Back in London after their Greek adventure, Captain Blake, head of MI5 and commander William Steele, MI6 chief first spend time in their respective offices to oversee the conclusions of their teams and write their own report. Late in the afternoon, they meet at the Intelligence Service headquarters to report to their direct superior, Colonel Dorian Cartwright, director of the IS.
Having received the congratulations of his chief, the captain is in good spirits when his colleague, having also submitted his brief, calls him out in the corridor.
"Wait up, Francis, do you have a moment? I know you look forward to enjoying your vacation, but I think that what I have to communicate to you will interest you. Come with me to my office. "
Intrigued by the vagueness of this request, the captain follows his colleague without hesitation, wondering what secret information the chief of foreign intelligence would want to share with him; something sufficiently secret as to not be breached even in the corridors of the Intelligence Service headquarters, yet not critical enough to have been mentioned in the office of Colonel Cartwright.
Passing his secretary, the commander states that he wishes to be disturbed under no circumstances outside of an emergency, confirming to Blake the importance of the information his colleague and friend wants to share with him.
And once in the office and the door closed behind them, the mystery continues.
"Can I get you a drink, Francis? "Steele offers, going towards the bottle on a table and pouring its contents into a glass first, and seeing that the captain refuses with a move of his hand. " No ? I for one am going to need it, if you don't mind"
"Come on William, why so mysterious? What can you can you have to tell me?" Blake takes out his pipe and makes himself comfortable in his usual chair.
"Mind you, my dear fellow, these recent days have been a bit hectic for me, so, even though I know I delay the start of your honeymoon, you will have to forgive me in exchange for the trouble you may have caused me. "
Blake is so surprised and shocked that he drops his pipe.
"Oh, do not look at me like that, Francis! My job is to gather information, but also to check it: when I hear a rumor, I investigate! "
The captain picks up his pipe, not knowing what else to do.
"What the hell were you thinking? "Steele carries on. "In the midst of the British Embassy, surrounded by MI6 men? What's more, with an open window? If that's what you call discretion, I'm getting worried for your services and for our country. "
Blake flushes at the insult to his professionalism, but William Steele is not entirely wrong.
"William - "
"Anyway, I wanted to warn you that I have spent the last days keeping this information and its possible ramifications in check. Your file has been updated, of course."
Blake pales. He knows well the various problems that the services have had with gay officers in the past. They are the object of distrust, increased surveillance or worse.
"But Colonel Cartwright and I agreed," continues commander Steele without stopping at his colleague's distress, "the upshot is, there's no danger to national security; NTR: Nothing to report. As if this whole thing had never happened. "
Blake allows himself a sigh of relief and Steele takes a swig of his drink.
"My God, Francis, I have known you since we did our training side by side, but I never suspected that you, well..." Steele finishes his drink in one gulp and helps himself to a second one. "Sometimes, in my profession, there are some things I'd rather not know. "
Blake knows he owes a great debt to William Steele, who has probably just saved his career. "William, I do not know how –"
But Steele cuts Blake's thanks short. "Do not thank me Blake. As stated in your file, neither you nor Professor Mortimer are likely to go to the enemy. To put you under surveillance would be a useless waste of time and resources. I just wanted to let you know that you have friends, Francis. Our services owe you a lot and you have support. "
"Thank you William."
The captain is sincere. Then he realizes that his boss, whose office he has just left, is in the know. The old man had not betrayed a thing!
"And Cartwright? " he asks, still a bit worried.
"I think he is sincere when he congratulates you and wishes you a good holiday, but I also think he wants to know as little as possible," answers Steele, sipping his second glass. "Where are you going on your honeymoon?"
"I thought it was your job to know everything?" retorts Blake, somewhat miffed.
"Foreign Intelligence, old friend, foreign," Steele smiles, finishing his drink. "Greece is under my jurisdiction, Britain is under yours." He leans forward, confidentially. "I know you are heading to the Lake District. I just think it's better to pretend to learn things the normal way from time to time. Well, I will not delay you anymore."
Blake and Steele rise and the captain shakes the commander's hand.
"I still think I owe you a debt of gratitude, William! Again, thank you!"
"You are welcome, Francis, really welcome." Steele walks him up to the door of his office. "Have a great holiday, Francis. And try to be a little more discreet! "
Silently, Francis Blake salutes his MI6 counterpart. What can you say to that?
After exiting the building, the captain sighs. He is now at the mercy of endless jokes about his private life from his MI6 counterpart, and he feels that this story will haunt him for a very, very long time.
Thank you again Blackpenny for the time you spent editing and correcting !