The Paths of Destiny

March 17, 2001 Continued:

What were we going to do, indeed?

We had to locate and retrieve Sara Porter. Entice her into coming to the campus and get a confession out of her. Plus, there was the small factor of Vallance and his anti-psi trait.

“We need to get Sara here before eight tomorrow night,” I said immediately. “It’s possible, Commander Vallance, that you won’t be able to enter the garden during the visitation period. My guess it’s due to your anti-psi make-up.”

I explained to them the psi/anti-psi aspect of the supernatural. At least, my understanding of it.

In a nutshell, an anti-psi has a vast amount of negative energy within them resulting, in some cases, from a buildup of buried strong emotional responses to some form of trauma. This could’ve been an unconscious or conscious decision on the anti-psi’s part. The trauma could’ve been the result of guilt, anger, hate, or a number of various things. Some anti-psi subjects exude strong negative auras preventing benign spirits, such as Jasmine, from approaching or appearing in front of them. The same could be said of those who exuded such evil and showed no remorse for their criminal deeds.

As I explained this, my mind went back to Jasmine’s inability to enter Overton’s residence in St. Albans when Robyn Coyne had been kidnapped. It was the presence of Dr. Dean Elyacoubi and his evil, lack of remorse, and pleasure from torturing his subjects.

I figured the more Vallance knew about this the more willing he’d be accepting of the fact he wouldn’t be able to enter the garden with us. I hoped another monkey wrench wouldn’t be thrown into the mix with Sara also being anti-psi.

“I’m not sure it’ll be possible,” Vallance mused. “I don’t know where she is. I definitely didn’t keep track of her after she married Kyle.”

“India,” Storm said. “You mentioned it earlier, but couldn’t remember what office he took. He’s the present ambassador to India.”

“That could pose a problem,” Vallance rebutted. “Your place or mine?”

“Yours. Better communications,” Storm decided. “Parker, you’re with us.”

“Wait.”

Ricky’s eyes became alight with mischief.

“I have a better idea. It’s right on the way, anyway.”

He pulled out his cellphone and hit the speed-dial.

“It’s Ricky. You up for a little adventure?”

He listened.

“Something you might be able to help with. Ambassador to India’s wife — this isn’t exactly a secure line — we can be there in thirty minutes or less... We? Nick — of course — and a newbie, name of Parker. You’ll like him.”

He listened again, a broad smile on his face.

“She said to come on over,” Vallance announced as he hung up the phone.

“You didn’t.”

“I did.”

“But she’s...”

“Old? She’s four years older than I am. Three years older than you and going stir-crazy. When’s the last time you saw her, Nick? I go over at least once a week, and — she’s as sharp as she ever was. And she always was a damn good field agent.”

Vallance let out a slight sigh of frustration.

“Besides, Anton makes sure she has the latest toys. He knows she’s not ready to be put out to pasture!”

He turned to me, a look of excitement in his eyes.

“You are about to meet a living legend, Parker.”

Despite our rocky beginning, I was starting to like this guy. The man knew a legend for one, and I was in the company of a couple of gents who knew this mysterious legend. And I, Robert Bixby Parker, was going to have the privilege of meeting whoever this legend might be.

“Great,” I grinned good-naturedly. “I get to cross ‘Meet a Legend’ off my ‘Things to do’ list. Lead the way, Commander.”

“It is not on the way,” Storm objected. “We have to go right past Headquarters to get there.”

“She’s expecting us, Nick. You don’t want to let an old lady down, do you?”

“She’s not...”

“No, she isn’t. She isn’t a lot of things, Nick.” Vallance was deadly serious now. “But one thing she is...”

“Don’t bring that up!”

“Deserving of our respect. Car’s this way,” Vallance said as he strode off.

“Damn. Damn and blast him,” Storm muttered, not seeming to see me. “First, I have to put the boy on report — again! Now I have to...”

Suddenly noticing my presence, he stopped his muttering and said almost impatiently, “Well, come on!”

As I followed Storm to the car, I realized that there could only be one living legend this pair could mean. And that legend would be Miss Briony Mathers, former Senior Director of the SPJ.

Briony Anne Mathers was born in 1942 and joined the Organization right out of high school in 1960. She rose quickly through the ranks, becoming Section Leader for Liaison ten years later.

The Organization, itself, as it had been initially named from its inception, was the brainchild of a rich, eccentric Englishwoman who served as its first Senior Director from its founding in 1946 to her death in 1959, at the age of 64, in a freak riding accident.

At least, that’s what the official history shows.

Although how she got the horse into the tree, bareback, has always been subject to question.

Miss J, as she was affectionately known, was succeeded in the Office of Controller by Anton Greydon. Greydon, who had no military service, was persuaded by his senior advisor Colonel Michael Brady to approach the UNO for funding; Miss J’s fortune turned out to be far less than estimated. Initially, the mandate for the Organization was investigative, but gradually it was broadened to the full scope it is today.

Eventually, it became known as the United Nations Organization for Security, Peace and Justice. Or simply, the SPJ.

The overall head of the SPJ is the Senior Director, appointed by the liaison to the UNO, currently Anton Greydon. Greydon was the second Senior Director. He appointed Miss Mathers to succeed him. She, in her turn, appointed him Liaison to the UNO. Under their guidance, the SPJ grew from a small, private inquiry agency to its current role and function.

Miss J, it seemed, was raised on the Thrilling Spy Stories of the time, and always wanted to join their ranks. However, it wasn’t until the tenure of Miss Mathers and Anton Greydon that the SPJ’s full potential began to be realized.

Miss Mathers served from 1979 to her “early” retirement in 1999. She still lives today in a private home in London, England. London is the SPJ’s home city and where it’s always been headquartered.

I decided to keep my revelation to myself and show the proper response when I met Miss Mathers face to face. It just didn’t seem fair to ruin my new ally’s surprise.

Instead, I approached Commander Storm with a new question that had just come to mind.

“Commander,” I asked carefully. “You’re not planning on putting Commander Vallance on report are you?”

“What? What are you talking about? Whatever gave you that idea?”

