Duty With Honor Book Five: An Unexpected Pause

by Jordan Bollinger

  *****

  Jack's yacht of a car pulled up to the curb, and Drew hopped in. Now that Jack was here, Andrew wasn't at all sure how to talk to him -- or if he even should.

  "What's up, Andy?"

  "Ah, did you notice anything wrong with Beth last night?"

  "Well, she might have been a little quieter than usual; and perhaps a bit distracted at supper. But, I just assumed she was tired. Why?"

  "This is strictly between us, right?"

  "I told you I was sorry about going to Fitz.--"

  "I'm not referring to that. But, I do need to be sure this is just between us."

  "Yeah, fine. What's going on?"

  "That is what I'd like to know. Beth...she...the whole last half of the play she was...she was, well...fondling me. Then again at dinner. And when she returned from the ladies room...she...she handed me her panties."

  "Elizabeth? No way. This is some sick joke. A way to get even with me about me calling Fitz. Although, I wouldn't have expected you to joke about something like this."

  "I wouldn't. I'm not. Jack, that's why I insisted we take a cab home. She was so...so aggressive. Or, I thought so, until we got into the elevator."

  "Why? What happened then?"

  Andrew felt himself color, and for the first time, appreciated how Beth must feel when she blushed uncontrollably. "She stopped the elevator, and...we, ah..."

  "Damn hell, you say!"

  "It's the absolute truth. And then, when I got upstairs...she...she was so mesmerizing."

  "And you wanted to tell me this because you know I'm crazy about her, and you want to taunt me?"

  "Jack, have you ever seen a cobra play with a bird or mouse, or something? It was like that. I could not take my eyes off of her. I felt like that bird or mouse. I lost most of my dress studs because of it.

  "By the time I picked up her discarded things, locked up, and got upstairs, I found her on the bed. Just sitting there. I didn't even realize she was naked until I found her shoes and stockings and garter belt.

  "And she was just looking at me, with this tiny little smile."

  "And..."

  "What do you think?"

  "And then?"

  "You do know I'm not telling you this to titillate you, right?"

  "Jeez, Andy. You're the one who called me."

  "All right. Then I stepped away. I went all the way across the bedroom and sat on a chair. And...she...she followed me...and..."

  Jack threw up his hands, and then banged them down on steering wheel. He looked at his friend and said, "Are you trying to tell me you...ah...three times last night?"

  "No, I'm telling you it was four times in an hour. So, unless you want to admit to slipping me something..."

  "Of course I didn't."

  "Then, please. This is difficult enough."

  "Okay, Andy. Simmer down. So, then what happened?"

  "This is where it gets strange. She started crying...about growing old...and worried I wouldn't love her...because men don't get old. It took me quite a while to settle her down. And then she just fell asleep."

  "Well, she passed her practical scuba test, came home and saved your sorry ass, and then enjoyed an evening out...before enjoying an evening in..." He smirked at Andrew and said, "I mean, she had a busy day."

  "Very funny. What I'm asking you is what's going on?"

  "Why me?"

  "Because you're the one who's been married four times."

  "And divorced four times, don't forget."

  "She was happy before you got there last night. And she wasn't unhappy at the theatre and dinner. And then she seemed quite happy, right up until she started sobbing."

  "You must have said something."

  "I didn't, Jack. She was really upset. And kept going on about how she would grow old, but I would just mature. I'm looking to you for guidance and advice."

  "Well, Grasshopper," Jack said. After Andrew just stared at him, he shook his head and told Drew, "Never mind. It was a TV reference." Then, frowning, he asked, "It could be she's starting the change." Then he sat back, with a kind of superior expression on his face.

  Andrew just sat there, waiting for something more. Squirming a bit, Jack dropped his voice to almost a whisper, and asked, "You know -- menopause?"

  "I guess..." Drew answer, but even he didn't think he sounded very convincing.

  Jack tried again. "You know about women, right?"

  "I thought I did."

  "I mean, you know about their Aunt Flo, don't you?"

