Read Online The Cathari Treasure (Cameron Kincaid) by Daniel Arthur Smith - Free Book Online

since we spoke this morning?”
    “I tell you, what happened here
was exactly like what happened to us in Tangier ten years ago,” said Cameron.
    “I don’t like the sound of this
Rex Mundi, and I think you are right, it all sounds too familiar.  This
all adds up to only bad news,” said Claude.
    “I’m sure you’re right, but I
gave Marie and Nicole my word that I would get them to safety.  I need to
see this through to the end, whatever that means.”
    “It might mean your end my
friend.  My advice to you is to tread lightly.”  Cameron heard Claude
sigh, and then Claude continued, “Can I help you?  Would you like me to
come to Montreal?”
     “Thanks Claude, you don’t
need to come up here.  I need you to keep things together until I get
back.”
    “Of course.”
    “There is one thing you can do
though,” said Cameron.
    “I will call him,” said Claude,
“as soon as I am off the phone with you.”
    “Ha, ha.  You don’t miss a
trick.”
    Claude knew that Cameron needed
Pepe, a friend from their time together in the Legion.  Pepe lived in
Montreal and Claude could easily find most anyone he and Cameron had served
with.
    “Find a safe place to wait for
the call,” said Claude.
    “Thanks Claude.  I’ll hang
tight until then.”
    Cameron finished the call and
then looked at the battery indicator on his phone.  The Mercedes charged
the cell phone’s battery when the phone was plugged into the car.  Cameron
did not have another way to charge the phone, and now a day out, the battery
was already half gone.  Cameron decided he would wait for the call from
Pepe and then go silent, using the phone sparingly until he needed to reach out
again.
    The sound of sirens filled the
streets as emergency vehicles fleeted to the remnants of La Sirène Bleue. 
Cameron, Marie, and Nicole had walked three blocks away from the club before
circling back downtown toward the hotel to wait for Pepe’s call.
    Though the day had been long,
the evening was still young.  Back on the avenue, couples and small groups
were as they had been when the three so pleasantly left the hotel only a short
time before.
    When they walked into the lobby
Marie, wide eyed and jaw open, took in Cameron and Nicole under the
light.  “We look a mess,” said Marie.  She reached up and tucked
Cameron’s shirt collar back below his blazer.  “Shall we meet in the
restaurant?”
    “That would be fine,” said
Cameron.  He forced a smile back at Marie and Nicole, not only for their
sake, also for his own.  “I’ll see you in there in a few minutes.”
     
    * * *
* *
     
     

Chapter 14
    Pepe
     
     
    With a swagger and a nod to the
hostess, Pepe Laroque entered the hotel restaurant.  He proceeded to the
table in the back of the restaurant where the light was lowest.  Cameron,
Marie, and Nicole were at the table waiting for him.  As Pepe approached
the table he opened his arms to Cameron.  “Mon ami Cameron,” said Pepe in
his deep French accent, and the two embraced and traded kisses on each cheek.
    “Retirement is treating you well
my old friend,” said Cameron.  He was referring to the paunch Pepe had
developed that was mostly hidden by his black sweater and sport coat. 
Pepe was not fat, still his short height betrayed his
girth.
    “It is a good life,” said Pepe
placing both hands on his belly, “We cannot all be eternally trim, like the
Dragon Chef.”
    Cameron brushed his finger
across his nose, “You heard that.”
    “I heard.”
    Cameron gestured to the
table.  “May I introduce Marie and Nicole,” said Cameron.  “Marie,
Nicole, this is my dear old friend Pepe.”
    “Bonsoir Monsieur Pepe, Je suis
heureux de vous rencontrer,” said Marie.
    “Bonsoir,” said Nicole.
    “Bonsoir Mesdames enchanté,”
said Pepe, a gleam in his eye.  “Let us just say I am a dear friend, not
so old.”
    “Have a seat,” said Cameron.
    “You have picked rough company,”
said Pepe as he took his seat.
    “I