-It's a beautiful place...

Napoleon Solo's smile faded. He loved sailing. He had enjoyed the trip. But now they were at Mousehole. He was usually used to act under pressure. This time, he barely could. Yes, the place was beautiful, peaceful. No damages, just some puddles. And somewhere, Illya. He hoped so. Or not.

There were a few people in the harbor. Fishermen and their family. Amazingly, although they had noticed the two visitors, they didn't seem to pay any attention to them. As Solo and Cutter passed them, they just waved or nodded to them. Cutter held Solo back.

-Look ! That's the Janice III ! At least, our Mikey is here... So, Mr Kuryakyn is, too.

-Where is his house ?

Cutter read the address on his notebook. Well, an address. Where was it ? Solo looked around.

-Look for something, men ?

A gracious old lady, with a basketful of vegetables, stared at them.

-We... look for Mikey... That's his boat, isn't it ?

-Yes, it is.

Cutter couldn't help smiling : the old lady acted as the old fisherman : one question, its answer. Strictly its answer. And you had to go on... But Napoleon Solo had no sense of humor.

-Is he at home ?

-Looks like.

-Could you please tell us where is his house ?

-Yes, I could.

Cutter chuckled. Solo, appalled, turned toward him.

-I don't think that's very funny, you know. We are wasting time, and...

Cutter tapped his shoulder, and smiled to the old lady. She was obviously delighted.

-Madam, we are looking for Mikey, and a friend of us. We were waiting for them at the Charon's pass, but the storm... well. We have been told that Mikey was probably here.

-Of course, my boy, of course. You don't teach your grand-mother how to suck eggs !

Cutter smiled again, encouragingly. The old lady melted.

-Do you see the big wooden house, at the top end of the lane ? That's Mikey's house !

-Thank you very much, Madam.

-You're welcome, boy, you're welcome.

Solo ironically looked at Cutter ; when he would tell about Cutter using his charms on an old lady...

-Don't even think of it, Solo ! You forgot your lines, I had to make up for it ! Let's go, now.


The fisherman came back, so he could peek without being seen. Two men was crossing the harbour, and the little market place. They stopped to talk to ... the old Margaret. He turned toward the Russian. The boy had bleached.

-Illya, there are two men. You have to come here. Tell me, do you know them ?

Illya Kuryakyn shivered, and took a few steps forward. Mikey grabbed his arm to prevent him from falling down. He helped him to sit . The young man buried his face in his hands, in what looked like a state of total collapse.

-Do you know them ? Illya, tell me, are they enemies ?

Oh, no they weren't. Illya Kuryakyn shook his head, and answered, with a suppressed tone.

-No. They are ... friends. The youngest is... was my partner. He was my best friend, too.

-So, there is nothing to be afraid of...

-I don't want to meet them, Mikey. I can't.

-Help me with the table. We'll take it in the living. Then you'll go back to your bedroom, and I'll deal with them. Okay ?

Mikey waited for the young man to be back in his room, and he leaned out of the balustrade. The two visitors were coming.


He couldn't stand it. He wouldn't stand it.

He rationally reviewed the possibilities. There were very few of them. Altogether, one.

They had freed him, to get him in another jail. Or in a psychiatric hospital. Perhaps they had eventually decided that he was insane... Illya Kuryakyn knew that.

He wouldn't stand it. The white cell. The dazzling light. The loneliness.

And the worse : you have to be cruel to be kind. Napoleon would be the one who would get him there.

The Russian could match his part... his ex-partner. He could match Cutter. He probably could match both of them.

He was able to. Even after three months in that jail.

But... he wouldn't.

If he fought them, Mikey would try to help. Mikey could be harmed.

If he fought them, he might harm them. He might harm Napoleon. He might kill him.

If he fought them, he might be killed. Napoleon might kill him.

He didn't mind dying.

But he knew.

He knew that Napoleon couldn't survive to this. Whatever happened.

So, he was going to give up.

He would turn himself in to them.

In a few minutes.

He looked around the room, memorizing all he could. He caught the book and held it tightly to him, like a baby.


-Hey, men.

Cutter raised his head. Just above them, a man was looking at them.

-Hello, Mr Gu...

-Mikey ! We use first names, here.

Cutter took a deep breath. Okay, first, the old fisherman, then the old lady. Now, Mikey. You just had to rightly express your wishes.

-Mikey, we are looking for a friend of ours. You brought him out the jail, yesterday, and ...

-He's gone.

Mikey took a step back. The two men couldn't see him anymore.

-Please, Mikey ! We have to talk. We must ...

Cutter grabbed Solo's arm, and whispered.

-Talk to him. I'll check the boat.

Louder.

-Mikey, I have to call our boss, but my friend has to talk with you.

The door opened. The fisherman went out, and stared at them through his grey locks. Very piercing green eyes. He nodded, and motioned Solo to follow him. They climbed up to the terrace. Mikey waited. The dark haired man stayed silent.

-So, Mr... ?

-Solo, Napoleon Solo.

-Napoleon ?

-Illya mocked at me about it, when we met. Where is he, Mr Gu..

Amazing.

-Mikey. He's gone. We couldn't reach the Charon's pass, so we came back home. We ate, we went to sleep. This morning, he was gone. That's all I can tell you, boy.

Solo closed his eyes. Mikey was really puzzled. This man was obviously on the verge of collapsing, as his blond friend. He didn't look like a hunter.

-How is he doing ? Did you talk with him ?

Mikey was ready to strike up the old Mousehole song : In this country, we don't stick our nose into the others' business. But he saw the sadness in the dark eyes. He recognized this sadness.

-He... was fine, I think. Yes, we talked.

-Did he tell you that he...

The young man was hopefully looking at the fisherman.

-Yes, boy, he did. He told me that he was a murderer, and that he had shot a friend.

Napoleon Solo winced. Illy still believed that he was guilty. Mikey went on. It was interesting...

-He also told me that he didn't remember anything. However, boy, he is a free man, now. You have to get off his back.

Solo bitterly chuckled.

-I can't do that.

-Bloody leave him alone ! He's gone. All you have to do is to forget him. Or... is there something...?

Solo sat down on the floor.

-A detail, Mikey. Illya... Illya is innocent. But you knew that, didn't you ?

-I know men... What happened ?

-It's a long story. We have been deluded. It was a very nasty plot.

-So Illya hadn't killed his friend...

-No, he didn't. Oh, and Mark is alive. Very alive. Illya has to know that, Mikey. All I want is to tell him, nothing more.

Mikey hesitated. Cutter rushed in the terrace. He was to speak, but stopped, seeing Solo's and Mikey's faces. He cursed.

-Oh, no. Solo, please, I let my communicator in the boat. Would you get it for me ? This slope will kill me...

-But...

-Napoleon, please.

The tone was harsh. Cutter would run up this slope several times before he would slightly pant. He must have a plan. Solo obeyed, and went out the house.

-So, Mikey, where is he ?

Mikey took his breath...

-Ts ts, ts, man. If Mr Kuryakyn is gone, whose case did I find in your boat ?