Chapter 6. A Plan Forms
Artemus leaned over slightly, turning the flask toward the afternoon sunlight coming through the window nearby. He squinted at the meniscus, trying to judge the level of the solvent. He heard the door to the old stone building creak open suddenly and slam shut. The sounds of boots scrapping across the gravely stone floor behind him irritated his already frazzled nerves. He straitened and dumped the liquid from the flask into a larger beaker, growling, "close enough". He put the flask down and picked up the book to check the next ingredient, keeping his back to the visitor.
"Gordon," Peter Harvey's voice snapped, "didn't you hear me come in?"
Artie continued to ignore the guard, leaning over to look at labels on an assortment of bottles on the table in front of him. He picked up a square bottle and removed the cap, and then picked up the measuring flask again. He started pouring the second solvent, the back of his brain listening to the man's feet shuffling with impatience. He dumped the liquid into the beaker and quickly backed up, setting the bottle and flask down quickly, a look of horror on his face. He pointed a shaking finger as smoke snaked out of the beaker and small bubbles began to appear. "Oh, no," Artemus said, backing up further, almost bumping into the guard.
"What?" Harvey said nervously, his eyes on the smoking beaker, "is it supposed to smoke like that?"
"Of course not, man!" Artie yelped, backing toward the far wall. "If it explodes…"
The guard spun and ran for the door, yanking it open. He paused in the doorway, motioning to Artemus, "should we get clear of the building? Should I tell the Doctor?"
Artie started laughing, holding his sides, at his own joke, "no, I'm just fooling around with you. It's fine." He moved to the desk and dropped into the old chair. The guard stomped back into the room and angrily slammed the door shut behind him, pointing at Artie, his mouth open in protest.
Artie interrupted before Harvey could speak, "I've told you never to enter without knocking and asking first. If I had been working with delicate liquids, you could have caused a catastrophe. You have no idea if I am pouring Toluene or Nitroglycerin!"
"Damn you and your chemicals," Harvey snarled. "I only come in here because that damned doctor orders me to come. You think I visit you for the fun of it?"
"I don't give a damn why you come here," Artie snapped back, "just knock first. No barging in like you own the place."
"You don't own it either," Henry snarled again, pounding his fist on the old desk. "You're a prisoner, and don't forget it. Now don't you want to know why I'm here?"
Artie leaned back and put his boots up on the desk, waving a hand out to the guard, "of course, I'm dying to know." He picked up another book and began slowly turning pages, ignoring the man again.
Harvey stood and backed up a step, his right hand dropping to his revolver, slung low on his hip. The black holster and belt glistened with oil in the sunlight. "When this is over, Gordon, I will fill you full of lead, one slow shot at a time."
"Is that what the doctor told you to come here to tell me?" Artemus said quietly, his eyes still on the book.
"NO!" Harvey yelled, punching the desk again, his anger and frustration at being ignored boiling over. He straightened again and glared down at Artemus, almost spitting his words now, "Doctor Loveless has requested your presence at dinner this evening."
Artie snorted, turning another page, "you may inform the good doctor that I must decline his invitation. I regret that I was not dressed for a formal dinner when I was acquired and my day clothes would be an insult to his other guests."
Harvey glared for a moment, his mouth open with surprise, then turned and stomped from the room. He snapped open the door, stomped out, and slammed it again. He yelled something to the guards and they murmured a response.
Artie stood and walked to the window, chuckling at the activity outside. Guards tipped their heads together, whispering, and glancing nervously toward the window. Artie waved a hand at them and turned back to the beaker. The smoke had dissipated and the boiling was stronger now. He reached a hand over to a knob to turn down the flame of a burner. Whistling to himself, he picked up the book again and continued his work.
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Later that evening…
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"How nice of you to join us, Mr. Gordon," Dr. Loveless said, smiling in greeting as Artemus was lead into the large dining room. He waved a hand to the other guests already in the room. Antoinette was seated at a large round table, sipping a glass of wine. Next to her was Celeste, the young lady looking nervous and bewildered. Even Voltaire, sitting across the table, was dressed in a cleat suit.
