Page 36 - Brokenclaw - John Gardner

James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled

‘You mean the FBI and the surveillance?’ Bond had calmed a little for he

knew, while M could be devious, he always played fair with him when it came
to operations, even though he had, on a number of occasions, tried tricks of
involvement without giving him all the facts at the outset.
‘I left a n
James Bond OO7 - printing disabledote for you at the Fairmont. That just about amounted to an order. I James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
was telling you to stay aboard the damned hotel and not go gadding off around
the town.’
He waited, as though expecting an apology. When none was forthcoming, M
continued, ‘Instead of staying in, you went off out into the night and, as a result,

an FBI agent was killed. Your fault, 007. Entirely your doing.’
Another pause and silence between the two men. Bond stared straight ahead,
not even looking M in the eyes as he slowly began to face the fact that it was
his fault.
James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
‘Death is not funny, especially in the way the poor, unfortunate Malloney met
his end, but it has helped us rather than hindered a somewhat complex
situation.’
‘So, I am now a pariah as far as the FBI are concerned? Because some

young agent wasn’t experienced enough.’
‘No.’ M’s look hardened into an all too familiar grimness. ‘No, you’re
persona non grata with the FBI because that’s how we want it. It’s one of the
reasons I did not countermand the Queen’s Regulations and MoD instructions

and take you off active duty in the Royal Navy. You see, we’re co-operating
James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
wholly with the US Navy. Even brought your uniforms over here, just in case
you need to wear them. Also we’ve spread the word that you’ve become highly
disenchanted with life in the Navy. That you want out. Which is what you do

want, is it not?’
Bond’s anger briefly flared again, ‘Oh, no, sir. No, we’ve been down that
road before. Disenchanted Naval and Intelligence officer seeks employment
with hostile power. Object, the passing of classified information.’

‘It isn’t quite like that, James. Not this time. But people like the FBI and
James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
your old friends in the CIA are probably quite interested in seeing us move you
out and back to the UK. You’re simply disenchanted and not a little slipshod.
Inefficient, not taking life very seriously.’

‘Why?’ This time 007 locked eyes with M as though challenging him to
provide an adequate reason.
For the first time, M smiled. ‘Because of Lords and Lords Day.’

James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled