The Paris Librarian Read Free Page B

suspiciously.
    â€œSame as last time,” she said lightly. “But French. Strict dress code, of course, but I can help you with that.”
    Hugo smiled and shook his head in mock disgust. At the party in England, she’d told him that he would be allowed in only if he was wearing leather, the party’s dress code. She forgot to mention that a tuxedo was also permitted—a rule he would have followed quite happily, and one he discovered once he was already inside the party dungeon. One of those things , he thought, that’s a lot funnier in hindsight than at the time .
    â€œI’ll pass,” he said. “Feel free to take Tom, he may actually enjoy it.”
    â€œScaredy cat.”
    They looked up as Miki and Tom rejoined them. Miki poked at her coffee and frowned. “That went cold fast,” she said. She looked up at Hugo. “Merlyn said you’re head of security at the US Embassy here.”
    â€œThat’s right,” Hugo said.
    â€œWhat does that mean, exactly? What do you actually do?”
    â€œThat depends on the day, the week. It varies a lot. Sometimes I’ll escort guests, sometimes I’ll arrange security for dignitaries, sometimes I’ll work with local police when there’s been a crime involving an American citizen.”
    â€œDo you carry a gun?”
    â€œWhether or not RSOs carry weapons is decided by the two countries involved, so that also varies from embassy to embassy.”
    â€œI was asking about you,” Miki pressed.
    â€œI know you were.” Hugo smiled. “Tell me about your writing project. Merlyn said you’re writing an article about Isabelle Severin.”
    â€œI’m actually hoping it’ll be a book. Amazing person. She wasn’t just the most beautiful woman who ever lived, she was a good person, too.”
    â€œAnd brave, if she was a spy.”
    Miki watched him, as if wondering whether he was making fun of her. “Merlyn told you about that.”
    â€œI think I already knew about the rumors but yes, she said you were looking into whether or not that was true.”
    â€œI’m pretty sure it is, but she doesn’t want anyone to know.”
    â€œSo shouldn’t it stay a secret?”
    Miki smiled. “Merlyn said you were kind of a Boy Scout.”
    â€œMeaning?”
    â€œMeaning, if one of the most famous actresses of the last century went up against, and defeated, the Gestapo, that should be public knowledge, especially seventy years later. What’s the harm?”
    â€œMaybe that’s for her to decide.”
    Miki’s voice hardened. “I’ve never known a historian or journalist to ask permission from their subject, so I’d say no, it’s not.”
    â€œI’m with you on that,” Tom interjected. “But aren’t there books about her already?”
    â€œOne or two, but nothing published recently.” Miki nodded. “But they barely touch on her travels, and whatever else she got up to in France. Since her papers have just been donated to the American Library here, I’m hoping there’s something new and different I can share with the world about her role in the war.”
    â€œYou’re sure she had a role?” Hugo asked.
    â€œYes. At least, I think so.” She flashed a smile. “If I get to see all her papers, I’ll find out.”
    â€œSeems like a tough story to dig up.”
    â€œI like a challenge,” she said. “And once I get my teeth into something like this I don’t give up until I get the truth, all of the truth. If there’s a story there, I’ll get it one way or another.”
    â€œVery admirable. You know what, let me call my friend at the library right now.” Hugo stood. “A little noisy in here, I’ll be right back.” He walked out of the café and found a shaded spot on the sidewalk. He dialed Paul Rogers, who answered quickly. “Paul, Hugo