Artie stepped into the room and gave the doctor a short bow. He smiled at Antoinette and Celeste, ignoring Voltaire. "Thank you for inviting me and providing me with a clean change of clothing," he said, running his right hand down his chest. The soft material was a deep maroon jacket with matching pants and a clean, crisp white shirt.
"We wouldn't want you to miss this special evening because you are under dressed," Loveless said. "Antoinette is so quick with needle and thread, it only took her a few hours this afternoon to alter a suit that was available. I do hope it fit." He paused as Artemus nodded to the dark haired woman. "Please sit, have a glass of wine. Dinner will be served shortly."
Artemus moved behind Voltaire and sat closer to Celeste, taking the girl's hand I his to give it a squeeze. She gave him a week smile but tears were in her eyes and her breathing came in little gasps. "And how are you, Celeste? It's been a few days since I saw you last." He noticed she was wearing the same dress but it seemed clean and neat. "Have you been eating and sleeping?"
He noticed Dr. Loveless watching with a wrinkled brow, apparently nervous about the young lady. Antoinette smiled and said quickly, "it is good you came. I think she has missed you. She eats less than a bird does."
Artemus let out a long sigh, turning to Dr. Loveless, "you know this is wrong," he said quietly, "to keep her here. I told you I would cooperate because of the others."
Loveless sat back in his chair, quickly pasting his usual crafty smile on his face, "oh, now, Mr. Gordon, let's not spoil dinner by squabbling. Tell me how your work is coming. I should have stopped by to visit but I have been so very busy myself."
"It's coming along," Artie said, picking up a glass of wine near his plate. "It's cook book chemistry, what could go wrong?" He sipped the wine, swirling it, watching the doctor over the rim.
"Cook book chemistry?" Loveless said, confused, "I've never heard that term. What does that mean?" He looked at Artemus intently.
"It means idiot work," Artie said, "blindly follow a recipe, just like baking a cake. Measure, mix, heat, and you have what you should have every time. No brains involved. That's why you want me to do it, right?" Artie said as Loveless began chuckling. "You need large amounts of this material made. It's boring, dirty work and has to be done in a safe location, hence the stone building away from everything else. I'm surprised I'm not making you vats of nitroglycerin."
"Nitroglycerin," Loveless said, shaking his head, "so old fashioned. Too uncontrollable to use. No, no, my new invention will be much more useful, more dependable, more portable, more…" he grinned, giggling again, "more secretive, more cunning. But…" he sat up again, looking Artemus in the eye. "But, you don't know the entire recipe. Not yet. You aren't baking a cake and you know it." He paused, almost daring Artemus to say something. "No, you are wondering what you are making. But I won't tell you."
"You'll have to tell me eventually," Artemus said softly. "If I'm to finish making it for you. "
"I don't need you to finish making the final product," Loveless said, picking up his glass. "I just need you to make a lot of this first batch," he nodded, sipping his water. "But we are monopolizing the conversation." He turned to Antoinette and Celeste, who had both been sitting quietly between the two men. Antoinette had always known and been involved with the doctors plans but Celeste was bewildered, her fingers twisting nervously. Her blue eyes had moved from the doctor to Artemus as they had spoken.
Artemus nodded to the ladies and raised his glass of wine, "my apologies. I am looking forward to a fine dinner this evening."
Antoinette blushed, "I do hope you will like it. Beef Wellington. Its one of Miguelito's favorites."
"My dear," Loveless said, "why don't you play a song for Miss Celeste. I am sure she would enjoy it." He turned to the younger lady, adding, "Antoinette and I have always enjoyed music, helps to pass the time and gives us comfort."
"And Maguelito has a wonderful voice," Antoinette said, as she rose. "Let's both sing until dinner is served." They both moved to the piano; she sat on the bench as he stood at her elbow. Her long fingers began to play a lite tune, up and down the keys. Dr. Loveless closed his eyes and began to sing a song of love and springtime. Voltaire turned to watch, his huge boots tapping on the floor.
Artie turned to smile at Celeste. The girl was watching everyone but staying silent. "I think after we eat, I will take you for a walk outside. You could use a bit of fresh air. I bet you haven't been outside since you arrived."
