Chapter Text
The Show Must Go On!
Chapter 4 – The Curtain Call!
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Jaime found himself wondering who would have killed Doctor Connington. The fact that he and Addam had found the body meant that they were witnesses. But Jaime had a bad feeling that this was to do with the case files that he had asked Connington to investigate. Addam was just as pale as Jaime, as they gave their report to Chief Selmy. As they looked over the scene, checking to see if anything was out of place, Jaime knew that the files were gone. All of them had disappeared. That left them with two major suspects in Connington’s murder. Janos Slynt and Roose Bolton. At the moment, neither of them could be found. As Jaime came out of the interview room, he saw Brienne rushing into the station, wide eyed and fearful. Behind her was Shae, with Joanna.
“Brienne? What’s wrong?” Jaime asked, as he rushed over to her.
“Shireen! Shireen is missing!” Brienne exclaimed tearfully. Jaime had a bad feeling about all of this.
“Did she come home from school?” Jaime asked, trying to keep Brienne calm. Brienne nodded.
“We walked home together like we do every day.” Joanna replied.
“Did Shireen go into her trailer?” Jaime asked Joanna. Joanna nodded.
“Yes. Then I went to practise with Uncle Oberyn. When I came back, Brienne asked me if we’d seen Shireen. I said that I’d dropped her off there before practise.” Joanna replied.
“We searched the circus ground and all around as far as we could, thinking she might just have gotten bored and decided to wander around.” Shae said. Brienne looked frightened.
“All we found was her blue Alice band that she wore to school, and that was on the front step of the trailer.” Brienne said softly. The selfsame Alice band was clutched in Brienne’s hands, her grip tight on the hair accessory.
“How old is your daughter, Miss Tarth?” Brienne looked at Chief Selmy. Jaime didn’t know where he’d come from, but he seemed as though he were concerned. That was a good thing, because old Selmy wouldn’t show concern unless he thought there was something to be concerned about. If he was concerned, then he wasn’t going to ignore the issue. Jaime could only be relieved that Selmy seemed to be taking this seriously.
“She’s only eight.” Brienne pleaded. Chief Selmy nodded his understanding, before calling together as many officers as possible to start a search. Jaime was determined to be a part of the search and saw Addam join him.
“We’ll find her. She probably just hasn’t realised the time and is messing around in one of the fields or near the Rush. We’ll find her.” Jaime thought to himself, hoped, as the police went out in droves to search for the missing eight year old.
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The sun was rising in the sky, but there was no trace of Shireen. Jaime was exhausted, but he refused to give up the search. That was until he got a message from Lyle on his phone. He said that Jaime was needed at a crime scene, and that it had everything to do with Baelish’s death. Also, it was entirely possible it had something to do with Shireen Tarth’s disappearance. Jaime clenched his fists angrily as he told Brienne, who’d been searching right alongside him, and she demanded to go with him. He didn’t refuse her, and so, soon enough, they were driving towards a field several miles from the circus. Jaime was shocked to see a burnt out car as they approached. Jaime pulled up and stopped the car. Brienne got out at the same time as he did, and he walked over to Lyle, who was still herding his associates in the right directions. He looked a little surprised to see Brienne.
“You said that this might have something to do with Shireen’s disappearance.” Jaime said. Lyle nodded and inclined his head as he led them over to a spot on the ground. There, lying on the grass, was a blue drawstring bag. The logo of King’s Landing Primary School embroidered on it. Underneath the school logo, near the bottom of the bag, the name Shireen in was displayed in neat letters. Brienne gasped, as she gazed upon the bag, then Jaime saw tears flooding her eyes.
“Brienne, we’ll find her. I don’t know how, but we’ll find her.” Jaime said softly. He hugged Brienne to him, not sure what else to say, but trying to soothe Brienne’s pain as he looked at the burnt out car, and stroked Brienne’s hair, for what seemed like hours.
“The car is registered as belonging to a Miss Lyanna Stark.” Lyle said. Brienne looked at Lyle.
“Her car went missing the night Baelish died. We were all at the show, and Lyanna said her car was gone, when the show was over.” Brienne said.
“Why didn’t she report it missing?” Jaime wanted to glare at Boros Blount, as he spoke harshly.
“Because we know better than to trust anyone to help us with someone stealing from us. We’ve been keeping an eye out but...” Brienne trailed off, her eyes widened. “I have to go.” Brienne said softly. She was across the field and back at Jaime’s car, before anyone else could say anything to her, and Jaime had a bad feeling about all this. Before he went to go to the car himself, Lyle stopped him.
“What we’ve gathered so far Jaime, says that this is the car that knocked down Baelish. We found some of his DNA that wasn’t destroyed by the car being burnt, under the bumper. I sent it for testing before I called you. We also found some hair fibres in the car. But that doesn’t prove anything. It could be hair from any of the Stark kids, from Lyanna Stark, hell even from one of those huge direwolves. After all, it’s her car. But the seat was rearranged. I’d say that it was someone pretty short who ran Baelish over. But I could be wrong. The seat could have been moved by the perp to make sure that we thought it’d always been like that. But I doubt it. Burning out a car, the last thing someone thinks about is rearranging the seat.” Lyle said. Jaime nodded and went back to the car to drive Brienne back to the camp. He knew something wasn’t right, because Brienne looked frightened, and very unsure. Jaime wanted to do something, but he wasn’t sure what he could do to help at the moment. He also knew Brienne was hiding something, something important, and Jaime wanted to know what it was.
