Keep One Eye on the Road
Chapter 17
Next day – Friday
London Headquarters
Mac's temporary offices
0930
"It looks to me, ma'am, like we don't have any other choice than to go to Baskin."
Mac tossed her pen on the desk.
"I think you're right. He did bring us the file in the first place. Scotland Yard has to have more on these people than what he gave me."
"Even if they don't, they have the means to access the information we need."
"Agreed." Mac picked up the handset without delay. Pulling a sheet of paper out of a folder to her right, she quickly dialed the number scribbled across the top.
"Inspector Baskin please." Mac signaled for Gunny to wait.
"Yes, Inspector. This is Sarah Rabb calling."
"This is unexpected, Mrs. Rabb. Is your client ready to tell us where he has hidden the letters."
There was something odd in his tone of voice.
"Not yet," she hesitated. "I thought perhaps we could meet and discuss his options. What he would need from you to tell us the truth." Mac hoped he understood what she was fishing for. She'd had enough experience with spooks to recognize when someone was telling her they weren't on a secure line.
"I see. I suppose I could squeeze you in. Would half an hour be doable for you?"
"Yes, that would be fine. Could we possibly meet here?"
"Yes. I'm on way to another appointment. You're half way there."
"Excellent. See you soon."
Gunny watched Mac hang up the phone and stare at the handset. He waited silently for her to remember he was there.
"If I didn't know better, I'd swear I was dealing with MI6 and not Scotland Yard." Mac looked over where Gunny was sitting.
"It sounded like it, ma'am."
"We've got half an hour before he gets here. Let's go over exactly what we've got. Put all the pieces together one more time." Mac opened multiple files on her desk.
Forty minutes later, Mac was feeling the need for a cup of coffee, real coffee, when Baskin tapped on her door.
"The Petty Officer said you were expecting me," he smiled at her.
Mac was momentarily caught off guard by Baskin's smile. Surely she must have seen him smile at some point or other in the times they'd worked together, but not like this.
"Did I catch you at a bad time? You said it was important."
"No, perfect timing. I was just going to get some coffee. Could I offer you some tea?" Mac tried to hide how flabbergasted she was. Baskin was being polite, and almost charming. No sign of the always gruff and cocky policeman she'd previously sparred with.
"I don't have time, I'm afraid."
"No problem. I'll get the coffee later. Here's where we are. We've located the missing guard." Mac put several enhanced photographs on the table for Baskin to see. "You can have your labs check it out later, but he's the accomplice. As you can see from those two photos there," Mac pointed to two distinct photos from before the coat was removed.
"He appears to have had something in his hand here, and not here. We believe he's the one who dropped the smelly gas canister while his accomplice injected the case with whatever caused it to smoke."
Baskin looked at all the photos several times without looking up.
"Here, you'll notice he's taking off his peacoat," Mac continued.
Baskin looked at the newest photo.
"And here you have your mysterious extra guard." Not waiting for a response, "But the real prize is this photo here. This is the signet ring for the Viscount of Helmsley."
Baskin's eyes grew wide as he held the photo closer to the window for light. Turning to Mac, "Are you sure?"
"Positive. I've had an expert verify it, and he's willing to testify in court. We've also got something not so significant, unless we can connect it to young Oliver."
"I presume, this is where I come in?"
Mac gestured for Gunny to continue with the explanation.
"I combed the textile district in search of something connecting our imposter guard with the purchase of the museum badges. I spoke with a gentleman who remembers an unusual sale not too long ago. The man refused to give his name, insisted the badges be wrapped and not visible, and would only give the name of the assistant picking up the purchase. Marjorie."
"Marjorie?" Baskin repeated, stunned with the amount of information these two had managed to accumulate. He had been surprised at the skill Captain and Mrs. Rabb had displayed on their last case. At the time, he actually chalked it up to dumb luck. Now, he was having second thoughts about jumping to a hasty conclusion.
"We need you to give us a list of all of the Habersham's employees. Both business and household."
"That probably won't be necessary." Baskin turned, semi-stunned, towards Mac then back to Gunny. "Did you get a description of this woman?"
"Around forty years old, average build and height, not unattractive, dark hair with a graying streak to one side."
"You do realize you've done what Scotland Yard has been trying to do for almost ten years."
Mac and Gunny looked at each other.
"Who is Marjorie?" Mac asked carefully.
"The Habersham nanny."
"Nanny?" Gunny and Mac echoed.
"She's been with the family since the boys were infants. When the family finally decided the boys were too old for nannies, she was promoted to governess, and from there to head housekeeper. She's forty-nine, and fits your description to a T. Marjorie Spencer."
"Can you get us some photographs?" Mac finally asked.
"I'll have them here for you this afternoon."
"If the shopkeeper confirms it was Marjorie Spencer, I've got enough circumstantial evidence to get my client an acquittal, but I want more. Is this enough for Scotland Yard to drop the charges?"
"No. As you said, this is circumstantial. It's an old and well respected family." Baskin didn't have to say anything more. Everyone in the room understood.
"Then we'll keep at it." Mac looked at Baskin, then Gunny. "We'll start with the photo."
Harm was approaching his wife's office when he spotted Baskin leaving, making his way towards the elevators.
"More goodies?" Harm asked before noticing the Gunny.
"He knows who Marjorie is?" Mac sat down heavily in her chair.
"If you don't need me anymore, ma'am?" Gunny had several things he wanted to work through, and he didn't like feeling like a fifth wheel. What Beth had said last night was true. Even at the office, when both were behaving with the utmost professionalism, you could still feel the love permeating the room. Anyone couldn't help but feel like an intruder.
"Wait, Gunny. I have a few more things I want to go over."
"I guess that means I'm not going to be able to steal you away for an early lunch? And who is Marjorie?"
"Yes, I'd love an early lunch, as soon as Gunny and I come up with our next step, and Marjorie is the head housekeeper. She's worked for the family since the boys were infants."
"Then Scotland Yard is dropping the charges?"
"No. The only way that's going to happen is if we can build a more solid case against these two."
"So we're doing Baskin's job for him again?" Harm threw out bitterly.
"I don't think it's him this time. This seems to be the status quo for Scotland Yard. You don't go after nobility unless you have all your ducks in a row." Mac looked at Gunny.
"Where do you see us going next?"
"To be honest, ma'am. The only way Scotland Yard is going to do anything is if we catch the two red-handed. I'm thinking a good old fashioned sting."
"Sting?" Harm looked at Gunny.
"If you prefer, sir, black op."
"Do you have something in mind?" Mac's curiosity was up. She knew from experience Gunny did undercover work well.
"Not completely, but the boys have two weaknesses. Impossible crimes and beautiful women." Gunny gave Mac the closest thing to a lecherous glare he dared.
"You're not suggesting we use Mac as bait!" Harm exclaimed.
"No, sir. Just pointing out the obvious."
Turning to Mac, Harm could tell by the set of her jaw, she agreed with Gunny. Damn marines.
