Crusader's Gold

THIRTY EIGHT

Later, Alicia waited alone in her room.

The scene was set to her liking. Sitting in a small wicker chair with her back to the wall and the un-curtained window to her right she leaned forward, always ready to act. This particular hotel was almost the opposite of The Ritz; unimportant, unpretentious and almost unknown it perched among dozens more like it in an area classed as Camden. Her window looked onto a tatty roof and a rubbish-littered courtyard. A brick wall and a sooty chimney formed her best view.

When the knock came she was ready.

“Door’s open.”

Slowly, it eased inwards. A shadowy figure crossed the threshold and closed it gently behind him. Then he paused and stared in Alicia’s direction. “Is there a problem?”

“How did Daniel Riley capture you?”

Beauregard to his credit stared down at the floor. “It is a sad, sad story.”

Alicia lifted the barrel of her gun. “One I want to hear.”

“You don’t first want to…”

“No, Beau. I don’t first want to. Maybe later, if I let you live.”

The Frenchman came a little closer, his facial features now picked out by the dull light. Even that slight movement was full of sinuous grace and deceptive calm. Alicia gave him a warning nod.

“Come no closer. Do not underestimate me, Beauregard.”

“Ah, it is so sad that we have to live our lives this way. Either we fight or we quarrel or we fight or we hold weapons on each other. Is this the entirety of our relationship?”

“It’s what we are. Now I want to know what happened today, who the hell you really are and who you’re working for.”

“It is a long story.”

“I’ve ordered pizza.”

Beauregard blinked. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. Money’s on the table, tip included. When they knock just take it.”

Beau eyed the bed. “May I—”

“No you may not. Now start talking.”

Beauregard held up his hands. “Okay, okay. Riley conned me and it is not a proud moment. One I will not repeat. The man lured me here because he knew I was keeping tabs on Michael through a tracker, a final resort. When I entered the restaurant he showed me the grenades and threatened to detonate right then and there. I am sorry, Alicia. I really am, but I had confidence you and Michael would find a way.”

Alicia carefully kept her surprise hidden. Beauregard never apologized for anything. This was a first. Is he apologizing for making a clearly human decision or for letting me down? An interesting quandary. “Go on.”

“I am exactly who you think I am. An assassin, created by the French government long ago and then let go. What else could I do? Instead of fading away I honed my craft and came back deadlier. After dispatching those who wronged me I offered my services to the highest bidder. When that choice started to lead me down even darker paths I ran into Michael. It took some time but we agreed to work together. The rest as they say…” he spread his arms apart.

“And your agenda?”

Beauregard paused as the expected knock came and he paid for the pizza. When he turned back to the room Alicia was on her feet, gun leveled at his chest.

“What?”

“If you try even a slice I’ll shoot you where you stand.”

“Fine. My agenda, you say? Michael and I recognized the Pythian threat very early. Tyler Webb didn’t just appear overnight you know, he’s been soliciting people for years. When he finally pulled together his cabal we acted. I infiltrated their group and Crouch stayed close to your Drake.”

“My Drake?”

“The Yorkshireman.”

“Yes, I know who he is. Does he know about you?”

“Of course not.”

“And now? Do you think your cover’s blown?”

Beauregard chewed his bottom lip. “I don’t know. Only Kenzie can expose me and it’s difficult to predict what she will do. I think it is worth the risk.”

“She could run straight to the Pythians.”

Beauregard shrugged.

Alicia kept the pistol directed at his chest. “Hand me a slice. Oh, and take your clothes off.”

She watched him, keeping hold of the weapon until he complied. Then she took a small bite of the cheese-covered dough bread. “You are right about what you said earlier. We are always fighting, sometimes literally, always arguing. What to do?”

Beauregard approached carefully. “Well if it leads to moments like this.” He took her in his arms. “Perhaps it is not so bad.”

Alicia pretended to struggle. “Now this is the kind of fight I like.”

“And am I better than your newly discovered treasure?”

“Mmmm, I prefer my treasure naked, Beau.”