by Simon Hawke
“Don’t get me wrong,” said Cobra, “I’m not underestimating what we’ve got here, but it may not be quite as serious as you think. At least, not yet.”
“No? What makes you think so?”
“Well, Mongoose delivered the Marquis de Leforte to the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, didn’t he? I think that’s an excellent indication that he’s not out to sabotage your adjustment.”
“You neglected to mention that he got a bunch of people killed in the process,” Finn said.
“Ah, yes, the boy. We’re looking for him now. It seems that Mongoose was not really responsible for that. Nevertheless, evaluations is checking through on the effects of those deaths. Chances are that they won’t constitute a serious disruption. People are dying left and right in Paris, a couple more deaths won’t make much difference, especially since no one of historical significance was killed. We’re very interested in that boy, though.”
“I thought that your job was to find Mongoose.”
“It is and I’m anxious to do that as soon as possible. That’s why I came to see you.”
“What makes you so sure he’s not out to sabotage the adjustment?” Finn said. “You know something I don’t?”
Cobra smiled. “I know Mongoose. In a way, I even understand him, though that’s no mean feat. He wants to make you and Priest look bad, as well as Cross. The three of you are the ones who caught him with his pants down. This is just his way of getting even.”
“For saving his life?”
“Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? But you don’t know him like I do. Mongoose is a little crazy. Maybe recent events have made him more so. It certainly appears that way. He has a death wish. We’ve all got that to one extent or another—you, me, Priest—otherwise we wouldn’t be here. Mongoose is a bit more extreme that way. It’s part of what makes him so effective in the field. Death doesn’t bother him, he flirts with it. He’s always taken incredible chances and up until the Timekeeper affair, his risks have always paid off. I’ve seen him set himself up like you would not believe.”
“Oh, I think I’d believe it,” Finn said.
“Granted, he finally went too far,” said Cobra. “He would have been killed if you hadn’t intervened. I know you’d think that he’d be grateful, but his mind just doesn’t work that way. What you did amounts to coitus interruptus, in a way. Now he’s out to show us all that he’s still got it. He stole a march on you and that’s only the beginning. He’s going to try to steal your thunder and lead me a merry chase until this thing is over with.”
“And then what?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” said Cobra. “The biggest mistake they made was that they fixed his face and body, but they forgot to check his mind. I’m not saying that he’s gone off the deep end, but there’s no question that he’s allowing his neurosis to control him. He’s rational, but his rationality is skewed. Fitzroy maintains that if we don’t catch him soon, there’s no telling what he might do. He might even decide to join the underground or to clock forward to Plus Time and continue playing tag with us there. There is, of course, another possibility and that is that he might be reinstated.”
“You’re joking.”
“Why should I be joking? Personally, I’d like to see it happen. We can’t afford to waste talent like his. With reeducation, I’m sure Darrow would have reinstated him eventually.”
“That’s not what I heard,” Finn said.
“Well, perhaps not. Mongoose made Darrow look bad. Still, he can be helped and the director doesn’t always have the final word in these things.”
“No? Who does?”
“I’m afraid I can’t say,” the agent said. “You see, the agency is not set up the same way as the Temporal Corps or the Observers. We can’t work that way. The director always has a certain amount of authority, but there’s a limit to what even the director is given access to. It wouldn’t do to have one man in a position to know everything that goes on in the organization. That would be very bad for security. Also, it helps to have someone, like Darrow, to take the fall if necessary.”
“You’re telling me that Darrow resigned to cover for someone else?” said Finn.
“Is that what I said? Perhaps you misunderstood me. Anyway, now that we’ve been placed under the direct control of the Observer Corps, there’s a new director and a certain amount of reorganizational instability—”
“You mean a power struggle.”
“—and, as a result, my team of agents and myself have been placed under the command of the Observer on this mission. That means I’ll be taking orders from Fitzroy, at least for the time being. And his orders are to direct me in apprehending Mongoose and making certain that he doesn’t jeopardize this mission; but as I said, I don’t believe he’ll do that. At least, not intentionally.”
“No, of course not,” Finn said, dryly. “Whatever could have made me think such a thing?”
“Relax, Finn, will you? I’m on your side, believe me. The way things stand right now, I’m in a position to cooperate with you and I’d really like to do that. However, in order for us to be able to work together, there are certain things you’re going to have to understand. It’s what I’ve been trying to explain to you. You were a big help to me on that last mission and I’m trying to return the favor. Fitzroy doesn’t like you very much. As far as he’s concerned, you’re a maverick and you’re insubordinate. He doesn’t want me to confer with you.”
“So how come you’re disobeying orders?”
“Because I want to help you. And because I need your help. You know that reorganizational instability I mentioned? It could go either way. If it goes one way, certain conditions will prevail that will result in my having to continue working under Fitzroy. If it goes the other way, well, let’s just say that the agency will then go back to doing business as usual. You can draw your inferences from that. I’ll tell you what that means to you and me, in real terms.”
“Please do,” said Finn, “I’m beginning to get lost in these semantics.”
