He had his own monsters to subdue, and there was nothing idealistic about that battle. It was going to be dirty and fraught with greed and violence.
And it was time he set about doing it. He reached for his phone and dialed the number Galen had given him for Stuart Thomas.
“ I’ve found a trail,” Galen said when Travis answered his phone the next evening. “Danielle Claron’s parents, Philip and Marguerite Dumair, still live in the village where she grew up. Jeanne Beaujolis lived on the next block, and she was in and out of Danielle’s house all during their childhood. She visited them frequently even after she took the job of nurse to Cassie. From talking to the neighbors, I gather she boasted a lot about her fine position and was a trifle patronizing to the villagers.”
“Have you been to see the Dumairs?”
“ Not yet. I’ve been scoping out the neighborhood to find out if anyone’s seen anyone of Deschamps’s description in the village.”
“And?”
“ No luck.”
“ Then talk to the Dumairs and give them your phone number. They don’t have to tell us where their daughter is if they don’t trust us. They just have to give her the message that we’re offering money and protection from Deschamps if she’ll come out of hiding and tell us anything she knows about him.”
“How much money?”
“ The limit.”
“Our pockets are pretty lean right now unless you want to use the diamonds.”
“ If I have to, I’ll tap the Swiss account.”
“And chance having the CIA breathing down your neck?”
“ I can’t use the diamonds and I’ve already promised Thomas cash in exchange for the diamond. Send him ten thousand from your fund, will you?”
“ Thanks. I live to please. Why?”
“ It’s safer than my going into my accounts. As far as we know, Andreas isn’t aware you’re involved yet.”
“A state that can’t go on forever.” Galen sighed. “Danley must have heard of my cleverness and brilliant ingenuity. Such perfection doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s only a matter of time until he decides I’m the only one who could successfully keep you out of his clutches.”
“ True.”
“ You’re agreeing only because you want me to send Thomas the money.”
“Also true.”
“Have you talked to Karlstadt yet?”
“After you pick up the diamond from Thomas. I want to be able to tell Karlstadt it’s been retrieved.”
“He may decide to cut your throat regardless.”
“ Not as long as I have the rest of the diamonds.”
“Except the ones the CIA are holding.”
“ I’ll have to do some negotiating there. All you have to worry about is negotiating with the Dumairs.”
“ I’d judge that a little safer.” A pause. “ I had some other news. I think I’m on track to find out where Deschamps stays when he’s in Paris.”
“ What?”
“ You told me to put out feelers. I made contact with Pichot, who was with the Sons of Liberty group about the same time as Deschamps. He may be able to tell me something.”
“ For money?”
“ No, he owes me a favor.”
“ When will you know?”
“ It may take a while. Pichot wants to make sure Deschamps won’t find out he was the one who told me.” He changed the subject. “How are Melissa and Cassie doing?”
“ Better than expected. Cassie hasn’t had any more nightmares. Melissa believes there’s a chance she won’t have them again.”
“And she should know. Our Melissa is a little on the fey side.”
“ Why do you say that?”
“ You may not regard her tiny idiosyncrasies as unusual, but my mum taught me to always be wary of things that go bump in the night.”
“ You never knew your mother.”
“ You really know how to spoil a story.” He paused. “Melissa . . . sees too much, Travis.”
“Some people say the same of you.”
“ But I don’t go bump in the night.”
“And if you do, they never see you coming.”
He chuckled. “Have you noticed that you always defend her? Maybe she’s got the old voodoo on you.”
“Don’t be an asshole.”
The chuckle became a laugh. “Just thought I’d call it to your attention. I’m not attacking her. I like her. How could I help it? Except for those little idiosyncrasies, she’s just like me. Give her my best. Good-bye, Travis.”
“Call me when you’ve talked to the Dumairs.” He hung up.
Paris
“Ready?” Galen slipped the phone into his pocket after talking to Travis. “ Let’s do it, Pichot.”