Interview with Wesley Michaels
Wesley Michaels is waiting for Shirley after dinner. The diminutive, energetic young man politely introduces himself, and asks Shirley if he has a moment to answer a few questions regarding the recent unfortunate Incident and its subsequent events.
“Major Harston informed me that you wished to speak to me, Mr. Michaels,” Shirley answers, tired but inflexibly polite. “What does the Times wish to know?”
“I should like to ask you only a few questions, Mr. Addam. I have no wish to delay you. Naturally, I should like to know whether you were indeed unaware of Lady Davies’s wager on the Grand Ellipse.”
“I had no knowledge of any wager on the part of Lady Davies until I read of it in the Times. I do not know even now who is on the other side of the wager, nor its precise terms.”
“Nobody does, Mr. Addam… although I assure you that
it is a matter of considerable interest in certain circles.”
“Indeed?” Shirley raises his eyebrows. “And which circles might those be?”
“Primarily those who have nothing better to talk about, Mr. Addam.”
A laugh breaks through Shirley’s guarded demeanour. “I don’t wonder.”
“I should also like to know, Mr. Addam,” Michaels goes on, flipping a page, “if you intend to continue in the Grand Ellipse.”
Shirley sighs and sits down, leaning his aching head on one hand. “I have indeed had a trying week, Mr. Michaels; I sometimes wish that the Times were not so indefatigable in its production of foreign editions. Although I daresay I should not complain, as Lady Bonnet and Colonel Davis have suffered rather greater difficulties this week than have I.”
Michaels smiles. “I certainly understand the sentiment, Mr. Addam, although I must admit that to share it would put me out of a job.”
“Let me be quite clear. I am indeed dismayed at this entire Addison business. I hope the man and his employer, whoever that may be, are caught quickly, as their machinations present a danger to the entire Ellipse. I shall do whatever is in my power to aid in the capture of Addison and his gang, as I have done since the Ellipse began.”
Mr. Michaels’s fine ear distinguishes the slow, careful deliberation with which Shirley is choosing his words. “I am also saddened at the murder of my former client Pilkington, the more so because he put himself in harm’s way—in all likelihood unnecessarily—for my sake. I should very much like to see those responsible for his death caught, convicted, and punished.”
Shirley straightens in his chair, then leans toward the newspaperman
opposite him. “It is for poor Jimmy Pilkington’s sake, Mr. Michaels, that I intend to continue the Grand Ellipse. I did consider withdrawing from it; I thought of little else coming from Tripoli, as it appears that my character has come into question as a result of the Addison mess. But young Jimmy risked and lost his life, first out of desire to behave in an ethical fashion, and second, out of a gratitude to me entirely disproportionate to any service I ever did him.
“I should be a poor testament indeed to Jimmy’s courage and his upright nature were I to quit now, Mr. Michaels. Therefore I shall not. As for my own difficulties, I can only endeavour to keep my conduct irreproachable, and hope that the truth will out.”
Michaels finishes off his notes with a flourish. “And lastly, were you in London, what would you advise Lady Davies to do?”
“Why, I should naturally advise Lady Davies to cooperate with authorities, as she is by the Times’s account already doing. I think you mistake our relationship, however, Mr. Michaels; I am not Lady Davies’s private solicitor and it is therefore not my privilege to advise her on legal matters.”
“Thank you for clarifying that matter, Mr. Addam,” Michaels says, sounding quite sincere and not at all sarcastic. “Although one friend may often advise another, regardless of professional obligations or lack thereof. If I may ask one final question… after the unfortunate incident in London, why did you choose to go to the Times, rather than the constabulary?”
“Because I wanted the other Ellipsoids warned as quickly as possible, Mr. Michaels, and I thought the Times would accomplish that more effectively than the London constabulary, which is of necessity focused on London alone. You are quite right that I was remiss, however, and no one regrets that more than I.”
“I see… well, I have no wish to delve further into this obviously sensitive subject. Thank you very much for your time, and good luck! Oh, and by the by, Mr. Harris sends his regards.”
“Kind of him. Please offer Mr. Harris and Bertie mine in return, should you have occasion to.” Shirley arises and offers his hand. “I appreciate your forbearance, Mr. Michaels, and I hope I have not been too difficult. A very good evening to you.”
“Mr. Addam, I have had far worse from people in much better straits. It’s been a pleasure, and should you ever find yourself in Alexandria again, please do call upon me. I shall convey your reply to Mr. Harris when I file my story. If you will kindly excuse me, I would like to interview Dr. Byrd as well.”
“Ah, of course. I was not sure you were aware she was here, so I
hesitated to mention her presence. I envy you, Mr. Michaels; she is quite an impressive person. Good evening.”
“I have been looking forward to meeting the good doctor. Good evening, sir.”
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