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"I EXPECTED A MESS, but this place is neat and clean. Garcia’s clothes are not overly expensive but tasteful. He dresses well for being so young. Jane said moving the few slacks and shirts in the small closet. And look here's his suitcase. Why would he leave to go home without packing?"
"Why would he leave without his money? I just found several hundred francs taped to the back of the toilet. Sue Lee said coming out of the bathroom. What have you got there Meg?" Meg was sitting on the side of the bed with a jewelry box in her hand, holding up a necklace. "These are cufflinks, watches, and this looks like gold," She replied.
"Wait! Let me see that. Jane looked at the gold trinkets. Oh my God, their gold teeth!"
Not a word was said, they silently stared at the molars attached to the chain.
The three were reminded of the horrible stories of the Jewish people being forced into the gas chambers, and after their death, their mouths were probed looking for gold fillings, and teeth!
Sue Lee knew during the liberation of the death camps. American soldiers found gunnysacks full of gold teeth.
"I'm beginning to form a hypothesis about your young boarder." She said sitting down next Meg on the bed.
Meg nodded and said, “Let us hear it, Major,”using Sue Lee's former rank.
"López said Garcia's father was in the Blue Army fighting for Germany against Russia and was killed. My theory is someone who knew his father contacted the boy. They expounded upon his father's past loyalty to persuade him to use the family farm as one of their transportation points. They paid him using a small portion of the bounty they received for transporting war criminals out of the country. This operation depends on secrecy. He's too flashy, Sue Lee said pointing to the gold and other trinkets in the box. Beautiful clothes expensive jewelry, and now he's selling a painting that once belonged to the museum. That's very careless! I believe the two guys in the bar silenced him permanently. That's why you or López haven't seen him. I do hope I'm wrong." Sue Lee said putting her hand on Meg's shoulder.
"I too have been thinking in those terms, but also hoping he became disillusioned with this bunch and disappeared. He's not a bad kid. I'm sure he had no idea where this gold came from. Nevertheless, if you're right, the Seine River flows fast this time of the year. A body would never be found. She sighed and continued. Then the only way to prove your hypothesis is to check out his farm."
"We will leave that to Alex when we see him in the morning." Sue Lee said before standing up.
* * *
THE FOLLOWING MORNING at breakfast Meg told them Missy traced the three men to a nearby hotel, but they checked out this morning and requested a cab to the train station. Meg's sources told her they bought tickets to Valencia.
"I'll see if Jesus can follow them when they arrive. I also heard from Alex. He is delayed in Rome. It's a shame Alex couldn't have checked out Garcia's farm. Damn! I was hoping he could shut this operation down on both ends, and get these bums out of my hotel," Meg shouted!
"Excusez-moi, it is I, Louie La Monte. Perhaps, this is not the time?" The dapper little man said standing in the doorway.
"Oh Louie, do forgive my outburst, come in and sit we will tell you all about it during breakfast. This is Sue Lee Ono and Dr. Jane Snodgrass.“
"Oui, I have the pleasure of meeting the lady champion who single handily disrupted the Nazi's Vel' d'Hiv Roundup here in Paris. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Mademoiselle. He elegantly bowed over the hand Sue Lee offered and turned to Jane. I repeat my praise to you, the notorious, Flying Docteur. You saved lives with your knowledge and daring. It is indeed an honor!" He said as he lightly kissed Jane's hand and bowed again.
What a charmer Jane thought, Louie reminded her of an older, version of the actor Louis Jourdan. Jane and Sue Lee talked about his movie back in London, Letter from an unknown woman. “Now here he is,” she mused. "Thank you, Monsieur La Monte, please sit,” Jane gestured to the placing they had set for him. “Can I pour you a cafe?"
"Oui, s'il vous plaît. Is your young border in some trouble Margaret?"
Meg went on to explain the latest circumstances to Louie, starting with Clara and the book he delivered for her library and ended with their supposition about Garcia's death.
Sue Lee admired how he intently listened without interruption. It must have served him well during his time in the resistance.
"It is profoundly disturbing to hear about my friend Clara. I will use all my resources in France to locate this person DuPont, and If he is an imposter! She will have her poem. If he is Clara's husband, I don't like it. Some people are better left to the dead.” He solemnly said. “Your other problem with your border Garcia, I'm sure starts with the bald, hairy one. He is a Russian and a very mean man! The pilot belongs to a Spanish aristocratic family who is friends of the dictator Francisco Franco. My sources and I believe there is a scam going on but do not know what it's about.” Louie paused to sip his coffee. “We are aware there were three comrades when they arrived in Paris, but the other two have not been seen."
"They must be the ones staying on Garcia's farm in Spain," Jane said.
"Oui, my people will confirm that."
Sue Lee knew what he meant by mentioning his people. Louie's extended families were nomadic minorities or Roma Gypsies in some societies. Hitler wanted to eliminate them and the Jewish race. He considered both inferior and wanted to create a Master Race of Aryans that would control Europe. If Louie were ever caught during the war, he would have been sent to the death camps.
Sue Lee's sad thoughts were broken when López arrived with platters of eggs, toast, and sausages.
"We talked it over last night, and maybe we can help. They probably have the painting Garcia wanted to sell to us. Most likely, it will be stored at the farm or in Valencia. If we find it, we know they killed the boy and will contact the authorities." Sue Lee said pouring coffee for everyone.
"That could be risky, snooping around the farm."
"We figured that they need to transfer this guy and will not be their full-time, and we would have the help of Jesus if you let him know we're coming," Jane said adding sugar to her coffee.
"Sounds reasonable, and as long as you have Jesus to help he can add a few of his relationship for backup."
"Thank you, but let him know we will be catching the train today to Barcelona and then driving to Valencia and will leave a message with his sister at her pharmacy when we arrive," Jane said.
Sue Lee knew that Jane and Meg used the same method of contacting Jesus during covert operations during the war.
Her drug pickup and delivery were also a way of passing information to the underground.