Report 001 about the events regarding Melinda Desmond's party for New Year's Eve, in particular this one is about the 30 December. The whole Forger family, core of Operation Strix, is involved. For this reason, the level of these reports is TOP SECRET.

The car jumped following the path of the dirt road, its rocks and its puddles. Loid was already exhausted from that journey and from the lack of adequate indications that had led them to travel kilometers in the open countryside, trying to avoid for a breath wild animals and grazing, being careful not to skid and then get bogged down in the mud a couple of times - and all he had to do was thank Yor's strength and whoever put her on his way that day at the tailor shop - if they were free.
Obviously, they only missed the car's suspension problems which Anya used to start making comparisons with the Blackbell limousine again.
Twilight solemnly promised that if they could return to Berlint in one piece, he would file a formal complaint with the WISE. It was not acceptable that in a crucial operation such as Operation Strix was provided unsuitable equipment.

Because being there could bring significant development to Operation Strix.

About a week earlier, Yor had returned from a meeting organized by the Lady Patriots Society announcing that Melinda Desmond had officially invited them all to a year-end party at their family residence outside Berlint. The former first lady had said that there would be few friends and she would be happy to have Yor, of course with her husband and little Anya, who she hoped would continue to be friendly with Damian.
Loid, who could not believe his ears at the unprecedented stroke of luck, almost fainted. Donovan Desmond would almost certainly be there, and he could approach without arousing suspicion. And if he had decided not to be there, it would not have been a big problem, because that unexpected invitation would still have constituted progress in all his plans.
There was only one problem: they had already organized a small party in the house, which also included their neighbors, the Authens; Franky and of course Yuri Briar.
Anya was not happy at all and Yor, considering that commitment, wanted to decline the invitation. The former didn't want to spend their first holiday as a family in someone else's house, and the latter liked the plans they already had.

"It's for world peace, Anya. What would Bondman say about you?"
It was not at all proper to resort to moral blackmail with such a small child, but in his defense, it was not really a lie. She stared at him intently, as if hoping to change his mind. But if even Loid Forger was sometimes a permissive father, Twilight the super spy certainly had faced worse than the tantrums of a first-grader.
"And when we get back, we'll still have a party like we planned."

Only then did the girl give in, followed by Yor, aware of the kindness of an invitation that, coming from someone so important, would hardly be repeated and it would be rude to refuse. That's why the day before the end of the year the full Forger family, including Bond, crammed into the car provided by WISE for a two-hour uncomfortable drive to the countryside.

"At this point we should see it," Yor said, peering through the tall hedges and trees. Anya snorted from the back seat, followed closely by what looked like a dog yawn.

"Here we are!" Yor said happily, pointing to the end of the poplar line a gate and, in the distance, a house lit up at party. The Desmond family home stood in the middle of a private park, a quiet, secluded place, befitting its owners.

"But it's not a castle," Anya said, disappointed and a little angry, "is it really all of Sy-on boy?"

"You mean Damian?" Loid said spelling the name well, "it's property of his family", he hoped that this intrigued her.

"But all of it?"

"All. His father bought this ruined house and had it restored just as his political career began, although when Donovan Desmond was appointed president they all moved to the official residence where all the presidents live. And then, when the mandate ended, they also bought apartments in Berlint-"

"Lame," Anya sentenced.

Yor instead smiled: "you really know a lot about Melinda's husband!"

"R-really? I-I just read a magazine at the hospital..." Loid said, he should not let go and become suspicious, not even in the eyes of Yor. Then, coming back seriously, "Anya, please behave yourself these days."

"You've already told me a billion times!"

"I really don't think it was a billion, and in case one more time won't hurt."

The gate was opened. From the main door came some servants, Melinda Desmond and a grumpy Damian.
Loid took the illuminated avenue and stopped the car right in front of them and immediately Melinda opened Yor's door, and the two greeted each other warmly. Friendly, kind and easy-going, as Yor described her. Anya muttered something, but before Loid could ask her what, a servant opened his. Damian stood in place. The same servant even brought Anya down and gave her the gloved hand, and she chuckled, content to receive princess treatment, and finally Bond.

