Episode 1 Game Of Harts

“Darling, how long will we have before we reach Paris?” Jennifer Hart asks her husband, Jonathan Hart, as she sits beside him with his arm wrapped around her back as he drinks a glass of Champagne while she looks at herself in the mirror refreshing her hair and makeup. 

“Why? Have yourself a hot date in Paris? Been sneaking around while I was away on business for Hart Industries?” he asks teasingly as he gives her a wink and a smile.

Jennifer bursts out laughing as she finishes putting on her eye shadow and brushing her hair. 

“Ha ha! Very amusing,” she replies grinning as she puts away the makeup in her purse. “But also not a very appropriate response from a husband considering it is their anniversary.”

“You’re right. We’ll drop the subject and discuss the matter once we get back home. Then we can have ourselves a real serious husband and wife discussion about the “matter of cheating.”

“Well, since you brought the subject up,” Jennifer says teasingly. “There is a young man much more charming than you and even more handsome.  We just happened to run into each other one afternoon while I was having lunch by myself after I did an interview for that new story I’m writing. It's about the importance of keeping a marriage happy and healthy, if you get my drift,” Jennifer says as she turns around and kisses her husband. Jonathan puts down his glass, grabs her by the arm, kisses her firmly, and wraps both his arms around her tightly. 

Suddenly the jet phone rings startling the both of them out of their passionate kiss.

“What a way to start our trip to Paris,” Jonathan says sarcastically as he lets go of her and takes the receiver off of the telephone which is laying across from him.

He puts the receiver up to his mouth and answers in his distinguished voice, “Jonathan Hart. Oh, hello, Max. No, we’re not in Paris yet. We’ll be landing soon though. Everything all right? How’s Freeway?”

“Oh, tell Max to give Freeway our love, darling,” Jennifer says sitting up and getting herself up in the position she was in before she and Jonathan started kissing. 

“Mrs. H says to give Freeway our love.” Jonathan listens to the other end of the line before responding. “An urgent call for me?” he asks, looking totally confused and concerned. “From an old flame in high school? What’s her name? I see. No, I didn’t know. You know keeping up on current events isn’t exactly what we had in mind while we celebrated our anniversary, Max. Thank you for calling and letting me know. Don’t worry. You did the right thing in interrupting our holiday. I know Mrs. H will understand. Talk to you later. Goodbye.” He hangs up the receiver slowly and with grave concern and shock on his face as he becomes lost in his thoughts.

Jennifer becomes concerned by Jonathan’s sudden solemn mood. “Jonathan, what did you mean by Mrs. H will understand? What’s wrong? And what was all the talk about an old flame in high school?”

“Oh, Eva Lampert, who got married years back I found out at my high school reunion back in 1977. Her husband died earlier today.”

“Oh, how sad and tragic! But why would she call you, Jonathan, suddenly after all these years out of the blue? You haven’t mentioned Eva Lampert since we became engaged. You both were an item in the past. Neither you or Eva ever once kept in touch since you both graduated from college.”

“Darling, I don’t know how to tell you this, but Eva is now living in Paris. The reason she wants me to contact her soon as possible is because her husband, Peter, didn’t just die of natural causes or from an accident. He was killed. He disappeared sometime last night, and his body was discovered this morning by the French police.” 

“Is it my imagination or did I just watch a rerun of an old movie with Audrey Hepburn just recently where her character’s last name was Lampert?” 

“No, it’s not your imagination. Her character’s last name was Lampert, and if you recall one of the names Cary Grant presented himself to Audrey with in the film was Peter, which is also very freaky. Not to mention a very scary and startling coincidence.”

“Not only that, but the film took place in Paris as well. What was the name of that film again?”

“Charade, and I have an uncomfortable feeling that we’ll be doing our own version of Charade very soon.”

“Jonathan, why is it wherever we go we have a strange habit of getting involved in other people’s adventures and mysteries?”

“I don’t know. I guess we just happen to be the modern day, Nick and Nora Charles.”

“I guess so. Darling, will you pour me a glass of champagne please? Something tells me I’m going to need it before we hear the director yell action,” Jennifer replies nervously, her mind not able to process the fact that while on their anniversary once again they’re caught up in adventure, most likely danger, murder, and mayhem. 

Jonathan picks up the bottle of Champagne and pours Jennifer a glass which he hands to her.

“Thank you, darling,”Jennifer replies as she takes the glass and begins to sip the Champagne.

“I know how much this trip to Paris means to you as my anniversary present. I promise you no matter what Paris has in store for us during the week we’re here, nothing is going to stop us from enjoying our early anniversary celebration,”Jonathan tells his wife.

“I know that, Jonathan. No matter what mystery and adventure we get ourselves entangled in, we always manage to find time for romance. Romance and our anniversary isn’t what is bothering me. What is worrying me is that we will most likely end up in danger,” Jennifer confesses.

 “You know, darling, I have a much better way to calm your nerves than champagne.  I’ll give you a demonstration,” he tells her seductively. 

“Oh, I would love a demonstration!” Jennifer replies seductively as she puts down her glass. 

 After Jonathan takes the receiver off the hook he gives her a kiss. They embrace each other, kissing passionately as they lean against the sofa. 

15 Minutes later the Harts’ jet landing at the airstrip for private planes at Paris-Le Bourget Airport

The Harts’ plane touches the ground. Jonathan and Jennifer walk out of their Grumman Gulfstream II jet with their luggage. Jonathan carries a suitcase with him, and Jennifer carries two suitcases with a purse hanging from her shoulder.

Meanwhile, a man in his sixties has been watching the Harts through a pair of binoculars soon as their plane landed. His hair is hidden by his hat. He is standing further away from the back of the gate as possible so as not to be seen. 

“Are we planning to stay an extra week in this romantic city?” Jonathan asks Jennifer after realizing she is carrying more than enough luggage for their weekly anniversary celebration in France. 

“What?” Jennifer asks puzzled by her husband’s question as they walk in the direction towards the terminal of the airport.

“Your two suitcases,” Jonathan explains grinning.

“You know what they say, darling. A woman can never have enough luggage.”

“Oh, I thought that only women can never have enough purses, clothes, or shoes.”

“No. We females are needy.”

Jonathan laughs as he takes one of her suitcases which in response Jennifer thanks him.

The mystery man with the binoculars continues spying on the Harts until they go inside the terminal. He puts down his binoculars and just cautiously glances around him. He appears to be anxiously waiting for someone. He glances at his wristwatch. The time is 9:15 A.M.

“I have a surprise for you, darling,” Jonathan tells Jennifer as they walk through the airport together after going through security and customs. 

“Really? I can’t wait to find out what it is. Any hints?”

“I thought for a change we should enjoy our anniversary and trip in luxurious style instead of those rental cars we usually get whenever we travel.  Need I say more?”

“You got us a limousine?” Jennifer asks excitedly. 

“I sure did. The driver is waiting for us now near the front entrance of the airport.”

“This is going to be fun. Just like in the movies,” she replies smiling. 

Jonathan and Jennifer finally make their way to the front entrance where an older man, in his seventies with white hair, wearing a black chauffeur uniform stands with a sign in front of him that says, “MR. AND MRS. HART” in caps. 

Jonathan and Jennifer smile upon seeing him. 

“Good morning, Charles. I’m Jonathan Hart,”Jonathan says, shaking the man’s hand. “This is my wife, Jennifer. My secretary spoke with you on the phone about being our chauffeur doing our stay here in Paris.”

“Good morning, Mr. Hart and Mrs. Hart,” Charles replies in an upper class English accent. “I’m happy to be of service. The limousine is waiting right out front at the curb.” He leads the way with Jonathan and Jennifer following him. 

“The limousine is a perfect surprise for our anniversary, Jonathan.  I love it!” Jennifer tells her husband taking his hand as he takes hers.

“I knew you would. We both have elegant taste,” Jonathan says as he winks at her as they walk out of the airport. 

 The black limousine is waiting for the Harts right at the foot of the curb. Jennifer and Jonathan stop to admire the sophisticated black car in front of them. They smile with delight and excitement at each other. Charles opens the trunk and takes the Harts’ luggage from their hands which he deposits in the trunk of the vehicle. 

The man, who had been spying on the Harts earlier, is standing in the same place watching them with the binoculars again.

“Thank you,” Jonathan tells Charles as he opens the passenger door to the back seat for Jennifer. 

“Your limousine waits for you, Madame,” Jonathan says in a charmed voice.

Jennifer grins as he takes her hand and helps her into the backseat.

“Thank you, Monsieur,” Jennifer replies gracefully.  Jonathan gets in and shuts the door. Charles opens the door to the driver’s side and gets in behind the wheel.

“Oh, I am enjoying this kind of transportation already,” Jennifer says with enthusiasm. 

“If you think this is something wait until you see our suite at The Ritz,” Jonathan tells his wife as the limousine’s engine begins to start.

The mystery man, with the binoculars, places the optical instrument down from his eyes with them dangling around his neck. He watches Jonathan and Jennifer drive off and depart from the airport. 

 Out of the blue, the man hears a loud car horn coming from a nearby parked limousine from across the way. He looks both ways before crossing the street to the limousine. The window from the back of the limo comes down halfway as a male voice can be heard.

“Well?” the man asks gruffly.

“The phone call Eva Lampert made in California was to the home of a Jonathan and Jennifer Hart. Jonathan Hart is a millionaire, who runs Hart Industries. His wife, Jennifer Hart, is a freelance journalist. She majored in courses at several universities. One of them was languages. The man, who answered Eva’s call is the Harts’ servant named Max. He’s been with Jonathan Hart for years.” 

“Who is this Freeway Hart mentioned in his call to his servant?” the man asks.

“It’s the Harts’ pet dog. What do we do next,sir?”

“We wait and see what Eva’s purpose was in calling Jonathan Hart. Find out anything else on her?”

“Oh, yes, sir. I forgot to mention Eva was a former flame of Mr. Hart. They haven’t kept in touch since they graduated from college. The last time Hart saw Eva was at their high school reunion in 1977. It was then that Jonathan discovered Eva was married to Peter.”

“I don’t like the sound of this. I think Jonathan Hart was contacted by Eva because she wants him to help her uncover the circumstances involving that scumbag’s death.”

“I don’t like the sound of any of this either, sir, but for another reason. I did further digging into the Harts’ personal life than you asked me to. Jonathan Hart and Jennifer Hart are amateur detectives. They tend to solve mysteries wherever they go.”

“What the dickens do they want to play Sherlock Holmes for?!! I thought you told me the Harts are millionaires?”

“I did,sir. It seems the Harts solve crimes just for kicks.”

“Well, this is one time we’ll have to see to it that the Harts don’t solve Peter’s death. You stay on them and get back to me soon as you find out what they are up to. If it looks like they’re definitely here in Paris for more than just a holiday and celebrating their wedding anniversary, than we’ll have to get the Harts to mind their own business once and for all.”

“You got it, sir. What do you have in mind than if we have to show the Harts we mean business if they are going to investigate Peter’s death?”

“Never mind that. Until that time may come that is only my affair. Do you understand that?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Excellent! Than we understand each other crystal clear. You get in that car of yours and don’t let the Harts out of your sight for one second. I’ll handle the matter concerning Eva Lampert on my end. You just see to it the Harts don’t go digging into our business or the French police will be digging their bodies out of the same place where they dug out Peter’s.”

“Yes, sir.”

The window rolls all the way up, and the limousine drives off with the mystery man watching. The man glances at his wristwatch and hurries across the street. He gets into his car,a Peugeot, and drives off in a hurry, striving to catch up with Mr. and Mrs. Hart.   

After fifty minutes of driving from Le-Bourget to Hotel Ritz due to traffic, Jonathan and Jennifer finally reach their destination.  Charles pulls up to the front curb of Hotel Ritz.  As he opens his door and gets out of the driver’s seat, Jonathan opens door to the backseat and stands aside to allow Jennifer to get out as he takes her hand. Charles is standing at the front of the trunk getting his passengers’ luggage out. Jennifer and Jonathan walk through the front entrance together.

Hotel Ritz Corridor 

Soon after Jonathan and Jennifer checked in they arrive on the third floor to Cesar Ritz Suite after walking up the staircase from the lobby. The bellhop unlocks the door for them which he opens as Jonathan and Jennifer walk in. Jonathan and Jennifer walk around examining their suite as the bellhop places the luggage at the foot of their bed in one of the bedrooms.

“Very impressive,”Jonathan replies in a very satisfied manner. 

“That is putting it mildly, darling,” Jennifer tells her husband as she smiles with delight at the sight at the very luxurious and rich looking style suite. 

