Filled with the sound of carefree chatter, and the occasional burst of loud laughter the large conference come function room was full of the general hustle and bustle of people mingling together, enjoying one another’s company. Waitresses in short black dresses trimmed with white lace and carrying trays filled with long stem glasses of champagne drifted in and out of the people standing in small groups around the room, and allowed anyone that wished to take a glass of the pink liquid in passing.
“Penny for them Radcliffe.” Catherine was brought back to earth by Joe’s gentle teasing, his warm brown eyes filled with mischief. He laughed, “I know there’s better things in life than the mayor’s annual dinner/dance, but you could at least look interested.”
Catherine’s face brightened, “It is a bit dismal this year. There are so many new faces. Why I don’t think I know half the people that are here this year Joe.”
“Are you telling me that you actually miss Muffin Man!”
Catherine laughed, “Actually no. He’s one I don’t mind not being here. I wonder where he is?” They shared a bout of laughter, each remembering the previous year’s embarrassment and that of the year before when Muffin Man as Joe had affectionately labelled him had made a beeline for Catherine and had stuck to her like glue all evening.
“Perhaps he couldn’t get through the door this year.” Joe laughed remembering the size of the man, and how he had doubled in weight since the previous year.
Catherine burst into laughter at the picture that represented and a waitress passing by smiled at her.
“Enjoying yourselves?” she queried.
Joe and Catherine nodded, and as an afterthought Catherine caught her arm before she disappeared into the crowd once more, “You were here last year weren’t you?” The woman nodded and waited for Catherine to go on. “Do you know why that biggish chap isn’t here this year?”
Joe almost choked on his drink at Catherine’s description. Biggish was an understatement.
The waitress frowned and for a moment two pairs of bright eyes betrayed the same thought, that the woman had failed to notice Muffin Man.
“You obviously haven’t heard.” She told them both, “Did you know Mr. Bowman well?”
Joe and Catherine exchanged glances, gently shaking their heads as the merriment drained from their faces.
“I’m sorry to tell you that Mr. Bowman died not long after last years gathering actually. It was a tragic accident, I’m surprised you didn’t read about it?” she watched their faces for signs of recognition, and receiving none went on, “I’m sorry you had to hear about it like this. We’ve all had a year to get over his death, I can see it is a shock to you.”
“What happened to him?” Catherine asked. She felt like a heel.
The waitress smiled weakly “It appears he just had too much to drink the last time he was here. It was on his way home from this very function that he…” She hesitated, looking all around her, then whispered, "actually there is some speculation on his death, it wasn't what it appeared... you know how it is?"
When neither Catherine or Joe spoke the waitress shook her head “Well they say he’d had too much to drink, but Mr. Bowman was an eater not a drinker. Personally I reckon someone slipped him something. Anyway, on his way home he went under a tube train. The mornings papers said he’d slipped, but I’ve read since that he was molesting some young woman and she pushed him away, then he slipped and went under the train. Who’d have believed it? He liked the ladies I know, but I can’t actually believe that he would do anything like that. I guess we’ll never know the truth.” She finished and offered them both a refill of champagne, which they declined, before she moved away and out of sight.
“Makes you feel a right heel doesn’t it?” Joe was the first to find his voice. Catherine nodded, “Just what I was thinking. And there we were laughing about him.” Catherine mumbled.
For long moments neither spoke, each with his own thoughts, until they were distracted by a fellow who knew Joe well, but a fellow Catherine had never seen before.
“So who’s a lucky guy Joe?” the fellow slapped a hand upon Joe’s shoulder forcing Joe to look around, “Oh Hi Danny. Long time no see. What do you mean by lucky?”
Danny raised his eyes to the roof, “You having me on Joe. Just look at you. You’re the envy of the party. I mean little Miss Chandler here being your date.” He turned his attention to Catherine who was smiling enigmatically and raised her hand to his lips his eyes never leaving her own, “If I may say so Miss Chandler, you are the most beautiful woman in this room, and Joe is the envy of every living male here tonight.”
Joe blushed, soon followed by Catherine, but quick thinking prevented each of them from enlightening Danny to the actual situation between them. Better to let the sleaze believe she was with someone than have to fend him off all evening as had been the case with Muffin…she caught herself just in time, rather poor Mr. Bowman.
Putting her arm through Joe’s she thanked Danny, and steered Joe towards the dance floor, “If you will excuse us, Joe and I were just going to dance.”
