Part 36 (1/2)
”Why don't you explain for a change?”
”Oh, it's very simple, Danielsi” scoffed McAdam.
”I suspect you are a New York lawyer. You look like one. And I think you very well may have a client going by the name of Leslie McAdam.-And I think,” he concluded, 'that a return journey to London would be of enormous interest to you.” He almost smiled.
”Do you sense my meaning? I'm going to send you to someone.”
”Who?”
”A man named Whiteside. Peter Whiteside” Thomas frowned, trying to recall.
”Yes,” McAdam answered to the unspoken question,
”I'm sure your Leslie mentioned him. Her Majesty's Secret Service.
Peter Whiteside placed Leslie with my late wife and me.”
”Of course” said Thomas, remembering.
McAdam reached to a pad of paper on his desk. He scribbled a name and address on the paper and slid it across the desk.
The dogs lifted their heads quickly as Thomas rose. McAdam spoke to the animals soothingly. Thomas was allowed to step gingerly past them and retrieve the paper. He glanced at it quickly, saw a London address he didn't recognize, folded it, and placed it in his pocket.
”Does he ?”
McAdam's hand rose, the flat of his thick palm extended rudely toward Thomas.
”Absolutely not!” he snapped, shaking his head.
”I can't tell you another thing!”
There was silence. McAdam got to his feet, struggling slightly on the bad leg.
”Your questions will be answered in London as best they can be. Now, sir . He motioned to the door with his head.
Thomas remained seated, contemplating the man before him.
”One final question” he said quickly.
”It has nothing to do with Leslie.”
McAdam eyed the younger man in silence.
Thomas spoke.
”Was it worth it? I'm just curious.”
”Was what worth it?” McAdam asked defensively, ”Your career,” said Thomas.
”Here you are, a man in his final years. You hobble around from a twenty-year-old wound, you live alone with no one close to you, and you're so d.a.m.ned scared that someone's going to come and get you that you surround yourself with a brick wall and attack dogs. This is where all the
”For Queen and Country' stuff has gotten you. I was just wondering.