“Will there be anything else, Monsieur?” the bellhop asks as he walks into the room where the Harts are standing.  He hands Jonathan the key to their suite.

“Non, merci,” he tells the bellhop as he takes out his wallet from his suit. He takes out 315 francs and hands it to the bellhop. 

“Merci,” the bellhop says smiling.

“De rien,”Jonathan replies, the French translation for “you’re welcome.” The bellhop walks out of the suite and shuts the door on his way out.

“Well, darling,” Jonathan sighs as he puts his arm around his wife. “Finally we are spending our anniversary at Hotel Ritz just like you always wanted. Is it everything you expected it to be?”

“More than I ever dreamed of,” Jennifer replies. “I love you, Jonathan Hart,” she tells him in an affectionate tone.

“And I love you, Jennifer Hart,” he tells her in a loving tone. “I really hate to interrupt this special moment between us, but I think I better give Eva a call right away.”

“I think you better have too. She has been through quite an ordeal. We have plenty of time for just us husband and wife later.” 

Jonathan smiles at her and makes his way to the phone on the table by the sofa in the room. There is a telephone book on the right by the phone. Jonathan flips through the pages until he finds Eva’s name and number. He dials the number directly.  After a few moments of just hearing a ring on the other end of the line, he hears Eva’s voice come on. 

“Hello, Eva. It’s Jonathan. We got your message from Max while we were on our jet. We landed over an hour ago and are in our suite at The Ritz now.” 

“Oh, Jonathan, I’m so glad you were finally able to return my call!!! I’ve been such a nervous wreck since Peter was found dead this morning. I don’t know who else to turn to,” Eva says her voice breaking.

“Now try to get a hold of yourself, Eva. Jennifer and I are here now so you don’t have to worry. What’s this about Peter’s death being a murder?”

“I can’t talk about it over the phone!! I’m too emotional!! I’ll head on over to Hotel Ritz right away. Meet me at Ritz Bar, and I’ll explain everything. In twenty minutes,” Eva tells him in a rush.  Jonathan hears a click at the other end of the receiver before he can respond to Eva’s request. He  sighs in frustration and once again worry comes over his face which Jennifer notices. 

“Darling, what is wrong? Isn’t Eva safe?”

“Other than being a nervous wreck, Eva is fine. She can’t talk about it over the phone. She’s on her way now. She’ll be here in twenty minutes. She wants to meet me here at Ritz Bar. She’ll explain everything then.”

“Poor woman! Having to lose her husband in such a terrifying way. Do you want me to come with you?”

“We’re a team, aren’t we? Do we ever separate from the other when someone we know is in trouble?”

“No, but we never had an ex flame confiding in us when their spouse ends up murdered.”

Jonathan nods in agreement. 

“May I take your order, Monsieur et Madame?”

“We’re waiting for a friend. My wife and I would like only some coffee please,” Jonathan tells him.

“Very well, Monsieur,” he says as he walks away. 

“I wonder why Eva wanted to meet you here,” Jennifer says. “It is only eleven o’ clock almost,” she explains after glancing at her wristwatch. “Too early for a drink.”

“My guess is she was too upset to eat anything today. Eva never was one to touch alcohol except for wine occasionally,” Jonathan replies.

“Hopefully that habit hasn’t changed since she got the news of Peter’s death,” Jennifer tells her husband concerned. 

“Darling, I think you and Max have been watching too much of Doctor’s Hospital.”

“Jonathan, I haven’t watched an episode of that soap since I was close to getting killed by the leading man almost two years ago. I don’t know what I was thinking of accepting an offer of becoming part of their writing staff. If Max ever enters me in a raffle to appear on any show again, I’ll just insist Max go instead.”

“Perfect solution since he doesn’t have your natural talent of writing.” 

Just then the waiter comes over with their mugs of coffee which he places in front of them. 

“Merci,” Jonathan tells him. Just then the door opens, and Eva quietly walks in. She is a beautiful and attractive brunette in her late forties.  She wears a black dress, a new fashion dress that came out earlier this year of 1984. She is carrying a matching purse and there are tears in her eyes which she is wiping away. She looks around for Jonathan. He sees her and waves her over to where he and Jennifer are seated. 

“Oh, Jonathan, I’m so glad you came to Paris!!! I haven’t seen you in years. How long has it been?”

“Since the high school reunion in 1977. Eva, I would like for you to meet my wife, Jennifer.”

She is surprised that Jonathan brought his wife along with him. 

“Hello, Eva. It is so nice to meet you,” Jennifer says. “I hope you don’t mind me coming with my husband, but Jonathan and I are accustomed in helping people solve mysteries.”

“Yes, we’re amateur sleuths as they say.”

“No, I don’t mind at all. I could use all the friends and support I could get right now. It’s very nice to meet you, Jennifer. I know we just met, but I can see why Jonathan married you. He’s very lucky to have you as his wife.”

“Well, thank you! I consider that high praise. Won’t you sit down?” Jennifer asks as she moves over to make room for Eva to sit next to her. 

“Yes, thank you!”

The waiter comes over to take Eva’s order. 

“What can I get for you, Madame?”

“Vodka, please,” she replies nervously. 

Jonathan and Jennifer both look at each other stunned as the waiter walks away. 

“I told you so, darling,”Jennifer whispers.

“And you were right, darling,” Jonathan whispers back. 

Eva turns around from glancing around the room nervously before bringing her attention back to the Harts. 

“Eva, Jennifer and I would like to offer our condolences. We were both sorry to hear about Peter’s death,” Jonathan tells her.

“I can only imagine what you must be going through,” Jennifer says sympathetically.

“Thank you,” Eva whispers quietly as the waiter returns with Eva’s vodka in a glass. 

“You know when I met Peter, I thought I came across the perfect husband. It wasn’t until soon after the marriage, I found out that he wasn’t the man I thought he was. He was very secretive. He never told me anything about his family or his service in the Vietnam War. It wasn’t until last night I decided to divorce him. I came to the conclusion I wasn’t really in love with him as I thought. I feel as if my whole life with Peter was nothing, but a charade.”

Jonathan and Jennifer glance at each other uncomfortable at the mention of the word, “Charade.”

“I found out at police headquarters this morning that Peter had three passports on him when he died, all under other names,” Eva continues telling them. She takes out a cigarette from her purse and a lighter which she uses to light the cigarette before she continues going on with her story. “Besides the passports, all the police discovered in his suitcase were only enough clothes to last a few days, a tooth brush, tooth paste, and a wallet. It looked as if he packed in a hurry. Oh, I was so foolish to marry him, but Peter could provide me with the luxurious lifestyle I love so much. Now that he is dead, I’m broke. I’ll have to go back to my old job. I have to sell our house so I can have some money to live on. I don't even have enough money to give him a proper funeral so I'm having him cremated immediately.”

“What did you do before you married Peter?”Jennifer asks.

“I worked as a tutor teaching young children from America how to learn the language over here. I don’t have to tell you how much a teacher earns on their salary. Certainly not enough to provide for my lavish taste.”

“Eva, until you get everything settled and your life back again, I will provide you with enough money and help you anyway I can.” 

“Thank you, Jonathan! You were always so kind to me and everyone from high school through college,” Eva replies smiling at him. “Several nights nights ago Peter was in a panic and was in fear of his life. He kept saying over and over again, “Someone is out to get me, Eva. Someone from my past is out to get me!” “I have never seen Peter in such a state like that ever. He was always so calm and laid back. That very night he gave me a sealed envelope with a letter he had written in his own hand writing. He told me then and there not to open it until his death. I thought he was becoming paranoid and was going out of his mind. That is until he disappeared last night.”

She takes the envelope out of her purse and hands it to Jonathan to read. “He did mention however that this letter was to be opened by you only, Jonathan. I have no idea why. By the tone of Peter’s voice I think he meant it would be explained in the letter.” She hands the envelope over to Jonathan which he takes. 

The mystery man, who had been spying on the Harts earlier at the airport, is sitting nearby on the last stool at the end of the bar on his right pretending to be occupied in reading the newspaper and drinking a beer. He is actually eavesdropping on their conversation unknown to the Harts and Eva. 

Jennifer and Eva watch as Jonathan carefully tears open the envelope. He takes out the letter and begins to read it out loud to the two women. The letter is dated August 1,1984 in the right hand corner. 

“Dear Jonathan, I can not believe I am actually writing this letter to you now. I know how highly Eva spoke of you from time to time. She told me how much of a good friend you were always to her even after you stopped dating her. Perhaps if she had married you instead of me, there would be no reason for me to write this letter to you now. But sadly that is not the case as we both know. If you’re reading this letter it means, my past has finally caught up to me after all these years. It means I have been tracked down and murdered. Now that I am dead due to foul play, I fear Eva’s life is in danger just as my life was. I want you to protect her. I want you to look after her since you are strong. Eva also told me you were once in the Navy, and I know like any other branch of the armed forces the Navy is tough. I can sense that you can be trusted. I have no one else to look after my Eva. I know she never really loved me, but I was never the husband she deserved so I have no right to place the blame on her. I can only tell you so much. Once you find out why, you’ll understand. Everything will fall into place. I hope Eva will turn towards you. I do not want her to pay for the crime I committed years ago. I deeply regret that I was not the kind of man that Eva could be proud of and look up to as a good role model for a husband like yourself. Perhaps you solving the mystery of my death and righting the wrongs I have done her and others I can not mention, I can make up for all the bad I have done in my life. I have very little time left and become more in fear of my life at each moment the time passes so I will finally tell you what I can. Years ago along with three other men during the Vietnam War, we committed a crime. For years after the war ended and we were discharged, I had lived with guilt about what we had done. Only a few weeks ago, I decided to make a clean break of everything and tell the truth for a change. You will have to find out yourself what this crime is that was committed. I do know one man you can go to who will give you a clue, Thomas. Unless you can find out what the illegal act is that I and those other men committed, justice will not prevail. Even worse, I hate with all my heart to write, you and Eva will be in danger. I’m sorry for bringing you into this dilemma I have gotten us into! Please forgive me and don’t disappoint me! Please forgive me, Eva! I loved you and always will even in death. Sincerely, Peter. 

PS: Here is a key to the first riddle which you will find as the first clue.”

Jonathan puts the letter down on the table and looks into the envelope in which he finds at the bottom a gold key with numbers engraved on them: 320.

Jennifer and Eva look upon Jonathan finding a key in shock. “Jonathan,” Jennifer says in surprise.

“My goodness!” Eva remarks in amazement. “That’s the key to our safe deposit box!  Now I know what happened to it. I found it missing after I returned home this morning.” 

“Eva, do you have any knowledge of what Peter kept in the safe deposit box?” Jennifer asks as she points to the key which Jonathan is still holding.

“I don’t know I’m afraid. Peter didn’t even bother to tell me what was in it. He always handled everything that had to do with banking. He knew I was never good at managing financial matters.”

"In the letter Peter mentioned a man, Thomas. Do you know anyone by that name?" Jonathan asks.

"Not that I can think of. I hardly ever met any of Peter's friends, Jonathan," Eva explains. "And he didn't have any photographs taken during the war around the house that I know of."

“It is most likely that the men are after this key for the same reason Peter put it in the envelope. It makes sense after reading his letter why it was not in his other belongings the police discovered in his suitcase.  I do believe your life is in danger and because of the circumstances surrounding Peter’s death, I think you should go at once to the police with this letter and key,” Jonathan tells her as he folds the letter up neatly which he places back into the envelope after putting the key in first at the bottom just like he found it.

“I think Jonathan is right. No matter what murder mystery we always find ourselves involved in, we always make sure the police know what we have uncovered. The police in California probably know our home number by heart by now,” Jennifer adds.

“NO!” Eva exclaims frightened as tears stream down her face. “I think it is the last thing we should do! Peter advised against it. Since we are in danger, we shouldn’t involve the police! Can’t you see we have to keep what we know about Peter’s death to ourselves?! The police have already ruled his death as an accident. They called and told me before I came here that they have listed his cause of death as an accident.”

“You mean you didn’t even tell them about the letter Peter gave you?” Jennifer asks a little surprised.

“No. There was nothing to indicate foul play when they found his body or when they performed the autopsy,” Eva says calmly, but quietly with tears still streaming down her face.

Jennifer takes her hand and squeezes it gently. 

“I’ll go along with your decision as long as you compromise,” Jonathan says taking her hand as well. “You stay here at The Ritz not too far from our suite so Jennifer and I can keep an eye on you while investigating Peter’s death. You’ll be safer here at the hotel than alone at your house where the men can track you down.”

“All right. I’ll go along with that,” she says, wiping away her tears and brightening up a bit.

“I also think it’ll be a better idea if you have a bodyguard for whenever we’re not around since your life is at risk.”