“Brienne? What’s going on?” Jaime asked her gently.
“I’m not sure yet. I... I... I need to get back to the camp. I... I need to talk to some of the boys.” Brienne said softly. But she would say no more. So Jaime got into the driver’s seat and soon they were heading away from the field, and the burnt out car. But Jaime had a horrible feeling that the truth of everything was about to be revealed and he wasn’t sure if that would make him happy.
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Brienne got out of the car, when they got back to the grounds and before he could say anything to her she’d disappeared. She didn’t want him to know who she was talking to. That was obvious, and this worried Jaime. Had Brienne figured out something? Did she know who killed Baelish? Did she know where Shireen was now? So many questions and no answers for them yet. So he made his way towards the big top, hoping to find Olenna and maybe ask her some more questions. He was shocked to hear raised voices from within.
“We did what we had to do Brienne.” Jaime recognised the voice of Gendry.
“You took Lyanna’s car and burned it. What I want to know is why?” Brienne shot back. Jaime peaked through a slight gap in the tent flaps and saw Brienne facing down Gendry. Rickon was also there. The youngest Stark looked more nervous than anyone.
“Brienne, we had no choice.” Gendry said.
“Did you kill Baelish?” Brienne asked. She looked at both of them.
“I’ll tell you Brienne.” Rickon said. Jaime listened as Rickon related the tale. “The show had started, and I was bored. I’m never allowed to be part of the show. Not yet.” Rickon started...
The lights of the funfair rides and around the big top, made the whole fairground look like a cluster of brilliant colour. Rickon frowned as he sat next to his trailer, well the trailer that he shared with Robb, Jon and Bran. Sansa, Arya and Aunt Lyanna shared the other one. Rickon hadn’t wanted to go and watch the show. He was bored and angry. He’d seen Baelish hanging around near their trailers and he wasn’t pleased.
“Rickon? What are you doing here by yourself?” Rickon looked at Gendry.
“I’m just sitting here. What’s it look like?” Rickon shot back. Gendry shrugged.
“Come on. You might as well get a driving lesson in while everyone’s busy. I’m free now. Davos shut down the Ferris Wheel for tonight. We need to tighten some of the screws and... well... after what happened to Ygritte, Davos didn’t want us taking any chances.” Gendry said. Rickon nodded and allowed a smile to cross his face. He loved taking driving lessons. He was too young of course, but all the circus kids learned early, and that was something that his Aunt, siblings and cousin didn’t object to.
“Okay let’s go.” Rickon stated. They went to his Aunt Lyanna’s blue people carrier. Of course they knew where she kept the spare keys for the monster car that they all called Rosie for some reason. Once they got in the car, Rickon in the driver’s seat, Gendry started instructing him and they drove out of the Circus grounds.
They found themselves close to a bridge, about ten miles away from the circus, but still next to the Blackwater Rush. They’d been driving up and down for about an hour. Gendry had been getting Rickon to reverse in the car, make U turns and how to perform emergency stops.
“You’re probably going to be a better driver than me Rickon. You’re doing really well.” Gendry told him. Rickon was proud of himself. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, some guy was in the road. He was short and Gendry was calling out a warning. Rickon hit the brakes as soon as he saw the guy. But the car still ploughed into him. “Shit!” Gendry exclaimed. They jumped out of the car, the headlights left on so they could see where they were going, and ran to see who they’d hit. It was pitch black along the Blackwater Rush Lane, at this time of night. When they finally saw who they’d hit, Rickon was horrified. He looked down at Petyr Baelish, not knowing whether he should just get back in the car and run him over a few more times. To make sure the bastard was dead. He was so angry and he didn’t know what to do. That was when Baelish started coughing, a sure sign of life, and he opened his eyes and looked at them.
“Fuck? You little bastards from the circus!” He said. His voice was slurred, his eyes slightly glazed, and Rickon realised that Baelish was drunk. “Call an ambulance you little shit.” Baelish stated rudely. Rickon glared and Gendry held on to his shoulder.
“Come on kid.” Gendry said. Rickon didn’t move for a few moments.
“Did you fucking hear me? I said call an ambulance! If you and your fucking sister don’t want me to press charges, I’m sure there’s a way for her to pay me back.” Baelish slurred out. Rickon felt like a red mist had descended on him. He rushed forward and kicked Baelish as hard as he could in the ribs. The man vomited on the road as Rickon kicked a few times for good measure. But Rickon wished he could kill him. In that moment, he wished he could kill Baelish.
“You come near my family, you come near the circus, and I’ll fucking finish you off! I swear to the Old Gods and the New that I’ll fucking kill you if you ever mess with my sister again!” Rickon yelled. Baelish let out a half laugh, half cough. Rickon was going to kick him again, but Gendry grabbed hold of him.
