Chapter Fifty
Almost no words were spoken among them as Erik drove them to the airport.
From time to time, Christine saw Raoul turn to look anxiously at the road behind them.
At the first opportunity, she tucked her hand into her pocket. She bit back a little cry of surprise as her fingers closed around something cold and hard.
Inspector Giry pulled off the blindfold Sam Reyer had tied over his face before yanking him out of the storage closet of La Belle Reve.
He found himself in a deserted street near the red light district.
His legs were stiff from the hours spent in the closest, but he didn't let that stop him from hurrying towards his office.
He knew he would find Major Hetzner there. He had given the German officer free use of his quarters.
As he held open the car's door, Christine tried to meet Erik's eyes.
Was Sam acting on his orders?
He did not look at her as Raoul's arm found her shoulders and they followed Erik into the small building near the landing strip.
Inside, a tired-looking policeman sat playing cards with a pilot.
"Evening, Jacques," he said, pushing some folded franc notes into the man's hand.
He wasn't sure how much silence the money would buy. He only needed enough time to see them safely to the plane.
"Henri, is everything ready," he asked the pilot.
Heni Palante rose and took the money Erik offered him. Only the promise of such a generous fee had made him agree to the flight to Lisbon. He was well aware that there were certain people who would prefer to see this de Chagny fellow remain in Casablanca.
"I'll bring the plane out to the runway. Have your things ready."
Back outside, Erik gave Raoul the keys to the car.
"Find someone to help you bring your bags to the plane. I want to say goodbye to your wife."
The commanding tone of his voice left Raoul with no chance to object.
He took the keys and left Christine with Erik.
The heavy car shot towards the airport, the small red flags with their black swastikas snapping in the wind.
When Inspector Giry informed him of the overheard plans at La Belle Reve, Major Hetzner did not bother to call for his driver or his men.
He had no intention of letting de Chagny leave Casablanca alive. That pretty wife of his…and that masked nightclub owner…they would pay for humiliating him in front of his men.
He had plans for both of them.