  "Damn it, Jack. If you're not going to help me, please don't make me more confused."

  "Their periods then. There, I said it. Are you happy?" Jack asked. Andrew was astounded to see his friend's face redden.

  "Of course, I do. Why didn't you just say that? Who the hell is Aunt Flo?"

  "Forget I said that. But, you know when they get to be...older...they start menopause.

  "Now, my first and fourth wife, Sissy, she was an animal when she started the change. That's why I married her the second time. The sex was incredible.

  "But then, there was the crying. There was a lot of crying and she was always angry with me about something. Stupid little things. Which is why I divorced her the second time.

  "That last day we'd had hot, monkey sex. And then everything went downhill fast.

  "She'd been yelling at me because I ruined her favorite spatula. I didn't know you shouldn't cook with it. I told her I was sorry. I even promised to replace it.

  "Then just when things started to calm down, she went off again. This time I used the little soaps in the bathroom. I washed my hands. I used soap. Guilty as charged!

  "I couldn't take it anymore. And I left."

  "All right," Drew told him. He was feeling more and more that this entire conversation was a mistake. "First of all, I would rather not know what hot, monkey sex is." He sighed and asked, "So, what do you suggest?"

  "You just take her right to the doctor. One of those women's doctors. You can get her some pills. I think they're called Replacement Hormones. The pills will even everything out.

  "You might not get lucky as often, but there'll be a lot less arguing and crying."

  "This is your brilliant plan. I tell her she's getting old and starting menopause and for her to get pills?"

  "Did you hear anything I said before? The last thing I want to do is say or do anything to even suggest she's getting older."

  "Explain just how this is supposed to help me?"

  Nodding, Jack said, "This is what we call a Catch 22 situation."

  "Thank you, Jack. You've been absolutely no help. No help at all. But, I do trust you to postpone her skydiving classes until after the first of the year."

  "I'll take care of that. But," he said, checking his watch, "I really have to hustle now. I'll talk to you later. Bye."

  Chapter Four

  Vauxhall Cross,

  London, England, United Kingdom

  "Well, I don't know, Jack. She's in with Sir Anthony right now. But I'm sure, if she can tell you, she will." Drew told him.

  "She's been like a kid at Christmas for days now," he added.

  "Did you talk to her about what we spoke about?"

  "Of course not. I mean, you really didn't think I would, did you?" Andrew added, "And there's been nothing since that night. So, I'm just chalking it up to her being overtired."

  "Well, I suppose..."

  "Thanks, Jack. That's encouraging. I'd better hang up. I have some straightening up to do. That's the one drawback of sharing an office with Beth. She insists on things being neat and orderly."

  "Poor Andy. Well, I'll talk to you...Oh, wait!"

  "What?"

  "I forgot to tell you. You know the guy we got last spring? It seems he didn't appreciate his Cuban vacation, and wasn't nearly as tough as he thought he was.

  "He's been keeping stenographers busy 24/7, rattling off names and places. He's turned out to be a real gold mine. And, Liz gets credit for the capture. So,
don't tell her, but she's getting another commendation.

  "Listen," Jack said, "my other line's ringing. I'll catch up with you guys later in the week. Bye."

  Andrew had just hung up the phone, when Beth burst into the room. He jumped up to greet her with a hug, and a teeny kiss. After all, they were at the office.

  "So," he asked, as he returned to his side of the partners' desk, "how much can you tell me?"

  Smiling, she said, "Who are you kidding? I'm sure Ruth told you all about it when she first called me in Washington."

  "Actually, she didn't." He frowned a little and added, "She told Jack when he called her to tell her the information he'd gotten from Natalia. I spoke to both of them about that," Andrew said.

  "Andrew, you do understand how they feel about each other?"

  "Yes."

  "Well, that sure as hell didn't sound very caring or supportive." She looked across the desk at him disapprovingly. "You, of all people, should understand how Jack feels.

  "Ruth told me that you'd admonished them both. And, I've been meaning to speak to you about it.

