work with us. That’s all.’
She was still thinking about this when there was the sound of footsteps in the corridor, then a card was inserted in the lock and the door swung open. Antoine Milraud walked into the room. When he saw Seurat he didn’t seem surprised.
‘So it’s you on my tail, is it? I wondered who had stirred up the Germans. I knew we’d meet again one day.’
Seurat had to admire the man’s sangfroid: Milraud had always been nerveless, even in the most hair-raising situations. But then Seurat supposed you had to be if you were going to live on the run. He looked at his former colleague, the man who had been his trusted friend and had become his nemesis, haunting his dreams, filling his head with thoughts of revenge, and said, ‘I doubt this is how you envisaged our meeting.’
Milraud shrugged, and sat down heavily. ‘Some days life is a bowl of cherries; some days the bowl holds only a few stones. I knew someone was onto me, but I congratulate you on your efficiency. I was hoping I was a few hours ahead.’
He started to reach into his jacket pocket, but Seurat put up a warning hand. ‘Don’t even think of doing something stupid. I’m armed and downstairs in the lobby there are two members of the local police and an officer of the BfV.’
‘I was going for a cigarette actually,’ said Milraud, bringing out a pack of Disque Bleus and a gold lighter. He inhaled greedily, then blew out a long funnelling plume of smoke. ‘So, what happens now?’
Seurat outlined the position. If Milraud cooperated Seurat would do everything he could to get a reduction in his sentence. There was no point in pretending that Milraud wouldn’t be serving time, and some hefty time at that, but equally, his assistance, if it led to other convictions, would be taken into account by the court. If he didn’t cooperate, then he could expect the maximum sentence. Seurat said softly, ‘I think we’re talking twenty years.’
Milraud nodded and stubbed out his cigarette. ‘That was very well put, Martin. You haven’t lost your touch for clarity. But I have to say I doubt there’s much really that you will be able to do for me. I’ve rubbed too many noses in the dirt. Even if your offer is sincere – and I have no reason to doubt that it is,’ he said with a wry smile, ‘I have to question your ability to see it through. I’m cooked, as the Americans like to say, though if I take my punishment like a man I will have a chance of breathing free air again some day. If I squeal, then I have very little chance at all.’
‘So you won’t cooperate?’
‘Regretfully, no. Believe me, the sort of people I work with are not the kind one wishes to annoy.’
‘What a pity,’ said Seurat. It was clear to him that Milraud was far more scared of his arms-dealing associates than he was of the French authorities. Seurat decided it was time to play his trump card, and hoped that Annette would play her role. He said firmly, ‘In that case you leave me no choice. I will have you placed under arrest . . . and Annette as well.’
‘Annette?’ Milraud’s voice rose in alarm. ‘Why Annette? She’s done nothing.’
‘On the contrary, she’s helped you virtually every step of the way. Beginning with your escape from France. It’s a serious offence and she will do serious time.’ He paused to let this sink in, then added, ‘I think I can guarantee ten years minimum.’
Milraud stared at him, his eyes widening in shock. There was a loud gasp. Annette had her hand over her mouth and she was shaking her head almost theatrically in disbelief.
Whether the appalled look on her face was genuine or not, it was doing the trick. Milraud stood up and rushed to her, throwing a comforting arm around her shoulders. ‘It’s all right, chérie .’
Annette started to cry, tears the size of raindrops rolling down both cheeks, her sobs growing louder despite her husband’s efforts to console her. ‘Ten years,’ she wailed,
She was still thinking about this when there was the sound of footsteps in the corridor, then a card was inserted in the lock and the door swung open. Antoine Milraud walked into the room. When he saw Seurat he didn’t seem surprised.
‘So it’s you on my tail, is it? I wondered who had stirred up the Germans. I knew we’d meet again one day.’
Seurat had to admire the man’s sangfroid: Milraud had always been nerveless, even in the most hair-raising situations. But then Seurat supposed you had to be if you were going to live on the run. He looked at his former colleague, the man who had been his trusted friend and had become his nemesis, haunting his dreams, filling his head with thoughts of revenge, and said, ‘I doubt this is how you envisaged our meeting.’
Milraud shrugged, and sat down heavily. ‘Some days life is a bowl of cherries; some days the bowl holds only a few stones. I knew someone was onto me, but I congratulate you on your efficiency. I was hoping I was a few hours ahead.’
He started to reach into his jacket pocket, but Seurat put up a warning hand. ‘Don’t even think of doing something stupid. I’m armed and downstairs in the lobby there are two members of the local police and an officer of the BfV.’
‘I was going for a cigarette actually,’ said Milraud, bringing out a pack of Disque Bleus and a gold lighter. He inhaled greedily, then blew out a long funnelling plume of smoke. ‘So, what happens now?’
Seurat outlined the position. If Milraud cooperated Seurat would do everything he could to get a reduction in his sentence. There was no point in pretending that Milraud wouldn’t be serving time, and some hefty time at that, but equally, his assistance, if it led to other convictions, would be taken into account by the court. If he didn’t cooperate, then he could expect the maximum sentence. Seurat said softly, ‘I think we’re talking twenty years.’
Milraud nodded and stubbed out his cigarette. ‘That was very well put, Martin. You haven’t lost your touch for clarity. But I have to say I doubt there’s much really that you will be able to do for me. I’ve rubbed too many noses in the dirt. Even if your offer is sincere – and I have no reason to doubt that it is,’ he said with a wry smile, ‘I have to question your ability to see it through. I’m cooked, as the Americans like to say, though if I take my punishment like a man I will have a chance of breathing free air again some day. If I squeal, then I have very little chance at all.’
‘So you won’t cooperate?’
‘Regretfully, no. Believe me, the sort of people I work with are not the kind one wishes to annoy.’
‘What a pity,’ said Seurat. It was clear to him that Milraud was far more scared of his arms-dealing associates than he was of the French authorities. Seurat decided it was time to play his trump card, and hoped that Annette would play her role. He said firmly, ‘In that case you leave me no choice. I will have you placed under arrest . . . and Annette as well.’
‘Annette?’ Milraud’s voice rose in alarm. ‘Why Annette? She’s done nothing.’
‘On the contrary, she’s helped you virtually every step of the way. Beginning with your escape from France. It’s a serious offence and she will do serious time.’ He paused to let this sink in, then added, ‘I think I can guarantee ten years minimum.’
Milraud stared at him, his eyes widening in shock. There was a loud gasp. Annette had her hand over her mouth and she was shaking her head almost theatrically in disbelief.
Whether the appalled look on her face was genuine or not, it was doing the trick. Milraud stood up and rushed to her, throwing a comforting arm around her shoulders. ‘It’s all right, chérie .’
Annette started to cry, tears the size of raindrops rolling down both cheeks, her sobs growing louder despite her husband’s efforts to console her. ‘Ten years,’ she wailed,
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