Duval and the Empress's Crown Page 5

  “All the witnesses are potential suspects, to be questioned further.”

  “Ah, but which of us gets to question the Princesses?” Fournier asked slyly. I had just taken a sip of wine and I choked. The wine went straight up my nose. It was some time before I could even breathe again, never mind speak. Both Lefebvre and Fournier enjoyed themselves thumping me on the back and there was nothing I could do about it.

  “It has to be done,” Fournier pointed out when I had partly recovered, “and by you, Duval, rather than me. You’re young and not too bad to look at. You’ll have an easier time, especially with Pauline. She’ll take the pants off any young man as soon as talk to him or so they say.”

  “I’m a happily married man,” I protested.

  “So what?” Lefebvre laughed at me.

  “You go, Lefebvre, you’re the only one of us not married.”

  “I’d go like a shot,” Lefebvre replied, with a grin. “Pauline’s a pretty enough wench for a night or two, except she doesn’t treat people like me kindly any more. She’s gone up in the world, thanks to her brother. No more of the canaille for her. We don’t smell dainty enough. I’d never reach her. Once I opened my mouth her lackeys would show me the door.”

  “Don’t be so stupid.”

  “I’m not. You’ll get more out of that floozy than I will, that’s for sure.”

  “The Princesses will all have to be questioned,” Fournier said, bringing us back to the subject at hand. “You can talk pretty enough when you want to, Alain. Not like Jean and me. Your accent isn’t from the slums of Paris. That’ll intrigue her, since she’s a foreigner herself. At the very least the sisters are witnesses to what happened and may remember something different from the workmen. For example, we must ask them about the incident with the scarf.”

  “That might have been a diversion,” Lefebvre said slowly, “to distract people from what else was happening in the room.”

  “Possibly,” I said thoughtfully. “Right, let’s divide the jobs up. Lefebvre will question Jacques and Simon. He will also find out more about this Dupré through his mysterious friends. Fournier, can you find out whether Robart has any debts?” I asked him.

  “I’ll also question the equerries if you like,” Fournier offered. “They’re less exalted than the sisters, so they might talk to me. If not, you can try your boyish charm on them.”

  I hooted at that then said, “Find out which of them wore the frogged coat that Jacques described. Afterwards go back and speak to the women at Margueritte’s. It is long odds, but they may have seen something and it has to be done.”

  “We must also find out why Christophe and Jacques were so nervous. Lefebvre?”

  “I’ll try. This lot will take a while though. Don’t expect the information instantly.”

  “Do I ever? I realise how you work by now.”

  “What are you going to do while we’re slaving, Soldier?” Lefebvre demanded. “Clench your teeth and brave the wrath of the imperial ladies?”

  I nodded. “I am, since you two are fighting shy on me. First of all, though, I’m going home as I said before, to tell Eugénie not to expect me back for a few days. I need to pick up some different clothes too.”

  “What’s wrong with the ones you’re wearing?”

  “Not elegant enough for palaces or warm enough to walk the streets in this weather. People talk more freely if you wear the right sort of costume.” I patted my stomach which has been getting a bit bigger than it used to be. “Just hope I can still fit into my wedding coat. I’ve been eating too much of Eugénie’s cooking.”

  My friends laughed and then Fournier said, “Get permission to question the Princesses first, Duval. They aren’t exactly our usual type of suspects.”

  “I intend to. I’ll go back to the Ministry and see Fouché.”

  “He’ll love that,” Lefebvre said. “Glad it’s you not me that has to face him.”

  We left the tavern and hurried off to get started on our different tasks.

  Eugénie was at home when I returned. She was sitting by the fire, working on her embroidery with the help of the flickering light of a branch of candles. She put it down when she saw me and rubbed her eyes.

  “You will ruin your eyesight like that,” I said as I kissed her.

  “It can’t be helped. This must be finished this afternoon, so it can be attached to the dress.”

