Page 85 of The Last Library of Paris

‘But what about at the embassy? Is it Edith?’

Slowly I nodded. Archie clenched his fist and did a tiny punch in the air in triumph. ‘I knew it. She’s a clever woman.’

‘She is.’

‘And the job offers and sponsors? Where did you find so many?’

‘My parents and their friends from church,’ I said. ‘Edith’s sister, and their friends in the Quakers. Bea knows everyone and her friend Hector is helping from London. Lara’s theatre people. Lots of folk were willing to help.’

‘It’s really quite an achievement,’ he said.

‘Do you think so?’

‘I do.’

I smiled. ‘I hope Parrish hasn’t ruined it.’

‘He didn’t get a chance to pass the information to Jose Costa. I intercepted it first.’

‘But what if he does it again?’ I said. ‘What if he steals more visa applications from Edith?’

‘He won’t.’

‘How do you know?’

‘Because I’m going to get rid of him.’

I was horrified. ‘You’re going to kill him?’

‘Lord, no,’ said Archie, looking alarmed. ‘I’m going to ship him back to London. Find a job in a basement of some ministry somewhere. It’s no more than he deserves.’

‘Thank goodness for that,’ I said. ‘I did think for a minute …’

Archie looked at me, his face serious. ‘Do you want me to have him killed? Because I can do that, you know. I know people …’

I punched him on the arm. ‘Don’t,’ I said, as Archie began to chuckle.

I sipped my drink. ‘Of course,’ I said casually. ‘I wouldn’t need to get someone else to kill him. I could do it myself.’

Archie laughed even harder.

‘I think you’d better leave it with me,’ he said. ‘I’ll deal with Mr Parrish.’

Chapter 23

Frances

Paris

‘I’m sorry, could you say that again?’ I stared at Marcus, not really understanding the words that were coming out of his mouth.

‘Guy Lambert and Sylvie Ducasse are fine,’ he said. ‘No concerns there.’

‘But Alain?’ I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry.

‘Alain does not exist.’

‘That’s what I thought you said.’ I sat down on the wide window ledge in my office as my legs started to shake violently.