“Come on! We have to go!” Gendry said. He took Rickon to the car and made him sit in the passenger side. Gendry jumped in the driver’s side, but his knees were squashed up onto the dash. He didn’t say anything, just started the car and drove off, leaving Baelish behind. Gendry was driving pretty fast.
“Where are we going?” Rickon asked, he felt confused. “Why did we leave that fucker there?” Rickon questioned.
“We left him there because he’s still alive. He can phone his own ambulance. We’re going as far as we can with this car, then we’re going to burn it out.” Gendry replied. Rickon stared at Gendry in shock.
“I don’t get it.” Rickon said.
“If we burn the car, we get rid of our DNA. Even if Baelish remembers it was us, he won’t have any fucking proof, accept that it was this car that hit him, maybe. If we burn it then no one is going to prove we were in this car, or that you were driving.” Gendry shot back.
“But... why?” Rickon asked.
“Because I’ll be fucking damned if that bastard is going to put you in jail, or try and con your sisters into working for him, over this. I’m going to do what I can to protect you Rickon. I promise.” Gendry said.
They drove quite far. Rickon wasn’t sure where they were, but Gendry stopped the car in a field. Then Rickon and Gendry got out of the car, took some of the hydraulic oil and lighter fluid that Gendry would normally use on the machines and in lighters, after all most of the guys at the circus smoked and Gendry often borrowed Aunt Lyanna’s car when he went to get heavy things. Rickon knew he’d been out with the car today. They doused the inside of the car with it, and then Gendry opened all the windows, grabbed a piece of paper from an atlas that had been in the car, and used his lighter to light it. Then, Gendry tossed the flaming piece of paper into the car. He pulled Rickon away, but Rickon still looked back at the car. The flame spread, almost lightning quick, along the interior of the car, and it went up in flames. It was like a giant fireball, and Rickon was amazed by the intensity of it all. Gendry grabbed Rickon’s hand.
“We’ve got to get out of here Rickon. We’re going to walk for a bit and then I’m going to call a cab from the next bar we find. It might be a while Rickon, but no one needs to know we were here. We’ll be okay, you’ll be okay Rickon. I promise.” Gendry said. Rickon nodded and walked with Gendry. Neither of them saying much, just walking away as Aunt Lyanna’s car burned behind them.
“He was alive when we left. He was alive. I swear Brienne! He was alive!” Rickon finished.
“Oh Rickon... Gendry... what were you both thinking?” Brienne asked.
“I didn’t mean to kill him Brienne! I didn’t! I don’t know how he got into the Rush! But it was me who hit him with the car. It was an accident! I hated that bastard but it was an accident! He was in the middle of the road!” Rickon exclaimed fearfully. That was when Jaime revealed himself.
“You didn’t kill him Rickon. You hit him with the car, but he would have survived. But shortly after you two left, someone stabbed Baelish in the neck. Did you see anyone, or anything, that you recognised?” Jaime asked. Gendry, Brienne and Rickon all stared at him.
“Jaime, you followed me?” Brienne asked.
“I didn’t, as I had no idea where you went. I was coming past here to see if I could find Olenna, maybe ask her a few questions. But then I heard the raised voices in here.” Jaime said gently. Rickon looked frightened. “Rickon, listen to me. I know I’m a cop and you don’t trust cops, but I want to give you both some advice. If you confess to hitting Baelish with the car, even though it was an accident, it means we can carry on looking for the real killer, and it would stand in your favour that you confessed. I’m sure that I can recommend to the DA that neither of you serve jail time. I can’t promise anything, except that I’ll do everything I can to help you.” Jaime told them.
“Why should we believe you?” Gendry asked.
“Because I don’t believe either of you deserve to go to jail. Not for Baelish. He was scum and you wanted to protect your family Rickon, and Gendry, you wanted to protect Rickon, right? You don’t deserve jail for that.” Jaime said seriously. Gendry nodded his head, looking at Rickon.
“I...” Rickon looked at Brienne. “You trust him right Brienne?” Rickon asked.
“With my life, Rickon, and with Shireen’s life too.” Brienne replied. That touched Jaime, to think that Brienne trusted him with her life and her daughter. “If Jaime says he’ll do everything he can to help you, then he will.” Brienne added. Rickon nodded and took a deep breath.
“I... I’d like to tell my family before...” Rickon trailed off. Jaime nodded.
“I understand that. Just... come to the station and ask for me when you’re ready.” Jaime said. He looked at Brienne. “Now, we need to see if we can find Shireen.” Jaime said. Brienne nodded. They left the big top, leaving Gendry and Rickon alone. Jaime knew that he shouldn’t, that both boys could take the chance to run, and it would be down to Jaime. But he didn’t think they would. Trust had to go both ways and Jaime was determined to give the boys a chance.
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It had been twenty four hours since Shireen had been reported missing, and longer since she’d disappeared, but the only trace of her had been her bag, left at the scene of the burnt out car. Brienne was frantic. Jaime had driven her to the police station, hoping that there would be some news waiting for them. But only moments after Selmy told them he’d heard nothing, Jaime saw a people black carrier pull up in front of the station.
