A “Captain Scarlet” story for Christmas

By Chris Bishop

PART 3 – Miracles

Warren Ford and Glenn Williams were celebrating the success of their mission by eating a substantial dinner in the privacy of their room when they heard knocking at their door. They exchanged glances; that could only be ‘Trapper One’ whom, following their instructions, they had contacted with the news that their task had been accomplished. A smile spread across Ford’s face, which Williams answered with a victorious smirk of his own, before pushing his chair back and standing up to go to the door. He opened it just a crack and then, satisfied that it was the man they were waiting for, he pulled it open completely.

Spectrum Intelligence Agent Martin Conners strode purposefully into the room, and was already standing in the middle of the floor while Williams was still closing the door.

“You’ve got him?” Conners asked, addressing Ford who was still seated at the small table, chewing.

The man nodded, and swallowed his bite, the smile not leaving his face. “Of course, we have him. We would not have called you if that wasn’t the case. We wouldn’t make that kind of call as a joke.”

“It wasn’t easy, though,” Williams said, coming back to his place, after locking the door. “Contrary to your information, he wasn’t in uniform when we grabbed him. So that made it quite difficult to spot him.”

“Not in uniform?” Conners repeated with a frown.

“Nope,” Ford concurred. “From what we know, he was quietly eating in the hotel restaurant when we made that call for him at the Information Desk. We saw him coming out. He walked right into our trap, without suspecting a thing.”

Williams chuckled, and started to eat again. “I tell you, this guy is good. He played his part to perfection. Made me wonder if he wasn’t the real thing.”

“Quite right,” Ford said in turn, while Conners was frowning deeply. “He even had false ID, can you believe that?”

“Of course this guy is good,” Conners replied dryly, with a deep frown. “He’s a professional… and he knows the real Colonel White so well, he would know exactly how to act like him. Where is he?”

“With Darcy. We left them in a safe place,” Ford answered, taking another bite.

“What kind of ‘safe place’, can you be more specific?”

“One of the Maintenance rooms,” Ford explained. “It’s not in use, and Darcy arranged things so that no-one will go there anyway. We thought it would be a good place to put him. It’s on the sub-basement level of the hotel, the walls are concrete, so he won’t be able to escape from there, or call for help. And his friends certainly wouldn’t find him there.”

“You have him restrained?”

“With the magnetic cuffs that you provided us.”

“And the key? Where is it?”

“We left it with Darcy,” Williams answered. “We had to,” he added, seeing the dubious expression on Conners’ face. “What if there was an emergency, like a fire, and we didn’t have time to go down there to free him? He would burn alive.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about him,” Conners groused.

Williams and Ford exchanged glances.

“Now that is a thoughtless thing to say,” Ford replied, turning to Conners who was standing by the table with the same scowling expression on his face. “From what you told us, we’re not really talking about a criminal here.”

“And we certainly are not criminals,” Williams added, glowering up at Conners. He noticed the lack of reaction from the Spectrum Intelligence man and sighed in frustration. “You haven’t changed that much, Conners, you’re still the same, dirty son-of-a-bitch we used to know at the U.S.S. We heard rumours that you’re not popular in Spectrum; well, no wonder! That’s the same attitude that made you unpopular in the U.S.S. to begin with!”

“Popularity contests never won any battles, Williams,” Conners replied dryly. “You know that as well as I do.”

“Don’t bother,” Ford said to his companion. “You’re wasting your breath. It’s not worth it.”

Conners’ frown deepened. “Leaving Darcy alone with our prisoner might not be the best of ideas,” he commented, his voice still sharp.

“Hey, wait a minute,” Williams protested. “Are you saying that we’re…”

“I know that man,” Conners interrupted. “He’s way too shrewd to miss any chance of escape.”

“Darcy won’t let himself be surprised,” Ford scoffed dismissively. “He’s a professional.”

“So’s that man. Besides, Darcy hasn’t been on the circuit for a long time, since he left the U.S.S. Unlike the two of you, who kept yourselves busy with your own little… investigation business.”

“It pays the bills,” Ford said sharply, noticing the condescending tone in Conners’ voice.

“How about our man’s accomplices?” Conners continued. “Aren’t you keeping them under surveillance?”

“You’re not serious, are you?” Williams replied, raising a doubtful brow. “Since their friend’s disappearance, you can be sure as Hell that they’re probably looking all around the place for him. They would be bound to notice that a couple of suspicious-looking blokes are keeping watch on them. That is – if they’re as professional as you claim their friend is. So we decided the best thing to do was to keep out of their way, and stay quiet.”

“There’s no risk of them escaping,” Ford moved on. “After all, they would be loyal to their buddy, wouldn’t they? They’re not like any ordinary pond life who would clear out at the first sign of trouble.”

Conners pondered this a moment. “I guess you’re right,” he finally conceded. “Still, I would feel much better if we knew exactly what they’re up to at the moment. We would know, if that bug I planted on Riordan yesterday was still transmitting. I guess he changed clothes in the meantime.”

“You want to see the prisoner now?” Williams enquired. He gestured towards a small, cardboard box, with the name and logo of the hotel on it, set at one corner of the table. “We’re finishing our meal, then we’ll take him something to eat.”

“That’s his? Conners asked, eyeing the box.

“Yeah. Sandwiches, cold chicken and salad,” Williams answered. “The same as ours.”

Quietly, Conners pulled up a chair and sat down in front of the box, which he opened for himself.

“He can eat later,” he said, taking one of the sandwiches. “I am famished, and there’s no sense in letting this go to waste.”

Again, Williams and Ford exchanged glances; truly, Martin Conners had not changed at all, from the era they had known him, in the U.S.S. However, they didn’t say anything and simply watched, as Conners started biting into the dinner intended for their captive.

* * *

“Ah, Captain Ochre… Thank you for coming over so quickly.”

Captain Ochre was in his quarters, making ready for his departure to Cloudbase, when he had received the call from Agent Wade, of Spectrum Intelligence, that he was needed right away. He was still a little frustrated, his missing uniform not having been found yet, and was contemplating making an official complaint to the laundry department upon his arrival on Cloudbase. He couldn’t honestly believe that a whole uniform would disappear like this, boots and cap with it, without anyone knowing exactly where it could be.

He found Wade in his office, looking with some concern at a file which lay open on his desk; Ochre knocked discreetly on the door to announce his presence. Wade invited him in.

“You needed me, sir?” Unlike Martin Conners, Thomas Wade, Spectrum Intelligence’s most senior agent, and a friend of Colonel White, had the respect of the operational branch of the organisation – because Wade himself had always treated them with respect to begin with. Wade knew perfectly well that their work was far too important for them to be concerned with trivial details, such details as Conners often seemed to take pleasure in digging up, with the only apparent purpose being to throw a wrench in their efforts and watch them squirm. If Wade needed to talk to one of the Spectrum colour officers, it was usually for a good reason.

