The Mummer's Dance (Jerod's Third Tale - Part 5)

Well away from the Beaumont household, we started to discuss what Jean Luc had told us. “So, Shrimp, where would we get information about this Lambert guy?”

“Well, I may ask a shopkeeper or two a few questions. You should head for base and send email to Ted. See what his computer wizardry can conjure up for us.”

“Mister, do you think I’m letting you wander town on your own?”

“Tania, this is my game and my rules.” I gave her a serious look. “Base camp is two minutes walking distance from the shops. It’s as safe for both of us as any place can be. And I have a way of getting information out of people. Someone may talk to one person but they may not with two.”

“Jerod!”

“No. I’m serious. While there is a small chance that something might happen, there is also a small chance it might happen to you too.” I took a deep breath. “It was being careless at base camp in Egypt that nearly cost me my life on the last trip. Be careful and be alert, always. I’ll stop by the relic store and maybe the general store, then return to camp in two hours tops.”

“Well, I don’t like it. But I guess I'll do it.”

“That’s my girl. Go ahead and tell Ted everything you remember about the meeting. When he gets the message, he should have everything we need to know in a few hours.”

So my first stop was the relic shop. Truth be told, I wouldn’t trust a single thing to be a genuine relic if bought from here. It had all the markings of a tourist trap.

Not that I could blame the proprietor at all. Genuine relics are expensive to handle, a town this size simply doesn't attract enough people.

“May I be of some assistance, Monsieur? Perhaps a gift?”

“I was wondering if you could tell me a little about town. My wife and I are thinking a little holiday place might be nice. Is Champs a good place to live?”

“But of course. The weather is fabuleux. The town is charmant. There is a range of homes that can be bought.” She looked me over once, “Though I am not sure that any are the price range you would hope for.”

“I’m sure I could arrange the money if we decide to buy. It certainly won’t hurt us to look at the places. Would you be so kind as to give me directions?”

“Mai oui, there is one very close to town centre. You just turn right going out of the shop, turn left when you reach the road and it is the second house on the left.”

“Excellent, merci. I’m also a bit of an artist, how hard is it to keep a small shop in town?” 

She hesitated and looked away for a moment. Will she tell me something interesting or lie? “Keeping a shop, it is not easy. There are many expenses, you have to sell enough to keep yourself in business.”

“Many expenses, eh?” She looked away again. Partly true but not the full story would be my guess. “I don’t suppose you would tell me more?”

“No Monsieur.” I bought a small knickknack and left the shop.

I went next to the bookshop. It was a similar story. There is something going on that the shopkeepers are unhappy about and unhappy to talk about. I’m betting it’s Lambert.

I walked back to base camp to find Tania tapping away at the computer keyboard.

“I’m back. Any news yet?”

“Ted sent this,” Tania pushed the computer in my direction.

Shrimp and Tania,


I believe I have your guy, but I’m not positive. Francois Lambert is a fairly common name in that area. Of those I found, only two of them have been in government service.

I expect that your Lambert is the one that was forcibly retired from a government position as a senior manager about 3 years ago for fraud. The records I could dig up suggest that he does have a pension but for much less than would be usual.

No criminal record, I think they did a deal to keep it quiet. I can’t see him posing much of a problem for you, Shrimp.

Lana and Toby are still fine. All is well here.

Ted

“What do you think we should do?”

“Well, there are three possibilities I can think of. The first is murder him.”

“Shrimp! You have to be joking.”

“Not entirely joking, Tania. Sometimes it is necessary and has to be considered as an option. However, I don’t think it will be necessary in this case.”

“I should hope not.”

I gave my wife a serious look. “If you insist on being involved with me and my business, sooner or later that will be the necessary option. You’ll need to be ready to back me up just as much for that as for anything else. Understand?”

Tania nodded reluctantly. “So what are the other options if that one is out?”

“Option two is blackmail him back. Can you see the problems with that one?”

“Well,” Tania tapped her chin, “if we blackmail him about blackmailing someone else, what if he decides to try to blackmail us?”

“Or ignores it, or reports it to the authorities. There is a lot that can go wrong with blackmail, which I’m hoping we will be proving to Mr Lambert soon enough.”

“So what’s the third possibility?”

I smiled. “We frame him. Set him up in some situation that will put him in prison. It will have to be something splashy, something that will discredit him with everyone in town.”

“You are sounded very pleased with yourself, Shrimp.”

“Why not, my love. This is when it gets to be fun.” Nothing like a well thought out evil plan to put me into the best mood. “Shall we go for a stroll?”

“I thought you were concocting an evil plan?”

“I like to walk and think at the same time. It works for me.”

We took a casual stroll around the streets of Champs. We walked past the Lambert residence, discussing the town and the shops. He owns quite a large and comfortable looking place. A house of someone with means.

We wandered past the little house available for sale to foreigners. It was a charming but tiny house, we discussed the possibility of buying it sometime. We meandered past the shops, Tania looking at the goods in the windows.

Eventually we found a little space over looking the river and stood there watching the water peacefully roll by.

“Any thoughts yet?”

“I do believe that Fracois Lambert is about to be guilty of corrupting a government official. Or blackmailing one. Both seem very appropriate, given his history.”

“Jerod, how would you set about that?”

“For the corruption? Hmm, set up an account in Lambert’s name and use that to send a bribe. Ted might be able to use his real account but that’s some major system hacking. That’s simply not possible for me. Blackmail is probably better. We can hit up Jean Luc for more details about how Lambert does the squeeze. Use those details to set up a similar deal on some official in the local government. Make sure that the press and the police are all invited to the party.”

“Shrimp?”

“Yes, Sweetheart?”

“Is it really necessary? I mean, framing someone.”

“Can you think of another way to stop Lambert from blackmailing Beaumont? I’m open for suggestions. Besides, he’s already dirty, it’s not like I’m proposing to frame an innocent man.” Not this time, at any rate.

“But, can’t we just call the police?”

“Sweetheart, even the legit businesses haven’t called the police. Why would they pay attention to accusations from a pair of foreigners?” I took a deep breath and smiled. “So you still in or will you be staying at the base camp?” The protection act was one thing but framing someone is definitely treading well into the dark side. Would Tania be willing to dip her toes there?

-----

bonus

Jerod did manage enough to do enough little things for the natives to reach level 1 visa. Next trip doesn't have to be so compressed. I think they are currently on day two of 3 - for the third time!

Sorry, this wasn't a very excited post. Maybe next time.