  "I just don't see how you can become so unreasonable about this."

  "Unreasonable? Me?"

  "Yes. You. Completely unreasonable."

  "I am not--"

  "You are. Put yourself in Richard's place when we began seeing each other. Or, let's say how it really was...when you started stalking me."

  "I did not." However, when she looked at him in that penetrating way of hers, he conceded. "Well, I might have pursued you assertively. But, I did not stalk you."

  "My point is, Drew, that you should appreciate how Jack feels. And you don't need to lecture them. They're not children." She smiled at him. "Although, you and Jack don't always act like adults." She giggled. "Just let things happen, please."

  "Well..."

  Beth got up and went around the desk, put her arms around her husband and said, "Don't they deserve the same happiness we have?"

  Andrew pulled her into his lap, kissed her, and then agreed, "Yes."

  "And," she added, "if it makes you feel any better, Ruth did apologize to me for talking to Jack about my job, before she'd even spoken to me."

  She kissed him again, before continuing, "Now, my assignment. It's nothing very big, but it's a beginning."

  "But what is it?" Andrew asked, in an exasperated voice.

  Beth stood up primly, returned to her side of the desk and told him, "Well, it turns out that someone I went to college with is the wife of the Prime Minister of Kapranistan. We didn't know each other well, but we were in several classes together.

  "They are coming to London for a few days, and there've been some threats made against them. Padma wants an afternoon off. Away from the embassy and the security and everything that goes with being a high ranking politician's wife. A kind of girl's outing. You know, lunch and a bit of shopping."

  "And?" he asked, expectantly.

  "If you're asking, 'Do I know that I'm just the decoy'? Yes. I know that there will be a real security team following us. And others at whatever restaurant we go to, as well as at Henry Jackson's. Why? Are you part of one of those teams?"

  "No. I purposefully asked Sir Anthony to not assign me to any. In fact, I'm planning on being out of town that day."

  "I haven't even told you when it is."

  "It doesn't matter." He smiled at her and said, "Look, we both know you can stand on your own two feet. But, I want everyone else to know it too. And, if I'm not only not on one of the backup teams, but not even in town, no one can claim I helped you in any way."

  "I see," she said, wearing a playful pout.

  "Jack called. He wants to hear about your assignment -- if you can tell him. He's almost as excited about this as you are." He balled up a paper napkin and tossed it at her.

  "You're supposed to be straightening up, not throwing your mess on my side. Now, come on. Let's get this cleared up, and then go home. I want to call Father, and then Mom and Dad."

  "What about Richard? You forgot all about your poor brother."

  "I didn't forget about him, at all. But, I had to leave someone for you to call."

  She flashed a smile at him, and made him remember why he loved her so very much. Then she asked, "Do I need to tell Ruth everything I want her to arrange? Or does she discuss things with me, or what?"

  "Well, you should probably try and plan out everything you want her to do. But, I'm sure she'll remind you, should you forget anything."

  "Let's see. I'll need a car and driver, and an appointment with Ms. Sweet. Now, where to have lunch...any ideas?"

  "Fitz will find just the right place. You don't know if your friend is a vegetarian, do you?"

  "Not that I remember."

  "That's the kind of thing Fitz is so good at. She'll call the embassy and quiz some attaché, and then pick somewhere based on what she finds out." He gave her an evil grin and asked, "What will you do if she wants curry?"

  "You would ask that, wouldn't you?" She said and laughed. As always, he was reminded of wind chimes.

  Chapter Five

  Kapranistani Embassy

  London, England, United Kingdom

  Elizabeth came out the front door of the embassy just ahead of a tall, dark woman, with stunning, long, blue-black hair. Beth was wearing her favorite suit -- the one she'd worn on her honeymoon. It consisted of a pale blue jacket, over a pair of blush linen trousers. It was belted with a soft, wide belt of crushed leather in the same blush pink.

  Her companion wore a beautiful silk dress -- a swirl of brilliant melon and hot pink that set off the rich bronze color of her skin. Beth moved towards the car, just as the driver opened the rear door on the far side of the Rolls.

