Week Seven
Following a quiet weekend where they did very little, it was back to their normal life on Monday, Sally was dressed ready for work, Dave put the Uber signs on the side of his car, and switched on the app. They kissed as they climbed into their cars, Dave made directly for the café, it was quiet, drivers were still busy with the morning rush. He was asked many times where he had been, his answer was he had taken a break from driving. Around 10:00 he picked up his first job, as he was driving, he saw messages coming in, having dropped off his fare, he looked at the one from Sally first. She could swap her days round and said she would be a little late the following Monday. The other messages were from Cyrus and Jane Goodley, he thought before calling them, he rang Jane first, he said, subject to them being offered a good package, they would accept, she said negotiations with the US would take place and an email with the details would follow. He called Cyrus saying they could fly out on Thursday, returning on Sunday to be back in the UK on the earliest flights. He was told flight bookings would be sent over to him. He carried on picking up local jobs, there were a few out of town, but he declined them. They were both home within minutes of each other. “There’s something wrong, I can tell, what is it?” “We were invited to the States before I had accepted the offer of work, don’t you think it’s strange?” “Maybe it was done in anticipation of you accepting.” Dave didn’t say anymore about it. “What else, it isn’t just that?” “I feel deflated, a bit down, something doesn’t feel right. I’m not going to work tomorrow.” Sally went upstairs to shower, she took her phone with her, when she came downstairs there was a coffee ready for her in the kitchen. “I’ve made an appointment for you tomorrow,” He looked across the table at her, “11:30 at the spa, a reflexology session.” When they had been before he said it had relaxed him and changed his mood, “Drop me off, have a swim and then your session, pick me up afterwards.” He couldn’t settle to anything, eventually he decided to wash the cars, Sally called him in when their meal was ready, she suggested he go to bed early. Looking in the bedroom around 21:00 he was sleeping. It wasn’t long before she joined him.
He was still the same in the morning, he headed for the spa when he had dropped her off. He swam for an hour, dried himself and dressed, he lay on a recliner until it was time for his treatment. An hour later he felt more like himself, he stopped at a pub for lunch on the way back, he timed it right for picking up Sally. She asked how he was, “better than yesterday, I don’t know what she does, but it helps, if it doesn’t clear I will do it again.” There was a package on the floor when they opened the front door, it was addressed to them both, Dave put it in the kitchen to be looked at when Sally had showered and changed. He lay on the bed waiting for her to come out, “it’s a little unfair, you are still dressed, I’m naked.” They stayed in bed until they felt hungry, downstairs she opened the package, “it’s the flight details for the weekend, there is a covering letter, it says we are staying at the Waldorf Astoria, isn’t that where you were?” He came through to look at the letter, “we’re flying business class, that’s good.” Sally passed him the next page, “there is a meeting in Langley on Friday followed by dinner in our hotel that evening. On Saturday morning, we are booked in for a tour of the White House, the rest of the time is free, you should get some shopping time.”
Dave had booked ‘valet parking’ at the airport, it would make it easier on the way back. The flight was much more relaxed in business class, Sally watched a movie while Dave slept, he woke for food, then would sleep again. They took a taxi to the hotel, the room was a suite with a separate lounge. “Dave, it’s huge, and plusher than Flemings,” She hung up the clothes, she rang down for housekeeping to collect the few things which had creased. The room phone rang, Dave picked it up, Sally listened, “I’m not sure, let me ask,” She looked across the room at him, “do you want to have dinner tonight with Cyrus and Marybeth?” There was a nod, Dave said 20:00 would give them enough time to get ready. Marybeth had booked a table at a restaurant not far from the hotel, they met in the lobby. There were hugs and kisses, on a previous trip they had spent a good evening at their house and met their two children. As they walked, Dave was with Cyrus, “will you be writing a report about tonight?” “No, it has been noted, but no report. This has nothing to do with work.” It was a traditional American diner, the plates were full, they shared starters as Cyrus said the main courses would be huge, he wasn’t wrong, Dave had ribs, the plate wasn’t big enough for the rack, Sally had ordered a small plates of chicken, she struggled to eat it all. They talked while waiting for desserts, Marybeth said she hoped they would see more of them when they would be in Washington. Dave looked at Cyrus, “we haven’t decided yet, I think the meeting tomorrow is for discussions about the offer.” Only Dave had a dessert, he ordered a Knickerbocker Glory, like the main course it was huge, he asked for extra spoons, Sally and Marybeth shared it with him. With coffee to finish, they were amongst the last to leave, Sally asked if they wanted to come in for a drink, Cyrus said the babysitter had to go at midnight. Marybeth wished them good luck for the meeting in the morning, Dave and Sally waited outside until their taxi had driven off. “I don’t want a drink, we might have a busy day tomorrow, let’s go to bed.”