"Harm, it's not like I haven't been bait before. It probably won't be any harder than you, me, two retired seals, and a couple of Colombian drug lords on the docks of Miami.
Chapter 18
Maroush Restaurant
Edgemere
Short time later
"I don't like it, Mac. Look what happened the last time you did anything undercover?" Harm was trying not to raise his voice.
"You can't possibly compare the two. First of all, there's no Clayton Webb involved. You know for a fact Gunny is an excellent back up, and obviously we won't do anything we don't all think will work." Mac took a bite of those meatballs she loved so much.
"I just think if anyone is going to be parading you on their arm it should be me." Harm stabbed at his food, but wasn't eating much.
"We're not sure anyone is going to be parading anyone. Gunny was merely pointing out that if you're anywhere within ten feet of me, I become useless as bait."
"I don't agree."
"Harm, listen to yourself. You don't want me to do this. You are now, and always have been, very protective of me. Now it's even worse. Gunny is right. The minute you walk into a room, it's written all over your face, 'she's mine, keep your hands off'. Well, that just won't work for a sting. If I'm unavailable, the boys won't take the bait."
"That's another thing. You keep calling them 'the boys'. They're almost thirty years old. I don't think 'boys' is an accurate description anymore."
"See, you're doing it again. Getting all over-protective on me. This is going to be a short, quick, sting. Something to give the authorities enough to take over. Most likely, we'll even have Baskin standing by."
"Oh, THAT really helps," Harm huffed sarcastically.
"The more I deal with him, the more I think you, we've, underestimated him." Mac stopped to think about that. Baskin was becoming much more of an enigma to her.
"Until we get that photo from Baskin of Marjorie, all of this is wasted breath. We need for the shopkeeper to identify her before we can put any other plans into action. If it turns out she is 'the' Marjorie we're looking for, then all we need is a simple plan to entrap the boys. It will be just like Miami. All I had to do was walk along the dock, you and the old geezers pretty much did the rest."
"We'll see what ideas get kicked around this afternoon, but that doesn't mean I have to like it." Harm finally took a bite of his food, not even sure what it was he had ordered.
Harm's office
Three days later
"I've managed to get you an invitation to a small gala benefit at the home of Lady Brighton." Baskin handed Harm and Mac each an engraved invitation.
"Small Gala, isn't that an oxymoron?" Harm huffed. Baskin merely, shot him a dirty look.
"Black tie. Nice," Mac smiled.
"The Habersham twins will be there. They always are. Lady Brighton's reputation as hostess precedes her. You'll have a good chance to study them, and make yourselves known." Baskin glanced at Mac and Gunny, ignoring Rabb.
Harm looked the invitation over carefully. "Who did you have to bribe to get these? It must have cost you a fortune."
"Nobody. Sarah's my sister."
Three heads shot up wide-eyed, looking at him.
"Don't seem so stunned. I never claimed to be raised in a cave."
Silent gestures filled the room, as each person shrugged off their reaction.
"Very well, a couple of my boys will be waiters. Help keep an eye on you two. Other than that, I believe you American's say: all the bases are covered."
Harm rolled his eyes. Somehow using a baseball analogy when Gunny was going to be dangling his wife as distraction for two aristocratic playboys didn't exactly make his day.
"I'd prefer it if I could be with you." Harm was looking at Mac. So much for a quick sting.
"At least you'll be able to see and hear everything. You and I will be in the surveillance room. We'll have all the security camera views at our disposal, and of course we should hear all of the conversation." Turning towards the Gunny, "The wire will be on Mrs. Rabb, so don't leave her side under any circumstances."
"Understood," Gunny nodded.
As everyone left the Captain's office, Gunny lingered a little longer than necessary by Beth's desk.
"How did your weekend go?" he asked as nonchalantly as possible.
"Fine. Thank you, Gunny." Beth was doing her best to avoid eye contact, busying herself with work on her computer.
"Good. I'd better get back to work." Gunny nodded and headed straight for the break room. Five minutes later he was back at her desk. "Thought you might like this. It's herbal."
He had set a cup of hot tea by her side, as well as a small dish of sliced bananas and cheese. "My sisters swear by the extra protein, and insist bananas work better than crackers." Not waiting for a response, Gunny smiled and went back to marine business.
Beth watched him walk away. Shaking her head slowly, she couldn't quite figure him out. So tough on the outside, yet apparently thoughtful. A small tear rose to the corner of her eye. What would Greg be doing if he were here now? Would he have hovered over her, worried about her? Or just pranced around like a proud peacock? Wiping the single tear from her cheek as another threatened to follow, she took a piece of banana from the plate. Suck it up, she reminded herself, turning to the computer and typing away frantically. Suck it up.
Rabb Flat
Five days later
The cover story was that Gunny and Lady Sarah Brighton had met during her last ski vacation in Colorado. Mac was to be his newest trinket. Harm and Baskin would be driving over to Lady Brighton's shortly. Gunny and Mac would arrive a little afterwards, having been invited earlier than the other guests for private cocktails.
The entire story hinged on Gunny and Mac being Americans, and hence less likely to be someone the Habersham boys should know. Harm had tried arguing that the case was now Scotland Yard's, since the director agreed there was enough circumstantial evidence to at least warrant looking into it further. Though, it was unlikely they'd come up with anything more than they had in the last few years. Baskin, on the other hand, made it quite clear that none of their British agents would be able to pass for previously unnoticed affluence. It had to be Americans with whom the boys were less familiar. It wouldn't seem unusual for the Habershams to discover herds of wealthy Americans they'd never heard of.
Harm had come to one understanding in all this: Baskin wanted to nail 'the boys' as much as they did.
"Good God, where'd you get that dress!" Harm's eyebrows were kissing his hairline.
"Picked it up yesterday at Louis Vuittons."
"On my salary?" Harm swallowed hard.
"Of course not. Scotland Yard paid the tab. This is technically their investigation. This is supposed to be a gift from Victor to show off his latest trophy."
"Victor?"
"Come on, Harm. You know I can't call him Gunny."
"But, Mac. That dress? You're practically falling out of it." The extremely low cut, tightly fitted bodice had Mac's breasts resting close and high. Every time she took a step, they bounced like Jell-O.
"I have to make up for the fact that I'm neither a blonde, nor a redhead," Mac shrugged.
And exactly, WHERE are they going to put the wire?"
Mac didn't bother answering, she simply rolled her eyes and turned away to retrieve her new shoes from the closet.
Before Harm could repeat his question, the doorbell rang.
"That's either Baskin and the Electronics guy, or Gunny. Would you mind letting them in while I finish up?" Mac smiled sweetly hoping to put Harm at ease.
Nodding, Harm literally stomped all the way to the front door. Opening it with more force than necessary, Baskin and his wire specialist could actually hear the whooshing sound as it flew open.
Harm was at least slightly relieved to see that the other guy was actually a woman. He didn't like the idea of other men touching his wife, for any reason. Heck, he would have preferred it if her gynecologist was a woman.
