Chapter 17: Turning the tables

The question startled R and she looked up at him in surprise. Jordan looked piercingly at the other agent who looked back with a smile that was all teeth. Such a smile might look disarming on normal people but it always made the double-0's resemble sharks and 0010 was no better. But Jordan had spent months in the company of double-0 agents and such a look didn't do anything for him anymore.

"What makes you think I learned anything?" The man simply asked, showing a little more genuine interest in him than he had in R.

"Because you're a double-0 agent. You stick your nose into everything as a routine, just to keep your feet wet." Jordan answered drily. "More than that you're on a mission right now. A mission you've started underinformed. You've had 48 hours, plenty of time to acquire additional information. But most of all, you were speaking to Arabella yesterday. And she definitely knows what's going on. I doubt she gave you much but considering your clearance she might have given you something." He saw 0010's amusement grow, clearly enjoying his answer. However, he still was only amused and didn't see the need yet to share what he knew. But Jordan knew just how to entice the agent into sharing. "We require that information for judgement call." He said.

"Judgement on what?" 0010 asked with a hint of intrigue colouring his voice. Like a fish being drawn in by the smell of the bait. And Jordan knew just how to catch his prey.

"Treason." He said and he saw the agent go on high alert. If Q were anywhere near headquarters right now Jordan wouldn't have used that word. Too much of a risk that the agent would have felt compelled to use his licence to kill.

"Jordan!" R exclaimed in panic because she had also seen the reaction. "You know as well as I do that Q didn't commit treason." But Jordan wasn't done yet.

"When it comes down to it, that is what we're here to determine, isn't it?" He needled just a bit longer. "To judge whether Q has taken things too far? If he has, that could be considered treason. Only by knowing what's going on can we take the right actions. Which 0010 needed to understand in order for him to divulge anything." R looked at him like he had grown a second head. And somewhere in the back of his mind he felt slightly bad for throwing Q under the bus a bit. But no one was getting hurt by his words and needs must. He was sure Q would understand.

"You've got my attention, well played." 0010 actually sounded impressed.

"Thank you." Jordan replied before raising an eyebrow expectedly.

"I don't know much." 0010 started, only a hint of the irritation he must be feeling about the situation tainting his voice. "All Arabella told me was that, though an official press release is still in the making, the merger between MI5 and 6 was officially approved yesterday. The head of the new Joint Security Service is going to be Max Denbigh. He isn't trusted. Why? She didn't say but until concrete evidence is found against him, they have to give him the benefit of the doubt. All I know about his plans is that there is talk about a new program, that is to replace the Double-0 program. And that is all I've learned which I doubt is of much use to you." The agent sat back and relaxed.

"This Arabella you're talking about. Who is she?" R asked frowning at both of them. Jordan wondered just how out of control about the situation she was feeling. 0010 looked at him, an eyebrow raised. But he had no idea if he was allowed to reveal who Arabella was. He knew 001 had told the other double-0's, but that was before Arabella's name had changed. He sighed and fished his phone out of his pocket. 0010's eyes widened minutely.

"You have her number?" He asked surprised.

"Yes." Jordan answered absentmindedly as scrolled through his phone looking for it. She hadn't given it to him, but she had called him once so he had to search his call log for it.

"Do you work for her?" The agent's eyes narrowed slightly. Jordan looked up in surprise.

"No. What makes you say that?" He asked. The eyebrows of the agent rose even more.

"Very few people know that number and usually only those that work for her. It's expected for her to call you, not the other way around." 0010 explained. Jordan hesitated for a moment before his training kicked in. Never hesitate, 001 had told him, unless expressly forbidden all options are on the table.

"She never said I couldn't call." Jordan answered and 0010 grinned knowingly and made a small go-ahead gesture with his head. Jordan refused to hesitate again and dialled the number. The call was answered immediately.

"Yes?" Arabella asked.

"We are in need of information to pass judgement on Q's actions." Jordan relayed simply. He knew Arabella was busy and dancing around the issue would not be appreciated.

"What information is needed?" Arabella asked.

"The current state of affairs regarding the merger and the people involved in it." Jordan requested.

"Hold for a moment please." He heard before the line went silent. Luckily, he didn't have to wait long before the line became live again.

"10 minutes." Was all she said before the line disconnected. Jordan frowned at his phone.

"She said 10 minutes." He reported shrugging his shoulders.

"My, you do know how to make things entertaining." 0010 chuckled.

"Are you finally going to answer my question now?" R asked really straining to keep the impatience out of her voice. Jordan hesitated for second.

"Go ahead." 0010 said. "If she's getting involved it's going to come out anyway." Jordan nodded. The agent had a good point. He turned to R.

"You've met her." Jordan answered R's question. "You know her as Faith."

"That woman who was tailing Q as part of his probation? She was here yesterday with the MI5 agents. I'm guessing she isn't one of them?" R asked.

"No, she's not." Jordan answered. "Her current name is Arabella and she is the Director's Assistant."

R's mouth dropped open just as there was a knock on the door.