“That’s Theon’s car.” Brienne said softly. Jaime watched as the Stark family, Gendry and Theon piled out of the car. Rickon held on to Lyanna’s hand, looking nervous, and Gendry just had his hands in his pockets, looking stern. Jaime knew why they were there, and it was almost sad to think they would have to trust the justice system now. Jaime could only pray that he could get them some leniency from the DA.
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“So, the youngest Stark boy ran Baelish over. The other boy, Gendry, helped him cover that up and neither of them killed Baelish. This is just getting stranger and stranger. Do we not have any way of narrowing down our suspect pool here?” Selmy asked. Addam and Jaime were stood in front of Selmy’s desk a few hours later, both were not in the best of moods at the moment. That was when Peck ran into Selmy’s office without knocking.
“Sir!” Peck exclaimed.
“Did you forget your manners in the last few hours Peckledon?” Barristan asked. The rookie cop shook his head.
“No sir, but we found Ramsay Snow’s address.” Peck replied.
“And? Did you bring the boy in?” Barristan asked. Jaime listened intently, hoping they finally had their suspect.
“No sir. The place was empty but...” Peck trailed off.
“But what?” Jaime asked this time, not being able to contain himself.
“His mother... his mother was dead. She was just... sat in an armchair in the living room, dead.” Peck answered, looking pale.
“Tell me she wasn’t murdered as well.” Barristan stated firmly. Peck shook his head.
“We don’t know sir. From what we can tell so far, it looks like she died from natural causes. But Lyle said we’d have to have her autopsied just in case Sir. She doesn’t show any physical signs of injury or struggle, so we’re not treating it as a suspicious death sir. Not yet, unless something turns up in the autopsy.” Peck said calmly.
“Then what had you so excitable that you felt the need to barge into my office?” Barristan asked. Peck took a breath, looking at each of his senior officers in turn.
“Sir, a little girl’s school jumper was found at the scene. It had the name Shireen on the label at the back, in light blue. Like the bag that Lyle found at the site of the burned out car.” Peck replied. Jaime’s eyes went wide.
“Has her mother been told?” Jaime asked. Peck shook his head.
“No. Lyle sent me straight here with the information.” Peck said. Jaime made to leave the office then.
“Lannister?” Jaime turned to look back at Chief Selmy. “You know that this woman is a potential suspect in Baelish’s murder?” Selmy asked.
“No sir. She isn’t. She has an alibi for the time the murder was committed.” Jaime replied. Before Selmy could ask Jaime anymore questions, he left the office to find Brienne and let her know that more of Shireen’s possessions had been found. But he wasn’t even sure how he would tell Brienne that her daughter may well be in the hands of the man that attempted to kill her. But Jaime still didn’t have definitive proof that Snow was responsible for the attempt on Brienne and Tyrion’s lives. So Jaime decided to speak to Gendry before he spoke to Brienne. He needed to know that it was Ramsay he needed to be looking for, for certain. He made his way to the juvenile cells, where both Rickon and Gendry were being kept until they’d provided their passports, which would stop them being able to leave the country. It was the condition to them being allowed to go home. Jaime opened the door and looked at the two boys.
“Did Aunt Lyanna come back with our passports?” Rickon asked.
“No, not yet Rickon, but I’m sure she’ll be back soon.” Jaime told the younger boy. Rickon nodded and looked at Gendry.
“You wanted to ask me something right?” Gendry asked. Jaime nodded.
“When Tyrion was injured and Brienne was almost drowned, where were you?” Jaime asked him. Gendry blinked.
“I helped to set up the tank, put it together. I tested it before the performance, then I went to operate one of the rides. I think it was the waltzers I was running that night.” Gendry replied.
“Who else worked with you to put the tank together?” Jaime asked.
“Only Ramsay. He’s a creepy kid, but he knows machines.” Gendry replied. Jaime nodded and then turned to leave. “Detective?” Jaime turned back to look at Gendry. “What’s going on?” Gendry asked.
“Shireen’s school jumper was found at Ramsay Snow’s home. His mother’s dead body was also there.” Jaime told Gendry honestly. Gendry looked pale.
“Shit. You need to tell Brienne.” Gendry said. Jaime nodded and left the cell, locking the door behind him. He was worried about Shireen, about how Brienne would react to all of this. He didn’t know whether to be sick with worry, or sick with dread and fear.
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Letting Brienne know the full situation had been harder than he ever thought it would be. But now, the whole circus was out looking for Shireen, except for the children, and Olenna, who’d volunteered to stay with them all. Brienne was trembling as dusk fell again. This was the second day they’d been looking for Shireen. Gendry was also searching, whilst Rickon stayed with the other children. Lyanna had brought their passports to the police station, so that the boys were not a flight risk any longer. Nobody wanted anymore of the kids to go missing and Olenna insisted that she was useless in such a search. She was old, stiff, and her sight was poor in the dark, and Jaime had been able to tell that Olenna was suffering with the loss of Shireen. Brienne had whispered some soothing words to Olenna before they’d left again to search, but Jaime was almost positive the old woman still felt terrible.
