Assignment Madeleine Read Online Free PDF

come up to my flat—and perhaps we could have an apéritif and lunch together.”
    “I have a date waiting for me at Jacques’ place,” he said.
    “A girl?”
    “My girl, yes.”
    “An American?”
    “Yes.”
    “This complicates things for you.” She laughed. “Perhaps it
would be embarrassing for you it I went with you, but I promise-”
    “It will be all right,” Durell decided.
    The cool August rain still fell over Paris. A mist hung over
the Seine, obscuring the bridges and the Notre Dame spires, softening the walks
and statues and stone stairways going down to the river bank. A man in a black
beret leaned over the stone balustrade, staring at the dappled surface of the
river, and when they passed by, Durell heard him straighten and saunter after
them as they walked to the first crossing. He decided the black beret was
Brumont's agent, and he would have to be more than usually careful at Jacques’
place.
    The café was a short walk from the river, on a narrow
cobbled street edged with dripping trees. A striped awning sheltered the tables
outside. Three men were visible within, at the zinc-topped bar, and through the
shutter door they could be heard arguing volubly about taxes. Deirdre Padgett
sat alone at a table on the sidewalk under the awning.
    As always, Durell’s heart lurched when he first
glimpsed her, and all his resolutions to keep her out of his lite grew dimmer.
He knew her intimately. There were no secrets between them except those of his
work, and she had come to accept this, even if she refused to understand it.
Her raven hair was touched by the soft mist, and she wore a small suede beret.
Her winged brows were inquiring as she saw Durell approach with Madeleine on
his arm.
    “Sam. . . .”
    He kissed her and drew a chair for Madeleine and introduced
the two girls. Deirdre was cool and aloof; then her eyes warmed again as she
touched Durrell’s hand.
    “Were you waiting long?” he asked.
    “I only just got here, darling. You never waste time, do
you?”
    He laughed. “You mean Madeleine? She’s part of the job I
came here to do.”
    “Not very distasteful work, is it?” Deirdre asked. “Or am I
making unpleasant noises. I thought we were going to have the afternoon
together. Alone, I mean.” She picked up her small glass of vermouth. She wore a
pale gray dress trimmed with white piping, under a transparent rain cape. “I
suppose I should be used to this by now. But I’m downright jealous about
anything where you are concerned."
    “I’m sorry, Dee. There’s no need to be.”
    “Should I trust you?”
    “No.” He grinned. “Definitely not.”
    Madeleine spoke in her throaty French. “Please do not be
disturbed by my presence, mademoiselle. Monsieur Durell is only interested in
protecting me and convicting my friend of murder.”
    Deirdre looked quickly at Durell. “Something you can talk
about, darling?”
    “No,” he said.
    “We travel as custodian and prisoner,” Madeleine added,
“although neither wishes to admit to the relationship. I am a foolish woman who
chose to fall in love with one who may be considered the enemy. But not by me.
I shall never agree. But in any case, you may forget about me, mademoiselle, if
you wish.”
    Durell said, “If you ladies plan to use your claws, go right
ahead and help yourself. I think I’ll have a word with Jacques about lunch.
Excuse me.”
    He went into the cafe to where the three Frenchmen were
arguing at the bar. Through the dim window he saw the man in the black beret
hovering at the corner. Jacques, a dark obsidian mass behind the bar, simply
nodded to Durell and went on talking to his customers. Durell finally
asked to consult with Madame Jacques about the lunch he wished to order.
    “Of course, m’sieu . In the
kitchen, if you will.”
    He went through a curtained archway to the rear of the cafe.
There wasn’t much time, with Deirdre and Madeleine outside and Brumont’s shadow
on the corner. It would have to be