A Dog Among Diplomats by J.F. Englert

Author:J.F. Englert
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9780440337713
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2008-04-29T00:00:00+00:00

A DANGEROUS MAN DELIVERS A TOOTHBRUSH

CRISIS AT THE UNITED NATIONS DOG RUN

JUST AS YOURS TRULY began to recognize that he had once again been less than noble and loyal in his behavior, there was a knock on the door. Leopold, dressed only in shirttails and with what remained of his hair still in need of combing, opened it without hesitation.

Ponce, the diplomat/spy of vague South American origin, stood in the doorway, pointing a blunt object at Leopold.

"Here's the toothbrush you needed," Ponce said.

"Come in," Leopold said, and in classic Hollywood cloak-and-dagger fashion poked his pudgy face into the hallway to determine whether there was anyone following Ponce. Determining that there was not, he closed the door. Ponce sat down on the bed.

"I'm not an amateur, Leopold," Ponce said.

Leopold gave a short apologetic bow.

"I am getting bit ridiculous in my old age, Ponce," Leopold said.

"Why the dog?"

"Ah, I am bundle of nerves. Dogs, it seems, are only cure. I have tried all manner of sedatives, but they dull me bit too much for our sensitive line of work."

"Ashame about the poet," Ponce said casually, as if a man were shot over tea every day.

"Are you sure it wasn't meant for one of us?"

Ponce shrugged.

"I can't believe that you fainted," Ponce said.

"It was humiliating but effective," Leopold said, examining the knot of his bow tie in the mirror. "The detective could hardly be bothered with me."

"I threatened him with diplomatic immunity," Ponce said.

"Why?"

"Because I can."

"You always were hothead," Leopold said, as if he hadn't done almost the same thing himself. "And that idiotic Frenchman…"

"De Tocqueville is Swiss," Ponce corrected.

"Talking like he was military expert right out of gate."

"I thought you fainted."

"It was light faint."

"You are a tricky one," Ponce said. "Strange that you showed up today of all days."

"A coincidence and damn nuisance. Of course, Home Office won't be pleased. They don't like our people being near anything that might become media event."

"This won't," Ponce said confidently. "They've already quashed it at the highest levels."

"Yes?"

"I got advance word that this won't be going anywhere," Ponce said. "And when I was speaking with the detective, a representative from some government agency arrived and had a few choice words for the lieutenant. After that his tone was quite different. Defeat had crept in. Not that he seemed to be on to anything."

"What have you boys been up to?" Leopold asked. "Two murders in a week. If Near Upper Pilasia were playing, I'd be furious. Six months spent trying to secure rights to reserve, and then violence and empty hands. What farce."

"I have never met a more clever woman than Imogen," Ponce said. "Nor a more elegant one."

"You sound like you are in love," Leopold said. He was now entirely clothed in his evening attire.

"She is a woman worthy of being loved," Ponce said in a voice that was free of his usual dose of cynicism and world-weariness.

"I think she played you all and now she is gone and none of you has what you wanted.

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