Desperate Times, Desperate Measures

[Edward Montgomery]

"Sorry to disturb you sir." one of the house elves, Krebby it looked to be, said half in the doorway to Edward's study.

"Not at all Krebby, what is it?" he asked glancing up from his paperwork. The Montgomeries employed house elves and servants both and either or could be expected to go in and out of any rooms to keep the place neat and tidy and running like a well oiled machine.

"There's a Mr. Madden for Master James sir." the house elf spoke. There was no cowering in his voice though a heavy dose of respect for his master. Edward was a good benefactor, and they didn't "own" any of their house elves, they instead chose to remain at the house for payment, and the comfy lifestyle Edward provided for them.

"Madden's here...?" he asked then shook his head, " This must be about the attack." he thought. Dear, what was James thinking now? Madden was the man James went to when it came to getting guards to watch over Christine. Not that the idea hadn't crossed Edward a few times himself, but Samantha wouldn't put up with an army of people hovering around her night and day and Christine certainly wouldn't either.

"Very well show him into the parlor and get James." Edward looked over towards a portrait that hung on the wall he muttered a spell and the image changed from portrait to what looked to be schematics. It displayed the entire castle and all the rooms, there were also footprints of where individuals were at with their names above them, "He's in the east wing Library." Edward announced and Krebby was off.

He appeared in the library, " Master James." he called hesitant to disturb his master, " Mr. Madden is here for you, Master Edward had him put in the parlor."

[James Montgomery]

James nodded and told the elf that he would be down in a few minutes.

He didn't know what to do about Christine. If she were any other girl, he'd be worried, of course. But no, it was Christine, who looked for trouble and usually found it threefold, who would get wind of a murder and want to solve it. He didn't know how to protect her anymore, and this was his last hope.

He slowly made his way to the parlour.

[Edward Montgomery]

"Now. Chase." Chase Madden Sr. said in a somewhat fatherly tone, " Mr. Montgomery is a very important friend of mine." he smiled slightly, " We were friends long ago. Oh well you know enough about history to know...well nevermind." he said brushing the subject off. He took a long moment to look at his son in an assessing manner and when he was finished he was quite proud. Oh the boy fell a bit far from the tree since Chase Madden Sr. was very content to simply live off of his inheritance, which was hefty, and retain his title and what dignities that provided him, yet his son instead chose to make something of himself. While he couldn't really relate to the whole...working...thing, he knew that his son was *somebody* and that was important, or at least he was finally realizing.

He nodded again, " You look good ol'boy." he said with a nod waiting for James to appear.

[Chase Madden]

Chase wasn't really paying attention to his father. He knew to be respectable and courteous. He wouldn't embarrass his father or himself, for that matter. He was quiet and looked all business, his eyes focusing on a piece of art that took up most of the wall, feet spread and hands held behind his back. The only acknowledgement he even gave his father was to look at him when the compliment came.

[James Montgomery]

James finally made his way into the parlour, a wide smile replacing his frown at the sight of his friend. "Chase," he said, not realizing the younger man in the room would perk as well. "It is good to see you," he said, and nodded towards the younger man, who was still staring at the painting. "Is that your boy?"

[Edward Montgomery]

Chase turned at the voice, and nodded, "James, ah there you are." he smiled, " Yes this is my boy. Chase Madden Jr." he said proudly, an intonation that had rarely come into his voice at all especially while speaking about one of his boys, itw as there now.

"Chase, this is Mr. Montgomery."

[Chase Madden]

Chase turned, looking James up and down, appraising him before stepping forward and extending his hand.

"Mr. Montgomery," he said, nodding his head just once. He wasn't open or friendly... he was business. That's why his father had brought him here, after all.

[James Montgomery]

James took his hand and shook it, murmuring something about how nice it was to meet him.

"He looks like you," James told his friend, wondering if that's why the kid was named after him.

"Anyway, please sit. Can I get either of you something to drink?"

[Edward Montgomery]

Chase Sr. regarded his son for a moment as if he had never seen the resemblence before, but finding something to be proud of all of a sudden he smiled a bit.

In regards to the drink he shook his head, " No thank you," he turned to his son, "Chase?"

[Chase Madden]

Chase was never a drinker. In all his life, he may have had one glass of something strong, but he considered himself always on the job, and he didn't want anything slowing down his reactions or his judgements.

He shook his head. "No, thank you."

When James reiterated that they should sit, he nodded and waited for everyone else to sit first. He was a bit stiff and formal, but that's why they hired him.

[Edward Montgomery]

Chase Sr. was the first to sit. He wondered of course what all this was about, but having business at the Montgomery household was never a bad thing so he was pleased to be there. Had it been just him and James it wouldn't have been out of the ordinary, but that his son was present gave him some pause.

"What is this about James?"