The Double Blond Affair chapter 3 - Conundrum

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Napoleon was curious about what had made his partner so perplexed.   Lots of men had blond hair and were about Illya’s size.  Saying the man looked just like him was going a little far, he thought.

“Illya, are you sure you weren’t just looking in a plate glass window at your own reflection?”

The scowl on the Russian’s face was a warning.

“I am not so gullible as to mistake my reflection for another flesh and blood human being.’

Illya ran his hands through his hair, a sure sign of his frustration.

“I was in a pub, following that courier who’s been working for Victor Marton’s underling, Pierre Auberge.  He went in, I followed and waited…”

Napoleon was listening, not certain of his interest just yet.

“And you waited and… then what?”

Illya leaned back in his chair, his composure returning as he continued the story.

“I was attempting to remain in the shadows, so to speak, and avoid being spotted by Louie, the courier.  Into the pub walked this fellow, not particularly striking at first glance.  But as he neared the bar, I realized he bore a striking resemblance … to me.’

Napoleon smiled. 

“Is that all?  He merely resembled you?”

“No.  Not just a resemblance.  I was thwarted from getting closer to him, because I did not want to draw attention to myself, but as I passed by him and … ‘

Now Illya’s brows shot up into an expression that normally caused secretaries to swoon.

“Napoleon, he looked exactly like me.  I could have been observing myself in the mirror.  Louie was on his way out the door so I couldn’t stop and introduce myself, but the man was my double.”

Napoleon knew his partner to be a man not given to emotionalism or rash impulses.  The Russian was as methodical as they came.

“Okay Illya.  So, what do you want us to do about it?”