"The really unexpected affair"~ chapter 12

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Links to: Chapter 1. Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10
Chapter 11

It was just before sunrise when Cavendish presented his mistress with the note addressed to her by Solo.

She’d risen early to begin preparations for the bishop’s arrival, which usually meant getting the staff to snap to in their cleaning.

Everything had to be just right. Charles needed to make a good impression and as his wife she’d see to it their home was in perfect order and a welcome sight for the clergyman.

Maude knew instantly before even looking the note that Napoleon was off to save those children. When reading Illya had gone with him, she fumed.

“How could he do that? Illya’s an injured man!” She paced back and forth.“Cavendish, do you know when they left?”

“Yes Madam, it was but twenty minutes ago...they took the Healey.”

“Hmmm. Cavendish, go get the Jag ready. We’re taking a little drive.”

“Yes Ma’am, will you be driving yourself or should I fetch Compton to drive you?”

“No I’ll take care of it myself. Now quickly Cavendish, I’m losing time.”

.

Forty- five minutes later, Napoleon slowed the car, pulling from the road as Illya had spotted what looked to be a likely structure, around a half-mile away from the main road.

There was a turnoff to a narrow dirt road, and Napoleon took it, driving slowly as to not kick up any dust. When the building came into better view; it was then he drove the small car under the cover of the bushes and trees off to one side of the access road.

The Austin Healy was low enough that it couldn’t be seen unless one was right on top of it, good since they were now quite close to the building.

“Illya you stay with the car while I go do some snooping. Obviously if I’m not back within a reasonable amount of time...well then you get out of here.”

Kuryakin clicked his tongue. “Fine.” In truth he knew he’d most likely slow Napoleon up but at least if his partner needed backup; he was here and not stuck at the mansion babysitting Maude.” Please be careful my friend.”

Solo nodded as he got out of the car, drawing his Special as a precaution. He disappeared through the bushes, emerging near what looked like a side entrance after making sure the coast was clear, he knelt down on one knee.

Pulling a lock pick from the lapel on his jacket, in inserted it and with a ‘click,’ he made quick work of it, opened the door and slipped inside.

There were countless cubicles on either side of the corridor, all of them darkened and after trying the door knobs, he found everyone locked.

The corridor eventually opened to a dimly lit warehouse interior, where he saw stacks of cardboard boxes sitting on a still conveyor belt.  Waiting for what? To be opened or to be shipped out?  He had to get a look inside one of them, but not just yet.

As he continued walking, the floor cleared and there stood freestanding rooms at the end of the building. This time there were lights on inside one of them.

As Solo crept closer, he could hear a voice, one that sounded somewhat familiar. Peeking through the window;  he saw a child being given an injection by none other than Dr. Friedrich, the physician who’d come to the estate to treat Illya’s injury.

Napoleon shook his head, continuing to watch as another rather strong looking man sat down at a table opposite a little blond boy and proceeded to arm wrestle with him.

The child won…

Another man entered the room, speaking to Friedrich, though Napoleon was unable to see his face. A second man accompanying him he instantly recognized as it was Charles Kensington.

“Excellent. I think we are almost ready to begin shipping the formula for distribution. Though this is a long term plan; THRUSH can not make complete use of the children until they’re older. I will go to my grave knowing this will be a resounding success.”

“Well hopefully not that soon,” Friedrich smiled. “T.H.R.U.S.H. will be singing our praises as we have now made it possible for them to have a grand army at our command. Children around the world will be injected with our acceleration formula and we will control them. The Hierarchy will become their new mothers and fathers and they’ll be raised with unflappable loyalty to THRUSH. They will be our unstoppable soldiers.”

“You are all mad! I want nothing to do with this,” Charles barked at them.” I helped you as much as I will by building this place for you and have kept my part of the bargain. Had I known what you were doing I would have…”

“What? Gone to the authorities?” Friedrich laughed. “Remember our little bargain? You cooperate and your wife would be spared.”

“And I kept my part of the deal. It stops here and now. I’m done with you.”

“Oh no Mr. Kensington. THRUSH is done with you when we say so and not before.”

