[center][h1] [color=5f60d0]Lord Ingram Poe[/color] & [color=af593e]Jo Montague[/color][/h1]
A collab with [@PatientBean][/center][hr][hr]

[color=lightgray]Jo noticed Lord Poe referred to Selina as a Lady, and filed that tidbit away. He smiled politely even when he was the only one the headmaster used his first name for. No Mister for him, huh? Oh, well. The important thing was, the principal had agreed to meet with him right away.

When the others left, Jo followed the headmaster to his office, footfalls soft as a matter of habit. He took the indicated chair, and faced Lord Poe. He took a deep breath before he began.

[color=af593e]“It’s about my father, Edward Montague. He was invited as a guest speaker at your school in the past, Lord Poe, and he spoke well of you. I believe he trusts you, so I decided to take my chance, too,”[/color] he admitted. [color=af593e]“He…”[/color]

His fingers scratched at the fabric of his trousers. [color=af593e]“He has gone missing,”[/color] he breathed. His next words were faster, almost rushed, though he did his best to remain composed. [color=af593e]“He was supposed to return home by the end of August. I gave him another three days just in case before contacting the authorities. It has been almost a month now, and still, they refuse to declare him officially missing.”[/color] He frowned, nostrils flaring once. [color=af593e]“I want to think they are doing their best, but to be honest, I’m concerned. This [i]is not[/i] like my father. He wouldn’t just go off gallivanting without a single word home,”[/color] he emphasized. He met the principal’s eyes, and swallowed silently.

[color=af593e]“So, I was wondering if you would be willing to put in a word to expedite matters, Lord Poe. I realize this is a hefty request.”[/color] All he could do was hope the headmaster might indulge him.

After a moment of silence, he added, [color=af593e]“If it interests you, I know where his business took him.”[/color] His hand wandered to the letter he had put into his inner waistcoat pocket, ready to hand it over if the principal was willing to help – or even if he was on the fence, really. As long as it wasn’t an outright no, Jo figured they could work something out.

Lord Ingram Poe listened intently as Jo regaled him of his plight with his father. He remembered Edward Montague fondly. The man was an excellent speaker and the students enjoyed his speech as did he. To hear he has been missing for a length of time was surprising. What was not surprising was that the authorities were doing precious little to find him. Unless Edward was of a serious and significant rank, he doubted they cared. Money spoke more than a child’s words.
[color=5f60d0]“Yes, Jo, I remember your father. I am sorry to hear of it. I cannot promise to grease the wheels of justice, but I can promise to do what I can.”[/color] Lord Poe looked to the letter Jo pulled out. [color=5f60d0]“If you have information, please share. Anything that could be of help.”[/color]

Jo pulled out the folded paper, and handed it over. It had not been sent that long ago, yet the creases and crinkles showed it had been handled often. Its edges were smoother, a tad oily from touch, and a tiny splatter of tea had dried in one corner. The seal had been broken, but the sender’s address remained legible on the outer side.

[hr][i]Sir,

I had a most fruitful engaging discussion the other day with an acquaintance of mine, and spoke of your fondness of engineering. I recalled your presentation following the successful journey of Trevethick’s steam locomotive. You expounded on the sheer genius behind the invention, and offered a few speculative improvements. But what most impressed me was the imagery you painted in your audience’s minds: a world connected by railways, the novel idea of steam engines being used for all manner of other vehicles as well. 

Ah, but enough flattery. I know it is a habit of mine you dislike. So, as a fellow man of business, let me strike at the heart of the matter, shall I? 

My associate has been in contact with a man who claims he can improve the high pressure steam process, and create a better commercially viable model of the steam-fueled train. I am eager to hear your perspective on this idea. If you are amenable to a discussion, you are cordially invited at my London estate on the 22nd of August at 4PM. I am eagerly awaiting your reply.

Respectfully,

[right]Lord Sidney Campbell[/right][/i][hr]

Lord Poe read the letter and read it again to ensure he understood. The progress of locomotives had been a topic he had discussed, but it was not something he took much interest in. Technology advanced as did most things. [color=5f60d0]“Jo, am I to understand your father left to meet this Lord Campbell and never returned?”[/color]

[color=af593e]“He…”[/color] Jo’s gaze flitted down, fingers twisting nervously. Even if he didn’t say it now, the headmaster would find out if he looked into it. An exhale gusted his lips, and he grudgingly admitted what he knew. [color=af593e]“They did send an investigator eventually…Lord Campbell claimed he met up with my father, who then left, and he knows nothing else.”[/color] The truth left a bitter taste in his mouth. [color=af593e]“So, it’s a dead end. Supposedly.”[/color] His lips twisted, shoulders scrunched up, and two spots of colour crept up his cheeks. He expected to be told that it was nothing. That he was worrying too much, clinging to that last piece of correspondence as a hint when it was only an unfortunate coincidence. That [i]something[/i] might have happened on his father’s journey, but why would a lord who’d been distraught to hear of his disappearance have anything to do with it?

Lord Poe knew better than most that people, adults especially, did not always have the best of intentions. Whether this Lord Campbell was responsible or not, Jo’s father went there, left, and never made it back home. [color=5f60d0]“I think that has yet to be determined. With your permission, I would like to look into this. I cannot promise anything, but I can at least promise to give it my best and, hopefully, find out what happened to your father. Would that be okay?”[/color]

Finally, Jo looked up. [color=af593e]“Please, yes. If there is any way for me to help, I will do whatever I can.”[/color][/color]