‘Yes,’ said Penny. ‘Why?’
‘One year after my affair with Diana, in Paris,’ I said.
Penny stopped dead and looked at me, eyes wide. ‘But … Dear God! I never made the connection! You mean …’
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘I think the old Colonel, James, was my son. It would explain why he wanted me here, to protect his family.’
‘You think he knew?’ said Penny.
‘It would explain why he went out of his way to track me down and offer me the protection of the Organization,’ I said. ‘I doubt I’ll ever know for sure. It’s not the kind of thing he would have put in his official files. I always thought of him as a father figure, and all along he probably thought of me in much the same way. I wish … we could have talked about it.’
‘Hold it,’ said Penny. ‘Does this mean … we’re related?’
‘Not in any way that matters,’ I said.
‘Good!’ said Penny. ‘The last thing our relationship needs is more complications.’
‘So, we’re in a relationship, now?’ I said.
‘You’d better believe it,’ said Penny.
‘What is this thing called love, earth woman?’ I said solemnly.
‘Don’t you know?’ said Penny.
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘I know.’
‘Hey!’ said Penny. ‘I just realized! It’s Christmas Day! Merry Christmas, Ishmael!’
‘And a merry Christmas to you, Penny. Peace and good will to all men, including those who aren’t actually all men.’
‘One last question,’ said Penny. ‘I have to ask; why Ishmael?’
‘Why not?’ I said.