The Incorrigible Optimists Club by Jean-Michel Guenassia

Author:Jean-Michel Guenassia
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Atlantic Books Ltd
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

He took from his coat pocket a sheet of paper that was filled on both sides with small handwriting.

‘I took some notes. Come on, let’s give it a try.’

We went to the post office on the Avenue du Général-Leclerc. Igor asked the telephone operator for a number in Algiers. We got through after a quarter of an hour.

‘Hotel Aletti, good afternoon.’

‘I’d like to speak to Monsieur Marini, please.’

‘He’s gone out. His key’s hanging up.’

‘Do you know when he’s due back?’

‘He hasn’t told us anything. He often goes to the Amirauté restaurant for lunch.’

‘Is that far from you?’

‘One kilometre.’

‘Thank you. I’ll call back.’

Igor put the phone down.

‘You could have asked for the number of the restaurant.’

‘It’s not possible. I’ve got the number of a bar five minutes from his hotel. He’ll have to go there. The police won’t have time to tap the phone.’

We tried every twenty minutes. The operator knew the number by heart and the hotel receptionist shortened his response to ‘Sorry, sir, still not back’. We waited anxiously as the time went by. Igor had to pick up his taxi. I had to meet Franck at six o’clock and be back before my mother. At a quarter past five, we tried again.

‘He’s here. Hold the line, I’ll put you through.’

We waited for a few moments. I could hear my father’s voice: ‘Paul Marini here.’

‘Monsieur Marini, I’m a friend. I have some news for you.’

‘Who are you?’

‘I’m with someone who was with you at the time your son Franck was conscripted. You arrived late because your DS broke down. You came back on foot and the rain was bucketing down. Do you know who I’m talking about?’

‘Yes. What do you want?’

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