Now Eyal was on to the next leg of the mission - locate Prewitt Laroche's diamond smuggling route/cache and destroy. He rented a dark, average looking BMW and headed to the hotel, Paris Porte de Chatillon and checked in. His room was nice - too bad he was working and not vacationing. Called Lawrence Carter to see if he had made it to Paris, just leaving London and will be there in two hours. Eyal next checked with Eliam and was amazed at the wealth of information Eliam had for them. The last purchase Laroche was two plane tickets from Paris to Nice, France for a flight leaving the next day. Great -Eyal and Lawrence were in luck.
Lawrence arrived and Eyal meeting him at the airport with a quick debrief - they planned for Lawrence to catch the same flight to Nice, get eyes on Laroche and follow his movements. Eyal would check out the places where he had made purchases of some things in and around Paris, some very nice items at extremely expensive places. Their thoughts were to locate Laroche art storage which would be a high possibility of his diamond stash. Each with their assignment and loads of intel headed out for dinner, a little more planning. Eyal and Lawrence enjoyed a nice dinner of marvelous French cuisine and ready to start their mission. Eyal did so enjoy the times spent in France and the food.
The next day, Lawrence had no trouble spotting Prewitt Laroche but the woman with him did not look like the picture Eliam had of Laroche's wife. Oh yes, a mistress, expensive gifts, the French Rivera - Laroche was living the good life. The plane arrived in Nice, Laroche had to rent a car which helped Lawrence - as they stood in line next to each other and Lawrence watched as the clerk showed Laroche a map and marked the route to the Le Méridien Nice hotel on the beach. Lawrence rented a car, booked a cheaper hotel in the city.
Both Laroche and Lawrence waited for their cars to be brought to them - good Laroche car was first and Lawrence got the license plate number. After Lawrence got his car, he took his time driving to the Le Méridien Nice hotel garage where he was able to find Laroche rental car. It only took a second to attach a tracking device to the car, check the receiver and everything was good to go. One thing for sure, Mossad and MI6 put people in the field with the best equipment. All was calm that evening as Laroche and his mistress stayed in the hotel.
Mean while, Eyal had driven to Nanterre, a western suburb of Paris and found the hotel where Prewitt had stayed the night before. It was just an average hotel and Eyal quickly found a hotel maid that remembers Prewitt Laroche.
"Yes I remember him. He is you might say a regular customer, leaves a big tip and I take it as being hush money." The maid handing the picture of Laroche back to Interpol Agent George Yiokas.
"When was the gentleman last here?"
"Last night and he is no gentleman. He always brings this pretty blonde with him and last night they had a heated argument and he struck her across the face." The maid look down the hall to see if anyone was watching, "I'm thinking he is a married man and that is his mistress with an expensive large diamond and emerald ring on her finger, something our normal customers don't wear."
"Very well maybe right because I know for a fact his wife in a brunette." Eyal with his charming grin, "Do you think we can get an address or even the registration card?"
"Sure, I'll go ask André, our desk clerk."
Eyal was able, with the help of the maid, to get an address from the registration cards. Seems like the hotel desk clerk had a thing for the maid, a cute brunette in her twenties. The name on the registration was fake but the address was an apartment building in Nanterre, just on the other side of town.
"Thank you for all your help." Eyal with his charming smile kissed the maid's hand and departed, on his way across town.
There was a group of six buildings with four apartments in each building. He figured that the blonde was not married but had a roommate - that is way Laroche would shack up with her in a nearby hotel. Checking the mail boxes, apartments that she could be living in. Here we go - Eyal with his Interpol badge and bogus ID that was standard for him to carry on many missions. He knocked on the first door, a chubby middle-aged woman answer, Eyal showed his badge and ID (George Yiokas) and the woman seemed to feel important to have an Interpol agent asking her questions. She asked Eyal to come; it was a nice small and very neat apartment with photographs of her and a younger woman, also chubby and curly dark hair.
"Agent Yiokas is it."
"Please call me George, Agent Yiokas is so impersonal." Eyal picking up the picture of the younger woman, "This your daughter?"
"Yes, Leala is my daughter and a nurse at the local hospital. I'm very proud of her, she worked as a waitress to put herself through school."
"Very impressive indeed." Eyal putting the picture back in place. "I'm looking for a young blonde that I believe lives in this building but I'm sorry I don't have a name. She wears a large diamond and emerald ring."
