LeMartin, your ancestor. An eighteenth century amateur who fancied himself an artist. I'm sorry. You've found the life works of…"
He found himself looking at a bad likeness of himself, "a very untalented man."
"Then that's it," Marina declared, "There's only one thing left to do!"
"Please, not Carlo Capodimonte!" the Baron exclaimed, "Let that nouveau riche lizard have the house…...but keep your honor!"
"Yeah," Mandrake added, "you can even stay with me and the Defenders!"
Marina left the bedroom and Richie followed her, "Marina, don't do it."
"Richie…...I have to it," Marina replied before she pushed him away without saying another word.
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"Marina, I know the chateau's important to you," Duncan told Marina as he and Tori met up with her outside the chateau, "but it's not worth the price you're paying."
"Please, Mr. MacLeod," Marina pleaded, holding back her tears.
"What about my husband?" Tori asked, "He considers you a good friend."
"It was all a mistake," Marina answered, "He'll forget me in time, as will you. I'm sorry for what I did to you guys, especially your husband."
"Don't worry about it," Tori replied, hugging her, "but will you forget us?"
"Come, my love," Capodimonte stepped out of the sedan.
"Don't do this," Duncan told Marina.
"We haven't got all day," Capodimonte urged Marina.
"We'll find another way," Duncan assured her.
"There's always another way," Tori added.
"I have no choice," Marina insisted before she walked to the sedan and got in.
"We'll send you invitations to the wedding," Capodimonte told the duo.
"Carlo, you can't do this," Duncan told him.
"I'd really love to stay and chat, but….." Capodimonte stepped back into the sedan, and glanced at his watch, "We really have a great deal to do."
Duncan stared at the watch, and he recognized it from all those years ago when he was robbed along with Desiree, and Desiree dumped him after he lost all of his money from the robbery.
"What is it?" Tori asked Duncan as the sedan drove away.
"I recognized that watch from all those years ago," Duncan answered.
"What do you mean?"
"He was the guy who robbed us. He stole the watch he is now wearing!"
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Edward sighed, "I don't need this. I am an artist. I can go anywhere. Paris…..London…..Berlin."
"I hear there's a train leaving in an hour," Richie spoke up, "If you rush, you might take it."
"You'd like that, wouldn't you, you…...You petit bourgeous….phoney!" Edward exclaimed, "You're not even a millionaire!"
"Knock it off, Ed, Edd and Eddy!" Tori barked at the painter, "We're not dealing with your attitude right now!"
"Or what?" Edward retorted, "Punch me? Kick my ass around? Blacken my eyes?"
"I wouldn't be afraid to do so," Tori stated, "Are you scared of being knocked out by a girl?"
"Easy, Tor," Richie held his wife back.
"Why don't you kiss me instead?" Edward asked.
Richie nodded at Tori before she stepped forward and slapped him hard across the face, "I warned you."
Duncan entered the kitchen with Mandrake, Lothar and Atascadero all in tow, "Good morning, lady and gentlemen."
"Mac, where have you been?" Richie asked.
"Trying to find some information," Duncan answered, "Baron, maybe you could help me. How did Carlo Capodimonte happen to get the casino?"
"The same way he came into the chateau," the Baron answered, "He came into a fortune."
"And that wouldn't have happen to been about twenty years ago, wouldn't it?" Duncan asked.
"Right," the Baron answered, "and he invested wisely. He – he became very rich."
"Lucky man," Duncan muttered.
"Pardon?" the Baron called out.
"I said I'm going to see Carlo Capodimonte, and we're going to be able to work something out," Duncan informed the Baron before eyeing Richie, Tori, Mandrake, and Atascadero, "Richie, keys. You four come with me."
Richie handed him the keys and Duncan left the room. Mandrake and Atascadero followed the Highlander.
"What did he mean?" the Baron asked.
"I don't know, but if I were you, I wouldn't start packing yet," Richie told the Baron, and then eyed Edward, "You, Picasso, can pack."
Richie and Tori left the kitchen, following the others.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
"What's the meaning of this?!" Capodimonte demanded as Richie, Tori, Duncan, Mandrake and Atascadero all entered the office and Richie closed the door behind them, "All of you get out or I'll call the police!"