"Welcome, For - A- Anya," Damian said without looking at her.

"Thank you, Sy-Damian", she responded.

Melinda gave a caress to an intimidated Anya and shook Loid's hand, asking him some questions of circumstance and the presentation was duly reciprocated. A very good start, even with the familiar feeling of anxiety. Was it because he was with people close to his target or because, despite all his efforts, Yor couldn't get Melinda to tell her who the other guests were?
Anya had been inundated with recommendations about behaving politely, particularly with Damian, absolutely not to call him by nicknames - especially in front of his parents. They were guests in their house.
The first obstacle seemed to have been overcome. Loid and Anya seemed to have been approved and welcome by the hostess.

"Anyaaaaa!" Becky Blackbell yelled as she ran to meet them. Anya opened her mouth with happiness. In fact, the courtesy of Melinda had extended to an invitation to the Blackbell family, both as a business partner of her husband Donovan and because, Yor had confided to her husband, did not want Anya to feel alone surrounded only by boys. The two parents smiled watching the girls hug each other and, even if they would not easily admit it, their heart filled with parental love at the thought that maybe that little surprise would make the child more benevolent towards them.
The two friends of Damian also appeared and all five, bickering and proposing games, fled to the upper floor.

"But let's go inside, it's freezing here. Jeeves will take your luggage to your room. The nanny will take care of Anya and the other children."

And now it was time: "your husband, President Desmond, is not present?"

Melinda's eyes tapered, and Loid could not help but notice the rigid gesture of the arm that was holding Yor. She noticed it too, and stared at her friend, curious.

"My husband is an extremely busy man, even during the holidays. He will be joining us directly at dinner," she said in a very different tone than he had just before.

The entrance was elegantly luxurious. Yor seemed entranced by all that surrounded them, and even Loid had to admit that everything around them was very refined. Melinda appeared pleased and began to chat with Yor about the upkeep of the house, which for most of the year was closed and occasionally used by the administrator, Wilhelm Wellmann. For that reception, not wanting to hire strangers, they had brought their servants to Berlint. Loid and Yor praised the order of the room and the natural difficulty of letting strangers touch their things for only a few days. Melinda nodded convincingly and with satisfaction. She seemed to have lost the verve she had just before. Loid noted it as a sign of the remoteness between the two spouses.

"What a... beautiful artwork, Melinda!" Yor said immediately afterwards.

"Oh, that one?"
Loid followed the trajectory of the two women's gaze towards a wall with a white panel, on which stood a small, square and completely... white, on which sinuous waves moved.

"Yor, what special taste do you have! Do you really like it? I bought it recently. It's a contemporary work by an artist... Etalian, I think. A great provocateur. He wanted to focus on white, the absence of color. The waves you see have formed naturally."

Loid approached with interest, followed by Yor who had attached herself to his arm in search of support. She was probably afraid of making a mistake and making a bad impression on important people, despite the teachings of her colleagues to become more posh.
The opera was fascinating in a way, maybe for the light playing with the wrinkles that gave it a certain character.

"Do you like Contemporary Art, Doctor?"

"Art is all beautiful. It depends on your taste."

"Well said. That's not exactly my taste, but at least it's never the same."

"What's your taste, Mrs Desmond?"

"Melinda, please. Romantic Art, of course. With those stormy emotions wrapped in a canvas, the evocative landscapes, the suffering men as their passions take over", they looked intensely for what at Twilight seemed too long.

"I didn't think, Melinda," Yor said.

"Oh dear, do you know we have indoor courts? We can play volleyball or even tennis if you want."

"Yor is certainly excellent in all these disciplines."

Yor was blushing, for Melinda's delight, while Loid gave her one of his studied perfect smiles. Complimenting on something he knew Yor shared with his target's wife could help Plan C. Melinda look happier.

