Try This One On For Size Part 7

He gave Carroll his sour look.

aHow these young creeps can afford first cla.s.s beats me!a he said.

aThey have every right to travel as you and me,a Carroll said. aDo stop moaning.a Lepski went to sleep.

Carroll woke him when dinner was served. The hostess gave them the VIP treatment. The dinner was excellent. Sitting in the front seats, Lepski was aware of the noise the youngsters were making, but it didnat put him off his food.

After brandy, Lepski stretched out.

aThis is the life,a he said, patting Carrollas hand, and went to sleep.

After a hearty breakfast, Lepski began to take interest in his surroundings. The hostess told him that they would be arriving over Paris in two hours. She gave him a radioa"telegram which read: Have a ball! Report on the French situation. Expect full details on you-know-what. Joe and the boys.

Carroll, who read over his shoulder, demanded, aWhatas that mean?a Lepski, who knew, put on his serious face.

aJust police business, honey.a Carroll eyed him suspiciously.

aTell that to your grandma,a she said. aI know what you-know-what means as well as you do.a Lepski winked at her and patted her hand.

aJust their little joke.a As the plane came in to land at Charles de Gaulle, both Carroll and Lepski stared out of the window. The first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower brought a squeal of excitement from Carroll: aOh, Tom! Paris!a Lepski, staring down at the broad panorama of Paris, bathed in suns.h.i.+ne, felt a surge of excitement he had never experienced before.

As the Jumbo circled the airport and made its run-in, Lepski saw, below, a cl.u.s.ter of people, three TV cameras and crew, some ten press photographers, and three smartly dressed women holding big floral bouquets.

aJesus!a he exclaimed. aLook at that! Ned must have really turned on the heat for us! Look at our welcome!a aBut it canat be for us!a Carroll said, her eyes sparkling.

aWho else?a Lepski expanded his chest. aIam telling you, baby, a good cop has good friends. Man! This certainly is the red carpet treatment.a The hostess came up to them.

aWhen we land, Mr. Lepski, there will be a hostess to take you to the customs,a she said.

Lepski beamed at her.

aThanks, and thanks for a great ride.a He turned to Carroll. aSee? The big deal!a As soon as the plane touched down, Lepski, never feeling more important than at this moment, carrying the vanity box and followed by Carroll, was the first pa.s.senger to move out on to the platform on the staircase that had been rushed up to the planeas exit.

He looked down at the pressmen, the photographers, the TV crew and their cameras, and at the three smartly dressed women with the bouquets. He beamed and waved, and Carroll, following his example, feeling like the wife of the President, also waved.

Man! Was this a real, G.o.dd.a.m.n welcome! Lepski thought.

Ned Jason had certainly repaid his debt.

Then he felt a sharp tap on his shoulder. Glancing around, he saw a scruffy looking man with a beard, wearing Levis and a sweats.h.i.+rt, glaring at him.

aWould you kindly move aside, sir,a the man said with a thick, foreign accent. aYou are holding up the members of the Bolshoi ballet.a Lepski had never heard of the Bolshoi ballet, but Carroll had.

She immediately realized the explanation of this welcome and what a horrible gaff they were making. Grabbing hold of Lepskias arm, she practically threw him down the staircase to the tarmac, and dragged him beyond the TV cameras.

Both of them paused to look back.

The scruffy young people were coming from the Jumbo, waving and laughing as the cameras rolled and the three women advanced with their bouquets.

aIdiot!a Carroll hissed. aYou should have known!a A smiling hostess confronted them.

aMr. and Mrs. Lepski?a she asked.

aYeah . . . yeah,a Lepski said, deflated.

aPlease follow me to the customs. Your baggage will not be delayed.a Well, at least, Lepski thought, as he carried the vanity box with Carroll at his side, Jason had done his best. Well ahead of the pa.s.sengers leaving the Jumbo, the Lepskis were conducted to the pa.s.sport control. As soon as the officer took their pa.s.sports, he turned to a hard-faced man in plainclothes, muttered something and the man came forward, offering his hand. He gave a speech in French that went right over Lepskias head, but he put on what he hoped would register as an intelligent smile, shook hands and pa.s.sed towards the customs control.

aYour bags are waiting,a the hostess said. aThereas no problem, Mr. Lepski.a Two customs officials beamed at Lepski, then at Carroll.

aWelcome to Paris, sir,a one of them said in English. aHave a good time,a and he waved them through.

