"The really unexpected affair"~Chapter 14

[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, Chapter 12, Chapter 13


Thrushies had several bad habits, one was always revealing their plans as they just had to brag about them, and two...they often conveniently left an agent’s weapon and communicator where he could find it once he’d escaped their feathered claws.

Napoleon grabbed their Specials, their backup pistols, Illya’s throwing knife as well as their communicators sitting on a nearby table, right where Friedrich had left them.

“They’ll never learn,” he smiled as he tossed the Russian his weapons.

“Lucky for us,” Illya caught them with ease.

Napoleon  opened his communicator. “Channel F”

“Slate here.”

“Where are you?”

“Right outside mate. We have the birds all rounded up at least the ones out here. You’re not going to believe it but had some help from a horse, believe it or not. Blood big chestnut stallion helped us corral the birds just as we got here. Darndest thing I ever saw.”

Illya cocked his head with a little smile” Perfect timing Mark,” he called out.”

“We need to sweep the inside as well,” Napoleon spoke up.” Come through the side entrance and just inside you’ll find some rooms.

I suspect that’s where the missing children are being kept.”

“Right on it and you?”

“Illya and I are going to take care of the head of the satrap. He’s in the back somewhere destroying the evidence. Mark, I’m sending out Maude Waverly’s husband Charles and a boy named Tom. Take good care of them. Solo out.”

Napoleon turned his attention to the Russian.”What did you whisper to that horse?”

“Cossack secret,” Illya winked.

“Well remind me to buy your equine buddy a bag of carrots when we’re all done with this affair.”

The partners moved quietly to where they’d seen Friedrich disappear, that led them to a small laboratory where they quickly found him.  He was standing beside a metal dust bin preparing to set fire to a stack of papers he’d just deposited there.

“Oh no you don’t,” Solo called, distracting the man from lighting a match. The sleep dart fired worked its charm and Friedrich slumped head first into the trash can.

“Now how did he know that is where he belonged,” Illya quipped.

“His natural habitat,” Napoleon grinned.

Kuryakin sat on a stool, and set about looking through the piles of paper lying on the countertop... just notes, reminders and such, nothing seemingly of importance. That was until he found a weathered leather bound notebook, its pages dog eared and yellowed with age.  It was written in German, dating back to the 1940’s.

“Apparently Dr. Friedrich has been had this a long time. These children are not the first he has tried to accelerate, it seems to be one of many other experiments. Until now all of his test subjects have rapidly aged and died. This will require further examination with Research and Development. Along with the samples they should be able to decipher the chemical process and perhaps develop a counter agent. If one is needed.”

Napoleon’s communicator chirped its call to him.

“Solo here.”

“We’ve found all the children and they’re in good condition. They seem to have been well taken care of but they’re not quite right. Some are extremely strong for toddlers, others fast moving. There are a few who’d give Illya a run for his money linguistically….what did these buggers do to these kids?”

“That’s for R&D to find out. The most important thing is the children are alive and safe. Out”

All totaled, there were twenty THRUSH goons taken prisoner. They would have to be interrogated to find out if any local people were involved working at the satrap...though chances are they probably knew nothing of what was taking place here.  Merely cogs in a wheel working on an assembly line, loading up the vials of formula to be shipped out.

Friedreich's apparent supervisor, whose face Solo never saw the first time round was among the missing. He assumed the man had merely been visiting to update THRUSH on the project and was since long gone. Still, the interrogations might give UNCLE a better answer as to who he was.

Solo contacted Wavery to bring him up to snuff on the mission.

“The satrap is shut down, and the children have been found safe. They will most likely have to be kept under observation until the effects of the drugs they were given, hopefully wear off.”

“Well done gentlemen. My niece, she is safe I presume?”

“Yes sir. She’s taken up temporary residence on the Isle of Man.”

“And her husband, what is his status?”

“Mr. Waverly, Charles Kensington was apparently duped into helping THRUSH, mostly financially from what I can gather. Though where his resources came from is still be determined. In the end, he wanted to break off the relationship thinking they would no longer harm Maude. He found out just how little THRUSH can be trusted.”