"Maybe we can arrange a meeting with the other guests! We can talk about it tonight at dinner."

"Who are the other guests besides the Blackbells?"

"Oh, the Blackbells aren't here. They had already booked a holiday abroad and left, but young Becky insisted on staying here when she found out your daughter was there", and here she winked at them, "there are the parents of little Ewen and Emile, though. Then there's my cousin Patricia, the estate administrator, and the famous actress Adelaide Lisi with her husband, Dieter Drehbuch."

"Oh, we saw a movie with her the other night, we really liked her as the Empress. I didn't know you were friends."

"It's her husband who writes all the films she plays in, isn't it?" Loid said, nodding in agreement. That friendship was peculiar - in fact, it was the first time he had heard about it- and he should have investigated that same evening. All the others looked like people who could reasonably fit into that circle.

"You will meet them later. Now you may want to go to your room. I took the liberty of setting up little Anya with Miss Becky in the old nursery, then I'll show you where she is. For you I thought instead the Chamber of Flowers. Maybe we'll meet here at 19? Please, could you change for dinner? - Nothing too fancy, we're not formal here."
Both Loid and Yor nodded, as Melinda made her way up the stairs, summarizing the house and promising that the next day they could explore it further.

The Chamber of Flowers was a medium size room and decorated with green boiserie and a fine wallpaper depicting flowers and small birds. In the fireplace crackled a cheerful fire. It was a romantic room, contrasting with the measured taste of the corridors and the entrance, made especially for couples. The windows overlooked the huge garden and the entrance. As soon as he had the chance, he would check for bugs, which he doubted. But he expected everything from Desmond.

"It looks like a garden," Yor said amazed, approaching to analyze the decorations on the walls.

"Use this if you need anything," Melinda said, pointing to a long rope by the door, before saying goodbye.

Yor froze observing the large and comfortable double bed in an alcove in the center of the room. Loid was more or less prepared for the fact that he would have to sleep with his wife, as is expected of a young couple. But it was clear from her pale-I've-seen-a-ghost face that she hadn't thought about it.

"Yor," he said, waking her from the trance she was in, "we should unpack."

"You're-you're right", she took a deep breath, "here I am."

They then crossed the room to the other end, where there was another door that opened onto a small dressing room where they found their luggage. There was a small sofa, a dressing table and wardrobes. The style was radically different from the bedroom, measured, practical, not excessive and the dominant color was brown. From there you could also access the bathroom.

"Don't worry Yor, it's just a couple of nights."

"Sorry?"

"I noticed that you seem very uncomfortable with the fact that there is only one bed... Well, I meant that it's just a couple of nights. And if you want, I can set up here."

"Nnno, I'm not uncomfortable, it's just that I'm not used to it - I don't know if it exceeds the limits of our agreement."

"We agreed that if it was necessary we would share a bed, so I have any problems at all. And again, I can sleep here if you prefer."

"... what if someone came in and saw you?"

"But excuse me... who do you want to bother us? And yet we can say we had a fight."

Yor shook her head discontented, murmuring that it didn't seem right.

It looked useless to discuss it further: "we can talk about it later. Maybe now we should settle down and introduce ourselves to the other guests."

Yor opened the suitcase, starting to arrange the clothes in the closets, keeping aside what he had chosen to wear that evening: a bright red velvet dress tight on the bodice and wide skirt, to be worn with a petticoat, and long ivory satin gloves, made for the occasion. It was not particularly elegant or refined, but it looked classic and suited Yor, thought Loid pulling out his evening suit.

"Are you staring at me?"

"No-" Loid said, reproaching himself for being distracted by praising his wife's sense of fashion, thoughts absolutely unnecessary in the mission. He closed the suitcase firmly, hoping to close in even the distractions and went to the bathroom to fix the toothbrushes, perfumes and shaving kit.

