Adventures of Pullman Brown Episode Two

Tony let out a laugh. "Somehow, Alban, I can't find it in my heart to ask, 'Goofy wanna cracker'. It just doesn't fit."

"It doesn't have to fit for you, just for me, Tony. If I want a parrot named Goofy, I have one." Alban turned to Pullman. "So what are you gonna do about it, Pullman? The Brown Hound, I mean."

"Get it back, what else. I'm not afraid of Gridley and his air jockeys."

"How could you let him take the Hound ?" Another saltine came out for Goofy, who took it and hopped onto Tony's shoulder.

"Alban, your bird is trained, right?" Tony asked, eyeing the parrot suspiciously.

"Of course," Alban responded. "Trained better than most." Tony relaxed and let Goofy roost on his shoulders, nibbling at its cracker.

"I didn't let him take the Hound, Alban," Pullman continued. "He took my plane while Tony and I were out in Ginnie's Silver Bird."

"The dirty pirates."

"That's been established, Alban. Question is, where did they go in the Hound? That's why we're here."

"They aren't here," Alban stated. "Everyone comes to Alban's, but today, no dirty pirates. No Gridley or his men. Sorry, Pullman." He gave another saltine to Goofy.

"I know he's not here, Alban. I was hoping you'd know where he was headed. Did he stop in here earlier?"

Alban thought a moment. "No." He said plainly, without preamble. "I haven't seen the dirty dog or his men in weeks."

Pullman's frustration was obvious.

Alban put a hand on Pullman's shoulder, to comfort his friend. "If it helps, I know where he hangs out."

Pullman's expression had the effect Alban sought.

"He hangs out on a small island called San Michelle, twelve miles southeast of here, on the edge of our world. Try him there and see what happens. After that, I can't help you, my friend."

"That's better than nothing. Come on, Tony." Pullman looked down at his co-pilot. "And clean up before you board. You're a mess."

Tony looked abruptly at his shoulder, causing Goofy to alight and come to rest again upon Alban's shoulder. The white mess dribbled down his flight shirt.

"Alban! I thought you told me Goofy was trained!"

Alban got up to leave, Goofy proud upon his shoulder.

"I did. Do you see anything on my shoulders?" The barman went back to his other guests, leaving Tony with his mouth hanging wide open.

Pullman did not have time to react to Tony's aggravation. Nor did Tony. At the very moment Alban drifted off with Goofy into the smoky alcoves behind Pullman's table, a small figure drifted into view, moving with all the svelteness of a Siamese cat. As if to emphasize this, two Siamese cats, one grey, the other black with white "socks", trailed behind her. Oddly, a little chihuahua followed behind the cats, being careful not to be noticed, especially by the cats, who wore mischievous grins that advertised their dispositions: Don't even try it, they seemed to say. The cats and dog following the mysterious woman were not what stopped Pullman's heart mid-beat. The woman herself wore an air of imperiality, her self-assurance as brilliant as the Hope Diamond.

She walked confidently across the smoky bar, and arrived at the head of Pullman's table, seating herself before being asked to join them.

"Delicious," Pullman mumbled.

"Excuse me?" she asked.

Pullman blinked, shaking his head. "The dessert. The dessert's delicious..." he mumbled. "Mrs...?"

"It's 'Miss', Mr. Brown. Miss Darlene Nagao. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. You and your companion."

"Oh, he's just Tony," Pullman stammered. Where was his mind going? This lady must be weaving some sort of spell over him. And he didn't even believe in that sort of Voodoo garbage. Yet here he was, a normally solidly held together individual, being turned to the equivalent of emotional green Jell-O salad by the mere presence of Miss Nagao.

"Thanks," Tony responded, brushing his shoulder intently with a napkin. "And this noodle is Pullman Brown. Just Pullman Brown."

Miss Nagao smiled warmly at them. "Tell me, gentlemen, do you fly?"

"Endlessly, unless you ask our boss," Tony said.

"Do you like to fly, Miss Nagao?" Pullman asked, ignoring Tony.

"Depends on the pilot, Mr. Brown."

"I'm a very good pilot."

"Yeah, if you like wearing your stomach on your sleeve," Tony interjected.

"Tony, can we have an intelligent conversation here?" Pullman was to the point of embarrassment.

Darlene rescued them both. "I'm flattered two such charming men are fighting over me, but I have a business proposition for you, Mr. Brown."

"Really." he tried to hide the disappointment in his voice.

Darlene smiled again. "And I know I could trust no one but you with it," she rescued his ego. It worked. "Mr. Brown, I need your services."

"Are you shipping cargo somewhere?"

"I am." She reached under her long coat, and pulled out a package, wrapped in plain, brown wrapping, tied with string. "I need these to get to Aruba, and I trust only you to get them there...on time."

"Then ASD is your company, and I'm your man." Pullman proclaimed.

Tony tapped him on his shoulder. At first Pullman ignored the interruption of his thoughts, drawn as he was to the smile still laid across Darlene's face. But a second tap broke that spell too.