“We’ll find her Brienne.” Jaime said, as he and Brienne searched up and down the banks of the Blackwater Rush. He hadn’t slept in the last two days. He couldn’t. He was angry that anyone would dare to abduct an innocent child. But that wasn’t the worst of it. He’d seen parents go through the disappearance of a child before. He’d always tried to distance himself before. But with Brienne, he couldn’t do that. He knew her, he knew Shireen. He cared about them. How could he not be involved? He shouldn’t have been making promises that he wasn’t sure could be kept, but he couldn’t think any other way.
“Don’t make promises that you can’t keep Jaime.” Brienne said softly, her blue eyes piercing through his soul. It was almost like she could read his mind. Jaime found that one hand clenched around the flashlight he was holding, whilst his other hand clenched into a fist. His instincts told him that Ramsay Snow was playing with them. But why, and for what reason, Jaime didn’t know. As he and Brienne rounded a corner, near the Blackwater Rush, Brienne froze, her eyes wide, as she dropped her flashlight. As it spun on the ground, the light caught a shadow of something hanging from the bridge before them. Jaime aimed his flashlight in the direction of the strange shadow. He felt sick to his stomach as he looked upon another body, nailed to the bridge in the same way that Jon Connington had been nailed to the back of the lift in the coroner’s building. But this body... this body had no skin on it. Blood ran down the body in rivulets, and there was a pool of it underneath the body. Whoever had done this, had flayed their victim. Jaime felt like he wanted to vomit, but he saw that Brienne was looking at something else, lying in the sparse grass, near the bank of the river. Jaime aimed his flashlight on the object, and he felt the urge to be sick even more. Laying on the ground, on a bloodied, King’s Landing Primary, School tie, was a single finger, a child’s finger, painted with dark nail varnish. Jaime did vomit then.
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Back at the station, Brienne was shaking. She’d answered all the questions asked of her, and she was numb with shock and horror. She’d even brought Shireen’s hairbrush from their trailer at home, so that they could test the DNA of her hair against the finger. Jaime knew, that Brienne was praying that finger didn’t belong to Shireen as much as he was, if not more.
“The finger may not be Shireen’s, Brienne. It might not even be real.” Jaime said. He was trying to bolster Brienne’s hopes, but Brienne didn’t argue, didn’t speak, she just stared blankly at a wall, looking dazed and lost. But after what seemed like days, but was only four hours, it was Lyle who came over to them.
“I’m sorry Miss Tarth. The finger we found... it belongs to your daughter. We tested it against strands of her hair from her hairbrush that you provided. We also checked it against strands of hair that we found at the... scenes, on the jumper and bag that were left behind... they matched.” Lyle said. Brienne shook her head, looking dazed.
“Lyle... is she dead?” Jaime asked. Brienne’s eyes snapped to both men, as though seeking the answer from them.
“She was alive when the finger was taken off. That’s all I can tell you. The collected blood around the... around the wound, proves she was alive when it was done. But... by the time we find her, she may well be dead. We have no idea if she’s alive right now, if the wound has been cared for, or if she’s had any kind of medical treatment, or even how she is being treated at the moment. We just don’t know.” Lyle answered. Brienne shook her head, her face full of disbelief.
“Then what are you doing about it? Why isn’t anyone searching for my daughter? Why isn’t anyone doing anything?” Brienne sobbed. Jaime felt his heart twist in his chest as he saw tears sliding down Brienne’s cheeks.
“We’ve put out an APB on Ramsay Snow. As soon as he’s spotted he’ll be brought in.” Brienne looked up at Addam from where she sat. It was him who had spoken. Brienne was shaking, tears still dripped down her cheeks.
“And how long will my child be in this monster’s hands until then?” Brienne asked. Addam looked confused and guilty at the question. “You don’t know. Of course you don’t. By the time this monster is found... my daughter could be dead... and there is nothing you can do about it.” Brienne said softly. Jaime pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her. He felt her tears on his shoulder. Jaime wanted to tell her everything was going to be fine. But he couldn’t bring himself to lie.
“Jaime... there’s more but...” Lyle trailed off. Brienne looked at Jaime and swallowed heavily.
“It’s okay Jaime. Whatever you find out about this case, whether I know about it or not, it could help find Shireen.” Brienne said. Her eyes were wide and swimming with tears. Jaime nodded and stood up, but leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek. He tasted the bitter salt of her tears as he pulled away.
“I promise you Brienne, we’re going to do everything we can to find her. I’ll do whatever it takes.” Jaime whispered. Brienne nodded her understanding and Jaime walked over to one of the empty interview rooms.
“I’m sorry Jaime. But you know our protocol.” Lyle said softly. Addam was leaning against one of the walls, waiting for what Lyle would reveal.
“What’s wrong?” Jaime asked. Lyle drummed his fingers on the formica table top.
“The body was a cop.” Lyle finally said, after a few minutes.
“A cop?” Addam asked.
“Detective Janos Slynt. It’s not official until we go through all the medical tests, but all cops have their DNA on the database. His name came up. We’re just matching dental records to confirm.” Lyle said.
“Seven Hells!” Addam exclaimed. “Everyone said he was dirty, but... to die like that?” Addam questioned.
“Do you know cause of death?” Jaime asked Lyle, not caring if Janos Slynt had suffered. He’d been quite happy to turn a blind eye to what was happening to the people at the circus. How many others had he turned a blind eye to? How many had died, had been assaulted physically or sexually, and he had turned a blind eye to it.
