James Bond - 041 - Never Dream of Dying by Raymond Benson

Author:Raymond Benson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Action & Adventure, Thriller, General, Suspense, Adventure, Fiction, Espionage
ISBN: 9780515133073
Publisher: Jove
Published: 2002-04-30T07:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

THE MOVIE

NICE WAS ONE OF BOND’S FAVORITE PLACES IN FRANCE. CONSIDERED THE capital of the Riviera, it was a fashionable but relaxed city. Standing at the edge of the port, Bond could see one of these relics of this earlier era, the Château d’Anglais, a pink tiered building at the top of Mont Boron. Nice has one of the prettiest harbors in France, mostly because it is clean and surrounded by the hills and brown and yellow apartment houses, the spectacular veterans’ monument cut into the cliff facing the water and the lovely expanse of Mediterranean.

The harbor was busy on this bright and sunny day. Camera crews were set up in front of a dock where the Starfish, a large luxury cruise ship, had put into port. A banner with the words Pirate Island had been hung over the side of the ship, announcing to the world that this was Hollywood come to the Mediterranean.

A long table covered by a white cloth had been set up on the boardwalk near the ship’s dock. There were microphones on top of the table, awaiting the film’s stars and major players. A crowd had already gathered and was becoming impatient.

Bond lit a cigarette and stood apart from the group, keeping his eye peeled for anything unusual. Right on time, a familiar face appeared in front of him.

“I just want you to know, Mister Bond, that I had hell getting here with your ridiculous contraption,” Bertrand Collette said. Once again, the French agent had nicked himself shaving and his face was decorated with two small pieces of tissue.

“Bertrand,” Bond said, “have you ever considered using an electric razor?”

“Very funny.” He pointed to a small boat at the other end of the harbor. “I secured a boat for our use. It’s nothing fancy, but it was still expensive. An outlaw Sportsboat with a ninety-five horsepower engine. Will that do?”

“How fast does it go?”

“They told me up to forty-five miles per hour.”

“Fine,” Bond said. “Thanks. And where’s Ariel?”

“She’s in the horse trailer I had to rent, along with the four by four I had to rent to haul her! I must say, I would hate to be the accountant at MI6. He probably suffers from a bad heart.”

Bond laughed. “In truth, he does. Now, listen. This press conference is going to begin in a few minutes. I’m going to do my best to get invited along for the first couple of days of shooting. I have a feeling that it won’t be too difficult.”

Collette shook his head, smiling. “How do you do it, James? She is one of the most desired women in the world! You bastard!”

Bond shrugged and went on. “What I’ll need you to do is follow the production company out to sea. I believe they’ll be going to Corsica first. Bring Ariel in the boat. I may need her for some reconnaissance. I’ll keep in touch by mobile. All right? Am I working you too hard?”

Collette shook his head. “I’m fine. Actually, this is the most excitement I’ve had since I took on the job for your government.

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