Traulle and the others, they don’t care. They don’t go to fight themselves, simply send others to die for whatever cause we are all meant to believe in today. None of it is important. I have seen too many great lives ended early, too many people I cared about, too many innocents die.” She sighed, “I fear it will happen again anyway. It is just the way of the world. Nevertheless in this case, it is wrong. I will help you.” She took a drink from her glass and stared into space for a moment. “Du Traulle and Lausat are not even doing it for the patriotic aims they would claim. They have invested in a consortium that has purchased factories and mining rights in those territories. If France seizes that land, their stock soars and they become rich. So you see, as always, it is about greed.”
“You’re sure?” Nick asked.
“Lausat has been bragging about it to the girls. He and Du Traulle are in on it. There are many powerful people in that consortium, which explains why you are probably the most hunted man in Paris right now. Marpauis and Vierre are the puppets. They’re not in the consortium, don’t even know about it. They are just blind patriots being used for the men they control beneath them. There’s more.”
“Go on.” said Nick.
“They fully expect the League of Nations to kick up a fuss and demand the withdrawal of French troops.”
“Then why go through with it at all?”
“They plan to sell their investment. They’ve bought cheaply. They’ll sell high from a market move they’ve made. It’s manipulation of the markets through military means.”
“And Germany is left humiliated again, even if the lands are saved.” Alex said angrily.
“Marpauis and Vierre wouldn’t like that.” Nick said thoughtfully.
“Even less if they’re the ones left to carry the blame for an illegal act of war.” Pigalle said.
“But if you know all this, why not go to the authorities and expose it?” Asked Alex.
“Because of the people involved in the consortium. A lot of rich and powerful people stand to become even more rich and powerful.” Pigalle smiled sadly.
“At the expense of more lives!” Alex cried indignantly.
“So this is all about greed and nothing to do with patriotism,” Nick said wearily.
“Exactly. The military men involved are the only ones who think they’re helping France in some misguided way. It’s rumoured that it’s not just French industrialists involved in the cabal who are behind this, but German, British…”
Alex let out a gasp and shook her head disbelievingly as Nick cut Pigalle off.
“When does Lausat go to the club and how many guards does he have with him?” Nick queried impatiently.
“Ah, at last we cut to the chase. I thought you’d never ask. Tonight. He’ll be there now, alone apart from the girls. Even though he knows you’re here, he thinks that the others will take care of you and that he’ll be safe. He’s an idiot. The club’s close to here, Rue Chapelle, The Lunette.”
“Then I suggest we start there.” Alex said firmly, rising from her chair.
The other two stood, Nick embraced the old lady.
“Thank you, is there anything you need Pigalle?” Nick asked.
“She waved a hand around the room. I have everything I need Nick. Life has been kind and unkind, but I endure. For now.” She laughed, “Go. God speed and I hope I don’t see you again.”
“Au revoir to you too.” Nick said softly.
Stepping outside into the darkness, it felt like they had left one century and entered another. The rain had eased and they made their way to The Lunette quickly, sticking to the quieter back streets.
Once they’d been scrutinised through an iron grille in the door they were allowed in. Thick wreaths of cigarette smoke hung in the air, the stale tobacco mingling with cheap perfume to give the distinct odour of a certain type of late night haunt. On a small stage a band, that was too big for it, were hammering out the latest swing numbers for a group of dancers on the barely lit dance floor. Red velvet booths lined the edges of the dance floor, lit by thick candles and filled with middle aged men and much younger and prettier girls.
“Now we just have to find Lausat.” Nick murmured, ordering two martinis and scanning the tables behind him via the mirror behind the bar.
“I already have.” Alex replied taking a sip of her drink, “Second booth on the left.”
Nick studied the mirror. There was one man in the booth with a girl on either side. Lausat had thinning, swept back hair, a small moustache and jowls rolling over his collars that contrasted with the pinched nervy look of his face.
“Now what?” Alex asked.
“Now we wait until Lausat needs the bathroom, then I follow him and we have a chat.”
“Okay. Want to dance while we wait?”
Nick looked at her in surprise, “I don’t dance.”
“Shame. So how does this play out?”