"She's back that way." Harm pointed over his shoulder, down the hall.
Dutifully, the smiling woman hurried off to work.
"Not that there's much dress to hide it with," Harm called pseudo-teasingly to her.
"Quite a dress, isn't it?" Baskin asked, stepping into the apartment.
"You've seen it?"
"We needed to see the dress before this evening so Alice would know what she had to work with. Mrs. Rabb brought it by straight away after purchasing it. Spot on with her choice," Baskin nodded approvingly.
"Mm, yes, spot on." Harm followed Baskin into the living room when the doorbell rang again. "That must be Gunny. Have a seat. We'll be right with you."
Opening the door a little more calmly for Gunny, the three men were shortly chatting amicably in the living room while waiting for Mac and Alice to come out.
"Just keep in mind, this isn't about money," Baskin reminded everyone. "It's the challenge, the ego."
"Understood. I'm a marine. I believe I'm familiar with the concept." Gunny glanced in Harm's direction, swallowing a laugh at the Captain's knowing grin. The tux might allow him to blend in with the crowd, but he was still all marine inside.
"Yes, I imagine you would," Baskin conceded.
Harm had to admit Mac was right. Gunny was the better man for this job. His noncom rank gave him a casual air that screamed American across the room, and yet his military discipline gave him an air of pride and confidence that could easily have been mistaken for money, lots of it. Add to that he was a marine, and he could probably read these guys better than anyone in the room.
Chapter 19Suddenly Baskin and Gunny jumped up from their seats. Standing in front of Harm, their eyes were falling out of their heads, and their chins were on the floor. Mac had obviously entered the room.
Turning around, although he'd seen her not long ago himself, even he was stunned to see how gorgeous she looked. Her hair was slightly curled and wild, her breasts jiggled with every movement, her hips were swaying rhythmically, and the slit up to her hip gave you a teasing glance at those long legs with every other step.
"Wow…ma'am," Gunny finally managed.
Mac couldn't resist smiling. It was nice to know that pushing forty she still had it in her to turn a few heads.
"Shall we get this show on the road?" Mac looked at her husband.
"Yes. Alice will take the tube home. We'll head straight to Sarah's. Give us a fifteen minute head start," Baskin added.
Brighton Estate: the Lakelands
Outskirts of London2210 hours
Harm was beginning to get restless. Gunny and Mac had been cooing at each other all night and the Habersham boys seemed to have not even noticed them. Staring mindlessly at the security screens Harm watched as Mac walked away from Gunny.
"And we have lift off." Harm straightened in his chair, nudging Baskin.
Albert the older brother had just done a double take as Mac brushed past him on her way to the ladies room. A few minutes later when she passed by again, Albert awkwardly elbowed his brother whose reaction was very similar to that of Baskin and Gunny earlier in the evening.
"I do believe this evening is about to get interesting, Captain."
"I do believe you are right, Inspector."
"Heads up, they're coming this way," Gunny whispered into Mac's ear. She giggled loudly, pretending he'd told her something more personal.
"I don't believe we've had the pleasure of an introduction?" Oliver directed at Mac before turning to extend his hand to Gunny. "Oliver Habersham."
"Albert Habersham." Albert shook Gunny's hand after Oliver.
"Victor Harmon. This is my friend, Sarah MacIntire."
"Very pleased to meet you." The two brothers replied simultaneously.
Harm and Baskin listened intently for over an hour as the three couples discussed everything from where Mac had bought her dress to the much-congested traffic in London. Finally, it sounded like Mac and Gunny were going to get their open door.
"I can't believe this is your first trip to London," Oliver stepped a little closer to Mac. "Have you been enjoying the sights?"
"So far, but I'm getting tired of marble arches, old buildings, and museums," Mac tried to slightly whine. "I mean, I thought I'd go to that maritime museum, you know, get a souvenir for my mom's brother since he's in the Navy, but getting caught in the hoopla of the burglary has left me cold on playing tourist."
"Yeah, can you believe that wimp?" Gunny took a sip of his drink, gauging the boys' reaction out of the corner of his eye.
"You were at the museum the day of the burglary?" Oliver seemed to be ignoring Gunny's comment.
"Just before. I can't imagine what it would have been like to have been caught up in the smell and the gas," Mac explained.
"I still say the thief was a wimp. Anyone could have taken a few papers that no one else wants. I understand that museum is filled with really valuable items. Some of those paintings are worth millions," Gunny cut in.
"So?" Albert added, his feathers starting to ruffle.
"I'm just saying it's obvious the thief was a lowly seaman. Not smart enough to go after the really challenging merchandise."
"You don't think getting away with stealing some of Britain's most valuable records of history was a challenge." It was obvious from his tone of voice that Oliver was offended.
"Nope." Gunny took another drink.
"At a boy, Gunny," Harm encouraged under his breath. He only wished he could get a better angle on their faces through all this.
"So you think real skill requires going after the big museum pieces?" Albert threw back, obviously trying to control his tone.
"No, I'm just saying true thievery is an art, requires a little genius." Gunny pulled Mac a little closer, squeezing her around her waist. Giving his words time to sink in.
He'd been tempted more than once to plant a kiss on her just for show, but somehow he knew he'd never be able to look Captain Rabb in the face again if he did. The game seemed to be working. Gunny could tell the boys were starting to boil. He was starting to enjoy this.
"The days of Cary Grant's 'le chat', or David Nivens 'the phantom' are long gone. The world hasn't seen a famous thief for years. With modern technology it's becoming too difficult. Thieves have to be relegated to the ordinary, like that museum job."
"You really think pulling that job off was ordinary? I think it took true genius to plan and time it perfectly enough to make it look simple and ordinary, not to mention go undetected for hours," Oliver explained proudly.
"Nope, don't buy it. Too easy. Kid just got lucky." Gunny almost jumped out of his skin when he felt Mac's fingers begin doodling on his forearm.
"He's right. If that sailor were any good, he'd have gone after something much more difficult," Mac tried to help push the two over the edge.
"What exactly do you consider a more worthy challenge?" Albert asked through steely eyes.
Bingo. Mac and Gunny did it. The gauntlet had been dropped and the challenge was on.
Gunny had to force himself not to look at Mac.
"Well, if I were a thief, I wouldn't look any further." Gunny waved his arm pointing to his surroundings. "This place looks as secure as Fort Knox. The only thing missing is a moat."
"I have heard that Lady Brighton has one of the most impressive jewelry collections next to the Queen herself," Mac glanced in Sarah Brighton's direction.
"Anybody can steal jewels," Albert grimaced. "I don't see any challenge in that."
"It's not the jewels, it's their keeper." Gunny took a quiet breath. "Look up. Those are infrared sensors spaced every three feet. They're architecturally disguised along the corners of the walls too."
Gunny waited as Albert and Oliver looked around.
