‘Well done, you two,’ Nanette said as the twins came running towards her and Patsy, having been collected by Mathieu from the stage door of the theatre, after performing in their school play. ‘You were both brilliant.’
‘Wish Mummy could have been here,’ Olivia said wistfully.
‘I videoed all the bits you and Pierre were in,’ Jean-Claude said. ‘So Mummy will get to see you. She’ll be home in a few weeks.’
‘I took some photos on my mobile phone,’ Patsy said. ‘Here, take a look,’ and she handed her phone to Olivia.
As the twins giggled excitedly over the photos, Mathieu asked, ‘Would you two like to go for burgers as a special treat?’
‘Can we go to that new one down in Fontvieille?’ Pierre said.
‘Sure, if that’s OK with everyone else?’ Mathieu said.
Half an hour later, as everyone tucked into gigantic portions of burgers and chips, Jean-Claude’s mobile rang. With an apologetic ‘Sorry’ he excused himself and went outside to answer it.
He didn’t say anything when he returned, instead concentrated on helping the twins choose a dessert, but Nanette sensed his mood had darkened.
It was late by the time they returned to the apartment and she expected Jean-Claude to say his goodbyes and go straight home. Instead, when Mathieu asked if he was coming up with them, he said. ‘Yes. I want a word with Nanette.’
Nanette was puzzled, but it wasn’t until after the twins were tucked up in bed and Patsy had said goodnight to everyone and gone to her room that he said anything.
‘Have you seen Evie recently?’ he asked, a strange look on his face.
‘Yes,’ Nanette said, immediately feeling guilty that she hadn’t had time to mention the meeting on board Pole Position to Jean-Claude. Let alone the reason she was there. ‘Patsy and I had coffee here with her the other day,’ she added. ‘I was going to ask if you knew of any PA jobs going. Luc has paid her off and she needs another job. Why do you ask?’
‘It was Luc who rang earlier. He’s a worried man. Don’t know the ins and outs of things, but basically, he’s in real trouble. He got caught up in a business deal that’s gone wrong and now he thinks he’s being made a scapegoat for others. Did Evie mention any of this when you met?’
Nanette thought about the packet Evie had given her and wished she’d had the chance to talk to Jean-Claude about it. She shook her head unhappily.
‘Is this the Luc I think it is?’ Mathieu asked as he came out of his room ‘I’d heard his business was in trouble. Give Evie my number – I might be able to help.’
Jean-Claude rounded on his son angrily. ‘Oh yes – get her to work with one of your criminal friends. At least it won’t be Boris Takyanov now that he’s had his application for a resident’s visa refused.’
‘How do you know that? It’s not common knowledge yet,’ Mathieu demanded.
‘You’d be surprised at just what I do know – including your so-called business activities,’ Jean-Claude retorted. ‘For instance, I know that you and Zac Ewart had a meeting in Luxembourg recently. I also know you spent six hours in the gendarmerie three days ago. I know that Boris—’
‘It’s you, isn’t it?’ Mathieu said slowly. ‘You’re the one having me followed.’ He shook his head. ‘I can’t believe my own father is spying on me.’
‘Personally, I can’t believe how easily my son has turned from successful businessman into a criminal,’ Jean-Claude shouted. ‘Oui, I had you followed because I was worried and wanted to know what was going on so I could help you.’
Both men had forgotten Nanette and she looked from one to the other in dismay as father and son glared at each other.
Mathieu sighed heavily. ‘I keep telling you I am not a criminal and don’t need you to interfere.’
‘Then stop behaving like one and tell me what’s going on.’
‘I can’t. I’ve been sworn to secrecy. Besides, what you don’t know, you can’t tell.’
Jean-Claude stared at him. ‘I can’t believe that you’ve been stupid enough to get involved with something illegal. These people you’re involved with won’t hesitate to sacrifice you to save their own skins. What would happen to the twins then?’
Mathieu replied, ‘Nanette’s here to look after the twins. You, I have no doubt, would also make sure they came to no harm. Vanessa will be home in a few weeks and they will return to England. Meanwhile, I intend to see this through, whatever you say.’
Jean-Claude shook his head in despair and turned away from his son.
Mathieu moved as though to touch him on the arm and say something, before changing his mind and walking towards his room instead. His ‘Goodnight’ was almost inaudible and the door closed behind him, only to open a second or two later.
‘Do me one favour: call off your private detective, please.’ This time, the door closed on his words and stayed shut.
Nanette, looking at Jean-Claude’s worried face, said gently, ‘There’s nothing you can do, JC.’
‘I feel so helpless,’ he said, clenching his fists. ‘I want to shake him, make him see sense.’ He smiled ruefully at her. ‘You are right though. This thing has got to run its course, whatever the outcome. I can only pray that Mathieu comes out of it unscathed – whatever it may be.’
‘Please don’t be cross with me, JC, but there is something I should have told you a couple of days ago. Zac asked me to do something for him. I didn’t want to mention it in front of Mathieu.’
Quickly, she told Jean-Claude about her visit to Pole Position and the package Evie had given her to place in the secret safe.
‘Thank you for telling me. Your visit to Pole Position was the reason Luc phoned me. He was worried you were mixed up in something too. Do you know what was in this package?’
Nanette shook her head and bit her lip before saying quietly, ‘No. And… and I didn’t put it in the safe. There was a handgun in there and it frightened me. Zac never had guns on board before.’
Jean-Claude looked at her, surprised. ‘What did you do with it?’
‘It’s in my room,’ Nanette said. ‘I’ll fetch it.’
Jean-Claude turned the package over and over when she handed it to him.
‘I suspect it’s money,’ Nanette said. ‘But why would Luc give money – or anything – to Zac to put in a secret safe?’
Jean-Claude sighed. ‘Maybe it’s all part of his problems. I’d have sworn Luc was an honest businessman, but then I’d also have said Mathieu would never get mixed up with anything illegal.’ He glanced at her. ‘Was there anything else in the safe?’
‘Only the gun. Zac never even owned a gun in the past,’ she added quietly. ‘Shall we open it?’ Nanette asked, looking first at the package and then at Jean-Claude.
He didn’t reply for several minutes and then slowly shook his head. ‘Not here. I’ll take it with me and put it somewhere safe. I don’t feel happy with you having it here.’ He sighed. ‘It’s late. Time I went home. I’ll be here at about eleven o’clock tomorrow to drive Patsy to the airport. Goodnight, ma chérie.’
A gentle kiss brushed her cheek and he was gone, leaving Nanette feeling strangely bereft.