“Sorry,” I raised my hands apologetically. “I happened to overhear you saying something about having to ‘put the boy on report, again’. It’s either Commander Vallance you were muttering about or me. And since the both of us are younger than you, it’s only natural to presume that you were thinking of putting one or both of us on report. For what I have no idea of course.”

Seeing the look on Storm’s face, I abruptly shut up and hoped I wasn’t in for a tongue-lashing for eavesdropping. And jumping to conclusions.

One I’m quite sure I deserved.

“Do you usually jump to conclusions, Parker,” he asked, quirking an eyebrow at me. “Not a good trait in an investigator. And how did you come up with the fact that Ricky is younger than me?”

“To the first, not normally. But present circumstances from the excited exchange the two of you just had. Add your comment I accidentally overheard. They led me to my conclusion. As for the other, I was doing some digging about the suicides and the University records for attending students are public record.”

“You flatter yourself, boy,” he said with a smile. “Everything you’ve done tonight seems to be leading rather more in the opposite direction.”

He shook his head slightly.

“No. I wasn’t talking about you. Do you remember Graeme Roberts? The Captain of Security you met at my apartment? I was referring to him.”

“Of course,” I slapped my forehead. “With everything going on since then, I completely forgot about him. May I recommend you not be too harsh on Captain Roberts? Despite his treatment of me, he was only doing his job and I’d have been more than disappointed had he not been as thorough as he was.”

“That’s very generous of you, Parker,” Storm answered. “But it may be too late.”

He let out a breath.

“Yes, he was doing his job. He’s on the security force for the complex I live in. But it isn’t the first time there’ve been allegations of excessive force against him. That’s why he’s going on report. Again.”

Storm paced for a moment.

“And now I have to go and explain myself to his mother.”

As promised, the ride to the quietly elegant house in Eaton Square took barely half an hour. Vallance parked the car in front of the house, attached a tag to the rear view mirror and got out. Storm and I followed.

It was, at first glance, a generic townhouse. Tall but narrow, the front door on the right side, the entrance was up six steps. The house itself was four stories tall with a full basement, at least.

As Vallance reached the front door, it was opened...

By an...

“Honest — to — God butler,” I murmured in amazement.

I immediately got an elbow in the ribs from Storm for my minor outburst as we stepped behind Vallance in time to hear their conversation.

“Good evening, Roberts. Is she awake?”

“Of course, Commander Vallance,” Roberts answered in his pure Upper-class British accent. “She is expecting you. Please come in.”

He stood back and held the door wide as Vallance entered, followed by Storm, then myself.

“Good evening, Commander Storm, Lieutenant Parker,” the butler said, giving me a piercing look.

I had a feeling Roberts might’ve heard my “butler” comment from earlier, considering the look he gave me.

Ever have someone give you a look that clearly states that you had been judged, weighed and cataloged for future reference? Well, that was exactly the type of look I got from the butler. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he even knew when and what I ate last from that look.

“This way, please.”

He led us to the first room on the left, knocked, and then opened the door.

The woman coming towards me was tiny! Barely five-foot-three, she had bright red hair — natural red, no artificial color here — brilliant green eyes, and a wide smile set in an English peaches and cream face. Her hands were out to me, and I noticed out of the corner of my eye Storm and Vallance held back so she could greet me.

“Lieutenant Parker, welcome!” she said in a low contralto voice with a slight, indefinable accent. She took my hands and pressed them warmly. “Please, come in and sit down.”

The tiny woman held my hands for a moment, smile never wavering. Then, she nodded her head slightly as if satisfied with something.

“Roberts, coffee, please.”

“Certainly Madame.”

The butler bowed and left.

“Ricky, so good to see you again — and who is this stranger?”

Smiling, she offered her hands to my companions. Laughing, Ricky pulled her to him for a quick hug, before releasing her to Nick.

Nick took her hand and held it as if it were delicate porcelain. Almost, he bowed over it.

“Hello, Briony.”

“Is that all you have to say?” she asked in a disappointed voice.

“For now,” Storm answered as a rare smile crossed his face.

During the exchange, the currents and crosscurrents swirling around and through the room were so obvious, even a non-sensitive could’ve seen them.

And then, Miss Mathers turned to me.

“So, Lieutenant Parker. What is it that you need this tired old warhorse to do for you?”

She might have called herself a “tired old warhorse” but the light in her eyes belied the adjectives.

One of the things about being in the presence of a legend, one tends to forget themselves and loses their composure. Fortunately, I was one of the few who doesn’t lose my composure that often. Or so I thought. So as precise, but as detailed, as possible I explained the situation to Miss Mathers from the time I had lunch with Storm to Vallance’s acceptance of the situation. I felt it wise to leave out the part where Storm had passed out drunk and my subsequent adventure getting him home.

As I spoke, I noticed it was getting easier being open about my involvement with the supernatural. Maybe it was being in the presence of a living legend that had me talking about the entire thing so casually.

I don’t know.

By the time I finished, I don’t think I had left anything out about my supernatural experiences whether they were relative to the case at hand or not.

Okay so being in the presence of a living legend affected me more than I thought since I babbled on about my experiences.

She smiled.

“I should like to see a ghost,” Miss Mathers murmured just under her breath. “I wonder if your Lady Jasmine would consent to appearing for me.”

“I’d like to think,” I replied slowly, “she’d be willing to do so. Perhaps, she will. I believe the two of you would get along famously.”

She seemed satisfied with my response and gave me a brilliant smile in acknowledgement.

“So,” she spoke up to include the others. “What we need to do is locate the present whereabouts of Sara Porter, and get her here as soon as possible, am I right?”

“Yes,” Storm said.

“Briony, you don’t want to see a ghost,” Vallance said hoarsely. “Believe me, it’s not what it’s cracked up to be.”

“But I have nothing on my conscience.”

The smile she turned on him was totally serene.

Nick choked with laughter. “Of... of course not.”

The butler chose that moment to return with the coffee tray.

“Set it over here, Roberts. I think I can remember how to pour. How do you take your coffee, Lieutenant Parker?”

“Black, and a couple dollops of honey, please,” I answered. “Commander Storm mentioned earlier that Sara Porter married an ambassador to India,” I continued. “I believe Commander Vallance said the man’s name was Kyle.”

“Honey, please, Roberts.”

