Parisian Affair

by Gould, Judith

  Opening a drawer in the desk, he took out the small plastic bag that was tucked beneath a small pile of old invitations. Ram held the bag up and examined it in the light of the gilt bronze bouillotte lamp on his desk. Inside were gel capsules, each containing a finely ground powder commonly known as the date rape drug. There was enough in each capsule to knock out the average individual for several hours. Kadar was an invaluable resource for such substances.

  He slipped the plastic bag into the pocket of his suit jacket, then patted the pocket affectionately. It wouldn't be long, he thought, until he heard from Allegra Sheridan and her boyfriend. Then the fun would begin. And the final stage of his plan would be set in motion.

  He got up from his chair and walked to one of the French doors that overlooked rue Elzevir. Last evening he'd decided against bringing the emeralds, their original settings, and the photographs here. He'd left them in the safe at the apartment on rue des Rosiers. He was glad now. Pushing aside the drapery, he gazed out over the street beyond the hotel particulier opposite. I'll take them to rue des Rosiers after we've dined here, he thought. The curious couple can see why the emerald is so important. It will be their last treat before they disappear from the face of the earth.

  Todd pushed the hotel room door open and let Allegra walk in first. When her heel caught on something, she looked down and saw a large ivory vellum envelope. Bending over, she picked it up.

  'What's this?' she said, wondering aloud.

  Todd, close on her heels, looked at it. 'I don't know, but it has your name on it.'

  Allegra tore the envelope open and pulled out the sheet of heavy writing paper, eyeing it suspiciously. She turned to Todd. 'I don't believe it,' she said. 'Listen to this. Dear Ms. Sheridan, I would be honored if you and your friend would dine with me this evening at my home. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I thought we might get together to discuss your design career. Jules Levant is always looking for young, innovative designers, and perhaps we could talk about possibilities before you return to New York. I will send my car for you and your friend at seven thirty. If you can't make it, please phone me at the number below to let me know. Paris, by the way, is a small town, and I was delighted when I heard you were staying at the Ritz! I hope I'm not intruding on you in any way and hope you and your friend can come. Best regards, Ramtane Tadjer.'

  She looked at Todd with amazement after she'd finished reading the note. 'I don't believe this.'

  'How the hell does he know where we are?' Todd said.

  'Paris is a small town,' Allegra said sarcastically.

  Todd sat down and took off his shoes. 'Either we've been followed or he has spies all over the place.'

  'I guess it should give me the creeps,' she said, 'but I wonder. ...' She looked off thoughtfully as she slipped off her heels.

  'What?' Todd asked, looking up at her.

  'I'm just curious about this business of 'possibilities,' ' she said.

  'Do you think he's actually serious?'

  Allegra shrugged.

  Todd studied her face, then smiled indulgently. 'Allegra,' he said, 'listen to me for a minute. Think about the conclusions we've both come to about this guy. He's been buying back all these emeralds, and he tried to buy back the one you've got. Right?'

  She nodded.

  'And somebody tried to take a shot at you at that museum. Right?'

  She nodded again. 'Probably,' she allowed.

  'There's no 'probably' about it,' Todd said, disgust creeping into his voice. 'This guy's dangerous, and we both know it.'

  'But he's asked us both for dinner,' she said.

  He stared at her. 'You just want to see if you can find out something, don't you?'

  'Well ... I am curious,' she said. 'Aren't you?'

  Todd looked down at the floor, then back up at her. 'Yes and no,' he finally said. 'I don't want to put you in any danger.'

  'Oh, come on, Todd,' she said. 'I'm a big girl. Besides, didn't we just come from a little trip to the country to see Princess Karima, who's definitely mixed up in this emerald chase? Agreed?'

  He nodded. 'But this guy. I don't know. ...'

  'Look,' Allegra said, trying to reason with him, 'whatever else you can say about him, I don't think he's completely crazy. He's a major jeweler. Well-known and highly respected. He'd never try anything in his own house. Plus, we're not going to have the ring with us. It's safe. So what've we got to worry about?'

