The Protector by Mark Ayre

Author:Mark Ayre [Ayre, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AFS Publishing
Published: 2024-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

40

Her fury barely contained, Henriette entered her grand home and slammed the door behind her.

At once, a maid appeared. Henriette threw her coat and bag to the young girl before turning away without a word. She swept through the house into her office. This door, too, Henriette slammed. Thirty seconds later, though she had not called for him, Ulisse arrived.

"Miss Dupont, what news?"

Ulisse was an exceptional man. Henriette had met him at school in France and knew at once they were kindred spirits. They shared a sharp intellect and ruthless nature, but Ulisse did not have Henriette's ambition or powerful family connections. That made him the perfect right-hand man, and Henriette had brought him with her to England many years ago.

Henriette had always insisted he speak English to her. Today, she found the language frustrating. She waved a hand as though to bat away the words.

"In French," she said, speaking the language herself.

Though the instruction no doubt surprised him, Ulisse let no shock enter his face, and he shifted with ease from English to his native tongue.

"How's Marie?"

"She'll live." Henriette did not bother to hide her distaste. "We spoke of her accident. I suggested someone she might consider a friend may have sabotaged her car, and she lied."

No reply was forthcoming. This long-time friend and right-hand man was far too wise to comment before Henriette had revealed more of her feelings over the matter. The full extent of her anger. Recognising this, Henriette continued.

"I made a mistake, thinking Marie was still a weak-willed child. I thought she’d crack when I revealed our knowledge of her evening visits. Alas, I was mistaken. She’ll give me no name."

“Most frustrating," said Ulisse.

"This mystery person has convinced Marie to conceal their identity from me. Marie herself confessed it would not look good if I knew the truth. Odds are this person cut Marie's brakes. Wouldn't you agree?"

"I would say that sounds the most likely scenario, yes. But Marie disagrees?"

"This mystery lover has done a number on the poor girl. Marie believes they're in love and won't accept that her lover was using her or that they might have tried to kill her."

"Poor Marie.”

"Quite.” Neither sounded as though they meant it. "But if she continues to be obstinate, our next steps remain clear."

"Redirect our investigators to finding Marie’s lover?"

"Precisely."

"I'll get on it right away."

He turned to leave.

"Ulisse?"

He turned back.

"Yes, Miss Dupont?"

She met his eye.

"You must understand the urgency of this issue. This is not about Marie or me. I believe Marie's lover cut her brakes. I suspect they also murdered my son."

Ulisse said nothing, but she knew he understood.

"Find them. So I can make them sorry they were ever born."

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