“We were?” for a minute Joe looked flustered and immensely pleased at the same time, but all became apparent as Catherine led him through the throng of people.
“How about you being my knight in shining armour for the evening Joe and I’ll play the dutiful date for the honour. What do you say? Is it a deal?”
Joe’s eyes twinkled, “You bet Radcliffe.”
They made it to the dance floor, and Joe was acutely aware of the envious glances he was receiving from the other men stood around the room and loving every moment of it, especially when he held Catherine that bit closer.
Catherine too seemed to be enjoying herself tremendously. Joe whispered in her ear, “You wouldn’t be flirting with me would you Radcliffe?”
“Why Joe whatever do you mean?” she chuckled.
The music was slow and smoochy and Joe loved every moment of it. It was a rare opportunity and one he would cherish and dream about for months to come.

Watching them dance a small close knit group of men talked among themselves. “Wouldn’t you just love to wipe the silly grin off of Maxwell’s face?” One of them asked the others.
They all agreed readily.
“I’ve heard he has fancied Cathy Chandler for years, but she won’t have a bar of him. Well either we’ve heard wrong or this is just for show. Either way I don’t think its very considerate of him hogging her to himself like this.”
“I’ve heard she is a cold fish. Elliot Burch tagged along with her for a while and she treated him appallingly. He wasn’t good enough for her. Can you imagine that! Elliot Burch I’m saying. The richest guy in the state, not to mention his looks.”
“Hey is there something you aren’t telling us Rob?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean are we or aren’t we safe in your company?”
“I ain’t no poofta if that’s what you mean!”
The group of men laughed.
“What do you say we warm up little Miss Cold Fish guys? Now wouldn’t Maxwell thank us for that?”
Wide eyed several of the group nodded, “You got it with you?”
“Sure. I thought I’d bring a little powder for some fun. I won’t use as much as I did on Bowman so don’t worry. Get me a couple of fresh glasses of champass will you, and I’ll hand them out to them when the dancing is finished.”
His friends complying with his wishes, the fellow soon had the powder from a small bottle mixed into one glass of champagne. So subtle was it that it didn’t even cloud the liquid. “Its tasteless. She’ll never tell the difference, and it takes effect in about thirty minutes.”
They watched and waited, seizing their chance when the music finally ended and Joe and Catherine made their way through the crowds to the edge of the dance floor.
“Hey Maxwell!”
Joe looked to where his name had been called, “Hi there Glen. Haven’t seen you in a while. How’s things.”
“Good, good. I was waiting for you. Look I’ve even got a drink ready for you and the lady.” He handed the respective glasses to Catherine first and then Joe, smiling leisurely when he heard Catherine thank him, and saw her begin drinking straight away; showing a little concern with the speed with which she swallowed it.
Catherine grinned at him somewhat impishly, “I’m thirsty.” She felt fit to explain, “and it’s so hot in here.”
Rob nudged Glen’s elbow, “Isn’t that kinda dangerous?” He whispered. He knew the drink was supposed to be sipped so that the drug went into the system bit by bit.
Glen nodded. The nod answered both Rob’s question unheard by Joe and Catherine, and also Catherine’s own statement. “It’s very kind of you to have a drink waiting, and I’d love to stay and chat, but Joe and I were just saying that we ought to be leaving. We have a heavy day lined up at the office tomorrow.”
Glen’s face fell, “Oh surely not. I haven’t seen Joe in some time. I was hoping to catch up on things.”
“Joe can stay.” Catherine told Glen with a smile, “We were going to have to get a taxi anyway. I don’t mind going home alone.” She turned to Joe, “If you’d like to stay and talk to your friends Joe, really I don’t mind.”
Joe was shaking his head, “No Cathy. I’ll see you home. I’d worry about you if I didn’t. I’m afraid we’ll have to catch up some other time Glen. Call me huh?”
Rob was pulling at Glen’s sleeve, “Stall them.” He whispered hoarsely. Wide eyed the other men in the group nodded. If Catherine Chandler left now, they’d never get to see her under the influence. But before Glen could think of anything suitable, Joe was escorting Catherine towards the door. He turned to his mates, “Guess we shall just have to hear about it instead.” He laughed, “And boy will we hear about it. Why it might even make the papers.” They sniggered.
