A Fine Night for Dying. Jack Higgins

Pinaud poured him a cognac and came round the counter.

      ‘You are in luck, monsieur,’ he told Chavasse. ‘This man is going to Ste-Denise. He has agreed to give you a lift.’

      Chavasse turned to the girl and said in English: ‘Our good-looking friend has offered us a lift. Should we accept?’

      ‘Is there any reason why we shouldn’t?’

      He smiled and shook his head. ‘You’re really very refreshing, but hopelessly out of date. Still – never look a gift horse in the mouth.’

      Jacaud swallowed his cognac and crossed to the door. He paused and glanced down at Chavasse, face expressionless. ‘You are going to Ste-Denise, I understand? I’m on my way there now. You’re welcome to a lift.’

      ‘Wonderful,’ Chavasse said brightly. ‘We’ll be right with you.’

      Jacaud nodded briefly to Pinaud. ‘I’ll be in touch about further arrangements,’ he said in Breton, and went out.

      He was already behind the wheel when Chavasse and the girl joined him. There was room for one passenger. The girl took the only seat, and Chavasse heaved the suitcases into the rear and climbed over the tailboard. The van started at once, bouncing its way across the cobbles, passing the parked Renault. He caught a quick glimpse of the driver, a flash of very fair hair, and then the car pulled away from the kerb and came after them, which was interesting.

      Chavasse touched the butt of the Smith & Wesson snug in its holster against his spine, then sat back and waited to see what was going to happen.

      * * *

      Within a few minutes, they had left the town and were travelling along a narrow country road. The heavy rain and a slight ground mist reduced visibility considerably, but he caught an occasional glimpse of the sea in the distance beyond a fringe of pine trees.

      The Renault stayed so close that he could see the driver clearly, a pale man with extraordinary fair hair who looked more like a priest than anything else. They came to a crossroads at a place where the pinewoods seemed to move in on every side. The van carried straight on, the Renault turned left and disappeared. Chavasse frowned.