Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Hoffmann greeted Fitz with much enthusiasm when she came into the room. He kissed her either side of her face this time and slipped his hand across her lower back, giving her waist a squeeze. ‘You look stunning tonight, Claudine.’
Fitz was wearing a bright red dress. She had no idea where Margot had obtained the gown, but once again it was a perfect fit. It had an open cowl back to it, with tiny spaghetti-like straps tied at the back of her neck. The dress was very fitted and a long split ran up to her mid-thigh allowing her just enough room to walk.
‘Colonel …’ began Fitz.
Hoffman held up his finger. ‘Ah, ah, ah,’ he scolded good humouredly. ‘It’s not Colonel. Remember, it’s Rolf now.’
‘Of course, I just didn’t want to be presumptuous,’ said Fitz with a giggle. Her stomach churned and she thought she was going to vomit for a moment. She could smell his aftershave and see a small nick on his jaw where he’d caught himself shaving. He wasn’t unattractive in looks, though, and Fitz found herself wondering if it wouldn’t be that bad having to sleep with him if necessary. She thought of the women who were distractions for the soldiers on the checkpoint. If they were prepared to do whatever it took, then she was, too. She leaned into the colonel. ‘I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again, Rolf,’ she said quietly, but offering a seductive smile. ‘Much more of you.’
She could see the German puff his chest out a fraction at the overtly flirtatious comment. ‘And I of you,’ he said.
As she sipped her drink, Fitz glanced around the room, catching sight of Margot. The Frenchwoman gave a small nod at Fitz and returned to her conversation with one of the women.
Fitz spent the meal sitting next to Hoffmann and fawning over him as much as was decent without it seeming too over the top, but certainly offering the right encouragement to him. This time, when he reached down for the napkin on his lap, he rested his hand on her thigh, his fingertips sliding open the split of her dress so he could stroke her stocking top.
There was no mistaking his intentions for later that evening and Fitz felt somewhat reassured. She sipped rather more wine than she had the previous night, in a bid to settle her nerves or to cover them. Any slip up, she could put down to the alcohol.
After dinner, rather than the men retiring to another room, they remained in the dining hall. Fitz was aware the atmosphere was more boisterous than it had been the previous evening. One of the officers was leaning back in his seat, with a woman each side cuddled up to him. He had loosened his tie and undone the top button on his shirt.
Fitz glanced down at Engel and was disappointed to see he looked as composed as he had when he’d first arrived. Fortunately, he hadn’t spoken to her other than to say hello and she hoped this was a good sign. But when his eyes locked on hers, an involuntary shiver ran down her spine. Hoffmann might have a reputation for his barbaric actions, but Engel’s cool and calm demeanour was equally chilling. She was sure making an enemy of Engel was far worse than it would be of Hoffmann. Engel smiled at her and raised his glass.
Fitz smiled back with a confidence she didn’t feel. She was just happy he wasn’t anywhere near her.
However, her respite was short-lived and very soon Philippe ushered his guests through to the ballroom where a string quartet was playing, and more alcohol was on offer.
‘How are you at dancing?’ asked Hoffman, taking Fitz’s hand in one of his and placing the other around her waist. Before she could even answer, he had whisked her into the centre of the room and straight into a waltz.
Thank heavens for the Badcombe House summer balls thought Fitz as she glided effortlessly around the dance floor. It wasn’t long before other couples joined in with the dancing. The chandelier sparkled overhead, and soft lighting illuminated the dark corners of the room. A fire had been lit in the large fireplace and a decorated Christmas tree stood next to it.
Fitz wasn’t sure her dress was ideal for twirling around for too long and was pleased when after only three dances the colonel seemed out of breath and in need of refreshment.
‘Don’t wear yourself out too soon,’ she said, running her hand down his arm. ‘We have a long night ahead of us.’
‘We do?’ Hoffmann kissed the side of her face. ‘I’m pleased to hear that.’
‘In fact,’ continued Fitz. She leaned into him to whisper in his ear. ‘If it gets too dull around here, we could go and see Madame Mimi.’
Hoffmann looked surprised. ‘Madame Mimi?’
‘Oh, don’t tell me you haven’t heard of her?’ said Fitz.
‘I have not,’ said Hoffmann. ‘Who is she?’
‘Let’s just say, she knows how to look after a man and his needs,’ said Fitz. ‘I’m sure a man like you will be able to handle the both of us.’
