Scott’s parents arrived to collect him. Jason on the other hand had to stay at SYUI head quarters. He sat at a desk eating fish and chips someone had brought in for him. Matt Hirsh took a chip and sat at the desk looking at his watch.
“I managed to contact your mom; they’re catching the next plane home but won’t be here until maybe late tomorrow, so tonight you will have to stay here. We have several SYUI agents here so you’ll be perfectly safe.” Matt said.
“She’s not my mom. And why did you have to call them? You’ve spoiled their honeymoon now. Dad will be worried. I can see him now pacing up and down stressing out over this,” Jason said smacking Matt’s hand as he tried to steal another chip.
“You know what I mean; she’s your step mom and more importantly she’s my boss so I had to call her. You can sleep in an office tonight; they’re making a bed up for you.” Matt suggested.
Jason liked Matt; he was always friendly and was someone he trusted when he had worked with SYUI. He knew Matt was married and had a new baby and probably wanted to go home himself.
“Can’t I go home?” Jason asked although as soon as he said it he knew the answer would be no. Until they found out who had paid the assassin and put a target on Jason’s head, he had to stay hidden.
Matt ruffled Jason’s hair. “Come on Jason don’t give me a hard time. You know I can’t do that. I’ll see if they can get a TV up here for you.”
Jason nodded and slid the rest of his chips towards Matt. He had lost his appetite.
As soon as Matt left, Jason made a phone call to Infinity. It was a special number he was told to call if ever he needed anything. He was amazed it was picked up on the first ring.
“Hello Jason,” a woman’s voice answered.
“Um. How’d you know it was me?” Jason asked.
“Jason we heard about the shooting in London and as soon as we heard you were involved we dispatched some agents. We know you’re at the SYUI offices; we were waiting for your call,” she replied.
“That’s scary. If you know I’m here so could the people the assassin is working for,” Jason suggested.
“We doubt that Jason. The assassin was working for someone but they won’t have the resources we have. We will be questioning him later tonight.”
“You can’t, the police are guarding him, so you won’t get near him,” Jason said.
The phone lined clicked and the familiar voice of Quentin Roosevelt the head of Infinity came on the line. “Jason, I told you we have people, good people everywhere. We will find out why this man was paid to shoot you.” He coughed and cleared his throat. “That’s if he recovers, the reports we have, is you smashed his head open.”
“Um. Hello sir. No, well yes I hit him. Um, yeah his head may have hit the step when I hit him, but he tried to kill me.” Jason stuttered. “Do you have anyone who also works for SYUI?”
We do.
“Do I have to stay here overnight sir?”
“Come now Jason, it can’t be that bad, a nice warm office building, so just sit back and relax. We have operatives in much harsher climates sleeping out under the stars in all weathers.”
Jason thought for a second before replying. “Yes sir, of course. I’m fine here. Do you know who did this?”
“No we don’t but when someone attempts to take down one of our top agents we take it very seriously and will get to the bottom of it. Now rest up, and in a few days, you will be back here with your friends and the problem will be over. Get some rest.”
A large grin ran across Jason’s face being told he was a top agent by Quentin. “Yes sir thank you sir.”
Chapter Three
Raymond and Brenda Steed returned home the following afternoon. The last two days of the school break Jason stayed home. An armed police unit watched his home. Scott came around to see Jason and was flabbergasted when Jason gave him one hundred pounds to go and buy another clock for his dad and Brenda.
“Where did you get this money, you spent all yours?” Scott asked, tucking the money in his pocket.
“Off that creep who shot at us. He shot and broke the clock we bought, so it’s only fair he pays for a replacement.” Jason said as a matter of fact.
“How? Did you just take it off him?” Scott shrieked.
“Um. Yeah. He was unconscious.” Jason said wondering what he did that was so terrible.
“That’s stealing.”
“No it’s not, he broke the clock, so he should pay for a replacement.” Jason snapped back.
“You can’t just help yourself to his money,” Scott said raising his voice. “I thought you were better than that.”
“Better than what?” Jason argued squaring up to Scott. “Are you calling me a thief? That idiot shot it and broke it into a million pieces, so he should pay for a new one.”
“Yes. No.” Scott stammered. “I don’t know but that’s not right.”
Jason glared at his friend and took a deep breath. He could feel his temper rising, the last person on earth he would want to hurt was Scott.
“Should we give it back?” Jason asked meekly.
Scott took it back out of his pocket and looked at the money before stuffing it back in again.
“Come to think of it he did shoot and break the clock and should pay for it, but he should have been made to pay for it, not just have it taken from him. I guess all the cars he shot up need to be paid for as well, but insurance will probably cover that,” Scott said.
“Will you go and buy a replacement for me? We have the money again now anyway.” Jason asked.
“Yeah okay, I’ll get it next week and wrap it up for you. I wish you never had to go back to that school in Turkey.”
“I have too; it’s safer and I learn so much more and get to go on missions,” Jason said.
Jason attended Prince Cuthbert’s engagement party the following day. It was the first official royal party he had ever attended. He had of course been a guest at Balmorial one Christmas and had attended birthday parties at Buckingham Palace. He had even been seen with his special friend Princess Catherine at some events.
