“So then he flew away, you say”. M’s voice was cool.
“Yes, sir, that’s right”.
“Like a little bird…?”
“Well, I wouldn’t have put it quite that way, sir”, said Bond.
“Nevertheless, this man remains free and will no doubt cause us trouble somewhere and sometime else”.
“Yes, sir, but you did say that my primary task was to recover the gold and that has been done. The Canadian police are arranging for it to be sent back to London even as we speak. The Bank of England will have to arrange their property being restored to gold ingots from a massive devil statue, but I’m sure they will handle that”.
“You’re quite right, James”, said M in a more conciliatory tone. “You’ve done what was asked of you”.
“The devil worshippers have been very co-operative, I’m told. They’ve been telling us all about the network Crowley had inside the banks and shipping concerns – apparently such people are all over the place – which made the removal of the gold straightforward, and the forging of the necessary documents”.
“You can tell me all about it when you’re home. Well done, James”.
M hung up. Bond turned away from the telephone with a satisfied feeling. No doubt, as M had said, Aleister Crowley would turn up to cause them more trouble sometime in the future. But for now, Lily was waiting.
Thanks, guys. Another is on it's way, in just a few days. I'm busy right now with music stuff but will have time soon. @Sonero has agreed once more to do the illustration, which would be the cover if this were a book.
@chrisno1, the Holmes parallel is well spotted. I'd like to use Crowley as a Moriarty figure, behind schemes but always getting away. Perhaps like Blofeld in TB?
I wasn't expecting an epilogue @Barbel a very neat storyline, which also reminded me of that voodoo episode of The Saint, I think it is called Sibao or something.
Thanks, @chrisno1, much appreciated. I'm busy with music stuff (went hunting for a new bass amp, found one the next day, took it out to an Open Mic night earlier today for a road test, taking it to a gig tomorrow. Also tomorrow making up the set list) all of which cuts into ajb time.
It was twilight, and London streets are often dark before the official time of dusk owing to the smoke and fog and, depending on the district, tall buildings. Roberto Calvi had enjoyed his dinner at one of the many Italian restaurants available and was walking, slowly and sated, back towards his hotel. The first footfall he heard behind him may have been just an echo, or perhaps a door being closed in the distance.
The second footfall he still shrugged off. Coincidence. By the third and fourth sweat had begun to run down his body. He looked around but there was again nothing to see. His steps began to quicken, either consciously or unconsciously.
Behind him, Daniel slipped ever closer. His habit kept his body warm even in this damp cold climate, so different to what he was used to. His orders were ingrained into his mind, and he didn’t need to remind himself of them. He understood what his master required of him.
Real fright came to Calvi now, as the footsteps did not stop any more but kept gaining on him. He was aware that there were certain people who might wish him ill, might perhaps even want him dead, but surely not here? Couldn’t the frati neri protect him? Didn’t they realise how valuable he was to them?
As he reached the start of a bridge over the Thames, he felt a strong hand upon his shoulder bring him to a halt and spin him round. Terrified, he looked up at the pale face and white hair. He was too much in fear to even notice what the man was wearing.
“Signor Calvi”, hissed a soft voice, “did you think you could get away with it?”
“What… what … I don’t under –“ stuttered Calvi.
“You know exactly what I mean. Do not pretend. You thought you could get away with stealing from us. From US?”
“No, I didn’t – I mean I don’t know what you’re talking about”. Calvi was quaking from head to foot, and his voice shook.
“Tell me where it is”. The pallid eyes bore into his. Calvi was ashamed to feel his bladder let go, and a warm flood run down one trouser leg.
“I don’t – I mean, I can’t – what are you doing?”
Daniel had produced some lengths of rope from the pockets of his habit and begun to tie Calvi’s hands together behind his back.
“Hey, stop! Don’t!”
Daniel ignored Calvi’s protests as he bent to work on Calvi’s ankles, suppressing his disgust at finding the dampness there. Looking around, he found some stones and began stuffing them into the pockets of Calvi’s jacket. The nearness of the river made Calvi yell in sudden realization. He was going to be drowned, drowned like an informer. He screamed for Holy Mother Mary to save him.
“Relax, Signor Calvi”, smirked Daniel, “you’re not going to be drowned”.
Calvi looked up at him in confusion then his eyes bulged as Daniel pulled out a length of rope already knotted into a noose.
Thanks, chrisno1. It may have been a Gardner chapter - @Silhouette Man?