“Have Mr. Slate and his team take the prisoners to London. I’m afraid the children will have to go as well, simple medical observation as it were. You’ll see to it the families are notified their children have been rescued and are in good hands?”

“Will do sir. What about Charles?”

“I think lesson learned should suffice. Though I do plan to have a personal talk with him in the near future. In the meantime, stay with my niece and her husband for the next few days to ensure life has returned to normal for them.”

“Yes sir. Solo out.”

The satrap trucks were commandeered for the transport of the prisoners back to London. The children were loaded into the two rental vans in which the backup team had arrived and they were on their way.

Charles and Tom rode back to the estate in Dr. Friedreich's black sedan, with Solo behind the wheel, leaving Illya behind to stay with the horses as it wasn’t safe to ride them back in the dark.  A man would be sent back with a horse trailer to retrieve the horses, as well as one tired Russian.

Illya took care of the demolition work while he waited; setting his explosives and blowing the warehouse to smithereens.

“You did well my friend,” he gently stroked Cossack Sun’s neck while speaking to him in Russian. The horse nudged him in response.

“I am sorry I have no carrots for you, but when we get back you will be brushed and well fed, this I promise.”

The horse gave a soft whinny in response.

The trailer arrived with one of Kensington’s workman, and he carefully loaded the horses into it while Illya watched.

“Sir is it true the children were found?”

“Yes, they are safe and sound, but will need to be checked out by a doctor before being sent home to their families. They will be pleased to know that Mrs. Kensington was not at the root of their disappearance.”

“Who was sir, if you don’t mind me asking?”

The two men climbed into the cab of the truck.

“Let us say there are some very evil men in this world who will use anyone...even innocent children to achieve their goals.”

“An that is sir?”

“To control the world.”

“That’s mighty scary,” the drive said.

“It is indeed,” Illya put his head back to rest.

“And who’s going to protect us from them?”

“I will, and my organization,” Illya half-smiled.

The driver gave the slightly built blond a once over before he laughed.

“Then you better come home to me and my Missus so’s she can fatten you up a bit...no offense sir but you look like you could stand a good meal or two.”

Illya laughed along with the driver. “You can not judge a book by its cover, but yes, everyone seems to want to fatten me up.”

He closed his eyes for the duration of the trip back to the estate, bemused by the offer of yet another good meal.

As soon as they arrived, Illya refused to go straight to the house and instead went to the stables to see the horses were taken care of.

Young Tom was waiting there for them. Illya admired the boy’s pluck, having gone through a terrible fright and here he was ready to get right back to work and taking his duties quite seriously.

“Our ‘orses did well today I ‘ear sir.”

“Yes they did, as did you.”

“If you call screaming like a girl doing well sir,” the boy laughed.

“You faced death Tom and it is a frightening thing.

“Bet you never cried out like that sir. You’re the one who’s brave and Mr. Solo too.”

“It is our job,” Illya humbly said.” Tom do you have any carrots handy?

I sort of promised Cossack Sun a reward.”

“Ready and waiting sir as are their feed bags.”

While Illya gave the promised treat to the Don horse, Tom removed the saddle and gave Cossack Sun a good curry, and when that was done he saw to the gelding.

“I heard you were back,” Napoleon appeared.” I guess you’ll be needing this tovarisch?” He held up a cane, as the original one Illya had was lost in the frakas back at the satrap.  Solo held up the bottle of pain pills as well, giving them a little rattle. “You’ll be wanting these too I imagine.”

He could see his partner nearly melt at that suggestion.

“Yes, it is time.” The pain was evident in Kuryakin’s voice.

“Come on partner, let’s get you back to the house and in bed. I think you’re going to need a lot of ice for that ankle, that and some major bedrest.”

“For once I will give you no arguments Doctor Solo.”

“Good, about time,” Napoleon winked. The usually stoic Soviet dropped his guard, letting his friend help him. Rather than letting Illya walk on his own, leaning on his cane, Napoleon took charge.

He pulled his partner’s arm over his shoulder, and held Illya tightly around the waist steadying him as they walked back to the house, Feeling Kuryakin relax under his grip; he could hear Illya let out a hiss as he limped.