  'I think we've got a lot to worry about,' Todd said, 'but since you're determined to try to get to the bottom of this business, I think we're going to dinner at'—he took the invitation from Allegra—'Mr. Ramtane Tadjer's.' He smiled at her.

  Allegra returned his smile. 'We've got time to shower and change,' she said, looking at her wristwatch, 'and maybe have a drink before his driver picks us up.'

  'Why don't we have a drink first,' Todd said, 'then shower and dress? What do you think, huh?'

  'I think you have some hanky-panky in mind,' Allegra said.

  Todd got up and walked around to the back of her chair and put his hands on her shoulders. He began gently massaging them. 'What gave you an idea like that?'

  Hilton Whitehead hung up the telephone and stood staring into space. He was worried for Allegra Sheridan and Todd Hall, and knew he had to reach them immediately. He'd known they might be playing with fire, but he'd never suspected anything like this.

  As he picked up the telephone in his stateroom to call them, there was a knock at the door. 'Later,' he called out. 'I'm busy now.'

  'Hilton,' came Kitty's voice through the door, 'it's me. Let me in.' After a moment, she added, 'What are you doing in there?'

  He walked to the door and opened it. 'Listen,' he said, 'I've got to make an important telephone call. I'll be out in a minute.'

  Kitty frowned. 'Why can't I sit in here with you while you make it?' she asked. 'It's crazy out there'—she pointed to the hallway—'with those caterers and decorators and all. I'm just in the way.'

  'Okay,' he said, 'but please sit quietly and don't disturb me. This may be a matter of life and death.'

  Kitty's eyebrows arched. 'Life and death?' she repeated. 'What in the world are you mixed up in?'

  'Nothing,' he said. 'Now just sit. Please. And keep quiet.'

  Kitty sashayed over to the couch and sat down. Reaching for a magazine on the coffee table, she stared up at him as he placed the telephone call. He was pacing the carpeted floor of the owner's suite like a caged animal.

  'Allegra,' she heard him say. 'Todd. Call me the instant you get this message. I want you two on the plane pronto, and I mean that. These names and telephone numbers you gave me? All three of these guys are mixed up in terrorist organizations. A couple of them with links to al-Qaeda. I want you—'

  Hilton looked at the telephone in his hand as if it were a snake. 'Goddamn it!' he exclaimed. He started to throw the phone down, then thought better of it.

  Kitty jumped to her feet. 'What is it, Hilton?' she demanded. 'What's going on?'

  'No more message space,' he said.

  'That's not what I mean, and you know it,' she said.

  He turned away from her and sat on the edge of the bed. 'I've got a couple of people running an errand for me, and they may be getting in over their heads.'

  'What's this about terrorist organizations?' she asked. 'And al-Qaeda? Huh?' When he didn't respond, Kitty stamped her foot. 'Tell me, Hilton. This sounds extremely dangerous to me. What the hell is going on?'

  'Don't worry about it,' he said glumly. 'This isn't dangerous for you or me. It's these two working in Europe I'm worried about.'

  'You're sure?' she said.

  He nodded. 'One hundred percent.'

  Kitty heaved a sigh of relief. 'I thought maybe you were some kind of target,' she said. 'Those people are crazy, you know? Just because you're an American and rich, I thought maybe somebody might be after you.'

  'Oh, for God's sake, Kitty,' he said impatiently. 'That's crazy. I'm not a target. This
has nothing to do with me.'

  Kitty sat down on the bed next to him. 'Thank God,' she said, her fingertips brushing his chin. 'I wouldn't want anything to happen to you. To us.'

  He turned and looked at her. 'Yeah, well, what about this couple? They could be in a lot of trouble.'

  'As long as we're safe,' Kitty said.

  'You really don't care about these people, do you?' he said.

  Kitty brushed his lips with a kiss. 'Of course I do,' she said. 'If they're important to you, then they're important to me.'

  Hilton Whitehead once again found himself wondering if what Kitty said had an ounce of truth in it. He wondered if she really cared about anyone other than herself.

  'Look,' he said, taking her hand and gently squeezing it. 'I've got to make some more telephone calls. Business calls. I won't be too long. Why don't you take a swim in the pool or something?'

