Paris: The Novel
Eiffel Tower and tell his children: “That tower is so well constructed, it will stand as long as Notre Dame. And always remember,” he added proudly, “that your father built it.”
Luc was waiting for him at the restaurant. The restaurant didn’t open on Sundays, so the shutters were closed.
It was strange for Thomas to realize that his brother was a man in his thirties now. He hadn’t changed that much. His pale face was a little more fleshy. Thomas’s short brown curls had thinned, but Luc had exactly the same dark hair falling handsomely over his forehead. He looked like an Italian restaurant owner.
And his small restaurant, though it wasn’t making him rich, was undoubtedly providing him with far more income than Thomas could ever earn in manual work.
He still hadn’t married. But Thomas had seen his brother with a succession of handsome women.
The object to be moved turned out to be something more mundane than the
Mona Lisa
. It was just a carpet.
“I thought it would be a good idea when I put it down,” Luc confessed, “but it wasn’t, and we’re tripping over the edges. I’m going back to a bare floor, and I’ll use the carpet for my own house.” The tables had already been moved to the side and the carpet lay rolled and tied in the center of the floor.
“It’s heavy,” said Thomas as they began to drag it out to the cart.
“It’s good quality,” said Luc. “That’s why I’m taking it for the house.”
They had quite a job getting it onto the handcart, and a section stuck out at the back, but Luc supported it and pushed while Thomas pulled the cart from the front.
“We need Robert,” said Thomas.
“We’ll be all right,” said Luc.
It was a long, slow climb up the streets toward Luc’s place. Years of manual work had given Thomas the strength of an ox, but he was grunting, and Luc was sweating profusely. Finally, however, they reached their destination.
Luc’s house lay at the end of a narrow street that was nestled against the hillside of Montmartre. It had belonged to a builder before Luc bought it. There was a small yard at the front, with bushes on one side and trees on the other. Behind the house lay a small garden. On the left rose the steep slope of the hill covered with shrubs. At the end, a wall. On the right, another wall, and the back of a shed belonging to another house. Against the slope, there was a wooden hut containing a privy, with a small garden shed adjoining it.
They got the carpet into the house, down the narrow hallway and into the main room. At the end of that, they needed a break.
“I’ll get you a beer,” said Luc, and Thomas nodded gratefully.
As Luc poured their beer, Thomas said, “The carpet’s too big for this room, I think.”
“I’m going to cut it down.”
“Do you want to open it out and see? I don’t mind helping you.”
“Not now. I’m too tired.”
“What was it you wanted to talk to me about, then?”
“Oh. I just wanted to know if you needed any money. I have quite a bit put by.”
“That’s kind of you, Luc. But we’re all right. If I’m ever in trouble, I’ll tell you.”
“Just so long as you let me know.”
They drank their beers in silence, until Luc got up to use the privy.
Thomas measured the carpet with his eye. He wondered how much too big it was. It suddenly occurred to him that if there was a spare strip, he might take it for the passage in their lodgings. Taking out his knife, he cut the string that was tied around the carpet, and began to unroll it.
Then he stepped back, and stared in horror.
Luc gazed at him sadly.
“Why did you do that?” he said.
Thomas did not answer.
“I was only gone for a moment.” Luc sighed. “I never meant you to see. I didn’t want you to know.”
“What happened?”
“An accident. It was awful.”
“Didn’t you get the police?”
“I couldn’t. They mightn’t have believed it was an accident.” He shook his head. “It didn’t look right.”
“You killed her?”
“Of course not.”
“People will look for her.”
“I don’t think so. She was just … a young lady of the night. If they asked me, I could say that she left. But I don’t think they’ll even ask. I just have to get rid of the body.”
“Why did you kill her?”
“I didn’t. I swear it. There was an argument … She fell. It was an accident. That’s all.”
“Oh mon Dieu!”
“You mustn’t tell anyone, Thomas. Not even Édith. Especially
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