“Yes, Captain,” Wade said, waving Ochre to a chair. “I know the shuttle for Cloudbase is to leave soon and that you are scheduled to take it, and, I know I already detained you a full day, as you were supposed to leave yesterday, but I would like to ask a last service of you, before you go. It might not be anything important but… I would just like to make sure.”

“Anything you want, Mr. Wade,” Ochre answered, taking his seat.

“As you know – and you and I are the only ones who do know – Colonel White is staying at the Crowned Victory Palace over the next few days…”

“Yes, sir,” Ochre confirmed. Lucky stiff, the old man, he added to himself. The Crowned Victory was one of the most prestigious hotels he knew of. “I made the security check of the hotel myself, and everything seemed in order.” He frowned. “Is there something wrong?”

“I’m not quite sure,” Wade admitted. “You know that my esteemed colleague, Martin Conners, was the one to suggest that Colonel White stayed at the hotel while in London for his furlough?”

“Did he? I wasn’t aware that Mr. Conners had such refined taste, sir.”

Wade couldn’t help but smile – if thinly – at the deadpan aplomb displayed by Ochre. “His taste is not really what concerns me,” he admitted. “It was brought to my attention that Mr. Conners is presently supervising an operation at the Crowned Victory Palace.”

“What kind of operation?” Ochre asked.

“Surveillance, I was told. Of what nature, I can’t tell for now… That information I received is not official, you see… According to what I know, Mr. Conners is not involved directly with the operation, but has sent someone else to do the job on his behalf.”

“Who did he send, sir?”

Wade leaned back on his seat, looking intently at Ochre, and nodded. “This is the odd thing: Mr. Conners isn’t using Spectrum agents – either from Intelligence or requesting help from another part of the service – for this task. He asked for outside help.”

“That’s not standard procedure,” Ochre asked with a frown.

“Maybe not standard, but it’s not unheard of. We have arrangements with other security organisations, to ‘borrow’ some of their members as needed. It will happen on some occasions when the job requires investigation of a member of our organisation, for example… so that the said member will not run the risk of recognising the person who is investigating him.”

“I do hope it’s not Colonel White Mr. Conners has put under surveillance.”

“For Conners’ sake, I hope not,” Wade agreed. “I gave him strict orders, and he shouldn’t be disturbing the colonel. But with him, we can never tell. He might consider that bothering him by using someone else isn’t equal to bothering him himself.”

“Where do these agents Mr. Conners requested come from, sir?”

“That’s the oddity, Captain: to do this job, Mr. Conners recruited retired members from his old office – the Universal Secret Service.”

“Retired members?”

“Apparently, they opened their own private security business when they retired,” Wade explained. “Well, two of them did. The third man just happened to be working at the hotel security service. Mr. Conners contacted him too.”

“James Darcy,” Ochre said pensively. “Yes, when I made my security check of the hotel, I saw from his files that he had worked for the U.S.S. and that he resigned, some years ago. I checked the copy of his records we have here at Spectrum, and I actually met with him – he was replacing his chief of security for the Holiday Season. . He seemed on the level.” He frowned. “Except he didn’t tell me Conners had contacted him.”

“Maybe he doesn’t know that Conners is with Spectrum now?” Wade suggested. “Well, in any case, just to be on the safe side, I asked the U.S.S. to provide me with their records on these three men. Unfortunately, with the Christmas season, their administrative office is working a bit slow, but I should receive the information very soon. What I would like for you to do in the meantime, Captain… Can you go over to the hotel, and check this Mr. Darcy again, and those two other guys, and see what exactly it is they are up to?”

“Of course, sir,” Ochre said with a nod. “But why not ask Mr. Conners as well? I don’t suppose he would keep it a secret from you – not if you ask him directly.”

Wade smiled thinly. “I would, if Mr. Conners was on hand,” he answered. “Officially, our friend is on leave. Which makes me wondering what he could be up to.” He handed Ochre an electronic pad from his desk. “As soon as the information on all of these men is available, I’ll have it uploaded into this. You have the pictures, though, and a summary of their records. You should be able to spot them easily. Try to find out if their presence at the hotel has anything to do with Colonel White, and if it is the case… well, we’ll see what needs to be done in that case.”

Ochre nodded thoughtfully, eyeing the pad, before slowly standing up. “Of course, sir. I am as curious as you to know if Mr. Conners suggested that hotel for the Colonel’s stay, with an ulterior motive in mind.”

“Am I that obvious, Captain?” Wade asked with a raised brow.

“No.” Ochre grinned. “But I know Mr. Conners’ shrewdness as well as you do, Mr. Wade.”

“Of course,” Wade answered with a knowing smile of his own. “I will ask the shuttle to delay its departure for the time being. With a little luck, there will be nothing to find, and you’ll be back on Cloudbase before the end of the day.”

“S.I.G., sir. I’ll give you my report as soon as I can.”

“Thank you, Captain Ochre.”

But I have a feeling I won’t be back on Cloudbase tonight, the Spectrum officer told himself as he walked through the door and left the office.

* * *

“I can’t reach Darcy on his mobile,” Ford announced as he, Williams and Conners left the staircase and stepped onto the landing of the sub-basement level. He closed his phone, and shrugged dismissively. “He probably shut it down. I only get his voice message box.”

“I don’t like it,” Conners muttered for the nth time since the three men had left the room – which made Williams, walking behind him, roll his eyes and exchange an annoyed look with his partner. “I told you that man is sneaky. Something is wrong, I can feel it… We should have come earlier.”

“Chill out, boss man, ” Williams grunted. “You’ll have time enough to gloat when you finally see him face to face. There’s really nothing to worry about…”

Conners looked over his shoulder to shoot him a murderous look, which shut Williams up instantly. He quickened his pace; he could see, up ahead, the Maintenance door, the last on the corridor, where he knew Scarlet had been taken an hour or so ago. He made an abrupt stop in front of it and knocked with impatience; no-one responded. He frowned and tried the handle. It didn’t turn.

“Nothing to worry about, eh?” he snapped sharply, turning to Williams. “Open that damned door!”

He stepped out of the way and Williams walked forward to unlock the door with his key. As soon as he heard the lock clicking, Conners brushed Williams out of the way, took the handle in his hand and pushed the door open.

The room into which he stepped was completely empty and silent, with no indication that anyone had even been there recently.

Conners flipped. “I knew it, I knew it! I told you that bastard was sneaky!” he shouted, turning to both Williams and Ford who were looking around in puzzlement. “He made good his escape!”

“I don’t understand,” started Ford. “It doesn’t look like there is any sign of struggle… Where’s Darcy?”

“The Hell with Darcy!” Conners raged. “I don’t care about that incompetent fool! I want Scarlet! And I want him right now!”

“All right, all right!” Ford muttered darkly. “Keep your shirt on…” He briskly turned around. “He might not be very far.”

He broke into a jog towards the stairs, quickly followed by both Williams and Conners, right behind.

