Part III End Game

Chapter 52

During the night it rained. There was nothing peculiar about it except that it lasted all night and was continuing at seven in the morning.

The black clouds hovered over the area which didn't bode well for Stefan who would have to get to work by bicycle and slog through the mud in the tiny road to the village. His job at the glass workshop started at 8a.m. and he would have to leave without a proper breakfast. He was not amused.

But he would be less amused when he realized that a detective from Montignac was asking questions in the shop later that morning.

His Father Enjoyed a Deep Sleep

His father was enjoying the deep sleep of a man who had too much to drink the night before. Only his snoring could be heard over the continuous patter of rain on the roof.

The room was warm and comfortable even with the embers in the fireplace turning to ash. Only later, when Carlo di Palma was awakened by a phone call from his son the climate and his mood began to change.

Emile Picard, coffee cup in hand, watched the rain spatter his kitchen window. His coffee was black, strong and hot; the way he liked it. His wife was sound asleep as she would be until at least ten o'clock. His thoughts were far away as he remembered the day he was first approached by Carlo di Palma and that day when Carlo propositioned him about the da Vinci drawing. It had rained that day too. But that was the only thing that was the same.

Karl Hellstrom too remembered the day when Carlo di Palma consulted him of the value of a da Vinci drawing. They had done business before. Today the two men had struck a new bargain. One would 'obtain' the drawing and the other would dispose of it at a nice profit. Hellstrom had made his fortune doing just that. But now, some months later, he found himself on his way to meet Emile Picard, the legal brains of the group. Something had come up. He'd find out soon enough. The trip to Brantome would not be pleasant in the driving rain. But, "Cest la vie,' he said out loud.

Dr. Biot Rests Comfortably

Dr. Biot rested comfortably that morning but he was far from relaxed, considering the drugs, tubes and fastidious nurses. He thought back to the visit he had and he recognized the men who visited his shop. He was afraid they would show up at the hospital. He was especially afraid of the tall one with the huge Adam's apple.

He looked at the rain soaked window. It seemed to match the perspiration on his brow. He was no longer afraid of dying but he had great fears about life after the hospital, should he be lucky enough to live. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep again.

In Barcelona, Carlos and Marina were getting ready for a giant art and furniture auction to take place at Montserrat that afternoon. Little did they know that they would be dragged into the events that were happening in France at that very moment. In Barcelona it was sunny and seasonably warm.

At Hautefort, Clo, Constantin and Bruce prepared for the day. Bruce and Clo would visit Dr Biot again. Constantin would go riding with his friends.

While they enjoyed their breakfast they talked about the rain. It might inhibit Constantin's riding but there was much to do in the stables that were being repaired.

This would be a day for all to remember.

(Click here for Chapter 53)