“We can’t be certain, but he was flayed while he was still alive. I can tell you that.” Lyle replied. Jaime trembled, his hands shaking, whether through anger or fear and disgust, Jaime didn’t know.
“Do you think Shireen saw what happened?” Jaime asked.
“I don’t know Jaime. For the kid’s sake, I really hope she didn’t.” Lyle replied.
“We need to find Roose Bolton.” Jaime said.
“Bolton? The old leech? Why?” Lyle asked.
“Because if I’m right, he’s the next target.” Jaime shot back. He hoped that by finding Roose Bolton, they might get some answers. But for now, they had to keep searching for Shireen.
“What makes Bolton important?” Addam asked. Jaime sighed.
“He signed off on all of the coroner’s reports from the deaths that happened at the circus. He signed off on all the DNA reports on any assaults that took place there too. Slynt was the cop assigned to all the cases, and Connington... I asked him to look into those cases. The very day I asked him to look at them, he wound up murdered. Then we find Slynt, flayed alive. It can’t be coincidence. So if we can find Bolton before Snow gets to him, we might have some answers. We have to follow every lead to bring Shireen home.” Jaime told them. Lyle nodded and so did Addam. “Come on. I need to get Brienne home, then we need to go to Bolton’s house and question him.” Jaime said. Addam nodded and followed Jaime without argument.
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When Jaime dropped Brienne back at the Circus, he got out of the car, whilst Addam waited for him in the car, and he walked with Brienne to her trailer.
“At least I know who we’re looking for.” Brienne said softly.
“Brienne, I know that you all believe in your own justice. I don’t give a rat’s arse what happens to Ramsay Snow. What he’s done... I can’t even imagine how you’re feeling Brienne. But if any of you find him... you need to call me. It’s not just Shireen that he’s taken. He killed Jon Connington, a good man, with a teenage nephew, who agreed to look into the files of cases that went unresolved here at the circus. I have a hunch that he was killed for that reason Brienne. Finding Janos Slynt’s body just made that hunch doubly likely. Aegon deserves justice, just as you do, and Shireen does. And Janos Slynt was a dirty cop, I’ve got no doubt. But he had a family, a wife and kids, and they need justice too.” Jaime implored. Brienne nodded.
“I know Jaime. But if it comes down to a choice between him and my daughter, then I choose my daughter. You can’t blame me for that.” Brienne replied, her eyes stared straight into his own. Jaime nodded.
“That’s how I feel too Brienne. Believe it or not, I haven’t known Shireen for long, but I care about her. I care about what happens to her. She’s not my kid, but I wouldn’t mind having a kid like her.” Jaime said. Brienne nodded.
“I know Jaime. I know that you’ll do whatever you can to bring Shireen back to me. I’m just scared that she won’t come back.” Brienne said softly.
“I will do whatever it takes Brienne. I swear to you. Whatever it takes.” Jaime promised her again. She allowed a hand to cup his cheek, and his own covered it, not wanting to lose contact with her just yet.
“I have to tell the others who we’re looking for. It might help. They might know places to look for him. If they have any ideas... I’ll text you with the details.” Brienne said. Jaime nodded, and kissed her, feeling like he shouldn’t leave her, but knowing he had no choice. As they separated, Jaime had both his hands cupping Brienne’s cheeks, as he just carried on looking into her eyes.
“Brienne, I lo-” Jaime began to speak, but Brienne kissed him this time.
“You don’t have to say anything.” Brienne said softly. Then she was gone, into her trailer, and Jaime walked back to his car, where his partner waited, and their next stop would be to find Roose Bolton.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Roose Bolton’s home wasn’t all that far away. Jaime was surprised that Bolton owned a home in such a well off part of the city. His home was rather large. It wasn’t the largest home on King’s Landing Row, by all means, but it was very large. It was large enough for Jaime to know that Roose Bolton was rich, therefore didn’t need the job that he had at the Coroner’s office. When Jaime and Addam knocked on the door, a rather large woman answered. She looked upset.
“Mrs Bolton?” Jaime asked. The woman nodded.
“Yes, I’m Mrs Walda Bolton.” The woman replied.
“I’m Detective Jaime Lannister, and this is Detective Addam Marbrand.” Jaime introduced himself and Addam. Walda’s eyes widened.
“Oh! You must help! My Roosie! He didn’t come home last night! He didn’t even call and that’s not like him!” Walda exclaimed, her countenance showed how afraid she was.
“Okay Mrs Bolton, you need to calm down. We’ll do what we can to find your husband.” Addam said. Jaime saw Roose’s familiar black Chevrolet in the driveway, by the garage door.
“Mrs Bolton?” Jaime asked. Walda looked up at him with her eyes swimming with tears.
“Yes Detective Lannister?” She asked back. Jaime gestured to Roose’s car.
“Is that not your husband’s car?” Jaime asked. Walda nodded.
“Yes. It is his car. But he isn’t here. He... he went for a run. He always does. He parks the car and goes for a run before he comes into the house and showers before dinner. I saw his car parked, at around five thirty, which is the time he usually gets home. But he never came back and he never called.” Walda said. “He would’ve told me. He would have. He told me he doesn’t want me upset at the moment.” Walda sobbed.
