Anna doesn’t stop for a breath or a comment. This is the conspiracy that consumes her. She goes on, “And who are they to say? Why they are the Chosen Few. They believe that they will be given the keys to heaven and the power to rule in perpetuity.
These fanatics left behind by the Revolution in Knowledge and Technology cling to a mythical mission wherein they will bring on the proverbial Second Coming. Everyone heard the little cowboy’s threat ‘to bring it on.’ This was the call for Armageddon.”
Mycroft looks over at Dodd. Sherlock follows suit. Dodd shakes his head and says, “Gentlemen, I am happy to say that Doc B has not left the room.”
The rooks enjoy an inside joke. Anna is too absorbed by the presence of the train’s steward who cuts an elegant pose in his chic French designer’s uniform.
“Welcome back, Mr. Holmes and Mr. Holmes. Welcome too your companions. Is this your first time on Eurostar?” the porter asks.
Anna answers with glee in her voice, “This is my first Chunnel crossing. It’s a grand step up from the Hover craft.”
The porter smiles broadly, “Ah an American aboard. Welcome Yank. I am sure that you will find this crossing a tad more comfortable. No tide will rock this train. We travel at a speed of 186 mph. We will be in Paris in about two hours and forty minutes.
The actually channel crossing is thirty-one miles long, twenty-three of which are underwater. About seven hundred and seventy passengers cross with every train.
I have today’s diner menu. We have Roast of Fillet Beef in a brandy sauce; prawns provincial; Duo of Duck which consists of a confit of leg and a port glazed breast with sweet and sour peppers; also ‘Bonne Femme’ pan friend lemon scallops in white wine sauce; and last but not least is the spinach and ricotta cannelloni with roasted vegetable jus. I’ll leave you to decide.”
Anna looks across at Sherlock and Mycroft, “He knows you? Are you guys living legends or something?”
Mycroft’s face takes on a bit more pink. In his embarrassment he explains, “Hardly, we often take this train. I like to tag along with Sherlock about once a month. But Sherlock here manages to find an excuse every two weeks. ”
Anna turns to Dodd, “What about you, Dodd, do you make the crossing often?”
Dodd shakes his head yes, “I travel at least once a month. It is so easy now. And we can get so much more with the Euro. That’s why I’m over here today looking at flats. Rents in London are off the chart. The favorable exchange rate makes it ideal to rent in Paris. The EU is really working in our favor. I think that you will find most of the riders today are on a shopping holiday.
Sherlock, here, was well ahead of us. He took a flat early on when you didn‘t have to promise your first born as security.”
Anna ever so curious asks, “Sherlock, where are your rooms?”
Sherlock is happy to say, “They are quite small and very modest. They are located in the fifth, in the Marais. As I come over often on hotel business it made sense. We can go by, if time allows.”
Anna is delighted, “Yes, indeed.”
Mycroft thinks it is about time he knew more about this new old soul.
“Where did you spend your youth, Anna?”
Anna answers nonchalantly, “In New Jersey, I grew up in the North Ward in Newark.”
Dodd somewhat surprise replies, “Indeed, I recognize an accent every now and then. But I thought that you were a New Yorker.”
It is Anna’s turn to be embarrassed now. “No, sorry I’m afraid that I grew up on the wrong side of the Hudson.”
Dodd adds, “Not at all. Do you know that the only love interest of the fabled Sherlock Holmes was an Irene Adler who hailed from Jersey?”
From over his gold-rimmed glasses with specs of mother of pearl, Sherlock raises one eyebrow and glares at Dodd. He ends the talk abruptly, “Shall we take a tour of the train, Anna? We’ll meet up with you two jesters in Le Salon say in ten?”
When the two leave the compartment, Mycroft turns to Dodd and asks, “You don’t think Anna has a thing for Sherlock do you?”
Dodd laughs, “You never know mate, you never know!”
Mycroft continues, “Sherlock’s rumor is that you would like to be more than just friends.”
Dodd gets up to make his way to the dining car, “You never know mate, you never know!”
