Chapter 2 – A Chance Encounter

Actor went to his Mayfair flat, closed the door behind him and let out a sigh of relief as he put his bags on the floor. He walked round to check if there had been any bomb damage and once he was satisfied everything was alright he went into the living room, opened the walnut drinks' cabinet, took out a cut crystal wine glass and a bottle of Merlot, a quick twist of the corkscrew and the deep red liquid swirled into his glass. Actor raised the drink and breathed in the rich aroma, he put the glass down to let the wine breath for a minute as he went through his record collection. He pulled out a copy of Billie Halliday's 'What a Little Moonlight Can Do', placed it on the record player and listened to her expressive voice as he selected some more records to play. These were the ladies he was going to spend time with over the next week, he knew Casino would be disappointed in him but he didn't care if his reputation as a ladies' man took a slight dent, he was mentally and physically exhausted after the last mission and he needed time to recover on his own, doing what he liked.

He picked up his glass and took a sip as he dialled one of the many numbers he knew by heart, The Berkeley Hotel. "Hello, this is Count Mancini … Why thank you, yes it is nice to talk to you again... I would like to book a table for one for dinner tonight at eight... Thank you." He sat down in a comfortable chair, leaned back, sipped his wine and listened to the music – bliss!

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The Berkeley had started life some three hundred years previously as a coffee house on the busy corner of Piccadilly and Berkeley Street. At the turn of the century it became popular with debutantes and their beaus, the girls' parents also approved as The Berkeley's staff kept a close eye on their daughters' reputations. In the 1920s it was one of the first hotels in London to introduce air condition – a new development to ensure their customers' comfort. Actor strolled nonchalantly in and was immediately greeted by the Maitre d'hotel. "My dear Count, welcome back. I have taken the liberty of reserving your favourite table."

Actor gave the man his best smile and cast a quick eye round at the clientele, no debutantes here tonight, not that he was in the mood for that sort of company. "Thank you Evans, I think I'll order an apéritif first."

"Of course Count." Evans gestured to the bar and lead the way, pleased that the Count had remembered his name even though he hadn't been there for months.

Actor sat on a stool and ordered a Negroni, he watched the barman measure out Campari, gin and vermouth into a cocktail shaker, he added ice and gave it a vigorous shake before pouring the drink into a crystal glass. The tall Italian sipped his apéritif and scanned the other people sitting around the bar. A group of four men sitting at a table attracted his attention, they seemed furtive as one moment they were talking and then stopping as someone came near, he narrowed his eyes as his well-honed senses kicked into gear telling him something was going on.

One of the men had his back towards the conman, he turned to talk to a waiter and Actor's heart jumped as he recognised him. Houplain! What was he doing here in England? The last time he'd seen him was in Nice. "Merda" he thought, "Can't I have at least one day off?" He called Evans over and pointed to the table next to the group. "I think I'd like to sit over there tonight if you don't mind."

Evans bobbed and nodded. "Certainly Count."

Actor was confident Houplain wouldn't recognise him, he'd been disguised as a Swiss art expert in order to con a rich man out of his small but valuable collection while attending a party at his house. Two months' of careful planning had gone up in smoke when Houplain and his gang turned up and robbed everyone at gunpoint. Actor had to stand with the rest of the victims and watch as the thieves took everything whether it was of value or not – the man clearly had no class at all!

Actor sat down, picked up the menu and ordered a Filet mignon, he shook out the newspaper he'd taken from the bar and pretended to read it as he concentrated on what the men on the next table were talking about. At first they were wary of their neighbour and made a few derogatory remarks about him in French to see if he understood, Actor relaxed and didn't react, he knew this trick all too well.

The man sitting closest to him turned round and asked in French. "Excusez-moi, what do you recommend to eat?"

Actor looked up and gave Houplain a quizzical look, he replied in his best English accent. "I'm sorry, I don't understand, do you speak English?"

The man shrugged and shook his head. "I don't know what you are saying, you ugly son of a whore."

Actor smiled politely and pointed at the Maitre d'. "Can I get someone to translate for you?"

The man waved a dismissive hand and turned back to his companions. "He doesn't understand what we're talking about."

Actor took out a pen and started to fill in the crossword in the paper. "Carry on thinking that," he thought.

Over the next hour Actor listened as the four men discussed their plan, he ate his dinner as he concentrated on the crossword, dessert, coffee and brandy followed as he mentally noted every word spoken. As he stood up to leave one of the men gestured to him and asked in broken English. " Excusez-moi Monsieur, is zat today's journal - how you say paper? I have not read it."

Actor gave the man a broad grin as he handed it over. "Of course, I'm sorry I've already finished the crossword."

The man smiled. "My English, it is not good enough to do the crossword yet, but I try."

Actor walked to the bar and watched as the man scanned through the newspaper to see if he'd written any notes about their conversation, satisfied he folded it up and laid it aside. "I'm not that stupid," thought the conman.

An hour later Houplain and his accomplices walked of the hotel, they strolled down Berkeley Street, turned left and walked on. They took a few more turns, each time watching to see if anyone was following before heading towards a large building. They stood outside, smoking and looking for any signs of a tail before walking inside. A silent figure emerged from the shadows across the street and crossed over, Actor entered the foyer and noted the floor that the elevator stopped at. He smiled, turned and left to go back to his flat, those lessons Chief had given him on how to follow someone without being seen had proven very useful!

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As soon as he got back to his flat Actor got out a pen and paper, sat at a table and started to jot down what he'd overheard. He got out a map of London, pored over it and made more notes. He sat back, tapped his lip with his pen and mused over whether to leave Houplain and his gang alone and let them carry out their plan or put a spoke in his plans just as the Frenchman had done to his in Nice. He did owe the robber a debt of honour and it would only be good manners to pay it back.

Actor put down his pen, sat back and smiled – this was right up Goniff and Casino's alley, he was sure they'd jump at the chance to have a little extracurricular activity even if they were on leave, after all a change was as good as a rest he thought.