Henri Castang 07 The Back of the North Wind by Nicolas Freeling

Author:Nicolas Freeling [Freeling, Nicolas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Biron. How long is this splendid weather going to last? To suggest some golf—would that be Ajax defying the lightning? It might be my last chance for a few weeks. I don’t like Paris when it sizzles—isn’t that Cole Porter? How it does date me.”

“If I suggest tomorrow, will it then instantly rain? Lunchtime.”

“Splendid then; see you.”

Richard contemplated the telephone, gloating: was interrupted by Castang with his idiotic tales about Ham and Jam. They didn’t sound comestible, but the tomato-ketchup advertisement says Pour it over Anything. Including Biron; it’s known as blinding a suspect with bullshit. •

It’s just a Mafia, like aijy other. Political rather than financial but experience shows the two to be the same. Power, says the Mafia exactly like a bank, comes in the wake of a great deal of money. Acquire the power, reason politicians, and all the money you could wish for arrives in its train; a natural corollary.

You are invited to join the Mafia. Ride along as a true believer, gather a detailed dossier, turn it over to your superiors. Don’t fall out of character, meaning show no enthusiasm, and wait for Biron to get a bit confidential. There’ve been nothing but generalisations so far: We’ve got to keep hold of France. Clean up the Niggers; rubbish like that. Can’t put this in a little pink memo to the Minister. He knows it already.

There is a formidable barrier to cross. It does not suffice merely to profess True Belief. Throughout your career you’ve made a principle of having no opinions. You are being probed, to find out your true opinions. Beware of playing the provocator.

He had reached a conclusion while cleaning his glasses. Get a bit of help; you’ll need it. When it comes to shadowing people, and suchlike imbecile activities, you need a Detective. There’s a very good case for keeping this to yourself and well away from the Police Judiciaire. The argument that someone’s needed for legwork, and I don’t mean playing golf, is likewise cogent.

There’s nobody in this outfit, senior enough, experienced enough, I’d trust on this save maybe Castang. He has a talent for complicating things, and putting his feet in the dogshit; he’s good though.

What about Maltaverne? No amount of make-up on faces or cars would stop that bugger from smelling a footstep-dogger within five minutes.

You could, though, put him to work following his own sweet self.

Richard didn’t like any of this. It was tricky, and if he had got on in life it was through knowing when not to be tricky.

One would see. Invite Castang to dinner. That would be nice for Judith too. Nice for me as well: I’m fond of Vera. And Castang is a friend.

You are surrounded by four-letter men, Richard, and you’ve made few friends in your life. Forgetting about the conspiracies, and getting to work upon what happens behind the north wind, a friend is a good way to begin.

Wild horses, and even if it were a worn-out metaphor as Richard said he was still using it, wouldn’t get Castang into a disguise.

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