Once inside, the Russian was immediately taken upstairs and put to bed. Solo lowered Illya down to the mattress and raised the man’s legs and watched as he just collapsed back with a moan.

In the light, Napoleon could see how drawn out Illya’s face was. Exhaustion took Kuryakin and he fell asleep as Solo saw to the injured ankle….it was quite swollen. Illya never woke while it was iced and wrapped.

Finally Napoleon decided to wake him, long enough for Illya to take a pain pill with a sip of water. As soon as he swallowed it, his head hit the pillow and he was out like a light.

“Sweet dreams tovarisch.” Solo draped a coverlet over his sleeping partner and left him.

Napoleon was tired himself after this really unexpected affair had reared its ugly head. He shook his head, thinking how badly this could have turned out. The idea of THRUSH using children for their nefarious schemes was something to which he would never become accustomed.

Getting ready for bed, Solo closed his eyes and said a small prayer of thanks this once had turned out for the better.

Napoleon though tired, found himself unable to fall asleep. He was troubled with the stance Alexander Waverly had taken with Charles Kensington...there were questions in Solo’s mind that needed to be answered.  How did Charles come to be involved with THRUSH, did Friedrich lure him in? There was still the question of Charles’ finances.

Where did he get the money to support this lifestyle, much less help finance the building of the warehouse for Dr. Friedrich?

Napoleon got out of bed, putting on a robe Cavendish had supplied for him days before. Perhaps some fresh air would clear his head and allow him to sleep, that and a smoke.  Like Illya, he was always trying to quit, but the stress of the job kept him going back for just one more cigarette.

“Just one,” he told himself as he went downstairs. He walked past the door to the drawing room and spotted Charles sitting there on the sofa, having a drink.

“Napoleon, up so late? I would have thought you’d be sound asleep after all that horrid business.”

“And you as well Charles.”

“I had trouble falling asleep myself. Dreadful situation with those children...how could I have been so bloody stupid to have let myself be pulled into that by those awful people?

“Good question; want to tell me about it?”

“I can...would you care for a brandy old chap? Cavendish always sees that I have my nightcap but with him and Maude being gone, I had to go in search of it myself.”

Napoleon declined the offer with a wave of his hand. “So how did you get involved?”

“Dr. Friedrich. A man I’ve known and trusted for so long. He asked me to help finance that warehouse...he said it would be for the shipping of medication to third world countries.  How could I refuse such a noble thing?”

“And how did Maude fall into the picture?” Napoleon changed his mind; pouring himself a small brandy. Tasting it, he nodded his approval.

Charles noted that. “It’s Napoleon brandy by the way. I’ll send you a bottle or two when you return to New York.”

“Thank you, but back to my question about Maude.”

“Things began to turn sour with Fredrich when I happened upon a conversation between the doctor and one of his lackeys. It was regarding a little boy who had escaped and the place was in an uproar. I confronted them and that was when the threats began. I was completely unaware there were children missing from town.”

Charles covered his face with his hands, hiding his tears. “Friedrich bragged about their experiments and that’s when he threatened to kill Maude if I went to the authorities. What could I do? I had to remain silent or they would have killed my darling wife?”

Kensington finally let out a sob. “I’m so sorry Napoleon, I didn’t know what to do. If I’d known about her Uncle Alexander’s association with UNCLE, then I might have sought our your organization's help.  That is water under the bridge, I suppose. Hindsight as they say is definitely 20/20, isn’t it?”

Napoleon finished his drink. “It all worked out for the best as UNCLE was alerted by someone in town, a parent whose child was taken. He asked to remain anonymous as the lives of the children depended upon the families keeping quiet.”

“They threatened to kill the children, my Maude and the families as well? What sort of animals are they?” Charles asked.

“Some of the most evil in the world. They’re part of an organization called T.H.R.U.S.H. it’s an acronym for the ‘Technological Hierarchy for the Removal of Undesirables and the Subjugation of Humanity.’  Their goal is world domination at any cost. We’ve had an on going...shall we say, interaction with them. They’re relentless, but so is U.N.C.L.E.”