“Then I’ll try to make myself as clear as possible. If the present conditions change, then …the ‘old leadership’ will return to power. I’ll be able to act independently of Fitzroy and bring Mongoose in for interrogation and reeducation. He can be helped and made useful and productive once again. I’d very much like to see that happen.”
“What’s the alternative?” said Finn.
“The alternative is that the ‘new leadership’ will emerge preeminent, with a vested interest in seeing that no further reorganizational instability occurs, you get my meaning?”
“I think so,” said Finn, “but how does that change anything with regard to—”
“I’ll still have to apprehend Mongoose and deliver him for reeducation,” Cobra said, “but in that case, I’d be delivering him to different people. Remember that he used to be the senior field operative.”
“And as the senior field operative, he would know who—”
“Exactly.”
“You’re saying that they’d kill him to keep him from talking during reeducation? To keep the new director from finding out who really used to give the orders?”
Cobra nodded. “I have no idea whom they’d send to do the job. I’m a company man, Finn. I follow company leadership.”
“But there are others who wouldn’t,” Finn said, “who would maintain loyalty to the old leadership, as you put it.”
“That’s right. I was contacted by them just before I clocked out on this mission and told the score. I told them what I told you, that I follow company leadership. I don’t think I could have made myself any plainer. My job is to take Mongoose back and I intend to do it.”
“But if the covert boys lose their bid for power, Mongoose will have to be eliminated. If you’ve made it clear that you’re following the rulebook, you’ll have to be eliminated, too.”
“That’s right,” said Cobra. “There’s every reason to believe that at least one member of my team here is a
waiting orders to that effect.”
“Jesus,” Finn said, “you’ve got a problem. What are your people into that they’re running so scared?”
“I honestly don’t know,” said Cobra. “If it becomes my job to find out, then I will, otherwise I’d just as soon remain ignorant. It’s safer that way.”
“What the hell do you expect me to do?”
“My problem is my problem,” said the agent. “With a little luck and some cooperation on your part, it won’t become your problem, as well. I don’t want to push Mongoose into doing anything foolish. If I can find him and talk to him, I can make him understand what the situation is. Perhaps I can even convince him to lay low and refrain from any further interference in your adjustment until it’s over, I don’t know. What I’m asking you to do is back off.”
“What do you mean, ‘back off’?” said Finn.
“Just what I said. Give him room. Don’t try to go after him on your own. I know how you feel about him, but I’m asking you to leave him alone, so long as he doesn’t actively endanger the adjustment.”
“How am I supposed to determine that?” said Finn.
“I’m asking you to trust my judgment. I need to stall for time, at least until it becomes clear which way the power play will go. When the situation gets finally resolved, I’ll know. I don’t want to have to go against my own people if I can help it. By the time it gets resolved, this adjustment might be over and then you’ll be out of it. If I take Mongoose before it all gets settled, they’ll try to hit both him and me, just to be on the safe side.”
“And you said that this might not be as serious as I think?” Finn said. “This isn’t only serious, it’s turning into a full-fledged disaster!”
“It doesn’t have to,” Cobra said. “All I’m asking you to do is to continue playing your part and to leave Mongoose alone. Let me handle it. It doesn’t have to involve you.”
“Brother, I can’t get any more involved! Do you realize what you’re asking us to do?”
“I know,” said Cobra. “I know how it sits with you and I know that it’s not going to be easy, but I’ve got to make you understand that the alternatives are far less attractive.”
“Is that a threat?”
“I sincerely don’t want it to be,” said Cobra.
“Suppose I refuse?”
“It would not be in your interest. Your job is to insure temporal continuity. Mongoose has thus far shown no inclination to interfere with that aspect of your job. He’s not out to create any disruptions, only to prove himself superior to you. You have my personal guarantee that I will back you up in every way possible in order to help you complete your mission. But I know that you’re itching to get your hands on Mongoose, to settle both this score and an old one. I’m asking you to forget about it.”
“If I don’t?”
“Then I’ll be forced to run interference for him to make sure that you don’t get him,” Cobra said. “I don’t want to have to do that, Finn, believe me. Mongoose is not your job; he’s my job. Your job is to play Percy Blakeney. All I’m asking you to do is to do your job and to let me do mine, in my own way, in my own time.”
“I know you didn’t have to tell me any of this,” said Finn. “I appreciate your candor.”
“Figure I owed it to you.”
“What makes you think I won’t go to Fitzroy with what you just told me?” Finn said.
“You could,” said Cobra. “I wouldn’t try to stop you. But if this conversation goes beyond the two of us, especially to Fitzroy, you’ll be signing his death warrant and mine, as well; possibly, even yours.”
“Yes, I can see that.”
“So what’s it going to be, Finn? Do we work together or at cross purposes?”
“You’re backing me into a corner, Cobra.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I have no choice.”
“I’ll let you know. How do I get in touch with you?”
“You don’t. I’ll get in touch with you. You’re going to confer with Priest and Cross?”
Finn nodded.
“Yes, I suppose you’d have to,” Cobra said. “I’ve gone out of my way to be straight with you. Don’t let me down.”