"Fine, why don't you call the police, Carlo," Duncan handed his cane to Richie and took the cell phone from him, "and while you're at it, why don't you tell them what happened nineteen years ago. How you held two people up at gunpoint and stole a million francs from them."
"What are you talking about?" Capodimonte asked, clearly denying everything.
"I'm talking about the watch on your wrist," Duncan answered, "That was mine!"
"Won't prove a thing," Capodimonte argued.
Duncan looked over at Richie and told Capodimonte, "You know, you're right. It won't prove a thing."
He put the cell phone down and reached into his coat.
"What are you doing?" Mandrake asked.
"I wasn't going to take you to court anyway!" Duncan told Capodimonte before he pulled out a gun, cocked it and pointed it at him.
"What the hell?!" Atascadero exclaimed in surprise.
"Are you insane?!" Mandrake added.
"Mac, stop it!" Tori barked.
Richie was playing his part as well as the others, "He's not worth it, Mac."
"It's not," Capodimonte replied, "Talk to him."
"Shooting him is not the answer!" Tori exclaimed.
"Tori's right, Mac! Don't do it," Richie added, "It's not worth it."
"No, this is," Duncan replied.
"We can work it out," Capodimonte begged, "We can talk."
Richie hit Duncan with the cane, and Mandrake followed suit with his own cane, knocking the gun from Duncan's hand. Capodimonte grabbed the gun and turned it on Duncan.
"No! No!" Duncan exclaimed before he grabbed at the gun, pulled it to his chest, causing it to fire, "Oooh! Ohh, you got me!"
Duncan collapsed to the floor. Atascadero screamed in response.
"My word!" Mandrake exclaimed.
"Oh my God," Richie stated. He knelt, felt for a pulse at Duncan's neck, "He's dead. You killed him."
"It was an accident!" Capodimonte exclaimed in denial, "You saw it. I didn't do it."
"That's not how it looked to me," Richie interjected, "Looked to me like he called you a thief, and then you called him a liar, and then you shot and killed him."
"But I didn't mean to, I swear!" Capodimonte exclaimed.
"Well, I'll swear you did. Look, the body, the watch," Richie stated, looking around, "Carolo, your fingerprints all over that gun. It's looking like prison for you pal."
He went to unlock the door only for Janet and a group of IUA agents enter the room.
"Looks like the chivalry has arrived!" Tori exclaimed.
"We're not usually into regular crimes like this one," Janet revealed, "but I made an exception in this case."
"What do you mean, Leader?" Richie asked.
"I'll explain later, Redstone," Janet answered before telling Capodimonte, "Looks like your wedding to Miss Marina LeMartin is off. Now, we're going to offer you two choices: a hefty prison sentence or…..I will let Richard tell you the alternative."
"I'll do anything to avoid prison!" Capodimonte exclaimed.
"Anything? Well, I'll tell you what," Richie offered, "You turn over the deed to the chateau….the deed to the casino…...you head for South America, you never, ever come back here, and we just might forget what we've saw."
Mandrake, Atascadero and Janet each nodded in agreement.
"This is extortion," Capodimonte stated, "I won't do it."
"We're going to enjoy this then," Mandrake replied.
"Suit yourself," Richie added before he unlocked the first bolt on the door, "Carlo, the deed or the police."
No answer.
"All righty then," Richie reached for the second bolt of the door.
"All right, all right!" Capodimonte finally relented, "All right. The deed to the chateau."
"Just go ahead and write paid in full," Janet instructed. Capodimonte complied.
"Oh, and don't forget Marina LeMartin's name," Richie added. Capodimonte wrote quickly, "Is that all?"
On the floor, Duncan mouthed, "Watch."
"Excellent," Richie replied, "No, I need the deed to the casino."
"No, not the casino," Capodimonte pleaded.
"Oh, what, too greedy?"
"I'd rather go to jail."
Janet tried to step forward before Richie motioned her to stop before telling Capodimonte, "Okay deal, but fork over the watch."
Richie, Tori and Janet noticed Duncan smiling before returning to playing dead.
"Come on, give me the watch, creep-o," Tori told the man.
Capodimonte took off the watch and handed it to Richie.
"Excellent," Richie replied before he unlocked the door and opened it before coming face to face with some of the worried staff, "Oh, ho, ho."
