“Kill him, Doctor? I merely wanted him sent away.” Slowly Chari shifted his attention back to the object of their conversation. “So who are you and what offense sent you to the prison?”
“Jacques Mercier. They say I was involved in receiving stolen weapons, but…” he let his voice taper off with a shrug of his shoulders.
“Get on the radio, Piers, and contact Vaughn in Marseilles. See if this man is lying. If he is not, bring him to my study.”
With that, Chari walked back into the house and disappeared. Solange’s frantic gaze connected with Mercier’s. Neither spoke, but the look he gave her betrayed a brief hint of gratitude and even a little surprise. Her own expression must have been wild-eyed with fright, though she was trying hard not to show how terrified she felt.
Two more men came out carrying a frayed and faded litter that might have been scavenged during World War II. Gently, at her direction, they transferred René from the back seat of the car onto the carrier.
She reluctantly abandoned Mercier to his fate as she accompanied her patient into his father’s house. One of the guards gave a cursory check for weapons hidden beneath her clothing and then plundered more carefully through her medical bag. Satisfied, they left her alone with René. She tried not to let herself wonder whether she would ever be allowed outside the house again in her lifetime. Or if Jack Mercier would ever see the inside of it during his.
Later, after suffering a humiliating and thorough body search and waiting for Piers to make his phone call to Marseilles, Jack relaxed a little. He was inside. Next step accomplished.
He attempted to put all thoughts of Solange Micheaux out of his mind when he arrived in Chari’s study. She was in even more danger than he had worried she would be. He had figured Chari would be a little more grateful for his son’s survival and that he would treat Solange with some respect because of her part in that. Apparently, the man had little in the way of paternal feelings and no kind regard at all for females.
Jack now wished he had opened that car door in Tournade, shoved her out forcefully, then sped off before she knew what had happened. Right now she’d be under no threat whatsoever if he’d done that.
But then again, he could be dead now if she had not come along. If she hadn’t interceded with Chari, he’d probably be out in one of those fields with a little dirt kicked over him.
“Sit down, Mercier,” Chari instructed. “Cigar?”
Jack reached forward and took one. He hated the stinking things, but some men thought smoking them together was a bonding experience. If Chari were one of those men, Jack certainly did want to accommodate him. A little bonding was needed right about now.
“Drink?” Chari offered, gesturing lazily with one hand at the sideboard.
Two fancy decanters stood there wearing a coat of dust. Did Chari practice the religion that forbade it or was he just careful not to let alcohol fuzz up his brain? In either case, Jack wasn’t about to break any unspoken rules.
“No, thanks. Never touch it.”
Chari smiled his approval. “Good. We should get down to business. Tell me about these weapons you have allegedly imported.”
Jack shrugged and took a puff of the cigar before he answered. “A man called Jurin hired me to pick up a delivery in Narbonne. I drove there, went where he directed me to go. The police were waiting. They hauled me in along with the men who had actually had possession of the shipment when they arrived. I was in Baumettes awaiting trial. You know how that goes.”
“Unfortunately.” Chari picked a speck of tobacco off his lip with his fingernail. “How did you come to rescue René?”
“I saw the guards knocking him around. He looked like a kid who didn’t need to be where he was. When I got a look at his doctor, I figured she didn’t need to be there, either. So…since I had no love at all for the bastard who used his fists on children, I took him out. Then I took them with me.” He smiled. “I was going anyway, you see.”
“You had to have help. Baumettes is fairly secure, but even I could not find a way to liberate René.”
Jack somehow doubted he had tried all that hard. Will Griffin had encountered no problem in bribing the right people. Be that as it may, Chari was the one Jack had to deal with right now. And he had to convince Chari he would be a valuable asset.
“You’re right. I did have someone on the outside. He crossed a few palms, got the right key, the right vehicles.”
“Where is he now?”
Jack smiled. “I had no further use for him.”
“How did you find your way here?” Chari asked. “The work I am doing requires solitude. I have made certain that few people know my address.”
“René mentioned the location when he was delirious with fever,” Jack lied. “I hoped that out of gratitude you might offer me a position here.”
“And how would you know what sort of business I am in and what work might be available?”
Jack sighed and rolled the cigar between his fingers. He met Chari’s gaze directly and smiled. “I understand you make films. I confess I have not seen any of them, but I am not much acquainted with the arts.”
“The last was well received in Cannes four years ago,” Chari informed him with a haughty sniff.
Jack almost laughed. The film had tanked miserably and the public screening had proved a joke. Chari had delusions of grandeur that made Napoleon seem modest.
“I’ve heard that you live a reclusive life. Whatever it is you are doing now, I can ensure that you remain undisturbed.”
Chari nodded. “Do you trust this helper you hired for the escape not to have followed you here?” Chari watched him carefully, his eyes narrowed. “I do not wish more unexpected company.”
“You are not making a film,” Jack observed.
“No. Where is the man who helped you?”
“I do not believe in loose ends,” Jack said. The pinball dropped in place. Jack could almost hear the kaching declaring him a winner with the only correct answer.
“Perhaps I could use a man of your…experience,” Chari said, though he still wore the suspicious look Jack figured he’d been born with.
“You need not worry that the police will come here seeking the boy. As far as the authorities know, we are headed out of the country. We will have been observed and reported.”
“By someone else who could change a story and betray you. I believe you have too many accomplices,” Chari declared.
“No, this was just an acquaintance who owed me a favor. She made a phone call for the false report, but has no idea where I am at present.” Jack smiled. “I try to plan for all contingencies.”
“You are hired.”
“Thank you. How is the pay?”
“Excellent once the job is complete. You won’t need it before then.” Chari stood, a sign that the conversation was finished as far as he was concerned.
Jack had a sneaky feeling Chari never intended to issue any paychecks when his project was over. In view of that, he thought he might as well risk making a better deal with the new boss. Maybe come to an arrangement that might offer Solange more safety.
“One more thing,” Jack said boldly.
“Yes?”
“I’ll settle for half pay, get rid of any…loose ends you have dangling when you’ve done whatever it is you’re up to. Also I will make certain you’re not followed