A deep guttural sound came from Hoffmann and he ran a finger around the inside of his collar. ‘I like the sound of Madame Mimi very much.’
‘Oh, good. It will be a fun evening after all,’ whispered Fitz. ‘These dinner parties are all right but they can be a little dull.’ She slipped her arm through Hoffmann’s and cosied up to him. This was going far more smoothly than she had anticipated. She’d thought Hoffmann might be resistant to the idea, but no, he was definitely game for it. Thank goodness.
She checked the clock. She had an hour to get Hoffmann out of the chateau and into the waiting car. As planned, a waiter approached them, carrying a silver tray with two champagne flutes on it. He offered it to Fitz first, who took both glasses. The one on her left was the one she had to give to Hoffmann. It was laced with some sort of drug that would impair Hoffmann’s co-ordination and thought process, so much so, it would make him open to suggestion and incapable of resisting. To the casual onlooker, he would appear very drunk.
Fitz handed the glass to Hoffmann, hoping that whoever had laced the drink hadn’t got muddled up, or it would be her who was rendered useless rather than Hoffmann and who knew what sort of trouble she could end up in.
‘Thank you,’ said Hoffmann, accepting the glass of champagne. He looked around as Philippe stood on a chair.
‘A toast!’ called out Philippe, holding his champagne flute in the air. ‘To our special guests this evening, Colonel Hoffmann. Heil Hitler!’
Echoes of Hoffmann and ‘ Heil Hitler!’ rang out around the room as everyone raised their glasses and then drank the champagne. Fitz wasn’t taking any chances and took the smallest of sips. She watched as Hoffmann gulped his down in one go.
‘I just need to use the bathroom,’ said Fitz, handing Hoffmann her full glass.
‘I’ll look after this for you,’ said Hoffmann with a laugh and proceeded to consume Fitz’s drink.
‘Oh, Rolf, I shall have to get myself another drink now,’ she said, pretending to pout but smiling at the colonel. She tapped his arm playfully. ‘Naughty boy. I shall have to take you to Madame Mimi’s and she will scold you herself.’
Hoffman’s eyes lit. ‘I can’t wait to meet Madame Mimi,’ he said, slurring his words a little. ‘When are we going?’
‘Oh, very soon,’ replied Fitz. ‘But first, I need to use the bathroom. Don’t go away, will you?’
‘I wouldn’t dream of it. Don’t be long,’ said Hoffmann and to Fitz’s surprise patted her bottom.
She giggled again. ‘Now, now, Rolf. Not here,’ she said, giving him a wink as she walked across the room. She knew he was watching and she gave an extra sway to her hips. She glanced at the clock. Only another hour and then she could get this insufferable man in the car and away from here. When she came back, she’d tempt him with some exaggerated stories of what to expect at Madame Mimi’s house. She tutted to herself at the ridiculous name but if it worked, then she really didn’t care.
Fitz loitered in the cloakroom for as long as she thought she could get away with, retouching her lipstick, which amazingly was almost the exact shade as her dress. What a shame she was wasting the gown on someone like Hoffmann.
An unexpected thought of Sam came to her, of when he had presented her with a red silk scarf one day, just before they were going out on his motorbike.
‘When I saw it, I thought of you,’ he’d said. ‘The colour is a perfect match for your lips.’ He had draped the scarf around her neck, pulling her into him, before kissing the life out of her. She blinked back the tears. The pain that she might have lost him was already slicing her heart in two. Why had she pushed him away? He was the best thing to have happened to her and yet, she had been too frightened to let him into her life fully. And now it might be too late to try to put that right. What an idiot she was.
She took a tissue from her purse and dabbed at her eyes. This was not the time to get maudlin about Sam. She was going to do whatever it was she needed to, to get Hoffmann out and into the car. She’d make Sam proud of her, even if he might never know.
After checking her make-up and reapplying her lipstick, Fitz left the cloakroom. As she crossed the main entrance hall, Engel appeared in front of her, blocking her path.
‘Oh, Walter,’ she said, plastering on a smile. ‘You startled me.’
‘My apologies. I wouldn’t want to do that,’ said Engel. Fitz went to step around the officer, but he moved in front of her again. ‘I wanted to speak to you,’ he said.
‘Really? Can it wait until tomorrow?’ said Fitz. ‘Only the colonel will be wondering where I’ve got to.’