“You animals. You never told me about the children. How can you do this to them? They’re innocent and haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Were innocent Mr. Kensington. You dear fellow are now complicit whether you like it or not.”

“I won’t do anything further for you,” Charles droned..

“Oh shut up,” Friedrich said, just before he jabbed Kensington with a syringe. Seconds later Charles passed out on the floor.

“That should keep him quiet for a while,” the doctor huffed.

“Yes, and when he awakens we will remind him of what a precarious position in which his wife remains. Perhaps we need to bring her here for a little demonstration?”

Napoleon’s heart sunk. So Charles had indeed gotten himself mixed up in one of the Hierarchy’s plots. He was not completely innocent, but it was obvious he had a conscience. Kensington was only trying to protect Maude...or was he? Had he accepted payments for what he’d done? There had to have been money changing hands, otherwise how could the Kensingtons afford such a lavish lifestyle, and what the hell was THRUSH doing to the children?

It was not the time for heroics.

Solo backed off, heading away and back to the cartons. He quickly sliced open one of the boxes, finding vials of disgusting looking green liquid and grabbed a couple; wrapping them in his handkerchief and stashing them in his pocket.

He needed to get out of here fast, as above him the warehouse lights had unexpectedly popped on. The work day was beginning.

Napoleon wouldn’t be able to search for the rest of the children, not with people coming into the warehouse. To find and rescue the kids he needed help, more than Illya could give; it was time to call in the cavalry from London.

Solo made his way unnoticed out and back to the car, only to find his partner missing. He heard a voice not far away…

”Will you please get off me!” It was Maude.

Making his way through the bushes he found Illya practically sitting atop a struggling Maude who was laying on her stomach.

“Having fun you two? Maybe you should go get a room.”

“Don’t be ridiculous Napoleon! Will you tell Illya to get off me as he refuses to listen to me.”

“It was for your own good,” Kuryakin finally complied. “Your presence here might have gotten Napoleon in trouble.”

Both men offered her a hand up as Maude huffed while dusting off her clothing.

“You promised you wouldn’t get involved,” Napoleon spoke pointedly to her.

“I lied.That’s something with which both of you are very familiar, I’m sure. Now are you going to tell me what’s going on?” She stood defiantly with her hands on her hips.

“Not here. We need to leave before we’re discovered. Illya if you’d be so kind as to go with Maude to ensure she makes it home? I’ll follow you back to the estate and catch you both up on what I found out.”

He pulled his partner aside.”THRUSH is going to come looking for Maude, so we need to find someplace safe for her to hide until our backup arrives.”

“Backup?”

“Later... now let’s hustle before we’re seen.”

.

Once back at the Kensington manor, Napoleon sat with Maude in the drawing room, while Illya limped, relying on his cane now as he closed the double doors..

“Did you find the children?” She asked.

“Well yes and no. Let’s cut to the chase,” Solo hesitated.”There’s no easy way to tell you this but THRUSH is going to come after you, so we need to get you out of here and to a safe place.”

“Coming after me? But why?”

“It has to do with your husband.”

“Napoleon will you just spit it out? What’s going on?”

“Maude, Charles has become involved with THRUSH though…”

“No! That’s not possible...he’s a good man. He’d never join a terrible organization like that!”

“Well I’m not sure he’s a member but he definitely become entangled with them.”

She started to say something but this time Napoleon put a finger to her lips, silencing her.

“As I was going to say, he helped them but seemingly had no choice in the matter as they threatened to kill you if he didn’t cooperate. He apparently had that building where we were at constructed for them. What they’re doing in there is experimenting on the missing kids, creating super children who are immensely strong and fast or who knows what else?”

He took the vials from his pocket, showing them to her. “They’re almost ready to ship these out to use on children across the world to eventually create super army.”

“Oh my God,” Maude gasped. And my Charles is involved in this?”

“He didn’t know about the children or the experiments.”

“Napoleon how did you find this out?”

“From Charles’ own mouth. He was trying to sever the ties with them and That’s when they decided to come after you, to use you to convince him to continue cooperate.”

