All That Glitters (8 page)

Noticing this, Zack suggested that they get off at the next stop and do some bike riding. The exercise and the scenery, he figured, would help, at least for a while, to get them away from the problem that was hanging over them and haunting them like a funeral dirge. As soon as they finished breakfast, the barge came to a stop, and they got off—all except Francois.

“If you will excuse me,” he told them, “I have some phone calls to make. Strictly business,” he explained. “You go ahead. I’ll see you when you get back.”

Cammie was disappointed. “Is it that important?”

“I’m afraid it is,” he answered, smiling. “I’ll miss you, but you won’t be gone long. I’ll be waiting back here.” He took Cammie in his arms.

* * *

As Francois kissed Cammie, Hildy suddenly felt a sensation that bordered on nausea. He’s so oily smooth, she thought—just like Greg. The comparison was beginning to put her in a panic. Oh, I’m being unfair again! she chided herself. Give him a break! And again, she reminded herself that just because he looked like Greg, didn’t mean he was anything like him. She shook off these morbid thoughts and joined the group, ready to disembark.

The path beside the barge was a typical country lane. The trees formed an archway, gracefully spreading their arms out in loving greeting as the fresh, clean air gently caressed their faces. The whole, peaceful countryside seemed glad that they were here. They each chose a bike that suited them and rode off, leaving the barge and Francois behind.

* * *

At the Chateau de Boulanger in the town of Chaumont, France, Gabe, Francois’ butler and caretaker, had arrived two days ago at Francois’ request. As Francois looked out from the garret, high above a babbling brook, gurgling its way to rejoin the Loire River, he viewed the Loire Valley that was spread out for miles as far as the eye could see. The Chateau was situated in a breathtakingly beautiful spot on the Loire River, directly across from the town of Blois. It had been well preserved and modernized, and during the winter months, when deserted by tourists, served as a second home for the Dubonnets.

Gabe looked around the room and nodded his head in satisfaction. Everything that Francois’ guest would be needing was there. He had no idea what the Count was up to, but he admired him with an almost worshipping passion, and was willing to do anything he asked without question. As long as it pleased Francois, that was all that mattered.

Gabe had just returned from riding horseback through the countryside of Chaumont, and was still dressed in jodhpurs and riding boots when the phone rang. He picked it up.

“Gabe? It’s Francois Dubonnet. How are things progressing?”

“Oh, Count Dubonnet! Oui, Your Grace, things are coming along nicely. We should be ready, as you ordered, whenever you want to bring your guest.”

“Good work, Gabe!” Francois complimented him. “You’re sure the locks are all in place and the room soundproofed?”

“That will be taken care of tomorrow. Will there be anything else, Sir?”

“Not at the moment,” Francois replied. “Things are going exactly as I planned. I’ll let you know when to expect us.”

* * *

Unknown to Francois, Zack had returned to the barge, and quickly hid in his cabin. He stood there, stunned at what he heard. He was fluent enough in French to know what Francois had said, and he could feel icy fingers begin to creep up his spine.

“I have to get off this barge without Francois knowing I was here,” he muttered under his breath. He sneaked up to the top of the steps that led to the deck.

Francois was stretched out in one of the chaise lounges, his hands behind his head. His back was turned.

Zack saw his chance! He crept over to the plank that led to the shore beside the canal. Making sure Francois didn’t see him, he quickly mounted his bike and rode down the lane in the direction that the rest of the party had taken.

They had planned to lunch at a very picturesque restaurant, “Au Moulin Neuf,” situated on a river about ten miles down the lane. Zack was in excellent shape, and figured if he rode at top speed he would be there shortly after the others arrived.

The scenery along the way was so peaceful, it helped to calm his nerves. He kept an eye out for Andre but, although there were other artists with their easels set up, there was still no sign of him. As he sped along, he thought about what he heard Francois say on the phone, and his intuition kicked in again. It had never let him down before, and he wasn’t about to brush it aside now. It was trying to tell him something, but he didn’t know yet what it was. An uneasy feeling gnawed at his stomach. What did he mean—“The locks in place?—the room soundproofed?”

After an hour of vigorous pumping, he spotted the others just arriving at the restaurant.

“Zack! What happened?” Cammie asked him. “We missed you.”

