SIR GUESTLING THORN

Guestling Thorn you old bastard, what the fuck brings you to this den of thieves? Not your normal greeting but from Digby Turner, quite a mild hello.
Well Digby old chap I am in need of some dishonest information and I thought there was only person who could find it for me
Digby laughed  a deep throated chuckle, clapped me on the back. Guestling I've always liked you and if it is dishonest info you need you shall have it, drink?
I thought you'd never ask, lead on.
We entered a panel lined office, Digby went over to a drinks cabinet and poured two large whiskies. I generally do not drink during the day but when in Rome!
Sit, sit, he motioned me to a leather armchair and sat his large frame down behind his desk. Cheers
Cheers
We drank in companionable silence, I knew not to spoil the moment, I had known Digby for some time and knew not to talk until asked.
So old friend what info do you want me ferret out for you?
This is actually, I hesitated a little, quite a delicate matter and it needs to be handled with a certain amount of care.
Digby leaned forward and smiled, I am all ears Guesty.
You will recall a the affair of the scarlet Jaguar? I hoped Digby remembered, his recall could be a bit hazy now and then, a trait I was sure stemmed from his slightly reckless night time life style.  
How could one forget, He replied.
Good, good, I continued, You will recall who was driving the vehicle that evening?
I do 
Well it seems that there is further evidence of his involvement out there and that we have not, as thought, managed to cover the nasty sequence up. I need you to find out in your inimitable way, where this evidence might be found or if it really exists? What do you think?  
Hmmm, hmmm, Digby poured himself a healthy shot of whisky, offered the decanter to me but I shook my head, I needed it clear and one drink was my limit at this hour.
Well it's a conundrum Guesty and that's a fact. He started to pace, tapping his glass as he did so. Like you I thought we had this one buttoned up. I need some time Guesty, where are you staying, is Katarina with you?
She is at home, something to do with her coitre of women friends. I am the Embassy actually in one of the guest suites.
Give me 24 hours Guesty.

I left Digby's club for club it was and decided to take a stroll in the spring sunshine. I now had some extra time and thought I would pay a social call on an old friend. 20 minutes later I stood outside a shiny red door and rang the bell. A small dapper man in an immaculate striped waistcoat and dark trousers opened it.
Is Madam home?
Of course sir please come in.
How are you Bradshaw?
I am as well as always sir and your good self?
Tolerable Bradshaw, tolerable.
I followed him through the house and into a large conservatory at the rear.
You have a guest Madam, shall I bring refreshments? 
Why Guestling how charming, yes Bradshaw,please
I walked over and kissed her proferred hand. How are you Roxalana?
As well as can be expected at my age. What brings you to my home?
Purely social, I assure you no requirement for intrigue, gossip or information.
How refreshing, its so rare that anybody calls just to see me. She laughed. How is that delightful family of yours?
All well, Katarina is busy as always and the two children are happy as far as I can tell.
She gave a wan smile. Family is important Guesty, I was never blessed in that regard, got to wrapped up in other stuff.
Bradshaw returned with a tray laden with tea and cake. Shall I pour Madam?
No I am sure Guestling can manage. I nodded
Move me closer please Bradshaw. He pushed her wheelchair nearer to the table. Roxalana seemed grayer to me and a little thinner, she had always been on the frail side, of course being wheelchair bound did not help. she had been a beauty in her day and was never short of suitors and offers of marriage in spite of her handicap. She looked and smiled at me as though she could read my thoughts.
I poured out the tea and handed her a cup and piece of cake.
All these years eh Guestling. We have had some adventures have we not. Though it seems you are still performing the dirty work for your government?
I laughed and held up my hands in a resigned shrug. I'm retired of course but every now and then they ask for my particular skills to resolve a situation.
And you here to resolve one of those "situations"? I nodded But help is already at hand.
She gave me a sharp look. Always so loyal and incorruptible, oh what a time we could have had had you been a little more wicked!
I laughed again. I'm not exactly an angel, I've done some pretty nasty things and some damn near, if not illegal.I'm no paragon that's for sure.
Ah but you did them all for right reasons and always in spite of your personal feelings or disagreement with what was asked of you.
I sipped my tea and stared into space, remembering some of the events I had been involved in.  I did not always follow the rules or do exactly what was asked of me. I went my own way many times. Luckily most of the time it worked out but I made some bad mistakes as well. I never made the mistake of not listening to you though!
It's no good dwelling on the past Guesty, whats done is done. You did what you had to even if you did use some devious methods.
We both smiled. It has always been a pleasure coming to see you Madam, informative as well as beautiful.
She giggled. You always were a charmer Guesty, if I had been a younger woman when we first met I would have tried to seduce you! Of course it would never have worked there is only one woman who ever had your heart.
She sighed This maybe the last time we meet I'm afraid. It seems my time is running out.
Nonsense I replied You've years left yet.
Sadly according to the doctors I am already living on borrowed time. Oh dear and now I am sounding morbid.
I said nothing, I've never been one for giving false sympathy to one whose end is near. nothing I can say will bring comfort, best to say nothing.
As I left I remembered all the service Roxalana had provided over the years and how it would be sad not to have her advice and company any more. I asked Bradshaw if it was true what she had said about the prognoses and he confirmed that she had 6 months at the most. I made him promise to let me know if there was anything I could do and he agreed to let me know when the time came.

