“Antoine …? Antoine, it is you!” The jovial baritone from the doorway was thick with an accent that didn’t sound quite like the German she’d been hearing. It made Tahira turn. Antoine did, as well, and looked at the heavy-set white-haired gentleman with confusion. “Tell Raven to call me back as soon as he cancels his flight. I’ve got to go.”
He hung up without another word and tucked the phone into his pocket as the man brushed past the greeter and walked to their table with more speed than she would have given him credit for.
Antoine threw a haughty French accent over his words, covering them like a royal, impenetrable cloak.
“Pardonne moi, bot ‘ave we met?”
The man laughed as though Antoine had told him a joke. “I have met you, but you have not met me!
And yet we are the dearest of friends—pawns in a larger game.” He continued to stare, smiling like a favorite uncle, waiting for a response.
A slow smile came to Antoine’s face after a few moments. “Le? Leland Behr?” When the visitor nodded, he stood up and held out his hand. The accent disappeared as though it had never been. “How wonderful to finally meet you! Whatever are you doing in Stuttgart?”
“Melanie and I are here visiting the Christmas Market. But after seeing one of your troupe here earlier, I hoped I might run into you!”
The words stilled the smile on Antoine’s face, but he quickly covered his surprise. “A member of my troupe was here earlier, you say? I’m surprised they didn’t let me know they saw you. Do you know who it was?”
“No, no. I saw your show while it was in Austria last fall, but I couldn’t get the man at the stage door to let me in to see you, and you had to leave before I could write a note to have taken back. But I remember seeing the man there because I asked him for a pen.”
“Did you say hello to him today?”
He shook his head and pursed his lips. “No, no. He seemed to be in a hurry, and we were traveling in the opposite direction. But I am so very pleased you’re here, because I brought your bottle with me! I received your e-mail and sent the wire. I planned to show it to a friend today, who is also very interested in rare cognacs, so he could keep an eye on the market for any other bottles that might surface.”
Tahira watched Antoine’s face flow from concerned to delighted and back again. Le continued to speak as he struggled with a reply.
“But you haven’t introduced me to your lovely companion.” He turned to Tahira and held out his hand.
“Are you a member of the troupe as well?”
Tahira took his hand and shook it briefly. “No. I just met Antoine here in Stuttgart. My name is Tahira, and I’m from… near the border of Iran.”
He raised his brows. “You speak English quite well. Your accent is very American.”
She smiled sweetly. “I have some family there. It’s been helpful to my English.”
“Ahem, yes,” Antoine said. “Tahira and I were also doing some shopping, but decided to stop for lunch first.” He seemed to struggle with what to say next. “Would you like to join us?”
Le reared back a little and waved his hands in front of him. “No, no. Melanie is to meet me here in a few minutes, and your food will be cold. But perhaps we could meet later at the market? I’d like to get the bottle to you safely, for your trip home.” He clapped Antoine on the shoulder. “Perhaps if you’re in town long enough, we can play a game of chess that will take less than a month to complete!”
Antoine laughed heartily, and it was the confident sound of friendship and camaraderie. It was different from the burst of relief in the SUV, and far richer than the chuckles when he was teasing her. The sound made Tahira realize that she didn’t really know much about him, and she suddenly wanted to know more about the human side of him.
“I’d like that. When the storm hit, we couldn’t fly out, so I and a few members of the troupe are staying at a friend’s house nearby. Are you here for more than the day?”
Le sighed heavily, and it moved his whole chest “I’m afraid not. We have to go back today, but you should both stay in town long enough for the lighting of the display near Marketplatz at sunset. Perhaps that’s where we could meet later?” He moved up the sleeve of his jacket to check a heavy gold wristwatch. “After all, it’s nearly three now. Dark comes early this time of year.”
Antoine likewise checked his watch, and Tahira twitched slightly in surprise when she saw the distinctive Rolex emblem. “You’re quite right. We’ll have to hurry just to finish eating and then get our shopping done.” He glanced at Tahira with raised brows. “Would that be all right with you, Tahira? Would you mind staying in town for a few more hours to see the Christmas display?”
