Rémi Nable was in the train for Ottawa as his boss had summoned him for a discussion on his last report. It was clear in Rémi's mind that his not finding out in time the departure of Leterrible out of country was the main reason for his recall. The stress was intolerable, so were the seats, the arguing kids with their idiot parents, the key jingling train stewards and the whole set of uneven tracks shaking his bladder about.
-Must take that medical check up- He thought.
After leaving that hellish metal monster he made for the RCMP building. As he came to the top stairs he came to a pager looking for him who ushered him to the waiting room adjacent to his boss's new office.
"Arrgh! Not another wait!"
This unsufferable little monster still managed to find "irritation buttons" on him... again and again. Nable hated his boss with a passion but he was also scared stiff of him, being posted in Québec was bad enough but he could as well be sent to the Yukon Territories? Arrrgh! He still couldn't understand how a naval officer such as **Brian P. could bribe his way into office at the country's top secret service. Hell, the man sank his own sailboat on its maiden voyage... two hours in! As of this day the “Laddy By The Door” is still at the bottom of the Rideau canal. Brian P. also had the reputation of terrorizing secretaries to tears for whatever reason imaginable. Even for forgetting to order stationary!
Already he was hearing him yelling on the phone through the door, dreading his turn...
“Nable, come in here you idiot” The voice yelled.
“What kind of a stupid cover name is that anyway? Couldn’t you use your own name? It’s just as stupid anyway.
“I...”
“Shut up while I’m talking! Who asked you to speak anyway?”
“Y...”
“Are you deaf? I told you not to interrupt me, what’s so difficult to understand in that?
S-H-U-T U-P, Shut up! Did you hear me now?...”
“... -Silence-“
“So, now we’re playing dumb? Well you can’t. You’re too much of an incompetent idiot fer that.”
On that, Brian P. Choked himself laughing and started on a cough, to the delight of Nable who dared not even grin.
Then the phone rang, it was one of those handless newfangled affairs only a big outfit like the RCMP could afford.
Brian P. Pressed the button to answer.
“Brian P. Here!”
“Where?” Answered the caller.
“Here, in my office?”
“... You installed a toilet in your office?”
“ ?!?... Who’s this?”
“Brian DeLampool, your therapist.”
“Whaaa... Didn’t I tell you never to call here?”
“Didn’t I tell you to pay the laddy by the door? You left from your last visit without paying so I’m calling to cancel your next appointment... Wait! You installed a toilet in your office? I can’t help you anymore. You need a peeshrink.” He said in roaring laughter. Beeeeeeep! Went the line...
Brian P. Cut the phone off but Nable heard the whole thing with his jaw dropping lower at each rebuttal. At the end of the call he HAD to raise his portfolio to hide his face as to hide his pleasure. But his hopping shoulders gave him away.
Brian P. Roared in rage, insulted. Nable would not escape his wrath... again!
“You idiot! What are you laughing about? You heard nothing, not a thing!” He was seething, until he got an idea. He would get rid of him in a dangerous mission. Yes, a dangerous mission he smiled.
Nable saw the smile forming, it transformed his laugh into interrogation then to terror. –S***, oh nooo!...- He thought.
Brian P. Cleared his throat, smiled alllll his teeth and said.
“You are to find back Leterrible. You leave on the next plane for South America or wherever he is, and find our British contact... err!” Pausing as he shuffled pages to find the name. “Ah! Here it is!... Col. Coll”
“Who?”
“Shut up and don’t play dumb with me! It’s Colonel **G.Coll you idiot! He goes by the name of Biggles...
** Nota. This name is protected by secrecy and cannot be divulged under sanction of banishment.
*** Never mind this one, you understood.