"Just a fair warning, Mister," Janet warned Capodimonte, "There will be eyes in South America watching you."
"Gotchu," Capodimonte replied.
"Are you fine, monsieur?" a man asked.
"Oh, no. Not a big deal," Richie answered, "Just a minor little accident. Not a problem, folks."
He raised his voice, "Although I think, Mr. Capodimonte there is going to be needing a ride to the airport, ain't that right, Carlo? Carlo?"
Capodimonte stormed past him, "Get – get out of my way. Go on! Move! Move!"
"Yes, sir," the man replied, "yes, sir."
"Enjoy Buenos Aires!" Richie called out before he locked the door again, "Great."
"Are you all right, Mr. MacLeod?" Janet asked as she and Tori helped Duncan to his feet.
"Just fine," Duncan answered.
"I think this mission's going to end on a successful note," Janet smirked.
"What do you mean?" Richie asked.
"You guys helping the LeMartins with saving their home," Janet answered, "That was the mission the whole time!"
"What?" Mandrake looked up in surprise.
"What?!" Duncan, Richie and Tori exclaimed in surprise.
"Exactly," Janet nodded, "Normally, the IUA doesn't cover missions like that, but given that the LeMartins are related to one Mandrake the Magician, I thought Richie and Tori were good candidates for this mission."
"So, how was I?" Duncan asked.
"Not bad," Richie answered, "A little over the top."
"I thought I was excellent," Duncan replied.
"Here's your watch," Richie handed the Highlander his watch, "I'm sure you thought you were excellent."
"I was. You know," Duncan insisted, "I was an actor once."
"I've heard," Richie replied.
"So, we have heard," Tori added.
"Yeah," Duncan told the group, "I played Shakespeare….I played all the great parts."
"I know you did," Richie replied.
"I believe you," Mandrake tipped his hat with a smirk.
"Come on guys," Janet told the group, "Let's clear out."
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The Baron, Marina, Edward, Duncan, Richie, Tori, Mandrake, Lothar and Atascadero were all seated together at the table eating.
"I don't understand," Marina asked, "How did you get him to return the chateau?"
"You'd be surprised at what MacLeod is capable of, my dear," Mandrake answered.
"Yeah, Duncan can be convincing when he wants to be," Richie added.
"Yeah. Let's just say Carlo had better things to do," Duncan declared, "and so will you if you want to change to chateau into a hotel."
"Oh, it's a wonderful idea," Marina replied, "but, um, it will take so much work, and I can't afford to pay anyone."
"Well, you know I don't have any money, but I've got skills," Richie offered, "and I'm pretty good with my hands…."
"My mother's agency will help you guys with this rare charitable moment to making the chateau into a hotel become reality," Tori cut her husband off, "that's if you want."
Marina smiled, happy with her new friends.
"A bottle of wine from the cellar!" the Baron declared, "Something to celebrate!"
"Excellent idea, Father," Mandrake replied, "We should have looked in there earlier, you know."
"Come with me," the Baron told the others, "I haven't felt this good since '58. Come!"
He led the group into the wine cellar, "Eh, here we are. This is the cellar. There's not a great deal left in it, but we will find something."
Duncan followed him into the cellar, "I'm sure we will."
"We'll find something," the Baron assured everyone before he looked through the wine rack.
Duncan looked around the cellar, "When was this wall renovated?"
"I don't remember," the Baron answered, "It must have been around World War Two, why?"
"Let me try something," Lothar stepped forward and punched some holes into the wall.
"What is he doing?!" Edward demanded as he entered the cellar.
"He is breaking down the wall!" Duncan and the Baron answered in unison.
"Lothar, have you gone daft?!" Mandrake exclaimed as he, Atascadero, Tori, Richie and Marina entered the cellar.
"Not really," Lothar answered as there was now a large hole in the wall.
"That was splendid for a man your age, huh?" the Baron asked.
"Well, I have super strength as part of my power and my assets as a member of the Defenders of the Earth," Lothar replied as the group walked through the hole.
The group saw the area behind the wall – rows and rows of wine racks full of dusty bottles. Duncan chuckled.
"Look," the Baron picked up one of the bottles, "Mon Dieu. Chateau Latour, 1926!"
"And a 1935 Chateau Monbazillac," Duncan added.