“Yes, Madame.”

The butler left.

“Kyle... Kyle. I shall have to do some research.”

Placing the now full cup beside me she went to her desk and sat behind it. I noticed that both Storm and Vallance had come somewhat to attention in their seats. Miss Mathers opened the top of the desk to reveal a surprisingly up-to-date computer system.

“I assume we will have the co-operation of Transportation?” she asked.

“Yes’m,” Vallance replied. “I’ll take care of that end of it.”

He nodded to me and then left quietly.

Miss Mathers began to type rapidly, paused, read something, and typed again. Then looked up.

“General Sir Kyle DuBarry. Current Ambassador to India. Wife: the former Sara Porter. Ah. They’re currently located at his home in Hampshire where he is enjoying leave. That’ll make things a little easier. Lieutenant, will you go and inform Commander Vallance, please?”

I nodded and left the room.

As the door closed, I heard her say, “Nick, I had the most peculiar phone call from Graeme...”

Once out of the room, I took a moment and leaned against the closed door to calm down the heartbeat that should’ve given me a coronary. I had held my own against a Commander who was ready to accept my resignation, in front of yet another Commander. Saw the latter threaten to resign if the former actually did accept my resignation. Had the balls to interrupt their argument and was judged by an actual butler.

For the “cherry on top”, I shook hands with, spoke to and been served a cup of coffee by a legend. And if that wasn’t enough, for those tasty sprinkles, I saw the relaxed familiarity of old friends in action.

Briony Mathers, despite her short stature, is very dynamic, with a tremendous personality reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn. Early photos of her portrayed her to be very beautiful as a young woman, and she still has extremely good bone structure at her current age. It wasn’t hard to believe she’s one of those people others are instinctively drawn to. I certainly was. But it wouldn’t be wise to be fooled by her looks — as previously stated, ‘she always was a damn good field agent’. And her legendary status was proof of it.

Once I had calmed down, I notified Commander Vallance.

“Hampshire, huh?” he grunted. “That’ll make life easier.”

He went back to his cellphone.

“Local, Mary. Hampshire. Home of General Sir Kyle DuBarry. No, Nick’ll take care of the armory stuff, Mary. It’s a special mission for Miss Briony.” He listened, then grinned. “I know. I’ve missed her too. We’re getting old, my friend.”

Hanging up, he turned back to me. “Parker. What were they talking about when you left?”

“All I heard was her mentioning a ‘most peculiar phone call’ from someone named Graeme,” I replied honestly.

“If, you don’t mind my asking, Commander,” I continued hesitantly. “You all must’ve had some interesting adventures together. Meaning you, Commander Storm and Miss Mathers. What was it like watching a legend being born before your very own eyes?”

“You have military experience, Parker,” Vallance replied. “You know what it’s really like, the legendary stuff. Dirty, gritty, bloody sometimes. The ‘legendary’ stuff comes later. Much later.”

He looked at me, considering for a moment before he spoke again.

“Graeme Roberts. Her son.

“Were they fighting yet?”

“No,” I replied slowly. “However, there was a bit of tension in there a blind man wouldn’t have missed. By the way, Commander, you just confirmed something for me about Captain Roberts. I had the opportunity, you could say, of making his acquaintance. The result was a knock out.”

The last said quite soberly.

“Explain,” Vallance said tautly, suddenly every inch the Commander.

Knowing there was no way for me to weasel out of this, I told Vallance about the phone call I received from Storm. Our meeting at the Cap and Bells. His passing out. And my attempt to protect his reputation. This led to my encounter with Captain Roberts. I also mentioned Storm’s comments about having to “explain himself”, just before we got into the car to see Miss Mathers. And my conclusions, based on the timing of Storm’s comment, that Captain Roberts was Miss Mathers’ son.

All the while, I was mentally kicking myself for letting my mouth get away from me again in mentioning Roberts at all.

I concluded with, “And to make it clear, Commander Storm wouldn’t have been in the state he was, had it not been for the reason why we’re here securing Miss Mathers’ help in apprehending Sara Porter... Sir.”

Vallance’s comment was short but succinct.

“Crap.”

He looked at me, shaking his head. “I wish you had just called me to take care of him, Parker. Then none of this would’ve happened. Then again, I can understand and commend your actions. And you couldn’t have known that I’d protect him, could you?”

He shook his head briefly.

“No, you couldn’t,” he answered for me almost to himself before continuing. “I’m more concerned about Graeme. Again. He grew up in the SPJ. Everyone’s darling. And it went to his head. Now he’s just another young punk.”

He looked around the dining room and then went to the door.

“Wait here.”

Once Vallance left, I suddenly felt like I was in a police interrogation room. The walls seemed to close in on me, the lights appeared to dim, and the chair I was looking at began to take on the appearance of those not unlike the cushion less metal fold up chairs one is forced to sit in during a long ceremony in a small-town auditorium.

The only thing missing was the microphone and two-way mirror.

I wasn’t sure what would happen next. Was Vallance going to inform the others that I knew about Roberts’ relationship to Briony Mathers? If so, how would that affect my future knowing what I know? Maybe Vallance was just on the other side of the door deciding for himself what should be done about me without involving Storm and Mathers.

Maybe I had nothing to worry about.

Maybe I’d wake up in the morning to find this was all a bad dream and a check would be under my pillow from the tooth fairy with a note apologizing for the insufficient funds for the teeth I had offered as a child.

“Well, they’re not yelling yet,” Vallance said coming into the dining room and closing the door behind him. “And Roberts, the butler, is in his pantry. Although I wouldn’t put it past him to have this room bugged,” he said, looking around. “Sit down, Parker.”

Relieved, slightly, I sat on the edge of one of the dining room chairs while Vallance pulled out another chair, turned it and straddled it. Since I had never heard of a reprimand being delivered from that vantage point I relaxed a little more.

“She likes you,” Vallance said abruptly. “She’s a good judge of character. Always has been. Well, maybe there was one slip. Once.”

He visibly paused as if mentally struggling with himself. Then nodded his head, took a deep breath, and continued to speak.