“Why particularly, would he not want you upset now, Mrs Bolton?” Addam asked.
“Because I’m pregnant and he doesn’t want me to be upset for my health and the health of our baby.” Walda wailed. Tears were once again streaming down her cheeks.
“What route does he take for this run, Mrs Bolton? Do you know?” Jaime asked her, trying to use a gentle tone, knowing this poor woman was pregnant and probably didn’t know what was going on at the moment. Walda nodded.
“He goes to the back gate, it’s at the far back of the garden, then he takes his run through the woods there.” Walda replied shakily. Jaime looked at Addam.
“We’ll go and check it out Mrs Bolton. It’s possible that he tripped and hurt his leg, we’ll see if we can find him.” Addam said calmly. Walda nodded, still looking very upset. Jaime and Addam both found themselves at the back of the garden. They went through the gate. Only a little way down the path, Jaime noticed a rust coloured stain on the trunk of a tree.
“Addam, call for back up.” Jaime said. Addam looked at the stain himself.
“Is that blood?” Addam asked incredulously.
“Just call for back up Addam. We don’t know what we’re dealing with.” Jaime replied. Addam nodded, shaking himself out of the daze he’d been in, at the realisation of the blood stain. Jaime ventured a little further forwards, he heard Addam make the call. That was when his feet seemed to give way underneath him, sending him flying down a steep incline and into a ditch. Jaime winced as he tried to get up. A sharp shooting pain went through his ankle, but he could still stand. It wasn’t broken.
“Jaime? Jaime? You alright there partner?” Addam called down to him.
“Yeah I’m fine. I just slid down into a damn ditch. I’ll be right up.” Jaime replied. He looked around for a way to get out of the ditch. Then he noticed a foot sticking out from under some bush. The foot had a running shoe on it, and Jaime moved forward, having a bad feeling about this. He nearly tripped over a book that was lying on the ground. The book had bloodstains on it. It was a copy of ‘The Illustrated Tales of King Arthur and His Knights’ and it had a beautiful, sapphire blue, clothbound cover. But the blood marred it. Jaime didn’t touch the book, and went straight to the bush. He moved some of the leaves aside, and realised he was looking at Roose Bolton. He wasn’t even sure if the man was dead or alive, at the moment, but he knew Addam had called back up. “Addam! Bolton’s down here! I don’t know if he’s alive or not!” Jaime yelled out to Addam, before looking any further at the scene set out before him. Bolton was covered by the bush, the only thing visible, had been his foot. But Jaime checked the man’s pulse. He breathed a sigh of relief to find the man breathing.
“I called for backup! And an ambulance is on the way Jaime!” Addam called down.
“Bolton’s alive! He’s breathing! At least for now!” Jaime called back. He looked at the book, laid on the ground again. Something was bothering him about it. The fact that it shouldn’t have been there was not the only concern that Jaime had. He pulled out a pair of rubber gloves from his jacket pocket and pulled them on. Then he lifted the edge of the cover of the book carefully. Inside the book, there was a neat typed note that could be found in most children’s books now. It said ‘This Book Belongs To’ and then underneath was a line where children wrote their names. In scruffy, looping writing, the name Shireen was printed in blue pen. Jaime took a shuddering breath. Ramsay Snow had been there. But what did he want with Roose Bolton? Jaime knew he’d have to wait for the man to wake up, before he could find out. The trouble was that Shireen didn’t have that kind of time. When Jaime lifted the book fully, he saw a piece of skin, lying underneath it. It was a piece of skin marked with greyscale. Jaime shuddered, as he realised he didn’t need Lyle’s lab to ID the skin. Shireen was the only person he knew with greyscale scarring.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
It was a couple of hours later when Roose Bolton finally awoke. Jaime had been forced to get himself looked at, once he got to the hospital. He was fine apart from a twisted ankle, which Jaime felt he could live with. Jaime and Addam went in to see him, and the man looked paler than usual. His plump wife was fussing around him.
“We need to talk to you Doctor Bolton.” Jaime said. His tone broached no room for arguments. Roose looked at his wife.
“Walda, I would appreciate it if you went home and got me some of my own things. They intend to keep me here overnight, which is ridiculous, I can at least sleep in my own pyjamas.” Roose told his wife. Walda nodded so vigorously, that Jaime thought her head might fall off. Then she left, after fussing over her husband a little more.
“You need to answer a good few questions.” Jaime said. “First of which is why did Ramsay Snow want you?” Jaime asked. Roose gave Jaime a cold, straight look. “We know it was him. He left us a little present beside you. A book that belongs to a little girl that he’s abducted, along with a piece of her skin that he flayed from her cheek.” Jaime spat. Roose looked slightly uncomfortable.
“The last person he left with a present like that for us, he’d flayed alive. Detective Janos Slynt. I assume you know him, especially as the two of you interacted on so many cases.” Addam shot out. Roose frowned. Then almost seemed as though he were giving up, as he straightened himself out, so he could sit up properly in the hospital bed. The doctors told them that Roose had suffered a severe concussion, a lacerated left arm, and a broken right leg. Jaime could see the irony in it.