"How did you know?" Atascadero asked.
"Well, when the war broke out," Duncan explained, "families built fake wine cellars for the Nazis to plunder, and they hid their best wines in places like this."
"How much do you think it's all worth?" Richie asked.
"Well, this one's worth….oh, four hundred," Duncan looked through the bottle he held before looking at the Baron's bottle, "That one, at least four thousand. I'd say your not poor anymore."
"Marvelous!" Mandrake exclaimed with delight, "and just in time for the holidays. Marina, would you and your family like to join us for Christmas in Gotham? MacLeod, Richard, Victoria, the invitation is offered to you as well."
"We'll look into it," Richie answered, "My daughter would enjoy Christmas."
"That would be lovely," Marina accepted the offer, "I would love to spend my first Christmas with long lost family."
"Father, what about you?" Mandrake asked.
"Sure," the Baron answered, "That would be a lovely idea."
"I'll see if my sister, your other living daughter, Lenore, will be available for Christmas," Mandrake stated, "Too bad my brother is no longer with us, otherwise I'd extend the invitation to them as well."
Lothar eyed Edward, "You're more than welcome to come too, but you need to behave yourself, got it?"
"Clear and loud," Edward answered.
"I'll explain everything to you when I pick you up," Mandrake told his niece, "There's more to the Redstones and MacLeod than what you saw today."
"Okay," Marina nodded with some anticipation, deciding to wait until then to find out.
"In the meantime," the Baron held up the bottle of Chateau Latour, "This one we have for dinner! Come along! We have earned a treat! Come along!"
"To Chateau LeMartin," Mandrake cheered.
"A toast to old friends," the Baron added.
"And to new friends," Richie finished.
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Author's Note:
This was quite exciting to write as "The Ransom of Richard Redstone" is one of my favorite episodes of Highlander: The Series. Marina LeMartin is one of my favorite girls Richie was a love interest to besides Angie, Laura ("Under Color of Authority") and Jenny ("The Beast Below"). Given that Mandrake has a mansion himself and has a chateau/mansion in Paris as well as in Gotham, I felt Marina and her family had some great potential, majorly being related to one Mandrake the Magician.
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Chapters
Tori Gordon, a teenage operative for the Intergalactic Union Agency, transfers to a branch in Washington State, where she becomes involved in a battle between supernatural forces.
While reflecting on personal matters, Tori witnesses a stunning occurrence.
Richie introduces Tori to his friends, Duncan and Tessa, who detail the secret affairs of immortals.
As Tori begins learning more about her true nature, a teacher offers assistance.
Tori informs the Defenders that she plans to help Duncan and his companions.
Tori and Richie continue bonding as the IUA works with Duncan.
Tori is given a new task by her mother Janet.
Duncan and the group encounter Tori's teacher, Amanda. Tori learns that Duncan and Amanda have history.
9: Two Families, One Adventure
The Defenders arrive in Paris, where they unite with Tori's team.
Tori tends to an ailing Richie.
The group gains allies while investigating a new matter.
The search for Horton begins.
An old friend of Tori's reveals a darker side. Janet becomes involved in the current operation.
Duncan is told to be wary of a dark prophesy.
The team is menaced by Annie Devlin, an old associate of Duncan's.
Duncan begins refining Tori's skills.
Richie and Tori continue bonding.
A new woman comes into Richie's life.
Janet takes steps to make Richie an IUA operative.
Tori and her allies confront a number of enemies in the city.
The teams head out for a day of fun.
Rick's capture leads to a compromising situation as LJ and the others attempt a rescue.
Lucy, a dangerous immortal, targets Richie. Tori intervenes.
The IUA investigates when one of the Phantom's acquaintances is victimized by an immortal.
Richie and Tori return to Paris to assist with the mission, which is complicated by police involvement.
Duncan meets a woman who bears a strong resemblance to Tessa.
27: Can't Help Falling In Love
Kern, a vindictive old associate, returns to challenge Duncan.
Duncan attempts to work with the unstable David Keogh.
Charlie prepares to depart.
The group meet a girl named Michelle, who has just discovered her immortal nature.
Tori and Richie attempt to care for a younger boy named Kenny.
Everyone prepares for a holiday.
A mysterious statue creates chaos.
Joe and the team find others in need of their help.