Lepski grabbed the two suitcases, leaving Carroll to carry the vanity box.

They moved into the arrival lounge which was crowded.

aWhat do we do now?a Lepski asked, setting down the suitcases.

aWe get a taxi,a Carroll told him. aIam going to the ladies room. You get a taxi organized.a aWhat do you want with the ladies room?a Lepski asked, uneasy to be left on his own.

aLepski! Get a taxi!a and Carroll walked away.

Lepski blew out his cheeks. He looked around. Where the h.e.l.l did one get a taxi? Seeing a fat, elderly man waiting, he went up to him.

aWhereas the taxi stand, pal?a he asked.

The fat man stared at him.

aI donat understand English,a he said in French and walked away.

Lepski made a growling noise, and looked around helplessly.

Didnat any of these finks speak English?

A man in uniform walked near him. Lepski grabbed his arm.

aA taxi, pal. Where the h.e.l.l do I find a taxi?a The man jerked his thumb in an easterly direction, and walked away.

Lepski decided it would be safer to stay where he was. Carroll would eventually join him.

Muttering to himself, he waited.

Pierre and Claudette Duvine had been at the arrival centre since 10.30. When Lu Bradeyas call had come through, they had been in bed. They had been experimenting with a new s.e.xual technique which they both had decided was not worth the energy. Pierre was a great reader of American paperbacks and was always looking for new ideas to give Claudette pleasure. He had released her in an undignified position, to pick up the telephone receiver.

He listened to Bradeyas curt message, then rolled off the bed.

aBusiness, sugar. Charles de Gaulle at eleven.a Claudette moaned.

They were now standing in the arrival centre, watching for the Lepskis. Pierre had hired a Mercedes 280 SL which he had parked in the Charles de Gaulle parking lot. After standing and waiting for some forty minutes, Pierre suddenly nudged Claudette.

aThere they are,a he said. aGet going.a He had seen Carroll walk away to the ladies room, carrying the vanity box. The box was unmistakable from Bradeyas description.

Claudette went into action. She walked to where Lepski was standing, began to pa.s.s him, then lurched against him as if she had slipped.

Lepski, always quick on the reflex, caught hold of her, and found himself looking at the most s.e.xy woman he had ever seen.

Claudetteas sea-green eyes regarded him with a merry twinkle.

aExcuse me,a she said, speaking perfect English. aI always fall over handsome men.a Gay Paree! Lepski thought. Man! Have I arrived!

aThatas fine with me, beautiful,a he said. aIad do the same in your place.a Claudette laughed. She had a rich, mellow laugh that she had cultivated, knowing few men could resist it.

aHave you just arrived?a aYeah. My wifeas just gone off to the loo. Iam looking for a taxi.a aThatas no worry. Iam Claudette Duvine. My husband is somewhere.a Claudette flickered her long, false eyelashes at Lepski.

aTom Lepski. Where do I get a taxi?a Then Pierre decided it was time to move into the scene. He came up to Claudette.

aThey havenat arrived,a he said in English. aI guess theyave changed their minds.a aMeet Mr. Tom Lepski, Pierre,a Claudette said on cue. aThis is my husband.a Lepski regarded the handsome, well-dressed man and shook hands.

aMr. Lepski has just arrived. Heas worried about getting a taxi,a Claudette said smiling. aSuppose we give them a lift into Paris?a aWhatas the matter with that?a Pierre said. aWhere are you staying, Mr. Lepski?a aThe Excelsior hotel,a Lepski said after hesitating. He had been told over and over again by Carroll the name of the hotel, but he still wasnat sure.

aThe Excelsior! Thatas where we are staying!a Claudette cried. aYou must come with us!a Then Carroll arrived. Introductions were made. For a brief moment, Carroll regarded Claudette suspiciously. She was so chic and s.e.xy, then seeing Pierre, so glamorous, like a movie star, she relaxed.