"There are enough people watching this place to guard the president. All they're missing are the dark sunglasses." Gunny pointed with his nose to the two men standing at the base of the main stairwell in tails, the other two by the entrance to the kitchens and servants quarters, and at another two at the top of the second floor landing by either entryway to the east and west wings.
"I believe the 'staff' is rather extensive," Gunny chuckled, watching the boys' eyes scanning the well-dressed guards.
"Do you see the security cameras?" he continued.
The two brothers looked at each other as if silently re-evaluating the merit of the Gunny's claims. Looking around one more time, one by one they each noticed the previously undetected cameras.
"Undetectable to the untrained eye." Oliver looked Gunny over carefully. "I don't recall your mentioning what you do in the States?"
"I didn't." Gunny smiled, hesitating a moment longer. "Anyhow, if I felt inclined to prove myself, I would consider this a worthy challenge."
"Mission accomplished." Baskin slapped Harm on the back.
"We can only hope so," Harm sighed heavily. Now the rest would be up to Scotland Yard.
"They'll do it. I'd better arrange to have all those 'jewels' moved to the bank vault first thing in the morning. You're wife is pretty good at this. I could almost see those boys drooling when she mentioned the Queen. Good thinking on her part."
"Wouldn't have expected anything less."
"So, I'm learning, Captain. So I'm learning."
Chapter 20
London Headquarters
Courtroom
Five Days Later
1045 hours
"Postponement granted, but this is the last time." The sound of the gavel pounding echoed loudly through the room.
"Ma'am?"
"Yes, Seaman?" Mac closed her briefcase.
"What happens if we don't have something more conclusive next time?"
"Then we go with the case we've got. Don't worry." Mac tried to encourage the sailor with a smile.
Waiting for the MP to escort Moore from the courtroom, Mac wondered how much longer before Scotland Yard would have something to move on. They'd been following the two Habersham brothers for almost a week and there wasn't any strong indication that they might indeed be planning a new heist. She didn't want to jeopardize the investigation by bringing them up as reasonable doubt in the hearing, but if push came to shove, she'd do whatever was necessary to make sure her client's case didn't go to court martial.
"We may be running out of time," Meg said to Mac's back.
"I know." Mac turned around to face her opposing counsel.
"Besides the fact that I've got orders back to Pearl next week. Even if my replacement is as understanding as I am, there's no way Captain Baens is going to go for another postponement."
"Agreed," Mac let out a heavy sigh. They had hoped to be able to catch the brothers without actually having to possibly wait months for the actual heist. Time was a luxury Seaman Moore didn't have any more.
Beth James Desk
1645
"Any chance you'll be getting out on time tonight?" Gunny asked.
"Yup! The Captain secured early today. I'm just waiting for the clock to strike 1700 and praying some Admiral doesn't have a spasm before then."
"Good. I was hoping you'd keep me company for dinner."
"I know I said you make more money than I do, but you don't have to keep feeding me."
"Well, if you're not hungry..."
"I didn't say that!" Beth started to laugh. "I just feel guilty you're picking up the tab all the time." Her gaze settled softly on his, "You're not responsible for me, Gunny."
"I know. But it's you or Blair, and Blair eats too much garlic."
Beth laughed out loud. If it hadn't been so true, it wouldn't have been so funny. Sometimes she wondered if Blair was trying to ward off vampires or something.
Clachan PubKingly St
1715
"This is only the second postponement, but Baens almost blew a gasket. Glad I don't have to deal with him on a regular basis. I don't think he's going to forget very quickly." Mac finished up the last forkful on her plate.
"He doesn't take well to civilian lawyers in a military court. Even though you're inactive reserve with over 15 years under your belt, technically, you're a civilian." Harm sat back slightly in his chair, thoroughly satisfied with the early dinner.
"We've got two weeks. Let's hope Scotland Yard comes up with some solid evidence so I don't have to go up in front of Baens again." Mac glanced over at the specials board. "We should probably go ahead and order something for Mattie while we have dessert."
"You mean while you have dessert. I don't have your metabolism."
"I can help you work it off," Mac grinned impishly.
"Now that's an offer I can't refuse." Harm noticed Mac's expression turn from tempting to curious and turned his head to see what had suddenly caught her attention.
"Something wrong?" Harm couldn't quite pinpoint where in the large restaurant she was focusing.
"Isn't that Beth and Gunny?"
Harm turned fully around in his seat, his eyes immediately falling on the two laughing people coming through the front door.
"Yeah, it is. I didn't realize they were that friendly. I thought you told me there wasn't anything going on." Harm turned back to Mac.
"I'm not sure. Could just be two coworkers out for a bite to eat, or..."
"Or what?" There was a slight tone of concern in his voice.
"Or... I could have been wrong." Mac continued staring at the two as they walked closer.
"Don't look now, but I think we're busted," Gunny leaned slightly forward, whispering near Beth's ear.
"Wha...oh…yup," Beth replied awkwardly. "Guess, we better say hello before they get the wrong idea."
"Yeah, wouldn't want that." Gunny looked down at the top of her head. He still wondered what she'd look like if she let her hair down.
"Captain, Colonel. Did you enjoy your dinner?" Gunny smiled, his marine confidence in place.
"Gunny, Petty Officer." Harm stood up. "Yes, thank you we did."
"It was a great suggestion, Gunny. Thank you," Mac added.
"I've been eating here a lot since I arrived. It hasn't disappointed yet," Gunny smiled.
"I wouldn't think so." Harm retook his seat.
"If you'll excuse us, we'd better get a table while we still can." Gunny pointed to a table in the corner with his nose, as the four echoed appropriate good-byes.
"Do I need to worry about something?" Harm turned around fully in his seat.
"First of all, I don't think there's anything personal there."
"Personal?"
"Yeah. There's no intimacy there."
"How would you know that?" Harm curled his brow.
"They're walking rather far apart. They were even before they spotted us. People in a personal relationship tend to move a little closer. I also noticed at no point did Gunny touch her."
"I don't suppose you care to explain exactly what you mean by touch?"
"When we were at our closest in our working relationship, you would find little ways to touch me. In a situation like this, I would have felt your hand on the small of my back more the once. You probably would have tapped me on the shoulder to point to the empty table. Gunny didn't move his arms at all. He's keeping his distance from her."
"Okay, maybe I'll buy all that. What's the secondly?"
"Even if they were getting personal, what do you care? They wouldn't be breaking any regs."
"No, but you know what happens with office romances. It creates office bedlam."
"That's not always true. Harriet and Bud didn't create bedlam. They were cute."
"True, but I'm short staffed now. I don't need cute. I need efficient."
"What makes you think Gunny wouldn't be? Even in Afghanistan, with the woman he was in love with missing, he was the same reliable marine he always was."
"Yes, he was." Harm sat back in his chair a little less concerned than he'd been a few minutes ago. "So what shall we order Mattie?"
"The fish and chips should be easy to reheat. What do you want for..." Mac reached into her purse and quickly retrieved her ringing cell phone before it could bother the other patrons.