“I think that is the perfect solution, Jonathan,”Jennifer says, turning to her husband. “Only one question, darling. Who will we get to be Eva’s bodyguard? No, don’t tell me. I can guess. Max, right?”

“Right,” Jonathan replies smiling as he puts the envelope into the inside pocket of his suit. 

“I think you and I should spend the night at Eva’s house tonight to keep an eye on things since it will be hours before Max will be able to arrive in Paris. We need to look for clues to help us get started on the investigation other than what we've got.” 

“I couldn’t have come up with a better plan myself, darling,”Jonathan says, proudly. “As soon as we finish our drinks we’ll check in with Max and ask him to fly to Paris. Then Jennifer and I will take you out to lunch and get in some sightseeing before we begin our sleuthing.”

“Oh, Jonathan, I can’t thank you enough for all you’re doing for me! I don’t know what I would do without you and Jennifer right now,” Eva replies, smiling as she has managed to compose herself and stop crying.

“Well, what are old flames for anyhow?” Jonathan asks.

“And their wives,”Jennifer comments teasingly. 

Eva smiles delighted at how happy Jonathan and Jennifer are at being married and seem to have so much fun together. 

After Eva ordered two more vodkas to calm her nerves Jonathan and Jennifer along with Eva get up from the booth. They walk out of the bar with Jonathan holding the door for his wife and Eva as the mystery man gets up from his stool and follows the Harts and Eva as they head to the lobby. 

“I think we had better call Max in our room in case anybody is keeping tabs on us,” Jonathan says, looking around as the mystery man quickly ducks behind a wall away from the Harts and other guests in the lobby. Jonathan and Jennifer walk up to the front desk with Eva to register her in a suite near theirs. The mystery man suddenly comes out of his hiding place and watches with curiosity and interest as Eva signs the hotel register under a false name: “Roberta Caron.” 

“Here is your key,” the man behind the desk says to Eva as he hands her the key to her room. “Your suite number is 315. It is on the third floor across from Monsieur et Madame Hart, Madame Caron.”

“Merci,” she replies.

“It is my pleasure, Madame. Enjoy your stay here at Hotel Ritz.” 

Eva follows Jonathan and Jennifer to her suite as they walk on ahead of her. The mystery man continues to watch while Jonathan, Jennifer, and Eva disappear up the staircase. Immediately the mystery man walks out of the hotel and heads straight to his parked car. He takes his key out of his coat pocket and unlocks the car door before getting in. He shuts the door and picks up the car phone. He begins dialing a number. He waits only with just hearing it ring on the other end of the receiver for just one second before he hears the man’s gruffly voice speak.

“Bonjour.”

“Sir, it’s me. I’m at Hotel Ritz now outside in my car. I overheard Mr. and Mrs. Hart discussing Peter’s death at the bar with Mrs. Lampert. They just checked her into a suite across from theirs on the third floor. She is registered under an assumed name, Roberta Caron. The Harts are here to investigate Peter’s death. Mrs. Lampert gave Mr. Hart a sealed letter to read that Peter gave her a few nights ago. You’ll never guess what Mr. Hart was nice enough to find for us in that envelope. According to what Mr. Hart read out loud from Peter’s death, the key is the first clue to what we’ve been trying to get ahold of for weeks now.”

“I knew the Harts couldn’t resist getting themselves involved in a situation that doesn’t concern them so they can play detective. Did Peter say anything that could incriminate us in that letter?”

“He gave them the name of Thomas. Other than that sir nothing that could incriminate us.”

“Peter gave them a name?!!! That double crossing, no good scoundrel!!! You continue to keep an eye on the Harts and keep me up to date on their activities. When the time is right, I’ll let you know when to kill the Harts!” the man says in a tone revealing he was more than angry at the news he was just given. 

 The Harts’ Suite At Hotel Ritz 

Jonathan is in the living room in their suite talking on the phone to the operator. 

“Operator, I would like to place a call overseas to United States, please. Number is 310-555-2929,” Jonathan says while Jennifer sits on the sofa flipping through a magazine.  “Yes, I’ll wait. Merci.”

Max, the Harts’ butler, cook, and chauffeur is sitting on the sofa in the living room that night watching Ricky Nelson, John Wayne, and Dean Martin in a rerun of an old western, Rio Bravo, on TV. Freeway, an unclipped Lowchen breed, sits on his lap watching the screen along with him when the phone rings. Max turns down the volume on the remote as he gets up to answer the telephone on the bar near the TV.

“Hart residence,” Max answers in his gruff voice.

The Harts’ Suite At Hotel Ritz

“Hello, Max.”

“Hi,Mr. H. How’s it goin' over there? You and Mrs. H enjoyin' your anniversary in Paris?”

“Well, not exactly. That’s why I’m calling. Mrs. H and I need you to do us a favor.”

The Harts’ Ranch Style House in Bel-Air, CA

“I should have known better than to ask,” Max replies. “Let me guess. This Lampert lady, who called you earlier, met with you already and wants you to help her investigate her husband’s murder, right?”

“That’s definitely right. We have Eva staying here at The Ritz across from our suite for the time being for her safety. But we need to get her a bodyguard so Mrs. H and I will be free for our investigation so we won’t have to worry about her being in danger.”

“You needn’t say more, Mr. H. I get the picture. You want me to be the bodyguard. I’ll call LAX right now and get the first plane out of the states to Paris. I’ll bring Freeway with me.”

Freeway barks when he hears his name being called. “Yes, I said your name. Did you think I was talkin' about another dog named Freeway?” he asks as he looks at the dog in disbelief. “Sorry, Mr. H, but Freeway got all excited when he heard his name.”

“Don’t worry about it. But listen. Mrs. H and I will be spending the night at Eva’s house so we can look around for clues and keep an eye on things. We know it’ll be hours before you’ll able to land in Paris. I’m going to give you our room number and Eva’s in case. You ready?”

“Shoot,” Max replies as he takes a piece of paper and pencil to write down the room numbers.

“Our room number is 314, and Eva’s room number is 315. By the way, Eva is using an alias which is Roberta Caron.”

“Got it, Mr. H,” Max tells him as he writes down the room numbers and Eva’s alias she is using at the hotel. “Room 314 and 315. And Eva’s alias is Roberta Caron.”

“Be sure to call us soon as you land. I’ll get the telephone number for Eva’s house while we’re out today. I’ll call you back soon. We’ll have a rental car waiting for you, to drive you to the hotel."

“Will do. Anythin' else?”

“No, that should do, Max. Thanks. Just be sure to pack Freeway’s things and make travel arrangements for him as well. We’ll fill you in soon as you get here.” 

“Right away, Mr. H.” 

Max puts down the receiver only to hear a bark from below him. He looks down to see Freeway sitting up with the remote control to the TV in his mouth which he gently drops at Max’s feet and once again barks.

 “You got to be kiddin' me!” Max exclaims. “You’ve seen Rio Bravo before. Besides ‘em western pictures are all alike. Trust me. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen ‘em all. Now let me call the airport. You and I have packin' and then travelin' to do so forget television for now, ok? You’re worse than a kid when it comes to television.” He picks up the receiver once again and dials the number for the Los Angeles International Airport. “Why don’t you go play like a normal dog for a change?” he says, but more to himself than Freeway as he waits for the person on the other end of the line to answer.

Hotel Ritz Lobby Few Minutes Later

Jonathan, Jennifer, and Eva come down the last step from the staircase as they head to the front desk. 

“I put the envelope with Peter’s letter and the key in the safe at our suite for safekeeping,” Jonathan tells his wife and Eva.

“Oh, that reminds me, Jonathan. I need to stop by the house first so I’ll have some clothes for tonight,” Eva tells him.

“I really don’t think that is a good idea. That might be risky. I’ll buy you new clothes while we are out today.”

Jennifer and Eva stand a few feet away admiring the hotel as Jonathan walks up to the front desk. 

“Bonjour,” Jonathan says to the desk clerk.

“Oh, Bonjour, Monsieur Hart! What can I do for you?”

“I would like to rent a car for a few days while we’re staying in Paris starting this evening.” 

“I’ll call Europcar for a rental for you this evening. Five o’ clock work for you, Monsieur Hart?”

“Yes, that is the time I had in mind. Get us a Mercedes Benz if possible please. Right now my wife and I would just like our limousine to take us and Roberta to lunch and some sightseeing.” 

“Will call Charles to pick you all up right away, monsieur.” 

“Merci,” Jonathan says as he walks away while the clerk picks up the phone on the desk and dials the number for the limousine to pick up the Harts.

Jonathan and Jennifer along with Eva head out of the front entrance of the hotel and wait for the limousine to pick them up. The mystery man is still watching the Harts in his car as they come out while he is pretending to read a newspaper. 

“Eva, where do you suggest we eat for lunch?” Jennifer asks. “Being a citizen here for years, we would like to know the best restaurant you would recommend for us.”

“I highly recommend Restaurant Le Dali’. It’s one of the restaurants at Hotel Le Meurice, but they have one of the best restaurants in the city,” Eva says with a confident manner.

“Restaurant Le Dali’ it is then,” Jonathan says. 

Mystery man puts down his newspaper and once again picks up the receiver off of the hook to dial the other man’s number.

“Yes?” the man says gruffly on the other end of the line.

“Sir, the Harts are standing outside right now at their hotel with Eva Lampert. It appears they are waiting for their limousine.”

“Come over here right away!” he orders. “We’ll discuss the matter concerning the Harts and Eva Lampert. Did you take care of that matter I asked you to earlier this morning before the Harts’ arrival?” 

“Yes, sir. I took care of it right after you phoned me. It has all been taken care of. The Harts or Mrs. Lampert don’t have a clue that they have already been set up.” 

“I’m very pleased. Now get the heck on over here!” he orders, annoyed, hanging up the receiver once again before the mystery man can respond. 

The mystery man hangs up the receiver and takes one final look at the Harts as he pulls down his sunglasses halfway. He starts his engine and drives off in a hurry, putting on more speed than this morning. He is not going past the speed limit though. A few moments later, Charles pulls the limousine in front of the curb as he did when the Harts first arrived at Hotel Ritz.

Jonathan and Jennifer head over to the passenger’s side on the right while Eva goes over to the left side. Jonathan holds the door open for Jennifer as she gets in first while Eva goes ahead and opens her own door to get in next to Jennifer. Jonathan gets in and then shuts the door. 

“Where to Jonathan and Jennifer?” Charles asks as he starts the engine and drives off. 

“To Le Meurice, Charles,” Jonathan replies. “By the way, Jennifer and I would like to introduce you to an old friend of mine, Eva Lampert.”

“With pleasure, Miss Lampert,” Charles replies, smiling at her as he glances up at her from for a moment without taking his eyes off the road while driving the vehicle. 

“It’s nice to meet you, Charles,” Eva replies, quietly and nervously, but manages a slight smile. 

The Harts observe the sights as once again Jennifer takes out the camera to snap pictures. Eva becomes talkative in a few moments and tells them some historical facts about Paris: becoming their new tour guide during the three minute drive to the hotel. 

After pulling up to the Hotel Le Meurice at the curb, the Harts and Eva exit the vehicle. 

“Do you want me to wait?” Charles asks.

“Well, stay nearby, and we’ll let you know,” Jonathan tells him. "Not sure where we’ll begin our sightseeing yet after lunch. Thank you, Charles.”

 Meanwhile at a mansion at the other part of the city of Paris, France 

The mystery man is standing in the middle of the study talking to the other man as they play billiards on a pool table in front of them. The other man has a mustache.  He appears be around the same age as the mystery man, maybe older.

“Have any idea what that key is to Jonathan Hart found in the envelope?” the other man asks, seriously.

“Yes, sir. I heard Mrs. Lampert say it is a key to their safe deposit box. She has no idea what is in their safe deposit box though. Peter handled all their financial matters.”

“We need to get our hands on that key right away before the Harts and Eva find out what this is all about. If they get their hands on the safe deposit box, our lives will crumble around us.”

“Yes, sir. We can’t allow Mr. and Mrs. Hart and Peter’s widow to discover the documents and other incriminating evidence against us that was stolen from us.”

“Trust me. That will not happen. I will not allow my career and reputation to be ruined because of some foolish outsiders! If Peter hadn't decided to betray us, the Harts could just be like the other Americans in Paris right now. They would be enjoying their stay and anniversary instead of being caught up in a murder investigation, and Peter would not have needed to die. You have done good work! Keep it up! If I go down, I’ll take you down with me! But since you have become a private investigator after we were discharged from the army years ago, I think you can be trusted.”

