Walls Came Tumbling Down

ÿþ"And what are all these squiggles?" Ann asked, peering over the large tome on her desk.

Luigi chuckled, self-effacingly, "Those are formulas, er, my formulas for calculating the," he got flustered and decided to just show her instead, "here." He took the pages and flicked through until he found the results table. "These were all calculated using that formula."

Ann stared at the grid, "Well, it all looks very nice." She stood back. "And is this for your PhD?"

"No, no." Luigi blinked. "I have already got one of those. This is for, well, I am hoping to patent the enzyme and publish," he indicated the book, with his lower lip bending back. Ann nodded. "Publish this."

"Oh! So it's for fun?"

"Not really for," Luigi grimaced, "well, fun. It is research. Something I have been working on. Science project."

Ann smiled and placed her arm around him. "Well done. It's all a bit over my head, but it looks very posh. Looks like you've done a lot of hard work there." She nodded approvingly. "I really hope you can find a publisher for your book." She squeezed him, with the arm around him. Then she tapped the open page before her. "It should do well, with formulas and all."

"I do hope so." He bit his lip, then took the plunge, speaking very fast in the hope that it wouldn't sound too hyperbolic, "I am hoping it is going to save a lot of lives and, er, change medical science." His whole body tensed, awaiting her reaction.

"Is that so?" Ann did look impressed. "That's fantastic, Luigi. Really, really fantastic. I shall be so proud of you when you succeed at this."

Luigi relaxed very slightly. "I know it is not detective work, but, well, it, er, means a very great deal to me."

"Then it means a great deal to me too." She smiled proudly at him. "And how is it...?" Above their heads, a buzzer sounded. It was Ann's alert that someone was ringing the bell at the gate. She glanced at it, puzzled. "I wasn't expecting a delivery."

Luigi hurriedly closed his research and tucked the book under his arm. "I will get out of your way."

Ann nodded, crossing to the door. "You come and see me later on. The kids will be coming out of classes in a couple of minutes, so I'll have my hands full for the next few hours. After that, you come and see me and tell me about your science." She glanced back to see Luigi rapidly nodding. Every movement was ragged. He shook when he stood still. "I'm very, very proud of you." She opened her office door to the sound of running footsteps in the corridor. "Oy! No running in the corridor! You fall and break your necks, don't come running to me!"

Caerleon was there. "Ann! Where's Luigi? There are two men at the gate asking for the warden. They smell like CID or Secret Service to me." She and Ann exchanged significant looks. Caerleon whispered, "Maybe we could call Hal."

Luigi was loitering in the space behind Ann. "What, er, what is this?"

"What did you tell them?" Ann asked Caerleon.

"I said that I'd get the manager."

"What else did they say?"

Caerleon exhaled, "They asked what this place is. I told them that the sign is on the gate. They asked if they could speak with the warden. I asked who they were. I was told that is a matter for the warden. I just left then and came in to find you."

Luigi was rigid. "Oh dear."

Ann nodded, "Ok. Nobody panic. Local accent?"

"No. Irish."

"Irish?" Ann frowned deeply. "Luigi, I'll deal with them and report back." She smiled, kindly, at him. "It can't be anything too bad. It's not like any of us are criminals here." She started to push past Caerleon, out into the corridor. There was a sudden rush of noise as the door of one of the two main classrooms opened and children flooded out. Conversations erupted around her. Her name was called in three directions at once.

"No, Ann." Luigi said softly, his eyes wide. She couldn't even hear him over the cacophony. "This is my job." Caerleon heard and saw him though. She stepped into the office in a bid to calm him down. Even the fifth generation knew how perilously close to the edge Luigi lived. He had been admitted and treated at the Institution during all of his breakdowns. But Luigi doubled back and planted his research on the desk, then dashed past Caerleon and into the busy corridor. He bellowed. "Ann!" She stopped and turned. Luigi ran to her. "It is, er, my job."

Ann rubbed his arm, "Don't you worry about it, poppet. I've got this."

"No, Ann." Luigi shook his head and sped into the large reception hallway. Ann stood at the corner of the corridor, quickly acquiring a group of younger children around her. Luigi hadn't gone to the front door. He had darted into Hal's office, which was now temporarily his own.

"What's going on?" Ella called from the back of the huddle.

Caerleon supplied the details, "Two men at the gate. We think they're police. Luigi is going to deal with it." Loud opinions about this were sparked all around her.

