Pier Mêlées, Pier Mêlées, Robert kept repeating to himself. The last three hours before the plane left had been a blur. Now as he sat on the plane he tried to remember the name of one of Sophie's friends who would be taking the limo to Sophie's house with them.
"Who was that?" Vittoria asked.
"What?"
"Who was that, the person you said 'I love you' to. Who was that?"
Robert knew this question was coming.
"Um that was Sophie Neveu."
"That French girl who got you in trouble with the law, bad seed, are you still keeping in tough with her?"
"Yes, and she's not a bad seed, she never got me in trouble with the law. If anything she got me out of trouble. Did you know she also returns my calls, odd concept." Robert said sarcastically. Vittoria frowned.
"You're not very funny."
"I'm just saying. You could have been the person on the other line I was saying 'I love you' to, but you chose not to be. It's to late know."
Vittoria knew he was right, but yet she still couldn't believe he was showing no signs of desire for her. She didn't think he was really over her yet.
"Robert, there's something I have to tell you."
"What, you had twins?" Robert said sarcastically.
"No um," Vittoria was cut off.
"Please buckle your seat belts, the plane will be landing soon."
This message was repeated in French and English. Robert sighed; the feeling of falling made him remember the time he was stuck in an elevator shaft which scarred him for life. Now he was nervous any time he was in an enclosed space, or when he felt like he was on an elevator. His knuckles were turning purple he was clinging on to the arm rest so hard. A hand touched his.
"You'll be fine." Vittoria said.
Robert smiled, he needed a sympathetic gesture.
Robert stood watching all the people greet loved ones that were flying in for the holidays. He thought of Sophie, hopefully we won't have to travel to see each other any more, he thought. As he stood questions ran through his mind. Will she say yes, will she come live on Massachusetts with me or will I have to quit my job and move out here with her, what will happen when she find out I have a child? Robert started to sweat, calm down Romeo, he told himself.
"Shhh, it's ok." Vittoria coddled the crying baby as they stood in terminal B.
"Is that girls friend here yet, Elizabeta needs to sleep."
"If you're going to be a guest at her house you have to show some respect. He should be here soon."
"Where is her house?"
"Just outside Paris, a limo will be picking us up."
"This chick has some money."
"She was her grandfathers life, when he died he left her everything." Even a life altering secret, Robert thought.
"Is this the man?" Vittoria asked.
"I think so."
A man in a black suit walked toward them and put out his hand.
"Hello I'm Pier Mêlées. Sophie told me to meet a Robert Langdon at terminal five; you're him if I'm not mistaken."
"Yes, hello; Sophie was crying when I answered the phone this morning, could you possibly tell me why?"
"Sophie can tell you what really happened, but I'll tell you two things that I would probably have to answer on the way there. One, I'm wearing black for a reason, and two there will be a hurse following us to Sophie's house, please don't ask why, it's much two painful."
"I'm so sorry." Robert said, "Come I think the limo is this way."
Robert led them across shops, and past security guards till they reached the northern exit.
"The limo should be right over here." Robert and Pier put their luggage in the back of the limo as Vittoria slid in cradling Elizabeta back and forth in her arms.
"Hello Robert." Said the limo driver, it was always the same man.
"Hello Jon, how's business?"
"Better than ever, I still make time for you and Sophie though. Jacques was a dear friend of mine; he would want me to take care of you two. I see you have some friends."
"Oh yes, this is Pier, and this is Vittoria and her child Elizabeta."
"Hello, shall we be on our way."
"Yes sir."
"Sophie sure knows how to pick um." The driver smiled. Robert laughed.
"Actually it was her grandfather who brought us together."
"Old Jacques, still a great matchmaker, even from the grave; you know he introduced me to my wife."
"So I've heard; how is she?"
"She's splendid, you're actually my last passengers for today, and after this we're going to visit my son in London."
"Well, safe travels and happy holidays."
Robert rolled up the window.
"You're friendly with the bus driver I see." said Pier, "do you always do that?"
"I'm sorry, do what?"
"Separate yourself from somebody when you want them to shut up, and leave you alone."
"Excuse me; I wasn't trying to shut him up." Both men leered at each other; Robert could tell he wasn't going to like this guy.
"Who's up for some soda?" Vittoria asked, trying to break the tension.
The rest of the way there, nobody spoke. Even Elizabeta was quiet.
Back in Egypt Tomas sighed. I'm definitely loosing my job he thought.
"And you sent it to France with Pier why!" The director of operations was screaming at him.
"Pier told me to sir, he was on his knees when I found him. He was crying. It must have been someone he knew." His explanation didn't amuse the director.
"Where is Pier now?"
"In France, he should be at his friend's house soon. Should I have my men try and contact him?"
"Not till later, I want to find out who this girl is and why her corpse is in France."
A moment later their question was answered.