Serenierre
Established Nation
Maison de Maurinais
Orleans - Domaine de Visidame
South Belmont
Orleans - Domaine de Visidame
South Belmont
The past few days had been very busy. Having hardly slept a few hours at a stretch was not going well with Rene. His eyes were red and his head hurt. Having drowned two tablets of aspirin, the headache seemed to subsiding. He looked at his watch; The Boss had been in the restaurant for quite some time, now was a good time to catch up on his sleep. Covering his eyes with his cap, he closed his eyes and leaned back into the seat. It wasn’t comfortable but it would suffice for a power nap. He took a deep breath and folded his arms, trying to relax further.
Just as he had gotten comfortable and had started dozing off, his mobile phone started ringing, vibrating in his chest pocket. “For god’s sake,” Rene said under his breath as he took out the phone from his pocket. Looking at the number in the caller I.D. – it was the boss – “Oui, Monsieur Charle,” he said in the abrasive accent known by all to be uniquely Orléanais.
“Rene,” came the heavily accented voice of the man, “I plan on staying here for a while longer. Go now to the aéroport…” he trailed off – he did that often, what a life of drinking does to the brain – “An old friend has just called and told me that he is in Orleans. Go get him from his hotel.”
“Which hotel, sir?” Rene asked, as polite toned as he could, he put the cap back on his head.
“Hotel Sant-Pierre… you know, the one along Rue de Mistraise. Ask for the occupant of Room 303 to be informed of your arrival.”
“Yes sir.”
The line went dead.
Putting the key in the ignition, he slowly pulled the unassuming blue colored sedan out of the shade. He would be at Hotel Sant-Pierre in around twenty-five minutes. Not that long a trip had he been well rested but now, exhausted and overworked, that trip seemed to go on for hours.
***
Jacques had been waiting for his Cortonan friend to arrive for some time. He had already had several cups of coffee and the hangover of the previous night had completely warn off and now he was ready to start drinking again, although he would wait for his friend to come. The last few days, according to all news, had been hard on him and his organization. The man would need the drink when he came.
The waiter, tall and elegant, gently swooped down to Jacques and whispered into his ear that his guest had arrived. Standing up, Jacques said, “Well, take me to him.”