the harsh repudiation carrying through the corridor into the foyer. “I gave distinct orders—”
“I’ll announce myself,” Duras said, ignoring the recriminations resonating down the hall, his icy tone arresting the two servants where they stood, his cold gaze more daunting than their employer’s threats. “Come, Gontaut,” Duras quietly said. “Let’s see if we can disturb him.”
The room was ablaze with lights, no expense spared on candles or the fire in the fireplace warming the room to summer temperatures. The only diner at the ladened table was the well-fed, heavyset man about to drink from his wineglass.
An expensive bordeaux slopped over the rim of the goblet as Rapinat hastily set his glass down, the widening stain crimson on the white linen. Duras in bloodied uniform and four days’ growth of beard loomed in the doorway, his dark brows drawn together in a murderous scowl, his mouth set in a grim line. A shudder ran through Rapinat; a wrathful specter from hell stood on his threshold. His mouth openedand shut before he managed to find breath to speak. “General … what—a pleasure—”
Then he went white. Duras’s pistol—held with disturbing steadiness in a gloved hand stained dark with Austrian blood—was aimed at his head.
“My men don’t have food.”
No matter the softness of Duras’s voice, Rapinat shivered and his face blanched a shade paler. Duras’s reputation as the best shot in the army was legendary. “I’m sure … there’s some mistake. If you’ll consider—”
“Don’t bother,” Duras growled. “I’ve heard all your lies before and I don’t care to hear any more.” He was beyond concern over political repercussions or the influential power of Rapinat’s relatives; the sight of the army contractor stuffing his face while his men went without food overrode any feelings of expediency. “I’d like your head on a platter, you bastard, but I’ll settle for the numbers of all your bank accounts.” Only enormous self-control restrained his impulse to pull the trigger. “Every account,” he brusquely clarified. “Even those in your wife’s family’s name. I want those funds transferred by bank drafts to the Army of Switzerland, the necessary paperwork on my desk in ten minutes.” His finger shifted minutely on the trigger and Rapinat squeaked, the muffled sound of terror loud in the quiet of the room. “You’ll be under arrest until the money arrives,” Duras went on in a voice so cold Gontaut said afterward he thought Rapinat would expire of fear right before his eyes. “And if you ever do this to my men again, I’ll skin you alive before I kill you. Do you understand?”
The large man seemed to shrink before Duras’s gaze. Unable to speak, he mutely nodded his head.
“Bastard,” Duras muttered through clenched teeth and he squeezed the trigger.
Rapinat screamed. The pistol ball parted the army contractor’s shiny black hair precisely down the center of his head and he fainted away into his veal cutlet.
“Superb shooting, sir,” Gontaut said in admiration.
“A pity I couldn’t kill him but I need those bank drafts. And perhaps tomorrow,” Duras said with a small smile, “I may reconsider my reckless disregard for his brother’s position.”
“The Directory needs you, sir.” Every soldier knew only Duras could hold off the Coalition.
“Let’s hope the politicians remember that when Rapinat regains his nerve and starts screaming for my dismissal. Now see that the cur empties his accounts. Lauzun will help, he understands the status of every sou this side of the Channel. Then take a guard detachment to Zurich, cash the bank drafts, and bring the money back posthaste. Although you haven’t had much sleep the last few days. Should I find someone else?”
“No, sir, it would be an honor, sir,” Gontaut promptly replied, beaming.
“It’s time he stopped fucking with me,” Duras softly said, sliding his pistol into the holster