anthroess1999

@@@@@ ?Oh?? At his words the stranger?s eyes briefly widened, almost as if there had been recognition that was quickly hidden ?Pardon, we have met, monsieur?? ?I don?t believe so,? replied the old man in the silly white cap?But we?ve all heard the rumors A great French hero is among the guestsThe accidents of war when we were all much youngerJean Pierre FontaineBrendan Patrick?? ?A pleasure to make your acquaintance, monsieur Both men shook hands?This is a lovely place, is it not?? ?Simply beautiful Again the stranger seemed to be studying him, thought Fontaine, yet, oddly enough, avoiding any prolonged eye contact?Well, I must be on my way,? added the elderly guest in the brand-new white shoes ?Moi aussi,? said Jean Pierre, purposely speaking French, which evidently had an effect on the stranger?Toujours le m?decin ? notre age, n?est-ce pas?? ?All too true,? replied the old man with the bony legs, nodding and making the gesture of a wave as he turned and walked rapidly up the path Fontaine stood motionless watching the receding figure, waiting, knowing it would happenThe old man stopped and slowly turned aroundFrom a distance their eyes locked; it was enoughJean Pierre smiled, then proceeded down the concrete path toward his villa It was another warning, he mused, and a far more deadly oneFor three things were apparent: first, the elderly guest in the foolish white cap spoke French; second, he knew that ?Jean Pierre Fontaine? was in reality someone else?sent to Montserrat by someone else; third he had the mark of the Jackal in his eyesMon Dieu, how like the monseigneur! Engineer the kill, make sure it is done, then remove all physical traces that could lead back to his methods of operation, in particular his private army of old menNo wonder the nurse had said that after his orders were carried out they could remain here in this paradise until his woman died, a date that was imprecise at bestThe Jackal?s generosity was not so grand as it appeared; his woman?s death, as well as his own, had been scheduledJacques picked up the phone in his office?Yes?? ?They have met, sir!? said the excited assistant manager at the front desk