Both Pierre and Claudette looked at the vanity box Carroll was carrying. Briefly they exchanged triumphant glances. The box Bradey was so worried about, had come through customs without fuss. Now, they had only to steer it through Swiss customs.

With Carroll sitting by Pierreas side and Lepski sitting with Claudette in the rear seats, Pierre drove on to the autoroute and headed for Paris.

Both Pierre and Claudette turned on their professional charm. Pierre explained they were on vacation. They lived in Deauville, and were spending a few days in Paris, then they were driving down to the South. Their easy charm smothered the Lepskis like a comforting blanket.

Arriving at the Excelsior hotel, Pierre took the burden off Lepskias shoulders, booking them in, filling up the police card for him, seeing them to their room and tipping the luggage porter while Lepski was wondering what to give him.

aNow you two dears must be exhausted,a Claudette said, aWhy not take a nap? Look, suppose we get together around eight tonight?a She smiled at Carroll. aUnless you have something else to do. We would so love to show you Paris at night as this is your first visit. Be our guests!a aWe would love that,a Carroll said. aHow nice of you!a aThen letas meet in the lobby at eight.a aArenat they darlings?a Carroll said when they were alone. aOh, Tom! We are lucky to meet such lovely people.a aHeas pretty smooth,a Lepski said. aDoes this happen to everyone coming to Paris?a aOh, Tom! Canat you drop your dreary cop att.i.tude? French men are smooth. Remember Maurice Chevalier?a aYou remember him,a Lepski said, eyeing the double bed. aLetas sleep,a and he began to undress.

Carroll went to the big window and drew aside the curtain.

She looked down at the avenue des Champs-Elysees with its teeming traffic, the Arc de Triomphe, the crowded cafes and the people wandering in the suns.h.i.+ne. She drew in a long breath.

Paris!

All she had dreamed it would be like!

She turned and found Lepski on the bed, relaxing. She unzipped her dress, let it fall to the floor, then threw herself on him.

aOh, Tom! This is going to be the most marvellous time of our lives!a she exclaimed as Lepski flipped off her bra and slipped off her panties.

After an excellent dinner of lobsters for which Pierre insisted on paying at a small restaurant near the Pont daAlma, he then insisted they should take a Bateau-Mouche and see Paris from the Seine. They boarded the boat, and getting good seats they relaxed, wonder eyed at the beauty of the bridges, the Louvre, the Conciergerie and the floodlit Notre Dame.

It was during the return journey that Lepski casually asked Pierre what line of business he was in. Lepski, with his cop training, was always interested in how the other man made a living.

aAntiques,a Pierre said. He did have, as a cover, an antique shop in Deauville, run by two elderly and expert sisters. aIam what is called an art broker, giving advice to people looking for the good stuff. It pays off.a aAntiques, huh? How about this stolen Russian icon?a Lepski asked. aDo you think it could be sold?a Pierre shook his head.

aMost unlikely. Itas too well known. Of course, there are secret collectors, but I think it would be too hot even for them. I understand it is causing some excitement in the States.a Lepski laughed.

aYou can say that again. The Presidentas flipping his lid. Thereas a two hundred thousand dollar reward for its recovery. As soon as the theft was discovered all exits from the States were sealed. Every cop and Fed are searching for it. Iam glad Iam on vacation.a Pierre felt Claudetteas shoe touch his leg lightly. She and Carroll were sitting behind the two men.

aPierre, why donat we take Carroll and Tom to the Crazy Horse?a Claudette asked.

Reacting immediately to her signal, Pierre explained that the Crazy Horse was the best striptease in town, and Lepski reacted to this like a bull to a matadoras cape.

The show at the Crazy Horse was everything that Pierre had promised, and the girls were gorgeous. Carroll decided that this was Lepskias vacation as well as hers, so she let him enjoy himself, only patting his arm warningly when his whistle made heads turn and the girls on the stage giggle.

