THE Meeting
I was on tenterhooks awaiting the arrival of Jeff Tracy, the head of International Rescue. My arm was almost black and blue from where I kept pinching it to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I kept on going to Lady Penelope's window and peering out.
"He won't be long now." She assured me.
The thought didn't relax me.
The sound of gravel in the drive drew my attention back to the window. As I had hoped, and secretly feared, it was the pink Rolls Royce. Parker had returned bringing with him Mr Jeff Tracy, head of International Rescue.
I pulled myself away from the window.
"They're here." I said unnecessarily as I sat in one of the chairs.
Lady Penelope looked at me. "Relax. I promise that he won't bite."
We could hear the front door open and then shut. There was a polite tap on our door and Parker swung them both open. "Mr Jeff Tracy, M'Lady." He said grandly.
"Thank you Parker." Jeff Tracy walked into the room. Lady Penelope rose to greet him. I followed suit. "Penny. It's great to see you."
She'd extended both hands towards him and he took them before giving her a friendly kiss on the cheek.
"Jeff. It is lovely to see you. Did you have a good flight?"
"Not bad." He glanced at me and I smiled nervously.
"Jeff, allow me to introduce Dr Chris Brown. Chris this is Jeff Tracy."
"How do you do?" My voice came out in a high-pitched squeak. I cleared my throat.
Mr Tracy grinned. It was the same easy grin that his sons had. "It's a pleasure to meet you at last. The boys have told me a lot about you."
"And they told me nothing about you. Which you are probably glad about." I added quickly.
"Have a seat Jeff." Lady Penelope indicated an easy chair.
"Thanks" Jeff Tracy sat with the relaxed air of someone who was a frequent visitor.
Parker cleared his throat. "Would you care for some coffee, Mr Tracy?"
"Love a cup, Parker." His American accent contrasted sharply with Lady Penelope's aristocratic tones and Parkers strong Cockney.
"Lunch will be served in 'alf an 'our." Parker informed us before leaving to get the drink.
"So Dr Brown, you've decided to join us?" Jeff Tracy fixed me with an appraising stare.
"If you want me."
"Oh, from what I've been told you'll be an asset to the team. The boys seemed to be impressed, and if Penny's willing to vouch for you... well I've never known her to be wrong."
He did most of the talking for the next half hour, stopping occasionally to ask me questions or get confirmation from Lady Penelope.
At the end both he, and I, appeared to be satisfied. I was feeling much more relaxed.
Parker announced lunch.
After we'd eaten Jeff Tracy sat back. "I always expect cucumber sandwiches when I come to your place for lunch, Penny and I'm always pleasantly surprised."
"Mr Tracy?" I asked tentatively.
"Yes Chris?"
"How's Virgil? How's his hearing?"
"Oh, he's fine. He's been grounded from flying for a couple of weeks to make sure there's no inner ear damage. But he should be right as rain.
"His brothers have been teasing him mercilessly." Mr Tracy continued. "Keep sneaking up behind him and making loud noises. THEY say that they're checking his hearing. They even scripted an entire practical joke around it. The three of the pretended to have a conversation without actually saying anything. Alan, that's my youngest," he added at my bemused expression, "had already unplugged the radio, so they turned it on and pretended to be listening to it."
That's cruel!" I exclaimed.
"They wouldn't have gone too far. Virgil just told them that he didn't think much of their choice of music and continued reading.
"In fact the only time that he's shown any real emotion over his injury was just after they'd got back. While Brains was checking Virgil's hearing Gordon rigged the piano so it wouldn't play."
"Now that is cruel!" Lady Penelope added emphasis to the phrase.
"If I'd known I would have stopped him." Mr Tracy admitted. "Virgil came into the lounge, sat at the piano, pressed the keys and nothing happened. He went quite white. You have to understand," Mr Tracy added, "each of the boys has an outlet for the stress of their jobs. Gordon's is playing practical jokes, Virgil's is playing the piano. I think for a moment Virgil was truly frightened that he wasn't able to hear the music. Gordon decided that it was time to make an unobtrusive exit and headed outside. Virgil saw him go, yelled at him, and went after him. I could hear a rumpus, but thought it was better if I ignored it. A short time later Gordon comes sheepishly back into the house, soaking wet, closely followed by Virgil and Scott. Without a word Virgil goes to the piano, lifts the lid, removes the towels that are acting as dampers and throws them at Gordon. They wouldn't tell their old man," Mr Tracy gave a chuckle, "but I think Virgil and Scott threw Gordon into the pool."