Jedda and Tori have an intimate conversation.
Kalas haunts Richie and the others.
Duncan prepares for battle with Kalas and finds a surprise.
Kalas searches for Methos.
Tori worries as Richie begins taking chances.
Anne arrives.
41: The Exorcism of Richie Ryan
Richie requires assistance in getting back to normal.
The Defenders step in to assist with Kalas, and to help prevent the truth about Duncan's kind from leaking.
Duncan prepares to confront Kalas.
Duncan embarks on a private journey to Scotland. Jedda and Tori spar before an audience.
45: Walking On Shattered Glass
Duncan tries to intervene as Charlie clashes with Cord.
The current situation reminds Tori of a well-known scenario.
Amanda and Richie follow Duncan on a journey in secret, and end up defending themselves from a horde of ice robots.
The friends see Kenny again. Duncan suspects that a certain immortal is pursuing the child.
Seacouver is targeted by an ambitious supernatural woman named Sierra.
Duncan, Tori, and Richie investigate a matter from Duncan's past alongside the police.
The group is challenged by a charismatic new antagonist, Kamir.
The spellcaster Kristin Gilles arrives and pursues Richie. Mandrake offers assistance in thwarting her.
Duncan and his friends attempt to aid a pianist.
Anne and Jack participate in the latest endeavor.
Duncan falls under a dark influence temporarily.
Methos and the others reflect.
The exploits of Flash and his famed allies from Mongo are chronicled. Meanwhile, Zorelda reemerges.
The team members engage in sparring and storytelling during downtime.
The groups attempt to rescue Joe, who has been lured into a trap.
As tensions rise and truths are revealed, the team bands together in their effort to help Joe.
Richie makes a monumental decision.
As Tori and Richie prepare for the big day, opposing forces on Mongo makes plans of their own.
Katarina and Castra attempt to unite with the Defenders before Zorelda makes her move.
Zorelda arrives on Earth.
65: Setting Up The Rescue Mission
The groups outline their rescue effort.
Zorelda begins enacting her plan for Richie.
67: Mongo Showdown — Part One
Methos and Duncan engage in action on Mongo.
68: Mongo Showdown — Part Two
As the battle continues, Tori confronts Zorelda.
The group deals with the repercussions of their adventure and return to Earth.
Duncan's ally, Cassandra, relays a vision.
Tori and Richie encounter a cult. Duncan pursues Clay.
The Ryans foster a mysterious child who bears a resemblance to Tori.
Amanda and Maurice return as a new enigma arises.
Amanda engages in more questionable activity.
The group tries helping a woman who might be stalked by an old acquaintance of Duncan's.
76: All That Glitters Is Not Golden
Richie seeks to assist a childhood friend who's dealing with legal issues.
The Ryans encounter an apparent impostor, who also approaches Hadea.
An adversary known as Kronos targets Tori, seeking to exploit her intellect.
Richie and Duncan move to counter Kronos.
80: The Ransom of Richard Redstone
The Ryans depart for an undercover mission overseas.
The group make new acquaintances while pursuing a lead tied to a mysterious dancing event.
The enigmatic Keane arrives, wreaking havoc on several people's lives.
Duncan deals with a mischievous adversary named Byron. Jedda and Rick prepare for parenthood. Both Katarina and Jedda sense danger ahead.
Ming and Octon turn to a new ally.
Duncan is haunted.
The shape-shifter initiates a confrontation.
Ming shifts his focus to an isolated girl.
The Defenders unite with Tori's friends in an effort to stop Ahriman.
A climactic battle occurs as the Defenders clash with Ming, while Tori and Richie attempt to aid their friends.
90: Aftermath: The World Changes Forever
Everyone is affected by the recent events, which will have lasting repercussions.
Richie copes. Duncan travels overseas.
Joe, Amanda, and Duncan continue to hunt the enemy.
April locates Richie and provides an update on the current situation.
Richie is confronted by the opponent again.
Joe leads the investigation as everyone bands together.
The final clash begins.
Duncan makes a crucial discovery.
The key element to the plan is obtained.
The team proceeds with their endeavor.
100: The Last Stand — Part One
The group discovers that only one person can assist Duncan.
101: The Last Stand — Part Two
The battle reaches a conclusion.
Series finale.
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