“I won’t let you down. I don’t want anyone to know what Peter and us did while we were in the army anymore than you do! I know what is at stake.” Man takes mystery man’s hand and shakes it. 

“Since we know we can trust each other, neither of us are in danger. But as for the Harts and Madame Lampert,” the boss says as he takes his cue and focuses on the ball, “they’re a different story.” He takes his stick and with all his strength hits the ball as hard as he can causing it to fall into the pocket across from him as he finishes what he started to say, “They will end up dead,” grinning ear from ear. The words, “They will end up dead,” sends chills down the mystery man’s spine, but he says nothing. He is reluctant to commit to more killings, but he knows if they don’t kill the strangers their whole world will shatter, and they will go to jail with both of their lives and reputations being destroyed for good. 

Restaurant Le Dali’ At Hotel Meurice Half An Hour Later

 Jonathan, Jennifer, and Eva have finished their meal. They are now are eating their desserts and drinking coffee. They are seated at a table in the back of the restaurant. Jonathan and Jennifer ordered a Millefeuille, a rich dessert consisting of many very thin layers of puff pastry and such fillings as whipped cream, custard, fruit, and etc.  Eva is eating a Coffee Tart. 

“Well, this Millefeuille, is one of the best desserts I have ever eaten in my life,” Jennifer replies, impressed.

“I second that, darling,” Jonathan says.

“Yes, I have always enjoyed their desserts since the first day Peter and I moved to Paris. They really do know how to make desserts irresistible to eat,” Eva comments. 

“How is your Coffee Tart? I never tried a tart like that before. Do you mind if I have a bite?” Jennifer asks. 

“No, not at all, Jennifer! It’s delicious! Help yourself, please,” she replies, delighted Jonathan and Jennifer are enjoying their desserts. She moves her plate closer to Jennifer, who takes her fork and picks up a bite which she puts into her mouth.

“Mmm,” Jennifer replies after eating the tart. “It is very delicious, Eva. Thank you,” she puts her fork down, stuffed from their meal and desserts.

“What happened to us cutting back on sweets?” Jonathan teases Jennifer.

“Nothing. We just postponed cutting back while here on our holiday. Do you like my plan?” she asks, smiling at him.

“I sure do. I can’t eat anymore myself now. Our meal and dessert was enough to last me a couple of days.”

“I’ll remind you of that tomorrow,” Jennifer says as she picks up her cup of coffee and sips it. 

Jonathan chuckles and puts down his fork as well. He sips his coffee as Eva finishes her tart. 

A French waiter comes over to their table. “Everything satisfactory, Monsieur et Madame Hart?” he asks Jonathan and Jennifer.

“Yes, very much so,” Jennifer replies. 

“Bring our check when you get a moment, please,”Jonathan tells him.

“It so happens I have it with me now, Monsieur,” the waiter tells him as he hands Jonathan the check. Jonathan looks at the check and takes out his wallet to pay for their meals. He takes out more than enough Francs for their lunch and hands it to the waiter. “Keep the change,” he tells him before putting his wallet back into his suit.

“Merci, Monsieur,” he replies smiling as he walks away. 

“That was one of the most delicious meals we’ve had in a long time, Eva,” Jonathan tells her.

“I couldn’t agree more, darling,” Jennifer agrees smiling as she and Jonathan finish their coffee. “The service was very efficient considering the line of people out front.” 

“I’m so pleased you and Jennifer enjoyed your food,” Eva replies, smiling. “So sweet of you Jonathan to treat! I’m thankful more than you know.”

“Don’t be silly,” Jennifer replies. “At least we can do after all you’re going through.”

“Trust me, Eva. This food was well worth paying for. Jennifer and I both believe if you want the best, you have to pay for it,” Jonathan replies, grinning.

“Yes Le Dali’ was the perfect choice for lunch,” Jennifer tells Eva as she sips some of her coffee. 

“Now that lunch is over, what do you and Jonathan have in mind for beginning your sightseeing?” 

“I don’t know about Jonathan, but I would just enjoy walking around for a while. Just remember Eva needs to get some clothes,” Jennifer replies.

“I would enjoy walking around as well, darling. Besides it’ll give us a chance to burn off all those calories we just ate.” 

Hotel Le Meurice Front Entrance 

A few minutes later, Jonathan, Jennifer, and Eva walk out of Hotel Le Meurice.  They begin walking around enjoying the view and sights. They head toward the direction of Tuileries Garden which is a five minute walk. The Harts and Eva head northwest on Ru de Rivoli toward Rue de Castiglione before turning left onto Alle de Castiglione.  At this point they take the stairs. After ten miles, they reach Tuileries Garden. As they walk around viewing the beautiful guardian, they see sculptures, trees, a pond, two cafes, and other interesting things a part of the garden.

Hart House In Bel Air, CA 

Max is standing in his bedroom packing his clothes in his suitcase on the bed as Freeway stands on his bed beside the suitcase watching him. Suddenly the phone rings. Max goes over and takes the receiver off the hook. 

“Hart residence,” he replies. 

“Hi, Max. How is the packing coming along? What time do you arrive in Paris?” Jonathan asks on the other end of the line.

“Hi, Mr. H. Packin' is just about done except for Freeway’s. I arrive at 8:00 A.M.”

“That’s great. You arriving early will give Mrs H. and I plenty of time to start sleuthing around Paris on our own. I got Eva’s home phone number while we were eating lunch.”

“Hold on, Mr. H. I’ll get a pencil,” Max replies as he puts down the receiver. As he turns around to get a pencil, Freeway barks at him from down below. Max looks down to see the dog holding a pencil in his mouth. 

“Thanks,” Max tells Freeway as he reaches down to pick up the pencil the dog just dropped at his feet. “You’re becomin' a showoff, Freeway.” 

The dog looks at him innocently as Max picks up the receiver. 

“Ok shoot,” Max tells Jonathan. 

“33 1 04 75 78 98,” Jonathan tells him on the other end of the line. 

“33 1 04 75 78 98,” Max mumbles to himself as he writes it down on a piece of paper along with, “Eva Lampert,” above the telephone number that was just given to him. “Got it, Mr. H. Call you after I arrive in France,” he tells Jonathan.

“Ok thanks, Max. Talk to you then. Have a safe flight.”

“Thanks, Mr. H,” Max tells him before hanging up the receiver.  He turns to Freeway, who is now sitting on the bed. 

“Freeway, it’s about time we start packin' your luggage.”

Freeway nods and barks.

“How can you be so smart for a dog?” Max wonders out loud. 

Phone Booth On Sidewalk Near Tuileries Garden

Jonathan hangs up the receiver and comes out of the phone booth. He heads back to join Jennifer and Eva in Tuileries Garden as the mystery man continues spying on them. 

“Max will be arriving in Paris tomorrow morning at eight A.M.,” Jonathan tells his wife and Eva as he approaches them.

“Freeway, our dog, will be coming too,”Jennifer says, turning to Eva.

“Oh, I love dogs! I sure can’t wait to meet him and Max.”

“You’ll love Freeway and Max I can guarantee you, Eva,” Jonathan tells her.

The Harts and Eva walk around the garden enjoying its beautiful surroundings.  Jennifer takes out her camera to take some pictures. 

“Do you want me to get a picture of you and Jonathan?” Eva asks Jennifer soon as she is finished taking her pictures.

“Oh, that would make a perfect memory of our anniversary in Paris to take home with us,Eva,” Jennifer says, delighted at the idea. She hands her the camera which Eva takes. Jennifer walks up to her husband. Jonathan and Jennifer wrap their arms around each other as they stand in front of Tuileries Garden which is behind them, smiling as Eva snaps the picture. 

“Thank you,” Jennifer tells Eva as she takes the camera. 

“It is the least I can do since you and Jonathan are being so nice to me,” Eva replies. 

Jonathan and Jennifer smile at her as they continue their tour. After a few minutes, Jonathan and Jennifer head out of Tuileries Garden with Eva. They turn right on Jardin des Tuileries. The mystery man starts his engine and continues to follow, but slowly and behind as possible so as to not cause the Harts or Eva to become suspicious. 

“We’re heading toward Ponte de la Concorde. It is an arch bridge overlooking The Seine,"Eva tells them. “It is only a ten minute walk from where we are now.”

“Oh, I always wanted to see The Seine,” Jennifer says, enthusiastically .

As they continue walking, Jonathan becomes suspicious of the car following them. He is not aware that he, his wife, and Eva are being followed, but he remembers seeing that same car at Hotel Ritz earlier that afternoon. Maybe it is just a coincidence he thinks to himself. 

After minutes of walking and just as they turn left onto Quai des Tuileries, the mystery man speeds up his engine, attempting to scare the Harts and Eva as he starts towards them. Jonathan looks behind him as he hears the car’s engine. Jennifer and Eva are too engrossed in their conversation to notice that they’re in danger. The mystery man suddenly lunges his car at them only a few feet away from them. Jonathan quickly reacts without hesitation, knowing he has to protect himself, Jennifer, and Eva from being mortally wounded or worse: dead. 

“LOOK OUT!!!” Jonathan yells frantically as he shoves Jennifer and Eva to the sidewalk stepping off the road, barely making it in time to avoid the hit and run. He instantly hovers over them as Jennifer and Eva throw themselves face down on the ground rapidly to avoid from being run down.

The mystery man shoves his car against the sidewalk with all his power without damaging his car before speeding away fast as he possibly can. All three of them are shaken up by this incident.  French citizens and tourists are in a stake of shock and horrified at what they just witnessed. They mumble among themselves. Jonathan, Jennifer, and Eva are recovering from their narrow escape in a matter of seconds, pull themselves to their feet.

“Are you all right, darling?” Jonathan asks calmly, but with concern evident in his voice as he embraces his wife.

“Other than being shaken up and frightened, I’m fine,” Jennifer replies, startled at the frightening experience that she, Jonathan, and Eva just went through. “What about you?”

“I’m just shaken up. I think we just started our own version of Charade.”

“I’m thinking the same thing myself. I wonder what else the script has in store for us.”

“I don’t know, but I wish whoever just tried to run us down had given us a copy.” 

“It might have just have been reckless driving coming at us like that,” Eva says, irritated without giving a thought about what Peter said in the letter about her and Jonathan’s lives being in danger. 

“No. It was deliberate,” Jonathan tells her. “Either someone was trying to kill us or scare us enough to stop our investigation into Peter’s death. A reckless driver would never have come after us intentionally like he did.” 

Eva’s annoyed face becomes one of fright while chills go down her body at what Jonathan had just told her, realizing that he is right now recalling what her dead husband had written in the letter. 

 Corridor at Hotel Ritz Several Hours Later

Jonathan and Jennifer are walking Eva to her suite. Eva is carrying several shopping bags. 

“Jonathan and Jennifer, I had just a wonderful afternoon despite what happened earlier. I’m very appreciative of you buying me some clothes. You both have been very generous to me since you arrived in Paris,” Eva says.

“We’re glad you enjoyed yourself, Eva,” Jennifer replies, smiling. “We did too considering the attempt on our lives. Thank you for showing us the sights and being our tour guide.”

“Buying you clothes was the least we can do,”Jonathan tells Eva. “Besides shopping is more fun for you ladies than going to your own house to get clothes you already own.”

Jennifer and Eva smile at Jonathan’s last remark.

“Would you like to have dinner with us?” Jennifer asks as they reach Eva’s suite, which is across from theirs.

“Oh, thank you! That is very kind of you to offer, but I’m tired. I’m going to rest and just want  some time to myself.”

“If you do change your mind, you’re more than welcome to join us.” 

“I will. Thanks again,” Eva tells Jennifer as she unzips her purse and takes out the key to her suite. 

“Have a good evening,” Jennifer tells her as Eva unlocks the door and goes in.

“Don’t forget to lock your door,” Jonathan reminds her.

Eva nods, smiling as she shuts the door. The Harts can hear her lock the door from inside.

“Darling, why did you ask Eva to join us for dinner? The reason we came to Paris was to not only to celebrate our anniversary, but so we could be alone together.”

“Jonathan, I feel sorry for Eva,”Jennifer replies. “I know how I would feel if anything ever happened to you. I think Eva spending some time with us will help her get through this difficult period she is going through and having to adjust to.”

“Mrs. Hart, have I told you how lucky a man I am to have you as a wife?” Jonathan asks. 

Jennifer ponders before responding, “Well, now let’s see, Mr. Hart. I believe you have told me once before soon after we were married. And you know something?” 

“No, Mrs. Hart? What?” Jonathan asks.

“You telling me again just now makes me feel as lucky to have you as a husband, Mr. Hart.”

“Let’s go into our suite, and I’ll show you how lucky I feel.” 

