Free Death on the Riviera by John Bude Page A

a sound egg then it might be a sensible move to take Colonel Malloy into his confidence. After all, as Bourmin’s employer, he was excellently placed to keep watch on the chauffeur’s activities. On the other hand Meredith couldn’t dismiss the fact that Blampignon and his colleagues suspected the racket was being organized by an Englishman. And to pose as a retired Colonel of the British Army was just the sort of alias that would appeal to a criminal in a foreign country. There was something solid and reassuring, almost sacrosanct, about a retired Colonel; particularly when he was to be associated with a wife, a handsome villa, and a chauffeur-driven Rolls!

Chapter VII
    Cards on the Table
    I
    The bridge party at the Villa Paloma that Friday evening had been, from Nesta Hedderwick’s point-of-view, a great success. At the end of the evening’s play, after a shaky start, she and Bill had taken about ten thousand francs off the Malloys. The Colonel and his wife, a brisk, talkative little woman with faded ginger hair, had accepted their defeat with the indifference and sangfroid of a couple to whom ten thousand francs was mere chicken-feed. They departed in an aura of vociferous good will and Armagnac brandy, leaving Nesta and Bill to enjoy a complacent post-mortem on the game.
    Bill was in no hurry to go up to bed. Kitty and Tony had left directly after dinner for a flutter at the local casino, and since it was then long past midnight they’d probably show up at any minute. Dilys and Miss Pilligrew, placing a proper value on their sleep, had long since retired for the night. It wasn’t Kitty that Bill was hoping to see. He felt pretty sure that when she did return to the villa and realized he was still in the lounge she’d go straight up to bed. It was Shenton he wanted to buttonhole. He was raring to have a private, straight-from-the-shoulder talk with ex-Flying Officer Tony Shenton.
    Bill, in fact, was just having “one for the stairs” when he heard the Vedette swish up the drive en route for the garage at the rear of the villa. Nesta glanced at her watch.
    â€œTwenty to one! Damned inconsiderate, Bill. This Linden girl’s a puss. I suppose you realize she’s crazy about Tony?”
    Bill said bleakly:
    â€œI…I rather suspected it.”
    â€œThe child’s a fool, of course. She’s too infatuated to see it, but, if you ask me, he’s already beginning to tire of her. He always does. Tony’s women are here today and gone tomorrow. There’s been a constant procession of disillusioned females in and out of this house ever since the heartless wretch came to live here. One fine day it’s going to get him into trouble.”
    â€œTrouble? How do you mean, Mrs. Hedderwick?”
    â€œWell, one of these rejected females is going to hit back and hit back hard. If Tony doesn’t watch out some sweet wench is going to pop a pinch of arsenic in his—” The door opened and Tony stood there blinking owlishly in the bright light. Nesta’s expression changed instantly. She said with a fond smile: “Well, Tony darling, did you break the bank? Had a lovely time? Where’s Kitty?”
    â€œGone to bed.” He nodded casually to Bill. “Oh, hullo, Dillon. What about a cognac?”
    â€œI’ve already got a drink, thanks.”
    â€œBang on. I’ll join you.”
    Nesta eased her fourteen stone from the chair in which she’d been practically wedged and swayed, yawning, to her feet.
    â€œWell, if you men are going to make a night of it, I’m off to catch up on my beauty sleep. Good-night, Bill. Don’t let him drink too much.” She held out her arms to Tony. “Goodnight, you wretch. Not too late up. You look tired.”
    With a dutiful air Tony kissed her on both cheeks and thrust her with playful familiarity towards the door. Nesta, almost cooing with gratitude for these little attentions,