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Date Posted: 01:20:10 05/24/12 Thu
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-58-161-100-177.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 58.161.100.177
Subject: Chapter 244
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "Meanwhile back at Section ... The Rising Dragons continued ..." on 03:47:59 05/17/12 Thu

Chapter 244

Section’s head strategist couldn’t have been more enigmatic.

Initially Walter thought he was here in the White Room to be asked about the breach, but Madeline had given no inclination that he or Birkoff were implicated in any way. He was sure she would have used a different tack rather than just questioning him if she suspected they had been responsible. But on noticing a syringe on the table, he wasn’t so sure about her motives after all. He gave her an indifferent glance and brazenly asked, “What’s that stuff?”

Madeline pulled her hands out from behind her back. “It’s a sedative,” she responded nonchalantly.

“Any particular reason why I might need that?” He asked questioningly before giving a tongue in cheek reply. “Why don't you just give me a couple aspirins and I'll call myself in the morning?”

“A bio probe requires the subject to be relaxed.”

That certainly got Walter’s attention as her reply was somewhat disconcerting. “Bio probe? Is this some type of truth serum?” Was Madeline playing mind games with him after all? That was her forte after all.

“You may feel light headed; may even hallucinate,” Madeline said quietly as she read the alarmed emotions skimming across his face.

However, trying to diffuse the situation Walter gave another flippant comeback in return. “Haven’t done that in years.”

Madeline gave a wry smile at his typical retort but brushed it aside as there were pressing issues that needed to be addressed. Her steely manner indicated that she meant business. “If I’m not satisfied with the answers you give, that’s your only option.” It was then that she surprised him and came right to the crux of the reason he was here in the White Room. Madeline didn’t even bat an eyelid as she asked with conviction, “Don't you want to tell me about your part in the breach?”

Looking his superior straight in the face and without flinching he stated, “There’s nothing to tell.”

She was not convinced. “Are you sure?”

“Positive. I had nothing to do with the breach and besides didn’t Birkoff find that the cause was a malfunction.”

Madeline stood her ground and glared at Walter. She continued her questions as if he hadn’t answered her at all. “Did you really think you could get away with this? You and Birkoff were in a restricted area without authorization. How do you explain that?”

“We did explain that to your satisfaction and besides we were in Systems when all the hullabaloo went down so how could we be responsible when we were nowhere in the vicinity. I think you are chasing rainbows Madeline. There is nothing more to add.”

See gave him a steely look telling Walter that she was not finished yet. “Oh ... there is one thing ...”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Satisfied that his answers were unwavering Madeline decided to pursue a new line of questioning about the other pressing matter. She took something from her pocket and showed Walter a small CD. “I'd like you to take a look at something.”

Even more curious, Walter took the CD and studied it, completely at sea as to what it might contain. “What's on this?” He inquired with interest.

“Let’s play it shall we ... and you'll see,” was her enigmatic reply.

Madeline gave Walter one of her Mona Lisa smiles which, but far from putting his mind at ease, only exacerbated his curiosity as to what it may contain. He was at a loss to think of anything that it might be. Was there actually evidence on the CD that had placed them in the restricted area which had been captured on a hidden camera? Walter quickly dismissed that idea as he’d been responsible for setting up the security in that area and knew exactly where to be cautious. Perhaps she was trying to trip him up on his answers to her questions? However, he dismissed that idea as well. Madeline would have used the sedative by now if she hadn’t been satisfied with his initial answers as she’d indicated she would. He racked his brain to think of other scenarios but came up empty handed.

Walter briefly looked around the room, as if searching for anything that would provide some light on whatever it was that Madeline had in mind before she loaded the CD into the computer. The picture that appeared before him was quite confronting and he was taken by surprise by what he saw.

He gasped as he watched several images of Belinda and himself in Medical when he’d gone to check up on Michael and Nikita. However, Walter was more amazed when images from the covert area where they would meet within Section also appeared. He was shocked that surveillance he was unaware of, had caught the two of them together in intimate moments when they thought they were away from prying eyes. Little did they know that they were indeed being observed but what bothered him most was that Operations and Madeline had proof of their intimate relationship and clandestine meetings. He wondered what else they had on him and Belinda. He soon found out.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The room lights dimmed and a vision of light appeared on the floor in front of him … but it was not as Walter expected. As he watched, a circle of light rose from the floor; two figures began to take shape in its center which miraculously morphed into himself and his paramour. The holograph had all of their mannerisms and captured their every word when he’d returned from the retrieval mission and was heading for his quarters when Belinda had appeared out of nowhere. He watched and listened to the recording of their conversation.

"Not here Walter!"

"Why not?"

"Oh it's … it's just too dangerous, that's all. Someone may see us."

