Chapter 1- Bodies little problem

Doyle clenched his hands upon the steering wheel of his Capri and kept his eyes firmly focused on the traffic in front of him. He hoped his companion would get the hint and not talk to him.

"Hey Doyle", came that high pitched voice and Doyle found his fingers clenching the wheel even harder. At moments like this he missed Bodie.

Cowley had sent Bodie off to a conference about guns about three weeks ago now and left Doyle to be mentor to one of his latest recruits, Mike Corric. The guy had this annoying voice that got on Doyle's nerves and he went on about nothing, "I'm parting my hair in a new style, do you like it", Mike asked. Doyle hadn't noticed that Mike had moved his hair line an inch to the left so just shrugged. "Maybe the girls will like this style", Mike commented in a tone that seemed to suggest he felt like he should be irresistible to women.

Ray refrained from making a comment about why his inability to attract women had nothing to do with his hair. "That partner of yours is rumoured to be good with the ladies", Mike stated. "Indeed", Doyle agreed. "How does he part his hair", Mike asked.

Doyle swerved the car slightly fighting off the urge to smack the guy. He hoped Bodie would arrive back soon and this guy could get a regular partner.

Pulling into the C15 yard Doyle parked smoothly and jumped out of the car. He didn't even look behind to check whether Mike was following him.

Minutes later he stood before the C15 boss. "Well Doyle what's your evaluation of our newest recruit", George Cowley asked. "Well he's not high on the personality front, but he'll get by otherwise", Doyle stated. Cowley, nodded, "good", he remarked. "When is Bodie due back sir", Doyle asked trying not to sound too anxious. "Probably later today", Cowley remarked looking at Doyle's face. "Don't tell me you miss him", Cowley sounded surprised. Doyle shook his head and tried to sound unconcerned, "oh no sir, just that I supposed I've got used to his style and his moods".

Cowley indicated his understanding, "well 4.5 if there's nothing else I'm off to a meeting". "Can I ditch 9.2 now", Doyle asked referring to Mike. Cowley smiled , "not yet 4.5". "Right" Doyle acknowledged suppressing the sigh as he left his bosses office.

Cowley drove to the minister's office only to find himself waiting rather impatiently outside. He had got here exactly at the time the minister had specified and hated waiting. This guy should realize he had important work to do.

Cowley debated asking the secretary for the third time when the minister would be free but decided to hold off. There was no point badgering the woman. Deciding to make himself coffee while he waited Cowley moved to the machine. That gave him a view of the minister's second door. Hence Cowley saw the face of the man who exited, Joel Merton, head of M15. Cowley hadn't heard the Mi5 head was in town and was feeling distinctly suspicious about what the man had been doing in the ministers' office.

He didn't have time for much reflection though as he had just obtained his hot coffee when he was summoned into the ministers office.

"Ah George good of you to come", Harold Pinter stated without looking Cowley in the eyes. "I was rather busy minister so I hope this is an urgent manner", Cowley told him bluntly. Pinter looked uncomfortable, "It's about the visit of Ursel Lyntoo, George", Harold remarked. The minister was referring to the so called president of one of the rising economic powers. This man was self elected and seemed to think the West and his people should love him even though he was ruthless and ruled by fear. He was coming to the UK to try to gather supporters for his cause and this spelled trouble with a capital T.

"What about Lyntoo", Cowley demanded. "Well just that we are leaving the matter in MI5's hands. Merton feels he does need extra support from CI5", Pinter gripped his desk hard and waited for the inevitable explosion from George Cowley.

"I thought we agreed CI5 was to handle the Lyntoo meeting", Cowley growled

Pinter swallowed nervously George Cowley may be shorter than him but there was something quite menacing about the man. "Yes, we had, but," Pinter paused

"I umm feel that maybe CI5's approach may be inappropriate ".George Cowley's eyes seemed to get darker and meaner, "inappropriate Harold", Cowley repeated. "This so called President is supported by a lot of nasty people and there are lots of equally as nasty people who would love to see him dead".

"Yes we realize this George but we've decided to keep the visit low key. We can't do that if CI5 becomes involved. I'm sure Merton's boys can handle the meeting", Pinter soothed. George Cowley glared, "well Pinter, as long as it's on your head", he remarked. Pinter swallowed nervously again. "It'll be fine George. Now I'm sure you have other important matters to deal with".

Cowley took one more distasteful look at the Minister then left.

Pinter breathed a sigh of relief as soon as Cowley had gone. A knock sounded on his door and Joel Merton entered. "Well how did he take it", he asked. "About how I expected", Pinter retorted. "I hope you know what you are doing Merton, Cowley is no butterfly and he's going to be watching this now to see if you slip up."

"We don't plan to slip up", Merton stated firmly. "I'll leave now minister and make the arrangements", Merton shook the Ministers hand then departed.