"Hello," she said quietly. "Mmhm...okay...yeah... thanks." Mac flipped the phone shut, a huge grin spreading across her face.
"Who was it?" All sorts of possibilities swam through Harm's mind in a flash.
"Baskin. Marjorie rented a car yesterday afternoon. Albert and Oliver have been parked down the road all day from the Lakelands watching the comings and goings."
"That's a start."
"That's not all. Someone at the alarm company was downloading the blueprints to the Brighton's system."
"Do we know who?"
Mac nodded her head yes. "Some IT person from Scotland Yard has been monitoring the system all week. They've put a tail on the employee. Baskin will call me if anything goes down."
The same grin that was plastered on Mac's face spread across Harm's. "I think this calls for two desserts."
Chapter 21
"Why do I feel like I just got caught with my hand in the cookie jar?" Beth sighed, shifting in her seat.
"It's a natural response when bumping into your superior officer outside of the work place. I'm usually only comfortable around officers if I'm in BDUs with a rifle in my hand," Gunny chuckled softly.
"You don't look it," Beth replied seriously.
"Captain Rabb and the Colonel are different. Things change when you've been under fire together. You learn to trust each other. You discover what stuff people are really made of."
"I know the Captain was a fighter pilot and has a colorful history, but Mrs. Rabb is just a lawyer. I mean, she has a great reputation and all, but still, she's a lawyer. Unless someone tried to take over a courtroom, how could you be under fire with her?"
Gunny couldn't help the scoffing chuckle. "Just a lawyer? She was in charge of safely evacuating an entire US Consulate in Indonesia while under fire, under attack might be more accurate. We had to escape through an underground tunnel because the chopper couldn't land on account of ground fire. We were still being shot at as she got all the Americans onto the chopper."
"How did she wind up ranking marine in a foreign country?"
"Everyone else in charge was killed or injured."
"Oh," was the only sound she could make.
"One time, she was interrogating detainees in an Afghani prison, one of the prisoners got her in a strangle hold and threatened to slit her throat."
"She was in Afghanistan?" Beth couldn't hide the surprise on her face.
"The Colonel is not only an excellent lawyer, she's a marine. She's also fluent in Farsi, and she's nice enough not to make fun of mine."
"You speak Farsi?"
"Enough. Anyhow, she waited till everyone laid their weapons down, and as soon as the guy loosened his grip, she overpowered him. Within minutes all the prisoners were back under control."
"She overpowered an armed Afghan rebel?"
"You could too if your life depended on it," Gunny smiled in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"You don't know me as well as you think you do. The only thing at risk of being overpowered by me is a stack of paperwork."
"I wouldn't be too sure. Hey look! Corned beef and cabbage is on the menu. I think I'll have that tonight," Gunny proclaimed rather enthusiastically until he saw the look on Beth's face.
"Is something wrong? You suddenly don't look very good." Gunny was out of his seat and at her side before she had a chance to open her mouth. "Is it the baby?"
Beth was overcome by the near panic on his face. "I'm sorry, I'm fine. Please, sit down."
"You sure?"
"Positive."
"Then what is it?"
Closing her eyes, Beth took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "It's corned beef."
"Corned beef?" Gunny didn't get it.
"Just the mention of the word makes me sick. I don't think I could handle smelling the actual food." Her eyes dropped down to the table in embarrassment.
Gunny looked at her for a second before asking, "How do you feel about lamb shank?"
"You're something else," she laughed. "I think it sounds delicious. I'll have the same."
Gunny waved the busy waitress down and placed their orders, carefully watching Beth out of the corner of his eye. They hadn't discussed her pregnancy since the day she'd gone shopping with him, but he'd thought by now she would feel comfortable enough to mention something. It had been three weeks since she got the news, and she still seemed so detached.
An awkward silence settled over the table.
"Are you worried about the Captain and his wife seeing us here?" Beth wouldn't have thought so, but it was obvious something was bothering Gunny. He might have been sitting at the same table, but he was more like a million miles away.
"There's nothing about two fellow employees eating together worth giving a second thought," Gunny shrugged off.
"Then why so serious?"
"Didn't mean to be. Just thinking a minute, sorry." Gunny tried to dissuade her growing concern with a quirky smile.
"This must be where I'm supposed to say 'penny for your thoughts'?"
Hesitating a moment, Gunny blurted out, "Why don't you ever talk about the baby?"
Wrapping both hands around her diet soda, Beth stared into the glass for what Gunny thought was an eternity before she finally spoke.
"I wasn't sure there was going to be a baby." She didn't dare look up at him.
"I see." Gunny swallowed the lump that had suddenly settled in his throat. It shouldn't matter to him, it wasn't his child, but it did matter. "Are you sure now?"
"I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing, but yeah, I think there's going to be a baby. I mean, I'm running out of time to change my mind anyhow." She still couldn't bring herself to look up at him.
"Babies are always the right thing." Gunny didn't know how to get her to look up at him.
"He shipped out two days after we returned from Bury St. Edmunds. It was sort of a bon voyage weekend. I've had a...condition for years that I take birth control pills for. Who'd have thought I'd be the less than one percent to get pregnant on the pill? Even my doctor was taken by surprise. After the results came back from my second blood test that I was pregnant, he made me go back the following Monday to check my HCG levels. He wanted confirmation before telling me, and even then it took almost two days before he was convinced there weren't any mistakes." This time she ventured a glance in his direction, relieved not to see any judgement in his eyes.
"Greg was only there 11 days when the bomb went off. One of his buddies from Pendleton had been there six months already. Greg told him if anything happened to him, to make sure I got this letter he wrote. You know, the one every loved one dreads receiving."
Gunny just nodded.
"Well, Dave was scheduled to go home on leave four days after it happened. He thought Greg would prefer he hand deliver the letter. By the time he gave it to me, it...it was too late to go to the funeral." Beth tried to bat back the tears that welled in her eyes.
"Hey, it's okay if you want to cry. My mother says it's good for the soul." Gunny ventured to gently rub her forearm, not wanting to overstep his bounds.
"But it's hell on my uniforms," she tried to smile.
"What do you think Greg would have wanted you to do?"
"I think the idea of being a father would have scared the hell out of him, but the way he loved life, I think he'd have been doing somersaults across Iraq."
"Then why the doubts?"
Beth looked up at him as though he'd just grown another foot taller. "You mean besides the obvious like: I'm on an E6 budget, get transferred around the world at the drop of a hat, and am an only child so the only support is my mother, who I love to death, but this isn't her baby. Or the other stuff like, what are my superiors going to think, how will this affect my career, can I even have a career as a single mom of an infant, and how am I ever going to teach him or her what a great guy their dad was?" Beth rolled her eyes annoyed with herself for wanting to cry again. Damn hormones.
"Those are all valid questions, but you wouldn't be the first single parent in the Navy. It can be done. Don't discount the value of friendships." Gunny smiled at her again. "And if you're worried about what Captain Rabb will think. I'm sure both he and the Colonel will be delighted for you. I wouldn't expect anything less from them than their full support. Who knows, maybe their teenage ward could help baby-sit?" Gunny chuckled.
