Chapter 8

Alone, Gaston Larreau relaxed in his favorite chair with a tall scotch-soda. He smiled to himself, exhilarated with his accomplished seduction. It had gone so much better than he had ever anticipated; Mon Dieu, but she was a delightful creature; his legs were still weak and trembling from the extent of his climax, yet the mere thought of her voluptuous, naked body caused his prick to again stir in his trousers. He'd never get enough of her; she was the one he'd been waiting for, and he didn't intend that she'd ever get away from him. He'd hated to send her away in the mood she was in... almost in an obvious state of despondency, but it was necessary if he were to keep her properly subjugated...

The ringing of the telephone beside him interrupted his thoughts.

"Oui?" he said.

"M'sieu' Larreau, this is Robert Jovell."

"So?" the powerful little czar addressed his attorney.

"Problems, M'sieu'... and of a serious nature, I fear," Jovell said, speaking in their native tongue.

"Well go on."

"It's Galaxy Mining... the Ontario government is hot on the trail. I've been tipped that they are conducting an extensive investigation. There's no question, M'sieu', but what they'll uncover the whole thing..."

"Hummmm. I see. The whole thing, eh? To what extent, Jovell?"

"The ultimate... they'll label it a stock swindle."

Larreau sensed a sudden vacuum at the base of his vast stomach. "So? What the hell can you do about it?" he snapped suddenly. "You're my attorney. What am I paying you for, eh... ?"

"I'm afraid it's not going to be that simple, M'sieu'," Jovell replied. "This is the government... not the stupid local hacks. But, of course, you yourself are clean. They can't touch you... but your nephew, Antoine..."

"Yes? What about Antoine?"

"Well... that's another story, M'sieu'. You remember that we set him up with indisputable control of the company for this very reason, hoping, of course, that it would never be necessary to use him as a dupe... but I fear... well... someone is going to answer... Do I make myself clear?"

Larreau rubbed the palm of his pudgy hand over his slightly perspiring forehead. "I see," he said after a moment. "It's that bad, eh?"

"Yes... it's that bad, and maybe worse," replied Jovell. "He'll definitely take a ride for this... We'll have to prepare him."

"Christ... he's my nephew, Jovell," said Larreau, more for appearances than anything, his brain already reaping the advantages with Madeleine if Antoine were completely out of his way.

"I understand, M'sieu' Larreau... but maybe I can ease that pain for you a bit," the attorney said, his tone of voice dropping to a quieter level.

"What're you talking about?"

The attorney hesitated. Then: "Axel just called. He was trying to locate you. He... he followed Ma'm'selle Novak to Ste. Agathe des Monts... your summer place. She went inside and Axel waited. In a little while Antoine showed up... They're together right now..."

Gaston Larreau stared across the room at nothing, rage rising uncontrollably inside him. He couldn't believe it... that either one of them would dare try anything behind his back. That stinking blonde bitch! And that little punk... planning to make a fool of him were they... well, by God, he'd see about that. Slowly, he began to calm and an evil smile spread his round, ugly face. So. Maybe they were going to make it easy for him after all... playing right into his hands...

"M'sieu' Larreau... ? Are you there?" Jovell's voice sounded in his ear.

"Yeah... I'm here."

"Look... I didn't mean to upset you, but I thought..."

"Shut up and listen. Tell Axel to pick up two more of the boys and come by here for me," Larreau said, still smiling. "I think I feel like taking a little ride in the country, eh?"

Jovell hesitated. Finally: "Oui, M'sieu', right away."

Gaston Larreau slowly replaced the phone in its cradle, the wicked little smile never leaving his face, even as he sipped at his scotch and soda.

By God, it's all going to work out to perfection, he thought... absolute perfection.