Sherlock and Anna are enjoying a tumbler of sparkling mineral water with a twist of lime when Mycroft and Dodd join them. Sherlock informs his mates that he has ordered Neptune’s delight all around as this will allow them to indulge their epicurean appetites in Paris.”
Dodd and Mycroft mutter a soft “Aye Aye”
Neptune’s Delight, a steaming fish stew, is served in individual ceramic crocks along with warm baguette and butter. Anna examines her sea soup carefully,
“Wow what’s all this? I hope there’s no eel in here!”
Sherlock sets her mind at ease, “It’s just lobster. Eat heartily.”
Mycroft takes the talk into an unexpected direction, “Where do we go next with Lady Banks?”
Anna chokes a bit. She fumbles for her napkin. Dodd seeing that she struggles rephrases the question, “Do you have any new thoughts on the subject?”
Anna decides to speak from her heart, “Not really. The story is raw. Last night I tried to write out key questions that need to be addressed.”
Mycroft interjects, “And did you bring them along?”
Anna bows her head slightly, “Well I’m afraid I couldn’t get beyond the first question.”
Sherlock takes in a deep breath and asks the obvious, “And that was?”
She talks candidly, “Is the story of Lady Banks significant?”
The three gents just stare quietly, letting her peel away at the layers of Lady Banks’ onion.
She does. “Given the weightiness of all the problems that face the world today famines, earthquakes, floods, genocide and terrorism, Lady Banks’ meditations are small potatoes as my grandmother would say. I can’t see that there is any point in telling the story of an emotionally flawed, no sense of self, easily manipulated peon of a woman.”
Sherlock reaches his hand over to Anna’s side of the table. He just rests it there. He waits quietly looking directly at her until she is forced to look into his eyes. When her mahogany eyes meet his sea gaze, he asks, “Is that how you see her?”
Anna’s eyes remain fixed on his, “Pretty much.”
Sherlock turns her hand palm up, “For me, Lady Banks is as precious as a bee’s wing. If she is flawed, it is that she is a love child. But let me ask you this, do you know enough about her to portray her in such a low light?”
Anna can’t stand the strain of the spotlight and redirects, “What about you Mycroft, how do you see her?”
Mycroft steps up to the plate and answers forthrightly, “Her story is one of subtleties and ironies, an intriguing puzzle. Personally, I think that the pieces of this puzzle can be arranged in a variety of ways. One formation is no doubt similar to the portrait you proposed Anna. Another format encompasses Sherlock’s vision. No doubt we will see other visions. ”
Dodd follows quickly on Mycroft’s sentiment, “I expect that she may reflect some of your own realities.”
Anna is stunned, “How’s that?”
Dodd explains, “Simply put, she reveals that which is hidden, that which you never knew about yourself.”
Anna frowns. Her brows furrow. Her eyes squint. She never expected this response. She summons her wits about her, “I am not on that page.”
Dodd winks and says, “Not yet!”
Feeling overexposed, Anna raises her eyebrows to suggest strong objection and doubt. Out of deference to the man, she allows Dodd a bit of mystery. She attempts to reboot the conversation, “How many women are trapped as Lady Banks?”
Mycroft delighted to be back on course answers in the next moment, “Well, shall we start with your country? You have your FBI, CIA, NSA, and DEA. Add to that the military side, the Department of De
fense Intelligence, Army, Navy and Marine Intelligence Organizations.”
Sherlock adds, “Likewise you have the Atlantic Command, Central Command, Pacific Command, and European Command.”
Mycroft chimes in, “Not to mention the very large Department of State’s Intelligence Agency, as well as the intelligence bureaus in the departments of Treasury, Commerce and Transportation. One estimate recently made noted that there are over 100,000 agents across sixteen agencies with a cumulative budget of forty-four billion dollars.”
Anna is floored, “All those agencies recruit women to serve as Lady Banks?”
Mycroft answers, “Generally, only the most sensitive slots require a Lady Banks today. Intelligence sources in socially conservative communities, orthodox and fundamentalist areas still recruit. But, even so, we are talking thousands.”
Anna goes on, “Is there a central Lady Banks agency that is responsible for recruitment, training and management?”
