Extract from arma ultimatus

Southwark

James jumped as the door slammed. After a bit, Alexander appeared at the top of the stairs. James grinned as he saw who it was.

“What’s so funny,” Alexander asked in a none too pleased tone of voice, seeing the James’ broad smile.

“Just betting with myself who had come in. Everyone slams that door in a different way. Did you know yours is probably the loudest?”

Alexander scowled. “If the landlord repaired the door there would be no need to slam it to get it to shut.” He threw his top hat onto a cabinet in the corner before removing his greatcoat and sitting himself opposite his analyst. “Have you come up with anything on Arthur’s disappearance?”

“Well, there’s nothing in the files, if that’s what you mean.” This got him a sharp look from Alexander. “So, I went back to first principles.” James pulled over a large sheet of rolled up paper and unravelled it to reveal a map of Mesopotamia. “I am making some suppositions, mind. First, I’m assuming that the kidnappers wanted to land in the general region where the airship went down.”

He pointed at a red mark pencilled on the map. “This is where the dirigible was found. Do you notice anything?”

“Can’t say, I do.”

James chuckled. He ran his finger up and down the blue ribbon that marked a waterway. “This is the Tigris. I guess it is about three miles from the crash site.”

Alexander understood the implications. “So, which way did they go? To Bagdad or Basra?”

“Basra, I think. If they were headed to Bagdad, they’d have crashed the airship nearer to the city.”

“Good work, James.” Alexander patted his back. “Now all we need to know is whether they are still in the port or have moved on.”

“I’ve been thinking about that, too. Basra seems an unlikely destination, if they have, indeed, gone there.” James looked at the colonel. “But my conjecture is based on that assumption. They need to move their captive without attracting attention.” He ticked off the alternatives on his fingers as he spoke. “They could use another airship, the railway, a ship or a coach. I discount the coach as impracticable. An airship will attract attention and the railway exposes them to other passengers. Therefore, I conclude they took the Duke to Basra by boat. That way he’s kept away from the curious.”

Alexander jumped to his feet and paced up and down in deep thought. After a few minutes, he turned to James and announced, “I like your analysis. It certainly fits the few facts we have. But it does not really help us pin down where they may have taken him.”

James nodded. “Sadly, without a motive for the Duke’s abduction, we’re no closer to finding him. He could be anywhere by now.” He shuffled some papers on the table. “Do we have any more information from the Foreign Office on what the Duke planned to do in Persia?”

Alexander snarled, “No. It is like getting blood from a stone. They said they would be open and provide us with the information we need. But try getting it from them.” He grinned. “When I said I was not going anywhere until we got the information I had asked for, they began to take my demands seriously. I am promised what they have by tomorrow morning.”

“Typical bureaucracy; to withhold information is like breathing.”

“Without a doubt,” Alexander agreed, the irritation breaking out in his voice. “You should be glad you are not having to deal with them.”

James got out a notebook and with it a small brown envelope. “We should consider our options”’ he started and then held up the letter. “Forgive me, I should have remembered this. It came for you this afternoon.”

Alexander took the envelope and tore it open to read its contents. After a moment, he grinned. “Good news. Greenmantle is joining us. See.” He passed over the telegram.

James read out aloud what it said, “Adventum. G. Good news indeed.” He then got up and went over and pulled out a file from one of the cabinets that lined the room, brought it to the table and opened it. “Ah! Just as I thought. Greenmantle has had some experience in Egypt. He was stationed there for six months when his regiment was sent in support of the Sudan operation. Did you know, he saw action with General Gordon?”

Alexander guffawed. “James, you are not telling me this because he is joining us, are you?”

James looked the colonel squarely in the eye. “You know I fully support what you are doing in setting up the bureau. We have come a long way in a few months since the government agreed to give its tacit support. But…” and he stopped.

“Go on,” Alexander urged. “You know I want you to speak your mind freely in front of me. No. More than that,” and he chuckled, “I order you to.”

James grinned at the joke. “Well, with Greenmantle being available, you don’t have to go off chasing after the missing royal. You can ask him to go. That way, you’re not away from London and can continue setting up our operations.”

Alexander did not say anything at first but then pointed out, “But I told the permanent secretaries I would go.”

James raised his voice somewhat. “The Duke is one priority, but we have others. There are still the anarchists to consider. My file on them grows by the day. I fear they are planning something, something spectacular; and it will be here, in London.” He stopped and sat down. “You said I was too valuable to risk on an operation. But you need to consider yourself, too. The bureau would not be what it is if you’re not leading it.” He raised a palm to stop Alexander replying. “I know you say you shouldn’t ask others to do what you wouldn’t do yourself. But you also said that sometimes commanders had to tell those under their command to be, what did you call it, ah yes, put in harm’s way. Presumably, you didn’t lead on those occasions.”

When James stopped, Alexander didn’t say anything. He looked at his hands, turning them to examine back and palm. James knew not to interrupt.

Eventually, Alexander looked at him. James could see sadness but also acceptance in his eyes. “You’re right.” Alexander’s reluctance in accepting what he had to say was palpable in his voice, “I should stay. I’ll just have to get used to sending others on missions with the distinct possibility they may be killed or captured. I knew it deep down. But I’ll not relish putting others in the line of fire. That is why I refused to become a general.”

“When we went to East Rumelia,” James pointed out, “those who came with us knew the risks and still volunteered.”

Alexander sighed at the memory. “And some paid the ultimate price.”

“You’ll ask Greenmantle, when he gets here to look for the Duke, won’t you?”

“I will ask him.”