* * *

“I’m sorry, Captain Ochre, but it would appear that Mr. Darcy is unavailable. He’s not in his office.”

Captain Ochre was leaning against the Reception Desk, where he had presented himself a few minutes ago, Spectrum I.D. card in hand, to the receptionist. She had recognised him; the day before, she had been the one introducing him into Darcy’s office where Ochre had requested the man’s assistance for his security check of the hotel.

“Do you expect him back soon, er…?” Ochre read the girl’s name on her badge. “Tracy…?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know, sir,” she answered, while checking her computer. “It doesn’t look like he left the hotel. His car is still in the car park.” She raised her eyes from her screen. “He’s probably around and will return to his office sometime soon.”

Ochre nodded his acknowledgement. He took his electronic pad and typed a command; the pictures of the two men who had been hired by Conners appeared on the small screen; a second thought coming to his mind, Ochre typed a new command, and added Conners’ picture to the others. He showed them to the girl. “Have you seen these men around?”

She frowned, and shook her head, hesitantly. “I’m not quite sure, sir. I only started my shift two hours ago.”

“Okay.” Ochre pocketed the pad. “I’ll stay in the hotel for a while. If Mr. Darcy should return to his office, please page me.”

“Very well, sir. Should we expect any trouble?”

Ochre smiled reassuringly. He could understand her concern; it wasn’t often a Spectrum officer would visit such an upmarket hotel, and to see one twice in as many days, Tracy was entitled to wonder if there wasn’t danger ahead. Hotels were sometimes the targets of terrorist organisations. “I don’t think so, no. This is just a routine investigation; there’s really nothing to be worried about, I can assure you.”

She offered a relieved smile in turn and Ochre left the desk. He gave a deep sigh. If he couldn’t find Darcy or those other two men, he thought, he was running the risk of not returning to Cloudbase today – as he had suspected all along.

Come on, Fraser, you only just arrived, he chided himself. These guys are probably hanging around the place. You just have to look for them more thoroughly, and you’ll find them.

He was now standing in the lobby, and looked at his surroundings. These men he was looking for were hired to do a surveillance job; although he didn’t know what or who they were supposed to watch, he imagined their observation post couldn’t be very far from the lobby. If that was the case, at the moment they couldn’t miss him; he was rather noticeable, in his Spectrum uniform, and many people were currently looking at him with curiosity. He didn’t mind being stared at – it rather came with the territory – but he wondered, in retrospect, if he should not have changed into civvies before coming over.

As he was looking in the direction of the public lounge, in search of his quarry, Captain Ochre nearly did a double take. He hadn’t exactly found them… No, instead there was something there, at the other end of the room… He thought he had seen someone wearing a very distinctive Spectrum cap.

More specifically, that Spectrum cap looked oddly the same colour as his own.

The cap had disappeared from view, and the person wearing it as well, and Ochre felt for sure he had dreamed it. Really, he couldn’t have seen…

There. Again, his eyes caught sight of it, beyond the crowd walking around in the lounge. It disappeared as quickly, but that was enough to make Ochre wonder. If it wasn’t a Spectrum cap, then it looked strangely like one!

A child’s toy, perhaps? he pondered. As far as he knew, there might be such a thing on the market, although he never heard of it.

No. The person wearing that cap was definitely too tall to be a child.

Ochre decided to investigate. Purposefully, he entered the lounge and walked in the general direction he had seen the cap.

* * *

Captain Scarlet was growing frustrated. It has been nearly an hour since he had started to stroll the public areas of the Crowned Victory Palace. He couldn’t really find anyone around fitting the description of a Colonel White – in his humble opinion, that was.

A few times, as he noticed people staring intently at him, he thought he might be on a trail; only just to realise that it was only curiosity causing them to ogle him so intently. He even caught a few exchanged murmurs; people were obviously wondering if there wasn’t a Spectrum operation in the hotel. He rolled his eyes inwardly; just what I need – attracting unwanted attention to myself.

When he had briefly met with him earlier, Magenta had showed himself rather surprised at the mention of a fake I.D. that Scarlet suspected the false Colonel White to have presented at the Information desk. Furthermore, a call to the London police did confirm that ‘Judge’ Blake was still in custody; the policemen who had made his initial arrest, while checking his history, ironically had discovered a complaint of fraud against him. As he had the well-deserved reputation of being as slippery as an eel, the authorities had taken no chances and were keeping him locked up.

So, with Magenta swearing not to have provided Blake with such a document – and Scarlet believed him implicitly – and the fact that ‘Judge’ Blake was still behind bars, everyone was deeply confused by the whole situation. So far, there wasn’t really a logical explanation for any of it.

It was really a miracle that Grandma Annie had not noticed anything odd going on; her grandson was worrying enough for two, anyway, when Magenta took him apart from the others and explained to him, briefly, what was going on. Immediately, a sense of impending doom fell on Matt Riordan. He felt sure now that this scheme devised by his friend would turn very sour. Strictly speaking, nothing seemed to have worked properly since the very beginning – and Scarlet couldn’t help but agree with him.

However, when Riordan spoke of revealing the whole truth – and nothing but the truth – to his grandmother, it took nearly everyone’s persuasion to stop him from doing so. There was still time for them to save the situation. Granted, they still didn’t know what all this could mean exactly, but they fully intended to find that out. For Grandma Annie’s and Matt’s sake.

And if they ran out of options… well, then, they’d concede defeat and confess everything. And would try to do it as gently as possible, so that the shock wouldn’t be too great for Grandma Annie.

At the moment, Matt was keeping his grandmother company – with Magenta and Rhapsody to help him keep up the charade… and to ensure he wouldn’t spill the beans before it was absolutely necessary. They would not leave Riordan alone to face not only the deception of his grandmother – but also what they suspected would be the harsh judgment of Brendan and Stella.

But with this continuously unsuccessful search, Scarlet was growing increasingly uncomfortable. Something was definitely wrong, and somehow, he had a feeling that it was even worse than they had first imagined. And he certainly didn’t like it.

His mobile phone rang and he took it from his pants pocket, flicking it open as he brought it to his ear. “Yes?” he said, carefully.

“Elaine just called,” the voice of Rhapsody Angel told him. “She has found no trace of anything so far.”

Scarlet sighed. “With Blake in prison, I didn’t think she would,” he answered. “I didn’t find anything either. How’s it going up there?”

“Pretty well, considering. Matt is nervous, but he manages to keep himself together. Cousin Brendan keeps asking when ‘the colonel’ will be back.”

“And you answered…?”

“The colonel is detained at the moment with world security matters, and will return as soon as he is able. I used my most formal tone. I know he wanted to ask more, or to comment on the subject, but he kept quiet when he noticed the way Pat was glaring at him. I think we all intimidate him.”

“Good thing,” Scarlet smirked. “I find the guy unpleasant. His wife too.”