"That would be Chantal Blanc and she lives with her roommate in apartment 4. She is such a sweet person, a singer and actress. The other one is a legal aid for a law firm in Nanterre. Chantal is a nice, polite girl from Provines trying to break into show business. She works with a theatrical troupe out of Paris."
"You have been very helpful and thank you kindly."
"She not in any trouble is she. Such a pleasant person."
"No she is not but she may have information we need and doesn't know it." He thanked the lady again and moved on to flat #4.
A tall thin girl with silky black hair and striking black eyes answered the door. Eyal showed her his badge and asked if Chantal Blanc was home.
"No, she left early this morning on a booking with her theater troupe in Nice for two weeks." Answered the roommate.
"I have a few questions you may help me with, may I come in?"
She looking at his badge and ID closely and motioned to enter. "I'm Chantal Blanc roommate, Cidney Rousseau and how I may be of help?"
"I need to speak with Chantal about a gentleman she knows. She is not in any conflict with Interpol but may have important information."
"I knew it. I just knew it. Yes she has been seeing someone but being very secretive about the affair. I believe he must be married." Cidney looked away for a moment, "The troupe she is with is playing an engagement at the La Orleans an upscale night club on the beach at Nice."
The roommate went on to tell Eyal that she knew Chantal was seeing someone but didn't know the man's name, just figured he was married and he gave Chantal very expensive gifts, a diamond and emerald ring, clothes for some of the best designers houses in France and a small car - she didn't know what kind - maybe a Renault, but it was red and looked boxy.
"Does Chantal have a bruise on her face?"
"Yes, it happened last night and also on her arm. Chantal claims she had fallen but I didn't buy the story. Whoever this man is he is a real ... I shouldn't use the word I'm thinking about. Chantal is a sweet, loving and trusting woman. She deserves better."
Eyal again assured her that Chantal was not in type of legal trouble, thank her for the time and left. He called Lawrence saying they needed to get the license plate number of Chantal Blanc small red car - also that he was on his way to Nice as well because he has found the weak link - Chantal Blanc, Laroche mistress, a blonde actress.
Lawrence couldn't help but laugh at Eyal's news. "Oh we can have a big family reunion - Laroche current mistress is a light brunette he has with him in Nice."
"It should be fun, and by the way, make reservations for us a La Orleans for tomorrow night."
Lawrence still laughing, "Awe, you are finally asking me for a date."
"Smart Ass!"
It was a bright beautiful day on the French Rivera as Lawrence played baby sitter to Laroche and his brunette girlfriend. They entertained Lawrence with the afternoon on the beach, showing their steaming affection for each other and Lawrence was gladly clicking pictures. He was thinking what a hell of a way to make living following cheating husbands around - wearisome. Eyal arrived about 5:00 in the afternoon, to meet up with Lawrence. They decided to leave the love birds to themselves and did some sightseeing. At had dinner, Eyal looked at the pictures and they joked about maybe black mailing Laroche.
It was about 9:00 pm when they arrived at La Orleans, a large night club in the entertainment section of Nice along the beach. Traffic was heavy and people were strolling along the streets, bright lights advertising different establishments, a fun holiday atmosphere all around. There is currently a renaissance in the French and German cabaret style and the La Orleans was one of the best new trend. The night club had been renovated to resemble the 1930's cabarets with a stage, big band section and tables for four and six guest. It was dimly lit and talented musicians playing fantastic big band swing music. The show that evening was the musical Cabaret that has played Broadway and later made into a movie starring Liza Minnelli, Michael York and Joel Grey.
Eyal and Lawrence were seated near the stage at a table for four. A couple from Stuttgart, Germany was seated with them. Lawrence had heard them speaking German to each other before being seated, so Lawrence introduced him and Eyal in German as being on holiday from Berlin.
"Damn Lawrence, you went ahead and made us a couple - now we have to play the part but don't expect me to play patty crotch with you." Eyal whispered in English to Lawrence, leaning very close to him so only Lawrence could hear.
Lawrence in German so the other couple could hear, " Später in der nacht mein liebling." (Later to night my love)
They chatted in German until the show started. The lights dimmed further, Lawrence slipped his chair closer to Eyal with an adoring look. The man put his arm around his wife's shoulder and Eyal slipped his arm on the back of Lawrence's chair - that was as much as the two could play the gay couple.