“Oh,” he replied, “I just thought I’d take a little side trip and see another part of the area. It sure is beautiful here!” he continued in an effort to change the subject.

Jay threw a knowing glance his way, but said nothing. They knew what was on each other’s mind.

As they entered the cafe together, the exquisite strains of one of Chopin’s waltzes was being played by a skilled pianist. The lilting waltz complemented the storybook surroundings. The maitre d’ ushered them to a table outside on the terrace overhanging the roaring river. Water was cascading in a steady stream over huge boulders, and a bevy of beavers was swimming lazily by on their backs. Nearby was a tank filled with trout, and farther downstream, the river, bordered by hundreds of lush trees, flowed gently on its way to greet others just arriving.

* * *

They had just been seated at a table by the river, and were enjoying this delightful setting, when Cammie looked up and saw Francois enter the restaurant.

“Francois! Over here!” she cried as she waved. “Oh!” she exclaimed to the others, “I’m so glad he could make it!”

Up to now Hildy had been able, at least partly, to set aside the doubts and fears that were plaguing her and enjoy the day in this beautiful countryside. But the moment she saw Francois approaching, her joy fled, and once again she was riddled with anxiety. Why do I feel this way? It’s as though the minute I see him, someone pushes a button, and I’m literally drowning in fear!

Francois was all smiles as he joined them at the table. “How was the ride?” he asked.

“Super!” Cammie told him. “Oh, I wish you could have
been with us!”

Francois grinned his most charming, boyish grin. “Well, I’m here now,” he told her, putting his arm around her shoulder.

“How did you get here?” Cammie asked him.

He winked, teasing her. “I have my ways,” he said. Then he laughed. “No big secret. One of the crewmen had a motorbike on board and lent it to me.”

“How nice!” Cammie exclaimed. “Did you get your calls through okay?”

“Oh, yes,” he said, smugly. “Everything is fine.”

* * *

Zack had all he could do to keep from going over and demanding to know what he meant by “the locks in place,” and “the room sound-proofed.” What could Francois possibly be plotting? And why? As each day went by, Zack was more certain than ever that Cammie was in terrible danger.

After they finished lunch and were on their way out of the restaurant, Jay cornered Zack. “We have to talk,” he told him in an undertone. “If it’s okay with you, after dinner I’ll tell Hildy and Jenny that you and Peter and I are going to play cards in your room. I know you’ve found out something else, and as Cammie’s father I have a right to know.”

Zack nodded agreement. “Give me time to get to my cabin—about five minutes. We don’t want to frighten Hildy and Jenny, and most of all we don’t want Francois to suspect anything. I don’t mean to alarm you, but I don’t like the vibes I’m getting.”

They were fairly quiet riding back to the barge—all except Cammie. As she rode beside Francois, trying to keep up with the motorbike, she exuded enthusiasm. She chattered like a magpie. She even broke into song with one of Hildy’s beautiful show tunes.

* * *

She’s so happy, Hildy thought. I’m afraid it won’t last long. How I wish I could spare her the letdown I felt when my dreams were shattered by Gregory Wilcox. She was glad now that they were—her marriage to Jay was the best thing that ever happened to her. But she went through great heartache before everything was finally straightened out, and she longed with all her heart to spare Cammie.

It was almost three o’clock when they arrived back at
the barge. They returned the bikes to one of the
crew and retired to their cabins to freshen up.

CHAPTER XI
 

Jay took Hildy in his arms. She didn’t need to tell him how upset she was. Twenty-one years of marriage had brought them so close that words weren’t necessary. They usually knew when the other one was hurting.

“I have a feeling everything’s going to turn out okay,” Jay said, trying his best to sound convincing. “Things often resolve themselves in ways we least expect.” He bent down and kissed her—a tender, but passionate kiss. All the years of being together hadn’t lessened their strong feelings for each other. The magic was still there, and always would be.

Hand in hand they went up to the deck and joined the others, ready to spend a lazy, late afternoon, soaking up the sun. One of the crew opened a bottle of champagne and served it to them as they sat there visiting.

As soon as they finished dinner, Zack left to go to his cabin. Hildy and Jenny were already seated in chaise lounges on the deck, their heads together, speaking in low tones.