“She got pregnant. No one knows who the father is. She wasn’t even on assignment at the time. Since an abortion was out of the question, she’s Catholic, she wanted to put the child out for adoption. Roberts, the butler, took the child to his sister, who raised him. So she was always active in his life.”

He looked at me fiercely.

“She’s a very private person, Parker. This does not go out of this room.”

“No, sir.”

“With his ‘uncle’ working for her,” he continued, “and him spending most of his childhood either here or with her at Headquarters, joining us was an inevitable step. Not necessarily the right thing to do though. She told him when he was old enough to understand that she was his mother. And he had, has, a tendency to use that. It’s become less of an issue since she stepped down, but now he has authority of his own to abuse.”

“Well. Enough soap opera,” he said as he stood up and replaced the chair. “We have a murderer to catch. Mary’s sending over a fast car to get us down to Hampshire by morning. Come on.”

He led the way back to the sitting room. Still no shouting. Vallance hesitated and then knocked before entering.

Miss Mathers looked up. She was still sitting in the same chair. Storm was standing over by the window, looking like his name. Miss Mathers smiled.

“Everything ready, Ricky?”

“Yes. I called Mary and arranged a fast car. It’s on its way. I’ll stay in touch by cellphone...”

She stood saying, “I’m coming with you.”

Vallance shrugged. “I tried.”

Storm spun around. “Not hard enough! Briony, this is no place for...”

“Enough.”

One word, but with all the force of her personality behind it. Both Storm and Vallance fell silent.

“I shall be ready to leave when the car arrives. If not, you may leave without me.”

With the majestic air of a queen abruptly closing an audience with her petitioners, Briony Mathers swept from the room, leaving us standing with our mouths open as if compelled to silence in mid-sentence.

Once recovered from the abrupt way Miss Mathers had left us, I sat back down and picked up the coffee I hadn’t had a chance to drink. Surprisingly, it was still warm. Even better, someone had been kind enough to add the honey exactly to my taste.

While Storm and Vallance talked quietly between themselves, almost arguing judging from the body language, I sat sipping my coffee and began to reflect on my observations of Miss Mathers.

As stated earlier, Briony Mathers is a tiny woman. She obviously was well off. Enough to be able to afford living in a home such as this and to have a butler, at least. Her mannerisms could change from one moment to the next. Almost mercurial, but more precise. She, from what I had observed so far, was charming, gracious, and had the aspect of command about her that brooked no argument when she chose to use it.

It was obvious her reputation as a former member of the SPJ earned her the respect and admiration of those who knew her. Not to mention, the willingness to allow her the supply and use of the latest resources available.

To be honest, I was quite excited to have the privilege of being in her company. I was also as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, and hoped I’d not do anything that would meet with the disapproval of this woman’s opinion of me, in spite of Vallance’s comment of her liking me.

It took Miss Mathers less time than I would’ve imagined preparing for our trip to Hampshire. Within fifteen minutes she was back, wearing a sleek jumpsuit, hair pinned up in a smooth chignon. Her appearance reminded me of the character “Mrs. Peel” from the old Avengers re-runs I remembered watching as a kid.

She went immediately to the small, discreet table sitting in the corner of the room, and removed the cover to reveal a safe.

“Are you armed?”

“No,” Nick answered.

She opened the safe.

“I know your preferences,” she nodded to Storm and Vallance. “Lieutenant Parker, what do you usually carry? I wonder if I can accommodate you.”

She efficiently distributed firearms, including two of her own, then waited for me to answer.

“Well, Ma’am,” I said a bit sheepishly. “Since my arrival here in England, I’ve grown fond of the non-lethal use of the paintball gun I’ve taken to wearing.”

I pulled back my jacket to reveal the gun in the shoulder holster.

“Back home,” I continued, “I had a standard police issue revolver. If you happen to have one, however, a Walther P99, with or without the laser sight, would be excellent.”

First introduced at the 1997 Shot Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, the polymer-framed P99 service pistol uses the familiar Browning type tilting-barrel lock-up that was used in the P88. It is a true single/double action striker fired handgun with second-strike capability. No other striker-fired handgun has this feature. An innovative decocker arrangement was devised with the decocker button built flush into the top left of the slide. The magazine release is ambidextrous and is placed along both sides of the lower part of the trigger guard. The slide release is the only protrusion on the side of the pistol, and it too is pretty flat on the frame. This makes for a pistol that is extremely fast to draw without snagging or tearing up clothing. The finish is what Walther calls Tennifer. It looks like black blueing with a satin sheen and matches the frame color exactly. It is very hard wearing and tough. Sights are windage adjustable in the rear and come with three extra interchangeable front sights of varying heights. A feature not found on other polymer guns, is the interchangeable backstrap to adjust the size of the grip. This is great for shooters with different sized hands, or for winter use when gloves are worn. The frame has molded-in rails for laser or tactical lights. The magazine capacity is ten for civilians and 16 for law enforcement, government and export. There are limited quantities available of legal 16 round magazines for civilians. Accuracy is very good, approaching excellent. Off-hand 2.5 to 3 inch groups at 25 yards are very acceptable for a service sidearm.

“Walther P99. Laser sight, 16 shot magazine,” she said briskly. “I’m sorry you won’t have the time to sight it in. If we had more time....”

She pulled out another gun.

“And a Sig Sauer for me,” she said with a quick smile. “A small gun for a small hand. And a fervent hope we will not have to use them.”

She handed me the Walther and three magazines.

“And there’s the car,” she announced as headlights raked the window.

The car looked like a typical limousine. Complete with a driver who jumped out and looked around as we exited the house.

Ricky held out his hand for the keys.

“I’ll drive,” Storm said grimly as he, too, reached for the keys.

“Ricky will drive,” Briony said calmly. “And stay with the car once we arrive.”

She turned to the driver.

“Did you bring directions?”

“Yes, Ma’am,” he replied handing over a manila folder.

“Nick, you’ll navigate. Parker, you’re with me,” she said as she moved towards the one of the back passenger doors.

I jumped forward and opened it for her and was rewarded with a warm smile. Once in the vehicle, she settled herself for a long drive.

The car was as luxurious as I expected. Up front, the window that separates the driver from the passengers was closed, but I could see the heated argument that Storm and Vallance were engaged in.

