Page 82 of Perfect Strangers

‘Sophie is in trouble, yes,’ he said, ‘but it’s Nick who has got her there.’

Maurice’s face clouded over.

‘Nick?’ he said. ‘What has that old gigolo been up to this time?’

‘You tell me.’

Maurice shrugged. ‘I have not seen Nick for months.’

‘Why do I think you are lying?’ said Josh with a nasty smile. ‘And I suppose you know nothing about his wine scam, either?’

‘Wine? What wine?’ said Maurice, taking a step backwards. ‘Why don’t you call him up and ask him? Nick will tell you the same thing.’

‘I would,’ said Josh, backing him into a corner. ‘Except he’s dead, Maurice.’

‘Dead?’ He frowned as he absorbed the information.

‘Murdered yesterday in London. And of course you wouldn’t know about that.’

Maurice held up a hand. ‘That is nothing to do with me, I swear. I loved him like a brother, you know that.’

‘Well, I want to find out who killed him,’ said Josh, bringing his face just inches away from Maurice’s. ‘He told me that you and he had worked together recently, so I want you to tell me everything you know. And if you don’t tell me, don’t bet against Scotland Yard knocking on your door. They sure want to find out who killed him too.’

Maurice’s expression changed.

‘You come here to my bar and threaten me with the police?’ he said angrily. ‘Fuck you, rosbif.’

Josh grabbed him by the front of his shirt.

‘I’m not sure I’m making myself clear here.’

Maurice didn’t flinch.

Sophie watched Josh tighten his grip on the man’s shirt.

‘Okay,’ spat Maurice finally, pushing him away. He straightened his back and smoothed down his shirt. ‘Nick needed some labels making for the wine bottles, so I put him in touch with a counterfeiter in Montparnasse. The best. Apparently he was very satisfied with the work he produced, and he paid me well for the contact. That was the beginning and end of my involvement.’

‘Who is the counterfeiter?’

Maurice looked shifty. He was a terrible liar, thought Sophie. Even she could tell when he was dodging the truth.

‘The printer has returned to Tunisia. I do not have a number for him any longer.’

‘Then tell me who else was involved,’ said Josh impatiently. ‘Give me a name, Maurice. A contact.’

‘And what will you give me in return?’ said Maurice, his black eyes glistening with greed. ‘I run a business here. I give you something, you give me something. It makes the world go round, no?’

He turned to Sophie, undressing her with a long, lascivious stare. ‘Nick has good taste in women,’ he said softly, then turned back to Josh.

‘How about you go and have another pastis, mon ami. Maybe leave me here with Sophie.’

‘Leave her out of this,’ said Josh.

Maurice stepped towards Sophie and stroked her cheek, making her flinch back.

‘Why?’ He smiled, showing small, yellowing teeth. ‘She would like it. All Nick’s girls like a good fuck, don’t they?’

Josh moved like lightning, pushing Maurice up against the wall with his hand around the man’s scrawny throat before Sophie could even blink. The door burst open and Panda stood there holding a club.