"I'm sure that'll go over really well." Beth shook her head.
"You haven't told the Captain yet have you?"
"No."
"What are you waiting for?"
"I guess until I have a few more answers. Although, if I wait too much longer, he'll figure it out by himself. I already need a rubber band to close the button on my skirt."
Gunny snorted with amusement. "That must be the universal solution to first trimester expansion."
"It works," she shrugged.
"Which questions are you still concerned about?"
"Just one really. I'm not sure being raised by a single mom in the Navy is the best thing for this baby." Beth took a long deep breath, she'd never said that out loud before.
"What do you mean? I thought you said you'd made up your mind to have the baby?"
"I have. I didn't say that meant I was going to raise him." Glad to see the waitress arrive with their food, Beth took advantage of the interruption to suggest, "Let's just enjoy our dinner."
"Smells great." Gunny found it hard to smile. He understood what she wasn't saying. He had no right to push the conversation, but he was concerned about her. Thinking straight with hormones running amuck could be a challenge in and of itself, but making choices with raging hormones and struck with grief as well, that had to be hell on a person.
Chapter 22Rabb Residence
Later that night
"This is interesting." Mac listened to the answering machine while Harm hung up their coats.
"What is it?" He walked towards Mac in the kitchen setting Mattie's dinner on the table.
"Lady Sarah Brighton. She needs to talk to me."
Her face contorted in complete curiosity, Mac picked up the phone and dialed the number left on the message.
"Yes, Lady Brighton, please... Yes, Sarah Rabb calling." While waiting, Mac stared at the answering machine as if it might give her some further insight into the unexpected phone call.
"Sarah! So glad you got my message. I've been trying to get a hold of my brother and he's not answering his mobile."
"What can I do for you Lady Brighton?"
"Oh, surely we've passed that point?" she laughed into the phone. "Call me Sadie, all my friends do."
"Sadie?" Mac had never heard that nickname for Sarah.
"When I was a child I saw Barbra Streisand's Funny Girl a few hundred times before I was ten. My favorite song was Sadie, Sadie, Married Lady. So, I got the nickname Sadie, and it stuck." Her laughter carried through the phone again.
"How can I help you?"
"The brothers rang earlier. They want to invite you and your 'friend' to a little impromptu soiree they're throwing tomorrow night and wanted to know how to reach you."
"What did you tell them?" A twinge of concern skitted up Mac's spine.
"I said he couldn't possibly expect me to know your phone number off the top of my head, but that I would work out where I scribbled down which hotel you were at and would have you give him a call if you and Victor were free."
"Good job, Sadie," Mac sighed with relief.
"I've learned a thing or two from Darrel through the years." Sadie's frequent laughter was almost contagious. Mac couldn't help but wonder how such a fun loving person was related to someone as stiff as Inspector Darrel Baskin. It just didn't fit.
"Let me talk this over with Harm and your brother, and I'll get back with the Habershams. Where can I reach them?"
Lady Brighton gave Mac the contact information on how to reach the brothers. Mac quickly explained what the phone call was about to Harm, and then dialed Baskin's number.
"Baskin, here."
"Oh, good. Have you heard from your sister yet?"
"Just hung up with her. So you've been invited to a masquerade ball?"
"Sadie didn't mention THAT." Mac's eyes grew wide with surprise.
"Well, I don't know what's up, but this could be a good time to pick up some additional information. There's a wonderful costumer not far from your husband's office."
"I'll take care of it in the morning."
"I have a few appointments first thing, but I can meet with you and the Gunny around 11am. We can go over any details then."
"Fine. I'll be calling Albert back now. Let him know we're coming."
"Jolly good. See you tomorrow." Baskin hung up the phone. He wasn't totally sure whether this was a good or bad thing. Just in case, he'd better keep his fingers crossed. Gunny and Mac were good. He knew that for sure, but he also knew if anything went wrong, an angry Captain Rabb was not something he wanted to see any time in his future.
"You realize I'm not letting you two go alone this time?" Harm commented as soon as Mac hung up the phone.
"Harm, Gunny and I know what we're doing. It's just a party." Mac didn't want to admit she'd feel better if Harm was there, but it was just too risky.
"Mac, I can't watch you this time through closed circuit cameras. No one can. Marines always have back up. I'm going. Call Lady Brighton back and ask her the best way for me to tag along." Harm placed his finger on her mouth before she could speak. "Please." Kissing the top of her head, he stepped back to let her make the call.
By the end of the night Mac felt as though she'd just coordinated a major offensive. She'd spoken with Lady Brighton who said she could arrange for the Captain to tag along as her guest without raising any suspicions. Sadie was known for picking up strays. After all, that's why Gunny and Mac were so believable.
Mac had also spoken with Gunny about the 1100 meeting, and needing to meet her at the costumers when they opened at 0900. She filled him in on as many details as she had. Apparently the little soiree was indeed an official masquerade ball. According to the brothers it was in honor of Gunny and Mac, or Victor and Sarah. A belated celebration of Halloween.
Not only did they need to choose an appropriate costume, they would need to go to a specialty shop for a mask. For reasons Mac couldn't understand, the mask was as important a part of the evening as the actual costume. Awards would be given for each. The more elaborate, the better. Hopefully they could fit it all in before 1100.
London HeadquartersHarm's outer office
1115 Next morning
Gunny and Mac came walking briskly up to Beth's desk.
Beth snapped to attention as Mac approached her. "They're waiting for you ma'am, Gunny."
"Thanks Beth. Would you put these somewhere for us?" Mac pointed to Gunny who handed Beth four rather large hatboxes. At least Beth thought they were hatboxes.
She and Gunny were just getting ready to leave the pub when he got the call from Mrs. Rabb last night. He hadn't been free to give her any details, but he did mention needing to meet the Colonel, as he keeps calling her, first thing in the morning. He was at least able to tell her it was related to Seaman Moore's case.
She had a feeling whatever was in these boxes was directly related to last night's phone call. Accepting the four boxes, she almost blushed when she spotted the short wink Gunny gave as he released the boxes and followed Mac into Harm's office.
Baskin stood to greet Mac and Gunny as they entered the room. "Nice to see you again, Mrs. Rabb, Gunny. You two ready for the next show?"
"As ready as we can be," Mac smiled, greeting everyone before sitting down. "Sorry we're late. It couldn't be helped. The old shopkeeper was a charming fellow, but obviously has never had a schedule to follow in his life."
"Did you have better luck with the costumer?" Baskin inquired.
"Yes, actually. The moment I opened my mouth, before I could get past 'Good morning,' he informed us he had the perfect costumes and took off into the back room. Twenty minutes later we were being fitted as Bonnie and Clyde."
"I agree," Baskin chuckled. "You would most likely make an excellent Bonnie and Clyde."
Mac looked at the good Inspector, debating exactly how to take the comment, settling on accepting it as a complement.