Lady Penelope laughed delicately.
"Good job." I said.
"Virgil then sat down and played Rachmaninov's 'Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini' right through, with much use of the loud pedal. I think he felt better after that."
"I wouldn't have taken Gordon to be that callous." I said.
"He's not normally. He was tired after your rescue and that probably clouded his judgement. He was a little 'gun shy' for a while after that."
"And yet he participated in the radio joke?" I was amazed at Gordon's audacity.
"That was probably Alan's idea. He's nearly as big a practical joker as Gordon, but he doesn't need to do them as much as his older brother. I guess that being the youngest they've developed their joker ability as a defence against three older brothers."
I sipped my drink. "Mr Tracy. I thank you, both of you, for the trust you've shown in me, but aren't you taking a risk telling me all these things? After all, you hadn't even heard of me a week ago."
Mr Tracy became thoughtful. "No, I don't believe we are taking a risk. You've shown admirable restraint up till now."
I felt I needed more reassurance. "Yes, but that's because my kidnapper only interrogated me. He was going to use torture. I don't know that I could have withstood that."
"And we wouldn't have expected you to." Mr Tracy became grim. "But what would he have found out?"
"The names of your sons for a start!"
"From the information we have about that character, he already know that."
"Oh..."
"What parts of Thunderbird Two did you see?"
"Well - The passenger hold and the flight deck."
"Could you describe any of the instruments?"
"I tried not to look!"
"Do you have the engineering experience to be able to describe any of the equipment?"
"Well certainly not at that level?"
"Well then," Jeff Tracy spread his hand, "We had nothing to worry about. My only concern is what he may have done to you."
"It worries me too. What if he tries again?"
"We'll try to minimise that risk." Lady Penelope told me.
"How?" I forced myself to sound calm.
Jeff Tracy turned to Lady Penelope who continued. "We've already substituted your records at the Gold Star Line with a fake identity. I take it that you filled in all your forms electronically."
"Yes, that's right, but what about my competition entry form?"
"That has been substituted also."
"Wow." I sat back impressed. "How about the other people I met on the cruise?"
"I'll agree that that is more difficult." Lady Penelope said. "I take it that you've told some of them your name?"
I remembered Trixie and the others. "Yes."
"Had you swapped addresses with anyone."
"Um." I had to think about that one. "Noooo. Though some know what country I'm from."
"I don't think it will be a problem," whenever Lady Penelope spoke everything sounded so effortless and possible. "How many people were on the ship? Hundreds weren't there. The odds against our enemy finding someone who knew and remembered you, are remote. I know that on the cruises that I've been on I've made friends with most of the people on board and then as soon as I've got home, forgotten them."
I had an idea that this wasn't the truth, and was for my benefit.
"I was someone of interest." I pointed out. "I'd won that competition and then ended up riding elsewhere in Thunderbird Two!"
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Mr Tracy said soothingly. "We'll work on the problem and give you the tools to defend yourself, should the need arise. In fact," he continued, "I'd like to get started installing the communications and security equipment at your home as soon as possible. Do you rent or own your home? If you rent I'll have to buy it so we can make the necessary changes." I must have blanched a bit. "Don't worry. It's nothing structural or aesthetic. But we will have to do a bit of wiring and if your landlord decided to end your lease it could cause a problem."
"You'd actually buy a house?"
"Oh, yes. If necessary."
I reflected that Mr Tracy must have a bit of cash behind him and that the purchase of a house would mean nothing to him.
"How would you conceal a radio at my place? A silver teapot wouldn't exactly suit."
Mr Tracy laughed. "What do you suggest? It can be as small as a powder compact or wristwatch or as big as a wood range."
"Wood range?"
"The hillbilly I told you about." Lady Penelope explained.
"Oh, um. I'd have to think about it."
"That's fine." Mr Tracy said. "But we'll want to get started a.s.a.p."