"Would they let me," She whispered, timidly. "They seem so pleasant but they won't let me go home. It's been days and my parents must be worried sick and…" tears welled in her eyes and she quickly dabbed at them with a napkin. Artie reached out to squeeze her wrist. "Thank you," she whispered, "I wouldn't know what to do if you weren't here. I can watch you from my room. Sometimes I see you walk outside and then back inside."
"I've been busy. Just keep playing along," Artie whispered, winking. He turned back to the performance. Soon, the doors opened and a cart, laden with silver serving trays, was pushed in. "Dinner is served," he sighed, as Antoinette moved to the cart. She moved the trays to the table, peeking under covers to look at the food. "Smells marvelous," Artie said, his stomach growling suddenly.
"I do hope you like it," Antoinette repeated. She pulled all the covers off and placed them on the cart. She nodded to the younger maid as the woman pushed the cart out of the room. Harvey held the door for her and took one longing look at the food, and followed her out.
"My dear," Loveless beamed, "you have out done yourself this time. And my favorite too. What a party we are having." He rubbed his hands together, looking at the large baked pastry on a platter.
"If only Jim West could join us for dinner," Artie said, with an obvious look over his shoulder at the large windows on the far side of the room. "Maybe he will crash the party during dessert."
Loveless and Antoinette exchanged a worried look as Dr. Loveless tried not to look at the windows, but he finally stole a glance and shrugged. "That mister negative is not invited. He always spoils my parties, throws food, and starts fights. I hope not to see his shadow for many weeks. But…"his slow smile creeped back to his face, "I will want him to come eventually. I will send him an invitation when I'm ready."
"He does love to pop in unexpectedly," Artemus added, taking a plate of food from Antoinette. "But I hope he doesn't show up tonight until after I have eaten. This looks positively fabulous," he said, making a big show of smelling the dinner. A thick square of beef, wrapped in a pastry, was in the center of the plate, surrounded by vegetables and potatoes, all covered in dark gravy.
Antoinette blushed and handed Celeste a plate too. After everyone was served, she sat down, turning to the young lady, "I hope you enjoy it. Maybe tomorrow you would like to help me prepare food. I find cooking to be relaxing, like my music."
"That would be nice," Celeste said, carefully, "if I might, I also enjoy playing the piano. Maybe we could do that together?"
Antoinette beamed, "that would be wonderful. Did you hear," turning to Loveless, "Maguelito, she plays as well." She clapped her hands lightly in excitement.
"Yes," Loveless smiled to them, "you two will have hours of entertainment. Maybe," he said turning to Artemus, "I will entertain Mr. Gordon. I have neglected you so. I assume you have all sorts of bottles of my concoction ready to go. Maybe we will test one." He rubbed his hands together eagerly. "It might be good to get a jump start on my plans, just in case that mister nosey West does come early. I do hope to be ready."
Artie didn't respond, knowing silence was annoying to the doctor. He tipped his glass of wine and began to eat.
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Later that night
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"What a beautiful evening," Artemus said, patting Celeste's hand on his forearm as they walked. "I've always enjoyed a walk after a heavy dinner. My Aunt Maud always said to eat the larger meal in the middle of the day and eat lighter fare in the evening." The girl nodded in agreement as he turned to look behind them. A few yards away, half hidden in the shadows, followed a guard. Artie hollered back to the man, "Harvey, you will let me know if we walk too quickly for you?" The man glared but kept his pace steady.
"Why do you torment that man so," Celeste whispered. "You asked me to be pleasant to the doctor and Antoinette but then you treat that man…?"
Artie laughed, breathing the night air, "that man deserves it all and more. He told me he was working in a prison and helped Voltaire escape. Now he is working here. Turned from good to bad in the blink of an eye?" He shook his head, "no, I hope to get him frustrated enough to either tell me what is happening or make him leave his post, make a mistake. Anything." He took another deep breath, "but all in all, you have to admit that we are doing pretty well."
"What?" Celeste said, blinking up at him. "I don't understand? We've been kidnapped! Shouldn't we be trying to escape?"
"Escape? Already?" Artie laughed, "But we just arrived. And rest assured, being kidnapped is the best way to get in the middle of a mystery. I need to investigate what he's doing." Artie tapped her hand again as they walked, "lets summarize. You and I are here, and in good health. And we found every one of the missing agents. No injuries, no one missing, and they are all together, and staying out of trouble. I asked Jeremy to keep the men informed that I was here and that Jim will be coming soon."