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 9,328MI6 Agent
Yes, it was a chapter title in John Gardner's No Deals, Mr Bond (1987), being a cover name the villain General Konstantin Chernov went under. I remember a member on a Bond forum (can't remember who or which one) saying once that Blackfriar would've been a better title than the one we ended up getting. I'd agree with that though of course Gardner wasn't responsible for naming the book that. It was instead an example of hard salesmanship from the publisher.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
Yes, it's the worst Bond title there is I think. Sadly the result of the publishers wanting "Bond" in the title so people knew he featured in the novel. That was despite the fact Bond's name was plastered all over the cover already. I think if they'd just let John Gardner pick the Bond titles himself things would've been much better. He had a pretty good knack for titles during his writing career so they should have trusted his instincts.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
James Bond was enjoying the icy blast of his customary cold shower after a hot one when he heard the faint ring of the telephone. Sighing, he threw on a robe and padded to the phone leaving wet footprints behind him. May would give him hell for that when she came in. Meanwhile there was only one person who would call him at this ungodly hour of the day. He lifted the receiver and snarled.
“Moneypenny, don’t you ever sleep?”
“Never on the firm’s time, James, but perhaps you might care to find out about that sometime?”
“One of these days I might just take you up on that”, he said, calming down.
“Well, that won’t be today. He wants to see you right away. You’ll have time to pack a small suitcase when you get home”.
“Suitcase? Why? Where am I going?”
“Oh, you’ll find out about that when you come in. So chase that blonde out of your bed and get yourself in here, fast”.
“Moneypenny, I am wounded. You know I’m saving myself only for you”.
He put the phone down on her wry chuckle and turned towards the bedroom.
“Sorry, darling, wake up. I have to go to work”.
“Calvi, sir? Well, I read something in the newspapers”.
“Roberto Calvi, aged 62. Italian banker, closely involved with the Vatican. Found hanging from Blackfriars Bridge, not far from here”.
“Yes, that’s what I read”.
M blew smoke from his pipe as he shuffled some documents about on his desk in front of him.
“The papers have only printed part of the story. He was found hanging, true enough, but with his pockets stuffed with stones”.
“Stones?” said Bond. “That sounds more like whoever killed him had been planning to throw him in the Thames rather than hanging him”.
“It does. His wallet was missing, but we don’t think it’s a straightforward robbery with violence. Those types don’t take the time to tie up their victim, let alone stuff their pockets with stones”.
“So you think whoever did this is trying to send a message of some sort”.
M put the papers down and sat back in his chair.
“He was known as “God’s banker” because of his close ties with the money of the Vatican. What isn’t as generally known is that he had certain other clients as well of a less savoury nature. Not to put too fine a point upon it, he handled the money of the Italian underground”.
Bond looked up.
“The Mafia”.
“Indeed. Some have suggested that he was laundering the income of the Mafia by passing it through the Vatican’s funds. We are talking about vast sums of money here, 007. Sums where people involved somewhere along the way ending up being killed is not too surprising”.
“Has any of this been proven?”
M shook his head. “Nothing that would stand up in court. What we do know is that Calvi was embezzling some of the money along the way, from both ends of his clientele, and when I say “some” I’m still talking about millions”.
Bond said thoughtfully, “So there would be quite a few people who would be keen to see him dead”.
“But not before getting their money back. And that’s where you come in, 007. It’s our business because Calvi was killed in London, and we want to find out who’s behind it and, to be honest, whether we can get our hands on any of that embezzled money. I’ve alerted the Head of Station I that you’ll be arriving in Rome today. Miss Moneypenny has your tickets”.
To Be Continued
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 9,328MI6 Agent
Comments
Barbel...I can already see another Terminator film in your story.
😅😅😅😅
Great line about EoNs.
The very ending reminded me of Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon.
Aha, I'd like to discuss that after the conclusion if you don’t mind. It'll be posted soon.
Chapter Seven
“So then he flew away, you say”. M’s voice was cool.
“Yes, sir, that’s right”.
“Like a little bird…?”
“Well, I wouldn’t have put it quite that way, sir”, said Bond.
“Nevertheless, this man remains free and will no doubt cause us trouble somewhere and sometime else”.
“Yes, sir, but you did say that my primary task was to recover the gold and that has been done. The Canadian police are arranging for it to be sent back to London even as we speak. The Bank of England will have to arrange their property being restored to gold ingots from a massive devil statue, but I’m sure they will handle that”.
“You’re quite right, James”, said M in a more conciliatory tone. “You’ve done what was asked of you”.
“The devil worshippers have been very co-operative, I’m told. They’ve been telling us all about the network Crowley had inside the banks and shipping concerns – apparently such people are all over the place – which made the removal of the gold straightforward, and the forging of the necessary documents”.