“That’s the feeling we all have,” Rhapsody confirmed. “Nothing is good enough for them. They even complained about the buffet Pat had asked the hotel to prepare for the meeting. Grandma Annie is a sweetheart, though. She’s literally in awe of Matt.”

“She’s a wonderful lady,” Scarlet admitted with a fond smile. “I like her. I can understand why Matt would do anything for her.”

“Paul… You sound concerned. Is there something going on?”

“The situation is worrying enough as it is, love. But…” Scarlet grunted. “I have a hunch.”

“Not another one of those…”

“Seriously,” he continued. “I really don’t like any of this. If you want my gut feeling… all this has the feel of a trap.”

“A trap?”

“Yes. It’s way too strange. It’s like someone knew about our presence here and is now playing hide and seek, after broadcasting that announcement earlier.”

“And the Colonel White who seemingly took the call?” the dubious Rhapsody asked. “What about him? Who could he be?”

“A decoy?” Scarlet suggested. “A stand-in to attract our attention and send us after a red herring?”

“But who would do that, and to what purpose?”

“I’m still thinking about all that,” Scarlet answered. “And so far, I don’t have all the answers to our questions, Angel. You know, it’s either that, or…”

“Or…?” Rhapsody asked as Scarlet hesitated.

The English captain shivered, as he quickly dismissed the thought that had suddenly crossed his mind. No. The colonel couldn’t be here… “No, forget about that, Dianne. I’m quite sure it’s not possible.” He paused a second. “I’ll continue searching, and I’ll call you again in a few minutes, whether I find anything or not.”

“S.I.G.”

Scarlet closed the mobile and was putting it in his pocket when he felt a presence behind him; someone was tapping on his shoulder, insistently; a female voice suddenly addressed him:

“Pardon me, Colonel, but I believe I’ve been looking all over for you.”

For a fraction of a second, Scarlet froze in place. That voice… It was familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it. He turned on his heel – to find himself face to face with a woman he absolutely didn’t expect to encounter in this place… and who was staring back at him with the same expression of amazement he knew was plainly displayed on his face.

“Mrs. Wainwright?” he said disbelievingly.

“Captain Scarlet?” She frowned, unsure. “Paul… Is that really you?”

“Mrs. Wainwright… Amanda… What are you doing here?”

If his face, artificially aged, had thrown her back a second or two and might have made her think she was facing another, older man, his voice definitely gave him away. She didn’t seem to understand very well what could have happened to make him look that much older, only a few months after having seen him last. Once she was sure that it was really him, she examined him from head to toes before looking at him straight in the face again, with a totally severe expression:

“What are you doing here?” she demanded. “In that uniform? And what happened to your face?!”

Scarlet hesitated. “It’s rather a long story,” he began, feeling himself reddening under all the prosthetics and make-up.

“I imagine so!” Amanda said. “I swear, dressed like that, I thought you were…” She stopped herself. But she had just said enough for Scarlet to suddenly understand that his previous feeling about things being much worse than he imagined was right on the money. If Amanda Wainwright was here, then maybe it meant…

He took her by the shoulders and looked at her intently. “You thought what, Amanda?” he asked with urgency.

“Well, that you were Colonel White, of course,” she answered truthfully. She barely noticed how he tensed at her words. “We were dining together, in the hotel’s restaurant, when we heard a call from and Reception and…”

“Colonel White is here?” Scarlet murmured. He had barely heard the last line of her explanation.

He looked around, and noticed that there might be too many witnesses watching their every move and hearing their every word. He took Amanda some distance from everyone, to the entrance of the corridor leading to the restrooms. He looked at her squarely. “Are you here with Colonel White?” he asked again.

Amanda stared back at him in confusion. She couldn’t understand why he didn’t seem able to quite grasp the concept. “Why yes… He invited me for a few days’ stay in London. I don’t know where he could be at the moment, though… He went to take that call and never returned, as he was supposed to. It was more than an hour ago. I was beginning to worry, so I went to look for him.” Amanda frowned. “That’s when I saw you. From the distance, and with your back turned to me, I thought I had found him. I couldn’t understand why he would be in uniform, though, as he’s supposed to be on vacation…”

“Oh Lord,” Scarlet muttered. “It can’t be… Well, that explains everything…”

“Will you tell me what’s going on?” Amanda demanded insistently. “And where the heck your commander is and why you’re dressed like that and looking like that?”

“Well, as to where he is, I can’t tell you,” Scarlet said, still hesitant. “For the rest… as I said, it’s rather a long story.”

She glared at him, in an almost accusing way, and crossed her arms on her breasts. “I expect this to be good!” she said.

And by her tone, whatever he was to tell her, Scarlet just knew that she would be quite difficult to convince.

* * *

Neither Ford, nor Williams, were able to figure out how exactly Martin Conners was able to pass them by, as the three of them rushed up the staircase. When they reached the door leading to the ground floor, Conners brutally pushed it open, and they all stepped into the long corridor, welcomed by the sound of soft Christmassy music coming from the speakers, and by the constant humming of people from the public areas.

Williams and Ford took a few seconds to catch their breath, just as Conners was looking all around, edgily. It didn’t take him very long to see the tall figure standing at the other end of the corridor, just at the entrance of the lounge, draped in a large overcoat, and wearing white boots and black and white cap. He had his back turned to them and was seemingly discussing with a woman who was listening to him with attention.

Conners tensed and grabbed Williams by the front of his vest. “There!” he proclaimed, pointing victoriously at the man. “He’s still there!”

Williams looked in the direction of his finger and frowned. “He took the time to put on his uniform?” he muttered incredulously. “Talk about nerve… I expected him to be long gone now…”

“Not me,” Ford remarked. “I was pretty sure he would still be around.”

“What are you waiting for?” Conners demanded with growing insistence. “Don’t wait for him to escape us! Seize him!”

“In front of civilians?” Ford replied with surprise.

“I don’t care! GO GET HIM!”

Ford and Williams shrugged and purposefully walked with long strides in the direction of their target.

* * *

Elaine was starting to regret having insisted on supporting Captain Scarlet in his investigation. She felt pretty hot, walking around the hotel’s public areas, and still wearing that oversized coat which hid most of the Spectrum uniform beneath. Of course, Scarlet had told her not to remove it, so as to keep the lowest profile possible, but she simply couldn’t take it anymore. As much out of frustration that her search had proved in vain until now, as because she was feeling so damp, she stopped in a corner of the public lounge, and irritably removed her coat, to throw it down onto an empty chair beside her. She was sighing with relief, passing her finger between her neck and the collar of the uniform, when she noticed Ox, walking her way. As she had herself, the giant had offered his help, but obviously, had been as unsuccessful as she was. She watched him approach, and waited for him.

Suddenly, she felt a hand grab her arm and, startled, she turned around, ready to snap at whoever it was who was manhandling her. She stopped dead, with her jaw hanging, when she discovered a man, with the exact replica of the uniform she was herself wearing, looking at her with a very harsh expression on his face.

