The Spy Who Called Bingo: Part 9

A wise man turns chance into good fortune.

Spy Who Called Bingo Patrick and Dan pulled into the harbour district early, and there was a low lying fog. Across the street was a small coffee shop, "Espressocean". Patrick decided a coffee was in order.

"How long till you reckon they come Dan?" Patrick asked, making conversation but feeling a bit anxious. He was still a bit overwhelmed by the visit to Dan's office.

"I couldn't tell you, Patrick, but I do hope they won't keep us waiting for too long though. Waiting is something of which we've already done more than enough."

Patrick was barely listening, looking out over the harbour and thinking about their experiences early that morning. They had gotten up while it was still dark, and Dan had asked Patrick to try and sleep on the way to the facility. He said he trusted him enough not to bind his eyes, but he would prefer if he didn't pay attention as they drove. Patrick hadn't needed much more encouragement to close his eyes and get some sleep on the drive to Dan's office headquarters. When he awoke they were somewhere in the mountains outside the city, in a beautifully designed facility entranceway.

A man had come up to them then, but instead of asking Dan for identification, he had merely asked Dan if he could clean his sunglasses for him. Dan had quickly accepted, and the man then allowed them to enter. What struck Patrick as odd was that Dan hadn't even been wearing the sunglasses.

Driving in, Patrick saw guards all around, but discretely placed. It was like a social club with a not-so-well-hidden objective. A well-to-do gentleman came in to greet them. Apparently no one slept in this place.

"Dan, we've been waiting for you. Ah, I see you've brought a guest!" he said cordially, with a seemingly genuine smile, and reached out to shake Patrick's hand. "Hello, I am Walter Humphries, CEO of this research lab. How do you do?"

Patrick took his hand and gave him an earnest handshake. His initial concerns were being rapidly dispelled.

Dan, on the other hand, seemed a bit cold and distraught, saying briskly, "You were waiting for me? That's a first, Sir, I didn't expect to waste your time. Do you have updates for me?"

"Absolutely Dan, if you'll come join me for an early coffee, perhaps some light meats and cheeses?" Walter said, checking his watch and continuing, "...as it's too early for a proper breakfast yet."

"Absolutely, thank you Walter. It would be our pleasure to join you." Dan replied, a bit distracted.

"Fantastic. This way please Dan, Patrick."

Stepping into the facility, Patrick noticed the feel of the place changed immediately. This wasn't a water-cooler chat, a soft carpet type of office space; this was a cold stainless steel dust-free environment. Walter led them into a boardroom, which was very softly lit, with a table made of chrome. There was a fountain in the back. No expense was spared in the making of this building.

Touching what looked like solid metal, a view screen popped out from the table in front of Walter, and he entered some sort of foreign code into the table pad as an astonished Patrick blinked, impressed.

"Now that's remarkable technology!" Patrick had to comment.

"Indeed," said Walter, turning to the wall where a much larger display had now appeared.

Appearing on the display was an outline of a building, and several profiles of people. Patrick recognized the Prime Minister, as well as one of the thugs who had tried to torture Dan, and had successfully tortured Patrick.

"Patrick," said Walter, turning to look him in the eyes, "this information is highly volatile. Dan has taken a great risk bringing you here, and we trust Dan just as he trusts you. Do not betray that trust."

"Of course," said Patrick, shivering unexpectedly.

The briefing that ensued would change Patrick's life forever. Stay tuned next week, for Part 10 of The Spy Who Called Bingo.