Read Final Justice (Lorne Simpkins thriller (Book Three)) for Free Online Page B

tracking down 34,000 pieces of stolen art.’
    ‘You’re kidding. This art, was it all stolen here in France?’
    ‘No, all over the world. He spends a lot of his time working for Interpol. Apparently they have a file that is updated regularly and circulated to every known buyer in the trade, also to museums, auction houses, police, and customs in every country.’
    ‘If that’s true, then why is he involved in The Unicorn/Baldwin case?’ she asked, her rustiness for the job clearly showing.
    ‘Think about it, Lorne.’
    They remained quiet for the remainder of the walk, then finally Lorne’s brain cells merged and her mind sparked into life. ‘I get it. Baldwin’s been a naughty boy and stolen some paintings. He’s branching out into yet another deceitful field.’
    Tony smiled, amused at how long it had taken Lorne to suss everything out, and shook his head. ‘Not just paintings, Lorne, different forms of art, anything with a hefty price tag. Sculptures, paintings, in fact if it comes under the art genre then you can guarantee The Unicorn will want a piece of the action.’
    ‘Christ, is there ever anything that guy refuses to get tangled up in?’
    ‘Yeah,’ Tony said, straight faced. ‘Anything that’s legal!’
     

 
    Chapter Nine
     
     
    They set off on time, at exactly two-fifteen, with Lieutenant Levelle behind the wheel for the 230 kilometres drive to Normandy. Their trip would have been a pleasant one, if only the car hadn’t been filled with an awkward silence. The landscape surrounding them reminded Lorne of childhood family summer holidays spent in the depths of the beautiful Devonshire countryside.
    It was the Capitaine who finally broke the silence, turning in his seat to look at her, he said, ‘Ah, I see our countryside brings joy to your face, Madame Simpkins.’
    Her smile vanished, how the hell could he see me? When she noticed the small mirror in the pulled down sun visor, she had her answer. How long had he been watching her? More to the point, why, had he been watching her? In for a penny in for a pound, if I have to work with this guy there’s no harm in being civil to him.
      ‘The countryside is very similar to where I used to visit when I was a child. I guess it’s hard not to reminisce.’
    He surprised her by saying, ‘Let me guess, your childhood was spent in Devon, yes?’
    How on earth had he figured that one out? She tried to suppress it, but found it difficult to prevent her amazement showing. Maybe he was a bloody clairvoyant in his spare time!
    He surprised her further by letting out a full belly laugh before she could respond. ‘I am from around here, and as a young boy I heard many English people say the same thing.’
    She lifted a brow. ‘Oh, I see.’
    The awkward silence filled the car again. Lorne found it hard to put her finger on how she felt; the Capitaine appeared to be something of an enigma, she didn’t know what to expect from him next.
    After travelling for nearly two and half hours they pulled up outside their hotel, located in the centre of town, a few metres past the magnificent and extremely imposing Caen cathedral.
    ‘We will rendezvous again at seven for dinner.’ The Capitaine informed them.
    Aware that she hadn’t packed anything suitable for dinner in a nice restaurant, Lorne pulled Tony to one side. ‘I don’t have anything to wear, Tony.’ Could this trip possibly get any worse?
    ‘Don’t worry about it, Lorne. The French don’t tend to dress up much for dinner, it’ll be cool. You’ll be fine with whatever you have.’
    After being allocated their rooms, all on the fifth floor, they went their separate ways.
    In dire need of freshening up after their journey, Lorne ran herself a hot bath. As the bubbles tickled her skin, she rested her head against the back of the bath and thought about the evening ahead. She wondered which of the two Capitaines would turn up at the restaurant, the obnoxious, off-hand one, or the kinder one