‘He promised to take me to Laduree. Well, I’ll take up his invitation if I live over here. You see, Dad, I’ve already got friends in places: Max, Jane, Juliette and her parents, perhaps even your saviour, Robert.’
Luc blinked, not truly surprised but in equal measure unnerved that Jenny had already moved past his caution and in her mind was planning life in Europe.
‘Well, I don’t even know yet whether I can find Robert. But I’d like to visit his village on our way through to Saignon.’
‘I don’t mind which route we take. Where’s Jane?’
‘Er, I guess she’s at her hotel,’ he said nonchalantly, surprised that he felt vaguely embarrassed.
‘Are we seeing her tonight?’
‘If you’d like. In fact, I thought I’d suggest that she come south with us, as I’d like to leave tomorrow.’
‘Okay,’ she said. He’d been ready to sell the idea of Jane coming along but Jenny hadn’t batted an eyelid.
‘You don’t mind?’ Now why was he creating obstacles that weren’t there?
She frowned, looking back over her shoulder. ‘No. Why should I? I love Jane.’
He shrugged. ‘Good. I’ll ring her later and we’ll make arrangements. Right now, how do you fancy a stroll along the river and through some of my favourite gardens, with a good cup of coffee somewhere?’
‘I’d love it. Let me grab some extra film for Harry’s camera. I want a photo of us on that beautiful bridge with the lampposts.’
‘Pont Alexandre,’ he murmured to himself, remembering how he and Lisette had once kissed on the bridge, promising to be together forever having survived the war.
Luc phoned Jane as soon as they returned to the hotel later that afternoon.
‘Jenny’s pleased to hear you’re coming south with us. I’ll look up the train times but let’s plan to get away early in the morning. Now, I had better take my daughter to one of the tourist haunts for a quick dinner shortly – would you join us?’
‘Listen … Luc, don’t take this the wrong way, but I think you and Jenny should have some private time tonight.’
That was odd. He hadn’t expected a brush-off.
‘Oh. What will you do?’
‘I’m not helpless,’ she laughed. ‘Besides,’ she added in a teasing tone, ‘I’ve had many nice offers.’
‘I’ll bet. Are you sure?’
‘I am.’
‘Everything all right?’
‘Don’t fuss. I’m fine. I just don’t want to crowd in. And besides, if we’re heading off early, I need to re-pack, get myself organised – I’ve got a letter to write, so I’ll be completely occupied, I promise. I’ll order room service and have a long soak in the bath.’
‘Remembering yesterday, perhaps?’
She didn’t respond as he’d hoped and in fact gave him only what sounded like a loud silence of embarrassment. He missed her already; never thinking he could feel so comfortable with a woman again, so why this strange behaviour?
‘Shall I call later? I’ll give you the train times and we can swing by in a taxi in the morning.’
‘Er … sure.’
He frowned; she didn’t sound sure at all. ‘Right. Well, have a nice evening.’
‘You too. Bye.’
He looked at the receiver, wondering at how cool she’d sounded. It really didn’t match up to their heated passion of yesterday when she couldn’t get enough of him. What had happened?
Jane turned around after replacing the receiver. ‘I didn’t even sound convincing to myself,’ she said, mournfully.
‘You did all right,’ her companion said. It was Max Vogel.
‘Come on. Let’s go down and find a quiet spot somewhere and you can tell me everything.’
They ended up in the hotel café in a private booth, ordering a simple meal.
‘So, Max, this had better be important because Luc is surely wondering what sort of game I’m playing. That was a very awkward conversation.’
‘Yes, I’m sorry I was in your room.’
‘Tell me why you lied to Luc. He thinks you’ve left Paris.’
Kilian’s son sipped his glass of wine. ‘Has Luc told you anything yet of why he returned to France at this time?’
She looked at him, confused. ‘I didn’t even know Luc last week so I can’t pretend to understand his motives, nor does he need to be explaining anything to me. But I was under the impression it was to get him and Jenny away from their sorrows, give them a chance to reconnect.’