She had just opened her mouth to respond when a chirping from Antoine’s pocket made her look to see if he was going to take the call first. When he ignored the demanding cricket sound and stared at her calmly, she replied, “Actually, I’d like to stay for a bit longer, but then I really do need to get back to my room.” She saw Antoine smile just a bit at the wording and Le nodded.
“Fine. Then we’ll meet in front of the tree near the turret in an hour? Melanie and I were just going to have coffee, so our time isn’t critical. Do you know the tree I mean, Antoine?”
“Perfectly. I’ve been there many times. But let’s make it an hour and a half, so Tahira has time to shop.”
He held out his hand again. “It’s been wonderful to finally meet you, Le. I look forward to putting a face to Melanie’s name as well.”
Le bowed slightly. It was a gesture of warmth and respect. “I will leave you both to your excellent meal and look forward to delivering your prize to you.” He turned and walked back to the host, spoke for a moment, and then was guided farther into the restaurant.
Antoine was already cutting into the breaded meat patty when she looked back at him. “So, you play chess with him, but you’ve never met?”
He nodded while chewing and then answered after he’d swallowed. “On the internet and by e-mail. We met in a chat room and discovered we’re fairly evenly matched on the board. Since we both travel a great deal, we each set up a board and then correspond with our moves. It passes the time when I’m touring.”
“What do you do besides touring? You said you don’t date much, so what do you do?”
It was another bite of food and a swallow of beer before he said, “Mostly, I read—science fiction, thrillers, mysteries—that sort of thing. But I’m also a fanatic for strategy board games, play pool and snooker with friends and, of course, run with the cats.” His mouth twisted and a bit of amused scent rose into the air. “Most people think an entertainer spends all day lolling on yachts and attending parties every night. But for a show like mine, nearly every waking hour is spent caring for the cats, training for the next show, or series of shows, and doing mundane activities such as… well, reading contracts and approving poster art. Without my personal involvement, I’d have to pay someone to handle those functions. I did try that route early on, but I found the quality of the product… lacking. I do have high standards for both the cats and myself. I have several employees, but I do much of the work myself.”
Tahira nodded and took another bite of her sandwich while staring wistfully at Antoine’s plate. After a few moments, she nodded. “Dad says the same thing. Even though business is good, every month is a question of whether people will pay their invoices. I like pool, too, and mysteries. I’ve never played snooker, though. I’ve never even seen a table for it.”
“They’re quite a bit larger, and—” He stopped speaking when the cell phone rang a second time. He shook his head in frustration at the half-full plate of cooling food and pulled the phone from his pocket, checking the display before he answered.
“Raven?”
Tahira could hear the reply easily. Half of the people in the restaurant probably could as well. The man had a voice that carried enough to make Antoine click his thumb to lower the volume. “What’s up, Antoine? Tony said I need to cancel my flight and head your way. Dad won’t be happy if I’m not in Boulder for Christmas, you know. The pack party is a big deal.”
“I’m well aware of that, mon ami. But the situation here is critical. I need you in Stuttgart before nightfall tomorrow.”
The man named Raven sighed, and it was a sad sound. “Boy, that’ll be a trick. I’ll have to find a flight in the next few minutes to manage that. Talk to me. What’s up? It had better be good.”
Tahira saw Antoine glance around him and then shake his head almost imperceptibly. “Not here. I’m finishing a late lunch in a crowded restaurant. Stay in a good reception area, and I’ll call you back in about thirty.”
“Hell, it’ll take me that long to change the tickets. You’re just lucky I have my passport with me. I nearly left it in Boulder when I got called to the meeting in Chicago.”
Antoine’s reply was light and friendly. “You are always prepared, mon ami. It’s why you’re second to my sister.”
“Yeah, yeah. Well, I suppose it’ll give us a chance to compare our hair. Are you ready to admit defeat even though it’s not the end of the year? Mine is nearly to my butt.”
The smirking reply told Tahira quite a bit. “I haven’t measured, but mine is close to that. Even in a braid it’s to the top of my belt. But yes, I’m ready to finish this. The hair’s becoming a nuisance.”
“Not me, buddy. The ladies love my hair.”
