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SHORT FAT STUBBY FINGER STORIES PRESENTS:

Episode 3: 

Twenty five years after the turn of the twenty first century, the curator of a small specialist museum located close to London, reflected on the story that his father had told him years ago.   In his dreams the curator also traveled across a desert in search of his destiny; in his waking hours, Professor Augusta Robinson knew that he was the reincarnation of Nardoon Kashmi … and he knew that the time of his destiny was now at hand.   He knew this for a fact, because he had spoken with Rangor … and Rangor had assured him this was so.

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As Professor Robinson’s mind addressed the changes in his life that were due to occur in the near future, high above the never ending stream of traffic and pedestrians that was greater London, in the penthouse office of Johnson’s Import and Export’s Chief Executive Officer Johan P Biggs, Mary Cunningham entered the room.

“Ah, Mary, right on time I see.”

“Good morning, Mister Biggs.   I must say, it was a surprise to hear from you again.   I had no idea that this is where you worked.   It really is a lovely office up here – a truly beautiful view.”  As she gazed around the glass encased room that gave a perfect panoramic view of London from far above the busy streets below, Mary spoke with the familiarity of one that was not easily intimidated by wealth or power.   But having met with the Chief Executive Officer whilst married and living in Paris with her then husband, David, a junior diplomat in the British service, had prepared her for dealing with the man who had quietly summoned her to his office without the knowledge of any other member of the staff that she shared her third floor level with.   “It is good to see you again.”

“It is good seeing you again, Mary.   Everything settled down now, I hope,”   Biggs’ smile matched the gentleness of his voice, but Mary immediately decided that he probably knew more about her than she preferred anybody to know … especially about David and their impending divorce.   She wondered if he also knew the story behind the break-up,   “David will remain in the service for the time being,” Biggs went on as if reading into her mind, “but he is on warning – and any future problems of a similar nature will immediately see him removed from front line service and ending up in a backroom in some remote and hostile outpost, or out into the streets on his own.   However, as far as you are concerned, any future indiscretions that he gets himself into will not reflect on you.   I can promise you that.   The deal you struck with him was a truly well thought out plan and that, along with the information that you kept away from him, will guarantee that your name will not surface under any circumstances whatsoever.”

“That’s nice to know, but it was mainly Harry Johnson’s legal advice that made everything so easy.   He was a good friend to me, as was his wife Kathy.”

“Yes, they were.”

“Was it you that got me the job here?”

“Harry asked me if I could help a friend caught up in an awkward situation.   When he told me who was involved I agreed immediately.   As you know I had to deal with David on occasions in order to get diplomatic assistance for certain aspects of my company’s business dealings in France, and in doing so I become aware of David’s indiscretions.   Of course there was nothing I could have done with my knowledge of his affairs, nor would I have taken advantage of it.   It is not my style, and it would have caused more problems for the innocent parties than it would have for a young diplomat who would, most likely, simply have had his hand slapped and told to shape up.   But it would have caused immeasurable suffering and embarrassment to the spouses of those involved, and certainly for you, had I raised the matter with his superiors.  To make matters worse, I had spent some pleasant time with you on several social occasions at the embassy and found you to be an intelligent and charming young woman who appeared to deserve somebody a lot classier than your husband.   But, as I have just said, there was not much I could do but let things take their own course, which they did.   When I was then given the chance to actually do something for you it came as a relief and I began making arrangements for your return to London immediately.  It wasn’t all charity and compassion, however.   What I learnt about you as a person, and your skills, I realised I was going to receive a highly prized asset in return for my investment.  So I consider my actions to be of a mutual advantage.”

“Thank you.   Your kindness is very much appreciated.”

“You are more than welcome, Mary.”

“I did not realise that this was your company,”   Mary noted as a past memory stirred up in her mind, “for some reason I thought your company had another name.”

Biggs smiled at her before softly replying.   “I have several companies.   This just happened to be the most convenient one to house you.   All my businesses require specialists suitable for the particular operational requirements of that business.   Your resume indicated that you were highly qualified to be more than useful in the sometimes complicated world of importing and exporting which on certain occasions can require someone extremely strong on tact and diplomacy.   That is your forte as far as I am concerned.

“I do have other qualifications.”   Mary smiled back.

“Yes, I have become aware of some of them.”   Biggs replied, the smile not yet showing any interest in leaving his face, “but detective work is not one of them I assume … or is it?”

Having no idea what Biggs was alluding to, Mary had no idea what she was supposed to say … so she said nothing, wincing as she wondered what he was about to reveal.

The sound of silence momentarily enshrouded the room and Mary was beginning to feel apprehensive regarding the reason she had been summoned to the room.   She sensed safety in safety in Biggs’ company, but she still wondered why she was there.

When Mary finally pressed the button for the lift to return her from the penthouse to the third floor, at precisely 11.34.30 am, she had absolutely no idea how dark the world his words threatened to lead her into would be.

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