"Your husband was just explaining to me that you've persuaded my sister to arrange for him to tag along this evening." Baskin marveled at the Captain's protectiveness for his wife. He couldn't help but wonder if this was something new that came with the wedding ring, or had they always been like this.
"As long as he brings his wife, she didn't think there would be any problem. Apparently she drags new couples out to parties often," Mac shrugged.
"His wife?" Baskin glanced from Harm back to Mac. "Won't that pose a bit of a problem?"
Everyone in the room made an obvious effort not to smile.
"I don't believe we've been properly introduced." Meg scooted her chair and reached over extending her hand to the Inspector. "I'm Megan Rabb."
Chapter 23"You are a friendly lot, aren't you?" Baskin shook his head. "I suppose the more back up the better. This should be a friendly night of reconnaissance, but you never know what might happen."
Harm couldn't believe he was actually agreeing with Baskin, but there was no way he was going to give the man the satisfaction of voicing it.
"We'll be attending as Vice-Admiral Nelson and his wife," Harm explained. " Did you have any trouble with our masks?" he asked his wife. His real wife.
"That was part of the delay. As I mentioned, the old shopkeeper wasn't happy about turning them over without a fitting first."
"You're kidding?" Meg chuckled.
"Masquerade Galas are huge events in England. The costumers take their jobs seriously," Baskin contributed.
"I know, but a fitting for a mask?" Meg frowned.
Baskin merely shrugged. There was no way to explain centuries of social traditions to a people who couldn't understand why the Queen still wore hats. They probably didn't even have milliners anymore in the Americas.
Habersham Hall
Outside London
1700 hours
"This is some shack," Gunny remarked quietly to Mac as they walked past the two gentleman checking names off a list.
"Sadie tells me it's their dad's place, the family estate. The two brothers each have a nice flat in some posh neighborhood in London." Mac leaned into Gunny so not to be overheard by others.
"Any sign of our hosts?" Gunny scanned the room.
"Who can tell with all these masks?" Mac looked around as well. "Sadie says she and her husband are here as Louis and Marie Antoinette. Any sign of them?"
"Unfortunately, I think so."
"Unfortunately?" Mac looked at him a little oddly.
"Yes, ma...Sarah. If I'm not mistaken, that couple on the far right side of the room are Louis and Marie, and so is that couple just over to your left by the punch bowl, and there's another couple back by the ice sculpture that might be..." Turning his head slightly, he reconsidered, "Actually..." Closing one eye. "Maybe that's Henry the Eighth and a wife."
Mac laughed out loud. "I hate to break this to you, but the two kings don't look anything alike."
"Maybe not in history, but in that costume, who knows?" Gunny was still staring at the overweight King Louis devouring whatever delicacy was under the impressive sculpture across the room.
"Here comes Admiral Nelson accompanied by what I expect is the right King and Queen of France." Mac nudged Gunny.
"And they're accompanied by two... are those mimes, ma'am?"
"Looks like it."
"Sarah dear, how nice to see you again. Your costume is just stunning! You too, Victor, you do look dapper. The roaring twenties suit you. We simply must find some time for tea before you leave." Sadie laid it on thick. "May I present some of your countrymen, Captain Harmon Rabb and his wife Megan." Gesturing back to Mac, "Victor Harmon and Sarah MacIntire." Sadie watched the two couples make initial introductory small talk, wishing she could see the faces behind the masks. Then she shifted her gaze to watch their hosts taking in the entire scene.
Nudging past Harm and Meg, and stepping in a little closer to Mac. "I'm afraid we're allowed only one opportunity to speak this evening in order to thank each of our guests for coming. The remainder of the time will have to be spent in character," one of the two brothers explained.
"That will be a shame," Mac volunteered. "I was looking forward to visiting again." Without overdoing it, Mac made an effort to really put on the charm, and flaunt the dress, or what there was of it.
"Not to worry. Another opportunity will present itself. I promise," the other brother added.
Mac regretted she had not yet learned to recognize each brother by his voice, but tonight it wouldn't make much difference as the rest of the evening would be spent in silence. At least for her prime suspects.
Before Mac could respond, the same brother had gestured rather mechanically for a dance, which she eagerly accepted.
It had been a long night. Gunny and Mac spent a brief amount of time getting 'acquainted' with the Rabbs before working the crowd. Communicating with the brothers was virtually impossible in light of their costumes. Mac had tried dancing several times with each of them, but couldn't get either of them to speak a word.
After being on her feet for almost three hours, she was delighted when Captain Rabb asked Gunny if he'd object to allowing him a dance with Miss MacIntire. As Gunny and Meg moved along the floor, Mac took Harm's arm and followed him, gladly slipping into his open arms, resisting the urge to lean into his shoulder.
"You look tired?" Harm whispered.
"How can you tell with this thing?" Mac tapped the ornate mask she'd been wearing, then casually draped her arm around his shoulder again.
"Maac, I don't need to see your face. I KNOW you."
Mac didn't have to see his face either to know he'd just arched his eyebrow in that sexy little maneuver that so often melted her like butter in the summer sun. "Sorry. Yes. I'm tired. A little frustrated too."
"Now, I'm the one who's sorry." Harm had been resisting the temptation to pull her closer. He wanted desperately to kiss away her stress.
"I wish I could put my finger on what's bothering me." Mac pressed her lips tightly, her mind trying desperately to grab hold of whatever was teasing her thoughts.
"What do you mean?" Harm stiffened slightly. He could feel the tension in her body, her mind working, trying to make sense of something he knew nothing about.
"It's bad enough we can't talk to Albert or Oliver, but ever since my last dance with Frick or Frack..."
Harm stifled a short chuckle.
"Well it's true. I have no idea which brother is which, but that's not the point. This last dance something wasn't right. I had this nagging feeling and I couldn't quite put my finger on it."
Harm caught a glimpse of one of the brothers across the room making his way out onto the Veranda. Harm had been watching him so intently, he hadn't heard all of what Mac said, and shifted slightly, almost stepping on her foot. "Sorry, dear. I mean Miss MacIntire."
Returning to the game of dancing with a stranger, "I'm usually a better dancer than that," he grinned impishly at her.
"So, I've heard," Mac tried to control the grin that threatened to spread across her face when it suddenly hit her. "That's it!"
"What's it?" Harm could see her mind working at the speed of light, finally putting the pieces together. The question now was, what pieces?
"Where's Gunny?" Grabbing Harm's hand, she quickly headed off in Meg and Gunny's direction.
Almost startling Gunny with her sudden appearance, Mac possessively grabbed Gunny by the arm, "We have to talk, now." She led him off the floor, Meg and Harm following closely behind to a somewhat private spot in the corner.
"I think we've been had," she said seriously
"What are you talking about, marine?" Harm moved a little closer to his real wife.
"I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Each time I danced with the brother with the green mask, we glided easily across the floor. This last time we danced, he didn't move much. There was hesitation in his motion."