“That’s my uniform you are wearing, young lady,” he told her with a disapproving – and irate – voice. “Would you care to tell me where you got it?”

Elaine blanched, suddenly realising who this man was; of all the things that could have happened, this was the one she had expected the least.

“You’ll be Captain Ochre, I’m thinking?” She offered her most bashful and charming smile to him, but it didn’t seem to dampen any of his anger, as his grip tightened on her arm. “Really, I have a very good explanation for this…”

“Do you?” he replied icily.

“You know, my cousin Patrick says you’re really a cool guy…”

“Your cousin, Patrick?” Ochre repeated, not believing his ears. “You mean, Patrick Donaghue? He’s your cousin?”

He would probably have said more, but his eye suddenly caught sight of a mountain of a man coming right in his direction, with hasty footsteps. He instantly recognised the giant’s face, currently distorted with anger, and froze on the spot just as the man stopped in front of him. “Oh Lord… you’re still alive?”

“Let go of my friend,” Ox demanded in a growling and menacing voice.

“Your friend?” Almost instinctively, Ochre’s hand came to rest on the handle of his gun, but he didn’t draw it from its holster. Ox took another, very fast, step forward, and his huge fingers closed on Ochre’s forearm, forcefully holding it down.

“Don’t play smart, Spectrum,” the giant hissed between clenched teeth, looking Ochre right in the eyes.

By the strength he could feel applied to his arm, Ochre had no doubt that Ox could break the bone, as easily as breaking a twig. He hesitated; so far, the big man was simply restraining him, rather similar to the way Ochre himself was holding the young woman. In any case, he wasn’t even that sure he really wanted to get his gun out. Looking around, he could see there were far too many civilians close by, and he would not want for any of them to get hurt if the situation became more explosive.

Furthermore, a few of these civilians were starting to notice that something was presently happening, right in their midst. And that was something he really didn’t need.

Now how will I get out of this without creating too much of a ruckus?

Before Ochre could take a decision, there was the sound of a big commotion, coming from behind, which attracted people’s attention. He turned around to see what it was all about.

Ox muttered a low curse and suddenly forgetting about Ochre, he let go of him to rush towards the tumult.

As for the young woman, she took advantage of Ochre’s momentary confusion to shrug her arm free, and she dashed in the same direction as Ox. The Spectrum captain finally got a glimpse of two men seizing another one, dressed in a long overcoat, just at the entrance of the corridor which ran alongside the lounge. He thought he saw a pair of white boots.

He didn’t waste any time, and hurried after Ox and the young woman wearing his uniform.

* * *

Scarlet actually heard the hurried footsteps behind barely a second before the two men were on him. A second was enough for him to push Amanda aside, to keep her out of harm’s way, and to brace himself for the impact he expected. Consequently, when the hands of the first man seized him and tried to pull him down, he was firmly set on his feet, and absorbed the impact, bending his body forward so he would not lose his footing. He felt the second man trying to grab him as well, but he was faster and threw his elbow back, right into the man’s face, and sent him down on his rear. Then he twisted his body and, unbalancing the first man who was still hanging to him, he flung him over his hip and brutally threw him onto the floor, freeing himself in the process.

A third man was coming and Scarlet turned around to face him, his fists clenched. He stopped in his movement, upon seeing the man standing there, at a safe distance from him, and glaring angrily at him.

It can’t be… Conners!?

I knew it, it was a trap!

“Touch me and they’ll throw away the key.” There was such arrogance in Conners’ voice that it froze Scarlet in place for a moment. It was the gasp from Amanda that woke him and made him look behind. One of the men he had felled was nearly back on his feet and had drawn a gun on him. Scarlet never knew if he had any intention of shooting; he did, however, notice the expression of both surprise and interrogation in the man as the latter looked him straight in the face for the first time. That was a second or two before Ox suddenly appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, and tackled the man with the force of a bull, violently sending him against the wall of the corridor, and making him lose his gun in the process. Half knocked out, the man flopped to the floor next to his accomplice.

Scarlet grinned, turning to Ox. “Good work, Mr. Oxbury,” he said, genuinely pleased.

“Ah, that was nothing,” Ox replied gruffly; he glanced down in contempt at the two men on the floor, and then glared dangerously in Conners’ direction. “What about that one?”

For a brief moment, Scarlet was highly tempted to let the giant deal with the man in his own fashion.

The thought didn’t last for long, as suddenly, one of the most unusual couples Scarlet had ever seen in his life appeared in the entrance of the corridor: both Captain Ochre and ‘Lady Ochre’, as Rhapsody had dubbed her, stared down at the two men slumped at the foot of the wall, before Ochre raised his eyes to Scarlet – and opened them wide with astonishment upon recognising him.

“Scarlet! What happened to you? And what are you doing in that uniform!?”

Scarlet opened his mouth to give the same answer he had to Amanda, that it was a long story, when he was suddenly interrupted by Conners, who shoved him aside to stand in front of Ochre. “Captain Ochre, I should have known you would be mixed up in this scheme!”

“What?” Ochre murmured, frowning.

“You can stop playing the innocent!” Conners moved on aggressively. “I know all about it! I’ll have all of you sacked from Spectrum!”

Ochre addressed Scarlet with a clueless expression. “What is he on about?”

Scarlet shrugged and again couldn’t answer, as Conners continued with his invective, this time turning to him. “That’s quite an impressive disguise… Quite impressive indeed! But unfortunately, it will be your undoing, Captain! When Colonel White sees you like this and in his uniform…”

“Who are you?” Amanda suddenly interrupted, stepping forward. “And what do you know of Colonel White?”

“And who are you?” Conners replied, facing her and narrowing his eyes. “Wait, I know… you’re Symphony Angel in disguise too, that’s obvious. They aged you as well to play what role exactly? The wife of Colonel White?”

“Don’t be rude, Conners!” Scarlet warned. “That’s no way to speak to a lady!”

“A lady? Don’t make me laugh!”

Eyes blazing, Scarlet walked to him, threateningly, but Amanda put a hand on his chest, stopping him. “Is that young man crazy?”

Scarlet grunted. “No... just an annoyance. Unfortunately. If he was crazy, that would excuse his behaviour.”

Conners bristled. “I suggest you be very careful with what you say!” he hissed between his teeth.

“I suggest you be careful what you say,” Ochre suddenly said. He looked behind him, and noticed that people from the lounge were approaching, curious to know what was happening. “We are making a scene, and there’s too many witnesses around.”

Conners muttered something and walked briskly to the doorway, pulling the double sliding doors from the lounge close together, before turning once again to face Ochre.

“That will be nothing to the scene Colonel White will make,” he said, lowering his voice, but keeping it menacing. “You’re in deep more than you think!”

“You are the one in deep trouble, Conners,” Ochre shot back, not in the least impressed by the shorter man’s righteous display.

