Free All That Glitters by Ruthe Ogilvie

Francois had said, and he could feel icy fingers begin to creep up his spine.
    “I have to get off this barge without Francois knowing I was here,” he muttered under his breath. He sneaked up to the top of the steps that led to the deck.
    Francois was stretched out in one of the chaise lounges, his hands behind his head. His back was turned.
    Zack saw his chance! He crept over to the plank that led to the shore beside the canal. Making sure Francois didn’t see him, he quickly mounted his bike and rode down the lane in the direction that the rest of the party had taken.
    They had planned to lunch at a very picturesque restaurant, “Au Moulin Neuf,” situated on a river about ten miles down the lane. Zack was in excellent shape, and figured if he rode at top speed he would be there shortly after the others arrived.
    The scenery along the way was so peaceful, it helped to calm his nerves. He kept an eye out for Andre but, although there were other artists with their easels set up, there was still no sign of him. As he sped along, he thought about what he heard Francois say on the phone, and his intuition kicked in again. It had never let him down before, and he wasn’t about to brush it aside now. It was trying to tell him something, but he didn’t know yet what it was. An uneasy feeling gnawed at his stomach. What did he mean—“The locks in place?—the room soundproofed?”
    After an hour of vigorous pumping, he spotted the others just arriving at the restaurant.
    “Zack! What happened?” Cammie asked him. “We missed you.”
    “Oh,” he replied, “I just thought I’d take a little side trip and see another part of the area. It sure is beautiful here!” he continued in an effort to change the subject.
    Jay threw a knowing glance his way, but said nothing. They knew what was on each other’s mind.
    As they entered the cafe together, the exquisite strains of one of Chopin’s waltzes was being played by a skilled pianist. The lilting waltz complemented the storybook surroundings. The maitre d’ ushered them to a table outside on the terrace overhanging the roaring river. Water was cascading in a steady stream over huge boulders, and a bevy of beavers was swimming lazily by on their backs. Nearby was a tank filled with trout, and farther downstream, the river, bordered by hundreds of lush trees, flowed gently on its way to greet others just arriving.
    * * *
    They had just been seated at a table by the river, and were enjoying this delightful setting, when Cammie looked up and saw Francois enter the restaurant.
    “Francois! Over here!” she cried as she waved. “Oh!” she exclaimed to the others, “I’m so glad he could make it!”
    Up to now Hildy had been able, at least partly, to set aside the doubts and fears that were plaguing her and enjoy the day in this beautiful countryside. But the moment she saw Francois approaching, her joy fled, and once again she was riddled with anxiety. Why do I feel this way? It’s as though the minute I see him, someone pushes a button, and I’m literally drowning in fear!
    Francois was all smiles as he joined them at the table. “How was the ride?” he asked.
    “Super!” Cammie told him. “Oh, I wish you could have been with us!”
    Francois grinned his most charming, boyish grin. “Well, I’m here now,” he told her, putting his arm around her shoulder.
    “How did you get here?” Cammie asked him.
    He winked, teasing her. “I have my ways,” he said. Then he laughed. “No big secret. One of the crewmen had a motorbike on board and lent it to me.”
    “How nice!” Cammie exclaimed. “Did you get your calls through okay?”
    “Oh, yes,” he said, smugly. “Everything is fine.”
    * * *
    Zack had all he could do to keep from going over and demanding to know what he meant by “the locks in place,” and “the room sound-proofed.” What could Francois possibly be plotting? And why? As each day went by, Zack was more certain than ever that Cammie was