On the Road Affair Chapter 1:6
On an affair in Milwaukee Wi the agents deal with Thrush, beer, and a motorcycle gang.
Illya Kuryakin sat on the couch in Waverly’s outer office while Napoleon Solo was parked on the desk flirting with the temporary secretary. “But surely you could get away for a fast lunch after our meeting,” he gave her his most disarming smile. “The restaurant is just a block from here.”
“We might be busy later,” Illya reminded him in exasperation. Napoleon would flirt with any woman he met. Even though he was in a serious relationship with Illya's sister, Jo, his flirting hadn’t decreased as old habits were hard to break.
Napoleon ignored the Russian and tried once more, “Just a fast lunch to get to know you better. After all we’ll be working together very closely.”
Not hearing the door slid open as Waverly walked in, he was surprised when he heard, “We do have furniture to sit on, Mr. Solo.”
Hopping off the desk quickly, he said, “Sorry, sir, just inviting your new secretary to welcoming lunch.”
Straightening his tie and cuffs, he joined his partner and boss entering the office.
“You won’t have time for that,” Waverly said shaking his head at his CEA.
“Someday, Jo is going to catch you,” Illya whispered as they enter the room.
“Hey, she said I need to continue my normal activities so no one gets wise,” a smug smile playing on his lips.
Illya rolled his eyes as he sat in his chair, “You seem to enjoy it a little too much.”
“Gentlemen, if we could get the issue at hand.”
“Yes sir,” the two men answered together.
“You’ll be heading toward Milwaukee, WI for your next assignment.” He sent the files around to them.
“Milwaukee sir? What would be going on in Milwaukee that our local people can’t handle?” Napoleon said as he picked up the file in front of him.
“Ah, beer capital of the world,” Illya had opened his file beginning to browse it.
“We’ve discovered that Thrush is trying to obtain a new formula that one of the beer companies developed accidentally.”
“Thrush is going into the beer business now?” Napoleon said with a grin always surprised at what Thrush would attempt to do in their goal to conquer the world.
“No Mr. Solo. The formula destroys the hops that are needed for beer production by blocking their ability to flower thereby eliminating the major brewing component.”
“Sir, I can see where this might be a problem for the area, but surely not something UNCLE needs to be involved with.” Napoleon still didn’t understand why they would be interested in this problem.
Illya looked up from the chart he was reading. “Napoleon, for the last ten years Milwaukee is home to four of the world's largest breweries and the number one beer producing city in the world. To destroy the production there would cripple the world’s supply of beer. Then they could move on to other cities. The money they could blackmail from these companies for the antidote would increase their assets incredibly.”
“Oh,” Napoleon whistled at the information. “Do we have any idea who is involved?”
“Milwaukee undercover police squad has a man in the motorcycle gang who is investigating the report. We sent in one of our people to get the information, but the informer was killed before either of them could talk to him. I want you two to assist the undercover agents to get the proof and if positive put a stop to it.”
“Mr. Kuryakin, you’ll be replacing Dr. Barnard, the scientist who was killed by members of the motorcycle gang after he failed to get the formula. As Dr. Shane Nicholas, a biochemist working in the division where the formula is stored, you’ll be able to remove the formula after which it can be exchanged for a modified one. Mr. Solo you’ll be going in as Anthony Lamers, an owner of a small brewery, who has been invited to observe new produce formation. You’ll be able to move around the company while keeping an eye on Mr. Kuryakin.”
“Just think Napoleon, you’ll be able to drink all the beer you want,” Illya teased his partner knowing that he’d rather have Scotch or a Martini.
Giving him a sour look, he brought his attention back to Waverly. “Is our agent and the cop still undiscovered?”
“At this moment yes, Miss Kuryakin will contact you when she can with an update on her progress. You’ll meet up with her and the undercover police officer once the two of you have met with the brewery manager. Mr. Stone is a known Thrush operative that I’m sure will recognize you Mr. Solo taking the focus off Mr. Kuryakin.”
“If Thrush has a man on the inside why doesn’t he just get the formula?”
“Although we’re unsure why, it is believed that if something goes wrong they want to have deniability. Gentlemen put a stop to their plans and bring in those responsible. You’re plane leaves in two hours.”
Napoleon and Illya left the office together looking over the files they were given.
“Mr. Solo?” The secretary asked as he walked toward the hallway.
He turned around with a smile, “Sorry my dear, but duty calls. Hopefully when I get back.” With that, he turned following his partner.
……
As Illya drove into Miller Valley, he looked over the many breweries that were located in and around it. Finding the brewery he was to report to, he left the car looking very much like a nerdy researcher wearing a basic black suit, white shirt and black tie, with his unattractive black-rimmed glasses, hair dyed brown and slicked down. However, looks were deceiving as he had various UNCLE items scattered around his body, including his gun, which was reduced to an ankle piece.
He headed toward the office door but stopped outside the room when he heard his partner’s voice with a horrible Texas tang laughing with the secretary.
“Yea honey, I came to the best. I believe that if you’re going to do something do it right, and when I decided to expand my brewery, I came to you. If I decide to work with your company, I think we should get to know each other well.”
“Well, Mr. Lamers, I’m sorry I don’t date customers, but I do appreciate the offer. Now Mr. Stone will be here in a minute, and I’m sure he’ll see you get the tour you were promised.” Miss Langer, the secretary said.
Entering the room, Illya glanced at his partner. He was dressed in a brown corduroy suit, a golden round bolo with antique background and golden tips around his neck with matching belt buckle, cowboy boots. How much he wished he could take a picture of Napoleon at that moment for future blackmail when his partner decided to tease him.
Shaking his head to come back to the assignment, he said in a timid voice, “Excuse me for intruding. I am Dr. Nicholas. I have an appointment with Mr. Stone.”
“Oh Dr. Nicholas, how nice to see you. Mr. Stone has been anxious awaiting your arrival and will be with you shortly. Can I get you gentlemen anything to drink? A beer perhaps?”
“I do not drink alcohol. I will have water if you have it.” Illya said.
“Sure thing, honey. I would love one of them dark ones you guys do so well.” He looked at his partner, “You don’t know what you’re missing doc.”
“Just water please,” he repeated hands folded on his knees.
When the woman left to get the beer, Napoleon laughed. “You play frightened rabbit very well.”
“And you look like a fool in that outfit. Did you see anything yet or just spend the time getting the secretary’s phone number?”
“I like it, makes me look authentic. And no I haven’t learned anything as I haven’t been able to get past this room waiting for Stone to show up. I figure the group wanting the formula will be contacting you later today or tomorrow at the latest as Waverly has sent word that Thrush is planning to give a demonstration of the virus very soon. We need to discover who is Thrush and so don’t give in to their demands too easy.”
“Just keep available should I need you,” looking toward the woman as she returned.