“True, but the daily ritual is annoying. I used to be able to shower in five minutes. Now it’s an hour before I can put on a shirt and not soak the whole back of it—even with a blow dryer.”
“Yeah, well, there is that. But I’m probably going to keep mine. Damn, it’s my turn next. I have to go. Call me back in a half.”
Tahira heard the connection break as Raven hung up. Antoine pressed the end button on the phone and looked at her pathetically. “Perhaps now I can finish my meal. Necessary as both of those conversations were, schnitzel isn’t nearly as good when it’s cold.” He winked at her and a corner of his mouth turned up. “I notice you’ve been watching my plate quite hopefully. Would you like to try a bite?”
She barely managed to suppress a whimper and smiled. “Yes, please. It smells just amazing. I know it’s horrible of me to ask—”
“You didn’t. I offered.” He cut a bite-sized piece from the untouched side and held out the fork. She reached to take it from his fingers, but he shook his head and pulled back the fork a little. “With your mouth, mon amour. It’s a silly thing, but I enjoy it.” He held out the schnitzel again.
She felt a blush rise to her face. It seemed so innocent, here in a public restaurant. But she knew he meant it to be intimate, and it felt that way. She leaned forward and opened her mouth. He smiled as he fed her the bite and watched her reaction as she chewed.
“Mmmm!” The complex flavor and combination of textures was amazing. She looked down at her sandwich sadly. “Next time, I’ve got to get that!”
He picked up his plate and held it out to her with raised brows. “Why don’t we simply trade? I have to admit your sandwich has been making my mouth water. The roast beef is prepared just the way I like it.”
“But I’ve eaten half of mine, and most of yours is still there!”
“It’s still worth it,” he replied with a smile. “I want that sandwich.”
Without another thought she happily turned her plate over to him and accepted the schnitzel. The entire meal was delicious, and she discovered she was a lot hungrier than she’d thought because she finished the plate at almost the same time that Antoine finished his sandwich. But he seemed equally happy with hers. As he drained the last of his beer, he checked his watch and let out a sigh.
“I’m afraid we’re going to have to skip the strudel if you’re going to get any shopping done. We only have about forty-five minutes now before we meet Le and Melanie.”
They quickly put on their jackets and paid. Antoine steered her through the maze of shoppers until they were in front of a tall white and glass building with a small tasteful sign high above them.
“H&M has a good variety of fashions, so you should be able to find what you like here. If we have time, we can still visit the others on our way to Schlossplatz.”
Tahira smiled as she stared through the windows. The clothing was the very latest style and there was an amazing variety. She just adored the layered tops in primary colors over jeans tucked into boots. Or maybe the plaid knee-length skirt with a shawl over a leather jacket. She felt like a kid in a candy shop and she grinned. “No, I think this store will be just fine.”
After she had an armful of clothing and was heading for the dressing room, Antoine touched her arm. “I see a shop across the street that has something I need. I shouldn’t be more than a minute, but stay in the store until I get back.”
She nodded and found a clerk to open one of the rooms. After a few minutes of trying on outfits, boots and jackets, she heard a woman’s voice through the door, and a knock.
“I’m sorry,” she said through the door. “I don’t speak German.”
“Ah!” replied the woman in English that was lightly accented with something close to Spanish. “You are American. I am also from that part of the world. Do you need any assistance—different sizes, or perhaps accessories?”
“No, I think I’ve made my choices.” Tahira was just slipping back into her original outfit and wincing at the number of hangers in the keep pile. Yes, Antoine had said to buy what she wanted, but it seemed silly to buy so many things when she didn’t even have luggage here.
With a sigh, she pared down the stack to a ski jacket, a simple swing coat, four pairs of pants, a half dozen sweaters and shirts, underthings, and a pair each of boots and sneakers. On her way out the door with a sigh, she couldn’t help but impulsively grab one more item from the stack—the plaid skirt that had originally caught her eye. The multicolored fabric would go with several of the sweaters, and the boots, so she didn’t feel quite as guilty.
When she exited, she looked for a checkout counter. There were several, but nobody was in sight at any of them. Then she noticed a small Spanish woman with a name tag reading “Bertha” rearranging clothing on a rack, so she walked up to her.
“Hi! Can you help me?”