“That is very reassuring Napoleon, thank you.”

“Charles, you should know the townspeople thought Maude and not you, was to blame for the the disappearances of their children.  Her arrival here pretty much coincided with the children…”

“My God, they were blaming dear Maude? How could they think that? She is one of the sweetest, brightest and caring women I have ever known….that’s what made me fall in love with her. She is like the sun bursting forth on a cloudy day.  We’ll have to let the townspeople know her innocence in all this, as it was I who was complicit, not she.”

“I think it’s probably better to not bring up your involvement for the moment. Once the children have been checked out, medically cleared and returned home they’ll be a bit more receptive to the truth, as well as how you defied THRUSH.”

“Do you think?”

“Trust me, I know, “Napoleon smiled. “There’s another question I have to ask you, a somewhat personal one. UNCLE had to do a background check on you when we thought you were involved in this affair. There’s no other way to say it; where did you get the money to help Friedrich.  You have no investments, no banking records, your family business went bust with your grandfather yet you manage to live a very luxurious lifestyle.  How is that Charles?

Kensington blushed. “I’ll show you, but please Napoleon it is a family secret that I beg you to keep?”

“That depends but for the moment I’ll say I will,”Solo nodded, though his fingers were crossed behind his back, just in case there was some illicit means by which the man had made his money.

Charles walked over to the piano, and reaching down to the keys, he tickled a couple of the ivories, discordant notes.  There was a click and the mantle suddenly swung open, revealing a secret room that Solo had suspected was there.

Napoleon followed Charles inside and as a light switch was opened, the truth was revealed.

There were stacks of gold sovereigns and silver,  as well as cash, numerous objects d’art as well. Sitting on a small desk were countless records of stocks and bonds.

“This is the legacy not of my grandfather but my grandmother Tilly Adnitt...she was from Blackpool. She took all the monies grandfather had made and invested them, very well I might add.  When the family business foundered, it was Granny who saved the day.  My father and I as well continued to make our investments but under the name of Adnitt to honor her acumen.  Sadly I didn’t follow in her footsteps when investing in Dr. Friedreich's so called business. I was such a fool.”

Napoleon was very impressed. The Kensington wealth was legitimate, much to his relief.  “No Charles you weren’t the fool, you were deceived. THRUSH is very good at doing that.”

The mantle was closed and Napoleon realized, having those concerns of his cleared up, that he could get a good night’s sleep now.

“Charles one last question. Are you going to tell Maude about this? She has a right to know.”

“I was planning to do so on our first wedding anniversary. Given my family fortune, one does have to ensure that it’s secure. I needed to know that she could be trusted with the knowledge, but now I know for sure and I think I won’t bother waiting until our anniversary.”

“Good. Maude is a very capable and intelligent woman. Don’t be surprised that she has quite a good business sense and can help you with future investments.”

“Thank you Napoleon.”

“Good night,” the agent gave a little salute as he headed back upstairs to bed.

Comments

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Nice tie up, including Cossack Sun's contribution. He'd make a great stock horse. I liked the bit about the Thrushie in the waste bin, too.

Charles' innocent source of income is a good twist: I did like how the hidden treasure room was opened.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I just had to get Cossack Sun back in the action again,though what Illya said to him won't be revealed. One more chapter to go then the story is at last done. Trying to post on Saturday.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

I think Cossack Sun is my new hero. The Horse from U.N.C.L.E. LOL.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Ahhhh a new spin off series "THE HORSE FROM UNCLE.' I like it!

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

Poor IK. I see complete bed rest in his future. And Cossack's Sun was a hero as well. He's earned his carrots.

Either I have this figured out or I'm completely off base. We'll see as there's one more chapter to go. Is Illya in for a nasty surprise? I think so.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm, keep those wheels turning! Thanks!

[otherhawk.livejournal.com]

Another excellent chapter - I liked the conversation between Napoleon and Charles especially. And I definitely have suspicions about the missing supervisor, but I could be wrong.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

In the beginning everyone was convinced Charles was a bad guy, so now the conclusion on Saturday.

Thanks for reading and commuting! Appreciate it very much.