  “What is it?” I looked curiously at the band of heavy white satin covered with flowers and golden bees, the new imperial emblem.

  “A sash for Princess Hortense. We all took sewing home and I can’t go to sleep until it’s finished.”

  “I wish you didn’t have to work for Leroy. That man’s a slave driver.”

  “Only when something important is happening. How many coronations will we see in our lifetime?”

  “This is the last one I hope,” I said fervently.

  Leroy is the finest dressmaker in Paris. All the court ladies buy their dresses from him. Eugénie has worked for him for years, although she rarely goes into the shop now, ever since our daughter, Marie-Aimée, was born. Most of her sewing is done at home, which she prefers and so do I, although it does not pay as well.

  She smiled as she got up to serve my meal. “I agree with you, but it’s exciting for all that and I’m glad to play a small part in it, even though it’s exhausting.”

  “Is the baby in bed?”

  “Go and take a look at her while I get your lunch.”

  I tiptoed into the bedroom and sat down by the cot. Aimée was cuddled up on her side, making soft snorting noises. She didn’t stir when I bent down and kissed her cheek.

  “What have you both been doing today?” I asked Eugénie as I sat down at the table. “She looks tired out and so do you.”

  “I took some work back to Leroy’s and then we went to see the workmen putting up the decorations in the streets this morning. We stayed out longer than we should have done, I suppose.”

  Eugénie set a bowl of stew and some fresh bread in front of me. She sat down and picked up her sewing again. I ate silently for a while but, although Eugenie is a good cook, I had little appetite that night. I soon pushed it away. She looked surprised as well she might. It is rare for me to reject anything she has made.

  “What’s the matter with you?” she asked. “Something’s worrying you. Tell me. You always do so in the end.”

  “Fouché’s given me a new case. It’s important and time is very short.” I rose and went over to the wardrobe. I pulled out my best clothes, the black velvet jacket I got married in, a frilled shirt and breeches.

  “Whatever do you want those for?” Eugenie asked.

  “I’m going to visit the Emperor’s family. I might have more success questioning them if I dress for court.”

  “Heavens. Who are you going to see?”

  “The Emperor’s sisters.”

  Eugénie stared at me then she took the coat out of my hands and began to brush it down.

  “Those harpies. Be careful how you speak to them, Alain. They’re nervous and excitable women. They take offence easily, and misunderstand what you say, especially Caroline.”

  “Do you know them then?”

  “I met them often at Leroy’s when I was still working in the shop. Occasionally I modelled their dresses. I’m the same size as two of them, worse luck, so I couldn’t avoid it. Caroline’s tongue is sharp and Maman has a word to describe women like Pauline.”

  “No need to tell me, I can guess. What about Élisa?”

  “Not as pretty as the other two but far more intelligent. She’s like Napoléon in that. She might have risen high in her own right if she had been a man. I pity her.”

  “Oh, why?”

  “It must be galling to see others given interesting or important work just because they’re men. Especially if you would be able to do their jobs so much better than they can.”

  “Do you like her?”

  “I don’t like any of them, but Élisa’s
the most civil to speak to. Watch out for Pauline, Alain.”

  “Don’t you trust me?”

  “I trust you; I don’t trust her.” She brushed my hair away so she could kiss my forehead. “You’re rather handsome.”

  “Only to you.”

  “Rubbish. All the women make eyes at you but you never notice them, thank God.”

  “Do they? I only ever look at you.” I caught her to me and gave her a hearty kiss. “I’ll be careful, I promise you.”

  By this time, I had scrambled into my shirt and breeches. Eugénie helped me into my jacket, which seemed to have become a little tight under the arms, but not as badly as I feared. She smoothed the material over my shoulders. I forced my feet into my best shoes and Eugénie flicked them over with a duster.

  “It’s possible I won’t be home for several days, Chérie. This case has to be finished before the coronation. Do you need any money?”

