Breaking the Dance by Clare O'Donohue

Author:Clare O'Donohue
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: beyond the pale;clare o donohue;claire o donohue;claire o'donohue;mystery;mystery fiction;mystery novel;mystery book;amateur spy;spy novel;spy mystery;amateur detective;ireland;world of spies novel;breaking the dance;world of spies mystery;CVR09112018;CVR11262018
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
Published: 2019-03-18T17:15:12+00:00

Twenty-Seven

Stepping out of the street and into Café Tortoni was like moving from one world to another. There was a long bar on one side of the room, marble pillars running down the center, and café tables everywhere with three or four chairs tucked in intimate groupings around each table. Even from the doorway, Hollis could see that it stretched far back, in multiple rooms, with small stained-glass panels separating areas. Art nouveau decorations and dark wood on the walls made the café look, not just plucked from Paris, but Paris circa 1900.

“She is beautiful,” the elegant man said. “Gorgeous.” He seemed pleased.

“I’m Tim McCabe,” Finn said, putting out his hand.

“Carlos Gardel.” He bowed a little before shaking Finn’s hand, then Hollis’s. “You have honored me with your presence.”

“Is this yours?” Hollis asked.

“Oh, no.” He blushed. “This is simply my favorite place in the city. Once a year I throw a party for some friends and rent out the whole restaurant.”

Hollis looked around. Bryan and Eduardo were at a table near one of the walls. There was a short, bald man in black, wearing a long white apron, holding a tray. But that was it.

“Are we early? We were told to be ready at eight.”

Carlos shook his head. “You are my party,” he said. “I did not wish to share you with too many others.”

At least they wouldn’t have to worry about being recognized, Hollis thought. She saw Finn let out a breath. Maybe they could do this.

Carlos signaled the waiter, who nodded and disappeared, only to return moments later with a bottle of champagne wedged into an ice bucket, and four champagne glasses.

“There’s at least a fourth person coming,” Hollis said as the waiter poured the champagne.

“My wife. She takes too much time to ready herself, I’m afraid.” His eyes moved up and down Hollis’s figure. “You look exquisite and manage to be on time.”

“The job demands it,” she said without thinking. She almost added that students won’t wait for a late professor but caught herself.

“That’s good to hear.” Carlos poured them each a glass of champagne. “I am of course interested in the property more than the man. But that is not my decision, you understand.”

“We appreciate the gift you sent,” Finn said. “It was an odd extrac-

tion from the US and left us no opportunity to gather our … belongings.”

Carlos looked, for the first time, unhappy. “This is my fault, entirely. But I’m grateful you’ll be able to end one headache for me, and I assure you I will end the other.”

Hollis sipped her champagne, unwilling to push the point further. Peter would want as much information as they could give him, but there was all evening. After a second sip, she felt a little lightheaded. She put her hand on a chair’s back to steady herself.

“I’m afraid we haven’t eaten much today,” she explained.

Carlos signaled the waiter again. “That I can fix.” He walked Hollis a few steps from Finn and put his hand on her back.

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