“Because I want to help you. And because I need your help. You know that reorganizational instability I mentioned? It could go either way. If it goes one way, certain conditions will prevail that will result in my having to continue working under Fitzroy. If it goes the other way, well, let’s just say that the agency will then go back to doing business as usual. You can draw your inferences from that. I’ll tell you what that means to you and me, in real terms.”
“Please do,” said Finn, “I’m beginning to get lost in these semantics.”
“Then I’ll try to make myself as clear as possible. If the present conditions change, then…the ‘old leadership’ will return to power. I’ll be able to act independently of Fitzroy and bring Mongoose in for interrogation and reeducation. He can be helped and made useful and productive once again. I’d very much like to see that happen.”
“What’s the alternative?” said Finn.
“The alternative is that the ‘new leadership’ will emerge preeminent, with a vested interest in seeing that no further reorganizational instability occurs, you get my meaning?”
“I think so,” said Finn, “but how does that change anything with regard to-”
“I’ll still have to apprehend Mongoose and deliver him for reeducation,” Cobra said, “but in that case, I’d be delivering him to different people. Remember that he used to be the senior field operative.”
“And as the senior field operative, he would know who-”
“Exactly.”
“You’re saying that they’d kill him to keep him from talking during reeducation? To keep the new director from finding out who really used to give the orders?”
Cobra nodded. “I have no idea whom they’d send to do the job. I’m a company man, Finn. I follow company leadership.”
“But there are others who wouldn’t,” Finn said, “who would maintain loyalty to the old leadership, as you put it.”
“That’s right. I was contacted by them just before I clocked out on this mission and told the score. I told them what I told you, that I follow company leadership. I don’t think I could have made myself any plainer. My job is to take Mongoose back and I intend to do it.”
“But if the covert boys lose their bid for power, Mongoose will have to be eliminated. If you’ve made it clear that you’re following the rulebook, you’ll have to be eliminated, too.”
“That’s right,” said Cobra. “There’s every reason to believe that at least one member of my team here is awaiting orders to that effect.”
“Jesus,” Finn said, “you’ve got a problem. What are your people into that they’re running so scared?”
“I honestly don’t know,” said Cobra. “If it becomes my job to find out, then I will, otherwise I’d just as soon remain ignorant. It’s safer that way.”
“What the hell do you expect me to do?”
“My problem is my problem,” said the agent. “With a little luck and some cooperation on your part, it won’t become your problem, as well. I don’t want to push Mongoose into doing anything foolish. If I can find him and talk to him, I can make him understand what the situation is. Perhaps I can even convince him to lay low and refrain from any further interference in your adjustment until it’s over, I don’t know. What I’m asking you to do is back off.”
“What do you mean, ‘back off’?” said Finn.
“Just what I said. Give him room. Don’t try to go after him on your own. I know how you feel about him, but I’m asking you to leave him alone, so long as he doesn’t actively endanger the adjustment.”
“How am I supposed to determine that?” said Finn.
“I’m asking you to trust my judgment. I need to stall for time, at least until it becomes clear which way the power play will go. When the situation gets finally resolved, I’ll know. I don’t want to have to go against my own people if I can help it. By the time it gets resolved, this adjustment might be over and then you’ll be out of it. If I take Mongoose before it all gets settled, they’ll try to hit both him and me, just to be on the safe side.”
“And you said that this might not be as serious as I think?” Finn said. “This isn’t only serious, it’s turning into a full-fledged disaster!”
“It doesn’t have to,” Cobra said. “All I’m asking you to do is to continue playing your part and to leave Mongoose alone. Let me handle it. It doesn’t have to involve you.”
“Brother, I can’t get any more involved! Do you realize what you’re asking us to do?”
“I know,” said Cobra. “I know how it sits with you and I know that it’s not going to be easy, but I’ve got to make you understand that the alternatives are far less attractive.”
“Is that a threat?”
“I sincerely don’t want it to be,” said Cobra.
“Suppose I refuse?”
“It would not be in your interest. Your job is to insure temporal continuity. Mongoose has thus far shown no inclination to interfere with that aspect of your job. He’s not out to create any disruptions, only to prove himself superior to you. You have my personal guarantee that I will back you up in every way possible in order to help you complete your mission. But I know that you’re itching to get your hands on Mongoose, to settle both this score and an old one. I’m asking you to forget about it.”
“If I don’t?”
“Then I’ll be forced to run interference for him to make sure that you don’t get him,” Cobra said. “I don’t want to have to do that, Finn, believe me. Mongoose is not your job; he’s my job. Your job is to play Percy Blakeney. All I’m asking you to do is to do your job and to let me do mine, in my own way, in my own time.”
“I know you didn’t have to tell me any of this,” said Finn. “I appreciate your candor.”
“Figure I owed it to you.”
“What makes you think I won’t go to Fitzroy with what you just told me?” Finn said.
“You could,” said Cobra. “I wouldn’t try to stop you. But if this conversation goes beyond the two of us, especially to Fitzroy, you’ll be signing his death warrant and mine, as well; possibly, even yours.”
“Yes, I can see that.”
“So what’s it going to be, Finn? Do we work together or at cross purposes?”
“You’re backing me into a corner, Cobra.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I have no choice.”
“I’ll let you know. How do I get in touch with you?”
“You don’t. I’ll get in touch with you. You’re going to confer with Priest and Cross?”
Finn nodded.
“Yes, I suppose you’d have to,” Cobra said. “I’ve gone out of my way to be straight with you. Don’t let me down.”
“It’ll be kept between the four of us, you have my word on it,” said Finn.
“Thanks.”
“Just one more question,” Finn said. “In case we don’t back off, as you put it, how far are you prepared to go to protect Mongoose?”
Cobra stared at Finn steadily. “How far are you prepared to go to get him?”
Finn nodded and licked his lips. “Yeah,” he said. “Wish I could say that it’s been nice.”
Cobra regarded him silently for a moment, then turned and walked away. He paused at the door.
“I said I owed you for the last time, Finn. Consider the slate wiped clean.”
As Finn came out of the sitting room, there was no sign of Cobra. However, Marguerite saw Finn and approached.
“Percy, who was that man you were just with? I don’t think I recall seeing him before.”
“Oh, just someone I once knew, my dear,” said Finn.
“What was his name?”
“Damned if I know. We met somewhere, but for the life of me, I simply can’t remember where or when. I’m certain it will come to me.”
“You don’t remember him at all?”
Finn shrugged. “Odd’s life, my dear, I can’t be expected to recall the name of everyone I meet, now can I? Why worry about such trivial matters? If he was important, doubtless he would have made a more lasting impression.”
“What a fleeting memory you have, my husband. I wonder that you recall my name!”
“Why, what a thing to say! What are you suggesting?”
“Only that I wonder how lasting an impression I made upon you,” she said. “Sometimes it seems that you’ve forgotten me completely. It seems that-”