Up to now, he had always been in the background, just a friend of Catherine’s. Occasionally they had been seen holding hands and once a palace guard saw Jason give her a good-bye kiss. The Royal household expected the young couple’s friendship to fade as they grew older. However Jason and Catherine had become closer; they would spend months apart while Jason was on a mission and they attended different schools.
As soon as they came back in contact they connected. Jason Steed was different from any other boy the princess knew. He was confident, generous, and brave and had a simple naivety about him that she adored. Plus the fact he had stunning blue eyes, blonde hair with bangs that fell across his eyes and an adorable smile.
As for Princess Catherine, she was pretty and had been the first girl Jason had ever really come into contact with. She made him laugh and he felt a special fondness towards her.
Today’s engagement party was the first time he would be listed as an official guest and would be sitting with Princess Catherine. He would never admit it, but he was quite nervous. The queen and the rest of the royal family didn’t bother him. He had known them for some time now. It was the others who would be attending— distant cousins of the royal family, even politicians including the prime minister.
The palace staff knew Jason well enough but the tight security meant he still had to show his invitation when his father dropped him off at the side door.
He went in alone and found himself in a corridor that opened into a large banquet hall. A small jazz band played a lively tune beside a grand staircase that swept upward out of sight to the next level. Some guests danced, others talked. A waiter strode towards him carrying a silver tray of canapes. Jason politely declined and walked back out in the corridor where he waited for Catherine.
Jason peered out the window at the hundreds of tourists outside the palace gate
s taking pictures. He straightened his tie and ran his finger around his neck trying to release the pressure from his shirt collar. Whenever you wear a new suit it always feels like you are wrapped up in cardboard, stiff and itchy. He noticed his palms were sweating. He could take on four or five adults in a fight and win. But put Jason Steed out of his comfort zone in a place full of people and he become extremely shy.
Jason instinctively pulled his blond bangs over his eyes. That was better, since he thought he could hide behind them.
“Well don’t you look smart and all grown up?” Princess Catherine called, striding towards him.
Jason turned and smiled. She was wearing a dark blue dress that hung just above the knee. It was cut low from the neck and was probably the most mature outfit Jason had ever seen her in.
“Hi. Wow.” Jason smiled. “You look amazing. Every time I see you, you seem to be more grown-up. You look like a model.” They gave each other a quick hug; she gave him a peck on his cheek.
She took his hand and led him back towards the banquet hall.
“Jason I love how you’re a hero one minute, flying around the world taking on all the bad guys and now you’re here, acting like a nervous school boy,” Catherine said.
“I’m not nervous,” Jason lied.
“Jason Steed, one has known you quite long enough to know when you are nervous” Catherine smiled. “Besides your hands are sweating.”
“It could be the suit and tie. I’m hot.”
Catherine stopped and smiled at him. She gently flicked his blond bangs revealing his sapphire blue eyes.“Yes you are hot, another reason why I adore you.”
Jason beamed. For most of the evening he ignored the looks he got from people. He could tell some were talking about him, many wondering who Catherine’s guest was. Fortunately most of the attention was on Prince Cuthbert and his new fiance Lady Arabella Wellesley.
After the meal the guests danced in the great hall. It gave Jason and Catherine time to talk alone and catch up. Catherine went to powder her nose and a boy who had been giving Jason the evil eye most of the evening approached him. Jason guessed he was about fifteen, slim with an athletic build with black hair slicked back.
As he approached he held out his hand. “Allow me to introduce myself; Laurence Cavendish, 9th Baron of Chester.” The youth said in an upper crust British accent.
“Hi. Jason Steed,” he replied casually shaking his hand.
Laurence stood a couple inches taller than Jason; he smiled but Jason thought it was more a sneer. “Steed, Steed the name doesn’t ring any bells.”
“No you would need a rope or handle to ring a bell,” Jason said.
Laurence looked startled by Jason’s remark and took a step back before frowning with a top curled lip smile.
“Oh I do believe you are either joking with me or being rather rude.”
Jason forced a smile. “No just joking. I don’t think we’ve met so you wouldn’t know my name.”
“I noticed you and Catherine together. What’s the spin?” Laurence asked.
“We’re friends. Good friends,” Jason said looking around the room hoping he would see Catherine coming back.
“I’ve heard rumors that she had a little guy that was keeping her amused. I guess that must be you,” He said looking down his nose at Jason.
“Probably.” Jason agreed; he had taken a dislike to Laurence who came closer to talk into Jason’s ear.
“You do know old boy that she will one day marry someone in her rank and I was rather hoping to have a dance with her tonight. If you’re a friend you wouldn’t want to spoil her fun would you? How about you run along now.”
Jason smiled and took a sip of his coke before responding. “I’m not sure how to reply to that. I thought about just giving you a nasty look. But I see you already have one.”
“How dare you. Do you have any idea who I am?” Laurence whined.
“I’m no cactus expert, but I know a prick when I see one.”
Laurence placed his hand on Jason’s shoulder and squeezed.
“I’ll have you know I’m Eaton School Rugby Captain and could do you some serious damage. Think yourself lucky I’m in a good mood.”