Chantal Blanc played Sally Bowles, the part that Liza Minnelli had in the movie. The evening was very entertaining and Chantal was marvelous in the part of Sally. After the production was over, the actors and actresses came down and mingled with the audience, pushing drinks. The swing band started playing and the stage rolled away to a dance floor. Eyal notice one of the actress was free, and he got up and asked her to dance. While they were dancing, he found out that the troupe would leave the floor at 1:00 and let the party goers continue on for the rest of the night.
Returning to the table, the German woman asked with a puzzled look on her face. "You were dancing with a woman?"
"Yeah, my partner is an awful dancer and I love to dance." Eyal smiled at her. "Besides he is over talking with other folks, that's he's thing, mixing and mingling."
Lawrence's mingling had also found out the same from bartender and also the troupe cars were in a lot a block away. Lawrence paid the tap and they left just before 1 o'clock.
It wasn't hard to find Chantal's car, it was a new red Renault - nice gift. Eyal and Lawrence waited for her. As she approached them, she reached into her purse for pepper spray. Eyal held up his Interpol badge and ID himself.
"We would like to ask you some questions about Prewitt Laroche."
"Have no idea who you are talking about. Please let me by." Chantal trying to walk pass Lawrence.
"We know different." Lawrence picked up her hand with the diamond and emerald ring, "A nice gift from Laroche and so is the car."
"Thirty minutes of you time, that's all we are asking and then you can go about your business." Eyal with his most charming smile and twinkle in his eyes; now we all know how Eyal is with the ladies, don't we?"
"I don't know what I can tell you."
"There is an all night coffee shop in the next block and we'll buy you coffee and chat." Eyal taking her gently by the arm. "You may know more than you think."
The little coffee shop was nice and few people were there, a bit early for nursing one too many with a great cup of coffee. They found a quiet table and Eyal order Cafe au Lait for the three of them. Under the lights of the shop, the bruises showed under heavy makeup.
"Laroche did that to you?" Eyal slowly reach to her face but not touching it?"
"I fell."
"The maid at the hotel where you and Laroche stayed told me different. Said you and him are regular customers there." Eyal try to soften the questioning but without much luck.
"I'm not a hooker."
"I'm not implying that. You happen to have fallen for a married man and that doesn't make you a bad person." Eyal looking to Lawrence for a little help.
"Being in love is not a crime. You are a sweet person by all we hear and just giving your affections to married man." Lawrence with a calming tone.
"Did you know Laroche is now in Nice?" Eyal lifting his coffee cup to his lips.
"No, oh no he is not. He is in Lyons with his wife for the week." Chantal still protect her lover.
Lawrence reaching into his coat pocket, "Please take a good look at these. I took them this afternoon on the beach." He showed her the pictures he had taken and Chantal quietly looked at each picture in detail, noticing the time and date stamp.
"That Bastard!" Was her first words. "Yeh, he had given me the bruises but had made it up saying he was sorry and sent me a diamond bracelet." She turned her head wrapping away the tears that welled up in her eyes. Turn back to Eyal and Lawrence after a few minutes of gaining her composure; she was willing to tell them anything they wanted to know. The conversation lasted for more than an hour and they found out all they needed. Why is it cheating men are so loose lip and trusting with their mistresses?
Laroche has an office at the Societe Generale Plaza Bank building, suite 625 were he has a sliding bookcase with a large safe behind the bookcase. That over a month ago, he had her to rent warehouse storage in La-Calle-Saint-Cloud under a false name, not far from her home in Nanterre. That he would make numerous trips to the warehouse, saying that their ship was coming in because of the warehouse. She had overheard him talking with someone about a shipping date at a port in Taulon-La-Seyne and yes he could make the delivery. The delivery date was later that week and Taulon-La-Seyne was a three-hour drive from Nice.
Eyal and Lawrence were after diamonds and found something else - maybe more lucrative then diamond smuggling.
"You have been exceedingly helpful and we thank you. Please keep our meeting to yourself as it would surely keep you out of harm's way from Laroche." Eyal with his amiable manner.
"That's something you don't have to worry about, I'm finished with him. May I have those pictures?"
"Of course and may I ask why." Lawrence handing the pictures to Chantal.
"His wife should also see them."