“ … and he was never seen again”, finished Leiter.
“He jumped out of a plane and vanished?” said Bond.
“Right. In total darkness, by the way. And in freezing temperatures for which he wasn’t adequately dressed”.
“They looked for him, of course”, said Bond. It wasn’t a question.
“Of course. Men, dogs, helicopters, you name it. Not a trace. A reward was offered as well by the airlines. Zip. Nothing. Mr DB Cooper is at this time the most wanted man in America”.
“So Pinkertons are on the case now. That makes sense, but why did you come over to Paris? What was the connection?”
“Ah well”, said Felix, “we’re grasping at straws now. There’s a cabaret singer in Paris, you see, this Leonie Lacroix, and recently she’s been having money put in her account from a man named Dan Cooper”.
Bond looked sceptical. “It’s a common enough name”.
“Yes, but this has only started recently. I know it’s a weak connection but it’s all we’ve got. This guy, this Cooper, he’s as average as a man could be. Like I said, he’s not short, he’s not tall, he’s not fat, he’s not thin, he’s not young, he’s not old …. Here, look”.
Leiter reached into his pocket and produced a drawing.
“This is all we’ve got after talking to everyone who saw him. See what I mean? There’s a hundred guys like him walking down any main street in any city right now”.
“So Leonie Lacroix is the only lead you have”.
“That’s right. And the fact that somebody tried to blow me to a million little pieces makes me think that I’m on the right track, and that’s when I decided I could do with some help, and who else but my old pal James?”
Bond didn’t hesitate a second. “Of course I’ll help. I think I’ve got some leave coming, I’ll simply have to ask for it to start immediately”.
“Immediately?” growled M.
“Yes, sir, that’s right. I have some due and – “
“And you know the correct way to apply for it, 007”. M almost bit through his pipe stem. “However, never let it be said. Go see Miss Moneypenny and arrange the paperwork. I’m sure we can manage without you for a week or two”.
M lowered his head and started reading some document in front of him, or pretending to anyway. Bond swallowed a smile and went out.
“You want leave this suddenly, James? At this time of year?” asked Moneypenny, looking up at him sceptically. “Who’s the lucky lady?”
“I am wounded by your doubtfulness, Penny. The lucky lady is a man. You’ll have heard of my friend Felix Leiter?”
“Ah, so there’s still a chance for me”, she smiled as she signed the slip.
“Always, Moneypenny. Always”. His voice faded out the door.
Comments
It won't be long.
Yes, it's a fascinating story and I've always thought we've only been told part of it.
Chapter Four
“ … and he was never seen again”, finished Leiter.
“He jumped out of a plane and vanished?” said Bond.
“Right. In total darkness, by the way. And in freezing temperatures for which he wasn’t adequately dressed”.
“They looked for him, of course”, said Bond. It wasn’t a question.
“Of course. Men, dogs, helicopters, you name it. Not a trace. A reward was offered as well by the airlines. Zip. Nothing. Mr DB Cooper is at this time the most wanted man in America”.
“So Pinkertons are on the case now. That makes sense, but why did you come over to Paris? What was the connection?”
“Ah well”, said Felix, “we’re grasping at straws now. There’s a cabaret singer in Paris, you see, this Leonie Lacroix, and recently she’s been having money put in her account from a man named Dan Cooper”.
Bond looked sceptical. “It’s a common enough name”.
“Yes, but this has only started recently. I know it’s a weak connection but it’s all we’ve got. This guy, this Cooper, he’s as average as a man could be. Like I said, he’s not short, he’s not tall, he’s not fat, he’s not thin, he’s not young, he’s not old …. Here, look”.
Leiter reached into his pocket and produced a drawing.
“This is all we’ve got after talking to everyone who saw him. See what I mean? There’s a hundred guys like him walking down any main street in any city right now”.
“So Leonie Lacroix is the only lead you have”.
“That’s right. And the fact that somebody tried to blow me to a million little pieces makes me think that I’m on the right track, and that’s when I decided I could do with some help, and who else but my old pal James?”
Bond didn’t hesitate a second. “Of course I’ll help. I think I’ve got some leave coming, I’ll simply have to ask for it to start immediately”.
“Immediately?” growled M.
“Yes, sir, that’s right. I have some due and – “
“And you know the correct way to apply for it, 007”. M almost bit through his pipe stem. “However, never let it be said. Go see Miss Moneypenny and arrange the paperwork. I’m sure we can manage without you for a week or two”.
M lowered his head and started reading some document in front of him, or pretending to anyway. Bond swallowed a smile and went out.
“You want leave this suddenly, James? At this time of year?” asked Moneypenny, looking up at him sceptically. “Who’s the lucky lady?”
“I am wounded by your doubtfulness, Penny. The lucky lady is a man. You’ll have heard of my friend Felix Leiter?”
“Ah, so there’s still a chance for me”, she smiled as she signed the slip.
“Always, Moneypenny. Always”. His voice faded out the door.
To Be Continued