#bergen_county

... and the Chief might show up at the door shortly after

The Chief is, indeed, approaching. The question is whether or not Symon meets her before she gets to the door.

He is hustling up the pathway to the door, mouth moving a little as he whispers swears unheard yet until one gets closer. A bit out of breath.

The fact is not lost on her that he is approaching her directly rather than appearing obliquely out of a shadow. She holds up a hand in a gesture intended to calm and says, "She is safe."

"Do you know where Dirk and Dr. Lee are?"

Thumping sounds from a window being opened

He shakes his head. "Dad is probably at home since it's Sunday... unless he got called into surgery. Dirk-" He glances up at the thumps.

She looks in the direction of the noise.

And trying to climb out a window is a brute of a redcap wilder.

A frown, and he looks for something to toss at Dirk. Then a pleading look at the Chief, who has a voice.

"Dirk...? Why the window?"

"Shit!" And dirk falls.. surprised as he's caught 'sneaking'

She sighs and goes to him. "Are you hurt?"

Symon trails after, fidgeting a little anxiously at this delay.

"Nah.." He grunts "Just bruised my ass. "

"Mm." If he genuinely does not seem hurt, she doesn't offer healing. To both she says, "AnneMarie is safe. She is at the Lodge, and Kerri is making sure she stays there for now. There is a problem, for all of you, including your father."

"Yeah, no sh- no kidding. What's with the vague "Smell you later" text? That's not Anne Marie's style. I thought maybe someone took her phone and was pranking us."

A deep frown.

"She didn't put the stupid hearts on!"

As if affronted

"No. AnneMarie has received a threat from a Daireann lord. She rescued a ward from him and his abuse, and he intends to take vengeance for the insult."

"Yeah." A nod.

"She what? Oh, hell no." Scowling. "How is Dad involved?"

Dirk has gotten up at this, "Right. What's Lord pLease kick my ass' name?"

"You and your father are involved because it's entirely likely he may seek indirect vengeance by harming her family."

To Dirk's question, "His name is Gildas, and I am certain he would have no problem in controlling you with Sovereign, Dirk, if he saw you coming."

"So we don't let him see us coming."

She shakes her head. "And risk another relative of his seeking vengeance on his behalf?"

"That would be Vengeance on me and Dirk? I can handle that."

"It could be Vengeance on any of you." She folds her arms. "One of you needs to remain here to protect Dr. Lee. while the other comes with me to be part of the strategy discussion."

A glance at Dirk. "You're tougher than I." Honest and blunt. "Can you watch out for Dad?"

Brekke doesn't add anything, but her expression suggests that she approves of this arrangement.

"What? but I want to hurt people" The cap snaps

"If anybody attempts to hurt Dr. Lee or you yourself, I expect you to hurt them," Brekke says grimly. "Symon will contact you about plans. You will be involved in them."

The boy simmers, fists flex then "Fine." he looks at Symon "You and I are nightmares. You're puny, wheezy, and annoying, but you're smart enough to make them regret fucking with Mom and the Doc. You remind the asshole who did this nightmares are vengeful too."

Symon nods. "I hope they do go after Dad. You have cart blanche - uh, full permission to not hold back."

"You bet I won't" He nods then a look to the Chief "I know you guys are trolls so you guard anyway, but.. thanks"

A nod to Dirk. And she doesn't contradict Symon. "Let Symon know if there is trouble."

"Yeah. And keep me updated. I may not be good at strategees.. but I gotta right to stay in the loop"

"I have already said this. I promise you will be kept informed." Another nod, and she turns to go back to her Jeep, gesturing for Symon to join her.

"Oh sorry, Chief" he seems to have truly missed it

A nod to Dirk, and Symon follows her... but a glance back at the house, worried. "Where are we going? Lodge? I know you said Kerri is looking after her..." The "but" is unspoken.

She nods. "Lodge. You and she must both help us plan next steps."

Once in the Jeep and underway, she says, "Dirk is strong, but he is only one. I should send another to aid him, at least in guarding."

"Who was the ward she rescued? A dreamer, kin or kithain?" He looks like he might argue, but shrugs. "Jonas?" The troll has grown on him, despite his earlier dislike.

"Kithain," she answers. Then a nod. "I will have Kerri contact him. Perhaps he can patrol outside in animal form."

He fidgets, thinking. "I suppose he could claim she violated his right of Demesnes." Reluctant to admit that.

"Apparently, his complaint is that she put a mark on his honor. He also accuses violating right of ignorance."

She glances over while driving. "We will protect her and resolve this, Symon."

Silence for a minute, and instead of a quip back of "you'd better" that might be expected, he merely says, "...I know. Doesn't make me worry less, though."