Steed was lazily enjoying his last sip of coffee when the phone rung.What a brutal sound!He hadn't finished his breakfast yet.
"This is Steed."
The man on the other side sounded stern and upset.Steed frowned.
"How can that be?When?"
The man started to explain.
"Nine?I understand sir.I'm coming right away to pick them up".
Steed continued:"May I ask where did it happen?"
Now the other man sounded really frustrated.
"Yes sir.Goodbye."
Steed ate a small cake,put on his bowler,took a glance of himself at the mirror and straightened his tie.He left his appartment.

Two hours later....

Mrs Peel was looking at a store front.Hats of all different kinds were available.Sales have started soon this year.She got in,picked up a hat and tried it on.It was broad brimed only on the front and there was no brim around it.She put her hair in and asked the shop employee:
"Well,what do you think?"
"You look like a boy miss!"
Emma smiled.She took off the hat and noticed something weird.In the inside someone had pinned a small piece of paper.It said:
MRS PEEL...
She left the hat in the shop.Another incomprehensible message?There was nobody in the street but a balloon salesman.When he saw her,he let a balloon fly.There was an inscription on it.
WE ARE NEEDED.
Oh!Steed.She should have known better.It was about time he used one of his tricks.Anyway,she was relieved.So much for her shopping though...A few minutes later she heard his voice.
"Mrs Peel!".
She looked around her.He came out through the back door of the shop.He grabed her by the arm and they started walking together.
"Couldn't you just call me?"
"It was urgent...and top secret!"
"Steed stop running!Will you tell me what's going on?"
"Nine people have gone missing.Nine very important people Mrs Peel.The Minister called me himself this morning."
"This must be serious.How did they vanish?"
"Pop!Just like that".He made a sound with his fingers.
"Pop?"She was staring at him.
"Pop indeed."
They got into the Bentley.
"Open the back seat."It was Steed's hiding place.He had used it several times and she knew about it.There was a pile of files inside.Nine files.She placed them on her lap and started going through them.A banker,two buisinessmen,a reporter,a member of the parliament,a nuclear physicist,a molecular biologist with a background in virology,an actress,and an engineer.
"Where did these disappearances took place?"
"All over England.Some of them in London of course."
"Well,it isn't the first time we came across something like this."
"Sure,but where 's the link?I mean all of these people are pioneers in their field.Some of them rich,some of them famous,some of them just excellent at what they do."
"Maybe there is a link between them and the opera shooting."Emma was contemplating.
"Maybe not.These people were abducted,not killed.Somebody needs them."
"It's big, Steed.I'm telling you it's big."
"I agree."Neither of them was happy.
"Why didn't you talk to Mr.Harman?The man at the opera?"
"I talked to him on the phone.He knows nothing,he heard nothing.He owns a small flower shop.His son works at the opera,so he provides free tickets for the family.He's a family man.
"I see.Where are we going?"
"What do you mean?"
"My place or yours?"She always enjoyed teasing him.
"My place Mrs Peel.Do you have any objections?"
"Never.Now,tell me Steed...How did you know which hat I was going to choose?"
"I know your taste."
"I don't buy that!Not for a second..I don't!"She laughed.
"Ok.The truth is that I had put a message in every hat in the store front."
They looked at each other.She wished they could stay like this for ever.Young,free,together.He wished he could have one special moment with her,one moment to show him that she loved him as much as he did.
Soon,they arrived at their destination.Steed prepared himself a brandy.
"Can I get you something to drink?"
"No, thank you."She was looking at his library.
"You have so many books."She picked up one."Agatha Christie...One of the first editions.This must worth a lot..I've never noticed it before".
"I have a friend who collects rare books.Actually, he's very passionate about it.He gave me this one as a gift."
Emma was just standing there with the book in her hands.She was stunned.
"I didn't know it was that good Mrs Peel.I've never read it."
"No...Steed,don't you see?The note!"
"What about the note?"
"And then there were none..It's a book by Agatha Christie.A group of people are traped on an island and then they're murdered one by one."
"If that's the case why one would warn us?To scare us?To play?"
"Maybe he's sick.Maybe he can't help himself."
"How many?How many were they?"Steed asked.
"I think they were ten.It's been years since I've read it.Oh!You think..."
"One more to go Mrs Peel!One more...but who?"
Emma lifted her shoulders."Someone who's hard to get.Someone who's not in England right now."
"They've taken scientists,artists,politicians,buisinessmen...What's left?"
They looked at each other for the second time this morning.
"Agents.But I find it difficult to believe Steed.It would be very provocative."
"What if he wants to provoke us?We've already got a note."
"What makes you think there is a "he" behind it?"She looked deeply offended.A woman could be as cunning as a man.In fact,a woman could be more cunning than a man!
"I know a "she" that could get away with anything!"
She laughed,then sit on the sofa and sighed.
"We're not getting anywhere...We've got to find number ten."
"You know it has happened before."
"I'm not sure I follow you."
"I was told that people have disappeared before Mrs Peel.Not so many of them of course..not all of them together".
"When?"
"It was before us,at least it was before you came along."
"I guess they couldn't figure it out,so they kept it to themselves."
"Oh yes.I knew nothing about it."He paused."I have an idea..But it's a long shot."
"Feel free to share it with me!"Come on Steed,we're running out of time.
"I remember a man.A man who sells information,all kinds of information."
"A very important man.I see.Let's check where he is."She picked up his phone book and gave it to him.
Steed dialed.
"Hello?This is Steed.I'd like to talk to Mr.Roy."
"Abroad?When will he be coming back?"
"I'll try again.Thank you."He hung up.
"So we'got a chance here."Emma was tired.
"He's coming tomorrow.There should be a file on him.I'd better get that one too."
There was a knock on the door.It was his landlady.Time to collect the rent.

Tomorrow seemed very far away.In fact,the whole world seemed very far away.She couldn't keep her eyes open.She should consult Dr Nelson about the medicines he had prescribed her.The sideeffects were very annoying.Steed found her curled on the couch,sleeping peacefully.She was so beautiful!Steed went to his bedroom, took a blanket and approached the couch walking on his toes.He pulled it over her.He leaned towards her,brushed a lock of hair from her face and kissed her forehead.Emma murmured something and turned around.....

He left her a note telling her that he needed to run some errands and that he would be back soon.He closed the door behind him.A woman and a little boy were passing by holding hands.The boy was looking through his telescope.It looked like a toy,but it wasn't.When the boy saw Steed, looked at the woman and smiled.

Note:I just want to say thanks to my readers,especially to the two girls that read my story.Thank you for your kind words!Alexis is back!Me happy..
Search for the leprechaun.(Can you find it?It's in you!!)