Chapter Thirty-five
Christine slipped the large amethyst ring onto her finger and looked at it under the light of the lamp. The rich purple of it sparkled, cooled by the soft luster of the pearls around it.
She remembered hearing Raoul and one of his Paris contacts speaking of Captain Orselli's death…how his body had been found lying along a desolate road outside of Rome. She remembered, too, hearing that it has been Orselli's widow…a beautiful woman named Ghislana Falerni…who had passed this ring onto members of the French resistance when she left Italy with an American friend.
Christine felt a sudden empathy for the unknown Ghislana, recalling the terrible emptiness her own soul drowned in when she thought Erik was lost for good.
She jumped a little, startled when Raoul put an arm around her waist and leaned down to kiss the curve of her shoulder.
"Christine, tomorrow morning I am going to speak to Erik."
She willed herself not to tense at both his words and the unexpected kiss.
"To Erik," she repeated, knowing the questioning tone must sound very dull.
Raoul sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled his wife onto his lap.
"Yes," he went on, running his fingers through her loosened curls, "I believe Monsieur Philippe was correct. And, if he was…if Erik has those letters of transit, then he is our best chance for getting out of Casablanca. After tonight, after the way you humiliated Major Hetzner, I don't think we can afford to waste much time."
How can I do this…how can I talk to him like this…to talk about Erik as if he were a stranger…a passing acquaintance…
"And if he isn't willing to help you?"
"I hope he will, Christine," Raoul answered as his hand slid beneath the lace of her nightgown to cup her breast, "for your sake."
"What do you mean, Raoul? For my sake?"
"You see, Christine, if Erik doesn't have those letters…or if he won't sell them to me…then our option will be for you to appeal to Inspector Giry. They say he is very fond of pretty young women."
"Raoul, are you asking me to…"
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that, darling," Raoul said, kissing her and drawing her down beneath him on the bed.
Later, when Raoul finally slept beside her, Christine watched the room's thin white curtains flutter against the latticed window screens.
I can't live like this…I can't keep betraying my own heart and soul every day and every night. I'll do what I must to help Raoul leave Casablanca…but I will stay here…I can't leave Erik again…even if he doesn't want me…I can't leave him again.
A quick author's note...the Captain Gaetano Orselli/Ghislana Falerni/amethyst ring references are a nod to "The Cardinal," a novel I am very fond of.