"That's what makes you so exciting. I like it ... dangerous!"

"Walter, you're playing with fire."

"Grrr … I know. Right now I could self combust."

"Look Walter … I've got to go ... I'll see you when I finish my shift."

"Yes … I'll ... see you later. I'll be waiting."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Would you care to explain this?”

Madeline’s words cut through the air like a knife. He was still gobsmacked that they had evidence of their private meeting. Walter suddenly had vivid memories of what had taken place later that evening after he’d returned from the retrieval mission. He swallowed a deep breath before answering. “I think it pretty self explanatory myself,” he replied with a twinkle in his eye.

“Did you really think you could get away with this?”

Her tone was cool but Walter took it all with a grain of salt. “Get away with what?” He asked surprised at her question.

“Fraternization between operatives for one thing.”

Walter was quick with a rejoinder barb. “A bond between two agents isn't always such a bad thing.”

Madeline however, left no doubt about what her thoughts were. “Is that so?”

In reply he stated the obvious. “You always knew that we had a thing going. You can’t deny it. You always seem to know everything that goes on in Section.”

A wry smile skimmed her lips. “Yes that is true.”

“Well what Belinda and I have … it’s called living.”

“Living?”

“Look it up, it’s in the dictionary.”

Madeline was gradually losing patience with him and his glib answers. “Walter, you’re a 60 year old teenager. Ever since your return from the retrieval mission you have changed.”

“I'm really not interested in just surviving anymore. I am interested in living that's where the real difference is.”

“I see …”

Walter interrupted Madeline before she could continue. “In fact we're getting married … I asked Belinda last night. She accepted right away,” he added for extra emphasis.

This information got Madeline’s attention. “We were aware that Belinda was on familiar terms with you but we didn’t realise it had progressed that far.”

“Facing death can make you re-evaluate your life.”

“I guess congratulations are in order then.”

“Thanks but don’t knock yourself out saying it Madeline.”

She ignored his statement and continued her agenda. “Regardless of Belinda’s new status, what we need to know is this … is she loyal to the Section?”

Taken aback by Madeline’s line of questioning Walter replied emphatically. “Of course she is … one hundred percent. Why?”

“Can you be sure?”

“What does that mean?”

“We believe that there is a mole in Section who is passing on Intel to George at Oversight.”

“Is Belinda under suspicion?” He wanted to know now realising the motive behind Madeline’s statement.

“Everyone is under suspicion … including you Walter.”

“She works in medical. Belinda is a nurse not an operative.”

“Precisely ... but she is still an operative first.”

“What Intel could she possibly pass on to George?”

“Medical Intel about Michael and Nikita.”

“Why would George want with Intel on them? He can ask you and Operations for all he needs to know.”

Madeline repeated her question ignoring the truth of this fact. “Is Belinda responsible for passing Intel on to George?”

In defending her, Walter’s hackles began to rise as each question probed deeper into Belinda’s character. “No! Of course not! You can’t be serious and believe that she is a mole.”

“Well how did George get prior information? He seems very well informed on their progress.”

“How should I know? … Perhaps he’s planted some devices in Section without your knowledge. That would be a first …,” he added under his breath.

However, Madeline heard his remark. “Perhaps you are the one responsible. You’ve had access to Medical on numerous occasions. Did you hand the Intel to George? Or are you going to deny it?”

“Yes, of course I deny it. I gave him nothing. Why would I do that? I have nothing to gain. I've been doing this job since before you came to Section, and I can probably do your job too … but I am not a mole.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Becoming frustrated by his answers, Madeline seemed to be making little headway. “This level of betrayal from you would be unacceptable. Answer me Walter.” She leaned in closer until her face was parallel to his. “Or we can inject the sedative, and start this procedure right from the top. Is that what you want?”

“I did answer you. I’m not the mole and I’d bet my life on Belinda not being one also. If you want something from me, just come out and say it or else you can go straight to …”

“One of these days you're going to carry this cranky old man act a little too far.”

“Okay, spare me the excerpts from the owner's manual do whatever you're going to do and just get on with it! Call in the twins.”

“That won’t be necessary. Walter, did you do it?”

Shaking his head in denial his reply was categorical. “No! What is happening to this place Madeline? This would never have happened back then. We all had our jobs, we did them, we were a team, we respected each other.”

“We didn't change Walter, the world did.”

“That’s the pity especially when you interrogate people because of their loyalty to the Section. I would have thought that my past record stands on its own and would not be questioned. I am not the mole and Belinda is not the mole. We’re just doing our jobs as best we can.”

Madeline looked at Walter and knew he was telling the truth. He was not the mole but he had given her some food for thought about George that she would need to follow up. Dismissing him she stated. “That will be all … you can go.”


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Play on text from … OOM, BTP and DACP

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