“I can just see the headlines now…’Chandler Girl in Sex Scandal.’ Yep that’ll sure go down nicely with my morning coffee.” He laughed wickedly quickly followed by his so-called friends, but couldn’t resist one last jibe at Joe, by calling out, “Hey Maxwell make sure you take the lady home tonight or you may miss your chance.” Before turning back to his friends to tell them, “Well I still have a little powder left, so all is not lost, we can still have some fun. Help me find my next victim.” They laughed, and not one of them cast another glance towards the exit where Joe was trying to work out what Glen had meant as he escorted Catherine from the room.
Waiting for the elevator, Joe was still relatively quiet. “You tired Joe?”
“Me? Tired? No. I was just wondering what on earth Glen meant back there. Seems a strange comment to make that’s all.”
They fell into silence as they watched the lights on the elevator panel signifying that the car was about ten floors down and coming up slowly.
Just then the door of the conference room burst open, and Joe recognised one of the men that was with Glen’s group of friends. He hesitated when he saw them standing there, then seeming to summon his courage he hurriedly told them, “Mr. Maxwell, don’t leave the lady alone tonight.” Before rushing back the way he had come.
Beyond the doors, Rob leaned back against them with relief, well at least he had issued a warning, that made him feel better. After what had happened to Bowman, he didn’t want to read all about Miss. Chandler in the morning’s papers reaching a similar fate. His conscience eased he slipped through the crowd before Joe had a chance to come and ask him what he had meant.

It was in the elevator, that Catherine first felt a little strange. It was nothing she could put her finger on, but suddenly she felt herself grow warm from the inside out. Like a hot flush creeping slowly along her bones to tingle every nerve ending.
Joe was speaking to her, but she hardly heard him.
“You all right Cathy?” She heard that, but when she raised her eyes to his, his smile of concern suddenly became the most sensuous smile she had ever seen. And those eyes! Rich dark brown, puppy dog eyes. They pleaded with her, begged for her to touch him. Reaching out a hand Catherine did just that, and heard Joe gasp and recoil in shock. “What the…! Cathy!”
He looked down. Catherine still hadn’t released him. Otherwise he would have thought he had dreamt that she had. Her hand was still there held fast to his groin, and not only that was caressing him there too.
Shakily Joe tried to laugh it off, “Hey Radcliffe you’re a dark horse. It’s not that I’m not interested, but hey couldn’t you have prepared me a little first? “ He leaned in on her, touching her lips with his own.
Catherine froze then, freeing him from her grasp, and he stepped back to see the sudden confusion on her face. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Narrowing her eyes Catherine stammered an apology, releasing him from her grasp at once, and stared down at her hand as if it were not her own.
Joe grinned at her sheepishly, “You must have had too much champass Cathy, or maybe that last glass you downed went straight to your head. But hey, I’m not complaining.”
The elevator car reached ground floor, and they stepped out side by side.
Catherine still hadn’t said a word, she couldn’t believe she had done that. And to Joe of all people! It was almost as if someone else stood inside her shoes, someone else moved inside her body, and what was worse she was having a real fight not to repeat the action!
Joe hailed a taxi, and Catherine got inside with relief.
For a moment she felt okay, but as Joe leaned in to take up his seat, Catherine seemed to see herself stand back as an onlooker and watch herself lean forward and kiss him, right there on the mouth.
Looking through his rear view mirror, the taxi driver laughed, “Hey lady wait till you get him home will you. Release his mouth so he can tell me where to take the two of you.” Flustered Catherine drew away, stammering another row of apologies. “I’m sorry Joe I don’t know what came over me.” Joe hadn’t yet found his voice. Staring wide eyed at her, he was only vaguely aware of the driver tapping his knuckles against the dash board, and asking, “So would someone care to tell me where to?”
“Fifth Avenue.” Catherine uttered automatically still staring wide eyed at Joe. He still hadn’t spoken, but was rubbing his mouth with his fingers, as if to ask ‘did that really happen?’
As they rode along, Catherine stared out of her window. Her hands were jammed solid between her thighs and she found it a real effort to keep them there. Her mind could make no sense of it, but her body led her as a slave wanting nothing more than to rip off her clothing and make love with Joe on the back seat of the taxi.
Appalled Catherine physically shook. ‘What was the matter with her?’
Finally Joe found his voice, “Will it be safe to see you home Radcliffe? I mean don’t get me wrong, but if I’m reading this right you are more than a little intoxicated and come morning all of this will seem pretty embarrassing. It would be wrong of me to take advantage of the situation right?” adding to himself, ‘as much as I’d love to do.’