“Mr. Hart, you certainly are a romantic,” Jennifer replies, smiling at him.

“So are you which is why I fell in love with you.”

“Oh, really? And all this time I thought it was because of my beauty,” Jennifer replies, teasingly.

“That too and your sense of humor, Mrs. Hart,”Jonathan says, smiling at her. They gaze at each other for a moment before Jonathan takes her hand, and they head down to their own suite. 

Jonathan takes out the key to their suite from his pocket and unlocks the door.  Jennifer is about to say something to Jonathan after he opens the door only for them to walk into their suite, stopping dead in their tracks. They are speechless at sight of their suite having been ransacked. Drawers are open all the way, pictures hanging upside down, furniture having been knocked over, telephones and telephone book laying on the ground along with all the other items belonging in the suite. Their suite looks as if a bad storm had swept through them. 

Jonathan and Jennifer look at each other in fear.

“I do believe someone is trying to tell us something,” Jennifer says, finally breaking the silence.

“I have the exact same feeling. This only proves our suspicions.  Whoever about ran us down earlier today wasn’t just recklessly driving like Eva thought it may have been. Someone definitely wants us out of the way, and they are after something. The only question is who and what they’re hoping to find with that safe deposit box key.”

“We can be sure of one thing, darling,”Jennifer replies. “That whatever that safe deposit box key Peter left with us leads to something that could expose Peter and three other men in a crime they committed during the Vietnam War.”

“Yes, a crime they’re desperately wanting to cover up or else we wouldn’t have come back to our room to find it look like an tornado had taken place during our absence. Not to mention a planned hit and run we were involved in earlier,” Jonathan comments.

“That was nice how you said that last part,” Jennifer replies sarcastically, staring up at her husband.

“I thought so too,” Jonathan replies.

Jonathan walks over to the telephone as Jennifer shuts the door behind her. She walks around examining all the mess that had been made during the break in. She even notices that their luggage has been tossed aside to the floor in their bedroom. Jonathan dials the number to the lobby. 

“Bonjour,” Jonathan says on the telephone. “This is Jonathan Hart calling from our suite, The Cesar Ritz. My wife and I just came back from sightseeing only to find our room has been broken into. No, nothing is missing. Our room just looks like a bad storm has swept through it. Would you send security up here right away, please? Thank you very much.” He hangs up the phone just as Jennifer walks back in the room.

“Security is on their way up, darling,” Jonathan tells her.

A few minutes later there is a knock on the door, and Jennifer heads to the door to open it.

“Who is it?” she asks, hesitatingly. 

“Hotel security, Madame,” an older man replies from the other side of the door.

Jennifer opens the door and lets him in just as Jonathan comes into the room.

“Bonjour. I’m Jennifer Hart, and this is my husband, Jonathan,” Jennifer replies, shaking the security guard’s hand as she introduces herself and Jonathan.

“Bonjour, Madame Hart et Monsieur Hart,” security guard replies. He looks around, noticing for the first time what bad shape the suite is in, and how much it had been ransacked. 

“Pour l'amour de Dieu!!!” the security guard exclaims in shock. “Oh pardon me, Madame et Monsieur. I was only saying for heaven’s sake as you would say in your native language. Has anything been stolen?”

“No, all our valuable are in the safe. I just checked the safe, and nothing is missing,” Jonathan tells him.

“It is very strange that someone would break into a hotel suite without stealing anything,” the guard replies very puzzled.

“That’s because they weren’t searching for anything valuable. They were only searching for a key.”

The Hotel Ritz security guard raises an eyebrow and gives Jonathan and Jennifer a look of doubt. But Jonathan and Jennifer don’t give him any kind of explanation.

“Well, I apologize for the break-in and for the state your suite is in, Monsieur et Madame Hart. I will see to it that this kind of nuisance will not happen again during your stay here.”

“We have a friend who staying right across the hall from us, Suite 15, Roberta Caron,”Jonathan replies. Will you see to it please that Madame Caron doesn’t suffer the same nuisance as we had?”

“Right away, Monsieur. I will have to report this to the manager.  Would you prefer to move into another suite?”

“Non, merci,” Jennifer replies. “The suite is fine.  Thank you! Just send someone up right away please to clean up the mess.”

“Will do, Madame,” the guard replies. He mumbles to himself in French about the strange situation as he opens the door and walks out of the room.

“Do you think we should call Eva and tell her what happened?” Jennifer asks, turning to her husband.

“We’ll tell her tonight after we check in with her and get directions to her house. Darling, I apologize things have gone this far. Are you sure about not moving to another suite?”

“Darling, it’s not your fault. We both knew what we were getting ourselves into the moment we agreed to investigate Peter’s death. I don’t care about the suite. I just want it cleaned up and looking the way it was when we arrived here this morning.”

“I do have one complaint though,” Jennifer says after pausing for a moment.

“What is that?” Jonathan asks.

“That I haven’t been shown how lucky you are to have me as your wife.”

“Well, Mrs. Hart, that is one thing that can be easily be taken care of,” Jonathan replies, smiling. 

“In that case, Mr. Hart, I better slip into something more comfortable after the maid service leaves,” Jennifer replies, a little seductively. 

“I can’t wait to see you after you slip into something more comfortable,” Jonathan replies, moving closer to her.

“Trust me, Mr. Hart, it will be well worth the wait,” Jennifer says, moving closer to him.

“It always is,” Jonathan replies, seductively as he kisses her. 

Their romantic moment is interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Housekeeping, Monsieur et Madame Hart,” a woman informs the Harts on the other side of the door.

“Come in,” Jonathan says.

The door opens, and a young French woman dressed in her housekeeping uniform, comes in and looks at shock at once at the mess. 

“Yes, we know it needs a little cleaning up,” Jennifer tells her, awkwardly. 

The French housekeeping employee starts yelling in French as she goes about her job cleaning up the suite.  Jonathan and Jennifer glance at each other, embarrassed about the condition of their suite.

Eva’s Mansion in Other Part of Paris, France That Night  

After dinner, Jonathan and Jennifer are driving toward Eva’s house in their rented 1982 red Mercedes Benz. Jonathan turns into the driveway and brings the Mercedes to a stop as soon as they reach the front door. The Harts then get out of the car with Jonathan shutting the door on his driver’s side while Jennifer shuts the door on the passenger’s side. Jennifer goes to the right door of the back seat to get her suitcase while Jonathan goes to the left door of the back seat to get his suitcase. At the same time Jonathan and Jennifer shut the back seat doors as they head up to the front door. Jonathan takes out the key to the house that Eva had given him from his side pocket of his suit. Jonathan unlocks the front door, and Jennifer goes in first as her husband holds the door open for her. It is dark as it can be inside except for one light coming from the living room. Jonathan searches around for a light switch and to their luck in a few moments, he finds one to the front hall and switches it on. The Harts place their luggage on the last step of the winding staircase in front of them after Jonathan shuts the front door and locks it.

“Where do you think we ought to start looking for clues?” Jennifer asks.

“I’d say the living room would be just as good as any other room in this place to start,” Jonathan tells her. “What do you say, my dear Watson?” Jonathan says, imitating Basil Rathbone, who played Sherlock Holmes in movies from 1936 till 1946.

“I’d say that is a good suggestion, Holmes, my good fellow,” Jennifer says, imitating Nigel Bruce, who portrayed Dr. Watson in the films alongside Rathbone.  The Harts chuckle at their own fun as they start to head to the living room. As they do, Jennifer’s eye happens to come across an antique candlestick telephone on a table by the staircase.

“Well, look at this, darling,”Jennifer says, pointing to the phone with interest. “It is always nice to see when people appreciate collecting antiques in their homes.”

Jonathan comes over to where she is standing and looks at the phone. “Eva always did have an appreciation for the past so running across a candlestick telephone here in her home doesn’t at all surprise me.”

Curious, Jennifer picks up the mouthpiece as if she is about to make a call. “Operator, get me information. Yes, I’ll hold.” Jonathan and Jennifer both smile at each other, both amused at what she just did. 

 “I’m ready to start investigating for clues now,” Jennifer says as she is about to hang up the receiver when a puzzled expression comes over Jonathan’s face. 

“Wait a second, darling,” Jonathan says as he takes the receiver from her and examines the mouthpiece.  Part of the mouthpiece is coming apart and on further inspection after removing that piece, to Jennifer’s surprise he discovers a hidden listening device better known as a bug.

“Looks like someone has been keeping Eva under surveillance.”

“I wonder how they got into the house. There was no sign of a break- in unless there’s a back door,” Jennifer says.

“Let’s check,” Jonathan says. He and Jennifer head to the back of the mansion only to find no back door.

“They couldn’t have just appeared inside the mansion,” Jennifer says, baffled.

“Not unless they were Dracula or a magician,” Jonathan comments, nodding his head in agreement with what his wife just said. “And Eva doesn’t have another key to this place.  Most likely either Eva or Peter let someone into the house days before who managed to plant the bug when they weren’t looking. Let’s go see if we can find a clue. Maybe we’ll get lucky and find a picture of the three men Peter went to Vietnam with.” 

 Jonathan and Jennifer head back to the front of the house and go into the living room like they had planned to do when they first arrived.  A wedding picture of Eva and Peter together sits in the middle of the mantel piece. 

“Jonathan, if you knew you were going to be killed and wanted to leave me clues like Peter did, wouldn’t you put a clue behind our wedding picture?” Jennifer asks after spotting the wedding picture in a matter of seconds after she and her husband glance around the room. 

“If you mean if I were to hide a picture of myself and three other men I went to war with behind our wedding picture at home in California, than maybe I would.”

The Harts head over the mantel right away. Jennifer picks up the wedding picture’s frame and turns it around. To their surprise they discover an old black and white photograph of Peter along with three other men taped to the back of the picture frame. Jonathan takes the tape off before placing the photo in his hand and turns it around. A date is written on the back, “November 24,1960.”  Turning the picture around to the front, Jonathan and Jennifer examine the faces of the three men standing next to Peter, who is the first man in the photograph on the left, with the other men standing beside him, with the last one on the right.

“There’s the man who about ran us over this afternoon,” Jonathan says, suddenly recognizing the second man standing next to Peter. He points the man out to Jennifer. 

“Oh, Jonathan! We’re finally onto something.” 

“Yes, it’s not much, but a good start anyway. Tomorrow we’ll take this photograph over to Eva’s suite and see if she recognizes any of the men in the photograph besides Peter,” Jonathan replies, handing the picture to Jennifer. She takes it and puts it into her purse, careful not to get it wrinkled. 

“We better check the rest of the phones in the house to see if they’re bugged,” Jonathan says, going over to a modern phone on the coffee table and taking the mouthpiece off.  There is another microphone planted in the living room telephone all right which Jonathan also takes out before hanging the receiver back on the hook.

 “Just to be on the safe side, I think we have better check to see if anyone has planted any cameras.”

“I’m glad you thought of that before it was time I got ready for bed,”Jennifer replies, uncomfortable at the thought of them being watched. Jonathan grins in response.

“I think we can cover more ground if we check each room by ourselves,” Jonathan tells his wife. “I’ll search the dining room and the kitchen while you search the other rooms downstairs before we head up to the second floor.”

“Fine by me, but why am I searching more rooms than you?”

“Because darling we are in a race against time, and you do seem to be more observant than me after being right about Peter hiding that picture behind his own wedding photo.”

“I’m not sure about being more observant than you, but since that sounds like a good excuse, I’ll go along with it.”

Jennifer walks out of the living room and begins searching the rest of the downstairs from top to bottom while Jonathan glances around the living room to make sure he and Jennifer didn’t miss any hidden cameras. Afterwards, searching the living room, he heads straight towards the kitchen. After going through the room thoroughly and finding no cameras, he heads over to the dining room which is across from the kitchen. He goes through the dining room just as thoroughly as the kitchen, but once again finds no cameras. 

“Darling, where are you?” Jonathan asks after examining the dining room.

“In the parlor,” Jennifer shouts. 

Jonathan walks into the parlor where he finds Jennifer standing in the middle of the room just glancing around at the room. 

"I take it you didn't find any cameras?"

“Not a single one, darling. What about you?” Jennifer asks.

“Same luck as you: no cameras. I’ve also looked for any other clues that might help us unravel this mystery. No luck there.”

“I did the same as you, and I didn’t have any luck in finding any other clues either,” Jennifer says. 

“Let’s go on upstairs and try our luck there. I think we had better examine the phones first and call Eva to make sure her suite hasn’t been planted with a bug.”