“Captain Ochre, you and your friends’ scheme…”

“I don’t know what they’re doing here exactly, but I am here on request by your superior, because we heard that you had brought in outside help to pursue an operation in this very hotel, where Colonel White is presently residing. Need I remind you that you were strictly ordered not to disturb Colonel White during his holiday? Well, here I find you doing exactly what you were forbidden to do!”

But Conners had barely heard most of Ochre’s diatribe. One single sentence had caught his attention, making him tense instantly. “Colonel White is here?”

“He is?” Elaine asked, frowning. “You mean, the real one?”

“Of course he is,” Scarlet said. He noticed the interrogative way Elaine and Ox were looking at him and he shook his head. “And yes, the real one. Amanda gave me that information just before these two goons jumped me, a few minutes ago.”

“Who’s Amanda?”

“I am Amanda, Mr. Conners,” Amanda Wainwright presented herself, her voice sharp as she addressed the man – whom she already had categorised as a loathsome character, just by the way he had treated her and everybody else. “I am here as Colonel White’s guest and I don’t have the slightest idea what is going on around here.”

Ochre’s epaulettes flashed at this moment, and he muttered an apology before turning slightly away to answer the call privately. Scarlet noticed that a young woman wearing the distinctive golden uniform of the hotel staff, was now coming from the lobby and was walking towards them. He sighed.

“That figures,” he muttered. “We’ve attracted way too much attention.”

“What’s the matter, Scarlet?” Conners mocked him. “You can’t take the heat?”

“Do you care nothing for Spectrum’s reputation, Conners?”

“Gentlemen… ladies…” The young woman came to stand in front of Scarlet – who, to all appearances, was the person with the most authority in the little group. She frowned as she looked down at the two men sprawled at his feet. “Is there a problem here, sir? Do you need assistance?” she asked.

“Perhaps if you could provide us with a private room where we would be able to… discuss matters between us,” Scarlet requested.

She hesitated; but he had addressed her with so much assurance and authority that she was finding it very hard to refuse him. She addressed an interrogating and obviously concerned look in the direction of Captain Ochre, who was still conversing with his interlocutor, and he waved distractedly at her. “It’s all right, Tracy,” he said, with a faint smile, covering his cap mic with his hand. “We’ll be able to manage…” And he returned to his conversation, without adding any more. Scarlet took notice as his colleague fished a computerised pad from his pocket and pushed a numeric code, obviously following his interlocutor’s instructions.

“Wait,” Elaine said suddenly, attracting back Scarlet’s attention, as Ochre continued with his radio contact and Tracy stood there, unsure of what to do exactly. “You said that the real Colonel White is here… Then it must be him who answered that call earlier, instead of you, Captain!”

“You mean… the real Colonel White answered that call?” Conners suddenly joined in. He had visibly paled; Scarlet noticed it instantly.

“Will you be needing that private room?” Tracy asked.

Scarlet waved at her to wait. He kept his eyes fixed on Conners. “Amanda also confirmed that earlier,” he said in answer to the man’s question.

“And I was also telling Captain Scarlet that Colonel White didn’t come back after leaving to answer that call,” Amanda continued, growing impatient. “Now I don’t know who most of you are, but if you have any ideas where he could have disappeared to…”

“Disappeared?” Ochre repeated, raising his eyes from his pad.

“I feel you might prefer if I leave,” Tracy then put in.

“Please, stay, Tracy,” Scarlet said, without looking at her. “We might soon be in need of a reliable… witness.” He crossed his arms against his chest, as he still stared at Conners, who was now keeping deadly silent and pensive. “You wouldn’t have any idea where Colonel White could have gone to, Mr. Conners?”

“What makes you think I know anything?” Conners replied.

“I don’t know… the way you’re reacting right now, maybe?” Scarlet answered.

All eyes turned to him, and an obviously reluctant Conners didn’t have time to answer, as, just at this moment, a loud moan was heard from one of the men still lying at the foot of the wall. Ford was regaining his senses, after Ox’s brutal tackle, and was holding his aching head. He sat up, propping himself against the wall and looked up at where the group was all reunited. He seemed to have some trouble focussing, but after a brief instant, his eyes fell on Scarlet. He frowned, in deep confusion, and pointed to him.

“Hey, Conners… that’s not the same man we captured earlier,” he slurred.

Elaine frowned. “Wait a second – what does he mean, ‘captured’?”

“Exactly what kind of operation were your…’associates’… pursuing in this hotel?” Scarlet quietly asked Conners.

“I’ve done nothing to reproach myself for!” Conners protested.

“Really now?” That was Ochre, who seemed to have finished his call in the meantime. His mic returning to his cap, he looked squarely at Conners. “That was Spectrum Intelligence.” He showed them his pad. “They just uploaded the new information they were able to dig up at the U.S.S. concerning James Darcy.” He looked in Tracy’s direction. “We might need that private room very soon, Tracy. Can you arrange that for us, please?”

The young woman nodded and didn’t waste any time in turning on her heels to leave in order make all the necessary arrangements. She didn’t seem that unhappy to leave them all to their seemingly very complicated arguments.

“Who’s James Darcy?” Scarlet asked Ochre with a frown

“I believe Mr. Conners knows who he is,” Ochre answered. “I don’t know what exactly you were planning, Conners, but I think you will have a lot of explaining to do.”

“How about them?” Conners answered back, snapping his head in the direction of Scarlet, Elaine and Ox.

Ochre sucked on his lower lip. “Oh, they will explain themselves, I’m sure,” he said. “In time. But for the moment, considering the situation, which might very well be more serious than you seem to think, I’m more interested in your explanation.”

All eyes turned to Conners again, probing, curious – and obviously accusing.

Maybe for the first time in his life, Martin Conners felt a violent flush of embarrassment, upon understanding that his obsession with truth and righteousness might have caused him to make a mistake that would cost him more than he was willing to pay.

* * *

Half-propped up on the bed, because his right hand was handcuffed to the metal headboard, Colonel White looked around his new accommodation. Certainly, it was a considerable improvement over the darkened maintenance room to which Ford and Williams had taken him, but he couldn’t really say that was much of a consolation. A prison was still a prison, no matter how good it looked, and there was no doubt in his mind that his captor had for him the worst of intentions.

Keeping him at gunpoint, Darcy had taken him up the stairs to the seventh floor, where, after checking the corridors to make sure they wouldn’t be seen, they had walked to an empty suite to which Darcy had a key. Obviously, he had made thorough preparations for his plan of double-crossing his accomplices. There was no chance for White to even think of trying to escape; Darcy was keeping so close an eye on him that it would have been suicide. He had been forced to enter and then had been pushed through to the bedroom, where his captor had proceeded to handcuff him to the bed – while always making sure he kept his gun on him.

He was certainly acting like a professional, Colonel White considered, for he didn’t make a single mistake during the whole operation that the Spectrum commander could have taken advantage of. As a consequence, White didn’t attempt anything foolish; so far, the man remained calm, and White preferred for him to stay that way. Darcy seemed quite willing to make use of his gun if there was any need for it, so White didn’t want to give him that occasion.