“Oh my poor darling.”

“Napoleon I suggest we get Maude out of here quickly before any birds arrive?”Illya interrupted.

“Is there a safe place where we can send you?” Napoleon asked her.

“Well, how about the Vouchsafe, we can head through the Irish Sea and sail to the Isle of Man...Bibi’s family has a retreat house there in the town of Douglas.”

“Perfect. Now I suggest you go pack what you need, and do so quickly.” Illya drew his Special, opening the drawing room doors with a sudden rush of movement.

He reached out, dragging the person who was spying on them into the room.

“What did you hear?” He pushed  the barrel of his weapon against Cavendish’s temple.

“Sorry sir, I heard everything. How may I be of assistance?”

“Maude, it’s up to you?” Napoleon said warily.

“I trust him. Illya please let him go?”

The butler brushed his jacket with his hands. “I do apologize for eavesdropping but I suspected something was amiss once Madam followed you this morning. May I suggest we open the masters gun cabinet?  If these people are coming they may not spare anyone else in the house.”

“No, though I admire your bravery Cavendish,” Maude warned.” I want you to bring the Rolls around front. Pack some clothing for yourself. Tell Compton, Mrs. Dunphy to go home as well as the rest of the staff. They’re to stay away until told otherwise, and please let Mrs. Dunphy know she’s not being dismissed. Say nothing of what’s going on here.”

“And my nephew young Tom?”

“Oh my goodness, yes...he’ll need to stay nearby to watch the horses, but have him stick with Mrs. Dunphy until it’s safe to come back.”

“Yes Madam,” Cavendish nodded.

“Well planned, now I suggest a bit of alacrity,” Illya said, tapping his wristwatch. “I will need the key to the gun collection please.”

Cavendish and Maude disappeared to make their preparations, returning but fifteen minutes later with the basic necessities for the trip.“These are the master keys sir to the entire household and the gun cabinets. I hope you won’t need these?”

“Me too,” Napoleon said before he escorted her and the butler outside  to the Rolls parked out front.

Illya, in the meantime, contacted the London office for a backup team. Beldon gave him a hard time about it, demanding to know the details of their assignment.

The Russian refused, stating it was under strict confidence with Mr. Waverly and that should suffice.

“I suggest you not make me contact him in regards to your lack of cooperation,” Illya made a bold faced threat to his old boss.

“Very well Kuryakin, but when this affair is concluded, you and I will have a serious talk regarding your attitude and insubordination.”

“Yes, we will,” Illya snapped back. He’d been threatened by tougher men than Beldon and wasn’t afraid of any consequences.

Once Harry agreed and gathered the team, it would take them a minimum of two hours to arrive, flying from Heathrow to Manchester airport, and from there by car to Lytham St. Annes.

Napoleon and Illya prepared themselves for a potential attack, heading to the gun room where they found a surprising arsenal of shotguns, and rifles, including what looked like an elephant gun.

Funny thing, for a man who supposedly went hunting, there were no trophies to be seen around the Kensington Manor. A minor oddity to be cleared up with Charles Kensington once this whole debacle was settled...and it was going to be, one way or another.


Chapter13

Comments

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Definitely relieved about the children; and in a smaller way about Charles.

Lots of excitement and disclosures in this one, and Maude acting Waverly. Good work from Cavendish, too.

(Think there's an outside chance someone's ripping off Thrush. We all know times when a small child's won a match with a parent, after all.)

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Yes lot revealed in this chapter, but lots more to come. Getting down to the wire...I'm pretty sure 3 more chapters to go and some definite twists happening. Stay tuned. Next chapter probably on Wednesday.

Thanks for the great comments!

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

Hmmm.If that stuff works on kids...

This is becoming very interesting!

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Ahhh, maybe more interesting to come...hee heh. Thanks for the comment. "D

[otherhawk.livejournal.com]

Glad the children are still alive, and I'm definitely intrigued about Kensington. The lack of hunting trophies but the proliferation of guns is definitely an oddity. Hmm.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Good, I was hoping the picture I was painting of Charles would make readers curious.

Thanks for the comment!