158 | John W. Warner IV August 10 7:12 a.m. McMaster vigorously inarched down the dim muggy hallway at the military police jail, fist-held swagger under arm, polished shoes echoing off the shiny blue and white tiles. He stopped at a dingy cell. Bernie was on the floor snoring and Bea and Alice were sleeping on the single cot. Stained and ripped clothes were in a shamble for all three, and Bea and Alice had one shoe apiece. Wake them up, sergeant. Sah! The sergeant pitched a hefty bucket of brown Nile on them. When theyre lucid, escort them over to me under armed guard. In his office at MI-6 headquarters near the Middle East Command, a furious McMaster stood when his three damp prisoners entered the spacious room number thirty-nine escorted by two MPs. Sit down, the lot of you, he commanded. Bernie said: My fault. Its true I threw the first punch, but he was McMaster chested up to him. Unbelievable. Or is it? You of all people, Rodgers. Christ almighty, and a man of your age, too. Always occasioning a damn breech of the law. Tie was fumbled with. T… Bea came alive with a slump and a moan, her black silk Dior a wreck. We gave them what they all deserved and wanted, entertainment. Shut up. The brigadier paced, pointed a finger. Youll pay for the mirror all right, out of your own pocket m lady. Government ministers including Mr. Pasha, diplomats, two princes, an incognito king and queen from somewhere and their entire entourage have given us a formal protest… in writing. For Gods sake, twenty-one people are in hospital. Itll be in the papers any minute now. And you, Drummond, you were supposed to keep an eye on her. Well, you work full time for me now once again, the Navys handed you over this very morning, official. You begged a field assignment? Well youve got one, young lady, your wireless and radar skills will come in handy if indeed there are any. I need to get rid of you three fastthis is damn near an international incident! The mission briefings been moved up to tomorrow, so sober up. Im waiting for a boffin to arrive from Bombay. Alice said: Sorry, Brigadier. Bit of a cock-up all round. You see, two pearly