A waiter approached them as they were having breakfast, “there is a car waiting for you outside.” Dave said to tell the driver they would be fifteen minutes. He spoke to one of the doormen saying who they were, a driver who was standing at the side of a limo was pointed out. The door was opened for Sally to sit in the back, Dave went round to the other side. At Langley, Cyrus was waiting for them, “I’m nothing to do with the meeting, I’m here to take you to the room, then I’m off.” He led them down corridors, the further they went, the less busy it was, he stopped at a door, knocked and entered, “Mr. Stretton and Miss Fellowes.” There were two people already sitting at the table, he was surprised to see Jane Goodley, he recognised the other person, but couldn’t put a name to the face, Jane and the other man stood up, “Bob Smidowitz, Director of the CIA, you both know Miss Goodley.” They shook hands and sat down, on the desk he could see two files, one larger than the other, his name was on one, Sally’s on the other, there was the crest of the CIA above their names. Jane poured coffees from the pot sitting on a table, “I believe our country owes you a great deal, the plot you uncovered was unknown to us. All of the players are now in custody, some have talked, they confirm everything you put in your report. It sometimes takes someone looking in to find out what is rotten in your own organisation. Which brings me to the reason we are all here. There has been an offer made to you, today we want to talk about how it would work, the part you both would play and if it works out, to make you an offer.” There followed almost two hours of discussions in which Dave tried to have clarification on points he thought were important but being glossed over. Sally was concerned about how much extra work Dave would have to undertake. She also stated, that at the moment she wasn’t prepared to give up work. “I need an escape from the pressures, my work brings me back to reality. Dave has his cab, I have my work, everyone needs a release valve.” Jane had said very little, she now spoke, “why don’t we create a proposal, have lunch and then we can look at it again in the afternoon, it will be a basis to work from.” “In all the discussions, there hasn’t been any mention of money and if we were to carry on under the same working arrangements, think about that as well.” A phone call was made, Cyrus appeared a few minutes later, “Would you take our two guests to lunch, bring them back at 14:30.” Cyrus asked how it was going as they headed for a place to eat. “I don’t know, there is lots of talk, but no commitment, would you mind if we ate alone, Sally and I have a lot to talk about.” Cyrus sat at a different table out of hearing, he could see there was a major discussion taking place. Sally and Dave weren’t arguing, each was putting their point of view. Sally wanted Dave to look to the future when he would have to stop the field work, he was worried it would be the beginning of the end. “Dave, you can’t be chasing all over the country when you are collecting your pension, it’s going to happen sometime, start thinking about it now. I don’t want a call one day saying you’ve been shot because you weren’t fast enough. It’s for young people, you are nearly forty.” “I’m still fit, I’m as good as anyone else.” “Dave, you are worn out at the end of a job, it takes you ages to recover, start thinking about yourself and the future, we need to have plans in place. There is probably enough money for us to give it all up, but I know that isn’t going to happen. Last thing, consider me, I have to see you the way you are, worn out physically and mentally, you withdraw into yourself, are quiet and moody.” Dave knew she was right, he didn’t want to admit it, his time was limited, but he liked the challenge, he needed to be pushed, he thrived on the chase, he also knew he had been very lucky, almost killed several times during his career, he often wondered if one day his luck would run out. Thoughts like that were no good out in the field, it made him a weak link. It was agreed they would carry on listening after lunch, not give an answer until they had both talked about it in their own time.
