‘The British operative?’ I repeated, my voice fainter than before.
‘Yes. Do you have a problem with that?’
‘There are layers and layers of secrecy. I’d never be able to find out.’ I was grasping at straws and Kranz must have known it.
He gave a shrug. ‘I don’t think it’s as hard as you’re making out. I’m sure you’ll be able to use your charms to make the meeting happen.’
‘Whoever it is won’t want to meet with me. I’m nothing.’
‘Then you need to become something.’ Kranz tapped the edge of the desk with an agitated finger. ‘I’ll give you some information to pass on to the circuit. It won’t be significant in the grand scheme of things, but enough to authenticate you. After that, you can meet with the British agent.’
‘I don’t know if it will be that easy,’ I said.
‘I don’t care about how hard or easy it is. You just bring me the British agent and I’ll ensure your cousins are released.’
‘But it will take several weeks. I can’t just win their trust in a matter of days. If you want me to do this, then you must release my cousins immediately.’
Kranz chuckled. ‘I knew there was more to you than the demure housemaid. Very well, I don’t see any reason why your cousins shouldn’t be freed. As a gesture of goodwill and a show of my honour, I’ll instruct that your cousins are free to go home. Of course, if you renege on our agreement, I will have them arrested, tortured, and then shot. Am I making myself clear?’
‘Yes. Perfectly.’
‘We have an agreement, then, Mademoiselle Leroux?’
‘We do.’
Chapter 23
Darcie
‘Good and bad news?’ repeated Darcie as she looked across the table at Matt after he ended the call with Elaine.
He put his mobile phone down on the table. ‘Well, good news and a little bad news, which could actually turn out to be good, depending how you look at it.’ There was that mischievous twinkle in his eye again.
Darcie rolled her eyes good-humouredly. ‘You need to tell me and tell me now.’
Matt grinned. ‘OK, so here’s the deal. Elaine has spoken to her mother, Paulette, and while she’s a little reluctant for us to see Odile alone, she’s agreed to a meeting as long as she can be there.’
‘That sounds perfectly reasonable to me,’ said Darcie. ‘I’d be exactly the same if someone wanted to question my mum. So, was that the bad news?’
‘Not exactly. The bad news is that we can’t go and see Odile until tomorrow.’
‘But we’re supposed to be going back to Paris today.’
‘Exactly. Hence the bad news, but we could stay the night and before you say anything, yes, I know that will involve booking a room and, yes, I know you won’t be happy about that and, yes, you will want to pay your way even if you can’t really afford it. So, before you throw all those objections at me, let me say this.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I will pay for all these things and you can pay me back when you get the money from Chanel and if you don’t sell the dress to Chanel, you can pay me back by sending me one of your best vintage dresses or fancy handbags or pieces of jewellery that I can give to my sister who will be blown away if it’s come from England. Especially, if it was worn by a duchess or a princess or someone titled … you get what I mean.’ It was Matt’s time to roll his eyes and Darcie couldn’t help laughing.
Knowing his offer had come from a good place and was genuine, she agreed. ‘OK. It’s a deal.’
‘It is?’
‘Yes. Sure.’
After they had finished their meal and were taking their time over their coffees, Matt got on with booking somewhere for them to stay the night.
‘Finally,’ he said, putting down his phone after the fifth time of trying. ‘Everywhere is really booked up, but I’ve managed to get us somewhere here in Ploërmel for the night. There’s a small château just on the outskirts of the town.’
‘A château?’
‘Just a small one. We can check in at about four o’clock, once they’ve got everything ready.’
