Chapter 46

The next morning, Constantin called the hospital. It seems Biot was lucid. He was heavily sedated but the police had been able to get some information. Dr Biot was asking for you., Mr. Kellner."

"I'll leave right away."

Clo was ready. "I'm going with you."

At 8 a.m., Emile Picard drove to Perigueux. There he met with two men. One was an odd looking gentleman, overweight and over dressed. He had doused himself with perfume it seemed and he smoked a cigarette held by a very long cigarette holder. His partner was a tall slim man with an enormous Adam's apple and a pale almost sickly pallor. He turned out to be the heavy man's son. Both had their hair slicked down and wore double breasted suits.

Emile Picard greeted the men in a cool manner without shaking hands.

"I am not a happy man," said the older gentleman.

"And exactly why is that"? asked Emile, knowing what the answer would be.

"There are people acting without proper authority. I am told."

"And whose authority have they violated?"

"My father's," said the younger man.

The older man breathed heavily. "I have a reputation. I have set up an organization involving all of you. You are in it for the money. I am in it for the sport."

"I'm sure the money adds to the sport," Emile quipped.

The older man smiled. "You are as greedy as I am Maitre Picard. It is difficult to hide. But when I first approached you with my little scheme you were instantly interested. Now. You and the people you brought in have failed me."

"How so?"

The younger man spoke nervously. " Both Mr. Hellstrom and Dr. Biot have done things that jeopardize what we set up. We know that Karl Hellstrom gave his lackey instructions to run the countess and her snoopy investigator off the road."

The older man jumped in."…and your so called expert, Dr. Biot has been telling everyone that the picture in question may not be authentic."

"He did what!" Picard exclaimed.

"He intimated to someone that there is no proof of the authenticity of the drawing we have in our possession."

"Who did he say that to?"

"People. People who we know. If that rumor is spread, the value of the picture will be lower. And another thing," he said, lighting another cigarette. How did this Kellner man zero in on you, Biot, Hellstrom and Marina. It's too much of a coincidence?"

(Bio went to Barcelona, where tango is king)

"Not at all," Picard replied. "He came to see me as the family's lawyer. Biot was someone he knew from some other case. He went to Barcelona to talk to Carlos, the countess's ex husband. There he met Marina Alvarez. She must have given Hellstrom's name to Kellner. That I blame on you. Had you not cut her out of the operation, she wouldn't have turned against you. She's not telling Kellner anything. She's just pointing him in the right direction. You're to blame for that; you and your temper."

The older man fumed. "Well we took care of your Dr Biot. I doubt if he'll shoot his mouth off again."

Picard shook his head. "You have just made a huge mistake Monsieur. Biot could have been a valued ally. Now he will be a powerful enemy."

"If he lives long enough to talk," said the younger man.

"He'll live," said Picard angrily. "He'll live just to spite you. You are a greedy man monsieur and you'll pay for that greed."

The older man took a long puff on his cigarette and smiled. "If I pay for my greed, you'll pay too, Cher Maitre."

Picard turned and went out to his car. The meeting was over.

(Click here for Chapter 47)