The Meeting of the Minds Affair
Several hours later, Sir John was meeting with Travers at the Bermuda office. Seated wearily behind Mr. Talredge's desk, he asked Travers "Has there been any news?"
Travers took a seat. "Seems as if Harry DeBeauharnais is more popular here than the Pope," he answered. "He has a private island about three hours north. We could infiltrate, but that could take time."
"We don't have time, Mr. Travers," Sir John said, leaning forward in the chair. He pounded the desk with a fist. "We have to go in and get Larry and Brenda out of there," he demanded, his voice shaking slightly.
The sliding metal door opened and Napoleon walked in, asking "Is this where the party is?"
Both men looked at him. Sir John stood up behind the desk and replied "I asked you not to come, Mr. Solo."
Napoleon was undaunted. He took a seat beside Mr. Travers and answered "I was under the impression that two heads were better than one."
"Speak for yourself," Travers mumbled. "I take it you were able to find a baby-sitter," he added slyly.
"Kowalski's going to require 'hazard pay' for this assignment," Napoleon winked. Looking at Sir John, he asked "Has there been any further development?"
"We've just discovered a private island approximately three hours north of here," he answered, sighing in resignation. "We're under the impression that Harry DeBeauharnais is there."
Napoleon sat, quietly thinking. His train of thought was interrupted by the intercom buzzing. Sir John pushed a button and asked "Yes?"
"Mr. Kuryakin is here, Mr. Raleigh," the secretary announced.
Illya walked in, looking somewhat drained. He had a big knot on the top of his head and he looked like he was in pain, but trying valiantly to conceal it. He sat down with Travers, Clark, Napoleon and Sir John in Mr. Talredge's office. "I'm sorry about all this," he tried to explain. "I think we erred when we took the private plane." He looked at Napoleon and remarked "I take it you're having a solo honeymoon."
"You look like Hell," Napoleon replied, looking closer at the knot on Illya's head. "How's your head?"
"Nicely throbbing, thank you," was his reply as he took a file from Sir John and opened it. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of reading glasses and put them on. He read the file and replied "I'd hate to be anywhere in the state of Texas when Jean-Claude finds out Hamilton's a former THRUSH agent."
"I'd hate to be in the same country," Napoleon agreed. "I have a plan."
"I was afraid of that."
"What would you have in mind?" Clark asked, still in awe over being in the same room with Napoleon and Illya.
"I don't think we've met," Illya addressed Clark.
"I'm sorry. I'm Randy Clark," he answered simply, extending his hand.
"Illya Kuryakin," Illya answered, shaking hands with him. Turning back to his partner, he asked "What kind of plan?"
"I thought we'd let THRUSH guess who's coming to dinner."
