New Directions (31)

 

 Even though I was expecting it, the harsh sound of my American telephone setting startled me. I swiped the accept icon.

 

‘Bonsoir, Mon Lieutenant Peters.’ Addressing me by my original identité declarée reminded me to start off formally.

 

‘Bonsoir, mon Commandant. “La  Legion est Notre Patrie.”’

 

’So you have not forgotten, Monsieur Jesse.’

 

‘Jesse n’existe plus.’

 

‘If I thought for one minute he did, we would not be speaking now.’

 

‘Guido, don’t play games, mate.’

 

‘I assume this call is to do with Madame Bow’s erm, misfortune.’

 

‘Why am I not surprised you said that?’

 

‘You were attacked, also you’ve been in contact with an old acquaintance. Of course we had to know.’

 

‘ Ah, “l’accord représailles.”. . . Of course.’ As soon I said it I regretted the sarcasm in my tone.

 

‘Do not be disrespectful, Terence.’

 

‘Why the fuck would I not respect that? It’s the reason I’m still alive.’ I was embarrassed and my response was childish, but I wasn’t going to back down. ‘Yes I contacted that weasel, but I had to start somewhere. I’m out of that loop. Needs must If I’m gonna help that poor woman.’

 

‘You were always a batard insubordonné.’

 

‘I couldn’t have done my job for you if I wasn’t.’ 

 

Guido chuckled, ‘Touché. . . So, Terry, you suspect her life is in danger?’

 

‘Yes I do and I’m trying to find out who wants her dead.’

 

‘And what do you intend to do when you find him?’

 

’There’s more than one, but I want to find the boss and persuade him not to.’ 

 

‘Why are you doing this? You are, how you say? Sailing close to the wind getting so close to the police.’

 

‘You can’t go around beating up old ladies just because you want her valuables. It’s not human. OK rob her, but don’t do that. There must be a reason to kill her.’

 

’She knows the boss?’

 

‘Or the boss wants her estate.’

 

’So you think it’s this Duke.’

 

At last we were getting around to the reason for my call. Guido never comes to the point until he’s asked a shit load of questions he already knows the answer to. ‘Yes, Guido I do. I suppose you’ve already guessed I want his bank accounts hacked, and details of Celia’s - Miss Bow - trust arrangement with the duke’s lawyers.’

 

‘You will receive a message in a week or two where you can meet an associate with the information you want. . . . providing you let us deal with the people responsible when you find them.’

 

‘Yes, but—

 

‘—but nothing, Terry. We are not convinced it is the duke from what we already know. Please  consider other possibilities. Continue with your enquiries on the ground; that we cannot help with until you’ve found out more.

 

‘Fuck you, Guido, I should have guessed.’ I felt frustrated, relieved and grateful all in one mixed up emotion. I could hear Guido laughing his couilles off.

 

‘It is for your safety, mon lieutenant, but I would like to know why you are doing this for a rich old lady you hardly know.’

 

‘I’ll tell you when this is all over.’

 

‘It is a deal. Now I will leave you, I need to sleep.’