Sherlock smiles, “In a word no, remember when the trade towers fell, all the finger pointing that went on. Who slipped up? Who was asleep at the wheel? And of course what fool was at the helm?
It took several years of digging to discover that there are few meaningful ties, links or bridges in intelligence. For the most part, intelligence today consists of bloated, self- serving, isolated units. They don’t share the same language or culture for that matter.
I must add however that psych ops remains the number one tool in recruiting and managing Lady Banks in almost all spy units. And with that being the case, Lady Banks can be traded across agencies.”
Anna asks, “So who is ultimately responsible for Lady Banks?”
Mycroft replies, “Lord Banks ultimately manages Lady Banks or mismanages as the case may be.” He awaits her input.
Anna mutters softly “ummm…” Then she moves on. “Within the marriage, is the relationship pretty standard fare?”
Mycroft answers, “Not really. Spying is by definition destabilizing. There is a high turn over rate in ‘spyville’ that includes Lady Banks.”
Anna interjects, “I thought that once a Lady Banks always a Lady Banks.”
Sherlock tries to fill in here, “That remains true. The relevant agency having invested time and money in procuring a Lady Banks is not likely to let her drift back into the mainstream. She will be handed off again.”
At this juncture, Mycroft suggests that they return to the passenger car, “We’ll be heading underground shortly.”
The overhead lanterns and aisle lights come on in preparation for entry into the actual tunnel. Anna reclines her chair a bit and exclaims, “This is exciting. It’s something like Moffet tunnel, right Sid?”
Sherlock nods acknowledging the reference to their transcontinental train excursion. Comfortable in her little niche and in the company of mature souls, Anna decides to take full advantage of the attention on Lady Banks, “Back to Lady Banks, may I vent some pent up questions?”
Mycroft dims the overhead light thereby creating a more intimate atmosphere, conducive to candid conversation. Taking up his seat, he answers,
“Anna, there are no rules of engagement here. Move in your own direction at your own pace. We will endeavor to keep up.”
Dodd follows, “Shoot, what’s on your mind?”
Slightly more at ease Anna allows her secret thoughts a voice.
“Well it’s that last thing you said about handing her off again. It took me by surprise. Why I’m not sure. How the hell does that work? Is Lady Banks like the pony that accompanies the racehorse to the starting gate? Is Lady Banks Lord Banks’ security blanket? If a Lord Banks defects does he take Lady Banks with him? And is Lady Banks ever recruited away from her Lord Banks? I mean does she ever defect to an enemy camp?
How does Lord Banks keep Lady Banks off the scent of the spy game? What happens if she discovers that her Lord Banks is a spy? And then does she realize that she is a Lady Banks? Does she ever turn the tables and become the master operator? What happens if Lord Banks’ cover is blown?
And here is what I really want to know. You’ve said all along that the primary reason for Lady Banks is to provide Lord Banks with a legend. What does Lord Banks provide Lady Banks? Are psych ops a part of her every day? What if Lord Banks is a terrorist? What happens if Lord Banks dies?”
Mycroft raises his hand, “Whoa! Even this bullet train can’t keep up with you. I say! You’ve gone from stalled to tallyho to straight out. I see that you’ve been thinking long and hard on this. Your questions are vital. They are central chapters in her story. You raise so many issues, where shall we begin?”
Sherlock realizes that it is imperative that they go to Harry for the answers. He tips his imaginary hat to Dodd. Dodd is encouraged to find that Anna is indeed steeped in the affair of Lady Banks. He understands too that only Harry has the answers.
In the meantime Sherlock tries to appease her curiosity for the moment. “Let’s start with the ground work already laid.”
Dodd and Mycroft nod and in unison echo, “Aye.”
But Anna’s river of questions flows on. She turns to Sherlock, “I’m hoping that you will expand on psych ops. How do they play out in the marriage?”
Sherlock’s eyes take on an algae blue hue in the recessed lighting. He fixes upon her now raw umber eyes. He speaks softly and slowly hoping to calm her racing mind, a well-established psych op in itself. He initiates his response by getting Anna to agree with him thereby bolstering her confidence in him, but another psych op.