Engel raised his eyebrows. ‘Will he? He seems rather inebriated to me. Almost like his drink has been spiked.’ His eyes locked with Fitz’s.
She held her nerve. ‘Why would someone do that?’ she said, attempting to sound perplexed.
‘To take advantage of him,’ replied Engel. He clasped his hands behind his back and looked up to the ceiling, as if deep in thought. ‘Maybe they wanted to get him so drunk, he would simply go with them. Whoever this person is.’ He made a rolling gesture with his hand. ‘Of course this is all hypothetically speaking. Isn’t it, Claudine ?’
Fitz didn’t like the way he emphasised her name. ‘Yes, hypothetically,’ she agreed, wary of where the conversation was heading. Engel was leading her blindfold down an alley, and any minute now he was going to ambush her, she was sure of it. But she had no choice.
‘I do wonder why they would want to take him, though,’ continued Engel. ‘Can you think of any reason?’
‘No. I can’t.’
‘I mean, no one would have the audacity to try to kidnap the colonel, now would they?’
Fitz gulped. ‘Kidnap? I can’t imagine anyone would attempt such a ridiculous idea.’
‘Absolutely,’ said Engel. ‘I’m glad you agree. Can you imagine the consequences for anyone making such an attempt? Besides getting themselves shot by a firing squad, they and their loved ones would have to be made an example of.’
Fitz had no idea where Engel had got this idea from. He couldn’t just be hedging his bets, could he? She noticed he was smiling and his gaze flicked to somewhere above and behind her. He gave a brief nod.
Fitz turned to follow Engel’s gaze.
There on the gallery landing was a German soldier. Standing in front of him was Yvette, clutching her teddy in her hand.
Fitz let out a gasp, swiftly followed by another as she watched in horror as the soldier picked Yvette up and sat her on the edge of the balustrade. Yvette’s feet dangled in thin air. She waved down at Fitz.
‘Claudine, look at me!’
Fitz was horrified but tried not to show her alarm to the child. She waved back before spinning around to face Engel. ‘She’s only a child. Don’t hurt her.’
‘Don’t worry. She is perfectly safe,’ said Engel. ‘That is until I give the command to let go of her.’ He gave a long whistle as he pointed his finger to the banister and then down to the ground.
‘Please, I beg you,’ said Fitz. ‘Don’t do that.’ She could hear the crack in her voice. She didn’t doubt that Engel would carry out his threat.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,’ he said. ‘I didn’t realise how fond of the child you are.’ He waved at the soldier who hoisted Yvette back to the safety of the landing.
Fitz let out a sigh of relief. She watched as the soldier led Yvette back down the hallway. ‘Bye, Claudine,’ she called.
‘ Bonne nuit ,’ called back Fitz, blowing a kiss to the child.
Yvette put her hand up in the air, making to grab the kiss. ‘Caught it!’ she called, smiling broadly, before disappearing out of sight.
‘How very touching,’ said Engel. He turned to look at Fitz, his face deadpan. ‘I hope I’m making myself clear,’ he said. ‘And just so that there is no doubt. If anything was to happen to the colonel, then the next time you see the child, you will wish you hadn’t. Understand?’
Fitz hesitated. To nod her understanding would be to admit her involvement. She was still sure Engel was working on a hunch rather than any hard evidence. She schooled her face into a frown. ‘I’m not sure I know what you mean, but I’m sure the colonel is very safe here surrounded by his men and as a guest of my cousin.’
Engel gave a snort. ‘I’m glad we understand each other. Now, as you say, you’d better get back to the colonel. He is anticipating a rather fun night, I believe.’
When Fitz walked back into the room, she saw Margot look at her and then look at Engel who was following on behind her. She looked neither surprised nor concerned, Fitz observed. Again that feeling of mistrust washed up in Fitz’s consciousness. She couldn’t work out Margot’s part in all this, never mind what her motives were.
Before she had time to consider it further, Hoffmann was upon her. The smell of alcohol on his breath was strong and he was unsteady on his feet. The drug that had been slipped into his drink had certainly taken effect. She looked at the clock above the mantelpiece. Very soon she would have to get Hoffmann outside and into the waiting car.
‘Let’s have one more dance,’ said Hoffman, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her towards him. Fitz slipped both hands around his neck and they began to sway from side to side in time to the music.
She caught sight of Engel over the shoulder of Hoffmann. He returned her look with a cool stare and mouthed one word at her.
‘Yvette.’