Beyond a Doubt

chapter Twenty-Five




Secure in the knowledge that Charles was as clueless as he, Gustav returned to Caen, France. Another agent tailed Charles lest he searched the trunk and happened to find something of use.

Gustav’s first order of business required he meet with Jean Broussard. The last word received from Jean had stated “Joshua”, L.L.’s contact on the outside, was being sought. Their hope was that Joshua had seen L.L. at one time or another and could give them a clue as to the agent’s identity.

Gustav entered Jean’s house. The door to his office was cracked and an argument could be heard from within.

“I don’t care about his secret identity! He is not supposed to be secret from me! This is why we pay the gent.”

“I’m sorry, sir, but he won’t come.”

“This is preposterous! The Admiral’s life hangs in the balance.”

“All our lives hang in the balance.”

Gustav peered through the crack. Inside Jean paced, stomping hard with every step. He picked up objects and threw them crashing against alternate walls. “You tell Joshua if he doesn’t meet with me and tell me everything he knows about L.L., then we will no longer require his services. And all those posh hotels and comforts of the rich he so readily enjoys will dry up like that.” Jean snapped his fingers and the sound echoed in the room.

The man bowed. Hastily he exited, bumping into Gustav on the way out. Jean had his back to the door, and he turned at the sound of Gustav’s soft footfalls.

“Back already. Oh Gustav, it’s you. I presume you have nothing new to report. Just like everyone else in this infernal world.”

“Correct, sir.”

“This Joshua character is proving difficult. He sent another in his stead, not wishing to sacrifice his “secret identity”. Not even to me! Can you believe such nonsense?”

“Sir, perhaps if you agreed to meet at a place of his terms.”

With a thoughtful tap upon his head, Jean said, “Perhaps.”

“To come to your office does make people wonder about one’s profession and beliefs, if you don’t mind me saying so.”

A smile tugged at the corners of Jean’s lips. “Indeed.” With a thoughtful expression on his face, Jean lifted his finger as if he’d had an epiphany. He bellowed, “James!”

A small bowed-over man rushed to the door. He wore wrinkled, overly large clothing and seemed to have a difficult time staying upright because of the pointed shoes he wore.

“James, send word to Joshua that we will meet at a place of his choosing.”

The man scrunched his nose, twitched his lips, nodded, and scurried away like a tiny mouse.

“That should do it. Now we wait.”

And wait they did. Jean had chewed his nails down to nothing and Gustav wouldn’t have been surprised if the man hadn’t asked to borrow his with which to do the same.

When word came of the meeting place, Jean jumped to his feet, grabbed his coat, and ran toward the door. The nervous delivery boy stuttered out the instructions and Jean put his coat back in place and resumed chewing the skin on his fingers.

“This is unconscionable. First the man makes us wait for days, and then his message is to attend a royal ball. And one where the King will be in attendance.”

“Less likely to arouse suspicion that way,” Gustav stated.

“Agreed, but still, to walk into a snake’s den and portray yourself as a tasty rat doesn’t seem wise.”

“I’m sure Joshua knows what he is doing or he wouldn’t have been alive so long.”

“And just how long is that, Gustav? We don’t know if this is Joshua number one or number one hundred! Why, the very idea of giving the same name to your agents is outrageous.”

“Whatever the number, sir, they continue to protect our interests and our kind.”

Jean nodded and the discussion ended. The two of them dressed befitting royalty and left for the ball that afternoon. Instead of holding the festivities at Caen Castle, the event would occur in the courtyard of Hotel d’Escoville. The large archways, huge stone pillars, and detailed sculptures were decorated for the evening’s event.

In honor of King Henry II and his son Francis’ visit to Caen, the local nobles had arranged the ball. For most, the event was an honorable occasion. But for a few, those who believed in a controversial religion, the Catholic King and his presence only meant danger.

Jean Broussard and Gustav arrived in a gilded carriage. Jean was wearing a suit of maroon velvet. His jacket was trimmed in a thick gold cord and secured by glittering gold buttons. Instead of wearing his Venetian chopines, he wore a more rounded shoe convenient for dancing.

Gustav had gone with a simpler look, a suit of pale blue linen trimmed in silver. He pulled back his light brown hair with a silver ribbon. He passed by a mirror and smiled at his reflection. In the moonlight his green eyes glowed like emeralds. Too bad this trip wasn’t for pleasure. Giggling maids passed and Gustav tipped an imaginary hat, sending the lot of them into a tizzy.

“Do try to focus.”

“I’m always focused.”

Jean rolled his eyes and shook his head. “How will we find Joshua in this influx of bodies? It will be quite impossible.”

“I’m sure we need not worry.”

Gustav was right. After snacking for hours upon the buffet tables, and dancing until his feet grew sore, Gustav found a place outside, leaned against the wall, and rested. A server approached him. The man, covered in plain gray and light blue livery, blended in with the outside scenery.

“Psst.”

Gustav answered out of the corner of his mouth. “Aye?”

“You asked to speak with someone. They await ye outside.”

The man disappeared. Gustav rose from his relaxed position and headed to the garden. With all the guests, Joshua was almost impossible to discern. Had the man not spoken, Gustav wouldn’t have located him at all.

“Do not turn around, do not speak, only listen. You are searching for L.L. And you wish to discover if I know the agent’s whereabouts. All I can tell you is the agent and I cross paths somewhere in London within the coming week. I attend parties, public events, and follow a planned schedule. Through these events I’m contacted. Never the same way twice and never in person. I know you thought I could reveal L.L.’s identity but I’m afraid I can’t help you. However, here is a list of my itinerary for next week’s London visit.”

Gustav caught the paper as it fluttered to the ground. When he looked up Joshua was gone.