He begins “You grasp that this is not a hit or miss alliance? Nothing is left to chance here. The agency is astute in making the match. Lady Banks, and for that matter Lord Banks, are formatted. These are not generally speaking short-lived relationships. However, they can be. Lord Banks manages Lady Banks on a day-to-day basis. But ultimately she is the property of the agency.”
Anna notes under her breath, “This gives a new perspective to the meaning of ‘company wife’.”
Sherlock goes on, “As to Lord Banks being a terrorist, anything is possible. However, Lady Banks is paired most often with information hatchet men, career men in well-founded institutions. Given the investment, most agencies are not likely to put her in harms way.”
The train emerges into the light again. All four pairs of eyes squint in the bright daylight. They try in vain to focus on the landscape as it escapes into the past. Anna refuses to let up on Lady Banks. She senses that if she let’s her go now that she will loose her forever. Her time with Sherlock and Mycroft is almost over. There are only these few hours in Paris. Then it is home to the isolation of her country retreat. She must make the most of their generous offer to see Lady Banks for what she is. So she presses on,
“You know what I don’t get, why does Lady Banks get involved?”
Mycroft takes the lead, “It’s not her doing. She is manipulated into the association. As to your poignant question what does Lord Banks give to Lady Banks, he gives her an identity, an alter ego. In most cases, he provides her with social standing. He is the man of her fantasy.
We all see in others what we want to see. Remember Lady Banks is primed for this groom. And Lord Banks is expert at illusion.”
Sherlock now rejoins the conversation. He continues, “Lord Banks, if he is a good agent, a master spy, knows that it is in his interest to keep Lady Banks.”
Anna asks, “As in a kept woman?”
Mycroft snickers a bit, “Yes that too. But I think what Sherlock means to imply is that Lord Banks wants to keep Lady Banks loyal to him. Lord Banks is not going to advance within the ranks if he keeps losing his Lady Banks. It is not in his interest to be continually breaking in a new Lady Banks. It is far too costly. And blimey, it’s not good for his cover. It seriously compromises his main agenda, spying. So if he is good at what he does, Lord Banks will try to make Lady Banks’ life happy.”
Anna looks very skeptical, “Is that true?”
Mycroft shakes his head yes. Anna’s gaze dri
fts over to Sherlock. He raises his right eyebrow at her. His lower lip pouts a bit. He is already familiar with Anna’s reluctance to see any good in Lord Banks. He says nothing.
Mycroft tries to expand on the idea, “A good spy is a good Lord Banks. But I am not going to tell you that every Lord Banks is good.”
Anna recognizes that she is being obdurate. She tries to move forward, “How does this thing really play out with Lord Banks and Lady Banks? Can I assume that for the most part they live their lives as most other couples?”
Sherlock folds his hands together and raps the table. “On the surface,” he says. “But beneath the surface there are a myriad of factors playing out.”
Mycroft cuts in, “All relationships require degrees of subordination of personal dictates for the common good of the union. You know this better than we do. The common good in a spook marriage is Lord Banks’ work. For Lord Banks, his work is his life.”
Silence ensues. Anna stresses. Her own failed marriages come to mind. She needs the silent void to be breached. Sherlock understands this,
“The hallmark of any and every Lady Banks and Lord Banks relationship must be ‘typical.’”
Anna has another thought, “And what about children? Are they ‘typical…?”
Both Sherlock and Mycroft take a moment to mull over Anna’s scramble. Sherlock rests his elbows on the table. He wrings his hands. Mycroft pushes back from the table. He kisses his teeth. He ponders. He answers tentatively,
“Did we say already that with regards to social interactions, every effort is made to limit outside influences for obvious reasons?”
He doesn’t wait for an answer. “So for the most part, the couple is, just that, a couple. It is almost always a childless relationship for obvious reason.”
Anna is surprised by this, “Why is that?”
Mycroft attempts an explanation, “Limiting influences! It all comes back to the cover. Maintaining the cover is crucial. The more players the more difficult it is to insure the cover.”
The Christmas Pudding Lie Page 17
