can be certain, Julio. I chose to kill him out of respect, I didn’t want any of you scumbags doing it, he would’ve understood that. But be warned my friend, you’d better watch your back.’
Mario strode back into the house with the other men close behind him, while Julio remained where he was and watched them go.
Chapter Eight
Lunch consisted of half a baguette, filled with Camembert cheese and roasted ham, washed down with a bottle of Panache. Tony hadn’t wanted to hang around the hotel twiddling his thumbs and waiting for Interpol to get their arses into gear, so he insisted they should take in at least one of the tourist attractions Paris had to offer. Of course, he’d opted for the cheapest one, a leisurely stroll along the Seine with a picnic lunch bought from a nearby patisserie.
‘I must say, Tony, you sure know how to show a girl a good time.’ Lorne teased, sounding and feeling far more relaxed than she had in ages despite not knowing what lay ahead of them. She laughed as Tony’s hand shot up to his chest as if he’d been mortally wounded.
‘And you, dear lady, know how to hurt a man. What more could a woman want out of life … to be wined, well lagered actually, but that’s by the by. As I was saying to be wined and dined by the side of the river, in the city of lurrrvvveee.’
‘Idiot.’ She laughed again and poked him in the leg, it felt strange to hear her own laughter filling her ears, but at the same time it felt good too, and it had certainly been a long time coming.
‘That’s better.’
The relief on his face sent a pang of guilt through her for burdening him with her problems.
‘We better head back soon.’ Tony smiled at her.
‘What time did you say we’re due to leave?’
‘Around two. It’s compulsory in France to have a two-hour lunch, from twelve to two. It’s not as bad as it used to be. I came here on an assignment about ten years ago and literally everything came to a standstill, it doesn’t seem quite so bad now.’
‘Does that mean it’s followed by a siesta, you know, like in Spain?’
He laughed, ‘I don’t think the French have quite reached that stage, yet.’
‘Christ, they don’t know they’re born. The way my working life panned out most days I barely managed to fit in half a sandwich, and often I had to bolt that down while filling out paperwork, urgent paperwork needed by someone as equally stressed out as me. I guess it just shows what mugs we are back in England, huh! I bet it’s the same in your line of business?’ Lorne hoped the agent would open up a little in their relaxed surroundings, she knew very little about what made him tick, and even less about his personal life.
‘Your assumption is first class, as usual, Lorne,’ he said, swivelling on his heel he set off in the opposite direction. ‘Come on, let’s get a shift on.’
‘A man of few words, aren’t you, Tony? One could almost say you’re a man of mystery.’
‘Goes with the territory you of all people should know that.’
‘Talking of which, what’s the game plan for this afternoon?’ For a moment she paused on the embankment to watch the boats, large and small, bobbing on the river. In the distance a couple of large tourist boats could be heard, giving their passengers the usual blurb about their location, in both French and English.
‘In what respect?’
‘You know, with Capitaine Amore.It’s obvious the guy doesn’t want me hanging around, not that he doesn’t have a point, I’m guessing this is probably the first time an ex-Met Inspector has turned up on his patch expecting to be involved in a case.’
‘Leave him to me. I did some background checks on him in my hotel room last night.’
‘You did? And?’
‘He seems more than capable. He’s been a copper since leaving school, been decorated by the President himself for capturing several dangerous criminals. He’s the guy who has been entrusted with the daunting task of