Catherine nodded, not trusting herself to speak. If Joe knew the fight she was having he’d be really worried. As calmly as she could, she asked, “Just help me up to my apartment will you Joe? I don’t think my own legs will get me there.”
They had arrived in Fifth Avenue, and Joe directed the taxi driver along to Catherine’s apartment building, alighting from the vehicle after it had pulled in at the curb. Joe paid the driver, then reaching inside helped Catherine out.
The moment he pulled her hands free, they were clinging around his neck.
“Hey you got a real octopus there mate. Half your luck.” The taxi driver chuckled.
Grabbing her bag as he pulled her free of the car, Joe escorted Catherine towards her building, trying in vain to uncurl her arms from his neck. He laughed somewhat shakily, trying to make a joke of things, “Hey Radcliffe remind me never to give you pink champagne.”
The cold night air for moments seemed to loosen Catherine’s senses, and once again she stood back appalled by her actions. “Joe I’m so sorry.”
Stumbling through the doors of her apartment building, the night watchman tipped his hat and grinned like a Cheshire cat. It was a most unusual sight to see Miss. Chandler a little worse for the drink.
The elevator car was waiting at ground floor, thankfully, thought Joe, and he bundled Catherine inside, pressing the button for the eighteen floor.
Nothing untoward happened there, though Joe kept Catherine at arm’s length, and watched her warily.
Inside the apartment was quite another matter.
The moment they were through the doors, Catherine fairly attacked him. Crushing him back against one wall, she openly caressed his most private regions, groping his backside with one hand, and trying to free him of his trousers with the other.
Stunned Joe wriggled out of her grasp, shouting at her loudly, “CATHY!”
It worked, though not for long, she was soon advancing on him again.
And Joe knew instantly that something was very wrong. This wasn’t the first time he had been alone with her, and she had never behaved like a sex maniac before.
Joe was more than a little confused. Drink didn’t turn people into raving lunatics. Well okay so it helped one say goodbye to inhibitions, but this! Never like this.
“Look Radcliffe, I’m gonna call your doctor. Is his number in here?” He indicated a pop up directory next to her phone, but did not wait for her reply. Very quickly he had found and dialled Peter’s number, happy to hear him answer it personally. “Dr. Alcott. Joe Maxwell here. Look could you come over to Cathy Chandler’s apartment straight away. She isn’t acting herself.”
Peter promised he would come at once, and Joe relaxed. If nothing else at least there would be two against one he thought, as he watched Catherine advancing on him again.

By the time Peter had arrived, Joe was exhausted. Several rounds of the dining table with Catherine crawling underneath a time or two to grab his legs, and several rounds of her dinky sofas had left him feeling rather tired.
It wasn’t just that. Even though he had managed at some stage to switch on the kettle before Catherine had him trapped in the kitchen, and had made her some strong coffee, before she had cornered him again, Joe noticed that something bad was happening to Catherine. It couldn’t be mere drink. If only he didn’t have to think survival, he might have had time to think of reasons instead.
He didn’t think he had ever been so glad to hear a knock at the door in his life when Peter finally arrived.
Opening the door, he bade the other man entry, gasping as he did so as Catherine pinched his bottom from behind.
“Cathy whatever is wrong, I came as quick as I could?” Peter stepped into the room, noticing with concern that Joe had made a grab for her wrists and was holding her at arm's length.
“Peter how nice.” Catherine twizzled out of Joe’s grasp and sidled up to Peter, draping her arms around his neck and drew him into a very passionate and unexpected kiss.
Open-mouthed Peter pushed her away, staring at her with disbelief, and turning at once to Joe, “Whatever has happened to her?” He demanded.
“You tell me doc. I brought her home from the dinner dance like this. Look at me, she’d fairly ripped the shirt off my back.”
Peter could see that Joe was decidedly dishevelled. “This isn’t like Catherine.”
“You’re damn right its not. What’s got into her doc?”
“Has she been drinking?”
“Pink champagne. But then no more than me, and I’m okay.” Peter glared at Joe. Joe could almost hear him thinking that no two people are alike.
“Can you hold her still while I take some blood from her. I’ll run some tests. The champagne must have reacted badly with her.” Peter shook his head, “but I can’t understand that. She’s drunk it lots of times with no ill effects. You sure no one slipped her a Micky Finn?”
“I was with her all the time. And we weren’t there long. It was one of those events where we just had to show our faces.”
All the time they were speaking to each other, both were wrestling with Catherine’s arms trying to fasten around them in one way or another. And as Peter rolled up her sleeve and leaned forward to take her blood, Catherine leaned forward and trailed a line of kisses around his throat.
