Free The Toff and the Deep Blue Sea by John Creasey Page B

of spell. It was not his looks—they are not remarkable—but a kind of magic—”
    She meant it.
    Rollison waited.
    She said abruptly: “I stayed there, with him. That was for some weeks. I allowed myself to be dominated by him. I lent myself to a plot in which an old man was swindled of a great sum of money. Old men are so credulous when a woman is beautiful,” she added wearily.
    â€œAll men,” Rollison murmured.
    She said: “Then I began to realise what I had done, but I was trapped, m’sieu. I could not leave Chicot or the Villa without my share in the great swindle being revealed. That would hurt my parents so much more, and I stayed, telling them that I still searched for Marie.”
    She turned away.
    He did not force his questions, then.
    The fans were on in the saloon. There was a kind of air-conditioning, which helped to cool the air. They had finished a meal, and had long drinks in front of them; hers a squash, his a lager. She still wore the harlequin beach-suit that was all concealing, and he had drawn on a pair of white shorts which he had found in the galley. It was cool, and they were well fed. But not for a moment had they been free from tension.
    â€œViolette,” he said quietly, “I’ve some questions—and some may hurt.”
    â€œI will answer if I can,” she promised.
    â€œThis Chicot—is he at the Villa now?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œDoesn’t he live there?”
    â€œNo—he visits us sometimes.”
    â€œWhat is he like?”
    She hesitated. “To look at first, just an ordinary little man,” she said. “Nice, perhaps, with curly hair. Almost a boy, so innocent. What is your word?”
    â€œCherubic?”
    â€œExactly!” She was almost eager. “Then afterwards—so very cruel.”
    â€œDid he trap your sister, too?”
    â€œI think so.”
    â€œHave you seen her at the Villa?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œOther girls?”
    She shrugged.
    â€œThey come—and they go.”
    â€œWhere do they go?”
    â€œThat is what I cannot answer,” Violette told him. “There is something I do not understand. They come, they are gay and happy—and then they disappear. I have tried to find out where, but I cannot.”
    â€œAre you still on good terms with Chicot?”
    She flushed.
    â€œI was, until recently.”
    â€œWhat happened then?”
    She said: “I was told to visit you, to find out what you wanted. I tried to. When I was back at the Villa, Chicot was there. I have never seen him or any man so angry.” She raised her hands, almost in self-defence. “How he raged—against you.”
    Rollison said sharply: “But why?”
    â€œSome danger that you brought.”
    â€œBut I’d never heard of Chicot!”
    â€œYou were here, you were looking for a missing girl. You brought danger. You had to be killed; Raoul and Gérard or Sautot must do that, so—I wanted to warn you.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you?”
    Very simply she said, “Because I was afraid.”
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    On deck there was just the heat, the silence, the distant shore, and all about them the deep blue sea.
    Rollison made sure that no other boat was near, and went below again.
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    â€œI was afraid, and so was Madeleine,” said Violette. “You saw her, perhaps?”
    â€œI saw a fair-haired woman near you on the promenade, trying to attract my attention.”
    â€œI do not mean her,” said Violette; “unless it was one who was anxious to see M. Rambeau’s agent. Madeleine sat in the car, beside Raoul.”
    Rollison could recall that fair girl and her terror.
    â€œYes, I remember,” he said.
    â€œShe is Raoul’s wife,” said Violette, “and also Gérard’s sister. In the car she knew that Raoul tried to kill you. She ran away, but they caught her. I do not know what will happen to her