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Date Posted: 14:01:48 06/21/02 Fri
Author: Repost Fairy
Author Host/IP: 64.193.19.25
Subject: Chapter 72
In reply to: Repost Fairy 's message, "Burden of Proof - 68 and up" on 11:17:24 06/21/02 Fri

The drive from his apartment in Kensington to MI5’s offices in Lambeth usually took forty-five minutes. However, with this morning’s security breach at his office still foremost in his thoughts, it was an hour before Michael reached his destination, having taken great pains to ensure he was not being tailed. After passing through security at the front entrance, Michael made his way to the ninth floor.

He didn’t see anyone he knew as he walked down the long corridor, but that was hardly surprising. Out of necessity, his visits to this building over the last few years had been brief and very infrequent.

Paul Wolfe was waiting for him in the main briefing room. “Good morning, Michael.” He gave him a quick smile. “Thank you for coming in on such short notice.”

Michael nodded, making no attempt to return the older man’s smile. “Hello, Paul.”

Wolfe gestured toward the large conference table. “Please, have a seat. I’ve read your report. You’ll be attending the meet at Vachek’s home on Saturday night.” It was a statement, not a question.

“Yes.”

Wolfe nodded. “Good.” He frowned. “It seems odd that Vachek would allow his daughter to visit him at such a crucial point in time.”

“I believe he tried to dissuade her from coming to London, but she insisted.”

The older man smirked. “She must be a quite a determined young lady.”

Michael shrugged casually. “I don’t know her all that well.”

Wolfe reached for the ever-present packet of cigarettes in his inside jacket pocket. “How attached do you think he is to her?”

Michael watched as Wolfe lit a cigarette. “He’s quite fond of her.”

Wolfe raised one eyebrow. “And you?”

Apprehension flitted through Michael’s thoughts. He stared at the other man, taking care to mask his sudden feeling of unease. “I’m not sure I understand your meaning.”

“Madeline tells me that you have been, shall we say, socialising with Vachek, and his daughter, recently.”

Michael blinked, realizing where Wolfe was heading with this conversation. “At Vachek’s request,” he stated pointedly.

Wolfe blew out a puff of acrid smoke, the hint of a smile curving his normally stern mouth. “Of course.” His pale blue eyes glittered with speculation. “Nevertheless, Madeline seems to be under the impression that Miss Vachek is rather taken with you.” His expression hardened. “She could be useful, Michael.”

As always, the thought of Elena Vachek being dragged into the dark reality of her father’s world turned Michael’s stomach. “She has no idea as to what he really is.”

Wolfe raised his eyebrows. “All the better.”

Michael shook his head. “It would serve no purpose.”

The older man stubbed out his cigarette in the glass ashtray on the table and gave him a hard stare. “Look, Michael, I can understand your reluctance. But no one’s asking you to marry the girl. You know, perhaps better than anyone, we need every piece of leverage we can get. If Vachek is sentimental enough to indulge in a rose-coloured scenario, pairing off his daughter with one of his most trusted associates, it would be most unwise not to take advantage of that.”

They stared at each other for a long moment. Michael recognised the logic of Wolfe’s argument, but it failed to ease his conscience. But he also recognised the resolute look in the other man’s eyes and knew this directive was not open for debate. “Fine.”

Wolfe looked pleased. “Good. As for the meet on Saturday, Madeline is waiting to brief you and your backup on the profiles of the other attendees.”

Michael looked at him in surprise. “My backup?”

The other man smiled at him. “Yes. Given the social nature of the meet, Madeline felt it would be appropriate to have someone accompany you.” Michael felt his spine stiffen as he realised exactly what Wolfe meant by ‘backup’. And if Madeline had been the one to assign his backup… Michael swore silently. Merde.

Wolfe’s smile widened, as though he’d noticed, and was enjoying, Michael’s discomfort. “And she assures me that you and Andrea have worked together successfully several times in the past.”

Worked together successfully. That was not quite how Michael would have described the relationship between himself and the aforementioned female agent. Michael cursed Madeline’s seemingly never-ending need to play God and psychiatrist when profiling assignments. But, aware of Wolfe’s scrutiny, Michael bit back any argument he was tempted to make and merely nodded. “Yes. We were Vachek’s guests at Ascot eight weeks ago. He accepted Andrea’s profile without question.”

“Good. So you won’t have any problems working with her?”

“No. Is that all?” Michael pushed back his chair and got to his feet. He had reached the limit of his patience with Wolfe’s, and MI5’s, machinations.

“No.” Wolfe rose from his seat and came to stand beside him. “Jacqueline has rerouted the surveillance on your office to a dummy landline. You might want to drop by Communications before you leave so she can run you through it.”

Michael nodded. “Fine.”

Wolfe watched him intently. “Any idea why Vachek would have been inspired to wire your office? After all, it’s been three years.”

Michael returned the other man’s gaze steadily. “No.”

“We’ve invested far too much time and manpower in Vachek to let him slip through our fingers now, Michael.”

Michael made an effort to swallow the sudden flash of anger that Wolfe’s words had provoked, but he wasn’t entirely successful. “I’m well aware of the sacrifices we’ve all made, Paul,” he said coldly.

The other man hesitated only slightly before continuing. “Don’t let your long association with Vachek lull you into a false sense of security, Michael. Watch your back.”

Striving to hide the extent of his resentment, Michael nodded abruptly. “I always do.”

They stared at each other. After a few tense seconds, Wolfe folded his arms across his chest, his manner studiedly casual. “There’s just one other thing, Michael.”

“Which is?”

“Your report made no mention of Vachek’s latest legal tangle.” Wolfe watched him very closely. “Why is that?”

Michael’s pulse quickened at Wolfe’s words. He lifted one shoulder in a careless half-shrug. “It was of no consequence.” Damn. Given MI5’s dedication to keeping tabs on the Vachek situation, he should have known that omitting any mention of the Duskovic mediation was an exercise in futility.

“Vachek seems to have taken a personal interest in this particular litigation.” Wolfe’s pale blue eyes narrowed. “Which does make it of some consequence.”

Michael was careful to keep his tone matter-of-fact. “It’s an internal company matter. Vachek involved himself against my advice. The mediation was unsuccessful, but I’m confident the matter will be resolved within the next fortnight.”

“And you’re quite sure there is no connection between the Duskovic matter and Vachek’s sudden decision to wire your office?”

Michael’s gut clenched. Taking a deep breath, he returned Wolfe’s gaze steadily. “Yes. I’m quite sure.”

The two men exchanged another long look. “That’s all.” Wolfe gestured toward the door. “Madeline is waiting for you in her office.”




~*~*~*~*~



Author's Note: http://www.mi5.gov.uk/index.htm>

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  • Chapter 73 - bad language -- Repost Fairy, 14:04:19 06/21/02 Fri
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