Almost dropping the needle, Peter felt like slapping her, but instead he stifled a chuckle, ‘God she was going to be one embarrassed woman come the morning when she sobered up.’
Joe held her firmly from behind, feeling quite contrite when Catherine wiggled her bottom back against him and making him gasp with surprise and a little pleasure. He was sure going to have one heap of teasing on her that was for sure after this. Maybe even a little blackmail… Joe grinned and watched as Peter prepared her arm for the needle, “It’s just a little prick Cathy.” He warned her. Catherine giggled, rubbing herself harder against Joe, “Not from where I’m standing Peter.” She told him innocently, then burst into laughter at Joe’s sudden gasp.
Peter’s lips twitched with mirth, and even Joe could not contain the laughter, “Cathy you really are something else you know that?” He chuckled.
When Peter was satisfied he’d taken enough blood, and while Joe contained Catherine’s body in a bear hug much to her immense delight it seemed, Joe had to admit he was thoroughly enjoying the moment too but Catherine obviously wasn’t herself, and really he was feeling more and more concerned.
“I have to take this to the lab Joe, can you stay with her until I get back?”
“More to the point doc, do you think I should. Hell I know she isn’t herself, but I’m only human after all. I wouldn’t want to take advantage of the situation, but some might say well why not. You know how it is?”
Reluctantly Peter had to admit that he did.
“Can’t you give her a sedative or something doc?”
“No too dangerous. Drinking and drugs, you know how it is Joe. Besides until I know what caused this I wouldn’t know how much to administer. The best thing we can do is leave her by herself, or perhaps you can sit outside her apartment until I return, just to make sure that she doesn’t go out on a man hunt in this condition. Other people might not be so gallant as you and I toward her.”
Joe nodded, “Sure I can do that. You hear that Cathy? I won’t stay, but I’ll be outside until Peter returns. Now why don’t you go to bed?”
Both men could not prevent a chuckle when a look of delight crossed Catherine’s face and she teased, “Isn’t that what I’ve been saying all evening?”
“Alone Cathy!” Joe told her somewhat sternly, his eyes lighting up underlying his authority. Catherine groaned, “Well if you insist, but I’m nowhere near sleepy right now.”
“How about clobbering her over the head doc?” Joe grinned, “Would that be safe?”
Peter laughed, and walked with Joe to the door, “Cathy, I’ll be back as soon as I can. Don’t do anything stupid okay? And be a good girl, leave Joe alone. I don’t want to have to come back here to treat a heart attack victim.”
In spite of herself Catherine laughed.

When the two of them had gone, leaving her alone Catherine marched around her apartment feeling frustration building in every bone, every sinew every muscle. God she wanted it. It had been so long and her body craved the touch of a man.
The balcony taunted her, and she went out upon it looking down at the city below her, watching as Peter exited from the building and drove away in his car.
Joe was, she knew, sat outside her apartment so that ruled that out. She was for all intents and purposes trapped. But wait! There was another way.
There was Vincent’s way. A warm glow flowed through Catherine at the thought of Vincent. Then from somewhere far in the recesses of her mind Catherine dismissed thoughts of him immediately. Something told her it would be wrong for him to see her like this. Then another thought rose and drowned out the first. She smiled to herself, why not? Hadn’t she waited long enough for him to make the first move?
Perhaps now when she had an excuse she could bring it all about. Catherine shook her head fighting against the reason to leave him out of it and the very good reason to include him. Half of her told her he would be shocked and it could ruin everything, the other half told her it was the perfect opportunity to realise her dreams. Over and above that sense of all that reasoning, the drug continued to fight against her good sense and lead her onward.
Dubiously Catherine eyed the ledge above her balcony, then the ground below her.
It was a long drop, but if Vincent’s large frame could do it…
At the thought of Vincent again Catherine shuddered. The drug was taking her over again. It seemed to come and go in spasms. One moment she could think clearly and knew the sense of things, the next moment she was like someone possessed. In fact for a time or two she had to remind herself who Vincent was. In her sane moments she laughed at how ridiculous her mind was behaving this night. And then she remembered how much she wanted Vincent, had always wanted him, and her body seemed to glide across the terrace oozing desire.
Well with Joe guarding her escape route and feeling as she did, there was only one way open to her. Heart in mouth, Catherine began her climb for freedom.