As the car smoothly left the curb, Miss Mathers turned to me with a smile.

“Tell me more about ghosts, please.”

I’d already figured Briony Mathers would eventually ask me about the subject. So it was natural for me to speak about my observations. And, for the moment, my nervousness went away as I went into lecture mode.

“First of all,” I began, “There are orbs, ghosts and spirits.”

Miss Mathers looked at me with eager eyes in rapt attention.

“Orbs are believed, by many, to be ghosts in the form of balls of light. They’re life forms that travel in groups, and are believed to be the human soul, or life force, of those that once inhabited a physical body. Psychics claim to talk to them on a regular basis, and ghost hunters encounter them quite frequently. It’s said that they’re those spirits that have willingly stayed behind because they feel bound to their previous life or previous location for whatever reason. Because of this obsession, they tend to become similar to a psychotic human being. It should be said that the majority of us when we die proceed gladly and willingly to the next level of existence after saying our quiet goodbyes, which means we’re off to the spirit world. Then again, as stated, a select few elect to stay behind because of a refusal to move on. Apparently, the longer they stay behind, the harder it is to find their way to the next level, which again, is the spirit world.”

I paused to make sure she understood what I was saying. Continuing when she eagerly motioned me to go on.

“Ghostly orbs are the most photographed anomalies caught on film by ghost hunters and are quite photogenic, when they want to be. They can be completely transparent or display themselves in a bright solid form. It’s not hard to capture them on film in their circular form. It’s theorized that ghosts prefer the form of an Orb, or ball of light, because it takes less energy thus being the mode of choice among the ghosts. The consensus is that small orbs take up the least amount of energy and apparitions and other fuller shapes take up the most. In the colder parts of the year, it seems that ghosts tend to find it easier to take on shapes other than orbs. That’s when there is the most static electricity in the atmosphere. Those months being October through February. It’s also believed that they’re able to draw on our own energy when needed.”

She seemed to have a questioning look.

“If you’re wondering, ghosts are normally harmless for the most part. They have relatively no desire to bring harm to anyone nor do they have much of an awareness to act as such. Ghosts however, have been known to disrupt the lives of those that they affect and play pranks and move things about. To state it plainly, they’re actually limited in the activities that they’re able to carry out in their frame of existence. Non-human forms as well as evil spirits and demons, which have never had a body, have additional powers and have the ability to sway our thoughts and tempt our reasoning. This is why Ouija boards and other similar devices should be shunned! They have the ability to open windows into other realms of existence and can attract evil or bad spirits. If you’re experiencing what you consider being the effects of an evil spirit or demon in your life, then it could be the location where you’re living, but you must also consider your life style as well. In other words, it’s how you’re living or the activities that you involve yourself in that might inadvertently be drawing them to you.”

She nodded her understanding before I went on.

“Spirits are capable of continuing a full existence on the other side with their full mental and emotional facilities intact, unlike their counterpart the ghost. You most likely won’t encounter a spirit on a ghost hunt as you would a ghost. When detected, it’s believed that their appearance might be in the form of ectoplasmic mist, as well as a full-bodied apparition. They’re permitted to visit on occasion and even communicate a message when they have permission to do so. But they won’t be picked up on any ghost detection devices or be photographed by any cameras, for the most part. Many believe that we have spirits assigned to watch over us, and that might be true. However, you won’t normally be detecting them unless they have a special purpose in making their presence known. In other words, Spirits, not ghosts, seem to have a finer spirit tissue that is for the most part undetectable.”

She nodded her understanding.

“There are other theories concerning Orbs. I have in the past heard such theories that orbs might simply be Nature spirits or Airborne protoplasm as you would find under a microscope, except far more advanced.”

I hesitated to see if she needed me to elaborate. She just nodded for me to continue.

I told her some of the stories involving ghosts and spirits, both malevolent and benevolent, encountered by my ancestors. I added in my personal encounters in the Philippines and some of my adventures with Jasmine.

“Thus, endeth the lesson,” I finished, with a mock flourish of my hand and a slight bow of my head toward Miss Mathers.

Okay. So the flourish and the head bowing were probably a bit over the top. Most of the knowledge I have, had been passed on in some of the books I had published. So it was a rare treat for me to be the teacher to a willing student. Even more thrilling was the privilege of adding what knowledge I had to that of the living legend sitting next to me. I only hoped she would consider that by the time I was finished.

She nodded thoughtfully. “How do you account for the continued presence of Lady Jasmine in your life? And do you know if she will help us in this matter?”

“I’ve been trying to figure that out myself,” I answered thoughtfully. “My guess would be it has something to do with the necklace my great-grandmother gave me.”

I pulled out the necklace from under my shirt and showed it to her without taking it off.

“Jasmine said that my great-grandmother had ensured that I would be the one to carry on the family Legacy. And the necklace was passed on from Jasmine to my great-grandmother and then on to me.”

Ms. Mathers leaned in to inspect the necklace while I continued.

“I know from the stories told by Great-grandma, Jasmine had studied with a Mystic in her native India not long after she met Sir Roger. Since my great-grandmother was the only surviving child to follow in her parents’ footsteps, it’s only natural to conclude she picked up a lot of the same knowledge they had. I would theorize, prior to her death, Jasmine and my great-grandmother figured out a way to tie Jasmine to the necklace somehow. And when the time is right, I’ll wind up passing on the necklace to my heir.”

She nodded her understanding.

“That last,” I finished as I took a deep breath, “also came from Jasmine the night I met her.”

I paused a moment before answering Briony’s second question.

“Jasmine does what she can to help me when I need it. I wouldn’t have gotten this far without her input at the garden, revealing herself to Commander Storm at his apartment, or her help in convincing Commander Vallance to continue with the investigation.”

I took a quick breath.

“Though there may be a problem with Commander Vallance’s presence if Jasmine is able to help,” I said with a frown.

I explained to her my plan of gaining a confession out of Sara Porter at the next visitation in the garden. I went on to explain to Briony the concept of the psi/anti-psi aspect of the supernatural and Vallance’s trait of being anti-psi.

“And that may be a factor in you, yourself, being able to interact with Jasmine,” I finished apologetically to the woman sitting next to me. “Though, we’ll have to cross that bridge when we come to it.”

