The Name's Oliver - Ben Oliver. Ch. 159: Duty vs Ethics, Pt. II

[Schipperke]

Gathering Intelligence

Diary Entry

The file that De Luca had given me contained reports of unexplained large sums of money appearing randomly in different peoples' accounts.  There were concerns about the source of these funds and the intentions of whoever was responsible for what was going on.  So the next morning, I set out to spend my day meeting people and try to learn more about this mystery.

The strange and unpleasant fellow who managed the Consignment Shop seemed to be mainly upset that no money had come his way.



Diego Almeria listened attentively to me, then shook his head "Sorry, I don't know anything about that.  Was there a story in the paper about it?  If it wasn't in the paper, it's probably not true.  Now, please excuse me - I don't want to be late for work."



I talked to the cop walking the beat, but he hadn't heard anything either.



I began to think people weren't telling me anything because they knew who I was, and decided that they might talk more freely if they didn't know me.  I felt like a real spy when I put on my disguise - master of disguise, that's me - and went to talk to Simona Valenci, but she couldn't tell me anything either.



It was all rather discouraging.  How did people collect information, if nobody would tell them anything?  I removed my disguise and started toward home, feeling that I had just wasted a day.

Well, maybe the day wasn't a total waste!



Her name was Noel Perry.  She was friendly and she loved to flirt - my kind of girl!  We were really hitting it off, when I happened to hear a fellow nearby talking about money transfers.  I had to hear more.  I leapt into Noel's arms and whispered urgently, "Move a little closer.  I need to hear what he's saying!" 



She hadn't been expecting me to jump into her arms, and she staggered a bit, but she was a professional athlete and she managed to get me close enough to listen to what he was saying.

His name was Franco Bianchi, a low-level criminal.  And finally I had some information to take back to De Luca.  But I may have blown my chances with Noel, who wasn't keen on the way I had used her.  The sacrifices I make in the line of duty! 

[ladybug53]

This story is getting more interesting  with each chapter added . I always want to read more. lol  Looking forward for the next update .   

[Louise56]

I like his disguise lol. Poor Ben to make such a sacrifice.

[Tilia]

Ben makes the most pained facial expressions in the line of duty.  It's pretty entertaining.

[Anushka]

I had to laugh our loud when I saw the last picture! Bravo for Ben, his spying skills are quite high now but it was certainly hillarious sight - feel sorry for that lady but imagining the look on her face when he jumped in her arms and then told her to move closer Can't wait for the next one!

[Schipperke]

Food, Footsie, and Cryptic Conversation

Diary Entry

Poor Ben to make such a sacrifice.

Louise was right.  One sacrifice after another, such was my life.  And now I was about to sacrifice my Friday evening on the altar of duty.  Other guys were making plans, spending the evening with a special lady - I had to go to a stuffy embassy function.  I struggled with the stupid bow tie, finally managing to get it tied, and set out for dinner with the Ambassador and his family.  He was a pleasant old fellow, but his brother-in-law was creepy, and I had yet to tell the Ambassador of the Chevalier's treachery.  As for the daughters, I was sure they would be a couple of spoiled, inbred, horse-faced aristocrats.

I arrived to find the Ambassador and his two daughters playing dominoes.



WOW!!!  This evening suddenly got a whole lot more attractive.  The Comte introduced his daughters - Louise in green, Jeanne wearing yellow. 

I handed the Ambassador his gem and started to tell him about the attempted theft, but he stopped me.  "I know there was an attempt to steal the jewel and that you kept it safe," he said.  "Thanks to your courage, the thief was apprehended.  And I know there was more to the story.  But please, not tonight, eh?  Tonight is for merrymaking and celebrating your safe return.  Later, the Egyptian and Chinese Ambassadors will be arriving to meet the brave young astronaut, along with a few local politicians.  But first, we dine together, just you and my family.  This way, if you please."

I had the feeling he knew or suspected the Chevalier's involvement but didn't want it to spoil the festive mood of the party.  Which was fine with me.  I couldn't wait to sit down at table with the Ambassador's gorgeous daughters.



The meal was a potato and truffle torte, which I found very tasty.  But Louise complained, "I miss the food we had at home.  It's so long since I tasted escargots!"



Jeanne chimed in, "Yes, I don't understand why we can't have escargots here in Monte Vista!  It's a great pity."



Personally, I didn't understand what they were complaining about.  I had tasted escargots - snails - when I was in France, and found them quite slimy and unappealing.  Perhaps it was an acquired taste.  In any case, discussing the foods of their homeland seemed pretty innocuous to me.  I was, therefore, taken aback by the sharpness of the Ambassador's voice when he said, "We do not eat escargots in this household!  Come, girls, you know we are in Monte Vista now, not in France.  So when in Monte Vista, we do as the Monte Vistans do, n'est-ce pas?"



And then the Ambassador smoothly changed the subject.  His reaction had seemed odd to me, but I was too preoccupied to think about it just then.  I was busy trying to figure out whose naked foot was caressing my leg under the table.  Was it lovely Louise?  Jolie Jeanne?  Surely not the Chevalier, whose red-rimmed eyes spoke of his dissipation as he studiously applied himself to his dinner, saying hardly anything.



We finished dinner and prepared to meet the guests arriving for the party.

[Sherry]

... I was busy trying to figure out whose naked foot was caressing my leg under the table.  Was it lovely Louise?  Jolie Jeanne?  Surely not the Chevalier, whose red-rimmed eyes spoke of his dissipation as he studiously applied himself to his dinner, saying hardly anything.

OMG it's really give me goosebumps. the Chevalier? his expression is quite creepy at that time too 

btw why did the ambassador immediately want to change topic (with a sharp voice too like what Ben said), is there some history behind this?
or he is just trying to make the situation friendlier for the guest?

[Schipperke]

btw why did the ambassador immediately want to change topic (with a sharp voice too like what Ben said), is there some history behind this?
or he is just trying to make the situation friendlier for the guest?

Good question. 

[Dextra2]

Jeanne and Louise, eh? Wonder who they could be?
... Or they're a few of our wonderful fourum members.

[Schipperke]

Jeanne and Louise, eh? Wonder who they could be?
... Or they're a few of our wonderful fourum members.

They're really just made-up characters, I'm afraid.  I don't know a lot of French names, and those two were the first ones that came to mind.  Of course, if any member feels that there's a striking resemblance between herself and one of those beautiful ladies, well, what can I say? 

[ladybug53]

Wow ! This is getting to be more interesting from one chapter to the other. Anxiously waiting for the next update . Playing footsies with the flirty boy . Oh my !   

[Dextra2]

They're really just made-up characters, I'm afraid.  I don't know a lot of French names, and those two were the first ones that came to mind.  Of course, if any member feels that there's a striking resemblance between herself and one of those beautiful ladies, well, what can I say? 

I've seen two members with those usernames. So I just assumed you "borrowed" the names for the sake of the story.

[Beezy]

I love Ben. He is so awesome. His constant flirting is very awesome. But something tells me that trait will get him in trouble....

[Schipperke]

I love Ben. He is so awesome. His constant flirting is very awesome. But something tells me that trait will get him in trouble....

I believe there will come a time when his ability to flirt will be a critical part of the story.  But at this time, my lips are sealed on that point! 

[Louise56]

I wonder who play footsie with him, I hope it is one of the girls lol. The ambassador did act a little strange.  I can't what for the next update.