"Oh, Loid!" Yor exclaimed from the locker room, "I forgot that Anya's clothes are in my suitcase! I didn't think to ask Melinda how they're going to arrange the kids. Should we take them and tell Anya what to wear?"

"Melinda didn't say anything, so I doubt it's necessary for the children to change, at least tonight. They'll probably have a separate dinner."

"We could bring Anya the change for tomorrow morning and her bathroom supplies later. Tomorrow night she'll come change here."

"Great idea," Loid nodded, admiring Yor's practical sense. It was better that she cared about Anya, he had to stay focused only on Desmond.

After Yor had put her things in the bathroom and both had changed for dinner, they went out to the entrance, to the dining room.

"Do you think I'm quite elegant, Loid?" Yor asked, smoothing her dress nervously.

"Why do you ask?"

"Because, well... seeing the sumptuousness of this house... the elegance, the change of dress for dinner... I wonder if I brought the right clothes..." and lowered her voice, "...if it's the right place for me-"

Loid smiled at her, then handed her arm to invite her to take it: "And why shouldn't it be the place for you? You were personally invited by the landlady - " he whispered, "Trust me, Yor, you have natural elegance. You are young and beautiful, I don't see why you should hide it", Yor looked at him in amazement, as if she could not believe that such a compliment could come from her husband, "ultimately, you look great."

"Thank you, Loid. I know I'm not a very, you know, effusive person, but it's okay if I take your arm or your hand if I feel too- you know..."

"You can count on me, Yor. Besides, it's the job of every husband."

"And you can count on me!"

The two smiled, finding courage in each other. Then, helped by the indications of a waiter, they entered a living room where the guests were still having an aperitif.

The rest was a whirlwind of presentations and phrases of circumstance, a sip of the chosen aperitif and a taste of appetizers before going to dinner. President Desmond walked straight into the dining room when everyone was already seated, earning a glimpse and a crooked, indecipherable smile from Melinda, who was at the other end of the table. His entrance attracted general attention, though he did not seem to notice. He greeted everyone in a general way, even his wife and her relative present. Melinda did not speak to him and suddenly the general chatter began again, but more attentive, with an eye always turned at the head of the table.

Despite their desire, Yor and Loid ended up far away, although during the dinner they often looked for a way to support each other.
In fact, he could not complain about the table layout, or the dinner or the impeccable service à la russe - which certainly gave an idea of the Desmond family's conception of "not formal". Between Melinda and her cousin, Loid certainly couldn't complain. He could have gotten a lot of information.

"Do you have children, Mrs Poynton?"

Patricia Poynton, Melinda's cousin from her father's side, not a wealthy family. In the past certainly a beautiful woman, but she was faded with the years. She wore an extremely elegant dress, but in fashion probably twenty years earlier, and one long string of pearls. She had no children, he already knew that, and she had been a widow for many years. He knew that the surname was that of her husband, not having wanted to return to that of origin.

"No, unfortunately my husband and I were not so lucky."

What was her weakness? Did she envy the Desmond's wealth? The children she never had? Political prestige? During the war, Paul Poynton had been Desmond's secretary, but had left after a year for unspecified reasons and returned to run an antique shop.

"Do you, Dr Forger, have children?"

He had captured her attention, albeit by circumstance. He started talking about Anya, her little big successes, the problems at school and how she was overcoming them thanks to good friends. The speech about Anya briefly caught Melinda's attention, who listened in polite silence, before engaging a conversation with Mrs Egeburg, a real river full of gossip of the beau monde.

Someone coughed before Loid could ask more questions to Mrs Poynton. No, not someone, but Donovan Desmond himself.

"I am happy to have around many friends and acquaintances, who I hope will soon become friends, on the occasion of such a party. But certainly my life would not be a real party if I didn't have my dear wife, Melinda, by my side every day."

All conversations were interrupted. Despite his passionate and loving words, his expression remained neutral - a bad acting. Melinda Desmond let out a strained laugh: "Come on, Donovan, let us leave certain fiery declarations of love to young couples."

