Part III
As he walked, Murdock knew that so far as options went, he didn't have many. Face and Hannibal took care of the finances for the team, so he didn't really have access to anything more than what he had in his pocket. Then a man in a suit who seemed to be casually fidgeting with his pen caught his attention. Well, well. Seemed like ever with more modern technology, U.N.C.L.E. still had a liking for the pen communicators. Little doubt they were more sophisticated now, of course.
Following along in the man's wake eventually brought him to a small shoe repair business. When the man didn't reemerge after half an hour, Murdock entered himself. It didn't surprise him that the man was nowhere to be seen. When the man behind the counter smiled and asked if he needed help, the pilot cast his mind back several years to bring out of his memories the phrase April had taught him.
"Just checking around, thanks. I have an Uncle Alexander in New York that owns a shop much like this one."
Murdock really wasn't sure whether to be annoyed or amused at the speed with which he found himself in the equivalent of a holding cell. He decided to split the difference and be amused while being annoying. He cleared his throat and then began singing.
After about two hours, the head of Security at the Chicago branch stuck his head into the observation area for detention to find the agent he left on guard holding his head.
"I haven't heard back from New York since I sent them the information they requested. Anything out of the ordinary on our mystery detainee, Mister Gorman?"
"Be quicker to tell you what's ordinary on our detainee. He's been singing the soundtrack from Grease non-stop. Any ideas on how to shut him up, Mister Ellis?"
"Did you try just asking him to quit?"
"I did. He asked if I could tell him how much longer we were going to keep him in there. When I wouldn't give him an exact time, he started up again."
"Let's see if he might be willing to be more cooperative now."
Ellis reached over and keyed the mike to the detention room.
"Are you ready to tell us your name now?"
Murdock finished up the last line of Greased Lightning before rolling his eyes.
"I've already told you my name around a gazillion times."
"Make it a gazillion and one then."
"H.M. Murdock."
"And what does H.M. stand for?"
"Truth, justice and the American way."
"That's Superman."
"What? Why should he be the only one? Heck, he wasn't even born here. Never served a day in the military either, did he?"
"We want your real name."
"You mean the one on my birth certificate?"
"Yes."
"H.M. Murdock."
"Fine. Let's try another question, shall we?"
"Oh, let's shall! Although technically, that was already another question. And I answered it. Can I go now?"
"No. Where did you get that phrase that you used?"
"It was given to me to use years back."
"How did you find this location?'
"I followed one of your guys."
"Who is it that you think we are?"
"Oh for – do you need a dose of prune juice or something? U.N.C.L.E. and unless you guys have been playing with your acronyms, that's for United Network Command for Law and Enforcement."
"How do you know that?"
"Same way I knew the damn phrase. I was told it and I have a really good memory. Now, can we speed this up? Billy needs a fire hydrant bad and if you guys don't let me out to take him for walkies, I am not cleaning it up."
"There is no-one in there with you."
"Fine. If you can ignore Billy, I can ignore you."
Murdock immediately launched into Hopelessly Devoted to You.
"We are done playing with you."
Ellis keyed the mike back off.
"I'll stay here and keep an eye on him. Have Medical bring down a truth serum. It's high time we found out who this man really is."
When he heard the click of the door unlocking, Murdock didn't quit singing, but he tensed his body so as to be ready to move quickly. He hadn't fully decided on what he was going to do – until he saw the syringe. That decided the matter. He bolted, getting halfway down the hall before he was able to be wrestled down. The sight of restraints being brought over didn't improve things either. It was a tossup whether Murdock or the Security men were more roughed up by the time they'd gotten his jacket off of him and forced him into a chair. The Medical assistant stayed well back until the restraints were in place, then moved in quickly to inject the serum before departing just as quickly.
Ellis keyed the mike on again.
"Just relax. We'll give that a few minutes then go over a few questions."
"I have a few suggestions of what you can do with your questions."
"That was a truth serum. It will be easier if you don't fight it."
"Not my first dog and pony show."
A knock came on the door.
"Mister Ellis – Mister Gorman? Two section heads from New York have arrived - Mister Slate and Miss Dancer."
"Oh that's just great."
The female voice on the other side of the door had a decided chill to it.
"So glad you think so. Now, where is the man you detained?"
Mark opened the door for April, then they both froze when they looked into the other room.
"What In the bloody hell are you doing?"
Without even waiting for an answer, Mark went straight into the room. Murdock started to say something rude, but then stopped when he saw who it was.
"Higgins?"
"It's me, HM. Been a couple of years, eh? What did you did to get them riled up, mate?"
"Apparently those heathen aren't John Travolta fans. Uhm – mind helping me get rid of the restraints? Me no likey."
"Be easy with him, Mark. They stuck a truth serum in him."
"Hey, April Showers. How's my favorite twin sister? I'd give you a hug, but Higgins is having trouble with the buckles."
Ellis and Gorman both paled at bit – first when Mister Slate called the man HM and more when the word twin was used for the Chief Enforcement Officer, especially when the said CEO moved over and kissed his forehead.
"I'm so sorry, darling. You caused a bit of a stir when you used a code that's a wee bit out of date."
Finally freed from the chair, Murdock wrapped April up in a tight hug that told her more than any words just how upset he was. Mark had already collected Murdock's jacket and helped him put it on.
"Come along, old friend. Let's go find a quiet place for the three of us to have a chat while we wait for that rot to clear out of your system."