The Other Side of Midnight

Two months after moving in with Sorel, Noelle received a call from Christian Barbet.

"I have another report for you," the little detective said.

"Is he all right?" Noelle asked quickly.

Again Barbet was filled with that sense of uneasiness. "Yes," he said.

Noelle's voice was filled with relief. "I'll be right down."

The report was divided into two parts. The first dealt with Larry Douglas' military career. He had shot down five German planes and was the first American to become an Ace in the war. He had been promoted to Captain. The second part of the report interested her more. He had become very popular in London's wartime social life and had become engaged to the daughter of a British Admiral. There followed a list of girls that Larry was sleeping with, ranging from show girls to the wife of an under-secretary in the Ministry.

"Do you want me to keep on with this?" Barbet asked.

"Of course," Noelle replied. She took an envelope from her purse and handed it to Barbet. "Call me when you have anything further."

And she was gone.

Barbet sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "Folle," he said thoughtfully. "Folle."

If Philippe Sorel had had any inkling of what was going on in Noelle's mind, he would have been astonished. Noelle seemed totally devoted to him. She did everything for him: cooked wonderful meals, shopped, supervised the cleaning of his apartment and made love whenever the mood stirred him. And asked for nothing. Sorel congratulated himself on having found the perfect mistress. He took her everywhere, and she met all his friends. They were enchanted with her and thought Sorel a very lucky man.

One night as they were having supper after the show, Noelle said to him, "I want to be an actress, Philippe."

He shook his head. "God knows you're beautiful enough, Noelle, but I've been up to my ass in actresses all my life. You're different, and I want to keep you that way. I don't want to share you with anyone." He patted her hand. "Don't I give you everything you need?"

"Yes, Philippe," Noelle replied.

When they returned to the apartment that night, Sorel wanted to make love. When they finished, he was drained. Noelle had never been as exciting, and Sorel congratulated himself that all she needed was the firm guidance of a man.

The following Sunday was Noelle's birthday, and Philippe Sorel gave a dinner party for her at Maxim's. He had taken over the large private dining room upstairs, decorated with plush red velvet and deep dark wood paneling. Noelle had helped write the guest list, and there was one name she included without mentioning it to Philippe. There were forty people at the party. They toasted Noelle's birthday and gave her lavish gifts. When dinner was over, Sorel rose to his feet. He had drunk a good deal of brandy and champagne and he was a little unsteady, his words a bit slurred.

"My friends," he said, "we've all drunk to the most beautiful girl in the world and we've given her lovely birthday presents, but I have a present for her that's going to be a big surprise." Sorel looked down at Noelle and beamed, then turned to the crowd. "Noelle and I are going to be married."

There was an approving cheer and the guests raced up to clap Sorel on the back and wish luck to the bride-to-be. Noelle sat there smiling up at the guests, murmuring her thank-yous. One of the guests had not risen. He was seated at a table at the far end of the room, smoking a cigarette in a long holder and viewing the scene sardonically. Noelle was aware that he had been watching her during dinner. He was a tall, very thin man, with an intense, brooding face. He seemed amused by everything that was happening around him, more an observer at the party than a guest.

Noelle caught his eye and smiled.

Armand Gautier was one of the top directors in France. He was in charge of the French Repertory Theater, and his productions had been acclaimed all over the world. Having Gautier direct a play or a motion picture was an almost certain guarantee of its success. He had the reputation of being particularly good with actresses and had created half a dozen important stars.

Sorel was at Noelle's side, talking to her. "Were you surprised, my darling?" he asked.

"Yes, Philippe," she said.

"I want us to be married right away. We'll have the wedding at my villa."

Over his shoulder Noelle could see Armand Gautier watching her, smiling that enigmatic smile. Some friends came and took Philippe away and when Noelle turned, Gautier was standing there.

"Congratulations," he said. There was a mocking note in his voice. "You hooked a big fish."

"Did I?"

"Philippe Sorel is a great catch."

"For someone perhaps," Noelle said indifferently.

Gautier looked at her in surprise. "Are you trying to tell me you're not interested?"

"I'm not trying to tell you anything."