Caroline Stellings - The Secret of the Golden Flower

Chapter One

So where is the spy school, Fenwick? asked Nicki. Downtown?

The butler looked from side to side. Not spy school, he replied in a whisper. We in the Secret Intelligence Service refer to it as the non-field training headquarters.

Non-field?

Lets just say that whereas your kung fu teachers have shown you how to knock someone out

Only in self-defense, Fenwick.

I see, he said. Well then, whereas your martial arts instructors can show you how to, uh, restrain someone, he explained, the agents at the non-field training headquarters teach you who to restrain and why .

Fenwick pulled Nickis luggage from the carousel, then searched for his own. Heathrow Airport was at its busiest during the summer, with tourists flying in and out of London by the thousands.

At sixteen, Nicki Haddon had been in more international airports than most people ever visited in a lifetime, and Heathrow was one of the ones she frequented most often. But this arrival was different. This was the first time she was traveling anywhere as a newly recruited spy-in-training. She spent the almost eight-hour flight from Toronto wrapping her head around the idea. She hadnt hesitated to accept the invitation, but she knew she couldnt fully anticipate what lay ahead. But then, her kung fu training prepared her to be open to all eventualities.

You still havent told me where this place is, said Nicki. She and Fenwick hadnt been able to talk openly on their flight from Toronto.

In an old sugar factory on Adder Street. In the East End, near the docks. He raised an eyebrow. So its a good thing indeed that youre an expert in kung fu.

Tough neighborhood? Nickis numerous London visits had always been centered in the downtown core.

The worst, he replied. Youll see when you go to Adder Street for classes tomorrow morning.

Do I need a key?

No, Miss. Your iris will be scanned, and the computers will be set to allow you access.

So did you go to this school? asked Nicki.

No, I didnt. I was sent to a location in Hampshire, but that was after I had finished training as a butler. And after Id spent quite a few years in the Royal Air Force.

I didnt know you were a pilot.

Oh, yes, replied the gray-haired butler. Helicopters and small aircraft.

But you told me you grew up in the East End. She watched as a group of teenagers dashed past, laughing as they ran to catch their flight.

Yes, my sister Emma and I grew up there. Penniless. He checked his watch. Which is why I eventually took a position at MI6.

And then you moved to Milchester?

No, I only recently bought the cottage. I bought it for He stopped himself, leaving Nicki to wonder why. She didnt pry, and he carried on. Emma is expecting us there in a few hours.

By the way, Ive been meaning to askhow did you arrange a leave of absence with my parents? While attempting to recruit Nicki for the British spy agency, Fenwick had been working undercover as a butler at the Haddons home on Torontos exclusive Bridle Path. The Haddons owned an upscale chain of hotels around the world and had adopted Nicki from China as an infant. Once agents for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the United States Secret Service saw Nicki in action, they also wanted her aboard. Carrying dual citizenship and being a kung fu champion, Nicki was considered a natural for international intelligence work.

Since your parents believe that youre here to train at a martial arts school for elite athletes, explained the butler, I suggested accompanying you to London to look after your needs and help get you settled. They werent going to be needing me much, what with all their upcoming travel, so they agreed. He spotted his suitcase on the belt. Oh, there it is, he said. Just as he grabbed his bag, his cell phone rang.

Nicki surveyed the airport. Crowds of people brushed by her. Every time she landed in England, it struck her as a country of extremes. On the one hand, London was a bustling, energetic, overwhelming, impersonal metropolis where no one had a minute for anyone else. Yet within that very city stood eternal cathedrals and palaces, unaffected by the ravages of time. Their leaded windows were like looking-glasses into the far and misty past.

Today? asked Fenwick into his phone. But I He listened intently. I see, he said. Yes, immediately. He returned the phone to a pocket inside his jacket.

Whats that all about? asked Nicki, moving aside to let a flower seller squeeze her cart past.

Fenwick lowered his voice. Im sorry, Miss Nicki, but it looks as if I wont be accompanying you to Milchester after all. He pulled his luggage toward him and waited while two groups of women filed by. Things are moving along a bit faster than I expected.

What do you mean? asked Nicki.

I had hoped to fill you in on the way to my sisters, but as it turns out, they want you to go there alone. The flower seller pushed past a second time, so Nicki and the butler moved. He checked the location of the overhead surveillance cameras, then chose a spot behind a pillar to disclose the information. As for me, I will be working out of Buckingham, he said softly.

Buckingham Palace ? whispered Nicki. As a butler?

Yes, Miss. He noticed a tourist snapping photos of the airport and instinctively turned his head. A few days ago, there was a security breach at the palace. Someone made it past the guards, in the dead of night. Im told he got as far as the library before escaping on foot.

Did the cameras at the palace pick up an image of the intruder?

A young man, but he was wearing a hood.

Did he take anything?

It appears the intruder didnt find what he was looking for, replied Fenwick. But a security breach of that magnitude can mean only one thing, of course.

This person had help. Someone let him in.

Fenwick nodded. Theyve arrested one of the guards. Im sure he was paid off handsomely.

Right, agreed Nicki. Hell never talk.

In addition to her kung fu talent, it was also this instinctive insight into criminal activity that had singled Nicki out as a strong candidate for intelligence work. It didnt hurt that she was a big fan of James Bond movies and had read all fourteen of Ian Flemings Bond books. Fenwick had to remind himself that she was a complete neophyte, having just been recruited.

We have reason to believe the intruder was part of a syndicate of drug smugglers. Youve been tagged as being well suited to assist with our efforts to help crack the syndicate. There is a young man staying at my sisters housethe son of one of her friends. I dont know his connection to the drug cartel, but

And thats why youre having me stay there? To watch him?

Fenwick gave a wry smile. You will soon learn that in this business, Miss Nicki, there are always two sides to everything. Your training starts first thing tomorrow. Once you find the old sugar factory on Adder Street, look for a large ventilation shaft at street level. Behind that shaft, you will see black fire escape doors that appear to open only from the inside. Enter through those doors, take the steps down, and follow the tunnel underground. He looked at his watch. I really have to get to the palace.

Can you handle it? Nicki asked. I mean, serving the royals?

Ive buttled for the best, he replied.

Buttled?

Yes, Miss. It is a verb, you know.

Nicki smiled. Will you be the only MI6 operative at the palace? she asked.

No. Ill have backup.