Jonathan and Jennifer walk back into the hallway, heading up the staircase, and searching the two bedrooms for bugs and hidden cameras. Once again luck is on their side, and there are not any cameras hidden upstairs or bugs in those rooms. Jonathan and Jennifer head into Eva and Peter’s bedroom suite. Jennifer turns on the light switch as they walk into the room. Jonathan heads over to the table by the bed where the telephone is. He takes off the mouthpiece and finds another bug planted in that phone which he removes.

“Whichever one of those three men that planted those bugs certainly got around for someone who didn’t belong in this mansion,” Jennifer remarks.

“Whoever that man is, who is responsible for putting Eva under surveillance, had to know the layout of this place to avoid getting caught unless they picked the lock of the front door while Eva was away today or when Peter and Eva were away. Something that didn’t occur to us earlier.”

“That’s how that mystery man knew our comings and goings,” Jennifer replies, shocked.

“Exactly,” Jonathan replies as he puts the mouthpiece back together the way he found it. He sits down on the bed and dials Hotel Ritz. After a few minutes of waiting, someone from the hotel finally answers Jonathan’s call.

“Bonjour. This is Jonathan Hart. I wish to speak to Roberta Caron in Suite 315, please. Merci.” 

“Hello? Jonathan?” Eva asks, nervously after Jonathan waits for her to answer the phone after the front desk rings her suite.

“Yes, Eva, it’s Jonathan. I’m calling to let you know what Jennifer and I found. We discovered an old photograph taken in nineteen sixty of Peter and three other men while they were in Vietnam. It was taped to the back of your wedding picture.”

“An old photograph of Peter and three other men? Peter told me there wasn’t any photographs taken of him during the war, but since he lied to me about just everything else that shouldn’t come as a surprise to me. Anything else?”

“Yes, I don’t know how to tell you this Eva, but the second man standing next to Peter is the man who attempted to run us down today.”

“What?!! I don’t know why I’m surprised by all this. Peter did say that he and three other men were involved in a crime during the Vietnam War and that our lives were at stake in that letter he wrote. I just hoped that whoever is trying to kill us wasn’t one of those men.”

“You better get a hold of yourself because I got another turn of events to throw at you. We discovered bugs planted in several of your telephones in your house. I just found the third one in your room and removed the bugs. Did anyone come to your room anytime you were there today?”

“Microphones planted in our telephones?!! Good grief!!! What is next?!!! No one came to my room today except the security guard after you and Jennifer discovered your room had been ransacked, and a bellhop to check on me like you asked him to this evening.”

“Good. I wouldn’t let anyone in not even the maid service. At least not until Max arrives. Jennifer and I will bring the photograph to your suite in the morning to see if you recognize any of the men. I doubt anyone managed to get into your suite to plant a bug, but to just to be on the safe side check the mouthpiece to see before you go to bed.”

“I definitely will, Jonathan! Thank you for calling and keeping me up to date. I hope you and Jennifer sleep well. Goodnight.”

“You get some rest and sleep well yourself. Goodnight.” Jonathan hangs up the receiver. 

“I certainly hope there aren’t any bugs planted in our telephones in our suite,” Jennifer says, concerned.

“You can be rest assured that there aren’t bugs planted because I checked this afternoon after the woman from housekeeping left. It occurred to me after everything else happened, that someone have taken the time to listen in to our private conversations. You’ll be glad to know that weren’t any bugs planted.”

“That certainly does ease my mind. How about taking a nice long and hot relaxing bubble bath together, darling?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” Jonathan replies, grinning.

Eva’s Mansion Early Morning

Jonathan and Jennifer are sound asleep together in the queen size bed in Eva’s bedroom after turning in late that night.

Suddenly they are awakened by a noise in the living room downstairs. It sounds as if someone is downstairs tearing the living room apart searching for something.

“Someone is downstairs,” Jennifer whispers, nervously.

“I’ll go check, darling. You stay here,” Jonathan replies, getting out of his side of the bed.

“I certainly will not. With a stranger in the house, I’m not going to let you go downstairs alone,” Jennifer replies, adamantly, getting out of bed on her side on the right.

“All right, but let’s see if we can find something to use as a weapon.” Jonathan turns on the table lamp and quietly opens the drawer. He finds a gun which he takes out carefully. He shuts the drawer. Jonathan and Jennifer quietly open the door from the room and make their way down the stairs. 

“You stay here,” Jonathan whispers to Jennifer halfway down the stairs. Jonathan quietly walks down the remaining stairs and makes his way to the living room. Jennifer watches her husband with fear and nervousness. He goes into the living room and slowly turns on the light switch by the entrance. The mystery man, who is standing behind the desk, turns and looks at him with anger combined with alarm and fear. The desk’s drawers are all open and with its contents all thrown aside on the floor along with the other items that were displayed on the desk.

“Can we help you find anything in particular or did you just decide to pick this house to ransack?” Jonathan asks, pointing the gun at the mystery man.

“Where is it?!!” mystery man asks in furry. “Give it to me!!!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. If it is jewelry you came to steal, help yourself. We have insurance."

The mystery man loses his temper at this point.

“Where is the key?!!!” he demands to know.

“Key?” Jonathan asks, innocently. “What key? Oh, stupid me! You must mean key to a safety deposit box. Do you want me to get it for you?”

Mystery man reaches for his gun, but Jonathan takes a shot at him, missing him on purpose.

“You know for someone who tried to run Eva, my wife, and me over today and now attempting to steal something that doesn’t belong to you unsuccessfully, I have to ask. Are you an amateur or a professional, who just happens to be lacking in smarts?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve never seen you before in my life until now.”

“You develop amnesia all of a sudden too? Now enough playing games with us. I want know who you are and what is your connection to Peter Lampert,” Jonathan tells him, seriously. “Who are those other two men in a photograph with you and Peter taken in Vietnam?”

Without warning, the mystery man reaches for a vase behind him and hurls it at Jonathan. Jonathan ducks in time to avoid being hit as the vase hits the wall, smashing it into pieces. Seizing this opportunity, the mystery man dashes out of the house as fast as possible, leaving Jennifer speechless at what had just taken place. Jonathan had quickly gotten himself off his feet as soon as the mystery man ran from the room and rushed out the door after him. Jonathan stops near the side of the rented Mercedes to see that it is too late to catch up to the mystery man who is now speeding away from the driveway like a bolt of lightning. Jonathan heads back into the mansion and shuts the door behind him just as Jennifer comes to Jonathan’s side.

“Darling, are you all right?”

 “I am all right, darling.” Jonathan wraps his arm around his wife as he and Jennifer head back up the staircase to go back to bed.

Hotel Ritz Corridor Hours Later That Morning

Jonathan and Jennifer are walking up the final steps to the third floor with bellhop behind them, carrying their luggage. The Harts head to Eva’s suite as the bellhop goes to their suite to place their luggage in their room. Jonathan knocks on door of Eva’s suite.

“Eva, it’s Jonathan and Jennifer,” he replies.

In a matter of seconds, the door is opened to the delight of the Harts by Max.

“Bonjour, Mr. and Mrs. H,” Max greets with a grin on his face.

“Bonjour, Max,” Jennifer replies with a grin, hugging him.

“Bonjour, Max,” Jonathan replies with a grin, shaking his hand after he and his wife enter the suite while their servant, cook, chauffeur, and best friend holds the door open for them. Max closes the door just as the Harts hear a familiar bark. Eva walks out of the bedroom to greet Jonathan and Jennifer just as their beloved dog, Freeway, comes running to them ahead of her.

“Freeway!!!” Jennifer exclaims, getting down on her hands and knees as the dog approaches her and smothers her with affection and kisses.

“Hello, boy,” Jonathan says, getting down on his hands and knees as well to pet Freeway.

“Did you miss mommy and daddy while we were gone?” Jennifer asks as she and Jonathan continue to love on the dog.

“Darling, we haven’t been in Paris that long, and dogs don’t know time.”

Freeway barks at him.

“What was that for?” Jonathan asks, looking at him confused.

“Darling, you should know better about saying what you just said in front of Freeway. He’s very sensitive for a dog,” Jennifer replies.

“I know, but I didn’t think time was in his vocabulary.”

“You’d be surprised at what is in this dog’s vocabulary, Mr. H,” Max tells him.

“So, Jonathan and Jennifer, how did you sleep last night?” Eva asks.

“Well, we were exhausted between the jet lag and all the excitement yesterday, not to mention the break-in last night,” Jonathan tells her, reluctantly as he and Jennifer get off the floor.

“Oh, dear! Another break- in? Did they steal anything?”

“Other than having a vase almost smashed over my head in your living room, nothing was touched which I can’t same the same for your room.”

“Turns out the mystery man, who about ran us over yesterday, decided to do more snooping around,” Jennifer tells Eva.

“He was after the key. When I confronted him, he got mad, which is putting it mildly, and he demanded to know where it was.”

“Since he obviously didn’t find it in our suite, your mansion was the only other logical place to look,” Jennifer says.

“I tell you, Mr. and Mrs. H, you two are definitely are in one of your most dangerous and intriguin' cases yet,” Max tells his employers. “Eva filled me in all the details after I arrived here this mornin’.”

“Here, Eva, take a look at this picture and see if you recognize any of the men,” Jonathan tells her, taking the photograph out of the pocket of his suit and handing it to her. Eva takes it from his hand and sits down on the sofa to look over it. After a few seconds of looking it over, a look of surprise comes over her face.

“Jonathan, I recognize this man,” Eva says, turning the photo around so the Harts and Max can see. She is pointing to the second man, next to the mystery man, in the photograph. “He used to come visit Peter occasionally. Whatever for is beyond me of course. Wait a second. I suddenly remember his name. It was Thomas Hemway. I remember because when I was introduced, I thought Hemway is a very unusual last name.”

“It’s typical for us hearing a name like that. It seems like the people we come across in our investigations always have unusual names,”Jennifer remarks.

 “Well, this is a good start and the best lead yet,” Jonathan says, walking over and taking the photo. “I have some friends and contacts from the military who live in Washington, D.C. I’ll see what I can find out right away,” Jonathan tells her.

Harts’ Suite Later

Jonathan and Jennifer are in the bedroom of their suite. Jennifer is unpacking their suitcases and putting their clothes away after spending the night in Eva’s mansion while Jonathan is on the phone talking to one of his friends from Washington, D.C.

“I really appreciate this quick check you did on Thomas Hemway, Steve. I owe you one, buddy. Next time Jennifer and I are in Washington, we’ll meet for drinks and catch up. All right. Talk to you later. Thanks again.” Jonathan hangs up the receiver and turns to his wife. “Steve, who was once in the Navy with me before transferring to the Army, now works for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington. He is one of the top G Men as they were once called so he managed to cut through the red tape and find out whatever he could on Thomas. It seems Thomas after he was discharged from the Army, he moved around a lot. First he lived in Washington, then New York City, Seattle, and finally Boston before moving to Paris which he still is living. He appears to have a clean record. He has never been arrested. Only had a few speeding tickets during his lifetime.”

“If we didn’t know better, it would sound as if Thomas Hemway was a saint next to Billy Graham,” Jennifer replies.”

“I know. Same thought occurred to me. Steve managed to find out another thing for me which is even better lead for us to go on. Thomas owns an antique art gallery, “Thomas’ Antique Art Galerie.” I also got the address. I’m going to head on over now to find out all I can from this Thomas Hemway. I want you to stay here.”

“What?!” Jennifer asks, stunned at what Jonathan just told her. “I don’t think I heard you right, Jonathan Hart.”

“Oh, yes, you did, Jennifer Hart. After that near hit and run incident and those break- ins yesterday, I think I can focus on what needs to get accomplished more clearly while not having to worry about what is going to happen to my wife and sidekick,” Jonathan explains.

“But yesterday, you said we are-” Jennifer begins.

“A team,” Jonathan finishes for her. “And we still are, but I think you should be here in case Eva and Max need you. To tell you the truth, darling, I doubt very much Thomas will confide in me with a woman around. Time is running out, and taking chances is the last thing we should do with the only lead we got so far.”

“After you put it that way, I’ll stay here. For a moment there, I thought you forgot not only what a beautiful and desirable woman you have for a wife, but a lady who can take care of herself like Max once told me,” Jennifer says with relief.

“No, never, darling,” Jonathan replies, grinning as he gives her a quick kiss. “I’ll call you on the car phone after and if I get any information from Thomas.” Jonathan gives her another kiss and walks out of the bedroom, heading out of their suite.

Jonathan pulls their rented Mercedes Benz up to the curb in front of the art gallery and gets out of the car. He approaches the front door of the art gallery, which is empty at the moment, and opens the door before going in.

“Hello? Is there anyone here?” Jonathan yells out.