She nodded her acceptance.

“Right now, I’m curious as to what your thoughts are on the whole matter from what all I’ve told you and what you’ve learned from Commanders Vallance and Storm.”

“Yes,” she replied after a thoughtful moment. “I believe you, Lieutenant. I am... not without experience, myself. In our business it is called ‘intuition’. If I have had any success, it has been due to my superior intuition. And yet, I cannot take all the credit.”

She paused in thought.

“No, I’ve never seen an actual ghost. And yet, there have been times in my life when... when I have felt the presence of guiding spirits. Not... anyone I could put a name to. But someone benign, who is watching me, and watching out for me. Nothing so — obvious as a guardian angel.”

A slight, deprecating laugh.

“Just a... friendly presence.”

“So, that leads us to the task at hand,” I said. “What’s the plan now, if you don’t mind my asking.”

“We should be there shortly after dawn. Can Lady Jasmine appear during the daytime?”

“She did once,” I answered with a chuckle then sobered rather quickly. “Nearly caused the death of the poor fellow as well.”

I told my companion about a few of our daytime adventures. Particularly the one where Jasmine had to save a suspect from falling to his death when she abruptly appeared in front of him.

“Thankfully, we’ve never had another situation like that,” I finished.

“But she can appear during the daytime,” Miss Mathers insisted.

“Why don’t you ask me yourself?” a new voice said.

I saw Jasmine sitting on the other side of Miss Mathers.

I gestured.

Miss Mathers turned, slowly. Her eyes and mouth widened in an “O” of pure delight. Then she remembered her manners.

“Lady Jasmine Bixby, I presume,” Ms. Mathers said once she found her voice. “I apologize for not waiting for an introduction, but the situation is rather critical.”

“I regret,” Jasmine said, “That the presence of the one called Ricky makes my continued appearance here very difficult. But you — you are as easy to be with as Robert. You leave the car, and Ricky with it, and I will have no problems being with you, provided Robert is near.”

She smiled warmly at me and then faded from view.

Miss Mathers’ breath left her in a rush once Jasmine had completely disappeared.

“Thank you! Thank you! If nothing more comes of this succeed or fail, you have my gratitude.”

She smiled at me, a private smile for me alone.

“You may not know what that means, but if ever I can be of assistance to you, do not hesitate to call upon me.”

“Miss Mathers,” I began, smiling like a kid who just got what he wanted for Christmas, “I’ll try not to abuse the privilege you just gave me. And yes, she can appear in the daytime. I’m sorry I guess I forgot to add that little detail to my narrative.”

I was smart enough to let her failure to notice I had answered her question earlier slide without comment.

I was smiling for two reasons. One because I’d been secretly hoping Jasmine would be able to reveal herself to Miss Mathers. That she was able to do so with Vallance so near was remarkable, knowing how much energy she had to use to do so. The second, and even more thrilling, I’d just been given access to ask the aid of a legend. And with her permission to boot!

The prospect of helping put Jenny and her friends to rest was looking more optimistic than ever.

“I don’t have a plan yet,” she said, smiling. “One of my strengths — and if truth be told, one of my weaknesses, as well. It will be easy for me to gain access to the house, I think. I still retain enough cachet to gain admittance. I had thought to ask Lady Jasmine to confront her before we left. If not, we’ll have to persuade her to come with us, so we can all go to the school tomorrow — tonight.”

Her eyes were alight, and I began to see what made her such an effective agent.

“I was thinking, when I was at the garden party,” I said, “before Commander Vallance brought us to you, we could’ve had him somehow persuade Sara to meet him at the university. Once I discovered his anti-psi trait, I had to amend my plan to have the commander make an excuse of some kind to meet her in the garden later. The rest, of course would be a simple matter of having Sara face Jenny’s spirit and be shocked into making a full confession in front of Commander Storm and myself. Now with you, along with the combined experience of yours, and both Commanders, we’ve got a better chance of closing this case.”

Miss Mathers inclined her head briefly.

“This may sound selfish of me,” I continued, “but I try not to rely on Jasmine too much during my investigations. Don’t get me wrong, I’m always grateful for her help. Right now, especially so, with all her help in convincing you, Commander Storm and Commander Vallance that there are such things as spirits. And I always make sure she knows it after each case has been closed. She’s always been willing to help and seems disappointed if I wish to do some investigations on my own. But I, personally, don’t want to make her feel as if I’m just using her outright. Maybe I’m just odd in the way I think when it comes to Jasmine’s help and her willingness to be of help.”

I hesitated for a moment.

“Does that seem weird to you, Miss Mathers?” I stopped and realized I was babbling. “Please feel free to tell me to shut-up. I’m babbling again.”

“Not at all, Lieutenant Parker,” Miss Mathers said with a smile.

I wasn’t entirely sure what she was referring to.

“Believe it or not, I’ve been giving some thought to this. Contrary to what some people may say, I do not rush blindly into things!”

In the front of the limo, the argument seemed to be intensifying. Frowning, Miss Mathers leaned forward.

“Something seems to be wrong,” she said. “Shall we listen in?”

She motioned to me, a finger to her lips, then slid open a panel in the back of the divider to reveal a small control panel.

“When I was Senior Director,” she mentioned to no one in particular, “this was my personal car. I am sure Mary Webb remembered that.”

She turned a knob all the way to the off position, flipped a toggle, and then slowly inched the volume control up.

I sat back in the corner of the seat, trying to do a good impression of the Invisible Man.

“And that’s final!” Ricky said as he banged his fist on the steering wheel.

“You don’t tell me how to do my job,” Nick replied through gritted teeth. “You’re not my superior. And despite what she thinks, neither is she.”

“Oops,” Briony breathed.

“Security’s in my Command,” Storm continued. “The actions of its personnel are my responsibility. You, all of you, have petted and indulged him for far too long. When we get back from Hampshire, he will be arrested and bound over for court-martial for his many acts of aggression. And I don’t give a damn who is mother — or his father — is!!”

“Oh, Bravo, Nick!” Briony murmured.

“Parker will testify,” Nick went on. “He’ll be a good witness. He’s experienced, and he hasn’t been around long enough to buy into Graeme’s myth. In fact, he’s what I’ve been looking for to put paid to that young punk once and for all.”