“You can tell me all about it when you’re home. Well done, James”.
M hung up. Bond turned away from the telephone with a satisfied feeling. No doubt, as M had said, Aleister Crowley would turn up to cause them more trouble sometime in the future. But for now, Lily was waiting.
THE END
Excellent James Bond short story.
'The Prince of Darkness' by Barbel could have been made into an exciting 30 min episode for Secret Agent / Danger Man starring Patrick McGoohan.
Very impressive story.
Keep up the great work Barbel 👏👏.
Another thoroughly enjoyable adventure 😁
I enjoyed this very much, the right amount of humour, nods, winks and then grounded with a fine mysterious plot. A sequel must be in the offing 😁
Thanks, guys. Another is on it's way, in just a few days. I'm busy right now with music stuff but will have time soon. @Sonero has agreed once more to do the illustration, which would be the cover if this were a book.
@chrisno1, the Holmes parallel is well spotted. I'd like to use Crowley as a Moriarty figure, behind schemes but always getting away. Perhaps like Blofeld in TB?
I wasn't expecting an epilogue @Barbel a very neat storyline, which also reminded me of that voodoo episode of The Saint, I think it is called Sibao or something.
Thanks, @chrisno1, much appreciated. I'm busy with music stuff (went hunting for a new bass amp, found one the next day, took it out to an Open Mic night earlier today for a road test, taking it to a gig tomorrow. Also tomorrow making up the set list) all of which cuts into ajb time.
Illustration by Sonero
THE BLACK FRIARS
1983
Chapter One
It was twilight, and London streets are often dark before the official time of dusk owing to the smoke and fog and, depending on the district, tall buildings. Roberto Calvi had enjoyed his dinner at one of the many Italian restaurants available and was walking, slowly and sated, back towards his hotel. The first footfall he heard behind him may have been just an echo, or perhaps a door being closed in the distance.
The second footfall he still shrugged off. Coincidence. By the third and fourth sweat had begun to run down his body. He looked around but there was again nothing to see. His steps began to quicken, either consciously or unconsciously.
Behind him, Daniel slipped ever closer. His habit kept his body warm even in this damp cold climate, so different to what he was used to. His orders were ingrained into his mind, and he didn’t need to remind himself of them. He understood what his master required of him.
Real fright came to Calvi now, as the footsteps did not stop any more but kept gaining on him. He was aware that there were certain people who might wish him ill, might perhaps even want him dead, but surely not here? Couldn’t the frati neri protect him? Didn’t they realise how valuable he was to them?
As he reached the start of a bridge over the Thames, he felt a strong hand upon his shoulder bring him to a halt and spin him round. Terrified, he looked up at the pale face and white hair. He was too much in fear to even notice what the man was wearing.
“Signor Calvi”, hissed a soft voice, “did you think you could get away with it?”
“What… what … I don’t under –“ stuttered Calvi.
“You know exactly what I mean. Do not pretend. You thought you could get away with stealing from us. From US?”
“No, I didn’t – I mean I don’t know what you’re talking about”. Calvi was quaking from head to foot, and his voice shook.
“Tell me where it is”. The pallid eyes bore into his. Calvi was ashamed to feel his bladder let go, and a warm flood run down one trouser leg.
“I don’t – I mean, I can’t – what are you doing?”
Daniel had produced some lengths of rope from the pockets of his habit and begun to tie Calvi’s hands together behind his back.
“Hey, stop! Don’t!”
Daniel ignored Calvi’s protests as he bent to work on Calvi’s ankles, suppressing his disgust at finding the dampness there. Looking around, he found some stones and began stuffing them into the pockets of Calvi’s jacket. The nearness of the river made Calvi yell in sudden realization. He was going to be drowned, drowned like an informer. He screamed for Holy Mother Mary to save him.
“Relax, Signor Calvi”, smirked Daniel, “you’re not going to be drowned”.
Calvi looked up at him in confusion then his eyes bulged as Daniel pulled out a length of rope already knotted into a noose.
To Be Continued
Very neat - lovely title - could eb a Hammer movie - wasn't Black Friar a John Gardner chapter title ?
Thanks, chrisno1. It may have been a Gardner chapter - @Silhouette Man?
Yes, it was a chapter title in John Gardner's No Deals, Mr Bond (1987), being a cover name the villain General Konstantin Chernov went under. I remember a member on a Bond forum (can't remember who or which one) saying once that Blackfriar would've been a better title than the one we ended up getting. I'd agree with that though of course Gardner wasn't responsible for naming the book that. It was instead an example of hard salesmanship from the publisher.