For now, Colonel White imagined that he could afford the luxury of waiting; if Darcy had wanted him dead right away, he would have killed him in the basement, instead of bringing him here.

After Darcy had finished restraining him, he had pulled up a chair from the sitting room to put it at a safe distance from his prisoner. Then he settled himself down, and put his gun on the low table beside him.

“Comfortable?” he asked White matter-of-factly.

“My arm and shoulder will be numb in a little while, but otherwise…” White nodded in mock appreciation. “The bed is fine.”

Darcy smiled derisively. “It should be, considering the price people pay to sleep on it just for one night.”

“You seem to know this hotel very well,” White commented.

“I should. I’ve been working here for the past five years, as part of the security team.”

“Really?” White raised a brow. “You’re part of the hotel security, and yet you’re helping those two goons kidnap me. How strange... Obviously, you have your own agenda.”

“I do. But I also want to talk with you a while – before… completing my task.”

“And you made it very clear exactly what your task was,” White said coldly, with a frown. “Exactly who are you?”

“You know my name.”

“Those men called you Darcy. Is that your real name?”

Darcy kept silent a moment, looking intently at White – glaring at him, rather. The Spectrum commander had the distinct feeling he didn’t like him, despite his still-courteous tone. He leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. “What do you think?”

White shrugged. “How can you expect me to tell?”

“You really don’t know who I am, do you?” Darcy said, slowly nodding his head. “Well, that would add to your culpability, then.”

“Should I know you?” White asked. At this point, he was curious to know who his captor could be. “And why should I feel guilty?”

“Because of you, I lost my job, years ago,” Darcy answered in a low tone.

“Really? I’m sorry to hear that. I can sympathise.”

Darcy scoffed. “Right, you’re sorry, and don’t tell me you sympathise with me. I bet you never really lost a job that you didn’t leave yourself. You always were so proficient in everything you did, such a highly-thought-of military man, and such a celebrated hero – I’m quite sure that put you out of harm’s way from ever losing anything.”

White narrowed his eyes in turn. “You’re quite wrong if you think I never lost anything,” he replied coldly.

“Your wife.” There was a pause, during which White simply looked fiercely at Darcy. “Because of your job, I know.”

“The fact that you actually know that tells me that you know even more,” White said icily. “That is not common knowledge.”

“I’m not just anyone, Gray.” Darcy made another, dramatic pause. “I know you well – but we never actually met. We were both in the Universal Secret Service, W.I.N. section, at the same time, though I’d been working there for years before you were even recruited.”

“The Universal Secret Service?” White repeated. “That makes sense. It’s the only place you could have known about my wife.”

“She was an agent there too,” Darcy said, nodding.

“What’s your grievance with me, then?”

“You surely remember: when you became head of the W.I.N. and conducted that investigation – that task to cleanse the London office of double agents and corruption. That’s when I lost my job, Gray. Everyone was suspected, everyone had to be investigated… Every member of the U.S.S. linked to the W.I.N., from the most junior employees to the highest-ranked agents. We all became subject to that ruthless investigation of yours. Most of us were honest people, you know? But you didn’t care.”

“I was appointed to the London office with exactly that assignment,” White replied. “It had become a disgrace to the whole of the U.S.S. It couldn’t continue that way. And it was potentially dangerous for our agents. You might ignore this, but many were killed, assassinated in the line of duty, because the London office wasn’t secure, and had been infiltrated by enemy agents.”

“Like your wife, you mean?” Darcy moved on. “I know that she was killed, because someone was trying to stop you doing what you considered was your job.”

“She was killed before I even agreed to be head of the W.I.N.”

“Yes, but that was all linked, wasn’t it? You already were part of that investigation when it happened. Everyone in the London offices knew. As we also knew that after you got over your wife’s death, it was the incentive that pushed you forward to continue the task you had set yourself at the time. The very task that caused her to be killed.”

“You said you wanted to talk,” White said sharply. “But if you continue to mention my wife’s death again…”

“That’s still a sore spot after all these years,” Darcy realised. “My apologies for that. It wasn’t my intention to open up old wounds.”

“Yet you’re keeping me captive in this room,” White replied. He moved his restrained right hand. “And in handcuffs.”

“A necessary measure, I can assure you. I know how dangerous you can be.”

“And you threatened me with death.”

“I admit that, yes,” Darcy said bleakly.

“Simply because, according to you, I caused you to lose your job?” White asked with perplexity.

“You destroyed my career,” Darcy specified.

White nodded. “You said: ‘Most of us were honest people.’ Were you?”

He stared Darcy right in the eyes, until the latter lowered his.

“My file wasn’t exactly spotless,” Darcy finally admitted. “The investigators found something suspicious in my life. Not that bad a thing, but it was considered that this something could leave me vulnerable to being approached by enemies and blackmailed into betraying the Service. I was… ‘advised’ to resign honourably.”

White nodded. “I personally recommended to the agents working with me to make that offer to some categories of people they investigated,” he remembered. “It was left to their best judgement to decide if those people were to be simply discharged, because they presented a certain risk to the organisation, or if charges should be pressed against them. You obviously came into the first category.”

“Did you know that I was threatened to make that choice?” Darcy asked with a cold edge to his voice. “If I decided to continue my career within the U.S.S., I should expect the investigators to dig even further in my life and publicly expose everything they might find. I think it is not difficult to imagine what was the best choice for me.”

“Considering the options, an honourable discharge was far better, yes,” White admitted.

“That’s all you have to say about this? I was blackmailed into resigning, Gray.”

“I am not saying I agree with the methods the investigators chose.”

“You signed my discharge,” Darcy accused with a frown.

“I signed a dozen discharges at the time, Mr. Darcy,” White answered. “A good number of people did like you, and chose to decently resign. If they did, the U.S.S. agreed to keep whatever had been found on them concealed in their personal records, never revealing the information publicly – depending on the gravity of the information, that is. I have no doubt that such information would have put a damper on you finding a new job at all.”

“I never found a job like I had at the U.S.S.!” Darcy shouted. “I was happy there!”

“If so, then why didn’t you stay clean?” White replied coldly. “You would still have a career today.”

Darcy jumped to his feet in fury, and glared dangerously at White, who kept his eyes fixed on his; maybe it was a mistake to provoke him, but quite frankly, it wasn’t quite the colonel’s style to accept the man’s abuse without answering back. The way he saw it, Darcy was the very instrument of his own downfall, and was just looking for reasons to put the blame on his chosen scapegoat.

Maybe he was trying to convince himself that he had to punish the man he considered responsible of what had happened to him all those years ago.

White didn’t lower his eyes, and watched, as Darcy struggled to regain his composure; it took him a few minutes, after which, breaking eye contact, he turned, taking his gun from the table. “I’ll order us something to eat.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I am not hungry,” White replied quietly.

