25 - France

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"Monique has done as requested and your plan is working to a tee so far, sir." Murray cleared away the teacups and dusted cookie crumbs from the cushions around Nathan.

"What about Spataro?"

"Things are moving on that front too, sir."

"You've seen some reaction already?"

"I have a source who tells me that Jean has sent out a small team to bring in Angelo."

"And Richard?"

"Nothing seems to be happening in that regard yet."

"We can't let anything happen to him before he gets the money, Murray. This is a fine line we are walking." The air turned cloudy around Nathan's head.

"Should I be on site then, sir?"

"Check with our so-called surveillance people and see what they've come up with then maybe you should go to Genoa and stay for a while." Nathan considered the length of his ash and watched it fall onto his pants. "Damn. Tell that lot not to bother Monique. Make sure they know they are just watching, not intervening."

"Right away, sir."

Italy

Terrance and Sam sat in the parked car and studied the area map. They had visited more small pensions and rooming houses and inns than they could count, with no luck. Sam dialed Sol's number and checked in with them.

"We have been to a great number of places up here and we have one lead. A little inn run by a woman who was just a tad too defensive when asked about guests matching Richard's description." Sol informed portentously.

"A little joy perhaps?"

"Tracy is with her now; we'll see how she does." Sol turned away and coughed. "How is Terrance behaving?"

"It's okay. I'll hang on the line until Tracy's finished."

"Here's Minnie, she'll tell you what she just found out."

"Sam? Listen, a taxi driver distinctly remembers taking an Englishman to this very inn but there is no taxi record of him leaving and we are pretty sure he is gone. Tracy got nothing; the woman was completely baffled."

"So he sneaked out and left that place as a blind. He could be anywhere again."

"Well we do know he is most likely to be heading for Genoa and the bank. We aren't that far away, we could drive straight through to Genoa and stake out the bank and when you get here we can devise another plan."

"Right, Min, let's do it. We'll be there as soon as possible." Sam hung up and briefed Terrance who accepted the information with a sincerely professional air. Sam made a surprised face and started the motor.

"We'll grab some breakfast in Genoa."

The mobile rang just as they pulled onto the highway and Terrance answered saying nothing and listening grim-lipped for a few minutes and then he closed the phone.

"Murray?"

"Who else." Terrance related the instructions to Sam who suggested he update the others just in case.

***********

René steered the boat into the dockside and tossed a line onto the trot for Richard to tie off. He hauled himself out of the boat and tied the line the way she had taught him the previous day then held out a hand for her, assisting her onto the trot beside him.

"Well done, we'll make a sailor out of you yet."

"I'm open to any lessons from you, René." He felt a pain akin to heartburn at the baring of an emotion he was fighting to control.

"The first one then is to not think that last night describes a future for the two of us." She let go of his hand and lifted her pack from the boat.

He puffed his lips and blew out a breath; that was a response he had never expected.

"Sorry, I wasn't presuming anything, I just thought it was a compliment."

"I'm not used to compliments like that, Richard." She frowned and turned away. "I'm- I'm not good at relationships of this kind."

"Hey, no reason to think you've made any commitments, let's let last night be a wonderful memory and move on with a friendship. Hopefully we have one." He bent down and came around to face her. "What do you say?"

"I would like that, yes."

"Great. Okay then, you have to get to work and I have some stuff to take care of so what, can I meet you for lunch or is that pushing things?"

She stood swaying for a moment and then nodded shyly.

"That sounds nice. Where do you want to eat?"

"You work here, I'm just visiting. You decide and I'll meet you whenever."

"There's a nice spot on the marina closer to downtown, Arnesto's. Say around twelve-thirty?"

"I'll be there. You have a good day." He watched her hurry off to the bus stop and he stood, wondering if he really could use this woman for his own means. A lifetime of covert living made the decision easy but that familiar worm of guilt and uncertainty wriggled across his mind as he hailed a cab and headed back to his hotel. She has never asked what he did for a living. The worm wiggled some more.

***********

Jean Tremblay tossed back an early morning hair of the dog; his head was still thick and pounding from the previous nights drinking. He had listened to his men about what they thought they should do and in the end, he kicked them all out and sent for his mistress.

"You are still troubled, cher." The woman came up behind him and wrapped her arms about his waist.

"This business smells. I have three versions of a story, a story that I don't understand and I must choose which to believe."

"You always make the right decisions, cher." She pressed against him.

