Henri - 10

 

"You all know the city better than I," Henri said. "Where would be a good place to look for an apartment?"

 

"Why an apartment?" Allyn asked.

 

"Less expensive for starters. I do have some money squirreled away in a bank account, but not a lot, in the grand scheme things."

 

"I can—" Miranda started to say.

 

Henri interrupted her. "I will not accept anyone but me paying for this—end of story. I've sponged off of you long enough."

 

"Henri, you weren't—"

 

"I—"

 

"Hold up, both of you," Allyn said. "Henri, you know why she let you stay at the house. You weren't taking advantage of her so…you weren't sponging. Mandi, you have to understand where he's coming from. He can afford to rent his own place without our help. If it was me and I was in the same position, I'd resent your offer, and tell you to butt out."

 

"I don't resent it," Henri quickly responded. "I appreciate it. It's… I have to start taking things into my own hands."

 

"Very capable hands, I'm sure," Taegan said.

 

"I haven't proven it so far," Henri replied ruefully.

 

"You escaped from Xavier," John pointed out.

 

"And until today, I've done nothing but cower in fear…but no more. So, back to what started this conversation. Where can I find an affordable apartment?"

 

"Let me get my laptop and we'll see." Taegan did, putting it down on the coffee table. Once he was online, he went to a realty site. "How much can you afford?"

 

"Cheap?" Henri said wryly. "I guess…no more than a thousand a month, if possible."

 

"Definitely possible," Taegan told him. "Ransom, would you join us, please? You'd have a better idea than I do of what's defensible."

 

 Ransom did, leaning over the back of the sofa as Taegan scrolled through the site. He quickly eliminated three of the ones Taegan found.

 

"No fast exterior exit. If Xavier did manage to get inside and sedate you, Henri, he'd have to take you out via the hallways and elevator. Given what happened at Mrs Graham's, I wouldn't put it past him to try to eliminate anyone who saw him."

 

Henri hissed in a breath, nodding.

 

"What about this place," Taegan suggested. "Each apartment has its own entrance onto an exterior walkway."

 

"Better. Keep looking," Ransom said.

 

Taegan chuckled. "You're not easily satisfied."

 

"I want him and his neighbors safe. Wait. Stop." Ransom pointed to one listing. "Not bad. Reasonable neighborhood. Do the outside stairs belong to the apartment?"

 

"Yes," Taegan said after checking. "To one of the two on the second floor of a house that's been renovated and turned into rental units."

 

"The field next door is good," Ransom said. "It and the stairs will make Xavier think he can abduct Henri with no real problem."

 

"Happy thought," Henri muttered. "Still, considering why I'm doing this… The interior is nice."

 

By then, Miranda was standing beside Ransom so she could see as well. "I've got some furniture you can use, if you want," she said.

 

Henri looked up at her, replying tongue-in-cheek, "Thanks. I don't think borrowing it will impinge on my new-found independence."

 

She laughed. "I'm sure it won't."

 

"Are you all right with the rent, Henri?" Taegan asked.

 

"Yes. Hell. One small problem. ID."

 

"You do have some, don't you?" Ransom asked.

 

"Yeah. But it's in my house in Paradis. Or I hope it is."

 

"Only one way to find out. You want one of us to come with you?"

 

"No thanks. It should be safe enough."

 

"Famous last words," Taegan said. "Take Ransom."