  Kitty knew she'd better leave him alone now. 'Okay,' she said brightly. 'I just thought you might want some company. Maybe I'll . . . I'll go watch a movie or something.'

  'That's a good idea,' he said. 'There're a bunch of new DVDs. I won't be too long.'

  She got up and went to the door, then turned and blew him a kiss. 'I'll see you in a bit,' she purred.

  He nodded. When she was gone, he locked the door again. He had to make sure that the plane was in France and ready to go. He also needed to call the Ritz and leave a message at the desk just in case Allegra neglected to check for messages on the cell phone. He wondered why she hadn't picked up, and new worries assaulted him. What if she'd accidentally left the phone off? What if she and Todd had gone someplace and forgotten it? What if—?

  He had to stop this right now, he realized, because he was starting to panic, and that wouldn't do them any good whatsoever. He had to think. Yet what could he do to help them from here, thousands of miles away?

  Now he wished he had never seen that cursed emerald.

  CHAPTER 23

  In the backseat of the big Bentley, Allegra and Todd held hands. The chauffeur, Marcel, had told them that the drive to Monsieur Tadjer's was only a few minutes. Allegra wanted to ask him if he'd known Gerard, the driver who'd been shot, but she thought it best not to ask any questions. At least not yet. In her left hand, she held a small black satin clutch bag with a snap closure decorated with tiny rhinestones. She was glad she'd brought it. The pistol she'd stolen from Paul fit perfectly inside.

  'We are here,' Marcel said, pulling off the street and onto a cobblestone drive. He braked, then picked up a remote control device and pressed a button. Huge gates slowly swung open, and Allegra and Todd leaned down for a better view of what lay ahead.

  'Whoa,' Todd exclaimed. 'Our host must sell a lot of jewelry.'

  'I'll say,' Allegra replied. 'And it looks like he knows how to spend the money.'

  The car pulled to a stop in the courtyard in front of the enormous limestone hotel particulier. In the courtyard's center was a circle planted with trimmed boxwood, in the center of which was a neatly clipped boxwood standard of three spheres, the largest on the ground, the smallest at the top.

  Marcel opened Allegra's door for her, and she stepped out. Todd slid across the seat and got out behind her. They both looked up at the imposing three-story mansion.

  'It's breathtaking,' Allegra said.

  'It looks like late-sixteenth- or early-seventeenth-century,' Todd responded.

  The massive oak door at its entry opened, and Ramtane Tadjer stepped outside. 'Welcome to my home,' he said, smiling at them widely. He quickly shook Allegra's hand, then heartily shook Todd's. 'Ramtane Tadjer, but please call me Ram. I'm so glad you could make it. It's a pleasure to meet you.'

  'Todd Hall, and it's a pleasure to meet you, too,' Todd said. 'Allegra's told me about your fantastic jewelry shop.'

  Ram looked at her. 'How nice of you, Ms. Sheridan,' he said.

  'Please,' she said. 'Call me Allegra.'

  'Allegra, then,' he said. 'And Todd?'

  Todd nodded. 'Please.'

  'Come with me,' Ram said, indicating the open door.

  Allegra looked around, and saw that Marcel had disappeared as if the cobblestones had gobbled him up. Todd took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze; then together they entered the imposing mansion. Allegra almost gasped aloud. 'This is magnificent,' she said in a voice of awe.

  'It's home,' Ram said in a humble voice.

  An enormous chandelier with hundreds of rock crystal swags, balls, and pendants hung from the ceiling. The walls were hung with faded but still-colorful tapestries depicting pastoral scenes, and against them were exquisitely carved chests and consoles on which gilt candelabras and ormolu-mounted vases were displayed.

  'I thought we would have a drink in the salon,' Ram said.

  Marcel appeared and helped Allegra out of her coat. Todd was wearing only his suit, but handed Marcel his gloves and the scarf he'd wrapped around his neck.

  'It's this way, upstairs,' Ram said, his hand extended toward the stairway with its ornamental metal railing.

  She and Todd crossed the diagonally laid limestone floor to the staircase, with Ram at their side.

