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Date Posted: 14:24:40 06/21/02 Fri
Author: Repost Fairy
Author Host/IP: 64.193.19.25
Subject: Chapter 76
In reply to: Repost Fairy 's message, "Burden of Proof - 68 and up" on 11:17:24 06/21/02 Fri

When his private line rang, Paul Wolfe was in the middle of reading the interrogation transcript from the Harker file. He glanced at the phone, then frowned when he realised which light was flashing. He picked up the receiver and uttered a bland greeting. “Paul Wolfe.”

He waited, apprehension tightening his gut. Only four people had this number. He’d just spoken with Madeline in the hallway. That left either the head of MI5, the Prime Minister’s office, or…

“Hello, Paul.”

Only one woman on God’s earth sounded like that. He sat back in his chair, speechless with surprise. "Hello, Adrian."

Adrian went on, her tone composed. “I must apologise for telephoning so unexpectedly, but I do need to speak with you rather urgently.”

Completely taken aback, Paul had to clear his throat twice before he could reply. “Apology accepted.” As he spoke, a multitude of thoughts raced through his mind. It had been four years since he’d last spoken to Adrian Wendham-Smythe. Then, she had been recovering from a near-fatal stroke, which had left her speech hesitant and slightly slurred. Now, he realised, there was nothing to indicate she’d ever been ill. Her voice was just as bureaucratic and crisply ‘old school’ as ever. A voice that never failed to drag him back into a past he’d rather forget.

Paul glanced toward the door of his office, making sure it was shut. Despite his musings over her health, only one thought had leapt into his mind at the sound of Adrian’s voice. Why the hell was she calling him? Was she ill again?

“What’s wrong? Are you all right?”

A note of impatience tinged her reply. “Yes, I’m perfectly fine. The doctors may have written me off four years ago, but that’s no need for you to assume I’m about to fall off the perch, Paul.”

He couldn’t help smiling. Some things never changed. Adrian was one of them. “I withdraw the remark.”

“Good. Now that we’ve discussed my health, perhaps you’ll allow me to tell you the reason for my call?”

“With pleasure.”

He heard her take a steadying breath, but her voice seemed to waver slightly. “How is he?”

Paul saw no point in softening the truth. “As well as can be expected.”

“I see.” There was a slight pause. “I need your advice, Paul.”

“Well, now that is a surprise.” He could hear the underlying bitterness in his voice.

By the thinly disguised impatience in Adrian’s voice, she had heard it too. “Is it too much to ask that we have a civil conversation, Paul?”

He reached for the packet of cigarettes lying on his desk. Clamping one tightly between his lips, he did his best to sound civil, as requested. “Of course not.”

“Thank you.” She paused. “Lucy is pregnant, Paul.”

Paul closed his eyes briefly, apprehension streaking through him. “I see.”

“Yes, I’m sure you understand why I’m ringing. It’s their first child, and Rene…”

He finished the sentence for her, his voice flat. “…wants to get in touch with Michael.”

“Yes. He’s rather focused on making it happen, unfortunately.”

“Christ, Adrian, doesn’t he realise what’s at stake here?”

“Of course he does, Paul. He’s not an imbecile,” she retorted sharply. “Rene is well aware of the need for caution, but he’s not about to be swayed.” There was a brief pause, as though she was trying to find the right words. “And I must confess to being in two minds about the matter myself.”

“You can’t be serious.” Finally lighting the cigarette between his lips, Paul inhaled angrily. “We’ve invested too much time and manpower to let…”

She cut him off sharply. “I think you’ll find that it is Michael who has made the sacrifices over the last five years, Paul, rather than MI5.”

He bit down on the filter tip between his teeth. “Michael knew what he was getting into, Adrian.”

“Did he?” Adrian’s voice was cold with anger. “I wonder. After all, he’d just lost his parents. And Simone. He was hardly in a fit state to understand just how much you were asking of him, Paul, and you took advantage of that.”

“I’m not going to have this argument with you, Adrian.”

“How long did you tell him it would take to bring Vachek down, Paul?” Icy reproach dripped from her every word. “Six months? A year? You were always clever, Paul. I’m sure you realised perfectly well Michael would never have cut all ties with his family, and everyone he cared about, if he’d known the truth.”

Paul shook his head angrily, wishing he’d never picked up the damned phone. “This is not a conversation for an open line, Adrian.”

“Don’t insult me by trotting out that official claptrap. No doubt this line has more security on it than Her Majesty’s private bathroom extension.” Adrian stopped abruptly. When she spoke again, her tone was much more restrained. “I’m sorry, Paul. I didn’t call with the intention of arguing with you.”

He let out his breath in a hiss, determined to get the conversation back on track. “What do you want me to do about the situation?”

“I want you to instruct Michael to call Rene from a secure line in a few days time. Lucy will be staying with me next Saturday and Sunday - there will be no exposure should he call then.” She paused expectantly, her tone brittle. “You should have no trouble organising that, surely?”

Paul ignored the subtle insult. “I can’t allow it. Michael can’t afford to take his eye off the ball at this late stage of the game. Telling him of his sister’s pregnancy will serve no purpose.”

“I disagree.”

What a shock, he thought sourly. “I don’t care what you think, Adrian. Despite your long and illustrious proxy association with this organisation, this is my show to run.”

Adrian sighed lightly. “Paul, if nothing is done, Rene will take matters into his own hands.” Her voice hardened. “ You would be well advised to seriously consider my request.”

Giving in to blackmail, emotional or otherwise, went against Paul Wolfe’s every instinct, but he knew when he’d been outmaneuvered. He had no doubt Adrian would make good on her elegantly worded threat. “Fine. I’ll speak to Michael.”

“Thank you.” Adrian’s crisp tones took on a tinge of dry amusement. “Well, goodbye, Paul. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you again.”

In spite of his grim thoughts, a wry smile tugged at Paul’s lips. She infuriated him – she always had – but there was no denying her spirit. He’d never met a tougher old broad. “Yes, I’ve missed our happy little chats. We must do it again sometime - perhaps in another four years?” He calmly put the phone down on her appreciative chuckle, but his heart was racing.

Adrian’s ultimatum couldn’t possibly be ignored, but it would have to be handled very carefully. And he knew just the person to do it. He reached for the intercom on his desk.

“Madeline, can you come to my office?”


~*~*~*~*~



Author's Note: In a previous chapter, I referred to Adrian as "Adrian Samuelle". My brain was obviously on the blink the day I posted that chapter, lol! Could you all just forget you ever read that?

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  • Chapter 77 -- Repost Fairy, 14:26:12 06/21/02 Fri
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