Chapter 2

A Rock and a Hard Place

            Deep inside the offices of Department Z of the secret service, M's loving secretary, Ms. Moneypenny, sorted some files as Bond entered and saw her bent over.

            "That's a nice little target," Bond remarked as Moneypenny gets frightened from Bond's statement.

            "James, you startled me," she said straightening her self up and goes to her desk, "He's been asking you all morning.  I'm sorry about your friend's brother."

            "That's all right Moneypenny," Bond responded as he threw his hat on the hat rack like regularly, "I'm sure my friend will get over it."

            "I sure hope so," she said, "James, remember last week when you promise me that we go to the Reveara?  I'm free this week-end."

            Then the intercom interrupted their conversation, it was M, "Ms. Moneypenny, has 007 arrived yet?" he asked.

            "Yes he did," she replied.

            "Well, send him in," M ordered.

            "Maybe next time when I'm off, we'll go, OK?" Bond proposed touching her chin sweetly as she smiled.  He then entered M's office.

            "Hello M," Bond started as he closed the padded door behind him.

            "007, please sit," he replied as Bond sat in the leathery seat, "I heard about Arthur Penington, a tragedy."

            "Yes sir," bond replied, "I know he was a good friend."

            "He was also a good businessman who funded this department for a long time," M continued as back in the waiting room, Moneypenny listened in as always, but M somehow always know, "Miss Moneypenny, will you go to the cleaners and pickup my suits, I think they're ready."

            "Yes sir," she replied sadly as she turned off the speaker.

            "Now, with Mr. Penington, deceased," M went on "His widowed wife Samantha, now owns his fortune."

            "Yes, I met her on the estate with Mr. Penington's brother, Michael." Bond added.

            "As you know 007, we are not getting involved," he continued, "We'll let Scotland Yard take care of this investigation, but we were assigned to protect her, next Tuesday the Secret Service will be holding a benefit ball to raise money and Ms. Penington will be donating five million pounds.  I'm giving this assignment to you, 007, since you all ready know the family.  If these unknown terrorists strike again at her, we'll know that we have you to protect her just in case that happens."  M then gives a file based on both Arthur and Samantha Penington.  "And one more thing 007," M said as Bond got up, "Don't get yourself involved with the murder, let the police handle it.  Your job is just to protect Samantha."

            "Yes sir," Bond replied as he left.  For once in his life, he too, wished he could help avenge his friend's brother's murder, but alas, he's just as useless as a disabled soccer player in a wheelchair is.

            Later that evening, Bond drove up to the Penington Estates.  The large property contains a huge chateau with it must of seemed like it had over a hundred rooms and a long driveway.  Once Bond had gotten to the front door, the valet, Michael, and Samantha greeted him.  The valet then took Bond's Benz and parked it as they went inside.

            Samantha led them to the lounge where there was about four red velvet chairs arranged in a half circle with a love seat in between them.  There was also a portrait of Arthur Penington hanging above the fireplace across from the seats.          They sat down as Samantha started the conversation, "Thank you Mr. Bond for coming."

            "Please, call me James," Bond said.

            "Yes, James," she corrected herself.

            "Actually, I'm here on assignment," Bond started, "I am here to protect you."

            "Protect me?" She wondered, "From who?"

            "We don't know yet," Bond replied, "But after what happened last night, we're not taking any chances."

            "Well, thank you anyway," Samantha complimented.

            "Yes, Me and James will both be here for you," Michael added.

            Suddenly, something crashed through the window; the trio suddenly took cover as Bond gotten his gun out.  Bond went over to the object, picked it up, and examined it.   

"Not to worry," Bond said, "It's just a rock with a note attached to it."  He unwrapped the piece of paper from the rock and read it out loud, "To Samantha Penington, if you value your life, you will leave ten million pounds in a locker at Victoria Station at high noon Saturday.  Key enclosed, or the next rock will be fatal.  Signed BB."

            "What does that mean?" Samantha wondered, "And who is BB?"

            "I wish I knew," Bond replied looking out the window.

            "Maybe we should report this to the police," Michael suggested.

            "No," Bond replied, "No one got hurt, but I will give this to one of my employers at the secret service, maybe we'll get lucky.  In the meantime how about that dinner you promised us."

            Samantha smiled as she led them to the dinning room.

            The next day Bond had to show M the present they received.  Bond placed it on M's desk as he examined it.

            "It was thrown towards the window," Bond explained.

            "This is was I was afraid of," said M, "I'll have Q examine it.  In the meantime, the police did find something," he handed Bond a file, "A piece of cloth was found ripped in the bushes by one of the suspects.  Its already been brought down to the lab to be analyzed.  We haven't got a word on it yet."

            "Were they're any money involved?" Bond asked.

            "Strangely," M started "Nothing was stolen from his office."

            "Who else besides Samantha Penington has access to his accounts?" Bond questioned.

            "Probably his secretary, Ms. Penny Leggs," M replied, "Remember 007, your job is to protect Mrs. Penington, not to investigate, that's the police's job.  But, before you go, stop by Q and get equipped.  From what you told me from last night, I don't want to take any chances."

            "Yes sir," Bond returned as he went to the door and left.