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

[SassySimmer]

Fantastic, loved the mystery. I thought it was Gobias but you kept me guessing right until the end.  Can wait to read Ben's next adventure!

[RainBeau]

Yes indeed, I have just re-read the relevant sections and I can confirm that it is in fact very obvious when you know the solution. Clever Schip!

[Sherry]

I knew it! YAY~ I'm right   

Well, maybe I was too well trained in this genre of story. I love Sir Doyle and Christie's work after all...
waiting for next spy mission for Ben. Great work BO73 

[Rhapsody2312]

What a fantastic mystery! And such a clever way to solve it! Well done to Ben and to you, Schip for crafting a wonderful story. I can't remember where I heard/read it, but apparently one of the best ways to write a mystery is to think of the conclusion first, and then write backwards through the solution. I don't know if that's true or not, since I've never tried to write a mystery, but it could be interesting.

Looking forward to the next mission. 

[Schipperke]

Welcome Home, Oliver!

Diary Entry

The flight home was uneventful.  I realized that I hadn't slept since leaving Monte Vista the previous day, and I was exhausted.  I tried to nap but a noisy child a few rows back kept waking me up.  When the plane landed, I was really looking forward to getting home and falling into bed.  Even Bonehilda's incessant bed-making wouldn't disturb my sleep this time.

As soon as I walked into the terminal, my cell phone rang. 



De Luca's number.  No doubt she was calling to congratulate me on my mission.  I started to say hello, but before I got through the first syllable, De Luca cut me off.  "Oliver!  Finally!  Where are you?"

I told her I was at the airport waiting for my luggage.  "Never mind that!" she barked.  "You need to catch the first taxi and get downtown on the double."



I said, "But my suitcase -".

"Never mind the blasted suitcase!  I'll send someone to pick it up later.  I need you downtown NOW, Oliver.  I'll meet you at the library." *click*

I strode out of the terminal to the line of waiting taxis, muttering "Welcome home, Oliver.  Congratulations on your mission, Oliver.  Thank you for saving the free world, Oliver."

"What's that, man?" the taxi driver asked.  He looked at my reflection in the rear-view mirror and said, "You look like a man who's got troubles.  Let me guess - woman troubles?"

"You could call it that," I answered.

He nodded sagely, "I knew it!  Us taxi drivers, man, we see it all the time.  You show me a man who got no woman troubles and I show you a man who got no woman.  Oh man, the stories I've heard -"



He spent the rest of the trip going into great detail about all the men he'd known with woman troubles.  I was too tired to pay much attention and just let it wash over me.  De Luca wasn't really so bad.  In fact, she was a good commander.  When I told her that I needed to get some sleep, she'd understand.

The taxi pulled up in front of the library.  I tipped the driver and went in to find my boss.

De Luca had commandeered the second floor of the library and was making it clear the whole floor was off-limits to everyone else.  No-one dared challenge her authority.



Before I even had a chance to sit down, she exclaimed, "Oliver!  At last!  There's a serious situation -"

But for once I was determined to have my say.  I was too tired to care that I was interrupting my commanding officer.  "Sir, I'm exhausted.  I haven't slept in 36 hours, and I can't remember when I last had a bath.  With respect, could this possibly wait until I've had a bit of sleep?"



De Luca replied, "I'm sorry, Oliver.  I know you need a rest.  Let me tell you the situation, and then you can go home and sleep."



She was my commanding officer.  What could I do?  I settled down to listen, hoping I could manage to keep my eyes open.

[Magpie2012]

  Demanding type ain't she  Lol You Go Ben! Way to stand up for yourself!! Even if it didn't work lol.

[ladybug53]

Poor Ben ! His head must be just spinning from the last few days . Too bad he's so tired though , I guess we'll just have to wait until he gets some rest to find out more about his next mission . 

[RaiaDraconis]

It never ends for poor Ben.

That was a fantastic conclusion to the mystery. Nadrena was at the top of my list, just because of the different way which she seemed to react, but I didn't even think about how her reaction to the gift was a dead giveaway! That was truly excellent!

[RainBeau]

Poor Ben, what else could he possibly have to do?

[Saltypaws]

I can't wait to find out what his next assignment is.

[Louise56]

Poor Ben, that was some homecoming! I can't wait to find out what the next mission is.

[Audren]

Poor Ben. Always having situations keeping him up at night. 

[Schipperke]

I'm sorry, but I won't be able to post updates for a while.  I fell on the ice and broke my right wrist in two places.  I don't know how long it will be and I'm sorry to leave you hanging like this. I'll continue the story as soon as I'm able.  Thanks for your patience.

[Edited for capital letters - Ausette]

[Rhapsody2312]

Oh no! Mean, mean ice! 

Rest well, and feel better soon.

[Magz from Oz]

How awful.  I know what that's like.  I fractured my radial head last May and couldn't play Sims but I was happy to find I could cruise the forum.  Hope to see you on the boards.  Your loyal fans will all be waiting for your return and we pray for a speedy recovery.  Take care.