"Oh, but you know it's true. Which is why I decided to give you this humble gift." He got up to meet his wife, who had a grin on her face while she kept saying, "No need, no need..."

He handed her a shiny red leather box. Yor leaned over to observe better, out of curiosity, Loid with some apprehension. The frost and tension between the two spouses had intensified with each step of Desmond.

Melinda opened the box and her eyes widened in awe.

"Show it to the guests, my darling."

Melinda turned the box towards the others, greeted by many "oh" of wonder and a polite applause. Resting on the velvet, there was a superb necklace made up with circular-cut diamonds, placed like a flower whose petals were of brilliant, in a double strand of pearls.

"I have been in contact with a representative of the Real Casa of Etalia, fallen for the reasons we know, for about a year and a half with the intention of buying valuables disassembled from the Crown Jewels. Several experts evaluated the stones and only after I had the certainty of authenticity I bought them, making it mount in a way pleasing to me but thinking of you, Melinda dear. Ladies and gentlemen, the diamonds and pearls you see come from il Grande Diadema of the first queen of Etalia, commissioned by her husband, the king. In particular, the central diamonds were extracted from the (at the time) mines of the Ostanian colonies."

Wilhelm Wellmann, the estate's administrator, exclaimed, "The president has not made a jewel, but a piece of history."

A slimy, high-pitched phrase, but it's not that wrong.

"I thought it was fitting," Desmond continued in that strange theatrical tone, "because it is said that the Queen wore il Grande Diadema for the first time on New Year's Eve."

"You should wear it, Melinda," said her cousin.

"Absolutely," Mrs Egeburg pressed her.

Melinda's smile folded into a grimace: "If you insist," she said. And she wore it clumsily, refusing the hand of the husband who wanted to tie it.

"You look really good, Melinda," said Yor politely, "enlightens you."

It was really generous to say, because obviously the jewel was magnificent, but it also seemed to shine with its own light, without giving it to others or adding something to the neck of the wearer. An egocentric jewel, Loid thought.
This is no time to be a poet, Twilight!

"Thank you, my dear Yor," Melinda said as Donovan Desmond returned to his place, his face as indecipherable as ever, "though it is quite heavy. And I think that such a flashy jewel is more appropriate for a young beauty like you, while it would risk making an old woman like me look ridiculous."

What a strange reaction. Twilight frowned: any woman would have been delighted to receive such a beautiful and precious piece. Even Yor, who had never seemed too interested in jewelry, could not look away. And she was not the only one. Melinda instead appeared annoyed: by the object, by the way her husband had put her in the center of attention, or the words he had used. Everyone was aware of the distance between the two spouses - there had also been rumors of flirting, immediately rejected. But Twilight clearly saw the abyss that divided them.

"But Melinda, you're not old," Patricia chuckled, "if you are old, what am I?"

Melinda grinned. After that little moment, everyone went back to talk to the person sitting next to them. Twilight returned to chat with Mrs Poynton and Yor to focus on her plate. She had been very unlucky, thought Loid, alongside Mr Elman, who never looked at her, let alone talk to her, and Mr Egeburg, who spoke ill of the work of public clerks and Anya's behaviour at school. Yor defended herself well, for what Twilight had managed to eavesdrop, but she was not comfortable at all. Perhaps he should have talked to the butler so the next day she would end up next to a more interesting companion.
They would hardly have been put near each other, but maybe it could be more interesting for Yor to be next to Dieter Drehbuch, the screenwriter-

It would have been perfect to have her sit next to Donovan Desmond, but probably the actress Adelaide Lisi would have refused to trade. She was engaged in a melodramatic soliloquy with Twilight's target, talking about Etalia, his excellent taste in gifts, her views on the republic and the monarchy. The president answered nothing, not even when Adelaide teased him by reminiscing her happy childhood in Etalia, which she left only moved by love.