I returned to the Embassy by taxi, the afternoon having clouded over and the smell of rain in the air. As I walked through the reception area, a rather hassled looking middle aged woman came rushing over and stopped breathlessly in front of me. Mr Thorn?
Yes
The ambassador has requested your presence as soon as you returned, he is waiting to see you now.
Is he dear lady, well better not keep him waiting had we, lead on.
She led me up two flights and along a corridor to a pair of highly polished wooden doors. I was trying desperately to think of the mans name. The ambassador likes to be addressed, Mr, ambassador? She gave me a funny look Mr Trammall would do I think.
Not by his first name then? Another slightly bemused look. Michael I don't know sir.
I was shown in to his office. He was sat behind a large desk. We'd never met before. He was a thin sweaty looking man with thinning brown hair and a straggly mustache. I immediately disliked him. He did not look up even when I said hello and concentrated on the document in front of him. I sat in the chair opposite. I was amused and planned to have some fun, I'd dealt with many a pompous and self-important man and I was sure Michael Trammell came into that category.
He finally looked up and in a nasal voice spoke. So you are Guestling Thorn.
Sir Guestling Thorn. I corrected
Yes, yes of course. He spat the words out dismissively. 
What can I do for you? I inquired 
Do for me? He looked startled 
The young lady you sent to fetch me seemed quite agitated and made it sound quite urgent, do you have a problem?
He spluttered Problem, why would I have a problem?
That's what I am asking. I was enjoying myself.
I don't have a problem.
Well that's good I'll be on my way then, nice to have had this chat.
Where do you think your going? He was a whisker away from shouting Sit down.
It was all I could do to keep a broad smile off my face. 
Of course. I said
I sat back down, with an expectant look and placed my hands on each arm of the chair. Trammell regained some of his composure.
He took a breath. 
I called you here because it seems you have concept of protocol Mr Thorn. He tried to look stern but only succeeded in looking pinched.
Protocol ambassador, I'm afraid I don't follow.
You arrived at my embassy and under my authority and you have not had the good manners to inform me of either you presence or why you are here? It is unacceptable and I won't stand for it!
I sat back and gave him a long look, staring right into his piggy little eyes. he squirmed in his seat looking most uncomfortable.
Micheal is it, how long have you been in this post?
What's that got to do with...
How long. I insisted.
Er 5 months.
Is it your first?
First what?
Your first posting as an ambassador? I grinned at him, it was not a nice grin
Yes but what has that.....
I continued ignoring him. I see and how long have you been in the diplomatic service?
I don' see what this has.....
How long?
24 years.
Good so you have no excuse not to know that this is Her Majesties embassy, not yours. You will also know that I have no obligation to see you at all. As for what I am doing here well that's none of your business. You should also know that I am retired and not subject to your or anybody else's authority. My mission is between me and the Minister who asked for my help. It was not true but he did not know that and a bit of embellishment never goes amiss. I suggest you might want to think on that the next time you think that your more important than you actually are!
He opened his mouth to speak thought better of it and closed it again. 
Well if that's all I will be on my way, charming office you have. no please don't get up I'll show myself out, good day to you Mr Trammell and I left him gauping like a fish.
His Secretary who was the same lady who had showed me up, was siting at her desk in an annex to Trammell's office. I popped my head round the corner. 
I think the ambassador might be in need of a strong cup of tea. 
She looked up, trying and failing to stifle a giggle and had to put her hand over her mouth.
I smiled, nodded at her desk 
Intercom?
She nodded and started giggling even more
Have fun I said and left

24 hours passed and Digby was as good as his word and provided me with the information and assurances I wanted, as well as a location where I could meet the person who had it. I needed to make sure myself that they understood the importance of suppressing that information. 
Of course as expected, something was required in return but I had been prepared for that. We reached a mutually beneficial agreement but never the less before I left, I asked Digby to keep an eye on the issue and he promised he would. For Digby's cooperation we over looked certain activities he was involved in, it suited us both.

The following day I made my way to a secret location just behind Kensington Palace. I was let in and waited in a beautiful panel lined library. after about ten minutes the door opened and a security man walked in
The prince will see you now sir.