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Chapter 25

Iselle and Rod had spent what was left of the night back at the West Country chalet. Over breakfast they had listened to the breaking news.

"What's 'Depleted Uranium'," said Rod, his mouth full of breakfast cereal.

Iselle looked at him seated on the other side of the small patio table. "Why do you want to know?"

"It just said on the news that this place that got blown up last night got contaminated with 'Depleted Uranium'."

"It's a radioactive material that is used by some weapon manufacturers to harden shells so that they penetrate things like tanks better. The disadvantage is that when they explode, the material is atomised and then can be inhaled by anybody of any age in the locality afterwards. There are whole villages I know about that are suffering from radiation poisoning because of DU shells."

"Sounds like atomic warfare without the big bang," said Rod, stuffing another spoonful of cereal into his mouth.

"Many people think it should be banned and if DU was involved in that explosion, the property will be unusable for a long time," said Iselle, ambiguously.

Rod thought he saw a small smile playing on her lips.

"You wouldn't be too sad about that, I take it," said Rod.

"If the owner of the premises had trafficked in these sort of armaments and if he had sold dud guns to people fighting a just cause that led to many deaths of many decent people by his treachery then I would say he got his just desserts," said Iselle, contemptuously.

"But this discussion is boring me and it is time for you to be on your way back to London to spend all the money you earned last night."

"You talk as if things are going to get a bit quieter just when I was getting into all the excitement." Rod looked at her suspiciously.

"Things may go quieter for a while but I have no doubt that your skills will be called upon again when an appropriate project comes up."

"You sound as if you know more about this than you have said."

"And you know, by now, not to ask too many questions," said Iselle.

Rod left soon after, accelerating down the quiet road far too fast hoping to impress Iselle.

Iselle waited until she was sure that he had gone and then disappeared inside the chalet and logged onto the Internet. She waited patiently, as always; she didn't have to wait long.

The man slid up the side of the screen, looped the loop and sat down in a high backed armchair that conveniently appeared in the centre of the screen. He was a young man with a lopsided smile, wearing a corporate suit.

"So that's it," he said.

"That's it," said Iselle.

"Your objectives have been met."

"They have, said Iselle, "and I'm glad that the helpers were all right. They've earned some money and, hopefully, no lasting scars."

"That was some shoot out on the beach," said the man.

"We were fools," said Iselle, vehemently, "There was a tracing device in the anti-tank gun containers. I found it when I looked afterwards. It was a narrow escape and the tall boy, Rod, did very well to hold his nerve."

"Yes, I think we'll use him again."

Iselle nodded.

"In the right situation, it would be a wise decision."

"I've put your share of the campaign proceeds in a Swiss Bank account and mailed the details to your village Council - 'from an anonymous donor'. It should help greatly with rebuilding the community, especially the local hospital for all the sick."

"But it can't bring all those good men back," said Iselle sadly, with a distant look in her eyes.

"But it's a good start," said the little man. "And you, need to get away for some rest and recuperation."

"I'd rather keep working," said Iselle. "It helps me to forget."

"Strange you should say that," said the man with a smile, "But I've already booked a taxi to collect you and take you to the airport en-route to France. Some people who are being pushed around would like some help with getting 'justice'."

Iselle's face lost its look of sadness and broke into a huge smile.

"You think of everything," she said.

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Unwelcome Paradise by Rob Hopcott is copyright   2001, All rights are reserved. All characters are fictitious in this story and no reference is intended to any person living or otherwise.

I hope you enjoy 'Unwelcome Paradise'.      Rob

- a free online novel copyright Rob Hopcott