Chapter 29: A Lineup of Luxury

”You’re finally here, Agent Bob, looks like the CIA has a sense of timing after all.”

As soon as the middle-aged man appeared, he was met with a cold stare from Starling.

In the face of the FBI’s malice, Bob, who was an elite CIA agent, was not polite, he replied with the same spitefulness.

”No matter what my mission is, the timing for me is the most important matter; coming early or coming late may spoil things.”

While the two were spitting witty words at each other, Gordon seized the opportunity to take a closer look at them. 

Bob was a CIA elite who had carried out countless high-risk missions and had never failed once. His skills were absolutely top-notch, and his temper seemed quite good. Although he was exchanging sarcastic insinuations with Starling, the expression on his face was quite kind and friendly.

Bob is relatively ordinary-looking, he is 5.6 feet (173 cm) tall. His most noticeable feature was probably his large nose.

On the whole, Gordon’s impression of Bob was not bad.

As for Starling, she was much younger than Bob, and, although she wasn’t quite an elite agent in the FBI, she was no less famous; she was the most widely known agent in the FBI.

Of course, she was also competent enough, else, she wouldn’t have been brought in to assist in Gotham’s protection effort. The reason for her low position was other than her ability.

Gordon could see that although these two were unforgiving towards each other, they didn’t really have any ill faith in one other. Their interaction seemed like a usual ‘friendly communication’ between the FBI and the CIA.

”Agent Bob, I’ve heard that you have long been thinking of retiring, how come you’re still continuing to work in the Intelligence Bureau? Could it be that the CIA has no one left to take on beside you, and that’s the reason why your Director refuses to let you retire?”, Starling smiled affectionately.

”Actually, this is the last mission I’ll be on since my request for retirement was approved.”, Bob returned the same smile.

”After I retire, I plan to run a pen shop, and I’ve even found the perfect location for it.”

”However, in contrast to the CIA, it seems like the FBI can’t carry out tasks alone such as protecting Her Majesty Elizabeth. You were supposed to send your strongest personnel, right?”

”Ha, you’re quite right, but I’m confident enough to carry out this task more than anyone else.”

Wariness appeared in Starling’s eyes.

”But I’ve heard that you haven’t caught the criminal who started the case that made you famous until now.”

”Hannibal is no ordinary criminal, and, sooner or later, I will find him. I am convinced that I am the only one in the world who can catch him.”

Starling was not shaken by Bob’s words, instead, she cut to the chase.

”Heh, I suppose so, Ms Starling.”

”Not many people in the world would dare commit murder in front of a queen of a country, so, this mission shouldn’t be as intimidating as we imagined.”

Rather headlessly, the two agents’ aggression faded, they actually began to communicate in a normal manner.

”I’d like to wish Agent Bob a happy retirement in advance here.”, Starling smiled.

”So, you two, that’s enough small talk, let’s get to work.” Gordon stepped forward and interrupted the agents.

In this situation, the GCPD cooperated with Bob and Starling to arrange various arrangements, consider any possible situation and give a plan to deal with it.

During the discussion, Starling’s abilities really showed up, and Gordon was quite impressed by her calmness and resourcefulness.

Bob didn’t think as widely as Starling but was always able to fill in the gaps.

On the other hand, in London, the UK, Queen Elizabeth was about to board her plane, accompanied by a team of highly trained bodyguards, all MI7 agents.

However, Her Majesty herself seems to be dissatisfied with these bodyguards.

”Pamela.”, Queen Elizabeth’s sad voice emerged.

Immediately, a middle-aged woman appeared in front of the Queen and respectfully said, “Your Majesty, I am here, may I have any instructions?”

”You are the head of MI7, and you are arranging the protection staff for my trip to Gotham this time, is that correct?”

”Yes, Your Majesty, those present are the most elite agents of MI7, they will be sure to protect Your Majesty.”

”Heh~” Queen Elizabeth laughed softly, “The most elite? Is it really?”

”What about Johnny English, how come I don’t seem to see him here?”

At the name, Pamela was shocked, she gritted her teeth as she said, “Johnny is not capable enough to carry this burden, in fact, he would be the least reliable agent in the Seventh Branch.”

”Your Majesty’s safety is of paramount importance, how can he be allowed to…”

”That’s enough! Pamela!”, Queen Elizabeth snapped.

”I’m not going to be bothered with your dislike for your own men. All I know is that Agent Johnny served heroically in Asia recently, and during his service, the ‘elite’ as you call them, didn’t seem to do a thing …”

”I have decided to make English the head of my guard for this expedition, do you have any objections?”

Facing the Queen’s gaze, Pamela, in a cold sweat, could only nod and say, “Your Majesty, I have no objections.”

Pamela winked at her assistant, who left in a hurry to find Johnny.

Within minutes, a middle-aged agent with a naive appearance, in extreme enthusiasm, showed up in front of the Queen.

”With me, there will be no surprises on this journey, I assure you, Your Majesty!”, he said, beating his chest with excitement written all over his face.

This entrance was not really the right match for the calmness of that situation, but the Queen was not disappointed by it, on the contrary, she liked the lively feeling.

It made her feel tens of years younger.

The Queen set off for Gotham, the world-famous city of simple folk. 

Meanwhile, just after the Queen’s royal plane took off, a modest suit shot with a sign “Royal Gentleman” on was lit.

  It’s midnight in London and all the suit shops are usually closed at this time but this one.

What’s even weirder is that the early next morning, the suit shop put up a sign that asserted it would be closed for several days …

Mathison was now torn, wondering if he had made the right choice.

Because, in the end, he chose to do it anyway.

He decided to return the Cat’s Eye Emerald to its owner before sending out the third teaser letter.

Oh, of course, it wouldn’t be Daggett. He was a bad man who was definitely considered to have caused a lot of harm, however, one wouldn’t call him evil.

He had even gone so far as to collaborate with Bain and, eventually, died at the latter’s hands, which was shameful.

He didn’t feel any guilt at all for stealing from Daggett.

But, not long ago, a new piece of news made him change his mind.

It turned out that the Cat’s Eye Emerald belonged to a mine owner who later lost his reputation and all his assets, as a result of a serious mine collapse.

It was also that accident that allowed this rare emerald to see the light of day.

Unwilling to lose everything, the mine owner put the emerald up for auction, only to end up in the hands of Daggett.

It was sold for $20 million dollars at the auction, which is an astronomical price.

The owner was expected to use the money to make a comeback or, at least, just retire, but the aftermath was far from that…