  “I’ve enough.” She nodded to the small box where we kept what little we had left after the rent was taken out. I picked it up and shook it. Coins rattled. I looked at Eugénie. There seemed to be more than there should have been.

  “Leroy paid me,” she explained. “He was afraid if he didn’t, we’d work slowly so none of the clothes would be ready on the big day.”

  “About time he spared some thought for you and the other workers.”

  She smiled at the well known complaint and changed the subject. “Can you tell me about the case? You usually do.”

  “I would but I have to go. Let’s say it is a theft that must be solved very quickly.”

  “Intriguing. Hurry up and finish so you can tell me the story.”

  I was putting on my greatcoat when a sudden thought struck me. The old lady, Margueritte’s client, Madame de Herlay, was rich enough to patronise Leroy. So I asked Eugénie if she knew her.

  “Yes I do. Nice lady, polite. Not like some.”

  I let the greatcoat slip from my shoulders and sat down again.

  “Tell me about her.”

  “Why? Is she connected with this theft?”

  “Possibly, or more likely, one of her servants might be.”

  “Well…” Eugénie thought for a moment. “She’s a widow. About fifty, I would say. She must have been a beauty when she was young and is still attractive. She knows how to dress so she always appears elegant.”

  “Do you know anything about her husband?”

  “He was a Vicompte, or so they say. They fled to Switzerland during the Revolution. His estates were sold, not confiscated, so, of course, he couldn’t get them back afterwards. He died about two years ago, during the peace of Amiens. That’s when Madame returned to Paris. She’s been a customer of Leroy ever since.”

  “She’s rich?”

  “Very.”

  “His money or her own?”

  “Hers, I think, but I’m not sure. She can afford to buy whatever she likes,”

  “Children?”

  “A daughter, Cécile, who lives with her. Her son is somewhere in Germany.”

  “Doing what?”

  “Rumour has it he’s fighting for the Austrians, but that could just be malicious gossip.”

  “Plenty of that in Paris. Are they Royalists?”

  “Almost certainly or they were once. The old lady doesn’t talk about politics.”

  “Wise of her.”

  “She’s nice, Alain. Don’t offend her, please.”

  “I’ll try not to unless there is a pressing need.”

  “How exactly is she involved in this case?”

  “Her servant brought a message that was false. It served to draw someone away from the scene of the theft.”

  “Then I would question the servant, not his mistress.”

  “Lefebvre’s going to do that but we’ll have to question her as well.”

  “Give her my regards if it will help you. She likes me. She says I remind her of a close friend of hers when she was a girl.”

  I stopped and looked at her as a thought struck me. Why not? It would not be the first time Eugénie had helped me to solve a case.

  “Chérie?”

  “Yes?” She had picked up my greatcoat and was holding it ready for me to put on.

  “Could you find an excuse to visit Madame de Herlay? If she likes you, you may find out more than I can from her.”

  Eugénie stared at me and then she frowned as she answered, “I can go there easily enough. We are making dresses for herself and Cécile. Tomas will let me visit her if I ask him to. I’ll say that we need to check her measurements again before we cut out the next piece. I will say there was some mistake and the figures I noted down before are not clear. Getting her to talk to me about anything but trivialities will be more difficult though. She is a great lady and I am only a seamstress.”

  “Since the Revolution, we are all equal.”

  Eugénie smiled. “You and I might believe that but not everybody does. Rich and poor still exist. She is rich and we are poor.” She stopped and stared into the fire.

  “What are you thinking about?” I asked.

  “Cécile de Herlay has a personal maidservant who often accompanies her when she comes to the shop, a girl named Jeanette. We are about the same age and she sometimes chats with me while she is waiting. I could talk to her. Most maids know things about their mistresses and will gossip about them, provided they do not feel that they are betraying a trust. What do you want me to find out?”

  I described Madame de Herlay’s possible involvement in the theft and the questions that needed to be asked.