‘Yes, all of that,’ Max agreed, looking around nervously.
‘Max, I don’t know you very well either, but you seem worried. What’s troubling you?’
‘Look, it’s none of my business but I know you care about him, so the only reason I’m telling you this is because I think he needs friends around him right now.’
‘Speak plainly, Max.’
He sighed. It took a long time. He spared her little detail. When their simple meal of a salmon terrine was finished his tale was still not fully told. Jane listened in rapt silence, her expression shifting between fascination and horror.
Finally, over coffee and a warming cognac, Max shook his head. ‘I’m obviously telling you all this because I’m worried.’
‘That he’ll confront von Schleigel,’ she replied in a scared whisper.
‘It’s why he came to France. He wants revenge.’
Her gaze narrowed and her expression was tinged with scorn. ‘And now you’re worried?’
He shrugged, clearly embarrassed. ‘I thought I wanted him to go after von Schleigel but when I met Luc, when I saw how much anger he holds, I became unnerved.’
‘“Go after” him? What is this … a game of cops and robbers to you?’
‘No, I … I guess I just wanted Luc to have the opportunity to confront this man. Let him know that we know who he is and that his disguise is no longer intact.’
‘And then what?’
He looked uncomfortable now, and wouldn’t meet her angry gaze. ‘Jane, I don’t care what happens to von Schleigel, but I don’t want Jenny to be without both parents and … Von Schleigel is ex-Gestapo. I’m nervous of how he’ll react when Luc confronts him. I don’t know what Luc might try, either.’
‘“Try”?’ she repeated sarcastically. ‘Max, you’re the one who loaded the bullet into the gun!’ she admonished in a growled whisper. ‘What did you think Luc might do with the information you fed him? His wife is dead, so is his son. He’s probably just got his head around the fact that his Jewish family perished in horrific circumstances, but he’s not in that despair alone so perhaps over time it had become bearable. But then you rake it all up for him and present him with irresistible facts all wrapped up with the very location of the man Luc holds as the devil in his heart. What did you think he might do? He’s a former Maquisard!’
Max wiped a shaking napkin over his mouth. ‘Von Schleigel has escaped justice.’
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, Max. We’re talking about a man’s life here. And I don’t mean von Schleigel’s! He can rot in hell for all I care. Luc is a passionate man and he’s hurting. Look back at his life and it’s all about death and loss. Even if he does make von Schleigel pay the ultimate price, it won’t offer any healing. It will just add a whole new dimension of guilt …’ She ran out of steam and shook her head. ‘I won’t be a party to murder and neither should you.’
‘I’m not sure I can stop him now—’
‘You can. Or I will.’
‘With all due respect, it’s not your business to—’
‘With all due respect, Max, you just made it my business. It is now my concern to stop this madness!’ she snapped. ‘Go and see him and put a halt to his meeting with von Schleigel or I will get directly involved.’ She held his gaze defiantly. ‘Where is von Schleigel?’
Max backed down, dropping his gaze as he took a slow breath. ‘I’ve been so driven. This began as being all about my father, and it’s snowballed into something bigger than I
’ve fully grasped.’
‘But why, Max? What did you think you’d get out of it?’
‘Nothing,’ he admitted. He suddenly looked so unsure of himself. ‘I was lost in the thrill of chasing him down, I think. So many got away. I feel guilt. My father was German; he was one of the hated men in uniform. Maybe I’m trying to level the scales on his behalf. Whatever it is, I … I couldn’t let it go – the research and then the hunt was a way of dislocating from my own grief from my mother’s death. I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t considered the consequences of my actions. You’re right, I’ve pushed Luc into a corner.’ He leant his elbows on the table and covered his face for a moment. ‘But von Schleigel’s out there, Jane, living the good life …’
‘Yes, but it’s not your business to be his judge and juror, and it’s not Luc’s job to be his executioner.’