“Well, I am,” Darcy snapped. “I will call room service, and you will keep your mouth shut! Don’t try to call out, or…” He left the threat in suspension and simply raised his gun, showing it to White. Then, with a last angry look at White, he turned and walked to the sitting area to make his call. From where he was standing, he could still see his prisoner, who, as best as he could, was trying to get into a more comfortable sitting position, and prepare himself for a long wait.

* * *

“So, according to the information transmitted by Intelligence,” Scarlet said pensively, “we are presently faced with some serious trouble because of this Darcy.”

Tracy had provided them with a small private lounge, where they were reunited at the moment: Conners and his two goons – who were now perfectly awake, although still nursing their wounds – Scarlet, Magenta and Ochre. Despite her desire to, Rhapsody was the only Spectrum member not to participate in the briefing, as she had been assigned to keep company with a worried sick Amanda, and to take her to the suite occupied by Matt Riordan’s family. Scarlet and Magenta, rather briefly and without too many details, had explained to Amanda – as well as to Ochre – what exactly the deal was with Grandma Annie and what they were trying to do for her. If Amanda had showed some reservations about their methods, she couldn’t help but commend their good intentions, and so she agreed to ‘play the game’ for now, so not to worry Matt’s grandmother needlessly. As a matter of fact, she reflected, it would help her cope with the situation until Colonel White was found.

Up until now, Scarlet had managed to keep Amanda’s last name under wraps – not revealing it to anyone but Rhapsody – who had been very surprised to discover that Amanda had been meeting with Colonel White in London. He realised, however, that it would only be a matter of time before both Magenta and Ochre asked more questions about her; surely, he thought, they would eventually notice the resemblance to Symphony…

If Amanda’s reaction to Grandma Annie had been one of cool acceptance, Captain Ochre’s reaction, on the other hand, was quite different. He bemoaned the fact that Magenta had not considered fit to involve him in the affair; he probably would have moped openly if not for the serious situation they had now to face.

Neither Elaine nor Ox were to participate in the briefing either; despite the fact that they were quite willing to help, they were both civilians – and it was even more difficult with Ox and his pending trial – and it was, after all, a matter of Spectrum security. Consequently, both had been asked to keep company with the others and assist Rhapsody and Riordan, while the charade with Grandma Annie continued – that was, until further notice, because it was becoming more and more obvious that the pretence would be difficult to carry on.

Ford and Williams were only staying because Conners had insisted, and after Ochre had checked their records to make sure they were entirely trustworthy. Considering what they had learned of James Darcy, no-one wanted to take any chances with them either.

Scarlet was pacing around in the middle of the room, recapitulating the recent events, with all the others seated or standing around him. Williams was sitting on one of the sofas, pressing a cold compress against the black eye he was sporting since he had been hit by Scarlet’s elbow. It had not taken much prodding for him and his colleague Ford to describe what had happened earlier, when they had captured the man they thought Conners wanted them to grab.

“So, according to Mr. Conners’ plan, Ford and Williams were to take me and hold me captive, until Colonel White’s arrival, which was supposed to be tomorrow,” Scarlet said.

“Except Colonel White arrived today,” Ochre, seated in one of the chairs, said in turn. “Without Conners knowing about it, and took a room here at the hotel… the hotel that you suggested he stay in,” he continued, addressing Conners.

The latter, who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed on his chest, shrugged, and didn’t answer.

“Clever,” Magenta said, rather dryly. “That way, Colonel White would be available for you to ‘display’ Scarlet and expose us… I didn’t think you had it in you to plot such a machiavellian scheme, Mr. Conners.”

“Can we forget about it for the moment?” Conners said, frowning. “May I remind you that Colonel White is still missing as we speak?”

“And we all know whose fault that is, don’t we, Mr. Conners?” Magenta shot back.

“It’s typical of you to try to pin this on me, Captain Magenta,” Conners replied angrily. “You’re not exactly blameless, you know!”

“Now is not the time to make accusations about who is responsible or not,” Scarlet interrupted before Magenta could answer. “As much as it galls me, I have to admit that Conners is right: now’s not the time to argue amongst ourselves.” He paused a moment, then continued: “When Ford and Williams took Colonel White into the basement, thinking he was me, Darcy must have recognised him.”

“Yes, as the man in charge of the investigation which cost him his job at the U.S.S., many years ago,” Ochre agreed. “According to the records Wade received from the U.S.S., and that he transmitted to me, Darcy held a grudge against Charles Gray, whom he considered responsible for his losing his job. When he was forced to resign from the U.S.S., he became unstable, and made some serious threats.”

“So today, he was suddenly provided with the possibility of avenging himself,” Magenta remarked.

“He might still be dangerous, yes,” Ochre said.

“Darcy is a member of the hotel security team,” Conners remarked in turn. “At the moment, he’s acting as replacement for his chief, who’s on holiday. It could be possible that he might have recognised Colonel White when he signed the register. According to you, Captain Ochre, he was booked under his real name.”

Ochre nodded pensively. “We had to inform security of his presence at the hotel,” he said. “I met with Darcy yesterday and told him the name under which Colonel White would register. Without actually telling him it was his real name, but obviously, he figured that out himself.”

“If that is the case, he must have been in seventh heaven when he realised that Conners’ plan might provide with the perfect opportunity to get at Charles Gray,” Scarlet replied.

“He did look at him in a strange way when he saw him,” Ford agreed with a nod. “The bastard already knew we didn’t get the right guy.”

“So,” Magenta said thoughtfully, “Darcy probably waited to be left alone with the colonel to abduct him in turn. And take him somewhere else.”

“What makes you think he hasn’t already killed your commander?” Williams inquired.

“The absence of struggle, when you returned to that room where you held Colonel White,” Scarlet explained. “And the absence of a body or of traces of blood,” he added carefully, glancing in Conners’ direction. “If Darcy had wanted to kill the colonel right away, he would have done so there. Besides, we don’t know exactly what he wants to do with him.”

“Darcy could have taken him elsewhere to kill him,” Conners remarked with a deep frown.

“Where can you dispose of a dead body in a luxury hotel?” Ochre commented.

“What makes you think they’re still in the hotel, to begin with?” Conners replied.

“Tracy, the girl at the Reception desk who provided us with this room? She told me earlier when I tried to reach him that Darcy’s car was still in the parking garage. So Darcy must still be somewhere in the hotel.”

“He could have left his car behind and taken a cab outside to go wherever he wants.”

“With a captive Colonel White in tow?” Scarlet shook his head in negation. “Knowing the old man, he would not have followed easily. He would have made enough of a noise to attract people’s attention.”

“Rather like our scrap downstairs attracted hotel security,” Ochre added. “We were fortunate I was able to explain ourselves to them, when they came over with Tracy. The management doesn’t seem to appreciate that kind of scene.”

“That’s right… when the guards came, they tried to call their security chief,” Conners mused. “He didn’t answer their calls. And you still think Darcy is in the hotel?”

“He’s obviously hiding somewhere – and in this case, he would be keeping a low profile.