"The Something's Rotten in Block Island Affair"~ Chapter 5 for PicFic Tuesday 3/15/16

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4

The prompt:

Madeleine disappeared into the kitchen, returning with two steaming mugs of tea sweetened just right with raspberry jam, as promised.

Together she and Illya sat side by side on a bench swing, gently rocking to and fro as they sipped their tea and watched the sun go down.

The colors were spectacular as the bright pinks, yellows and purples faded slowly until there was nothing but a star-filled night sky; there was no moon, so they stood out quite clearly.

“This really is a beautiful place,” Illya said. He was letting himself become caught up in the moment, and with the company.

His intention was to question the girl to see if she’d seen or heard anything odd but now he wondered if he should bother? Perhaps he and the others, well mostly he was being paranoid. This fish kill could be a fluke of nature but still his instincts kept at him, like a tingling of nerves beneath his skin. Or was it paranoia; that was a trait was common among UNCLE agents, and spies.

Yet a part of him told himself to just let himself relax for once and enjoy the company of a pretty girl...

“So Illya what do you do for a living, since you already know what I do?”

“I umm, work for an import-export company based in the Netherlands.” That was his standard cover story, though he usually went by a Dutch name. He’d already registered using his real name, so that was that.

“Wow, you must do a lot of traveling?” She put down her mug and hugged herself, shivering for a second, as there was a cool breeze coming in off the water. The smell of the fish was ever present, but like everyone else, they were becoming accustomed to it and it became a distant memory.

“Are you chilly?”

“A little.”

“May I?” He offered to put his arm around her shoulders.

She nodded without hesitation, feeling strangely comfortable with this man.

“Lean into me,” he said.”There is that better?”

Her hair had a hint of a delicate floral scent. Lavender? Whatever it was; he found it quite pleasant.

“Much better thank you,” she answered. He was nice and warm and he smelled so manly. Madeleine couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this close to a good looking guy.

The men here on the island were just so ugh, none of them were very exciting. The smart ones left and never came back as they moved to the mainland. Maybe that’s what she should have done?

No, she had a responsibility to the family business.

Mmm, he smelled so good…” She shook herself of the feeling. “So you didn’t answer my question about traveling.”

“Sorry, yes I have done a fair amount.”

“What’s your favorite country?”

He canted his head to the side in contemplation, pondering over his answer. No one had ever asked him that question before, nor had he ever taken the time to ask it of himself.

“That is hard to say. There things I like about many places; the cherry blossoms in Japan are magnificent, as are the many temples and shrines. In Italy...Rome specifically, the ruins of the Colosseum are spectacular, the people and the food are exciting, there is the Parthenon in Greece, the pyramids of Egypt are a testament to the ingenuity of mankind. Then there is the modern Eiffel Tower...I could go on. My favorite place, I must admit though, is New York City where I live. The sights, the sounds and the people there are invigorating.”

“Wow, you’ve been to so many places. I’ve only been to Rhode Island, Long Island and New York City once.”

“You seem to have been to ones that only are associated with islands, well Rhode Island has Aquidneck Island, which is also known as Rhode Island. The rest of the state however, though mostly the mainland, has lots of islands in it... Prudence Island, Hog Island, and of course your home, Block island. As I recall there are thirty of them in total.  Long Island is self explanatory, and New York is located on the island of Manhattan.”

“Do you always talk like an encyclopedia when you’re sitting on a porch under a starry summer sky with a pretty girl?” She snuggled in closer, raising her face to his.

“Beg pardon, my mistake.” He leaned over, taking the hint and kissed her, and she returned the embrace with equal enthusiasm.

When they came up for air Madeleine was the first to speak.

“Wow, that was really really nice.”

“There is more where that came from, if you like,” he whispered; his voice had become a bit husky.

“Mmmm, yes please?”

Just when he was about to kiss her again, he heard the loud voices of Kitt and Mark as they approached; the two going on about something.

“Sorry Madeleine but I must go. If they catch me with you I will be made to suffer their endless taunts. Good night,” he gave her a quick peck on the cheek, and took off inside.

He ducked behind the desk, grabbing the key to Room 12 and quickly headed up the stairs.

“Hello gentlemen,” Madeleine greeted them loudly.” Welcome to the Spring Hill Hotel. May I help you?”

“Yes, Miss. I believe our mate made res...vations,” Kitt slurred, as he was plainly inebriated. “Aren’t you a pretty sheila.”

She rose from the bench with a smile, not missing a beat.

“You must be Mr. Kuryakin’s friends. Come right this way please.”

“Owd she know who we wuz?” Mark slurred as well, his accent becoming thicker.

Napoleon, who was as sober as a judge guided Slate and Kittridge into the lobby and to the desk where the blonde girl was now standing, holding a pen over the open guest book.

“Mr. Kuryakin said I’d recognize you by the smell of cigars, beer and scotch.” She sniffed the air. “He was pretty much on the money there. I see you have your luggage from your boat.”

“So you noticed, and very observant of you. I had a devil of a time getting my friends here on their mopeds, given their ummm, condition.  I have Mr. Kuryakin’s kit as well. Which room is he in?” Napoleon asked.

She looked at the guest book before answering.

“Mr. Solo you’re in Room 11 right next door to your friend in Room 12. You Mister Slate…”

“Thasss me luv.”

“You’re in Room 9 and Mr. Kittridge you’re in Room 10.