Around 02.00, the four wandered back to their hotel. It was agreed that they would all meet for a simple lunch, and the girls would go shopping. Pierre, with a sly wink at Lepski, said they would take a drive through the Bois. This Lepski took as a promise of more interesting diversions than driving around the Bois.

In their bedroom, Pierre and Claudette regarded each other.

aSomething bothering you, Sugar?a Pierre asked. aThat signal you gave me on the boat.a Claudette kicked off her shoes, then flopped on the bed.

aThe Russian icon you were talking about with Tom. Tell me more.a Pierre sat down and lit a cigarette.

aItas believed to be the oldest icon known, worth millions. It was brilliantly stolen from the Fine Arts museum in Was.h.i.+ngton some three days ago. The reaction was fast. As Lepski said thereas no way of getting it to Europe. Some secret collector just might buy it.a aSuppose you got it, could you sell it?a Pierre stared at her.

aWhatas going on in that smart mind of yours?a aCould you find a market for it?a aItas not in our league, sugar. Of course, thereas always a market for a unique treasure like that, but I havenat the contacts who could find at least four million dollars. Anyway, I havenat got it.a aYou said it was brilliantly stolen.a aIt was: a steal of a lifetime.a Claudette raised herself on her elbows and looked at Pierre.

aWho could have organized a steal like that, my treasure?a For a long moment, Pierre remained still, then his eyes lit up.

aYou marvellous darling! Of course! Ed Haddon! Who else?a He jumped to his feet. aBradey! The vanity box! My G.o.d! Iam willing to bet the icon is right here in this hotel!a Claudette laughed.

aThatas my bet too, my treasure.a Pierre began to pace around the room, thumping his fist into the palm of his hand.

aWhat a beautiful idea! To con a cop to smuggle it out! Haddon! Heas brilliant! Sugar! Youare the cleverest of the clever!a aLu wants us to see the vanity box through the Swiss customs. That must mean he has a client in Switzerland. Who?a aWait.a Pierre sat down, crushed out his cigarette and lit another.

Claudette flopped back on the bed, closed her eyes and waited.

Finally, Pierre said, aThe only man I know of who lives in Switzerland and who has the right money is Herman Radnitz. He could be the client.a Claudette opened her eyes.

aIsnat he the horrible man you once sold a picture to?a aThatas the man.a aSuppose we had the icon, could you do a deal with him?a Pierre hesitated.

aMaybe. I do know heas interested in Russian art. If he is Haddonas client, it depends how much Haddon is asking. At a guess, eight million. If Radnitz was offered the icon for five million . . .a Claudette got to her feet, unzipped her dress and carefully folded it.

aWe are to switch boxes, arenat we? Lu is only paying us a lean twenty thousand Swiss francs and expenses. He and Haddon will make millions. Switched, we have the icon.a She looked at Pierre. aWe could live in luxury on money like that for years and years.a aDonat get too excited about this, sugar. We must think of the consequences. We would be double-crossing Lu and Haddon. We would never get any more of their business.a aWould that matter if we had five million dollars?a aYou have a point, but we donat know the icon is in the box nor do we know that Radnitz is the client.a aThink, my treasure. I will take a shower. Letas sleep on it. We have plenty of time.a When she had gone into the bathroom, Pierreas mind became busy.

Just suppose, he thought, that the icon really was in Carroll Lepskias vanity box. What could either Lu or Haddon do to him if he did double-cross them? They couldnat squeal to the cops without getting into trouble themselves. They were no thugs. They wouldnat attempt a Mafia-like revenge. No, there was nothing they could do except accept the inevitable.

Then Pierreas shrewd mind turned to Radnitz. Just suppose Haddon had done a deal with Radnitz. Pierre couldnat think of any other collector with Russian art interests, who had a residence in Switzerland and with millions to spend. It must be Radnitz.

This man was dangerous. Pierre had heard rumours that Radnitz had once employed a professional killer. He would have to be very careful how he handled Radnitz.

Five million dollars!