Rue des Barres
Paris, Kingdom of France
“So, you’re not going to tell me?”
Marcus glanced at Simon. “Tell you what?”
“Who you think is behind all this?”
Marcus shook his head. “No.”
“Why not?”
He grinned at his friend. “Because if I’m wrong, I don’t want you to think I’m not the genius I’m playing today.”
Simon snorted. “Oh, don’t worry, there’s no risk of that.”
“Oh?”
“No, the Lord himself couldn’t convince me you’re a genius.”
“Touché.”
Simon laughed, then became serious. “Do you think he—whoever he is—is going to show tonight?”
Marcus shrugged. “I have no idea. I’d say the chances are half-and-half. If the drop-off was exclusive to those three men, then no, I don’t think he’ll show, but the fact it was the same as where Thibault’s man was instructed to notify our mystery man that Miss Girard was ready for her role as Lady Joanne, then that suggests it’s used for multiple contacts. It makes sense. If we assume that this conspiracy is being coordinated by only a few, or perhaps even by only one, then having half a dozen or more contact points throughout the city would be difficult to manage. He would spend his entire time monitoring them.” Marcus shook his head. “No, I think there is only one point for this entire operation, and that only one or two are actually coordinating it. And, I think, since the operation is still underway, he will still be monitoring it, especially now that they are so close to accomplishing their goal.”
Simon nodded slowly. “What you say makes sense, yet without knowing who you suspect, I’ll have to trust in your genius.”
Marcus grinned. “So, we’re back to me being a genius?”
Simon frowned. “I think the Lord and I will reserve judgment.”