"I will leave you now." announced Danny Rupert formally, rising from the hard chair.
"Wait. Is that my daughter? What have you done!" Frederick Busk asked, intensity rising with each question.
Danny ignored him, calling for the guards.
"I swear, if you don't let her go this instant - "
The guards, now in the room, looked to Danny for orders.
"Handcuff and gag him. You can release him from both when he's willing to be civilized."
The two men nodded, and Danny strolled out as his prisoner was subdued.
Rachel and Barry were waiting in Danny's office, looking over the notes yet again. Both looked at him.
"Did you two find out anything new?" he asked.
Both shook their heads no.
"Then let's take Delilah some pizza. She's quite tired of waiting. And I for one would like to hear her story."
Delilah paused, her shouting having been ignored. "What does a girl have to do to get attention around here?" she thought, frustrated.
A few minutes later, there was a gentle tap on the door. Delilah composed herself, smoothing her hair and clothes. She sat on the edge of the narrow bed, legs crossed.
"Come in." she replied in a dignified voice, one beyond her years, especially considering the circumstances.
The heavy door opened, and in walked Danny Rupert - followed closely by Barry and Rachel. Rachel gently closed the door, as Barry offered Delilah a steaming hot plate of pizza, and a glass of water.
"Thank you, Sir." she said politely. He smiled, and backed away.
Danny came forward, but Delilah was already digging into the delicious food. She looked up, but didn't stop eating.
"I'm very sorry for the delay. It couldn't be avoided." he said sincerely.
She nodded, then swallowed. "I understand. It took some time for you to go through the information."
"Yes, and there was something else. I have only just now decided to tell you everything." he said, for once unsure of his decision.
"I'm listening." she said eagerly, swallowing the last piece of crust. This was more like how she had envisioned her reception.
"Today you did your father a great service. What you brought us, and what one of my eyes and ears heard, lines up with what he just told me."
"Who? My father? But he's not here." she said, confused.
"Yes, he is. I sent for him, and he arrived soon after you did. I already knew most of what was in the folio, but the details will be most helpful. I would like to thank you for your help."
"You're welcome. I love him, but I couldn't let him do anything that awful!"
"I promise, everything will be okay. You did the right thing." Danny told her, in a soothing voice.
Close to tears at the thought of her father, she just nodded. Then a horrific idea popped into her head.
"Does he know I'm here?!?!" she asked, jumping up and looking around the small room as if he might appear out of thin air.
"I give you my word, nobody has said a word about you to him. And nobody will. He never has to know you were here, if that's how you want it."
"Thank you. I would very much like to keep this visit between us, if at all possible. Am I free to leave?"
Danny noted with sadness that she had asked the last part with a hint of fear, followed instantly with a flash of anger and defiance.
She had covered well, pretending to wipe her mouth. The child had risked everything to help him and his people. And yet she was at least a little afraid of what he might do.
"Yes dear, but if you don't mind, I would like to ask for one final favor. You can say no if you want, I won't make you do it." he assured her.
"What is it?" she asked, suddenly curious. What could she offer that nobody else could?
"It's actually something which could help both your father and myself. He claimed there is a package somewhere on your estate, which has false information saying that I want to take over North America. I would like to examine it for clues, to see where it came from. Also I need to see it before I can release him. Do you know where it might be?"
She thought for a few seconds, frowning. "There are a few places I can think of. But he's quite inventive, and could have put it anywhere. I'll fetch it if I can. Have you asked him where it is?"
Danny smiled. "Rachel here is going to ask him to write specific instructions soon. He has already agreed to tell her, and he thinks the note will be given to a servant or messenger."
"What's wrong with sending a messenger, or one of your people?" she asked, curious.
"Nothing, but the staff might not let them have it, despite the note. You have a much better chance of getting it than anyone else. Especially if it's in your parent's quarters."
"That's a good idea. Do you have any more pizza, please? I'm starving!" she said, suddenly feeling much better about what she had done.
"Always. If you wouldn't mind some company, I would love to hear how you ended up here. But let's find somewhere a little more comfortable to dine, shall we?" he suggested, holding out his arm.
"Let's." she agreed, smiling as she gently took his arm, and left the small room behind.
Cover image made in Canva using their gallery