The Wrath of the Irish – Part 1
Author: Sherry Thornburg
Author's Email: Thornburgs77 at gmail
Feedback: Yes, please
Permission to Archive: Privately only, with notice to me and where it is.
Category: Suspense
Rating/Warning: K+
Main Characters: Phileas and Rebecca Fogg, David Fogg and Irene O'Donnell and Jules Verne.
Disclaimer: SAJV and original characters copywrite Tailsman/Promark/etc., no infringement is intended.
Summary: The Foggs have carried their newly discovered cousin and his fiancé into hiding. But David's enemies have a long reach. Rebecca and Phileas must go to Ireland to rescue him with help from Jules Verne.
Chapter 1
Phillip was dumbfounded. "I cannot believe you would be that…" The words that came to mind were courageous or foolhardy, but the last was not one he wanted to use toward his old friend; a friend who had apparently been doing a great service for the country of his birth. Because of that, he was now in danger of his life.
David Fogg, once recovered from his race out of Ireland, had directed his cousin's dirigible to the estate of an Irishman who had made his home in France. Phillip Gideon was one of David's university friends who had taught him the Irish language and culture. They had made many trips there as young men to tramp the roads and explore, Trips that both men had fond memories of.
Phillip was now regretting those trips. What David had since done with the knowledge was beyond Phillip's comprehension.
"Well, it will not be happening anymore," David said, regretfully at his friend's surprised horror.
After several weeks in France, David had been given a report from Chatsworth about the aftermath of the O'Donnell massacre. In the intervening time, no information had surfaced to make anyone believe David Drummond had been a part of what had happened. It was spoken of as an act of retribution directed at the O'Donnells alone. Yet, there was still too great a chance someone had discovered that Francis O'Donnell had been aiding and harboring him to discount the idea. Chatsworth intended to keep a careful ear on the matter.
For the foreseeable future, Chatsworth would keep Sir Boniface's covert agent under Crown protection, along with Irene. Powerful, far-reaching enemies of this magnitude were dangerous. Arrangements had already started seeing to it no one ever put David Fogg and David Drummond together as the same man. That was going to take time. Chatsworth had become a very busy man, recreating David's service record and working on Irene's behalf.
David laid the report down and took a slow breath. He knew it was coming, but reading the order never to set foot in Ireland again still stung. New methods for handling sensitive Irish grievances were being set up. He had the gratitude of the Queen and the Prime Minister. There was an aside about a commendation and recommendation for further honors. But David Drummond was no more.
Further honors hadn't been defined, but a letter was included from the Prime Minister himself. At the bottom he had written:
Your courage will not be overlooked.
A separate letter from Queen Victoria commended him for his service. The Queen's letter was very gracious in its praise of David's work, but insistent that he had done more than enough in her service. David was ordered retired with full honors, putting the last nail in David Drummond's coffin.