He quickly made his way to the car not feeling at all guilty about the information he'd kept back. Still if George Cowley found out what he was doing there would be a heavy cost. He just hoped Lyntoo safely was on his way home when Cowley found out.

Merton picked up his radio, "Operation deception is underway", he reported.

Doyle breathed a sigh of relief when his day was finally over. "Are you going out tonight", Mike asked hopefully. "No I'm staying in to wash my hair", Doyle quickly stated hoping the younger man would get the hint. Mike looked at Doyle's curly mop. "At least you don't need to part yours', he remarked reaching up to move his hair. "I'm not sure I like this part, may be I should go back to my old style, what do you think Ray." Ray Doyle had quickly stalked off because he knew if he stayed he might get on report for smacking a fellow agent. Doyle rushed to the car hoping to make a fast exit . Before he could drive off his RT beeped . Doyle snatched it up, hoping this call was short as he could see Mike purposefully striding toward his car.

"4.5", Doyle stated. "Yeah, Ray it's me", came Bodies familiar voice. Doyle frowned something sounded a little wrong with his partners tone. 'Bodie, you're back", Doyle tried not to sound relieved. "Yeah", Bodie didn't sound that happy. "Is everything all right mate", Doyle asked still worried about his partners tone. "Well, not really", came Bodies reply. "I got into a little trouble while I was away and I need to see the old man straight away", Bodie stated nervously.

"Well he just got back from a meeting with the minister. But Bodies he's in a right mood. If it's not urgent then I'd leave it until tomorrow or perhaps even the day after", Doyle recommended.

"I have to see him now" Bodie remarked ,his voice sounding sick. "Alright", Doyle acknowledged then hung up.

Doyle walked back to HQ with Mike trailing him like a lost sheep. 'Haven't you got somewhere to go", Doyle asked pointedly. "Well not really", Mike replied, "thought we might hang out for a bit.

Doyle tried not to sigh, 'I'm just waiting for Bodie", he told Mike. "Good he can come too and give me some pointers about woman," Mike sounded keen.

Doyle didn't say anything but guessed he'd soon be giving in and letting this guy come out with him and Bodie. He tried not to smile as he thought about what his partner's response might be to Mike.

As though the thought of Bodie had conjured him up Doyle looked up to see his rather pale looking partner stalking toward Cowley's office.

"Mate, good to see you", Doyle intercepted his partner. Bodie didn't even look him in the eye, "I have to talk to Cowley", was all he said as he knocked on the bosses door.

Doyle watched as he disappeared inside. By the look on Bodie's face whatever he had done had been pretty bad. Doyle positioned himself as near to Cowley's door as he dared. But ear pressed against the door ,all he could hear was muttering.

Mike looked at him in shock. "What are you doing", he demanded. "Listening", Doyle replied matter of factly. Mike shook his head.

Soon Doyle heard heavy footsteps and jumped back as Bodie exited the office and strode past without a word. "Bodie", Doyle called after him. But his partner didn't even turn. Doyle looked toward Mike then back toward Cowley's now open door.

The CI5 boss was sitting at his desk with a look Doyle had never seen before on his face, a look of pure shock.

"Doyle", Cowley beckoned him in. Doyle entered calmly and stood behind his boss's desk. "I've had to suspend Bodie from duty pending an inquiry", Cowley remarked softly sounding more stunned than angry. "I never ever would have thought he'd do something like that', Cowley muttered. Doyle swallowed, it definitely sounded bad.

"How long is Bodie suspended sir', he asked. "Until I check some things out", Cowley replied. "In the mean time you'll have 9.2 as your partner"

Doyle tried hard not to cringe. "Can I ask what Bodie did sir", he said tentatively.

"Never thought he'd do something like that", Cowley muttered again with a head shake.

"Whatever it was I'm sure he regrets his actions", Doyle remarked trying to sooth his boss. Cowley stared at Doyle, "well I wouldn't wish for him to have regrets about that", he replied. Doyle frowned, that didn't make sense.

Cowley looked at Doyle seriously, "he never mentioned anything", he asked curiously.

Doyle had spoken to Bodie a few times in the three weeks he'd been away and there had never been anything about a problem.

"No sir", Doyle replied. "Well I don't understand", Cowley repeated. "How could he do that in only three weeks."

"Do what sir", Doyle pressed. Cowley looked at Doyle seriously. "Bodie got married Doyle, to a woman he'd only known for 2 weeks and without permission of yours truly. He knows that we have to check out any potential partners. That is why I had to suspend him. Naturally if his wife checks out he will be returned to active duty."

Doyle was staring sure he'd heard wrong, "his what', he repeated weakly.

Cowley looked at his expression, "his wife Doyle", Cowley repeated, "of all the things I thought Bodie would get in trouble for that was not one of them.

Doyle stood there stunned wondering why his partner had never mentioned anything about even meeting a nice woman let alone marrying one.