The Year of Living Dangerously
Part I: January, 1965
Chapter Ten
I.
"We do indeed," said Emma, calmly. "But we were at cross purposes last time. I had thought you were someone else."
"I'd gotten that impression," the man said with a charming smile. He raised his bowler again. "The name's Steed. John Steed."
"Mr. Steed."
"Oh, just Steed, please."
"Very well, Steed. And you are...?"
He smiled again. "This is hardly the time or place to have a chat about bona fides, Mrs. Peel. There's a charming tearoom just a few blocks from here. May I buy you a cup of tea?"
Emma nodded. "Thank you."
"So, who did you think I was?" said Steed a few minutes later, as he placed a teacup and saucer in front of her, then sat down opposite with his own cup. They were in a corner booth of Ivy's Tea Room, with a lovely view of the Main Street from the large, plate glass windows. The rather large proprietress stood behind her counter at the far wall, polishing it furiously, seeming rather resentful that Steed had turned down her offer of cakes or biscuits with the tea.
Emma sipped the lukewarm liquid. Although her face betrayed nothing, she made a mental note to never have tea at this establishment again.
She watched Steed lift his own cup to his lips...inhale its aroma...and place the cup down again with finality.
"Who did you think I was?" he repeated.
"That's not the point," said Emma. "The question is, who actually are you?"
"Oh, I do a bit of work for the Ministry," said Steed airily. "Records and research. And right now I'm trying to find out about Knight Industries."
That hadn't really answered her question, Emma thought dryly. There were a lot of ministries...and every one of them probably had a records and research department.
"And why is the Ministry interested in Knight Industries?" she queried. "And in particular, in Professor Keller?"
She watched Steed's eyes narrow as he looked at her. "What do you know of Professor Keller?"
"Nothing more than I told you the last time. I haven't seen him since he was sacked, all those years ago."
"Yes," murmured Steed. "Neither has anyone else."
Emma nodded. "So it's Keller that you're really interested in, isn't it?"
"Why should you come to that conclusion?" asked Steed.
"A couple of people have been asking me about Keller recently. It's too much of a coincidence."
Steed nodded. "Yes, it's Keller I'm looking for." He leaned even closer, and smiled. "I'd like your help in finding him."
"My help?" said Emma, raising an eyebrow.
"Aren't you curious about what has happened to Keller? Why he has disappeared?."
"Well...yes, but..."
"But me no buts, Mrs. Peel." said Steed, leaning back, suddenly cheerful. "Something has happened to Professor Keller, and we need to find him. Your help will be invaluable."
He was trying to rush her into a decision, Emma thought dryly. Or, rather, rush her and charm her into a decision, whichever worked first.
But he wasn't being completely candid with her.
She would play along with him...bide her time...find out what was really going on. If Keller needed some kind of help...if she could make up for the injustice she'd perpetrated on him those many years ago...she would do so. And if that meant slapping this Steed down... she'd do that as well. She owed that much to Keller.
Emma shrugged. "Very well," she said, putting a trace of reluctance into her voice. "I'll help."
"Good."
"But how?" Emma demanded. "As I told you, I haven't seen him for years."
"It's quite a coincidence seeing you on this road," Steed said, lifting up his teacup again, gazing down at it somewhat cross-eyed and putting it down again, then gazing at her questioningly.
It was an open-ended statement. Emma recognized this immediately. She'd taken courses in this kind of communication at University. Open-ended statements were used to draw out the person with whom you were having a conversation. Very few people could sit in silence...most people rushed in to fill the void and answered what they thought you were asking, or what was actually on their mind...not what you'd actually asked.
"Perhaps," said Emma simply. She wasn't going to let him manipulate her! If he wanted to ask her a question he could jolly well ask her directly. She took another sip of the horrible tea to fill the pause and give Steed a chance to decide how he would continue.
"By the way," she said, "That bruise on your cheek. I do hope that wasn't caused by my little tap of your car earlier?"
Steed lifted a hand to his cheek. "Oh, no. No, it's nothing. Don't worry about it, Mrs. Peel."
"Well, I'm glad of that." she said.
She pushed her tea away and glanced casually at her watch. "Well, Steed, I must be getting back to London."
"But you won't forget about Professor Keller," he said, as he rose to his feet.
"Of course not. If you have any suggestions on how I can help you, I'd be pleased to hear them."
"Perhaps we could meet for dinner later tonight? I'll put several suggestions to you."
Dinner? That was going a bit too far, too soon, wasn't it? Still...in for a penny...
"Very well, Steed. Dinner tonight."
"Lovely. I'll pick you up..."
Emma held up a hand. "No, Steed. I'd rather meet you at a restaurant, so that I have my own car available."
"You're a prudent woman," he told, with what appeared to be an approving smile. "Shall we say, Francesca's, at eight o'clock?"
"Eight o'clock. I'll be there."