“It’ll be kept between the four of us, you have my word on it,” said Finn.
“Thanks.”
“Just one more question,” Finn said. “In case we don’t back off, as you put it, how far are you prepared to go to protect Mongoose?”
Cobra stared at Finn steadily. “How far are you prepared to go to get him?”
Finn nodded and licked his lips. “Yeah,” he said. “Wish I could say that it’s been nice.”
Cobra regarded him silently for a moment, then turned and walked away. He paused at the door.
“I said I owed you for the last time, Finn. Consider the slate wiped clean.”
As Finn came out of the sitting room, there was no sign of Cobra. However, Marguerite saw Finn and approached.
“Percy, who was that man you were just with? I don’t think I recall seeing him before.”
“Oh, just someone I once knew, my dear,” said Finn.
“What was his name?”
“Damned if I know. We met somewhere, but for the life of me, I simply can’t remember where or when. I’m certain it will come to me.”
“You don’t remember him at all?”
Finn shrugged. “Odd’s life, my dear, I can’t be expected to recall the name of everyone I meet, now can I? Why worry about such trivial matters? If he was important, doubtless he would have made a more lasting impression.”
“What a fleeting memory you have, my husband. I wonder that you recall my name!”
“Why, what a thing to say! What are you suggesting?”
“Only that I wonder how lasting an impression I made upon you,” she said. “Sometimes it seems that you’ve forgotten me completely. It seems that—”
“Why, there’s Lord Hastings!” Finn said, quickly. “I’ve been looking for him all this evening. You’ll pardon me, my dear, but I simply must have a word with him concerning business matters. We can discuss this later, surely.”
His stomach tied in knots, Finn fled Marguerite’s presence and made his way across the crowded room towards Hastings. He felt her eyes on him as he rushed away, but he did not look back. He was afraid to.
He managed to avoid her for the remainder of the evening, always finding some excuse not to be alone with her and making certain that there was always a small group of what he had privately started calling “the Blakeneyites” around him. These were socially ambitious young men who had fastened onto him as a role model, copying his style of dress, aping his mannerisms, and laughing his nasal, inane laugh. He despised them, but as Blakeney, he encouraged them, stroking their tender egos and treating them like favorite sons. They served a threefold purpose. They helped to lend Blakeney an air of vapid stupidity as they all stood around together, striking casual poses and acting like mindless peacocks. They served as a barrier between him and Marguerite who, contrary to all expectations, was not growing bored and disenchanted with her husband, but was instead growing more and more determined to rekindle his interest in her. Already astonishingly beautiful, Marguerite took great pains to become even more so for her husband. She kept experimenting with perfumes, looking for a fragrance that would please him and, even when there were no guests about, she took great care to dress herself in an exquisite fashion and to appear as seductive as possible. At parties such as this, the Blakeneyites fawned over her as well, and kept her occupied. Finally, they helped to deter the advances of other women toward Sir Percy Blakeney. Why these women found the insipid character he had created attractive was a mystery to Finn, who had never understood most women anyway, except a certain type, like Andre, who were refreshingly direct and devoid of any affectations. Why Marguerite had not grown totally disgusted with him was a mystery, as well. The mission, which he had thought would be a fairly easy one, had developed unique and seemingly insurmoun
table difficulties. He was growing sick and tired of the whole charade.
It was with a huge feeling of relief that he went up to his rooms that night. In the morning, he would be leaving once again for France. The Scarlet Pimpernel had to perform another daring rescue. The Marquis de Sevigne had been judged in absentia by the Committee of Public Safety and condemned to death. Unable to get out of Paris, the aristocrat had been hidden by Marguerite’s brother, Armand St. Just. Finn had passed the word to Ffoulkes and Dewhurst during the party.
It would be far less of a strain than the evening he had just endured. A pleasant sail across the English Channel on the Day Dream would be just the thing to clear his head and he could then discuss with Lucas what Cobra had told him. Hastings, Rodney Moore, and the Byrne brothers, Alastair and Tommy, would book passage across the Channel several hours behind him, giving Finn and Lucas all the time they needed to check in with Fitzroy and to decide upon a plan of action. All he needed now was sleep, and just one more drink.
He had brought a bottle of brandy up with him and he sat down on the bed, dressed only in his britches and unfastened shirt, and drank straight from the bottle. He had polished off one-third of the bottle when the door to his bedroom opened and Andre came in.
“It’s a waste of good brandy to gulp it down like water,” she said.
“Water? What’s that?”
“Something happened tonight, didn’t it?” she said. “Something shook you up. I could tell, Marguerite could tell, and I suppose that Lucas could tell, though he’s probably waiting to ask you about it tomorrow. I don’t have that luxury, since I’m being left behind again.”
“I already explained that to you, Andre,” Finn said, wearily. “I need you here, with Marguerite.”
“No, you don’t,” she said. “Marguerite has a houseful of servants to look after her. Nor do I believe that Mongoose plans anything involving her. You’re just protecting me.”
“Look, I thought we went all through this,” Finn said. “Your being a woman has nothing to do with it. It’s—”
“I know.”
“You know? Then what is—”