"Your wife is really lovely," said Melinda's cousin, "it's really sweet as you continually look at each other. Have you been married long?"

"No, about a year and a half."

"They told me that you are also a widower: I envy people who can start over. They are lucky. After my husband died, I couldn't find comfort in anything. And- ", she tried to smother a sob, "-Melinda was so dear to me, she helped me see the beauty of life again."

"Then you're lucky too," Loid politely replied, shaking her hand as the woman began to cry.

"Thank you so much and I hope - I hope to know your wife better too! You truly are wonderful people, not like so many sharks swimming around the name Desmond!"
She ended the sentence with anger. Interesting metaphor, and now he was certain he had made an impression.

"Pat, don't cry," intervened Melinda who, in the meantime, had abandoned Mrs Egeburg and listened to them, "do you know that Mrs Forger is really very athletic? We could play tennis or volleyball tomorrow, how about it, Pat?"

"Oh Melinda, but I'm so out of shape. At most I can keep the points," she replied, drying her eyes.

Yor, feeling herself named, looked at them questioning. Loid smiled at her, to tell her that everything was fine. She made a small, imperceptible puff, a somewhat daring and unusual way of telling him she was bored or so he interpreted it - a confident gesture and accomplice. He could not hold back a genuine smile.
He returned to focus on the cousin: "I was very lucky to find Yor, I admit."

Given the imminence of the interview with Eden College, it's not a lie.

"And how did you meet Melinda? At the school?"

"In fact-"

"Do you know, Pat, that it is their daughter who gave that punch to Damian? Yes, the very first day! Believe it, because it really happened!"

"And so, Forger, you are admitted to our club," Mr Egeburg said simpathetically after the dinner, while the ladies had retired to the drawing room.

"A circle of fine imported rum, cigars and long discussions," said Drehbuch.

"It's not clear to me," said Loid smoothly, "as you, Mr Drehbuch, know President Desmond," eyes narrowed, "If I'm not too prying."

Actually, there wasn't a real club. Especially since, before they brought dessert, Donovan Desmond precluded every chance of making contact announcing that he would consume it in his study and retired, with obvious annoyance to his wife. Wellmann followed shortly after because he had to talk business.

"On the contrary, old chap," said Drehbuch, "I didn't know the president. My wife and I met Mr. Wellmann when we were in Munk. We think that this house would be a perfect location, but I'm afraid they'll never let me use it."

"I find the world of cinema really interesting. As a psychiatrist, I'm interested in breaking the mask that everyone wears, the one we build to remove something that makes us suffer and that we want to forget, to see the man behind. In my opinion, a good film is capable of doing the same: showing us who we really are."

"How much nonsense: to show me who I really am? That is demonstrated by the facts, the pure data, or the mirror," said Mr Elman.

"He's actually right. Here, too, we have all come with a part to play, with a clearly defined role and to remain faithful to it until our paths divide, and then resume it when they cross again. I am the screenwriter, he is the psychiatrist, the President, of course, honors as always his role, Mr Egeburg and Elman as entrepreneurs and so on."

"And don't forget the ladies," said Mr Elman, grinning, cheeks reddened by the heat of the fireplace and the alcohol.

"Right observation", he put a hand under his chin, thoughtful, "I could really make a film with these premises. One of the ones that scares you because seems real."

They stayed together not long, pretending to be curious about each other's activities (although, in fact, Loid was interested) but actually waiting for Donovan Desmond to return. They parted when Mr Wellmann returned announcing that the President had gone to sleep.

Loid exited and met Yor outsie, she looked indecisive about entering.

"Yor! Aren't you in the drawing room with the other ladies?"

"Yes, I was there, then the nanny came to say that the children wanted to go to bed and so I went to give Anya the things that could be useful. I was looking for you in case you wanted to say good night."

"Thank you for your thoughts. I'll be right up."

"You're welcome."

"Nice change the nanny, huh?"