"What are you saying, ma'am?" Gunny shook his head, not quite following her.
"I don't think I was dancing with the same brother. I think he's an imposter. A temporary fill-in."
"Mac, are you sure?" Meg interjected, an idea of where Mac might be going with this raising the hairs on the back of her neck.
"Yeah, I think so." Turning to Gunny. "Remember how you told the two brothers the days of David Niven and Cary Grant were gone?"
"Yes."
"We need to call Baskin, now. I'll bet my bottom dollar they're hitting the Brighton place as we speak."
Chapter 24"Slow down, Mac. I'm not following you." Harm had no idea what she was trying to prove.
"Gunny gave them the challenge. He told them the days of David Niven and Cary Grant are gone. You remember the Pink Panther?"
"Yes, you've made me watch it often enough."
"The heist was pulled off during the masquerade party." Meg filled in Mac's next sentence. Her mouth left hanging open, hit with sudden understanding.
"Exactly! Remember in To Catch a Thief, everyone thought Cary Grant was wandering silently around the guests when in fact..."
"He was on the roof waiting to catch the real burglar," Harm chimed in.
"To show me how good they are, they not only took the challenge, they're mimicking the movies I mentioned as well. The days of David Niven and Cary Grant aren't gone." Gunny pressed his lips tightly and straightened his shoulders. "I think we'd better find our brothers and make sure."
"No, you and Meg ask Sadie where the nearest phone is. Call Baskin, tell him what we suspect. Mac and I will go check out our so called mimes." Harm silently cursed these absurd costumes. None of the four had anyplace to keep even identification, never mind a cell phone.
"I saw the brother in red going out the door that way." Harm tugged at Mac's arm. Pulling her into an acceptable hold, he briskly danced her across the floor and out the veranda door.
Pleased to have spotted the two men together, leaning against the rail, Mac would have given anything for a listening device, or to be a fly at their side.
"Let's try not to make a scene. Just see if you can get one of their masks off." Harm leaned into her quietly.
"Oh sure, like stealing a man's mask won't make a scene." Mac took a deep breath and walked closer to the supposed brothers.
"You know, guys, I think it's terribly unfair that I don't know who I'm dancing with." Mac sidled up next to the brother in green. Shifting slightly to her left, she tilted herself, dropping her left hand on his hip, leaning in giving the man a bird's eye view of her now heaving cleavage.
Shrugging casually, the two men appeared to be matched bookends. Harm moved between them, positioning himself to grab for the one while Mac made her move on the other. The moment her guy's eyes inevitably darted down to gawk at Mac's ample assets, she reached up with her right arm and pulled the mask free.
"That's against the rules, Laidy," a rather thick cockney accent let slip, grabbing the mask and quickly putting it back in its place.
"You fool!" the other man shouted, lunging awkwardly at Harm.
The first imposter grabbed Mac's left arm away from his hip with his free arm and spun her around. "Now what do we do with 'em?" Holding her arm pinned behind her back, he was stunned to see Harm and the other man in an all out tussle on the ground.
Before he had time to take inventory of whose arms were whose, and who appeared to have the upper hand, he felt a painful weight come crashing down on his instep, just before he was flipped around and met with a sturdy right cross.
"Never restrain a woman," Mac sneered at the fallen man just as Harm flung his nemesis over the rail into a patch of thorny bushes.
Shaking out the soreness in his right hand, "We better get a hold of Baskin, fast. It looks like you're going to be right on this one."
"Already done, sir." Gunny came rushing up to his side. "Inspector Baskin is on his way to his sister's, and I've told the valet to pull the car up out front. The Lakelands is only about twenty minutes from here."
"What do you mean from here?" Harm was still shaking off the sting in his right hand as two of Baskin's men who had been lurking in the background went scurrying past to restrain the imposters.
"He called his men staking out the house. They're not answering his radio call. They checked in fifteen minutes ago, and they're not due to check in for another forty-five." Gunny didn't have to say anything else, Harm knew what that meant. They were closer to Lakelands than Baskin and his men.
Meg came running up, "Car's ready." Looking over as one of the police tried to revive the man Mac had apparently knocked out, she looked up at Harm and Mac as they hurried past her, "I always miss all the fun."
Country road
Near The Lakelands
"It's just around the next bend," Fred informed the passengers.
"Better turn off the lights," Harm instructed the driver. Lady Brighton had insisted they bring her driver or there was no way they'd get to her place in a hurry on unfamiliar roads in the middle of the night. After only a few minutes, Harm realized she'd been right.
"How many ways onto the estate are there?" Harm looked around at the dark countryside. Not a street lamp in sight. Any burglars dream.
"One main gate. There's a servant's portal twenty feet or so off to one side," Fred explained.
"Any way onto the property besides the main gate?" Gunny asked before Harm could.
"I suppose if one were athletically inclined they could scale the wall at any point, but they wouldn't get far."
"Why is that?" Mac inquired.
"The alarm system has laser beams around the perimeter as well as cameras. Someone scaling the wall would break the beam and be spotted rather quickly."
A collective sigh could be heard. It was unlikely Albert and Oliver would go in the front gate, and from the looks of it, this wall went around a long ways.
Before any of them could come up with a plan for the next step, Fred slowed the vehicle. A flurry of activity and bright lights filled the road ahead.
Spotting the flashing lights of police cars, Harm silently cursed their bad luck. What ever had gone down had undoubtedly scared off their prey. Having gotten as close as possible, all four of them descended from the car, Harm leading the way towards the activity.
"That will be far enough, sir?" the policeman quickly scanned the approaching crowd and their wardrobe. "I'll have to ask you to please return to your car. We'll be finished here shortly, and then you can carry on."
"We're going to the Brighton Estate. Anyway you can let us by?"
Surprised by the American accent. "Just what might you be wanting at the Lakelands?" the officer asked suspiciously.
"We're friends returning from a party. This is the Brighton's regular driver." Harm didn't need this. He needed to get to the house.
"Have you some identification?"
"Not on these costumes," Harm answered sincerely, his frustration showing.
Another police car pulled up, "Just in time George. Watch these three, they may be part of it."
"Part of what?" Harm asked rather annoyed as the two new officers corralled Meg, Gunny and Mac.
"You come with me." Stepping behind Harm, he nudged him forwards. "May have some more," he called ahead to his partner.
Looking up at the Vice-Admiral's costume, the obviously senior officer blanched recognizing they were undoubtedly not part of the burglary ring. "My apologies, sir. This is the first burglary Lawrence here has ever stumbled on. He hasn't learned yet that burglars tend to avoid drawing attention to themselves."
"Thank you. We're in a hurry to get back to the Brighton place."
"You have business with the Brightons?"
Before Harm could answer, he could hear Baskin's voice carrying on across the street. He'd let the two policemen who had been holding the others have it right between the eyes and then turned, briskly making his way in Harm's direction.
Waving his badge in the older officer's face, not quite at Harm's side yet. Baskin hollered, "What the bloody hell is going on here?"