Jeff’s thoughts flew to Tracy, back at Les Fermes de Mairie. Was she safe? He longed to call her, but he couldn’t leave the game until Arendt called a break, not without rousing suspicions.
At last, after what felt like an eternity to all of them, Luca Androni tossed his cards on the table in disgust and announced he was leaving.
“Me too.” Jeff yawned loudly, still playing the part of bumbling Brian. “There’s only so much beating a man can take in one night. Thanks for the hospitality, Gustav.”
Pulling out a checkbook, Jeff left Arendt with what he and Tracy used to call a “bouncing bomb”—a beautiful forgery—for half a million dollars and hurried out into the night.
He called Tracy from the car but got no answer.
Strange.
“Start packing,” he texted. “Clarke and Lassferly both no-shows. Back in ten.”
LEAVING THE CAR ENGINE running, Jeff sprinted into the hotel.
Ignoring the girl at the front desk trying to get his attention, he stepped into a waiting elevator and went straight up to the room, only to find his key card didn’t work.
“Annie? Honey?” He banged loudly on the door.
Goddamn it, Tracy!
He took out his frustration on the girl at the front desk. “I’ve been locked out of my room,” he fumed. “And I can’t find my wife.”
“I was trying to tell you earlier, Mr. Crick, when you came in. Mrs. Crick checked out earlier this evening. She paid the bill in full. I’m afraid I assumed you were both leaving Megève, as Mrs. Crick took all the luggage with her.”
“All of it?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Jeff’s mind raced.
My laptop.
My second phone.
“If you still need the room I’d be happy to reactivate your cards . . .”
But Jeff was already running.
TRACY SAT IN THE back of the cab, downloading the last of Jeff’s files to her USB chip as they approached Grenoble. At this time of night the roads were clear. She should make the train in good time.
Poor Jeff. I hope he’ll forgive me when this is all over.
Jeff. Cameron. Greg Walton. There were a lot of people Tracy would have to explain herself to. But she didn’t care. The only person who really mattered was Nick.
Closing her eyes, Tracy focused on his face.
I’m close, darling. Really close. I’ll do this for you, I promise.
Bringing Jeff down to Megève, the whole poker setup, had been complicated but necessary.
She had all the information she needed now.
It’s time to finish this thing.
JEFF HAD NEVER DRIVEN faster in his life.
Part of him wanted to strangle Tracy with his bare hands. But another part wanted to kiss her passionately and never let her go.