Cammie and Francois were at the other end of the deck, out of hearing distance.

As Jay and Peter approached their wives, Jenny was talking to Hildy. “I really don’t think you have anything to worry about,” she told her. “He seems devoted to Cammie. I think his resemblance to Greg is just a coincidence. They say everyone has a twin somewhere in the world.”

“That’s what Jay said.” But Hildy sounded dubious.

“Well, you see? It must be so!” Jenny declared in a tone that said that settled it.

Jay winced. It hurt him that all this was disturbing Hildy so much, ruining her visit to France and their wonderful memories. He managed a smile as he tried to inject a light touch. “Peter and I are going down to Zack’s cabin for a game of poker,” he told them. “We won’t be long.”

“We’ll be back in an hour or so,” Peter joined in. He looked around, breathing in the fresh air. “What a night!” he remarked. “We’ll be back soon to enjoy it with you.”

“You’re very secretive,” Jenny said, sounding suspicious. “What’s wrong with enjoying it now?”

“We’ll be back soon,” Peter was quick to assure her.

Jay walked over to Hildy and lovingly caressed the back of her neck. “See you later,” he said as they left.

* * *

As Jay and Peter entered Zack’s cabin, he motioned for them to sit down. He remained standing, too tense to relax. He didn’t mince words, but came right to the point. “As you’ve already guessed,” he told them, “I didn’t take any side trip today. I came back here to the barge because I felt that Francois was up to no good, and I hoped to find out what it was. Time is running out.”

Jay looked at him anxiously. “And? Anything?”

“I heard only his side of a phone conversation, but it made me very uneasy. Francois said, ‘How are things progressing?’ Then I heard him say, ‘Good work, Gabe.’”

Jay and Peter looked puzzled. “Maybe he’s planning a special surprise for Cammie on their honeymoon,” Peter suggested.

“I certainly hope that’s all there is to it,” Zack replied, “but I shudder to think what that surprise might be. You may not think it’s so innocent when I tell you the rest. He said, ‘Things are going exactly as I planned. I’ll let you know when to expect us.’ Then he said, ‘You’re sure the locks are all in place and the room is soundproofed?’ Something about the way he said it gave me the creeps.”

Jay became alarmed. “What do you think he meant?”

Zack raised his eyebrows. “I wish I knew. My intuition tells me it’s not good. I have a weird feeling that all this ties in with what Andre told me yesterday after you and Hildy left.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you about that,” said Jay. “I had a feeling he told you something more.”

Zack looked directly at the
two men as he spoke. “He said that Francois would
stop at nothing to get what he wants—not even murder!
Maybe he doesn’t intend to harm Cammie, but if he’s
capable of killing someone, then Cammie could find herself married
to a murderer. And she’d be involved in any scheme
he might plan. No matter how much Cammie thinks she
loves Francois, I’m sure she wouldn’t want anything to do
with a murderer!”

Jay’s face paled. “Just like Greg,” he muttered. “He not only looks like him—he acts like him. Does Andre have any proof that he’s ever murdered anyone?”

“I don’t know,” Zack replied. “He acted frightened. I wish I had had more time to question him, but the warning whistle blew and I had to get back on the barge. I’ve been hoping to run into him again.”

“Is that all?” Jay asked Zack.

Zack hesitated. “He also said he couldn’t understand why Francois wanted Cammie to give up her career. There aren’t that many duties for a Countess.”

Jay rose from his chair and began to pace nervously. Then he turned to Zack. “We should be in Nuits tomorrow. While we’re visiting the Chateau de Rochefort, maybe that would be a good time for you to go into town and do that research you mentioned.”

“That’s exactly what I plan to do,” Zack replied.

“Thanks for keeping us up to date, Zack,” Peter said. “Now—I think we’d better get back to the gals, don’t you, Jay?”

“Yes, but I don’t think it’s wise to say anything to them at this point,” Jay cautioned. “We don’t know for sure what’s going on.”

“Jenny is already wondering what we’re up to,” Peter told him.

“I think Hildy is, too,” Jay sighed. “I don’t want to worry her any more than I have to. It’s just a darned shame that this whole situation is casting such a pall on our trip.” He paused at the doorway and looked back at Zack. “Keep up the good work, Zack. How can we ever repay you?”