“Be with you in a moment, sir,” a voice yells out from the back of the gallery. Jonathan browses around examining some of the antique art displayed for a few moments. Finally, Thomas Hemway, a man in his late sixties, with very little hair, and of medium height, comes out of the back wearing a pair of glasses.

“Welcome to my gallery. How may I be of service to you?” Thomas asks, smiling as he approaches Jonathan, assuming him to be a customer.

“You can be of service by answering some questions, “Jonathan replies, calmly and politely as he takes out the photograph from his suit once more and shows it to Thomas. All of a sudden the color drains out of the man’s face, and his hands begin trembling with fear. 

“Who are you he asks?” his voice, breaking and tears coming into his voice. “Are you with the police or FBI?”

“Not exactly. I’m Jonathan Hart. I’m an old friend of Eva Lampert, and I'm investigating Peter’s death. He left a letter written in his own hand writing and with a key to a safe deposit box. He wrote the letter to me expressing his wish to come clean about some crime that you, he, and two other men committed while serving in Vietnam. Your first name was also mentioned in the letter as a clue. It seems Peter wishes that I find out what this is all about. Now are you willing to tell me or am I going to spend the rest of what it is supposed to be my anniversary trying to solve this charade myself?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mr. Hart. You have me confused with someone else. It is not the first time I’ve been mistaken for someone that looks like me in that photograph.”

“Oh, and I suppose you’re going to tell me that there is also another Peter Lampert who just happened to be in the same Vietnam War with this identical twin of yours?”

“Mr. Hart, I never met this man you call Peter Lampert before in my life! I swear on the Bible that I never served in the Vietnam War with this Peter Lampert!” “NOW GET OUT OF MY SHOP BEFORE I THROW YOU OUT!!!” Thomas screams, losing his temper as he is backing away from Jonathan. 

Jonathan senses that Thomas Hemway wants to tell the truth, but he fears for his life, so he tries another approach.

 “Thomas, it seems that you are terrified for your life. I can help get you protection. I have connections including the military. I was once a Navy officer so you can trust me to protect you,” Jonathan assures him, calmly and with sympathy in his voice. “Just tell me what all this is about, and the names of the two other men that you went to war with.” 

 As Thomas is about to say something, a shot is fired. He suddenly falls and lands over on Jonathan’s shoulder on his back just as Jonathan catches him as he falls to the floor . As Jonathan slowly turns him over to see if he is alive, he sees to his shock and horror that man is dead after feeling no pulse. He gently takes Thomas by the arms and lays him down on the ground face down. He rushes toward the window to see if he can spot can the person responsible for Thomas’ murder, but it is too late. Whoever killed Thomas is no longer in sight. 

Max and Eva are seated at a table in the living room of the suite playing poker. During the entire couple of hours, Max has been defeated by Eva winning. Freeway is sitting on the floor by Max’s side on the right watching them play. 

“I’m tellin' you, Eva, you’re killin’ me! In all the years I’ve been playin’ poker, I ain't seen anyone who beat the pants off of me the way you have.”

Freeway barks, and Max turns to him.

“Thanks for agreein' with me, pal.”

Eva bursts out laughing.

“Max, do you and the Harts always talk to that dog like a normal person?”

“What are you talkin’ about? Freeway ain’t just a pet. He’s a member of the family. Aren’t you, pup?”

Freeway barks at Max loudly this time.

“See? I told you.”

“It’s nice to know you think so fondly of Jonathan and Jennifer.”

“Mr. and Mrs. H are the best friends anyone in the world could ever have. They treat me like family, but the best thing about ‘em couple is they treat everyone with respect which I’m sure you have noticed.”

“I certainly have. I wish I could have found a husband like Jonathan, Max,” Eva replies, sadly her voice breaking up.

“Keep your chin up. I can guarantee it you will. Like they say, there are plenty more fish in the ocean.”

“Ocean? Don’t you mean sea?” Eva asks, confused.

“Sea? Ocean? Same thing,” Max replies, shrugging his shoulders. “That Peter guy you married, him and you just weren’t meant to be. My mother always told me everythin' happens for a reason, and I definitely believe that is true.”

“I guess I have to believe that since Peter didn’t turn out to be who I thought he was and look what happened. I found out too late.”

“You make mistakes. That is how we learn. One word of caution from an old man like me, never trust a smooth talker. They’re the kind you never can trust.”

“I sure did find that out.”

“Yes, you did. What I’m just tryin' to say is, you just need to be careful. It’s like that Ray Charles guy says in that one 60s song, “Time heals a broken heart.” I should know. I once got hitched myself. The lady turned out to be a piece of work, but turns out she did have a good heart. Pearl and I just weren’t meant to be together.”

Eva takes Max by the hand and pats him. “Thank you, Max. You’re like a father figure to me.”

“That is the nicest thing a dame ever said to me, Eva. Thank you!”

“You’re welcome,” Eva says smiling, wiping the tears away from her eyes with a handkerchief. Suddenly there is a knock at the door.

“Max, Eva, it’s us,” comes Jonathan’s voice. “Jonathan and Jennifer.”

“Be right with you, Mr. H,” Max shouts back as he rises from his seat. He goes over to the door and finds Jonathan and Jennifer standing in the hallway. They walk in and notice Eva sitting next to the table with poker chips, cards, and cash. They stop in their tracks, surprised at the way Max has been keeping Eva company.

“Max!” Jennifer exclaims.

“When we told you to keep Eva entertained, Max, poker wasn’t exactly what we had in mind,” Jonathan says.

“Oh, don’t worry about it, Jonathan and Jennifer. I love poker!” Eva exclaims as she gets up and walks over to them.

“You do?!!!” Jonathan and Jennifer both ask in shock at the same time.

“Yeah, and if you knew how much she beat the pants off me, you’d know she isn’t kiddin’. She’s been killin’ me!”

“Peter taught it to me one night when we were both bored to death. He always went out once a week to play poker with those men he went to war with.”

She is about to ask Jonathan and Jennifer about Thomas Hemway when Max happens to look down and notice Jennifer isn’t wearing any shoes. 

“Hey, Mrs. H! What happened to your shoes?”

“Uh, nothing, Max,” Jennifer replies, embarrassed not wishing to alarm Eva on their latest encounter with the mystery man. “I just suddenly found it more comfortable riding in the car without them,” she says, glancing over at Jonathan. Max gives her a look of disbelief. He doesn’t buy her explanation, but knows better than to question. He had known the Harts long enough to know whenever they make up an usual explanation for something, it was for the best. He sensed it was for Eva’s well- being and benefit.

“So how did it go with Thomas Hemway? Did you manage to get him to open up?” Eva finally asks.

“I’m afraid not, Eva,” Jonathan replies, hesitantly. “Peter got shot right when he was apparently going to talk to me. The inspector on the case is making Thomas and Peter’s deaths top priority. He wasn’t going to let us continue to investigate ourselves. Once I assured Inspector Michelot he would have our full cooperation, he changed his tune. The mystery man was following us, but we were lucky enough to get him off our tail.”

“And I was lucky enough to get his license number,” Jennifer adds. “Jonathan called Inspector Michelot and left a message for him.”

“I also called an employee of mine at Hart Industries to run a background check on Peter and those other two men still out there. I told him to get everything he could on them especially the men we have yet to be introduced to. Stanley is going to get back to me as soon as he has the information for me after I send him a copy of the photograph by telefax. He is very conscientious and dedicated so we can trust him to be of some assistance to us,” Jonathan finishes.

Eva bursts into uncontrollable tears. “Oh, Jonathan and Jennifer, I’m so sorry I ever got you both involved in my troubles!!! I will understand if you don’t want to investigate any further.”

“I think I can speak for Jennifer when I say we don’t want to back off now,” Jonathan tells her, calmly and reassuringly as Jennifer goes over to Eva and places a comforting hand on her shoulder. 

“Jonathan is right. We have never run away from danger before, and we’re not going to start now,” Jennifer tells her.”

“It was Peter, who wished to put an end to all the secrets and lies,” Jonathan reminds her. “He put his trust in me, and I want to right the wrongs he did to you. I have an idea on how to keep Jennifer and myself safe.”

Eva’s Suite Some Time Later 

Jonathan, Jennifer, Eva, and Max are finishing up their lunch together that they ordered from room service when the telephone rings from across the room. Jonathan gets up from his seat and answers the call. “Bonjour. Yes, I’ll accept the call. Merci. Stanley, what did you manage to find out? That is all? No, there isn’t anything wrong. You did a good job. It's just not the kind of information I expected to find out. Yes, it will be of some help. Thank you, Stanley. I appreciate you working on this for me after hours. Goodnight.” He hangs up the receiver and turns to the others. 

“Stanley managed to find out the names of the other two men. They have a clean record.”

“Ain't goin’ to be that way for long once the cops catch up to them,” Max points out who is sitting next to Eva across from Jennifer. Jonathan nods in agreement.

“He didn’t find out anything that could be of use?” Jennifer asks in surprise.

 "Only thing Stanley could find out about that man, who has been following us, is that after being discharged, he came over here and became a private investigator. His name is Alfred Woburn. Stanley did find out something surprising about the last man in the photograph.  His name is Alicio Chevalier. He is now a Prime Minister here in France."  

“Get out of here!” Max exclaims in shock. 

"Now I know why I thought his face looked familiar," Eva replies.

The phone rings again, and Jonathan takes the receiver off of the hook. “Bonjour. Inspector Michelot, you couldn’t be answering our call at a better time. An employee of mine managed to get the names of the other two men in the photograph while running a background check on them for me. Well, I’m sorry we were two steps ahead of you, but at least you have our cooperation as you asked for. I don’t want to sound discouraging especially after managing to get a warrant for his arrest, but I think it is most likely Alfred Woburn has ditched his car by now. It will take time to track him down. I’m glad to know you’re not disappointed, and that you have actually thought of that. I can guarantee you my wife and I will be extra cautious just as you wish. Inspector Michelot, once Jennifer and I get involved in a case, we see it to the end. I personally will seek pleasure in catching the men responsible for Peter’s death and what they’re putting Eva, my wife, and myself through.”

As Jonathan is still talking there is a knock at the door. Max gets up and goes over to the door.

“Who is it?” he asks.

“Bellhop with a special delivery for Madame Caron,” the young man says from the other side of the door. Max looks at Jonathan on whether he should open the door or not. 

“Hold on for a moment, please, inspector,”Jonathan says as he puts his hand over the mouthpiece.  “Who is it from?” Jonathan asks, raising his voice to the bellhop so he can be heard from the other side of the room.

“Fleuriste,” the bellhop replies. “He brought flowers over for Madame Caron.”

“Did he have proof he is whatever it is you just said?” Max asks.

“Oui,” the bellhop replies. “I saw his florist vehicle drive up, Monsieur.” 

“Go out into the hall, Max, and see if he is telling the truth. Just be sure to keep your back to the door,” Jonathan instructs him before returning to talking to the inspector on the phone. Max nods, opens the door, and goes out into the hall, partly shutting the door behind him. Sure enough the bellhop is standing outside holding a yellow box of flowers with a red ribbon from the florist. 

“Is there a problem, Monsieur?” the bellhop asks, confused at what is going on. 

“No, sonny. My boss just wanted me to get the flowers from you personally.”

The bellhop hands him the box which Max takes from him.

“Thanks,” Max tells him as he takes out his wallet. He takes out half a franc for a tip, which is fifty cents in the United States. He hands it to the bellhop. Bellhop thanks him, but gives him a disapproving look and rolls his eyes as Max takes the flowers into the room, closing the door behind him. He goes over to Eva is now standing near the door and gives her the box of flowers. 

“I wonder who sent me these flowers. No one else knew I was staying here except you Max, and Jonathan and Jennifer. Jonathan, did you send me these flowers?” Eva asks, brightening up.

“No, I didn’t. Maybe you have a secret admirer,”Jonathan replies as he puts his hand over the mouthpiece to answer Eva while he is listening to the inspector. 

Excitedly, Eva takes the bow off of the box which she hands to Jennifer and opens the box. To her shock, and to the horror of Max and Jennifer, the box contains dead roses that look like they have just been taken out of the vase off of someone’s grave. With shaking hands, Eva takes out the card to read what it says. After reading the card quietly to herself, she screams in horror. She faints over in a slump. Quickly, Max and Jennifer pick Eva up themselves and carry her over to the sofa where they place her on her back. 

“I’ll get her some water, Mrs. H,” Max replies as he rushes to the bathroom. 

Jonathan meanwhile having seen what caused Eva to become hysterical after her scream, picks up the card and reads what it says to the police, “You have only a matter of hours to get your friends off our backs and to mind their own affairs or they will end up dead. Your time is running out too, Miss Lampert. Find what Peter took from us, or you’ll be joining the Harts soon after. This is the last warning!!!”

