Illya reined in his temper as he debriefed the agent in charge of security.
Although Harty was an intimidating man, well over 6' in height, something about the Section II's Second had the man genuinely cowed; he'd heard the rumors about the 'Mad Russian'; looking at the cold menace in Kuryakin's expressionless gaze; he feared they were actual fact. If this weren't within the safety of UNCLE headquarters…
"Mr. Harty. I would like an explanation of how Ecks managed to escape from a top security cell on your watch." The eyes narrowed further. "Are you in the pay of Thrush? Or, are you merely incompetent?"
Harty bristled at the questions. "I am not!" He pressed his lips together tightly before slowly shaking his head.
"I don't know what happened. We followed protocol, took every precaution, assigned two guards both inside and outside the cell block…"
"He was, of course, searched."
"Yes, yes!"
Kuryakin's glare intensified. "Apparently not very thoroughly."
"He was clean when he went in that cell!"
The loudspeaker crackled. "Mr. Kuryakin, report to Mr. Waverly at once."
Harty remained in the room; two guards outside, as Illya sped out.
"I wonder if Napoleon learned anything at the restaurant…"