Briony snapped the toggle shut and turned to me.

There is a well-known Biblical saying that goes “You reap what you sow.” Eric Frank Russell, using the pen name of Duncan Munro in his 1950 sci-fi short story U-Turn, introduced the phrase “May you live in interesting times”. The former is pretty self-evident in itself. The latter, however, is purported to be either a blessing or a curse, depending on who you speak to, and has never been proven to be Chinese in origin. Regardless, both phrases were quite apt as they applied to me at this moment.

Curse or blessing, I most definitely was living in an interesting time. And I was facing the reaping part right now after hearing that argument between Storm and Vallance. Depending on how Miss Mathers responded to my explanation would determine if the fruit would be sweet or sour.

I was faced with two choices. I could lie to my newfound ally that I didn’t know what Storm was talking about. Or I could tell her the truth about my meeting with Graeme Roberts.

Lying would’ve been an insult to the generosity I’d been offered by Miss Mathers as well as being a defamation on Storm’s character. So I took a deep breath and took the plunge.

“I left out part of what happened yesterday. It took place between my lunch with Commander Storm and his meeting Jasmine in his apartment,” I said and began revealing my part of Storm’s statement in regards to Captain Roberts. I left nothing out.

Once finished, I was sweating bullets. On the inside at least.

“I deliberately left my run-in with Captain Roberts out for two reasons. The first was mainly to protect Commander Storm’s reputation. I didn’t want to see a good man publicly humiliated and his career affected because of it. And knowing the reason why he got in that state in the first place, I, myself, probably would’ve done the same thing had I been in his shoes. The second reason I left it out, to be honest, it didn’t seem relevant to our current position in apprehending Sara Porter.”

Somehow, as I said the last, I developed a great sense of bravery or a Biblical proportion of stupidity. I looked Miss Mathers straight in the eye, quite defiantly I might add, and said, “And under the same circumstances, I’d do it all over again if I had to.”

Oddly enough, while I was telling this to Miss Mathers, a different part of my mind had been working on the mystery of who Captain Roberts’ father was. Something had clicked on what Storm had just said, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I was smart enough to withhold the fact that I knew Miss Mathers was Captain Roberts’ mother.

In the meantime, I held my breath as I steeled myself for the inevitable wrath I was sure this legend had within her.

She blinked.

There was a long silence, and then she responded, “I... know Captain Roberts. I know how difficult he can be. I also know that he idolized Section Leader Chickering and took it very personally when... when we found out he had betrayed the SPJ and everything it stood for. I didn’t know he could be so... so monumentally stupid, though!”

She paused to gather herself.

“Graeme is my son, Lieutenant Parker.” She smiled slightly. “But you already knew that, didn’t you? I notice you left that out of your narrative. And I... am retired from the SPJ and therefore am not owed any explanation by you. You would’ve been quite within your rights to tell me to mind my own business.”

She placed a reassuring hand on my arm.

“But... I am glad you did not.”

She cocked her head to one side as she looked at me.

“Have you told Commander Storm the full story? If not, I suggest you do, as early as possible. He needs to know, in order to know how to act.”

To say I was relieved by Miss Mathers’ response would be a monumental understatement. I was in awe of this tiny woman sitting next to me. And the awe was growing with each moment I spent in her presence. She was quite astute when it came to my leaving out that bit about her being Captain Roberts’ mother.

“Yes,” I said. “I’d already figured out you were Captain Roberts’ mother before meeting you. Commander Vallance confirmed it when I went to inform him of Sara’s location. He told me that I wasn’t supposed to say anything. To be honest, I didn’t feel I had the right to call you on it either.”

I paused for a moment before continuing.

“This does, however, bring to mind who the father is. Please tell me to butt out if I’m prying. But it would seem that Commander Storm knows who the father is. Commander Vallance says he, himself, doesn’t. Based on what I know, I had it narrowed down to Anton Greydon and Commander Vallance. I had ruled out Commander Storm, but as I’m talking about it, I’m not so sure he’s not a candidate either. His reaction when I first met Captain Roberts, his use of ‘having to put the boy’ on report, the way he acted as if reluctant to face you and tell you about his actions, and his ‘or his father’ comment a few moments ago during the argument we over heard. Based on all that, conjecture of course as it may seem, I’m inclined to believe Commander Storm is the father and only you, Commander Storm and possibly Commander Vallance know this.”

Okay. So I hadn’t learned my lesson from earlier about babbling on about something I probably had no business sticking my nose into. But Miss Mathers seemed to have a way of making me talk. And to be honest, I genuinely wanted to know the answer for my benefit alone.

Once again, I waited and hoped to whichever deity was listening, I hadn’t gone too far this time.

“I can see that we shall have to watch out for you, Parker,” she said, not smiling. “Are you sure you don’t also have ambitions to take over the whole operation? By any means possible?”

Yup. For all intents and purposes, I do believe I went a little too far. My only hope of getting out of this in one piece was to do what happened next.

“I meant no offense, Ma’am,” I said hastily, raising my hands. “My natural curiosity, and my big mouth, tends to get the best of me. I assure you, I have no plans whatsoever of taking over. I’m not an ambitious person. Despite what my record shows. I came by all my promotions and recognition honestly. I just do what seems right and follow my instincts where they lead. And someday, I’m quite sure, my instincts will lead me right over a cliff with not even a tiny shrub for me to latch on to.”

The look on her face spoke volumes.

“I think I’ll shut up now, and not bring up the subject again,” I mumbled in a tiny voice.

“An excellent idea, Lieutenant.”

She sat back, and I watched the next few miles unfold in an uneasy silence.

Finally, she turned to me.

“Lieutenant, I feel I owe you an apology. His father and I are very protective of Graeme. When we — came together, it was — the passion of the moment, no more. So, I felt very responsible when I learned I was pregnant. I didn’t... tell his father until many years later, and I’ll always regret that. For that reason, amongst others, Graeme has become rather spoiled, and I take full responsibility for that. Actually, I’m pleased that Commander Storm has decided to take the action he has. It’s long overdue, and will be a salutatory experience for him. Nick’s right. Graeme has become a young punk, a bully. If asked to testify, I shall expect you to do so to the best of your ability, and in accordance with the Oath you took on joining us. I shall be... very disappointed in you if you were to do otherwise.”