  “Don’t hope for too much, Alain. I have no authority to question any of them. I will have to try find out without prompting Jeanette or making her suspicious. She seems to like working for the family and would not want to get them into trouble or herself for that matter. If they think she has been telling tales, she could lose her job. I’ve met a lot of these old ladies. Most of them are far more spiteful than Madame de Herlay, but she wouldn’t pardon Jeanette is she found out she had been gossiping. I must be careful about what I say to her.”

  “I understand. Do your best and thank you for trying.”

  “If I do find out anything, should I leave a message for you at the bureau as usual?”

  “No don’t. Laurent knows nothing about this affair and I want to keep it that way. He’d certainly open any letter you left and ‘forget’ to tell me. The barman at the Rose des Neiges, will give me a note. I’ll be meeting there with Fournier and Lefebvre from time to time. If it’s really urgent and cannot wait, go to the Ministry and speak to Réal, the deputy, but no one else. Say that you have information for me about my current case. He will find me.”

  “It must be important if Réal is involved.”

  “It is, but that is all I can tell you for now, Chérie.”

  “Very well. I will do my best. I’ll ask Tomas tomorrow and hopefully have something for you soon.”

  “Thank you, my love.” I kissed her and put on my greatcoat. I went to the high shelf and took down the pistol that I always keep there together with my bullets and powder flask. I put these into my pocket and I picked up my swordstick.

  “Is this case dangerous?” Eugénie asked looking at my weapons with anxiety written all over her face. She worries about me. After all, her father was stabbed to death on one of our cases.

  “Probably not. I don’t think so but it’s better to be prepared. These are no use to me on the shelf if things do get nasty. Don’t worry. I’m just being cautious and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  “Before the coronation, please. I want to see it with you.”

  I smiled and kissed her, crossing my fingers that, by that time, I would be home with her. Also the Emperor would once more have a crown to place on his new Empress’s head.

  6

  8 Frimaire, Year XIII

  (Thursday, November 29, 1804)

  Fouché’s eyes narrowed when I told him the startling direction in which our investigat
ion had proceeded.

  “You’re sure these workmen aren’t the ones we want?” he asked, a degree of shock in his voice as he realised the alternatives.

  “No. They might be the thieves. They had the opportunity especially if they were all working together, but they have had numerous opportunities to steal less conspicuous items. They handle gold and jewels every day. Also Margueritte vouches for them and I think he’s the type of man who would be careful before he trusted anyone too much. If one of his workers were dishonest, it should have come to light before now. Two of them have worked there for years. The apprentice stayed on the other side of the room and never came near to where the crown was lying. So, unless everyone is telling lies, he had no opportunity to take the crown. I sent an agent to Margueritte’s and asked Garnier to search the place again. He’ll take it apart if he has to. If the crown is there, he’ll find it. It’s not the type of item that can be accidentally mislaid.”

  Fouché sat back and raised steepled fingers to his lips. Then he sighed. “Garnier will be good at that. He possesses just the right amount of menace. Perhaps someone will be induced to talk by him. It would be so much easier to blame the workmen.”

  “But if Garnier does not find the crown..?”

  Fouché frowned. “Finding the crown is undoubtedly our most important task. Arresting the suspect is of less concern at the moment. But let me be quite clear about this. You are saying that the suspects include the three Princesses and two of their equerries?”

  I nodded. “I made the workmen recreate the scene for me. Princess Élisa and both the equerries stood near to the bench on which the crown was lying. They had the best opportunity of all. The other two sisters passed nearby as they left the room, but did not linger. None of them can be excluded yet. Even if they prove to be completely innocent, they are witnesses to the event and may lead us to the true culprit. So I am asking for your permission to question them.”

  “The equerries are no problem, but even I cannot allow you to question members of the imperial family. Only the Emperor can do that. I hoped to reveal this affair to him, holding the crown in my hand. However, this cannot be kept from him any longer, under the circumstances.” He rang a small bell and a lackey came into the room.