Celeste nodded slowly, "I supposed so. But I'm not an agent. I don't know what to do. And my parents must be missing me. Will Colonel Richmond tell them I was kidnapped too? They will be so upset. They didn't know that my office work would become dangerous but neither did I."
"Office work," Artemus, "isn't supposed to be dangerous but we have had the aid and assistance of many office ladies over the years. Sometimes they are needed to review a criminal's bookkeeping, other times it's because they speak a language I'm not familiar with, or just because we need a lady's touch." He stopped walking and turned, taking both her shoulders in his grasp, looking hard into her blue eyes. "But you need to remember, you are an employee of the Secret Service and you are working. So keep your chin up and your ears and eyes open."
The girl nodded and squared her shoulders, "I will." She stepped back and dabbed her eyes. "You might have to tell me what to do. I don't have any training at this. I just know typing and dictation and how to schedule meetings."
Artie put her hand back on his arm and started walking again. They passed along the edge of the property near a tall stone wall. They ducked underneath a wide tree, the branches breaking the moonlight into bright and dark splinters on the ground as they moved. "Tell me about your childhood," Artie said. The girl turned a surprised face to his. "Oh, come now, what did you used to do for fun as a child. Jim used to ride horses, run and climb everything, and fight with the neighbors' kids. He really never grew up. But he's got a sharp eye for details and an incredible memory. He can read a book, no matter how complicated, and remember it. He has learned a lot about chemistry and physics. He always wants to know more, keep learning."
"And you," Celeste asked. "You must have learned everything about chemistry in a college? And all the languages you speak? I read you speak six languages."
"I learned it all from the theater and working with others," he laughed quietly. "I made smoke and controlled explosions, improved and read books, talked to everyone I could. I never had time for formal education in a college but maybe someday, when I'm old and grey." He looked down at her, "what do you mean you 'read' about me?"
"Personnel files, of course," Celeste said. "When I started working, I read every file we have on all the agents. You and James had far more exciting files than other agents. Some of the case reports were barely even understandable. Maybe someday when we get back home, we could review some of those files. I have so many questions."
Artie laughed, "yes, we have had some experiences. But let me ask you, can you climb a tree?"
"I have never tried," Celeste said, looking up into the branches. "It doesn't look very high."
"How about climbing walls," Artie said, nodding toward the stone wall. "Ever do that as a child?"
"Of course not," Celeste laughed, "never. I spent my childhood walking with books piled on my head, and learning the harpsicord, and needlepoint." She sighed, "it all seems so foolish and useless now. If I had only know. My mother would never have let me climb a tree and would have had a heart attack if I climbed a wall."
"I think Jim's mother must have been a strong woman," Artie chuckled, "or busy and had no idea what he was doing."
"And your mother?" Celeste said, looking up at him.
"The theater was run by my parents, still is actually," he said, "it is a family business. So I was surrounded by aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents and four older sisters."
"And the theater is how you learned your disguises too then," the girl said. "I have heard a lot of stories about that but it's not mentioned in the reports. In fact, I think a lot of details are left out of the reports."
"James and I write out all the pertinent details," Artie laughed. He turned to see where Harvey was, catching him leaning against a tree in the distance. "Harvey, you're falling behind! We could escape, you know." Harvey shook a fist at him and then started to light a cigarette. Artie turned back to Celeste, "I think I know how to get you out of here. But, if you can stand it, I would like to wait one more day. I know we have been here a while but I need to have a quiet day tomorrow. Your escape will probably cause a bit of excitement."
Celeste nodded, "all right, I can do that. I will play the piano and cook and be Antoinette's best friend. Maybe I can learn more of what's happening here."
"That's the spirit," Artemus said, "we will make an agent of you yet." They continued to walk along the edge of the wall, along a tree-lined path until they reached the main driveway and then turned to walk toward the main building.
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The next morning…
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Loveless walked around the sturdy, low table, his hands behind his back. He paused to tip a glass bottle, peering at the liquid inside. He checked each bottle and turned to Artemus, who was standing in the center of the room. Harvey, the usual guard, stood at loose attention at the door.