‘So we just ignore that a German war criminal is masquerading as a French national in our midst?’
‘No – but go through the right channels.’
‘Alert the police, you mean?’
She shrugged. ‘For starters.’
He shook his head. ‘We’re talking about a man who has evaded capture for more than two decades. Do you really think he won’t slip the net of the bumbling gendarmerie? They may make a few initial enquiries but I’m telling you that’s all it will take to send von Schleigel scuttling off into oblivion.’
She sighed. ‘I’m sure there are war crimes sections in the UK and the US. There’s Interpol, for heaven’s sake! There are professionals for this. Justice can be achieved.’
He nodded. ‘I need to speak with Luc.’
‘Good,’ she said, covering his hand with hers, smiling at him. ‘I’d see him this evening, if I were you,’ she said. ‘It’s still early. I told you he’s planning for us to leave early in the morning.’
Max reached for his wallet. ‘Please, let me get this. It was very good of you to see me, to hear me out. It’s helped talking to someone else about this; made me see it all clearer.’
‘Thank you.’ Jane stood. ‘Well, I’ve got to pack and Luc said he may call again.’
Max stood and offered his hand but she kissed him affectionately on both cheeks. ‘I hope we’ll meet again.’
‘We will. I hope you know how welcome you all are in Lausanne. And thanks for letting me get all that off my chest.’
‘I’m glad you did. I’m glad you’ll fix it too.’
She left him and it was only when the lift doors opened on her floor and she was rummaging about in her bag for her room key that she realised Max had never answered her question about where von Schleigel was.
Luc put the phone down after speaking with the restaurant manager. Now he knew why Jane had sounded strange. She’d had an arrangement with someone else for dinner but had deliberately avoided telling him.
It was only by chance that he’d called Jane much earlier than planned because the hotel had sent up a huge silver platter of scrumptious pastries with exquisite chocolates. Accompanying it was a bottle of champagne, with the compliments of the general manager. Jenny was so excited by the feast laid out before her that she’d tucked into it helplessly and then groaned fifteen minutes later that she couldn’t eat another thing and certainly not supper.
While Jenny cleared up her debris, he’d made enquiries about the trains for the next day and decided to let Jane know. Luc had called her hotel only to discover that she wasn’t in her room. He’d been put back through to the front desk that confirmed she could be found in the hotel bistro. ‘Is it urgent, sir?’
‘Yes, a little. I just need to give her a train time.’
‘Would you like me to put you through to the maître d’?’
‘That would be helpful, thank you.’ He didn’t think Jane would mind, especially if she was planning an early night.
He waited as the call was put through. The restaurant manager answered. ‘Oui, Monsieur Ravens, you are looking for Mademoiselle Aplin, I believe?’
‘Yes.’
‘She is having dinner with her guest right now,’ the man said. ‘Main course has just been set down. But I am in your hands, monsieur. You tell me what you wish me to do.’
‘Um …’ His mind went blank.
‘Her companion did assure me that he was in a bit of a hurry, so I suspect they will be finished quite quickly.’
He?
‘Shall I disturb them, sir?’
‘Er, no. That’s fine. Leave them in peace to enjoy their meal.’
‘Thank you, Monsieur Ravens.’
He put the receiver down and stared into space. She’d lied. Or rather she’d warned him that she’d had other offers and it sounded as though she’d taken one of her gentleman admirers up on it. He felt momentarily desolate. If they hadn’t made love only hours ago, he might not be feeling as betrayed as he did right now.
‘Dad?’
‘Mmm?’ Luc said absently, staring out of the window into the dark night over a drizzling Paris. It wasn’t that late, maybe nearing six. He could feel the cold coming off the glass.
‘What’s wrong?’
He swung around to see Jenny staring at him, concerned. ‘Nothing at all … I was, er, I was just thinking why wait until tomorrow?’
‘What?’
He shrugged. ‘Come on, let’s do something daring and leave now for the south.’