Then, with an impish smile, “I shall, however, decline to confirm — or deny — your deductions as to the father of my child.”

In America, when one has spent time in the military, the phrase to “neither confirm, nor deny” something, is a roundabout way of saying that rumors/conjecture/what have you of that “something” is “true but I can’t tell you because it’s classified”. However, it does leave enough doubt as to the actual existence of that “something” being true. For me, essentially, Miss Mathers had given me the answer I was looking for. Then again, her neither confirming nor denying could mean something entirely different by British standards. I’ll let future readers of this journal decide for themselves.

“Miss Mathers,” I said finally with an apologetic smile. “I believe I am the one that owes you the apology for butting in where I shouldn’t have. It was none of my business.”

She gave me a brief acknowledging smile.

“Perhaps,” I continued, “we can start fresh and forget the last few minutes ever happened? As for testifying, I shall do as you advise.”

“Thank you, Robert. That is a good idea — and that is what we shall do.”

She leaned forward.

“I believe we are about to arrive.”

The car slowed then stopped. The window to the front opened, and Nick Storm turned to look at us.

“Well — we’re here. How do you want to handle this?”

“What time is it?” Miss Mathers asked. “On the one hand, we cannot go barging in too early. On the other, we will need to be back in London by eight o’clock tonight.”

I looked at my watch and was surprised to find that it was nearly four in the morning. Six hours had passed since my encounter at the Garden had ended. And a lot had transpired in that short period between then and now.

2200 The Garden Party ends and I meet with Commanders Storm and Vallance.

2245 Vallance is convinced to help continue the investigation.

2315 We arrive at Miss Mathers’ residence.

2330–0200 Miss Mathers obtains location of Sara Porter. Vallance confirms Miss Mathers is Captain Roberts’ mother. Miss Mathers announces she is joining in on the hunt.

0215 Limo arrives.

0230–0400 Jasmine reveals herself to Miss Mathers. I gain an ally and almost lose her. Arrival in Hampshire.

As I said, an eventful six hours.

“It’s four in the morning,” I related to the others. “I’m not sure how the Ambassador and company would appreciate an early morning visit.”

“We could try a straight on frontal assault,” Miss Mathers said.

“Or we could find a coffee shop,” Storm rebutted. “Wait until morning and then pay a call.”

“Pooh, that’s no fun,” she responded.

“But it is the sensible thing to do.”

“Or,” Miss Mathers said thoughtfully as she turned to me, “maybe Jasmine could go in and scare her out?”

The idea had merit. However, I was concerned that Jasmine hadn’t recovered enough to do as Miss Mathers suggested.

I expressed my concern adding, “Should this be successful, there’s a problem of a possible backfire with Sara. She might wind up being shocked to the point of becoming mentally damaged and be of no use to us. She may not have as strong a willpower as the rest of us. Commanders Storm and Vallance both barely had the willpower to confront and accept what they saw when Jasmine revealed herself. I don’t mean to put a damper on the plan. Just letting you all know the downside. However, I’m willing to put it to the test if Jasmine is.”

Okay maybe I was being overly protective of Jasmine. For going on three years, she’d been exclusively my little secret, and now that others knew of her existence, I was beginning to feel as if I was losing my uniqueness. However, knowing how crucial this was, I knew we had to do something. Moreover, if Jasmine could help, then I had no right to make the decision for her in this regard.

“There’s something you’re forgetting,” Ricky Vallance added. “I’m, as Parker stated, psi-negative, remember? She can’t appear around me.”

“I still think we should wait for a decent hour,” Storm said. “Briony, you’re not dressed for visiting, anyway. Did you bring a change of clothes?”

“Of course. Very well. Find us a coffee shop where we can get a decent cup of coffee, and we’ll wait for a more civilized hour,” Miss Mathers decided.

Hampshire lies outside the green belt area of restricted development around London. It has good railway and motorway links to the capital, and in common with the rest of the southeast has seen the growth of dormitory towns since the 1960s. Its county town is Winchester, a thriving historic city of approximately forty-two thousand.

Winchester was formerly the capital of England, during the 10th and early 11th centuries. Before that it was the capital of Wessex. The city is at the western end of the South Downs with the scenic River Itchen running through it.

The DuBarrys lived just outside Winchester.

Winchester had a total of four coffee shops that we could see — two of which were immediately rejected by Miss Mathers for no apparent reason. We finally settled in an independent coffee shop named after the Earl of Cornwall. Once the others were seated and the coffee served, Nick pulled out his cigarettes and excused himself.

“Miss Mathers,” I said as Storm left the table. “Would you mind letting Commander Vallance in on what you had planned regarding Jasmine’s involvement while I join Commander Storm in a cigarette?”

Once I caught up to Storm, I settled down next to him and lit up a smoke.

“Commander,” I began slowly. “If you are dead set on putting Captain Roberts on report, then you need to know exactly what happened yesterday.”

I gave a precise account of what happened from the time I entered the apartment building up to Storm’s emergence from the elevator with Tony. Two and a half cigarettes later, I finished and waited for Storm’s reaction.

“Will you testify to that?” he asked. “In open court?”

“If it comes to that, yes.”

He nodded slowly before saying, “I don’t know whether to thank you or curse you.”

He took a drag of his cigarette and watched the smoke curl into the air. Then flicked the unfinished portion away.

“Does she know,” he asked jerking his head indicating the cafe behind us.

It doesn’t take a genius to see that Storm had recognized the car when it pulled up. Logic would dictate it was the motivation behind his wanting to drive. If such were the case, he probably knew how to prevent Miss Mathers from listening in on any conversations in the front when the privacy window was up.

I decided to take as neutral a route as possible.

“I can neither confirm nor deny the possibility of that,” I said without hesitation.

The look he gave me was peculiar, to say the least. He opened his mouth as if to say something, checked, then pulled out another cigarette. He looked at it, put it back into the pack, then yawned.

“I’m ready for that coffee now. How about you?”

I nodded, and we went back into the cafe to rejoin the others.