on high, it was Senator Hollis herself that requested your involvement.'
Rey remembered when he had acted as a bodyguard for the Senator some three years ago and how they had struck up a good friendship. They had enjoyed each other's company and he knew that he had become something of a favourite for her, being called upon for various security duties over the years.
'I thought that Senator Hollis was in Turkey, what does she need in Europe that her own people cannot get for her?'
Frans nodded and winked, 'When you want something done right you come to the experts, eh?'
Rey was somewhat relieved since he knew that Senator Hollis would never send him on a wild goose chase.
'So Frans, what's this flap all about?'
Frans snorted derisively and rolled his eyes, 'Well, a certain somebody named Hendricks has caused a bit of a political situation that we have been asked to sort out pretty quickly.'
'Hendricks? Huh, what can he have screwed up? I mean, he's always right even when he's wrong but he generally keeps himself to himself. What could he have possibly done to upset everybody?' Rey had spoken the words dead-pan but his sardonic grimace more than illustrated his real feelings. 'Anyway, he doesn't work for Senator Hollis and more to the point, why are we being pulled off our operations to deal with this?'
Frans jutted his bottom lip out in faux thought and shrugged, 'Maybe because Senator Hollis has a soft spot for you?' he suggestively offered, winking and nudging at Rey. 'Don't worry, this will not impact your current operations, this is something quite different and will only take a couple of days at most, I promise.'
The statement jolted Rey's thoughts for a moment and he stopped walking.
'Frans, we have enough to do without getting involved in something else, even if it does take a couple of days and even if Senator Hollis did request me. Anyway, why can't Hendricks' lot take care of it? If it's their mess, they have loads of pen-pushers sitting around doing bugger all that can clear it up. Why is it always us that gets the shitty end of the stick?'
Turning back, Frans had a puckish look on his face, ' Nee , nee , nee , no sticks and not much shit - this is an easy one I promise, besides, that is what we're here for isn't it?'
He became conciliatory, aware of how much pressure Rey was working under at the moment. Gazing at the swans that had kept pace with them he continued speaking without looking up.
'Our good chief himself, Senator Dru, he came to me directly and told me of Senator Hollis' request. He'd OK'd it because he wants to get the job done quickly and just as importantly, quietly. You're a senior officer and it helped to smooth things over that you have, shall we say, a friend in a high place. Not forgetting that there will be plenty of appreciation when we get this job done, you could get another decoration for your collection on the back of this as it will save everybody a lot of embarrassment. This one you can earn without risking your life, eh? This will be easy, in and out!'
He flicked his finger to and fro to illustrate the point.
'I thought that you could do with a couple of days of rest anyway. I also thought that you might get a kick out of it.'
Frans looked meaningfully at Rey and turned back to walk the short distance to the intersection of Herengracht-Prinsessegracht.
The intersection was marked by a relatively recent stone and brick bridge that had replaced an earlier version considered sufficiently appealing to have been drawn in black ink by Vincent van Gogh himself. The modern introduction of cars, scooters and mopeds had since marred the scene depicted in 1882.
Rey quickly caught up and they stood together waiting, scanning right and left to check that the road was clear, 'So why would I get a kick out of it?'
As they both moved off the pavement, the high-pitched sound of a screaming 50cc engine warned them just in time of the vigorous but belated effort of a moped rider intent
Rey remembered when he had acted as a bodyguard for the Senator some three years ago and how they had struck up a good friendship. They had enjoyed each other's company and he knew that he had become something of a favourite for her, being called upon for various security duties over the years.
'I thought that Senator Hollis was in Turkey, what does she need in Europe that her own people cannot get for her?'
Frans nodded and winked, 'When you want something done right you come to the experts, eh?'
Rey was somewhat relieved since he knew that Senator Hollis would never send him on a wild goose chase.
'So Frans, what's this flap all about?'
Frans snorted derisively and rolled his eyes, 'Well, a certain somebody named Hendricks has caused a bit of a political situation that we have been asked to sort out pretty quickly.'
'Hendricks? Huh, what can he have screwed up? I mean, he's always right even when he's wrong but he generally keeps himself to himself. What could he have possibly done to upset everybody?' Rey had spoken the words dead-pan but his sardonic grimace more than illustrated his real feelings. 'Anyway, he doesn't work for Senator Hollis and more to the point, why are we being pulled off our operations to deal with this?'
Frans jutted his bottom lip out in faux thought and shrugged, 'Maybe because Senator Hollis has a soft spot for you?' he suggestively offered, winking and nudging at Rey. 'Don't worry, this will not impact your current operations, this is something quite different and will only take a couple of days at most, I promise.'
The statement jolted Rey's thoughts for a moment and he stopped walking.
'Frans, we have enough to do without getting involved in something else, even if it does take a couple of days and even if Senator Hollis did request me. Anyway, why can't Hendricks' lot take care of it? If it's their mess, they have loads of pen-pushers sitting around doing bugger all that can clear it up. Why is it always us that gets the shitty end of the stick?'
Turning back, Frans had a puckish look on his face, ' Nee , nee , nee , no sticks and not much shit - this is an easy one I promise, besides, that is what we're here for isn't it?'
He became conciliatory, aware of how much pressure Rey was working under at the moment. Gazing at the swans that had kept pace with them he continued speaking without looking up.
'Our good chief himself, Senator Dru, he came to me directly and told me of Senator Hollis' request. He'd OK'd it because he wants to get the job done quickly and just as importantly, quietly. You're a senior officer and it helped to smooth things over that you have, shall we say, a friend in a high place. Not forgetting that there will be plenty of appreciation when we get this job done, you could get another decoration for your collection on the back of this as it will save everybody a lot of embarrassment. This one you can earn without risking your life, eh? This will be easy, in and out!'
He flicked his finger to and fro to illustrate the point.
'I thought that you could do with a couple of days of rest anyway. I also thought that you might get a kick out of it.'
Frans looked meaningfully at Rey and turned back to walk the short distance to the intersection of Herengracht-Prinsessegracht.
The intersection was marked by a relatively recent stone and brick bridge that had replaced an earlier version considered sufficiently appealing to have been drawn in black ink by Vincent van Gogh himself. The modern introduction of cars, scooters and mopeds had since marred the scene depicted in 1882.
Rey quickly caught up and they stood together waiting, scanning right and left to check that the road was clear, 'So why would I get a kick out of it?'
As they both moved off the pavement, the high-pitched sound of a screaming 50cc engine warned them just in time of the vigorous but belated effort of a moped rider intent
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