Jean chewed the inside of his cheek and stared out at the sea from the villa bedroom. The autumn air had changed the colour of the water to a dull metallic slate interrupted by frills of white from the small swells.

"This tale of my men being killed in an attack on Roger by someone named Carstairs is- is bizarre. Angelo is up to something; I haven't lost any men. I don't even know who this Carstairs is! And this mysterious woman . . ." He turned from the window and swore aloud.

She leaned her bare breasts against him and cooed softly, letting her hands slide down over his buttocks as he pushed against her.

"Maybe poor Angelo is telling the truth, cher. Maybe this Richard did threaten him. He wouldn't dare betray you." Her lips slid over his nipple.

"Angelo has the weakest position but I am suspicious about the woman who called. It seems too- just too pat."

"Who is she?" The question included a closer nuzzle.

"I don't know!" He yelled at the top of her head. "Weren't you listening?"

"Be calm, cher. I know you will solve this mystery." She moved against him and secretly smiled at the result.

"Calm, yes. When Angelo is brought here I will solve this mystery." He placed a hand on her head and pressed down.

***********

Sol tossed his napkin into the trashcan after wiping his mouth, burped and apologized and then checked his watch. He and the two women had stationed themselves at a café near the Bank of St. George and ordered breakfast while they settled in to wait for Terrance and Sam. Minnie busied herself with a small piece of knitting she always carried for enduring long stretches such as the one they were taking and Tracy took the time to leaf through a month old copy of Elle found on a rack inside the café.

"You think they got lost?" Minnie asked.

"Not Sam. Terrance maybe, but not Sam." Sol chuckled.

"I can't believe they think Richard will just waltz into this bank and collect his money." Tracy said, tossing the magazine on the table.

"He'll do something; we just have to figure out what." Minnie offered.

"There's the car now." Sol said, and they all turned to watch the vehicle turn off the Piazza Rosseti onto the access road to the marina by the Palazzo San Giorgio, now the Bank of St. George,

Sam parked the vehicle and the two men climbed out and looked about until they saw Sol's wave then hurried toward the café.

"Enjoying yourselves?" Terrance asked, peevishly.

"Very much," Sol said. "Join us, won't you?"

"Smart ass." Terrance yanked out a chair and flopped down.

Sam signaled the waiter and ordered two coffees and some eggs and bacon then directed his attention to the bank.

"Quite a structure and still in great shape."

"For something from the fourteenth century, I'll say. I should look so good after that long."

The women laughed and Sol basked in the attention."

"This isn't a burlesque show we're doing." Terrance sniped again.

"Oh for heaven's sake, Terry, what do the kids say- chill out?" Minnie stuffed her knitting into her purse.

When the food arrived Sam updated them on Murray's latest communication and his opinion of their abilities. After some grumbling and blame placing they discussed their best approach to their new directive.

"We need to spread out along this strip and just settle in for a stakeout," Tracy said. "If Richard is determined to get the money he will be somewhere around here doing his own reconnoitering. As for Monique, we have our orders."

"Okay, do we do the same or do we change partners?" Sam sipped his coffee and pulled a face.

"I think the same," Sol said. "Min and I can pull off the elderly tourist bit much better if we are together."

"Fine, I'll take Tracy this time and Terry you can do your own thing."

'Bloody right, and happy to do it." He shoved his cup away and stood up.

Sam grabbed his arm. "Hang on, we need to discuss accommodation and a plan for keeping in touch."

"Got just what we need," Sol spoke up smugly. "We found a few rooms in a section of the old quarter within walking distance of each other and the marina." He coughed into his hand and looked at the others. "Off news is that I could only manage three rooms."

"That's okay, Terry and I can share. Tracy can have one and you two old reprobates can have the other." Sam smiled at Minnie who was looking down at her lap.

"I want to be on my own." Terrance stated angrily. "If I'm alone doing the stakeout I want to be alone when I'm off."

"Oh for God's sake-"

"That's okay, Sam, you and I can manage quite well." Tracy gave Terrance a withering look.

"Good. Settled then." Sol clapped his hands.

Sam gave Tracy an appreciative smile and then joined her reproachful consideration of Terrance.

"Alright, next thing is to set up a schedule and a meeting time. I think we could manage that when we eat, the usual play, seats near one another etcetera. Shall I choose a spot and give you all a call?" Sol asked the group. "We can come back down here for lunch."

There was an agreeable mumble and then they listened to the address of the rooming house and the surveillance schedule before parting company.


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