Chapter 29
Amber Safe, Paris Ritz: 6 February 2017
Anielka looked impatiently at Zuzanna. It was almost time to go. An excited Aubert had asked her to meet him at the Ritz at eleven pm. He had hinted he had some good news. Anielka had changed her outfit twice already until, finally satisfied, she had chosen a creation by Tuomas Merikoski. His Paris-based Finnish label, Aalto, appealed to her because it combined Scandinavian minimalism with Parisian nonchalance. Raw, direct, sophisticated. But most important of all, the outfit reflected her mood and expressed exactly how she felt that night: mysterious and dangerous, like midsummer nights in the forests of Finland with echoes of a violent, pagan past …
Zuzanna adjusted Anielka’s hair. ‘Here, let me look at you,’ she said and stepped back. ‘Perfect, especially the dark lipstick; like blood. Now, remember what I told you. We have to move quickly here. You will have to improvise. The best outcome would be if you could somehow arrange access to the safe for Emile while you are with Aubert in the Amber Safe tonight. Emile would only need a few minutes to open the security box. Celine was a master at doing things like this,’ she added and watched Anielka carefully. She noticed the mention of Celine’s name had its desired effect. Pleased with the reaction, Zuzanna was sure that Anielka would try to live up to expectations at all cost.
‘And what am I supposed to do with Aubert?’ asked Anielka.
‘Drug him. One of the pills I gave you stirred into his drink should do it quickly.’
‘And then what?’