They were back in the room at 14:30, there files were gone, replaced by two copies of the report from the previous week. The Director’s hand was resting on them, “I don’t know how you managed to produce this in two weeks, it would take our people months.” Dave said it was Sally who had created them, I give her the information, she makes sense of it all and you have the results in front of you. We deal in loads of information in a short time, it has to be processed quickly, I couldn’t do it without Sally. We work as a team, it’s both of us or nothing.” “We have worked on that basis,” from a folder he took two pieces of paper and passed one to each of them. “We propose meetings to take place every month, alternating between countries, there would be a free and frank discussion about investigations affecting both our countries. Sometimes there might be a lot, other times not so much.” Dave interrupted, “you’re only doing this as at the moment our intelligence appears to be better than yours, will it be dropped in a year’s time when we haven’t come up with more successes. If that is your thinking, then we want no part of it.” “Mr. Stretton, in the past that is probably what would have happened, it is different now, we all learned a little when you addressed us last year, we are trying to change, but it is a slow process, I cannot say how long this would go on for, but I see it as a long term program. I would like you to share your special research techniques with some of our people, Miss Goodley has said they are not the usual methods.” “I’m not sure I’m prepared to do that, the people who help me are very private, you tried to find out once before, you never will, I take precautions.” Dave stopped himself from saying anymore. Sally said they would help out with research on a case by case basis if they thought it would help. “Mr. Stretton, your lack of diplomatic skills is balanced by Miss Fellowes who takes a more reasoned approach.” Dave asked about money, “£10k per month plus expenses, business flights and a decent hotel.” They talked for another hour before the meeting ended. “We will meet again tonight for dinner in your hotel, no business talk, suits and ties.” Jane said she would ride back with them, there was no talk in the car. In the lobby, Dave said they would see her later. Sally ordered coffee and burgers to be sent up to their room, they arrived ten minutes after they were in. Both had stripped off and were wearing hotel robes, a bath was running. Sally turned off the water while they ate, they both took a coffee into the bathroom, the hot tap was on again, they took off the robes and climbed into the bath. Only when she was leaning against him did she ask what he was thinking. “I’m inclined to accept it, what are your thoughts?” “I think we should, it’s probably only a few days a month, the prep for the meeting would be done during our normal work.” Dave said he was worried they were trying to use this as a way of finding out the software he used. “I have an idea, I will have a look at his emails and messages, see what he has said since the meeting finished, not here, once we are home.” “You shouldn’t do that, what if you are caught?” Dave said nothing, he heard knocking at the door. Sally said to ignore it, the knocking carried on, he pulled on a robe as he got out, Jane Goodley was standing there, “you keep calling when I don’t have any clothes on, we’re in the bath, would you like to join us?” “Don’t be so bloody stupid,” “I guess this isn’t a social call then.” Sally came out the bathroom and said hello. “I think I’m about to get a bollocking.” “You’re not, I came to talk to you about tonight, please be on your best behaviour, wives will be present, I don’t want there to be a scene.” “I don’t know what you mean, I’m always polite and courteous.” “Sally, will you have a word with him, this afternoon, you were out of order in some of the things you said.” “Jane, if we are to work together, then he will have to get used to it. I am who I am, an ex-sergeant, rough around the edges.” “You know damned well you aren’t, sometimes I think you do it on purpose. Please remember you are representing your country.” Sally asked if she wanted a coffee, Jane said no, she had to get ready, “remember what I said.” “What was all that about?” Dave said he didn’t know, “something is happening, she didn’t ask if we had thought about what we had decided, very odd.” It was time to get ready for the dinner, “how many will there be?” “No one has said, maybe six of us, we will find out soon.” They were first in the bar, Nathaniel Dawes and his wife arrived next, Dave apologised for spoiling their dinner party the other week, “so it was you, Nat wouldn’t tell me what had happened, just that something had come up.” Jane Goodley and Ruth arrived next, both looked stunning, Dave did the introductions, Sally thought Ruth looked nervous, she whispered to her she would look after her if Jane was talking to someone else. Dave had kissed them both, he said how good they looked. The last to arrive was Bob Smidowicz and his wife Hayley. They finished their drinks in the bar before going through, Ruth sat between Sally and Jane, Dave had Hayley next to him, she talked to him all the way through the meal, he had little chance to talk to anyone else, she had squeezed his leg under the table several times. He thought this was a little more than American friendliness. When the meal was over, he pushed his chair back, there was no way she could carry on now. He made a point of introducing Sally, saying they were partners at work and home as well. It was back into the bar when they had drunk their coffees, he kept Sally between him and Bob’s wife. As usual the questions were about living in the UK and how small the hotel rooms and houses were. Sally as she usually did, asked about shopping, by 23:30 it was over, the four from the UK had one more drink in the bar, Jane said they were going to New York in the morning to see someone Ruth knew and would fly back from there. Dave said about his leg being squeezed during dinner. “I could have been on a promise, just needed to get rid of the Director of the CIA.” Sally slapped him, it was harder than she meant it to be. He appealed to Jane and Ruth, “I suffer from domestic abuse, you two are witnesses.” The three women laughed. “Was my behaviour good enough, did I pass the test?” It was Jane this time who pretended to slap him, at midnight, they kissed and hugged, they would be gone before Sally and Dave would be up.
© 10210ken 2026