I was on tenterhooks awaiting the arrival of Jeff Tracy, the head of International Rescue. My arm was almost black and blue from where I kept pinching it to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I kept on going to Lady Penelope's window and peering out.
"He won't be long now." She assured me.
The thought didn't relax me.
The sound of gravel in the drive drew my attention back to the window. As I had hoped, and secretly feared, it was the pink Rolls Royce. Parker had returned bringing with him Mr Jeff Tracy, head of International Rescue.
I pulled myself away from the window.
"They're here." I said unnecessarily as I sat in one of the chairs.
Lady Penelope looked at me. "Relax. I promise that he won't bite."
We could hear the front door open and then shut. There was a polite tap on our door and Parker swung them both open. "Mr Jeff Tracy, M'Lady." He said grandly.
"Thank you Parker." Jeff Tracy walked into the room. Lady Penelope rose to greet him. I followed suit. "Penny. It's great to see you."
She'd extended both hands towards him and he took them before giving her a friendly kiss on the cheek.
"Jeff. It is lovely to see you. Did you have a good flight?"
"Not bad." He glanced at me and I smiled nervously.
"Jeff, allow me to introduce Dr Chris Brown. Chris this is Jeff Tracy."
"How do you do?" My voice came out in a high-pitched squeak. I cleared my throat.
Mr Tracy grinned. It was the same easy grin that his sons had. "It's a pleasure to meet you at last. The boys have told me a lot about you."
"And they told me nothing about you. Which you are probably glad about." I added quickly.
"Have a seat Jeff." Lady Penelope indicated an easy chair.
"Thanks" Jeff Tracy sat with the relaxed air of someone who was a frequent visitor.
Parker cleared his throat. "Would you care for some coffee, Mr Tracy?"
"Love a cup, Parker." His American accent contrasted sharply with Lady Penelope's aristocratic tones and Parkers strong Cockney.
"Lunch will be served in 'alf an 'our." Parker informed us before leaving to get the drink.
"So Dr Brown, you've decided to join us?" Jeff Tracy fixed me with an appraising stare.
"If you want me."
"Oh, from what I've been told you'll be an asset to the team. The boys seemed to be impressed, and if Penny's willing to vouch for you... well I've never known her to be wrong."
He did most of the talking for the next half hour, stopping occasionally to ask me questions or get confirmation from Lady Penelope.
At the end both he, and I, appeared to be satisfied. I was feeling much more relaxed.
Parker announced lunch.
After we'd eaten Jeff Tracy sat back. "I always expect cucumber sandwiches when I come to your place for lunch, Penny and I'm always pleasantly surprised."
"Mr Tracy?" I asked tentatively.
"Yes Chris?"
"How's Virgil? How's his hearing?"
"Oh, he's fine. He's been grounded from flying for a couple of weeks to make sure there's no inner ear damage. But he should be right as rain.
"His brothers have been teasing him mercilessly." Mr Tracy continued. "Keep sneaking up behind him and making loud noises. THEY say that they're checking his hearing. They even scripted an entire practical joke around it. The three of the pretended to have a conversation without actually saying anything. Alan, that's my youngest," he added at my bemused expression, "had already unplugged the radio, so they turned it on and pretended to be listening to it."
That's cruel!" I exclaimed.
"They wouldn't have gone too far. Virgil just told them that he didn't think much of their choice of music and continued reading.
"In fact the only time that he's shown any real emotion over his injury was just after they'd got back. While Brains was checking Virgil's hearing Gordon rigged the piano so it wouldn't play."
"Now that is cruel!" Lady Penelope added emphasis to the phrase.
"If I'd known I would have stopped him." Mr Tracy admitted. "Virgil came into the lounge, sat at the piano, pressed the keys and nothing happened. He went quite white. You have to understand," Mr Tracy added, "each of the boys has an outlet for the stress of their jobs. Gordon's is playing practical jokes, Virgil's is playing the piano. I think for a moment Virgil was truly frightened that he wasn't able to hear the music. Gordon decided that it was time to make an unobtrusive exit and headed outside. Virgil saw him go, yelled at him, and went after him. I could hear a rumpus, but thought it was better if I ignored it. A short time later Gordon comes sheepishly back into the house, soaking wet, closely followed by Virgil and Scott. Without a word Virgil goes to the piano, lifts the lid, removes the towels that are acting as dampers and throws them at Gordon. They wouldn't tell their old man," Mr Tracy gave a chuckle, "but I think Virgil and Scott threw Gordon into the pool."