"Yeah, even if... I think I would miss terribly Anya- " Yor laughed, "oh sorry. This way it looks like I want to steal your daughter... I mean-!"
She took her hands to her mouth, aware that she had let slip a dangerous comment.

"What are you talking about?", he chuckled and coughed: if someone is hearing..., "Yor, you know that I'm happy with how much you care for each other!"

"Yes! Sorry and forget what I said!", she spoke softly, "I really adore... our daughter. However I think she enjoyed the evening, even if..." she lowered her voice and smiled politely to Mr Elman and Mr Egeburg passing, "... I fear that the other kids are too... direct with her."

"I see. Luckily, Becky's here."

"Really! Anyway, I think I'll retire too. You - you come whenever you want!"

"Oh, all right. Then I'll go to Anya's and then I'll join you."

Loid found the room empty, with only water flowing into the bathroom, a sign that Yor had already begun her nightly routine. He decided to bring a pillow to the dressing room on a sofa and found a spare blanket in a closet. The sofa was too small for him, but he didn't have to sleep. He had to come up with a strategy to talk to Desmond

"Loid! What are you doing?"

"Oh Yor, sorry. I was getting settled for the night."

"Don't be silly, I already told you to come to bed", she said blushing, "Do you see that you don't even fit in this sofa?"

"It's not a problem, I never get much sleep."

"Please Loid, we agreed that I could (and I want) take care of you. Come on."

He followed her in the bedroom. She was red as her favourite sweater and fighting herself only for make him sleep comfortably.

"Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"Sure!" she smiled politely.

They settled in, sat at their respective ends of the bed.

"There's such a pleasant warmth, I could really think of stealing Melinda's fireplace!" Yor said trying to look normal and he hummed in response. Loid realized that her mind wasn't altered by alcol and she was doing this only for him, despite the awkwardness caused by their arrangement. Then a thought, another realization, hit him.

"Or we could simply install one at home."

"We could?"

"But fake."

"Oh."

He would have been the first man next to she would have slept. Many of the women he had been with on missions had told him how special and intimate the simple act of sleeping together was. How happy they were to share this with him. Except he didn't really sleep and couldn't see intimacy the same way. But he couldn't tell Yor like that, nor did he want to steal something special from her-

The embers were turning off, radiating orange light into the room, creating a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere. It made him want to fall asleep.

"Loid, I'd like to ask you... with much respect to your late wife... do you think you and I seem like a good couple? For those who see us, like the guests here..."

"I think so. I received many compliments."

"Oh. Me too. I'm glad... for our arrangement."

"Why do you ask?"

"Oh nothing, I was thinking about Mr Desmond's gift to Melinda and her reaction."

He was struck by his interest in what Yor had caught, whatever it was. Even the smallest remark about the Desmonds could have contained a useful detail.

"They are a wealthy couple and have been married for many years, it is normal that love and affection have changed. Who knows, they may have gotten a lot of gifts like that. Talk to Mrs. Poynton, you'll get a different idea."

"I just thought the wedding was - No, I -", a break, "forgive me Loid, do you mind if I think about it on my own? Good night."

"G-good night, Yor. And thank you for half the bed."

About ten minutes later, her breathing had become regular and her body had relaxed. Loid lay straight and still, as he had learned to sleep over the years. After a while he got up, slowly and always stretching an ear.

Why did you marry me, Yor? Why can't you be here enjoying the warmth of the fire, the party and friends with a real husband? A man holding you instead of lying to you-
He thought while dozing on the sofa. He didn't want to steal anything special from her, he didn't think it was necessary for the mission.

Author's notes:

What? Trees blooming? Hot? Sun? Birds chirping out the window?

Officially, it's still winter, so I decided to post this story, set - as you can see from the title, on New Year's Eve.

It can be found, with the other chapters, minus the last, also on Ao3. He would like to be a mystery inspired by those of Agatha Christie and I hope to be up to the task. I apologize for any mistakes in grammar, English is not my first language and, despite constantly reviewing, something escapes.

I hope you like it!