"Mr. Gordon," Loveless said sternly, "I see only six bottles. You have been here for days and have made only six? I find this unexpected. I would have been impressed by a dozen, or satisfied by even ten. But only six?" He tsked, shaking his head. "Is this work too difficult for you?"
Artie grinned, rocking back on his heels, hands in his pockets. "Well I try not to work too diligently. The work reflects my pay, my free room and board, my stress level." He chuckled at Loveless's flushed face, "besides the work is so boring. Now if I could make something more exciting, more creative. I think it makes me tired and I just have to sleep a lot."
"Really," Loveless snapped. "I had thought that your friends being in peril would inspire you to do your best. Your very best. I had asked you to make me a dozen by today."
"Why," Artie grinned, "are you in a hurry? Need to make something impressive before Jim West arrives? It's just a waste of time because he will stop you anyway, just like he always does."
Loveless stomped his foot in anger, snarling, "stop with your endless positive predictions. James West will be summoned when I am ready for him. I will send for him like I always do with a letter or possibly send someone to collect him. But not before I am ready," he repeated angrily. "And you will finish your work. I want six more by tomorrow. See if it will inspire you to stay awake."
"And you want me to follow that same recipe?" Artemus asked, grinning again, nodding toward the workbench. "Maybe I can spice it up with a few other flavors? Some Acetonitrile perhaps? There is an older jar of sulfur and some zinc on the back shelf."
"No!" Loveless shrieked, "No, no, no!" He stomped back and forth in front of Artemus, breathing heavy. "I asked you politely," he said, trying to calm himself, "to help me in this creative endeavor. I needed someone with an intelligent, scientific mind, and thought of you. I chose you to come here and assist me. And this is how you treat me? By not doing as you're asked? I give you a simple task, yes, beneath your intelligence, but it's how it is at this step. I am doing my work in another room in the main house. I need you here to mix these solvents where it's safer to work. Now I am asking you as a fellow scientist, to finish this step in the process."
Artemus has stood quietly, studying the doctor. The man seemed stressed and hurried as usual but nothing more than usual. Not wanting to push too far at one time, he backed off. "You're right, doctor, I apologize for not taking this seriously. I understand and will comply, as a fellow scientist. I would like to ask if I could request an assistant though to speed my work."
Loveless stopped pacing and turned to look back, "and I have given you Mr. Harvey. In fact he volunteered to be outside working here. I would hope you would have already have had him working with you."
Artie held the doctor's gaze, trying not to grimace, "actually I hadn't but I'll give it a try."
"Good," Loveless said, "that's settled then. I will check on you tomorrow afternoon. I am making the final adjustments to the next set of ingredients. I am sure you interested in what those are and what the final product will be."
"All these solvents are very explosive," Artie said, nodding again toward the workbench. "Obviously you are making a more controllable explosive by adding something." He smirked again, looking down his nose at the doctor, "I only hope that in my haste, that I don't make a mistake which will be detrimental in in unexpected and surprising way."
Loveless glared back, "if you do, the outcome will be quit expected and not surprising but equally detrimental to your friends. Don't forget my promise to you." He drew himself up straight, "I said you will help me murder Mr. West. " He held the glare, waiting, "what ? No clever retort?"
"No," Artemus said, "he will stop you just like he always has. I have no worries, whether I am still here to see it or not."
Loveless fumed, his face turning red, "careful, Mr Gordon. Be very careful." He turned and stepped across the room. Harvey snapped open the door and held it as the doctor left.
Harvey shut the door, staying in the stone house, and looked at Artemus, "looks like I just got a promotion." He crossed his arms and glared at Artemus. "I guess you need to treat me better now, if I'm going to be helping you doing this work. You need to start explaining this science work." He waved a finger at the bottles, "explain what all this shit is."
Artie rolled his eyes and walked to the desk. He picked up a book and handed it to Harvey, "Here, read this." The gold letters on the cover gleamed in the sunlight as Harvey took the book. "Basic Chemistry," Artie said, "let me know if you have any questions when you've finished." He turned and walked slowly back to the table of chemicals. With a long sigh, he leaned over and turned the Bunsen burner back on.
tbc
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