Lady Penelope laughed delicately.
"Good job." I said.
"Virgil then sat down and played Rachmaninov's 'Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini' right through, with much use of the loud pedal. I think he felt better after that."
"I wouldn't have taken Gordon to be that callous." I said.
"He's not normally. He was tired after your rescue and that probably clouded his judgement. He was a little 'gun shy' for a while after that."
"And yet he participated in the radio joke?" I was amazed at Gordon's audacity.
"That was probably Alan's idea. He's nearly as big a practical joker as Gordon, but he doesn't need to do them as much as his older brother. I guess that being the youngest they've developed their joker ability as a defence against three older brothers."
I sipped my drink. "Mr Tracy. I thank you, both of you, for the trust you've shown in me, but aren't you taking a risk telling me all these things? After all, you hadn't even heard of me a week ago."
Mr Tracy became thoughtful. "No, I don't believe we are taking a risk. You've shown admirable restraint up till now."
I felt I needed more reassurance. "Yes, but that's because my kidnapper only interrogated me. He was going to use torture. I don't know that I could have withstood that."
"And we wouldn't have expected you to." Mr Tracy became grim. "But what would he have found out?"
"The names of your sons for a start!"
"From the information we have about that character, he already know that."
"Oh..."
"What parts of Thunderbird Two did you see?"
"Well - The passenger hold and the flight deck."
"Could you describe any of the instruments?"
"I tried not to look!"
"Do you have the engineering experience to be able to describe any of the equipment?"
"Well certainly not at that level?"
"Well then," Jeff Tracy spread his hand, "We had nothing to worry about. My only concern is what he may have done to you."
"It worries me too. What if he tries again?"
"We'll try to minimise that risk." Lady Penelope told me.
"How?" I forced myself to sound calm.
Jeff Tracy turned to Lady Penelope who continued. "We've already substituted your records at the Gold Star Line with a fake identity. I take it that you filled in all your forms electronically."
"Yes, that's right, but what about my competition entry form?"
"That has been substituted also."
"Wow." I sat back impressed. "How about the other people I met on the cruise?"
"I'll agree that that is more difficult." Lady Penelope said. "I take it that you've told some of them your name?"
I remembered Trixie and the others. "Yes."
"Had you swapped addresses with anyone."
"Um." I had to think about that one. "Noooo. Though some know what country I'm from."
"I don't think it will be a problem," whenever Lady Penelope spoke everything sounded so effortless and possible. "How many people were on the ship? Hundreds weren't there. The odds against our enemy finding someone who knew and remembered you, are remote. I know that on the cruises that I've been on I've made friends with most of the people on board and then as soon as I've got home, forgotten them."
I had an idea that this wasn't the truth, and was for my benefit.
"I was someone of interest." I pointed out. "I'd won that competition and then ended up riding elsewhere in Thunderbird Two!"
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Mr Tracy said soothingly. "We'll work on the problem and give you the tools to defend yourself, should the need arise. In fact," he continued, "I'd like to get started installing the communications and security equipment at your home as soon as possible. Do you rent or own your home? If you rent I'll have to buy it so we can make the necessary changes." I must have blanched a bit. "Don't worry. It's nothing structural or aesthetic. But we will have to do a bit of wiring and if your landlord decided to end your lease it could cause a problem."
"You'd actually buy a house?"
"Oh, yes. If necessary."
I reflected that Mr Tracy must have a bit of cash behind him and that the purchase of a house would mean nothing to him.
"How would you conceal a radio at my place? A silver teapot wouldn't exactly suit."
Mr Tracy laughed. "What do you suggest? It can be as small as a powder compact or wristwatch or as big as a wood range."
"Wood range?"
"The hillbilly I told you about." Lady Penelope explained.
"Oh, um. I'd have to think about it."
"That's fine." Mr Tracy said. "But we'll want to get started a.s.a.p."