“Ramsay... is my son.” Roose said softly. Jaime and Addam were both confused then. “I... had a... fling... with his mother. It was years ago. I didn’t even know he existed until he was about twelve. My son Domeric... he had somehow tracked him down. He was twelve and he had always wanted a brother or sister. But his mother died when he was a year old. Cancer.” Roose explained.
“Your son tracked down your other son?” Addam asked.
“Yes. He was determined to play with him. One day, I received a call. Domeric had fallen from a cliff. He was dead. He’d been playing with Ramsay at the time. But Domeric was practically an expert in abseiling. He knew how to grab hold of hand and footholds. He went climbing with me every summer from the moment he was old enough to do so. But it was ruled an accidental death. I tried not to think about it. Then... these... cases... started coming on to my desk. All were meant to be accidental. Janos Slynt had been looking into the cases. He demanded I sign off on them, or he would reveal that Ramsay was my son. He swore he’d make me an accessory to my son’s crimes. Nobody seemed to care about the circus people, so I signed off on them.” Bolton admitted.
“Why tell us now and not earlier?” Jaime asked.
“Because now, Ramsay wants to kill me, and my wife, and her unborn child. Now Ramsay has a small child as a hostage. I was horrified, and before I could react anymore... Ramsay pushed me off of the steep incline. I think he must have thought I was dead, or he left me alive on purpose. Though I have no idea why he would do such a thing.” Roose finished. Jaime and Addam both looked at each other.
“You know this means jail time, right?” Jaime asked. Roose Bolton remained completely impassive.
“Maybe Detective, and maybe not. But by not speaking, I am putting myself, my wife and our unborn child in danger. Believe it or not, I’m rather fond of my wife and I should like to have a child I can be ostensibly proud of.” Roose said.
“So do you know where we can find Ramsay?” Jaime asked. Roose nodded.
“There’s an old cabin in the woods. It’s on my land, but we never go to it. It’s one of the few isolated places that Ramsay knows about. If he isn’t there then I don’t know where else he could be.” Roose told them. He grasped a piece of scrap paper and scribbled something on it. “Here’s the address.” Roose said, holding out the paper. Jaime looked at Addam, before he took the paper.
“We’d better go and check it out.” Addam said.
“You’d best take backup with you Detectives. Ramsay is completely insane.” Roose said calmly. Jaime glared.
“We’ll be sure to do that, Doctor Bolton.” Jaime stated. Then he and Addam left the room, both hoping that they could get there to save Shireen in time.
“I’m going to call for backup to meet us there.” Addam said. Jaime nodded his understanding, but then he saw Joanna.
“Joanna? What’s wrong?” Jaime asked her as she rushed over to him, red stocking cap on her head, looking desperately at him as if he held the answers to life’s questions.
“Uncle Jaime! Brienne’s missing! So are Shae and Jon! They disappeared on the search, and Olenna called me on my mobile and told me!” Joanna exclaimed. She was hysterical. Jaime felt like a hole had opened up beneath him, and he was just in between the moment where you were still standing, but about to fall into the abyss.
“How do they know that your friends are missing kid?” Addam asked Joanna.
“The others came across their flashlights and their phones, three fields away from the circus, and...” Joanna trailed off.
“And?” Jaime asked her. Joanna was shaking, her skin as white as milk.
“They found Shireen’s harmonica, next to... next to...” Joanna trailed off and started to cry then.
“What Joanna? What else did they find?” Jaime asked her gently.
“They found another finger.” Joanna sobbed. “They’ve called the police, but I don’t know what to do!” Joanna wailed. Jaime pulled his niece into his arms and hugged her close, hoping that with the new information they now had from Bolton, that they would find Shireen, and all the missing people, including Brienne.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
Jaime and Addam pulled up to the cabin in the woods. It was isolated and quiet. Far too quiet for Jaime’s liking. They had a swat team for backup. It was as they got to the door that they heard screams. It was the screams of women. The scream of a child. Jaime let the swat team cave in the door, with a small, handheld battering ram. The swat team flooded in, Jaime and Addam following them. The sight that met their eyes was horrific. Brienne and Shae were both chained to the walls. Both were bleeding copiously, and Jaime wanted to rush to Brienne’s side, staunch the flow of blood. Shireen was chained in the opposite corner, sobbing and hysterical. Her face covered in blood, and more blood stained her white school shirt and blue school dress. But on the ground, blood pooling out over the wooden floor, trembling and trying and moving his mouth soundlessly, was Jon Stark. Jaime could see the boy had been stabbed several times, and didn’t know how long Jon could last under these conditions. In the middle of the carnage stood Ramsay Snow, bloody knife in hand, shirtless, and doused in the blood of his victims. He looked at the armed swat team, then at Jaime and Addam.
“Drop the knife Snow!” Jaime growled out. Ramsay did, as he smiled at them all.
“This has turned out to be a lovely evening.” He said cheerfully, as members of the swat team cuffed him and took him out of the cabin. Jon still twitched on the ground, losing blood, and Shireen still sobbed hysterically, while both Shae and Brienne were frighteningly quiet. Jaime could only hope they’d gotten there in time to save them.