  She nodded to Paul, the driver, and walked to her side of the car, and waited until Padma was safely seated, before she slid into her seat and slammed the door behind her. Paul climbed behind the wheel, revved the engine, and slowly pulled up to the massive iron gates that separated the embassy grounds from the busy London street.

  Uniformed guards opened the gates, and stepped out, flanking the Silver Cloud. The car nosed out into traffic, as the guards shut the gates again. Beth looked up and down the street. She didn't notice anything -- but then, that was the whole point of a sneak attack.

  Still, Paul knew his business. He wouldn't just drive out without being sure that it was safe. The last thing Andrew had told her before he left to drive up to Cambridge was trust the others. Pay attention to everything, but let the others do their jobs.

  She saw Paul check the rear-view mirror and then give her a little nod. So, she knew that the official security team was following at a discreet distance. She was just getting more comfortable, when she slipped her hand into her jacket pocket, and found a small envelope. She removed the note, recognized Andrew's handwriting, and read:

  Trust your teams' abilities. But remember, in the end, you are responsible for the package.

  Drew

  Smiling, she replaced it in its envelope and put it back into her pocket, and then said, "I hope you like the restaurant, Padma. My assistant interviewed several of the embassy people. They all insisted you loved French food. And this place is supposed to be superb."

  They were shown to a nice table, in a back corner. Beth saw at least three tables of other people from the ministry. She knew that they were there so the two women could have a pleasant, relaxing, and safe luncheon.

  The thing was this wasn't just important to Elizabeth. She had awakened in the dead of night to the over-whelming realization of how her entire family's reputation was on the line. After all, she was Sir Roger's daughter and Andrew's bride.

  As might be expected, much of the conversation was that of two people catching up at a school reunion. Jobs, marriages, and children, etc.

  "What I don't understand," Padma said, smiling, "is how you ended up here in England. I thought you were engaged to that rather stodgy business major...Tom...something. I guess you didn't marry him,
after all."

  "Oh yes. I did. We were married for about twenty years. I divorced him five or six years ago. Andrew and I didn't meet until last spring. We've only been married about five months or so." She smiled, as she added, "We're still practically newlyweds."

  Padma looked uncomfortable, so Beth hurried on, "Don't worry about what you said about Tom. Stodgy is one of the nicer things people say about him. Or, at least, that my family say about him."

  "So, you married him...and got divorced after twenty years. There has to be a story in there somewhere."

  "We joined the Air Force after we'd been married about a year. But, he didn't like it. Well, he'd wanted to be a fighter pilot. But, he was too tall. Although, in retrospect, he probably wouldn't have been a very good fighter pilot." She grinned. "It's funny, but I never really thought about that before. It's weird how something just comes to you out of the blue. And then you can't imagine how you didn't think of it earlier."

  "I still am not understanding how you now work for MI-6."

  "Okay, here's the extremely abbreviated version -- then we talk about you."

  "I'll agree to that," Padma said, laughing.

  "I was born here. I was adopted by the Morgans -- they were friends of my parents. I grew up as an Air Force brat. I met you and Tom in college. You went on to have a life...and I married Tom.

  "After the Air Force, we moved to a suburb of Boston. Tom started working with computers, and I became a high school teacher. Until I decided that I couldn't stand living with Tom anymore.

  "I'd learned about my father and brother when I was about twelve. So, I reached out to Richard, my brother, and he helped me get set up in a lovely house in Litchfield, Connecticut. About the time I got my divorce, my sister-in-law was diagnosed with terminal cancer. And since some of the very best doctors were in the NYC, she stayed with me a good deal of the time.

  "She died, and I kind of shut down. Until Richard lured me to NYC -- supposedly to accompany him to a charity banquet -- and ambushed me with a date." Smiling, she sighed, and then added, "One thing led to another, and I married Drew." Then, looking her friend straight in the face, said, "And then, I joined the family business.