Page 135 of Stains of Desire
24
Axel
We landin the middle of the country. Green, gently sloping hills surround a flat, dirt runway. Civilization seems to be nowhere, except for a black, shiny Bugatti.
The hairs on my neck stand up.
Why is there an $18 million car in the middle of nowhere?
Ledell comes out of the cockpit and opens the door. Sunlight streams into the aircraft. "This is where our journey ends."
"Where am I?"
"Colmar, France."
"France! I need to be in London."
He shakes his head. "Felton rerouted us when we were over the Atlantic. He said you would understand." He points outside. "I believe that is your ride."
A man gets out of the car and leans against it. He's wearing a black beret, leather jacket, and dress pants. His salt-and-pepper beard is cut short.
"Who is it?"
Ledell shrugs. "I don't know, but I need to be back in the air in two minutes."
"Felton knows this guy?"
"Yeah."
I take a deep breath. "Thanks for the ride."
No weapons, no idea who this guy is, no transportation anywhere. This is not a good situation.
Felton wouldn't screw me over.
I step out of the plane and walk over to the man.
He holds his hand out. In a French accent, he says, "Gustave Dubois."
"Axel Cain. But something tells me you already know who I am."
He smiles. "Felton, Andre, and Malin can vouch for me."
My nerves calm, but I need more information. "How do you know them?"
"They rescued my daughter years ago."
"I see. And why have I been dropped off here, instead of London, and am meeting with you?"
He snorts. "To the point. We'll get along fine. Hop in the car, and let's talk on the way."
"The way where?"
"To my home."
"No offense, but I need to get to London. I don't have time—"
"You do. You can't leave until we do what needs to be done."