Holiday pushed forward. "Ann, me and Stu ordered games. Have they arrived?" The second classroom had opened. Most of the twenty-three fifth generation children were bustling to gain a vantage point.

"Ann, is Luigi going to start screaming on the floor again?" Kato asked, slipping her hand into that of the housekeeper. "I don't want him to."

Ann was thinking fast. "Ok. Kato, I want you to do me a big girl favour. Run up to the library and see if Jamboree is there. Tell her..." She stopped. Luigi was out of his office. He now had on his pristine, white lab coat and he was walking purposefully towards the front door. "Lu!" Ann called. "I've been thinking, maybe Jam..." But he didn't pause. He just marched on out and down the concrete entrance steps.

The two dark-suited men were at the tall gates, appearing suddenly more alert, as he strode towards them. Ann and several of the children crowded at the front door, despite her attempts to send them back inside. Luigi came to a halt a couple of paces back from the gate. "I do apologise for keeping you waiting. I am the warden of this Institution, may I assist you gentlemen?"

"Ann?" Kato hissed. "Is Luigi allowed to talk to strangers?"

"Yes." Ann replied anxiously. "He's a grown up." She caught the urgent whispers of Holiday, Daton and Vido, who were laying bets on how long it would take Luigi to go to pieces. Ann turned and glared at all three. She pointed and spoke in a tone laden with threat, "One more word..." She didn't have to finish. They all looked vaguely contrite.

One of their visitors was answering Luigi. They all craned to hear. "My name is Sean Whelan. My colleague is Ferdia Kavanagh. Could we speak with you in private?"

Luigi eyed them both a touch longer than was comfortable. "Whom do you represent?"

"I am an officer with G-2." Whelan replied, discreetly. He and Kavanagh both showed their identification cards.

"The Irish intelligence corps. Affiliated militarily with the Defence Forces, but financed through the Garda. Budget reports and expenditure both a tightly guarded secret under the auspices of national security. Small band of personnel, but with highly significant successes during World War 2 with routing German intelligence, despite your country's supposed neutrality." Luigi spoke like an automaton. Both agents seemed warily surprised. "Usually to be found working with the British in order to uncover IRA members wanted for British mainland bomb attacks. Rumoured to have also been working with the United Nations in both the Balkans and the Middle East." Luigi's hands had both been tightly clenched down by his thighs, they relaxed and were held loose. "In the wake of the September 11th attacks on the USA, G-2 were instrumental in uncovering Islamic extremist groups operating from Eire. The gratitude of the USA has shown itself in forming intelligence coalitions, particularly in Afghanistan, where G-2 work closely with the CIA and MI6. This is viewed internally as a great coup, as US support can be used as a bulwark against any future British aggression, of which your country has historically suffered very greatly."

Whelan and Kavanagh stared at him. Kavanagh had spent the entire speech glancing around himself to check that they were not being overheard. Whelan had alternated between watching Luigi and looking towards Ann and the children beyond him. It was he who eventually replied. "You've been doing your homework. Were you expecting us?"

Luigi shook his head. "I spoke merely as a refresher, in summary, for yourselves. German spies, terrorist groups and wartime intelligence has been your historical remit. Have you extended this?"

Kavanagh had to suppress a smile. He turned his back, ostensibly to inspect the street. Whelan spoke blankly, "I am afraid that I'm not at liberty to tell you that. But there is something that is better discussed in private."

"Please, gentlemen," Luigi indicated the tall, stone block post to his right-hand side. "Could you read to me what it says there?"

Whelan stepped back. "The Wammy's House."

"We are registered as an Institution for the care of gifted and talented looked after children. I fail to see what that has to do with either Islamic extremists nor the US quest for Afghan oil." Luigi smiled. "Or has G-2 branched out into social care?"

"Sir, there has been a serious complaint made against this Institution." Whelan quietly said.

Luigi raised his eyebrows. "Then I know that this is a joke. If it concerned the welfare of an individual, past or present, then you would be Social Services. If it's a matter of national security, then you would be MI5. We are not in Ireland. This is not your jurisdiction."

Kavanagh stepped up to the gate. "Are you aware of a child named Liam Tighe?"