Pullman glared at Tony. "What is it... companion?"

"Forgive the interruption...dear...but we have pressing business elsewhere at the moment, lest you forget."

Pullman was pulled back to reality. "He's right, Miss Nagao. My plane is currently unavailable. In fact, it's taken, and I am just in the process of getting it back."

Darlene's eyes grew concerned. "It's been stolen?"

"Let's just say it's been borrowed, without my permission," Pullman suggested. "That way, when I get it back, I won't have to kill the scum who took it. I'll just hurt him."

Darlene's eyes broke momentarily from Pullman's stare, long enough to catch sight of a tall form entering Alban's. She leaned across to Pullman, pressed the package into his hands. "Here. I trust you to still get it to Aruba on time. The address is on the package, and I need it there by noon this Saturday."

"But if I can't, somehow, how will I reach you?"

Darlene smiled warmly again. "Everybody comes to Alban's." In an instant, she was gone, her two cats following behind her, like the swirl of a black and gray evening gown. The little chihuahua kept its distance behind the two cats, looking over its shoulder at Pullman and Tony. It seemed to be grinning at them.

"Something spooked her," Tony observed. "She left in a big hurry."

Pullman passed the package along the table to Tony. "Here, get this aboard the Silver Bird. I think I know what spooked her." He pointed with his nose in the direction of the front entrance. The tall form materialized out of the smoky haze and became the familiar figure of Charles Leach, owner of Leach Logistics. He had enough money to buy every island in the South Caribbean, but he preferred to control them using more...discreet methods. Although it has not been proven yet, Pullman at least felt Charles had his hand in most if not all dirty dealings in this part of the world. He probably even had a heavy hand in the taking of the Brown Hound and the Four Elements. But no one, not even Pullman, spoke these thoughts out loud. Especially with Charles in the same room.

As crowded as Alban's was, Charles never bumped into anyone, nor they him. Bodies seemed to repel away from him, as two magnets at opposing ends fail to connect. Behind Charles, his lovely associate, Zarina Kahn, walked a pace behind. She was as exotic in appearance as her name portrayed, conjuring up images of her Pakistani-Laotian heritage. This was her lethality and Pullman knew it. Unlike the spell cast by the mysterious Miss Nagao, Pullman kept his guard against the deadly spell cast by Zarina Kahn. As Tony slipped out the back way, Charles arrived at Pullman's table and sat down without asking.

What was it with people today? Pullman wondered. Manners were becoming scarce. Charles sat staring at Pullman for a few moments before speaking, while Zarina stood behind him, glaring. The show of intimidation amused Pullman, but did not faze him.
"Afternoon, Chuckie," he greeted the power broker. "Nice weather we're having."

"Yes," Charles replied in his smooth tone. "If you're a duck. And it's Charles please. I abhor slaughtered nicknames."

"Whatever you say, Chuck. What can I do for you? You obviously don't come to Alban's for the atmosphere."

"Quite right, Mr. Brown," Charles said, ignoring Pullman's snipe on his name. "I understand you are - shall we say - 'missing' a plane?"
Pullman's expression grew cold. "News travels fast in this neck of the woods, Mr. Leach."

"I have eyes and ears everywhere. That is a necessity in my business."

"Always looking over your shoulder, yes that's my kind of business."

"Mr. Brown, I think I can help you get your plane back."

"Really? That's rather nice of you, Chuck. And all for nothing, I presume?"

"Being presumptuous is not profitable. Of course, I expect something in return." He motioned for Zarina to step forward. She did, bringing an envelope from underneath her jacket. Charles handed it to Pullman. "I have an interest in the Four Elements that Gridley is now transporting on board the Brown Hound. This envelope contains the documentation he used to obtain them and your plane from ASD."

"How'd you get this?" Pullman took the offered envelope, tearing it open and pouring quickly over its contents.

"You'll find they are legitimate documents."

"How?"

"That's not important. Suffice it to say that not everyone in ASD is loyal to the cause."

This last comment hit Pullman in his midsection. A traitor in their midst? That just didn't happen in the Caribbean. Not at ASD.

"I am giving you an opportunity to recover your plane - if you bring me the Four Elements in return for my favor."

"What could you possibly want with those superstitious idols? You don't believe in that claptrap."

"True, but I have sentimental reasons for their recovery." Charles paused as he assessed Pullman's reaction to his offer. "So, Mr. Brown, do we have an agreement?"
"Let me think about it."

"I think not. Time is of the essence, as they say, and we are short on it. Either you help me, or you lose the Brown Hound, because Gridley has too much of a head start, and more people on his side than are on yours between here and his destination."

Pullman thought about this. What did he have to lose? He was at distinct disadvantage, and he didn't have any loyalty to Suaste. But he did have loyalty to Ginnie. Perhaps he could figure out a way...

"And if you think you can manage to double-cross me, I am sending Zarina with you to...keep an eye on things and ensure smooth operations." Zarina glared. Charles smiled. Pullman rolled his eyes. What kind of trouble could Pullman be asking for?