A Collector of Hearts Read Online Free PDF

“Probably not. Why are you
here? You’re not a friend of Jack Henderson’s. I worked that much out.”
                “Did you? How?”
                “Body language. You’re obviously not a close
acquaintance, and neither do I think you’re a runner for Hitchcock.”
                “And you think I have some sinister motive for being
here?”
                “I don’t know. If that were the case, then Mr Henderson
would be in on it too, unless you had deceived him in some way.”
                “I’m a journalist.”
                “Ah… and you wanted a look at how the rich and shameless
live.”
                “No, I’m a political journalist, interested in recent
events in Cariastan. I wanted a look at our young prince.”
                “Oh, I see. And Mr Henderson agreed?”
                “In return for a good review for his next film in my
newspaper.”
                “Which is?”
                “ The Daily Diary. You can check the by-lines in
this morning’s paper if you like. This week’s column is about Hitler and his
plans for the future of Germany.”
                The newspapers lay on the sideboard, next to the food
dishes. Caroline stood up and went to look, finding the Daily Diary underneath
the times. Sure enough, on the political pages, there was an article by Blake
Laurenson, alongside a picture of the man who sat eating bacon and eggs across
the room from her.
                “Why the subterfuge?” she asked, turning to him and
leaning on the sideboard. “Surely anyone reading this paper would see who you
are, including the prince.”
                “Hardly anyone here reads the political pages.” Caroline
would probably have agreed with that. The majority of guests were from the
world of show business, apart from old Count Chlomsky and Prince Henri.
                “I’m sure the prince would, given the political turmoil
in his own country.”
                “I see you read them.”
                “Sometimes. My aunt and uncle are very interested in
politics. I must admit I find them a bit boring. Someone told me about
Cariastan yesterday. I must admit I’d never heard of it before then.”
                “Few people have. The name means Land of the Beloved.”
    “That’s pretty.”
    “The country is too. It’s
one of those tiny states in Europe surrounded by much bigger states. So small
one can walk across it in one day.”
                “Then why do the Russians want it?”
                “Because it’s on the way from Germany, and it would cut
off one of Hitler’s accesses should he decide to try to advance on Russia.”
                “Is he going to do that?”
                “He recently implemented a four year plan, to make
Germany ready for war. Cariastan is in a difficult situation. If the Russians
don’t take them, the Germans will. Unless a strong leader can be found.”
                “And Prince Henri is that man?”
                “What do you think?”
                “Of Prince Henri?”
                “Yes.”
                “I don’t know. He isn’t what I expected.”
                “All princes should be tall and handsome, I suppose.”
                Caroline thought about it for a moment. “No, perhaps not.
But they should inspire confidence. Or have some presence. Prince Henri looks
like … well he looks like a bank clerk.”
                “But they’re just people, like you and me, Caroline. They
eat, they sleep, and they have days when they feel down.”
                “I don’t know what I mean then. Only that he wasn’t what
I expected, and since you ask, no, I’m not sure he’s the right person to lead
Cariastan.