discoveredinalj | May Day! Part Four.

“No it’s not,” Bodie agreed, smirking. “I always say your best asset is your—”

“Thank you, 3.7,” Cowley interrupted, dryly, and turned his attention to both men. “It’s hardly a laughing matter. With the annual budget due for renewal next month, the last thing I need is a scandal to queer up the system.”

Bodie sniggered, which turned into a cough as he felt his boss’s eyes burn into him.

“There wasn’t a note with them, sir?” Doyle asked, ignoring Bodie in case he started giggling like the girl he most definitely wasn’t. He turned the envelope over in his hands, looking for some clue as to who could have sent it.

“No, that’s all there was. And there were no prints on anything either, before you ask,” Cowley replied, pre-empting Doyle’s next question. He went on, briskly, “You have one week, gentlemen, to find out who took these photographs and what they intend to do with them. All without bringing the department into disrepute any more than you usually do. I’ll have your IDs and armoury now.”

Five guns and two knives were deposited in the duffle bag Cowley held open, along with two CI5 IDs. He secured the bag and hesitated before holding out a hand.

“Good luck…. Doyle,” he said.

Surprised, Doyle looked at his partner and received a puzzled shrug in reply. He gripped the older man’s hand in a firm handshake. “Thank you, sir,” he managed to say.

Cowley turned to Bodie who took the proffered hand with some reluctance.

“Good luck, Bodie.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Doyle half expected to see a salute from the ex-Para, so rigid was his stance.

They watched the Old Man limp away to the red Granada that was waiting silently by the gates.

Bodie leaned into Doyle, shoulders brushing together.

“Did he just…?”

“Yeah, I think he did.”

“But he called me by my name,” Bodie said, incredulously, shaking his head. “Things are bad, mate.”

“Yeah.” Doyle looked around him. “I don’t know about you, but I feel kind of exposed—”

He caught sight of Bodie leering at his crotch, and finished off, “— without my gun.” He punched Bodie on the upper arm without malice. “You must have something stashed away somewhere?”

“Yeah. Rifles, a machine gun, one revolver. That’s all. We’ll need to get kitted out. Can you get your hands on some serious cash?”

Doyle nodded, frowning. “Where are we going?”

Bodie kept his face expressionless. “To see Marty Martell.”