‘Didn’t you say one of your theories was the aunt and uncle might have arranged the kidnapping?’ Violet asked.
‘I did. Clementine and Mason Bell are suspects. Family almost always is in a missing person case. But if it is true that Clementine Bell is responsible for her niece’s disappearance, she’s a better actor than any we saw on stage tonight. Clementine seemed so devastated in the park last week.’
Violet threaded her fingers through Charlie’s and squeezed. ‘So if it’s not the aunt, then who’s the monster? The uncle?’
‘He was in Dallas.’
‘He’s rich. Could he have hired someone? Or acted in conjunction with Clementine … sounds like the perfect ruse to keep their hands clean?’
‘Agreed. I’m going to stay close to the Bells. Something’s off. The parents are not able to travel, the aunt is chaperone … We don’t know why Maisy is missing. Is she being held against her will or did Maisy Bellchooseto disappear? For a while, at least? My problem with Maisy deliberately staying away is that she’s a Southern girl. And in my core sample of two Southern women—Lady Ashworth and Clementine Bell—manners and etiquette are paramount. Maisy told her aunt she was going with a mancalled Louis to visit a villa near Saint-Cloud and listen to Wagner. Then she sent a telegram saying she was staying the night. Then nothing … The next note was a ransom note.’
‘So how’re you going to find Maisy?’
‘No idea. And I have no idea how to tease the monster out of the castle either …’
Violet leaned over and tapped the program. ‘Do it the same way the monsters do in fairytales. The witch in Hansel and Gretel used sweets. Bluebeard used diamonds and precious jewels.’
‘I like your thinking.’
‘Find the lure, Charlie! Maisy Bell’s kidnappers wanted money. Offer them money. In a big, shiny, public way.’ Violet pressed her finger into her dimples and said with a cheeky smile, ‘Now, how would I dangle that diamond to lure the monster out of the castle? If only I knew someone with access to a daily international newspaper!’
‘Noted.’ Charlie turned back to the stage where Bluebeard had shaken his fist in fury, a monster in full flight. She knew what she needed to write in the paper tomorrow. One way or another, Charlie James was going to tease the monster out of the darkness.
Aleksandr chuckled and shook his head at the two women. His eyes twinkled with affection. ‘And I thought we were just having a lovely night at the opera, drinking champagne and showing the world some of my dresses.’
The Times, August 1938
Charlie James, Paris correspondent
Reward offered for Maisy Bell missing person case
US nationals Dolly and Jimmy Bell, together with the Cité Metro Police, the American Embassy, the American Consulate in Paris and the Sûreté nationale of Paris have announced a reward for information regarding the suspicious disappearance of 22-year-old American tourist Maisy Bell. A 10,000-franc reward will be issued for information that leads to her safe return.
Maisy Bell was reported missing on 10 August after she failed to return to the Hotel Ritz, Paris, where she had been staying with her aunt, Miss Clementine Bell.
Police were told Miss Maisy Bell went with a male companion, a suspected Swiss national who went by the name of ‘Louis’, to visit a villa near Saint-Cloud.
There have been numerous reported sightings of Miss Bell in both Saint-Cloud and Paris since her last official sighting, but none has been confirmed.
As enquiries continue, the Metro Police are renewing their appeal to the community, particularly residents of the Saint-Cloud region and guests and staff of the Hotel Ritz, Paris.
Officer Rose of the Metro Police said any new leads would be thoroughly examined by detectives.
Mason Bell, uncle of Miss Maisy Bell and representative of the family, has been scathing about the investigation. ‘My niecegraduated from Barnard and is a thoughtful young woman. She is incapable of the acts insinuated by the local constabulary. This is no folly or game, and certainly no publicity stunt. We just want our beautiful Maisy home safe and sound. Please help.’
Chapter 9
CHEZ GEORGES BISTRO, PARIS
In the days following the failed ransom drop, the opera and the subsequent reward offer inThe Times, Charlie had thrown all her energy into chasing up every lead on Maisy Bell. She enquired about every restaurant sighting and responded to every obvious chancer who was calling in for a hefty reward. But the world was still spinning and stories about the weather, fashion and the economy still needed to be written. Meanwhile, Maisy Bell’s trail seemed to be slipping away.
A week had passed since the failed ransom exchange at Luxembourg Gardens. Two days since the reward offer was published. Charlie had called Inspecteur Bernard and asked to meet for an update about Maisy Bell. He had declined, until she’d persuaded him to make time during luncheon at his preferred restaurant. It was time to break bread.
Charlie opened the door to Chez Georges and stepped around tiny, checked tablecloth–covered tables topped with jars of fresh-cut roses to the far corner, where Inspecteur Bernard sat at his favourite table. A breadbasket filled with pieces of baguette sat in the middle alongside a small carafe of white wine and two wineglasses.
‘Bonjour, Mademoiselle James—Charlie!’ said Bernard, quickly correcting himself as he stood to greet her with a handshake.
‘Bonjour, Inspecteur,’ replied Charlie, hooking the strap of her satchel over the back of her chair and taking a seat.