Luigi met his gaze squarely. "I have no reason to either confirm or deny that. I am under no obligation to give either of you gentlemen information pertaining to this Looked After Children's Home." His chin rose firmly. "That would be both illegal and irresponsible, and the protection of my juvenile residents is paramount. I will not play guessing games with foreign nationals illegally operating on British soil. Enquire through the correct channels; arrive accompanied by the correct officials. Do that and my door will be opened to you. We have nothing to hide here, but I will not wilfully endanger the welfare of my charges by co-operating in untoward practices." He inclined his head. "Please leave, officers, otherwise I will be beholden to summon the authorities to arrest you for loitering and harassment."

Whelan fixed him with his most charming smile. "Sure, I admit that it looks a bit strange. We wanted to talk off the record. I think you know what this is about."

"I assure you, sir, that I do not." Luigi replied sternly. "Even if you are who you say you are, then you are acting here illegally under international law. I also know that there is absolutely no good reason why G-2 would express an interest in a British Looked After Children's Home. Therefore I feel no compulsion to admit you onto these premises."

Kavanagh leaned in to whisper, "You know that if this isn't dealt with delicately, then it has the potential to blow up in your face." He flashed a small smile. "We can wait out here, while you call L, if you like."

"Call L?" Luigi frowned in bewilderment. Then he allowed realisation to dawn upon his features. "I see! Call Hell! You're evangelicals. No thank you." He inclined his head. "Good day, gentlemen." Then turned around and began a leisurely march back towards the steps. His gaze met Ann's and she grinned at him, nodding empathically. There was pride in her expression. Luigi smiled back.

Whelan called after him. "Sir!" He held a small card through the railings. "Take my number. You may wish to call me, once you've checked with your employer."

Luigi paused at the bottom of the steps and looked back. He called out. "If you have not left in two minutes, I will be summoning the police." He began his progress up the steps, signalling for the watching children to return inside. They scattered before him, but only as far as just inside the door. Ann caught hold of his arm, as he entered, and pulled him into a bear-hug. "It is alright, Ann. Thank you." Luigi spoke quickly, with no trace of his usual nerves. His eyes raked over the assembled ranks. Some were excitable and others were watchfully still. A couple acted like they weren't at all interested in the proceedings. He selected one of them. "You, boy, what's your name?"

Ann followed his gaze. "That is Pwyll."

Luigi made to speak, then stopped, second guessing himself. "No." He folded his arms around himself and began to pace. "That is quite wrong." His head jerked up and his gaze sought out Caerleon. "You knew that they were out there. How did you know that?"

"My thesis is on desiccation sensitivity and the underlying limitations for cryopreservation in..."

Ann interrupted, "She does gardening."

Luigi hadn't looked away from Caerleon. "You have a legitimate reason to be outside, which wouldn't look strange to onlookers?"

"Yes." Caerleon beamed, sensing an important role for herself here.

"Go outside. If they are still there, do not engage them in conversation. If they attempt to speak to you, tell them that you're under instruction not to converse. Go about your work, but watch them surreptitiously. Report back when you believe them gone. They are your target. Do not leave the premises." He exhaled and started towards the warden's office. "And if you are sure that they have gone, then secret that business card about your person and bring it to me."

Luigi walked on then, ploughing through the amazed and clustering children. He dashed into the office, closely followed by Ann. Once inside, he fled to the refridgerator and took out a hard boiled egg. Ann shut the door and looked at him. "You were brilliant out there."

"I do not understand, Ann." Luigi began to tremble. "What is Fenian doing?"

"Perhaps you ought to call Near, poppet. Let him handle this. That's what Hal would do." She smiled reassurance. "Or you could invite them in and see what they want. I've only seen something like this happen once before, when those nice Japanese men came. Roger brought them in here and talked with them."

Luigi stared at her. He shook his head. "I'm calling Fenian." He grabbed another couple of eggs and moved shakily to the desk. His laptop was set up in front of Hal's desktop. The papers around it were all scientific. He had been here in body only. His research went on.

"That's a good idea." Ann agreed. She ambled over to the refridgerator and opened the door, checking to see how many boiled eggs he had left. There were only two of the original sixteen in there. She sighed. "It is good to see that you're getting your protein, but..."

"Ann, please." Luigi sat at the desk, his hands in his hair and his elbows resting on the top. "It is just ringing out." He blinked several times behind his glasses. "Should it ring out? Maybe he has changed his number. Do we have a direct number? Is he still with Century?"

Ann bit her lip. "Call Near, dear. I really think that you should."

"Oh gosh, no." Luigi winced. "That would get Fenian into the most terrible trouble." He contemplated his options. "I will call Deontic."