She smiled at him. ‘Are you crazy? It’s night out there.’
He checked his watch. ‘It’s five-forty. There’s a train at seven-thirty. We could make it!’
‘Why the sudden rush?’
‘If we’re not going out tonight for dinner, let’s get going, I say. It would be nice to wake up tomorrow in a new place.’
‘But you haven’t called your friend, Robert. You don’t even know if he’s still there.’
Luc gave a typically French shrug. ‘If he’s not, he’s not. We can hire a car, drive into the Luberon. We have no itinerary, Jen, we can do whatever we want.’
She grinned. ‘Well, I’m all for an adventure.’
‘I’ll race you to pack!’ he challenged. He picked up the phone and explained to the receptionist that they required a porter to be sent up. ‘Oh, and can you put me through to the switchboard, please?’
‘Bonsoir, how can I help, Monsieur Ravens?’ came the cheery voice.
He explained that he wanted no further calls to be put through to his room as they were now in a hurry to check out. He knew it was petulant but it made him feel more in control to cut Jane’s access to him while he sorted through his hurt. She’d be expecting him to call, expecting to go south in the morning, but no, perhaps she was right; this would be a trip for Jenny and himself. He’d hoped to leave the girls together in Saignon while he made his side trip to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, but Jane was now a complication and he couldn’t have anyone playing around with his emotions. His mind was trying to cram itself with practicalities and all he could concentrate on was getting out of Paris quickly and putting distance between himself and treacherous Jane, whom he’d stupidly allowed to sneak beneath his defences.
He’d scrawled two hurried notes: one to the general manager with thanks for his generous hospitality, and the other to Jane that he would leave with the hotel to forward.
‘Ready, Dad?’
‘I am,’ he said, sealing the second letter as there was a soft knock at the door. ‘Grab the coats. That will be the porter.’ He picked up his briefcase as Jenny zipped up the second case. ‘Final check around the room …’ he said, tapping his breast pocket to ensure he had his personal effects. ‘Let’s go!’ Luc said.
Within ten minutes they’d paid their bill, collected passports and said their farewells. A taxi was hailed and they bundled into it, dodging the rain, while their luggage was loaded and the concierge told the driver to head for Gare de Lyon.
He noticed the sparkling droplets of moisture on Jenny’s shoulder in the darkness of the taxi and gave her a sad smile. This felt so cowardly.
She had the grace not to mention Jane.
Behind them the switchboard was fielding an incoming call.
‘I am sorry, madame, but Monsieur Ravens is not taking any calls.’
‘Oh, is he in the property?’
‘I do not know, madame.’
‘Could you put me through to the front desk, please?’ Jane said, frowning on the other end. How odd. It was still early.
‘Hello, this is Jane Aplin. I’m a friend of Monsieur Ravens who is staying in your hotel.’
‘Ah, yes, how can I help, madame?’
‘I wonder if I could ask you to contact him and—’
‘I’m very sorry, but I’m afraid I cannot assist in this way. Monsieur Ravens is not here.’
‘He’s likely out at supper with—’
‘No. What I mean to say, madame, is he is no longer a guest in the hotel. He has checked out.’
She paused, rerunning through her mind what the man had just said.
‘Checked out? You mean, he’s gone?’
‘That’s correct.’
‘But that’s impossible!’ she said.
‘He took a taxi and left a few minutes ago with his daughter.’
‘Good grief. Where are they going?’
‘Forgive me but I was not told.’
Jane suspected he wouldn’t tell her even if he had been. She shook her head, baffled but also hurt. ‘Um … you said he took a taxi.’
‘Yes.’
‘Could you ask your concierge where it was going?’
‘I’m sorry but that is against hotel policy, I’m sure you understand …’
‘Yes, of course … sorry.’ She sounded so desperate.
‘But I do have a letter for you here. Monsieur Ravens asked me to forward it to your hotel.’
‘Oh? All right, thank you. Can you send it over this evening, please?’
The French Promise Page 34
