Part 4

A bit later, the festivities are winding down. The final event is a special presentation to the Envoy. Everyone gathers in the drawing room, standing in close formation as the officiating dignitaries, including Governor Patterson, go through the motions. Sir Johnathon and Bough are in the front row along with Catherine, Richard and Camille by special personal invitation.

Just as Sir Jonathon's name is called, shots ring out. Three men rush the dignitaries, holding guns to heads, taking hostages, menacing the crowd. Shocked into immobility, Richard sees Sir Jonathon shoot his cuffs with utter aplomb as he murmurs, "Jolly good. Finally."

Sir Jonathon calmly steps forward, "Gentlemen, perhaps I can be of service?" Heads swivel to follow his progress as he strolls to the near end of the table closest to the hostage-takers. No one is watching Bough who fades from Richard's side like smoke. Richard has his hands full trying to keep his wife from storming the malefactors (out of pure policing zeal) and his mother-in-law from racing to Johnny's side (out of pure zeal alone).

Johnny speaks calmly, "May I suggest that you let these good people leave so that WE may talk? I have read your 'Glorious Manifesto for Caribbean Freedom' and have been following your political movement with great interest. I also have special dispensation to speak for The Crown. You don't need those low-level bureaucrats to make your point... you may let them go... I am listening." He waves a dismissive hand, his expressive face telling the malefactors exactly how unimportant their hostages really are.

Richard sees Governor Patterson bristle at this and thinks, Uh oh, Selwyn's just upped his game, I wager. High Commissioner of the Caribbean, perhaps? Lordy, where does that leave ME? Ruefully he looks back to the two women he is restraining almost successfully. He leans forward and whispers to them, "Please don't get shot… I'm going to need you both to keep me alive after Selwyn calms down!" This causes the women to pause and study the tableau before them. They stand down and ponder what they are seeing. This is a type of performance they've not witnessed before… certainly not here on tiny Saint-Marie. They are glimpsing a bit of Johnny's world… and it is very strange.

Johnny preens, smooths his lapels, "After all, I AM a special friend to the Queen. She will pay a king's ransom to procure my safety. She told me so herself… personally." He waggles his eyebrows and smiles a slow lazy smile that convinces everyone who sees it. For Richard's part… he DOES believe it… as odd as it seems.

Three guns swivel to point at Johnny. Richard leaps into action and begins to usher people out of the room. The crowd begins to move. The former hostages come around the table to join the exodus. Johnny waits until the room empties out then smiles, "Splendid. Bough, let us try the Russian Gambit of 2012." Pausing at the door, Richard, Camille and Catherine turn back just in time.

Richard sees movement at the far end of the table where no one is looking. It is Bough, watching Johnny intently, face calm and focused, "Yes, sir."

They reach down as one and flip the table over onto the gunmen.

The crash is resoundingly.

Months later

Camille is still in shock... not a state conducive to matrimonial bliss with baby Poole #4 due any day now. Richard would think to pinch himself… just to make sure it isn't all a dream… if his lovely wife wasn't already doing it several times a day, saying, "Tell me AGAIN… what happened?"

Maman and Johnny are married and living on his new island, Saba, a gift from the Queen through her Dutch connections, where they'd subsequently uncovered the dread pirate Le Clerc's treasure while out bird watching and inadvertently rediscovering the Saint-Marie Green… now rechristened Amazona saint-marie englishii.

Le Clerc's links to Saint-Marie were proven by artifacts found at the treasure site. Apparently Le Clerc had moved his treasure in order to prevent its plundering by his own crew. Selwyn was extremely gratified and spear-headed the establishment of a very impressive display at 'La Kaz I' to trumpet this fact to all and sundry. The attendant wears a pirate hat and has a small parrot on his/her shoulder… a detail that is not lost upon Richard who smiles every time he sees this private joke during his frequent lunches with his old team.

Bird watchers from around the world are flocking (hah!) to Saba where Catherine… excuse me… DAME Catherine runs the most exclusive beach-side bistro in living memory... 'La Kaz II'.

Johnny is to receive a Lordship for services rendered to The Crown… and the Caribbean Ornithological Society. Maman will then be Lady English! Oh, the jokes Richard is saving up to zing her back for all the insults he's endured over the years!

And Richard was correct about a certain someone's political aspirations.

Selwyn was so challenged by Sir Jonathon's dismissive remarks that he began an immediate campaign to leap several levels in the bureaucratic chain, from minor to major. He has informed Richard that he has one year to prepare himself for full Commissioner-hood because Selwyn is blowing this pop stand. Watch his dust.

As for the now abandoned Angus Bough, Selwyn was so impressed with him and his backstory according to Richard, Camille, and his own dear wife's investigations that he is immediately seconded to the Commissioner's office so that he will be up to speed when Richard takes over the mantle. In the interim, he will act as Richard's factotum (…and guard, mutters Camille).

Bough had shed one tear then shook Richard's hand with great solemnity, "I will strive to give my utmost effort, sir."

"We expect no less, Angus. And, perhaps, you will be so fortunate as to find a reason to remain here in Paradise for a good many years." Good lord, thinks Richard, I sound just LIKE him! I'm channeling my inner Patterson… that sly old fox. Well, it's time for a sly younger fox to slip into the hen yard… that's me… and the hens won't know what's hit them! He knows full well that he unsettles every single person who has to deal with HIM now… except for Selwyn, of course. That man is SO sure he is impervious to Poole's secret powers of observation and deduction. Richard smiles. He can't wait for the first opportunity to 'poke the bear'. Should be great sport!

Casting an eye over the huge crowd here at Government House for Selwyn's announcement to run for High Commissioner, Angus murmurs, "Perhaps, sir. I've never seen so many beautiful women in one place before. How do they manage it?"

Sighing contentedly, Richard shrugs, "Island magic? Voodoo, if you believe in that sort of thing."

Angus hesitates then speaks quietly, "Do you know the last thing Sir Jonathan said to me before he left? He said, 'Angus, my boy. This island is magic. My dear Catherine importuned the gods on my behalf. Have you not noticed the peace and quiet in my vicinity now? The song has it right... that voodoo that you do so well.' Don't you find that odd, sir?"

Richard has to shake himself out of the surprised lull that the spot-on imitation of Johnny's voice had induced, "Um… Richard, please… and Angus, I don't put a single thing past this island at all. I've even noticed that the sea levels aren't rising here to match world measurements."

Angus is watching one slim young woman in particular. She has an almost imperceptible silver aura. Must be the sunlight. "Sir… Richard… who is Erzuli?" he asks a bit dreamily.

Richard starts, "Where in god's name did you hear THAT word?"

"Don't know. It just now floated in with all the conversation here in the room."

Looking carefully over his left shoulder, Richard whispers, "I just BET it did." He thinks about his run-ins with those… whatever. He'd wasted his time resisting. The Loa always got what they wanted. He gently pushes the younger man towards the woman who is now looking at Angus in answering amazement, "Go ask her if she knows Erzuli. And don't waste a single moment. Be kind to the gods and they will be kind to you."

Watching Angus approach his soul-mate, Richard sighs. Four children down... three to go. Erzuli is a hard taskmaster but a deal is a deal and he never goes back on his word.

Ever.

END