“Gallais was meant to give me the names and a copy of the invasion plans. I’ve got the names but I still need the evidence. I’ll convince Lausat to take us home and we’ll see what he has there.”
“You make it sound easy.”
“It’s easy if he has a copy of the plans and he gives them to us. All I've got to do then is get back to London.”
“And if he doesn’t have a copy?”
“Then we’ll have to see the general. He’s bound to have them, but he’s also more likely to have men around him who will know how to fight. Looks like we get to find out now.” Nick nodded and finished his drink in a single swallow, as Lausat got up from his cubicle and made his way towards the bathroom. “Meet me outside the bathroom.”
Lausat was leaning over the urinal, one arm propping him against the wall. Nick busied himself in front of the mirror, fiddling with his hair until Lausat had finished and buttoned up. As the cabinet minister moved to the basins, Nick struck. Bitter experience had taught Nick that sudden, overwhelming violence was key to subduing someone. Accordingly he stamped on Lausat’s instep, anchoring his foot to the floor, while simultaneously slamming the man’s head sideways against the wall. Not hard enough to knock him out, but enough to stun him, and more than that, frighten him. Nick had his knife at the man’s windpipe in a flash, as he slipped his leg inside Lausat’s and put an arm around him to hold him up.
“Listen carefully Lausat. I’ve got a knife to your throat. I’m going to move it to your back then you and I are going to walk out of here. If you try to alert anyone, try to get away, try to resist, you’re dead. Do as I say and you’ll live to see tomorrow. Do you understand me?”
The man nodded.
“Good. Move.” Nick pushed him roughly forward. Lausat was trembling but Nick knew it wouldn’t last. They had to get him out fast. As they exited the washrooms Alex came up on the other side of Lausat and together they walked him out.
“Had a bit too much to drink,” laughed Alex to the doorman as they wheeled Lausat out and past him. Making steady pace they were soon swallowed up by the gloom. Nick looked around for some cover, saw a small alley and steered them towards it. Once in its darkness Nick slammed Lausat against the wall and held the knife to his face.
“Please,” the man whimpered, “Take my money, don’t hurt me.”
“We don’t want your money,” Nick snapped, “Where are the invasion plans?”
Lausat’s eyes registered shock and he blanched, “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he stammered.
“Wrong answer.” Nick rabbit punched the man to the kidneys with his knuckleduster. Lausat doubled over and was sick. Nick hauled him upright. “Don’t make me ask again.”
“At home, in my safe. I have them.”
“Who else is at your house?”
“No one, I live alone.”
“Then I guess we’re going to your house.”
“You won’t get away with this!” Lausat’s face was a mask of fury. He struggled against the ropes holding him to his chair. His safe sat open. Nick was studying the plans, shar
e certificates and assorted papers strewn on Lausat’s desk.
“Actually, I think it’s you who won’t be getting away with it.” Nick nodded at the papers, “I’m not sure your own government would look too kindly on this, let alone anyone else's.”
“Fools! You think you can stop it? Too many people have too much at stake.”
“We’ll see,” Alex murmured quietly.
“You can tell that to whoever finds you in the morning.” Nick said, tidying up the paperwork. He started to slip it into his pockets, but as he turned the door swung open and a tall, stocky man in a French army uniform stood there with a pistol covering Alex and Nick.
“Good evening. Did you really think we wouldn’t keep an eye on Lausat when we knew you were running around Paris Mr Valentine and…?” He looked at Alex, “Throw your guns to the floor.”
“Thank God you’re here!” Cried Lausat in relief, “Vierre, call your men and have these two taken away and silenced.” Lausat gave Nick an ineffectual shove as he pushed past.
“I’m sure our silence is necessary,” Nick said hurriedly, “You wouldn’t want people finding out about your little business deal would you? How you aim to profit off the back of Major Vierre’s patriotic intentions.”
“What?” Vierre’s brow crinkled.
“Ignore him. She is German intelligence,” Lausat spat on the floor, “They’ve concocted a ridiculous story around the invasion. It’s nonsense.”
“Such nonsense that you want us silenced now? Why don’t you show Vierre those share certificates and consortium