Peter wasted no time. Believing that Catherine was the worse for drink Peter felt that the lab could wait. There was someone he had to warn and fast.
They collided in a tunnel.
“Peter! Where are you going in such a hurry?”
“Vincent, thank goodness.”
“What’s the matter?” he had been experiencing some very strange feelings from Catherine all evening, but he wasn’t aware that she was in any danger.
“Its Cathy” Peter panted catching his breath now he had stopped running.
“What’s wrong with her, she isn’t in any trouble. I would know if she was?” For a moment Vincent doubted the Bond. Had it let him down?
“If you go to her you will be the one in trouble Vincent. I had to warn you. Come let us go back to Father’s chamber, and I’ll tell the both of you there.”

Neither Father nor Vincent could believe it.
“Never!” Father wiped away a tear of mirth, “Cathy intoxicated? And how so! Peter you are having us on aren’t you?”
Vincent however sat very still and very quiet. He didn’t like the things he was hearing.
“Its true I tell you. Why she almost molested Joe Maxwell.” He stole a look at Vincent. Peter’s countenance showed his apology.
“Vincent if you go to her…” Peter spoke gravely, “Honestly Vincent she isn’t in control of herself. Look let’s speak rationally here. I don’t know what has happened to her, maybe she drank some champagne and had taken some pills before hand, maybe the mix wasn’t quite right, but I do know, I have never seen anyone drunk or sober act in such a wanton way in all of my life. Why she even kissed me!”
“You!” Father choked, “You should be flattered.”
Peter smiled coyly, “Well now you mention it…” he laughed, “but it doesn’t escape the fact that something is wrong. Catherine is going to hate herself when she sobers up. Talking of which if I don’t soon get the sample to the lab she’ll be back to her old self before we know how to treat her.”
Father looked toward Vincent, his son still hadn’t spoken, “Vincent, what’s the matter?”
“I can feel her Father.” Vincent told the two men simply, “Her feelings are crying out to me.”
“You aren’t going to her?”
“If what Peter says is true how can I? ”
“It’s possible you could cope with her. Your size and strength, but Vincent...” Peter paused unsure of how to word his next statement, “Would you be able to cope with something like that?” Peter looked away somewhat embarrassed as Vincent’s blue eyes scrutinised him. “I mean…well…its not like you have ever indulged…” Peter blushed, how he hated speaking the facts of life to anyone, and no less a grown man with no experience in such things.
“I think we get the picture.” Father spoke gravely, “And Vincent, Peter’s right.” He sent Vincent a knowing look. Only he knew what a fight Vincent had to keep his desire of Catherine to himself.
Reluctantly Vincent nodded. It had to be reluctantly because Catherine’s feelings were driving straight through him.
Deep down inside he could feel her desire and his body started to tremble reacting in like manner and Vincent had to fold his legs one over the other lest Father were to see the aroused state he was in. Vincent wished for his cloak to conceal himself, yet to stand up to fetch it from his chamber would show both of the men the very reason for his needing it.
He was also very concerned for Catherine. That she had made a pass at Joe Maxwell and then at Peter of all people, someone she considered as close as a father, well that told him how serious this was. He could forgive her those things, obviously it was not mere over drinking that was to blame, and because of that his concern increased.
“She will be safe?” he asked Peter as the doctor prepared to leave.
“Providing she stays put, I don’t see why not. She needs to sleep it off. Joe is outside her apartment door preventing her from coming down here, and that’s why you must curb all instincts to go to her Vincent. Believe me as she is she is a danger to you in more ways than one.” Peter didn’t like to imagine how Vincent could slip from the balcony trying to escape Catherine in that mood, nor the chance of Joe hearing the scuffle and coming to investigate.
Vincent nodded, but somehow he couldn’t get it out of his head that Catherine was a lot closer than either man realised, in fact the Bond convinced him of this.
“If you attempt to go to her, I shall be forced to restrain you.” Father attempted a chuckle, but Vincent knew the underlying anxiety, and knew also that his father wasn’t incapable of such things.
“I won’t go above, I promise.” Vincent told Father as Peter said his goodbyes. Yet Vincent felt somewhat strange. He had just told Father a half truth. He wouldn’t go above, that was true, but the reason for that was that he didn’t need to do, for already the Bond was telling him that Catherine was already inside the tunnels. How she had got past Joe he had no idea, but at that precise moment he didn’t care. Catherine needed him, her body cried out to him, and powerless to resist, Vincent went to her willingly.