Jason glared at him. “Laurence the last time I saw something like you I flushed it away.
Take the hint, I’m not going anywhere and remove your hand off my shoulder before I break it.”
“Laurence. Jason. I see you’ve met,” Cuthbert said prying Laurence’s hand off Jason’s shoulder.
“Prince Cuthbert. Congratulations, you and Lady Arabella make a great couple,” Jason smiled trying to rise above the incident.
“Cuthbert you know this inbred and allow him to see your sister? I have a good mind to take him outside and show him some manners. If he wasn’t younger than me I would certainly give him a good thrashing,” Laurence gasped.
Cuthbert stood between Jason and Laurence. “Laurence, I like you; our families always get on. But believe me, if you took him outside he would most probably put you in the hospital for a very long time. If Catherine likes him that’s good enough for me and besides he saved her life once and the lives of many others,” Cuthbert quipped.
Laurence peered around Cuthbert at Jason. “He’s so small. But if pretty looks and aggression is something she likes then she is more than welcome to him.”
Both Jason and Cuthbert watched Laurence walk away.
“I’m sorry about him, Jason. He has a thing for Catherine; his mother even dropped out to a tabloid newspaper that she expected her son to marry Catherine one day.” Cuthbert said.
“Wow. What did Catherine say?” Jason asked.
“Not much, but Mother was not amused. I’m afraid you’ll discover that some of the wealthy, the lords and ladies of our great country are a little eccentric. Some of my cousins are so rich and stuck up. I fear they will one day have a heart attack when they realize that nasty smell was them as they farted.”
Jason roared with laughter. He wasn’t sure what was funnier, what Prince Cuthbert had said or the fact it was him of all people that said it. Many in the room including the queen looked over at Jason and Cuthbert laughing hysterically; it brought on a contagious smile. The queen herself smiled seeing her oldest son and the boyfriend of her youngest daughter getting on so well and sharing a joke.
Catherine returned and put her arms through Jason’s. “What are you two laughing at?”
“Hi sis. Well that’s my queue to mingle, nice seeing you again Jason,” Cuthbert shook Jason’s hand.
“What were you two laughing at?” Catherine asked.
“Vulgar boys jokes, although Laurence Cavendish the Baron of snob town may have been mentioned.”
“Chester, he is the 9th Baron of Chester. Did you meet him?” Catherine asked.
“I’m afraid I did,” Jason sighed. “But your big brother rescued me.”
“I doubt you need rescuing from anyone, Jason.”
Jason never noticed Laurence again; he wasn’t sure how he felt about what he had said. He knew he wasn’t from a high-class family like Laurence but Jason’s family was still relatively wealthy and had all served in the Royal Navy.
Apart from the exchange with Laurence, Jason enjoyed the party and spending time with Catherine. For the first few years his and Princess Catherine’s friendship had been passed off as just children being friends. But now they were young teens so it seemed to come under more scrutiny.
His father and Brenda picked him up at eleven. As usual he was asked a barrage of questions about Buckingham palace, who he had seen, who he had spoken too and what he had to eat. It all seemed normal for Jason, since meeting royalty was nothing special, but to others who may never get the opportunity, they always asked questions and his parents were just as curious as anyone else. Part way home he pretended he had fallen asleep in the car. He regretted the deception but at least they stopped asking questions.
Within twenty-four
hours Jason was saying goodbye to his family. He gave his dad a hug goodbye and was unsure what to do with Brenda. He didn’t feel comfortable calling her mom yet and didn’t know if he ever would. He shook her hand goodbye, yet before he could object she moved forward and awkwardly hugged him.
Jason walked to the departure lounge at London’s Heathrow airport with a British Airways chaperone. At thirteen he could travel alone as the airline offered the service for minors.
Jason’s chaperone was called Rob. Jason guessed he was about nineteen maybe twenty. He wore wire-rimmed glasses and had a goatee beard. Jason was surprised by his state of dress; he wore bleached jeans, an AC/DC washed out shirt and sandals. As they took their seats Rob made a point of talking to Jason, although Jason could tell he was just being friendly because he was paid to.
“Hey little dude. Istanbul, Turkey. The flight’s gonna be wild.” Rob said in a slow raspy voice.
Jason nodded.
“This school you go to, sounds cool man.” Rob said.
“It’s okay. I like it.” Jason said trying to read his karate magazine.
“Duuuuude, you do karate?” Rob marveled.
Jason looked at him he wanted to give a sassy answer. Of course I do karate why else would I be reading a karate magazine. If I was reading a soccer mag, I would like soccer. However it was going to be a long flight so he bit his tongue and was polite.
“Yes, I practice karate,” Jason said quietly.
“Cool,” Rob predictably replied.
For most of the flight Rob fell asleep which was what Jason preferred. He thought Rob was the one that needed a chaperone; he had made himself sick eating too many dried apricots and when he wasn’t sick, he was in the bathroom with a severe case of diarrhea. Then when he wasn’t in the bathroom he was asleep again. Jason liked him. Rob had no worries in the world; everything was either ‘cool’ or ‘far out’.
Chapter Four