Twenty years ago, she would have been beautiful. However, having all that you want can ruin a person. It makes a man lazy. It can make a woman bitter. And Achille knew that bitter is never lovely.
“Please allow me to introduce Mr. Achille Poirot,” Creel said to Mrs. Edmonds’ back.
She turned and placed a long, black cigarette holder in her mouth. She inhaled deeply and made a cherry red “O” with her mouth and blew. The smoke drifted towards Achille but curved at the last minute and hit Creel square in the face. The manager scrunched his face and stifled a sneeze.
“Enchante’” Achille nodded his head an inch.
“Poirot,” she said. “I’ve heard of that name.”
Achille smiled.
“No doubt, you’ve heard of my famous brother, Hercule,” he said.
“Yes, that’s the one,” she waved her cigarette holder at him. “Funny little bald man with a queer walk.”
“Well, he inherited the brains and I the looks,” Achille said.
Edmonds took another drag on her cigarette and looked down her nose at him.
“Right,” she said as she exhaled.
“I’ve taken the liberty of asking Mr. Poirot to assist us with your missing jewel,” Creel stepped forward.
“Are you a detective like your brother?” she asked.
Achille gestured towards a sofa and chairs by the fireplace.
“May we sit down?” he asked.
She cinched the kimono tighter and floated over to the sofa. Tucking her legs beneath her, she leaned back against a large green pillow. The two men glanced at each other and took chairs across from the sofa.
“To answer your query,” Achille continued. “No, I’m not a professional detective.”
Creel leaned forward.
“However,” he interjected. “Mr. Poirot has been instrumental in helping the police solve several crimes since he’s made his home with us.”
“Have there been several crimes here at the Waldorf?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
Creel waved his hands.
“No, no, no,” he stammered. “Mr. Poirot has solved many crimes outside of this hotel.”
“Well, there was the case of the young girl who was found dead at the hotel’s loading dock,” Achille said.
Creel gripped the chair’s arm. It gave a dull creak.
“She was murdered somewhere else and left there by a madman,” Creel said.
Edmonds leaned forward and picked up a gold cigarette case from the table. She removed the expired butt and replaced it with a fresh one. Achille noticed a maker’s mark on the slender white cigarette. It came from an exclusive tobacconist in London.
“So, you have madmen prowling about the grounds?” she smirked.
Creel’s cheeks reddened and beads of sweat formed a halo across his forehead.
“Madam, we are simply here to assist you in recovering your jewel,” Achille said. “Monsieur Creel is correct in stating that the Waldorf Astoria is not only the best hotel in New York City, it’s also the safest.”
“And yet,” she replied. “I’m missing a very large ruby.”
Achille tented his fingers.
“There’s nothing in this world that is flawless,” he said. “I will repair the hotel’s reputation and find your jewel.”
Edmonds narrowed her eyes and lit her cigarette.
“But first,” Achille continued. “You must leave.”
Creel hiccuped and dabbed his forehead with an already damp handkerchief. Mrs. Edmonds stopped in mid-inhale of her cigarette and coughed.
“What did you say?” she stood up.
“Yes, what?” Creel jumped up as well.
Achille sat and opened his hands, palm up.
“I must have complete, uninterrupted access to this suite to conduct a thorough investigation,” he said.
“And where am I to go?” she waved her cigarette around like a wand.
Achille stood and walked to the front door.
“Monsieur Creel will escort you to my apartment in the other tower here,” he said. “My valet will see to your every need.”
She opened her mouth, then closed it and looked from Achille to Creel.
“Good lord Achille,” Creel said. “At least let Mrs. Edmonds get properly dressed.”
Achille bowed his head.
“Of course,” he said. “Please replace the fine Japanese silk with something more appropriate for the hallways.”
Within minutes, Creel was leading Mrs. Edmonds out of the suite. She passed Achille without glancing back.
“You’d better know what you’re doing,” Creel whispered as he passed Achille.
Achille closed the door behind them and turned to face the room.
“I know that you’re here mon ami,” he said. “It’s time for you to come out and play.”