  'Is this late-sixteenth- or early-seventeenth-century?' Todd asked him as they mounted the limestone, oak, and marble stairs.

  'How observant you are,' Ram replied. 'It's early-seventeenth- century.'

  'Have you lived here long?' Allegra asked.

  'For several years,' he replied. 'I inherited it from Jules Levant when he died.'

  'He was a very generous man,' she said.

  'Indeed,' Ram said, 'he was like a father to me. He and his wife took me in when I was a boy.'

  They reached the premier etage, and Ram indicated an archway to their left. 'Here we are,' he said.

  Crossing into the enormous room, Allegra and Todd felt as if they had entered Ali Baba's cave. Two rock crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the walls were of heavily carved boiseries. The furnishings were all seventeenth- and eighteenth-century French antiques, and paintings and drawings from various periods decorated the walls. Small pools of light from lamps on tables bathed the room in a romantic light.

  Ram seated them on a sumptuous suede-upholstered settee and sat across from them. Marcel appeared as if by magic, carrying a silver tray with three tulip-shaped glasses of champagne. He stopped at Allegra, then Todd, and finally Ram, then disappeared as silently as he had entered.

  'I hope you don't mind my being presumptuous,' Ram said, 'but I thought champagne was called for.'

  'Not at all,' Allegra said.

  'It's very generous of you,' Todd added.

  Ram held his glass aloft slightly. 'To . . . two young lovers,' he said.

  Allegra felt herself blush, and Todd looked at her and smiled. 'I'll second that,' he said.

  They sipped the champagne, and Todd began a conversation dominated by talk of the magnificent house. He asked Ram many questions about its history and particular pieces of furniture and paintings, and the more he learned, the more impressed he became by the man's fine tastes and knowledge. It was difficult for him to imagine that this man could be engaged in anything shadowy.

  After a half hour or so of drinking and talking, Ram led them to an equally grand dining room, which was softly lit by candles on the table. The walls were covered with masterful murals set in heavily carved boiserie. They depicted hunt scenes with expertly rendered horses, dogs, and huntsmen set in lush forests and meadows. Marcel appeared again and began serving a delicious meal of foie gras, grilled quail in a currant sauce with wild rice and asparagus, and then a perfect and calorie-laden creme brulee. The conversation was light, centering on the wonders of the house and of French cuisine.

  'I think this is the best creme brulee I've ever eaten,' Allegra said when she was finished.

  'And I'll second that,' Todd said with a laugh.

  'I'm glad you like it,' Ram said. 'I'll tell the chef. So few people get it right, you know.' His gaze touched Allegra and then
Todd. 'I thought that we could have an after-dinner drink at a little hideaway of mine,' he said. 'It's just around the corner, and the place where I'm at my creative best. I thought that perhaps we could discuss design possibilities there. That's why I asked you to join me tonight, Allegra, and I'm afraid we've neglected to talk about my ideas yet.'

  'That's awfully kind of you,' Todd said, alarmed by the idea of going to some hideaway, 'but we really ought to be getting back to the hotel soon. We're leaving for New York early in the morning, you know.' They weren't leaving until Monday morning, but Ramtane Tadjer didn't need to know that. 'What if you two talk about it on the phone after we're back in New York?'

  Allegra glanced at him with irritation, a look Ram did not miss.

  'Oh, surely this is something that should be discussed in person,' Ram said. 'Don't you agree, Allegra?'

  'If it's that close by, then what's a little more time? We can sleep on the plane tomorrow, and I'd love to hear what you have to say about design possibilities.' Her voice was determined, and the look she gave Todd was equally so.

  Todd glanced from her to Ram. 'So this place is around the corner, you say?'

  'Yes,' Ram said, nodding. 'I have some things there I would like to show you. I think you would be particularly interested in them, Allegra.'

  'Oh?' Allegra said with curiosity.

  'Some very special jewels,' Ram said. He paused for dramatic effect, then added, 'Emeralds.' He looked from her to Todd. 'What do you say?'

  'I wouldn't miss it for the world,' Allegra said.

  'Well . . .,' Todd said, 'I'm game.' There was no way he would let Allegra go alone.