It was mid-afternoon by the time Georgina and Roger got back to the yard. They had stopped by Roger's home in Little Sanctuary. Little Sanctuary was a cul-de-sac off Broad Sanctuary which ran off Parliament Square. Georgina agreed it was an ideal location. It was a grand mansion with six formal bedrooms, four public rooms including a ball room and ample servant accommodation behind stairs.
Roger pretended to be offended when Georgina declared his home would make an ideal brothel.
"Should I have been renting myself out?" he said.
"You'd make a great butler," she said.
Their banter was interrupted by Grierly's usual megaphone loud tone.
"This is not a holiday camp, you two get into my office now!"
He walked in behind them and shut the door.
"You are taking Georgina Lad, that is nothing but mean. The office has been much brighter for her presence."
Georgina's surprise was not well hidden. Seeing a question mark flow across her face Roger said.
"Octavian."
"Already?"
"He has two speeds, fast and faster."
Georgina turned to Grierly, "I'm sorry, Sir I enjoyed working here too."
Grierly handed over a missive to Roger, he read it quickly, then passed it on to Georgina who laughed and gave it to Grierly.
"He's read too many penny dreadful mysteries," Roger said.
"Oh!" said Georgina, "he's just trying to provoke you, isn't he?"
"That's what older brothers do."
"Oh Roger, you're quite small, I was expecting you to be at least average."
Roger kissed her with abandon, his tongue explored her mouth. She responded by trying to get closer. The fact that it was physically impossible didn't suppress her efforts. Her blouse which at been liberally untucked was going to be seriously creased.
Esmeralda moved down the corridor almost walking backwards. When she walked around the corner Georgina said, "Why such a blistering kiss?"
"Three reasons to stop your smart mouth, I'll never live down being under endowed," he laughed with genuine joy.
"Two to stop me from laughing, finally I enjoyed it."
"Me too, I wish you'd held me closer though."
"Darling if we'd got any closer we would have blown up London."
She caught on quickly, "Yes but what a wonderful way to split the atom."
"You'd better go and spread our misdeeds."
Georgina left him with a smile that would last him half an hour. She wandered down the corridor making sure that she was tucking in her blouse as she passed the squad room, the more eyes that saw her dishevelment, the better. She looked at her watch and hurried to the agreed alcove.
"Ja, er ist schon auf unserer Seite, aber ich habe ihm etwas ermutigt. Gehorche nur!"
Georgina shouted the last sentence just as Grierly walked past with a group of officers two of whom could speak German. Grierly looked concerned he held his finger to his lips and led the group to his office.
"One of you pricks must speak German, what did she say?" Grierly demanded.
With the current state of the war just speaking German was a almost a hanging offense. Fred and Ulrich chatted, in German.
Ulrich said, "She said, Yes, he is already on our side, but I have encouraged him. Then she shouted Just obey me."
Grierly's door rattled like it was in the middle of a tempest. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Young stormed in, ignoring the group he shouted at Grierly.
"I will not have moral turpitude in my division. If what Esmeralda reported is true, that girl of yours will have to go."
"Please sit down, Sir, we may have a bigger problem."
Grierly explained what they had overheard of Georgina's conversation the phone.
"Get rid of Hoyden too. He's only been here five minutes. He was hoisted on us by the intelligence services-"
Grierly interrupted, "Do you think he is after her, Sir?"
"Don't care Grierly, if she's gone he can't surveil her here, get rid of him too."
"Yes, Sir."
"Esmeralda says Hoyden has spent too much time in Lola Arkwright's knickers, clear her out as well, we can't have these gals corrupting our men. Let's have a clean broom... what!"
Grierly pretended concern, he stood looking to the floor shaking his head.
Then raised his head and stared Young in the eye.
"Very well, Sir. A clean broom, what ho!"
"Good show, Grierly."
Young sailed out of his office like a battle cruiser, Grierly dismissed the pack.
"Send her in," he said to Fred as he left.
"He wants you," Fred said to Georgina with thinly disguised disgust.
Georgina managed to look crestfallen as she walked into the office.
"These morals are bringing our country down," Grierly shouted.
His voice bounced around all the offices on the upper corridor. While he was shouting he motioned Georgina to a stiff glass of Brandy he had poured from his private stock. She sat gratefully and sipped the brandy while he berated her at full volume. When he was happy, he sat and supped his own brandy.
"Georgie, Dear. I really hate loosing you, you have been a breath of fresh air."
He touched her hand to personalize the message.
"Now, before you go. I think it would be a good idea to pull Lola aside and let her know she is going to be dismissed as well as Roger. A new broom and all that, what!"
His imitation of Young was credible.
"Poor Lola, is she expecting it?"
"Not so soon. The fact the you go straight to her will further discredit her. If you need any intelligence use my private number."
He passed over a sheet of paper.
"Lola, could I speak to you for a moment please?"
"You're Grierly's secretary, what does he want?"