“Thanks Bub,” Kitt said, taking his key from her.” Say, you don’t have too many ankle biters round here do ya darlin’?”

“That means children,” Napoleon winked to Madeleine.

”Kitt, I don’t think there’ll be any children in your room. Now say goodnight to the night lady.

“G’night nice lady.” Kitt gave her a little bow.

Madeleine laughed at their antics. “Mr. Solo could I give you some help with your bags.”

“No thank you.” He thought about saying something flirtatious but he needed to see to Mark and Kitt and not get involved with a woman right now, though she was quite pretty, squeaky clean was perhaps a more apt description. “You serve breakfast here, correct?”

“Why yes, breakfast is served from eight to ten in the main dining room. After eleven we have brunch until two, and then dinner is served at five. Would you care for a wakeup call?”

“That would be terrific, seven please for all of us, including Mr. Kuryakin?” He turned his attention back to Mark and Kitt. “ Okay boys time for beddy bye.”

She watched as they made their way up the stairs and then left a note for the night clerk for the wakeup calls to her cousin Martin, who’d be manning the desk until eight in the morning.

Madeleine decided she’d be visiting Room 12 once the coast was clear. If she’d gotten her signals right, Illya had made an offer to her and one she wanted to explore. He was a really good kisser.

Napoleon directed Slate and Kittridge to their rooms, opening the doors and letting them in; what they did after that was their problem.  Illya being his partner was the only man he’d ever take the time to tuck in if he needed it.

He tossed his duffle bag in his room and headed to Illya’s, lightly rapping on the the door with his coded knock.

The door opened and his partner appeared, still wearing his trousers and tee shirt, but everything else had been removed. He was holding his communicator.

“I brought your bag,” Napoleon mouthed, holding up the worn green duffle.

His partner held up his index finger, telling him in essence to wait a second as a voice spoke from the communicator.

“Mr. Kuryakin those samples you gave us showed absolutely no signs of of brevetoxins in any of the fish samples nor indications of dinoflagellates in the water samples.”

“Really?” Illya felt a bit flummoxed. “Nothing at all?”

Napoleon tossed the duffel on what looked like a day bed along the wall and sat on the edge of Illya’s comfy looking sleigh bed.

“No sir, however…”

Illya’s demeanor changed with that one word, gaining his full attention as well as Solo’s.

“The samples did contain something unusual, like nothing we’ve seen before. It’s a toxic mix of very potent chemicals, actually too long a list to go over sir. You said these fish kills have been happening over a prolonged period of time, correct sir?”

“That is what the locals have said. Why?”

“These chemicals are extremely potent but they lose that potency very quickly. For them to affect the fish in the vicinity and no where else, and for that amount of time, that means they’ve had to have been dumped in the water in concentrated amounts there on a regular basis. Once they become harmless, they simply dissipate and are carried away in the current.”

“Are there any chemical plants on the mainland that deal with these sort of chemicals in the combinations of which you spoke?”

“No sir, not that we’ve found so far. Though they are common enough and sold individually by a number of companies.”

“Solo here,” Napoleon joined the conversation.” I’d like you to investigate any sales of those chemicals in the area, substantial amounts that is.”

“Yes sir, on it right away. Out.”

Illya put away his communicator.” So I heard Mark and Kitt in the hallway; sounded like they were feeling no pain.”

“Let’s say they enjoyed themselves, “Napoleon nodded. “I have a wakeup call for us at seven. We can discuss our next move over breakfast.”

“That sounds like a plan in and of itself,” the Russian nodded. “Now if you do not mind, I would like to get some sleep. I think we will have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

“I think you’re right. Good night tovarisch. Sleep tight.”

“And you my friend.”

Illya locked the door behind him and picked up his bag, pulling out his pajama bottoms, then thought otherwise.

He slipped out of his pants and underwear, deciding to sleep in the nude for once. It was rare that he had a hotel room to himself. Not that he was shy about being naked in his partner’s presence, but quite often the two of them while on assignment had to share a bed, and well, wearing pajamas seemed more appropriate.  Napoleon felt the same way.

There was an unexpected knock at the door, and Illya quickly wrapped a white bath towel around his waist.

“Who is it?” He grabbed his gun from atop the dresser, standing to the side of the door.

“Room service.”

“I did not order room service,” he hesitated, recognizing the voice.”Madeleine?” He checked the peephole verifying it was her and that she was alone.

“Illya could I come in?”

He suddenly recalled his flirtations with her and guessed... no, hoped she was perhaps taking him up on his offer.

“Just a second.” He tucked his Special under another towel on the dresser.

He unlocked the door, looking at her for a moment until he realized she was giving him the once over in his state of undress.

“You will have to excuse me, I was not expecting company.”

Madeleine ’s heart sank with disappointment and embarrassment, thinking she’d misread his signals.

“Oh I’m so sorry. I misunderstood.” She took a step back; her face turning pink.

“No you did not, please come.” He reached out, gently taking her by the hand and once she was inside he locked the door behind her.

“Is this what you really want?” Illya drew her close to him.

“Mmmmm, yes please?”

He let the towel fall to the floor…

Translations:

Sheila- girl

Bub- usually refers to a baby, but can be used to address a person

Ankle biters- children

Comments

[redqueen88.livejournal.com]

oh my - are those plot bunnies lying on the floor? Whatever are they doing?