"Good morning, Florian." Solomon stepped back and let his friend enter the small apartment. "I wasn't expecting you so early."
"Ray and the others left at six," Florian offered as explanation. Normally he'd maintain a conversation, but he didn't have the energy. He hadn't slept, not wanting to lose even a minute of his last night with Ray. He suspected it was the first of many sleepless nights to come.
"I don't think either of us should leave without some coffee." Solomon had already laid out a place setting for Florian, so he filled the waiting cup with strong black coffee before refilling his own. Watching Florian drain the cup without adding sugar confirmed Solomon's suspicions that it was going to be a difficult day.
"Where would you like to start?" Solomon asked, pushing away his empty cup and plate to make room for the newspaper. It was yesterday's edition, but it would give them an idea of the lodgings available.
"I have no idea," Florian confessed. He'd accepted the toast Solomon had offered but had taken one bite before setting it aside. While Solomon finished his breakfast, Florian had waited, not moving, or speaking. Even now he was unnaturally quiet and still, speaking in short sentences and offering none of the smiles or small gestures that Solomon was used to seeing.
"It might cost a bit more, but you might want to consider a hotel rather than a boarding house. They would provide your meals and some light housekeeping and would offer more privacy." Solomon cleared his throat trying to find the best way to ask the next question; it was never easy to ask about another person's finances, but for Florian it was likely to be a very sensitive subject.
"This is to be my monthly allowance," Florian took a check from the inner pocket of his jacket, unfolded it, and set it on the table. "Can I afford a hotel?"
"Perhaps not the ones you are used to, but yes, this will allow you a room in a decent hotel."
"Do you think there will be anything left, or must I spend it all?"
"We'll know the answer to that once we've visited these hotels." Solomon tapped the newspaper. He had marked a few listings yesterday after Ray had asked him to help Florian find lodging. Ray hadn't explained the situation, had simply said that he would be traveling while Florian remained in Paris. Solomon suspected that it was much more serious than Ray indicated and Florian's shell-shocked appearance and manner confirmed that suspicion.
"Thank you for helping me," Florian said, reaching out to Solomon but not touching his hand as he usually would. Solomon did it for him, resting his hand on Florian's for a moment. He half expected to see tears, but Florian remained dry-eyed and formally polite.
"I'm glad to help," Solomon told him, hoping that Florian would understand the full meaning of that offer.
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"This is the nicest we've seen," Florian commented as he and Solomon left the third hotel. The first one had been decent, the second less so. This one was a little more expensive but offered large comfortable rooms with maid service and a varied menu.
"Florian?" A booming deep voice interrupted their conversation. Florian gave Solomon a wide-eyed look before his expression smoothed into one of polite interest. He turned to greet the large auburn-haired gentleman who had passed them just a moment before. "It is you." The man gripped Florian's upper arms and brushed a kiss against each cheek before letting him go.
"Claude," Florian returned the greeting pleasantly. "Allow me to introduce my friend, Solomon Sugar." Claude eyed Solomon with a combination of curiosity and disdain. When he turned his attention to Florian again, there was a slight manner of self-satisfaction in his voice.
"Lost your Count, have you? No wonder we haven't see much of you this season."
"So sorry to disappoint but not everyone has unlimited time for parties. How is Alicia? Has she found her way back from Spain?"
"Love to stay and chat but I'm late for an appointment. We'll have dinner soon." With the barest of nods, Claude brushed past them and entered the hotel they had just left.
"Friend of yours?" Solomon teased. He'd never seen Florian look daggers at anyone before.
"Hardly," Florian dismissed the matter lightly but there was something in his manner that told Solomon not to press the matter.
"Shall we continue?" Solomon gestured in the direction of the next lodging option on their list. He wasn't surprised when Florian suggested they get a drink at a nearby café instead.
"This isn't going to work," Florian told Solomon once they had been served their coffee. "If I stay in Paris, there will be more of that."
"You could stay with me," Solomon offered, although he knew it was a bad idea. He had one narrow bed and an uncomfortable sofa.
"I may take you up on that offer," Florian teased, although his voice was flat, and it wasn't funny. "Would you mind if we ended our quest for lodging for the day? There are some things I need to do at hom… at Ray's."
"It's fine," Solomon assured him, although he sensed it wasn't fine at all. The accidental meeting with Claude couldn't have happened at a worse time. He just hoped that whatever foolish decision Florian made could be dealt with before Ray returned.
Florian insisted on paying for their coffees and the men parted ways outside the café. Solomon watched Florian walk away until he was lost in the crowd. Solomon considered following the man from a distance but finally turned in the opposite direction and walked home. He didn't see Florian for a week.
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