Fitz was horrified but tried not to show her alarm to the child. She waved back before spinning around to face Engel. ‘She’s only a child. Don’t hurt her.’
‘Don’t worry. She is perfectly safe,’ said Engel. ‘That is until I give the command to let go of her.’ He gave a long whistle as he pointed his finger to the banister and then down to the ground.
‘Please, I beg you,’ said Fitz. ‘Don’t do that.’ She could hear the crack in her voice. She didn’t doubt that Engel would carry out his threat.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,’ he said. ‘I didn’t realise how fond of the child you are.’ He waved at the soldier who hoisted Yvette back to the safety of the landing.
Fitz let out a sigh of relief. She watched as the soldier led Yvette back down the hallway. ‘Bye, Claudine,’ she called.
‘Bonne nuit,’ called back Fitz, blowing a kiss to the child.
Yvette put her hand up in the air, making to grab the kiss. ‘Caught it!’ she called, smiling broadly, before disappearing out of sight.
‘How very touching,’ said Engel. He turned to look at Fitz, his face deadpan. ‘I hope I’m making myself clear,’ he said. ‘And just so that there is no doubt. If anything was to happen to the colonel, then the next time you see the child, you will wish you hadn’t. Understand?’
Fitz hesitated. To nod her understanding would be to admit her involvement. She was still sure Engel was working on a hunch rather than any hard evidence. She schooled her face into a frown. ‘I’m not sure I know what you mean, but I’m sure the colonel is very safe here surrounded by his men and as a guest of my cousin.’
Engel gave a snort. ‘I’m glad we understand each other. Now, as you say, you’d better get back to the colonel. He is anticipating a rather fun night, I believe.’
When Fitz walked back into the room, she saw Margot look at her and then look at Engel who was following on behind her. She looked neither surprised nor concerned, Fitz observed. Again that feeling of mistrust washed up in Fitz’s consciousness. She couldn’t work out Margot’s part in all this, never mind what her motives were.
Before she had time to consider it further, Hoffmann was upon her. The smell of alcohol on his breath was strong and he was unsteady on his feet. The drug that had been slipped into his drink had certainly taken effect. She looked at the clock above the mantelpiece. Very soon she would have to get Hoffmann outside and into the waiting car.
‘Let’s have one more dance,’ said Hoffman, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her towards him. Fitz slipped both hands around his neck and they began to sway from side to side in time to the music.
She caught sight of Engel over the shoulder of Hoffmann. He returned her look with a cool stare and mouthed one word at her.
‘Yvette.’
Chapter 22
Fitz felt paralysed with fear. She was sure Engel knew of the kidnap plot, but if so, why was he waiting to act? Surely he should be arresting them. Or was he doing this just for fun? Enjoying watching her dilemma. Enjoying toying with people’s lives. If anything, the incident back at the checkpoint proved that. He didn’t have any care or value for life. He was prepared to kill a child.
‘When are we going to Madame Mimi’s?’ drawled Hoffmann in her ear. Fitz had minutes to act. ‘Let’s sit down for a moment,’ she said, propping Hoffmann up and taking him to sit in a chair near the door. She motioned to the waiter for some water.
‘Come here,’ said Hoffmann, pulling her by the hips and forcing her to sit on his lap. He ran his hand up and down her leg while trying to ply her with kisses, but only able to reach her neck. ‘We don’t have to go to Madame Mimi’s,’ he was saying between kisses. ‘I’d happily settle for just you and my room tonight.’
Fitz was about to say no, when she had an idea. She allowed Hoffmann to continue to make a fuss of her and pretended to be enjoying it, while she ran through the idea in her head. It was a risky plan, but it could work. The kidnapping could still go ahead, and she and Yvette could still escape. She didn’t trust Margot and trusted her even less to get Yvette to the car as planned.
It really was the only choice she had. ‘I think that’s a rather good idea,’ she said to Hoffmann. ‘It would be a shame to have to share you with anyone else. Not on our first night, anyway.’
Hoffmann mumbled his agreement into her neck, something along the lines of what were they waiting for?
‘Just give me one moment,’ said Fitz. ‘I need to get something from my room first.’
‘Don’t keep me waiting too long,’ said Hoffmann, his eyes touring her body from head to toe.
She smiled over her shoulder at him and went over to Margot.
‘Change of plan,’ she said, smiling as if they were sharing a joke. ‘I’m taking Hoffmann out down the servants’ staircase. I’ll be bringing Yvette with me. Don’t argue. That’s what is happening. Make sure the car is at the west entrance.’
With that she turned and went back over to Hoffmann before Margot had time to protest. She had no doubt Margot was boring holes in her back with her glare.
‘Come along, then, Rolf,’ she said, helping the colonel to his feet. ‘Time for us.’
As she expected, Engel appeared. ‘Where are you going?’ he asked.
‘We’re finished here for the night,’ said Hoffmann, his words slurring together.