Excellent start - vibes of Dan Brown - another super illustration @Sonero 👏
The Banco Ambrosiano scandal.
Great start Barbel and thank you for including my artwork.
@CoolHandBond thank you for the kind words.
Thanks, SM. I'd totally forgotten that chapter title and the title of this story isn't a reference to it, just a coincidence.
Edit: And yes, I agree it would have been a better title than the one we got. Hard to think of a worse one.
And thanks CHB. Dan Brown, eh .... ? 😈
Sonero, as ever I'm grateful for your artwork and hope to see more.
Yes, it's the worst Bond title there is I think. Sadly the result of the publishers wanting "Bond" in the title so people knew he featured in the novel. That was despite the fact Bond's name was plastered all over the cover already. I think if they'd just let John Gardner pick the Bond titles himself things would've been much better. He had a pretty good knack for titles during his writing career so they should have trusted his instincts.
Definitely, his titles had a ring to them (except when selected by committee as you say).
Chapter Two
James Bond was enjoying the icy blast of his customary cold shower after a hot one when he heard the faint ring of the telephone. Sighing, he threw on a robe and padded to the phone leaving wet footprints behind him. May would give him hell for that when she came in. Meanwhile there was only one person who would call him at this ungodly hour of the day. He lifted the receiver and snarled.
“Moneypenny, don’t you ever sleep?”
“Never on the firm’s time, James, but perhaps you might care to find out about that sometime?”
“One of these days I might just take you up on that”, he said, calming down.
“Well, that won’t be today. He wants to see you right away. You’ll have time to pack a small suitcase when you get home”.
“Suitcase? Why? Where am I going?”
“Oh, you’ll find out about that when you come in. So chase that blonde out of your bed and get yourself in here, fast”.
“Moneypenny, I am wounded. You know I’m saving myself only for you”.
He put the phone down on her wry chuckle and turned towards the bedroom.
“Sorry, darling, wake up. I have to go to work”.
“Calvi, sir? Well, I read something in the newspapers”.
“Roberto Calvi, aged 62. Italian banker, closely involved with the Vatican. Found hanging from Blackfriars Bridge, not far from here”.
“Yes, that’s what I read”.
M blew smoke from his pipe as he shuffled some documents about on his desk in front of him.
“The papers have only printed part of the story. He was found hanging, true enough, but with his pockets stuffed with stones”.
“Stones?” said Bond. “That sounds more like whoever killed him had been planning to throw him in the Thames rather than hanging him”.
“It does. His wallet was missing, but we don’t think it’s a straightforward robbery with violence. Those types don’t take the time to tie up their victim, let alone stuff their pockets with stones”.
“So you think whoever did this is trying to send a message of some sort”.
M put the papers down and sat back in his chair.
“He was known as “God’s banker” because of his close ties with the money of the Vatican. What isn’t as generally known is that he had certain other clients as well of a less savoury nature. Not to put too fine a point upon it, he handled the money of the Italian underground”.
Bond looked up.
“The Mafia”.
“Indeed. Some have suggested that he was laundering the income of the Mafia by passing it through the Vatican’s funds. We are talking about vast sums of money here, 007. Sums where people involved somewhere along the way ending up being killed is not too surprising”.
“Has any of this been proven?”
M shook his head. “Nothing that would stand up in court. What we do know is that Calvi was embezzling some of the money along the way, from both ends of his clientele, and when I say “some” I’m still talking about millions”.
Bond said thoughtfully, “So there would be quite a few people who would be keen to see him dead”.
“But not before getting their money back. And that’s where you come in, 007. It’s our business because Calvi was killed in London, and we want to find out who’s behind it and, to be honest, whether we can get our hands on any of that embezzled money. I’ve alerted the Head of Station I that you’ll be arriving in Rome today. Miss Moneypenny has your tickets”.
To Be Continued
Agreed. A case of too many cooks spoiling the broth if ever there was one! Apologies, will read your short story now. 😊
Yes, I thought it was something like that. One of my fav Gardener Bond's despite the appalling title. I really ought to have remembered.
Good idea for a story, BTW.
Once again mixing in real events and including a few nods & winks to the films 😁
Great start 🍸
Now where have I heard that expression...?
Great story Barbel...keep it up.👍👍
Quite right, Sonero.
Many thanks, everyone. Next chapter very soon (early tomorrow British time).
This is very good, I’m looking forward to more 😁
Glad you're enjoying, CHB, and more will be here shortly. 😀