Max returns with the water which he gives to Eva who is now waking up after her fainting spell. She mouths a “thank you,” and drinks the water. She bursts into tears as Jonathan listens to Inspector Michelot at the other end of the phone. After a few seconds, Jonathan hangs up the receiver. He, Max, and Jennifer look at each other with deep fear and concern for themselves and Eva. 

Corridor Outside of Jonathan and Jennifer’s Suite At Hotel Ritz Couple of Hours Later

Jonathan and Jennifer come out of their suite in their disguises. Jonathan and Jennifer are both dressed as an older rich looking couple in a fancy suit and dress. Jennifer is wearing an antique necklace around her neck. Jonathan is wearing a white fake mustache and carrying a cane. They appear to be in their early eighties as they make their way to the stairs.

Bank of Paris (Banque de France) Minutes Later 

Jonathan and Jennifer are standing inside the bank where the safe deposit boxes are kept in a safe. An employee there has just led them to where Peter’s safe deposit box is.

“If you need anything, Monsieur et Madame, just let me know,” he says.

“Merci, garçon,”Jonathan replies in his disguised voice of an older man as the employee leaves them alone. Jonathan opens the safe deposit box with the key. To his surprise, the only thing stored in there besides the usual things you would expect to find in a safe deposit box such as Peter’s will, his and Eva’s birth certificates, is a large map of Paris, France. Jonathan takes the map out of the safe deposit box and holds it in a certain position so he and Jennifer can both see the entire map. 

“Jonathan, look,”Jennifer replies within a few seconds after discovering a big circle in red ink drawn around the Louvre. Jonathan turns the map over and sees a riddle written in Peter Lampert’s own hand writing. It appears as if he was in fear and in a hurry when he wrote it. 

“What has a French romantic rearing away from an unseen attacker, but has non-classical qualities, a horse, and a chasseur?" Jonathan says, reading the riddle out loud to himself and his wife in his natural voice. “Good luck, and thank you for playing this treasure hunt with me!”  he reads which is written underneath the riddle.

“At least we know where we are to begin to look for the next clue,” Jonathan replies, disappointed, but thinking they now know where to begin to look for the next clue. Jonathan folds up the map carefully as not to wrinkle it which he hands to Jennifer as he takes the key and locks the safe deposit box. 

“Come on. We don’t have a moment to lose, darling.” 

 Jonathan and Jennifer walk out of the bank as fast as they possibly can, but still maintain their poise and disguise as not to cause suspicion in case they should be recognized.

A Street In Paris, France 

Jonathan and Jennifer are driving on their way to the Louvre which is only a five minute drive from Banque de France in their new red 1982 Mercedes Benz replacing the rental that was damaged hours earlier during the chase.  Jonathan turns left onto Rue Saint Honore. Suddenly the mobile car phone rings which Jennifer answers from the passenger’s side.

“Hello.”

“Hey, Mrs. H,” Max says on the other end of the line. “I just wanted to call to let you and Mr. H know that before Eva left, Inspector Michelot called. He managed to track down the car driven by the man who almost ran you, Mr. H, and Eva off the road yesterday.  But of course they had no luck in findin’ that guy.”

“Thanks, Max. I’ll be sure to let Jonathan know. Mr. H. and I are on our way to the Louvre Museum. If you call us again, and we don’t answer the car mobile phone, you’ll know why.”

“The Louvre? Mrs. H, what are you and Mr. H headin’ that way for? I thought you were goin’ to take a look at that Peter Lampert’s safe deposit box.”

“We did. We just left the bank. We found a map of Paris with a circle marked around the Louvre and a riddle written by Peter on the back of the map. We’re heading there now for the next clue.”

“Geez! This Mister Peter Lampert guy sure likes to fool around when it comes to findin’ whatever it is you’re supposed to be lookin’ for. I hope you and Mr. H know what you’re doin’.”

“I hope Mr. H and I know what we’re doing too. How is our scheme to throw Alfred and Alicio off our track while Jonathan and I search for what they’re after?”

“It is workin’ like a charm. They fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Eva is being driven in the limo by Charles now. Those guys are followin’ her instead.”

“That’s a relief. Just be sure to time the wild goose chase and then meet up with Eva several cars behind them to be sure Eva is safe, Max.”

“Will do, Mrs. H,” Max replies before he hangs ups.

Jennifer hangs up the receiver as Jonathan takes a right onto Rue de Marengo. 

“How is our scheme going?” Jonathan asks.

“So far our scheme is going as planned. Max says they fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Seems they took the bait. You know, Jonathan, with the state of mind Peter was in before he was killed, it is certainly is strange about the message he left us underneath the riddle. It’s almost like he is enjoyed playing a treasure hunt with us."

“When I met Peter with Eva at our high school reunion, I found him to have a strange sense of humor,” Jonathan says.

“Everything about that man is strange,” Jennifer replies with disbelief as Jonathan turns onto Rue de Rivoli. 

Meanwhile In Other Part of Paris, France 15 Minutes Later

Alfred and Alicio are following Eva and Charles behind in the limousine as Charles turns right onto Rue de Mogador. Minutes later he takes the second exit onto Avenue de Clichy where they arrive at a pawn shop. After pulling up at the pawn shop, Charles gets out of the driver’s side and opens the door for Eva. She thanks him as she gets out. The men park across the other side of the street and act as if they’re minding their own business as Eva goes into the shop. She can be seen heading over to the register. A younger English man in his late thirties, the owner of the shop, comes from the back and talks to Eva. She takes out an envelope from her purse and opens it. She takes out what appears to be a pawn ticket and hands it to him. He takes it, tells her something, motions for her to wait, and goes back into other part of the shop to get the item. Eva waits a few seconds for the man to come back with the object. He returns with a black briefcase which he hands to Eva. She thanks him and walks out of the shop, shutting the door behind her. At this point, Alfred and Alicio stop acting like they’re minding their own business and watch Eva anxiously to see what is in the briefcase. 

“That has to be what we’re after,” Alicio says.

“Definitely, sir. Why else would Peter had left a pawn ticket in the safe deposit box to be found at their bank?”

Eva opens the door to the limousine and gets in.

Alfred opens the door of their car to approach her when puts the prime minister puts his hand on his shoulder. 

“Not yet, you fool. We have to wait until Eva stops some place where there are less people around. Do you want to be caught in broad daylight? We have to wait!”

Alfred doesn’t respond, but silently shuts the door without making a sound. Charles starts the engine of the limousine and drives off with the men in hot pursuit. 

Meanwhile At The Louvre 

Jonathan and Jennifer are walking around with a large group of tourists. Most of them are American, but several are from other countries throughout the world such as Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. They pretend to be interested in the art displayed at the museum when in reality, they are searching for the next clue. Jonathan holds the map in his hand. They have been with the group for twenty minutes now. Jonathan occasionally looks at the back of the map, rereading the riddle Peter wrote quietly to himself trying to figure out where the next clue is. Jennifer is paying more attention to the tour guide giving historical facts about the exhibits than her husband, who is only trying to find the next clue. 

 “Now if  you will follow me, please, Mesdames et Messieurs,” the French tour guide tells them, a male in his mid forties. “I will shall show you where the famous Mona Lisa is displayed.” He leads the tourist group away to the other side of the museum as Jennifer and Jonathan follow him. After arriving at the room, the tour guide begins giving facts about the well- known Mona Lisa, which is in reality isn’t all that big as expected. 

Meanwhile while all the previous new drama and plot twists have been going on, Jonathan and Jennifer have been attending the auction. They are seated in the third row of chairs on the right with other buyers. The auctioneer is standing in front auctioning off some valuables, art and other high priced items of all kinds. After all this time Jonathan and Jennifer still have not seen the item they’re supposed to be placing a bid on. The next item that comes out to be auctioned off is an antique carved Mayan Calendar chess set. 

“Now this antique Mayan Calendar chess set we have to be auctioned off was given to us from an American citizen that was a long time resident here, Mesdames et Messieurs. I’m sure you all have heard about his death on television and in the newspapers. His name was Peter Lampert.”

Jonathan and Jennifer both look at each other, smiling, glad that they finally found the last clue, the clue that will give them the answers they need to finish their investigation and to make sure justice is done.

“We’ll start the bid at 526 francs. Do I hear 526 francs?”

Jonathan raises his finger.

“526 is bid. Do I hear 1052 francs?”

Jennifer raises her finger. 

“1052 francs is bid. Do I hear 1463 francs?”

A lady in the front row raises her finger.

“1463 francs is bid. Do I hear 1578 francs? Going once, going twice,” the auctioneer says.

“2105 francs,” Jonathan says at the last moment.

“Merci, Monsieur. 2105 francs is bid. Do I hear 2368 francs? Going once, going twice. Sold to that gentilhomme in the third row on the right.” 

Front Entrance of Christie’s Paris Auction House Minutes Later

Jonathan and Jennifer come out of Christie’s with Jonathan carrying the chess set and head toward their car which is parked in front of the entrance. The chess set contains two drawers. One on the front and one on the back. Jonathan makes sure no one is watching them as Jennifer opens the drawer on the front. As Jennifer opens the drawer to her surprise, she finds what are secret military documents containing incriminating evidence against Peter and his three ex army pals. The documents are typed written.

“Jonathan,” she replies, quietly. He looks down and sees that they finally found evidence that could land the remaining living Vietnam War veterans in jail. 

“So this is what we and those ex war buddies of Peter’s have been after all this time,” he replies as he takes out the documents. 

“I wonder if there is any other incriminating evidence in the other drawer,” Jennifer says as she opens the other drawer in the back. Sure enough there is. There are old black and white photographs from the war piled against each other and cassettes which are stored in their plastic cases. On the side of the cases there is a label in black ink which reads,”Private Conversations Between Peter Lampert, Thomas Hemway, Alfred Woburn, and Alicio Chevalier.” 

“We better look over all this evidence in our car,” Jonathan tells her as he hands Jennifer the documents, photographs, and cassettes while he continues to hold the chess set. He takes out the car key from his suit and unlocks the car. He gets into the driver’s seat while Jennifer opens her door to the passenger’s side and gets in. Jonathan and Jennifer both close their doors at the same time.  After Jonathan places the chess set down on the floor in the back carefully,they both get in a position so they can glance over the incriminating evidence together. Jennifer puts the photographs and cassettes down on her lap as she hands the other half to Jonathan.

“This certainly was enough evidence to kill Peter for. Once the police got a hold of all of this, they would all be behind bars for treason,” Jonathan finally comments.

“I can see why Peter finally wanted to come clean. Knowing he and those other men had betrayed their country by giving away military secrets to the enemy for millions of dollars was enough to make anyone with a conscience want to own up to what they have done.”

“Especially when those millions of dollars were used to provide Eva and himself with a luxurious lifestyle. That would explain why Peter never worked for a dime in his life or ever spoke about having a job to Eva,” Jonathan adds as he hands the documents over to his wife. “Let’s see those photographs now, darling. See what else Peter has in store for us.” 

Jennifer hands him the photographs. As Jonathan takes them to glance over and see what is incriminating in those photographs, to his surprise and alarm he sees the first one is a younger photograph of Charles in a sergeant’s uniform. He turns it over to find in Peter’s own hand writing, 

“Our sergeant in the war who discovered our secret and was going to turn us in unless we let him in on our dirty deed.  He is the one who made up those documents and recorded our conversations with the enemy on those cassettes. This is all you need to know, Jonathan. Take the evidence and turn it over to the French police. I can rest in peace, and I know Eva will finally be free from danger and to get on with her life. Thank you!”

“Charles?!” Jonathan exclaims in shock.

“Charles? What does he have to do with-?” Jennifer begins as she looks at the picture of a young Charles that Jonathan just turned back over for her to see.

“Why, that is our limousine chauffeur, Charles.  Are you trying to tell me, Jonathan, that he is in on the conspiracy and Peter's murder too?” she asks, stunned. 

Jonathan nods and turns over the back of the picture which he gives to Jennifer to read. As she begins reading the writing out loud, the car mobile phone rings. Jonathan takes the receiver off of the hook.

“Max?” Jonathan asks answering the call.

“Yes, Mr. H,” Max replies, nervously. “I’m just callin’ to find how the treasure hunt is goin’. Did you and Mrs H. hit the jackpot yet?”

“We sure did, Max. Our last clue was in a antique carved chess set that Jennifer and I ran across here at Christie’s Paris.”

“What was in it?” Max asks anxiously, but trying to appear calm.

“Some incriminating documents and cassettes implicating Peter, Thomas, and those other two guerrillas were involved in a treason during the Vietnam War.”

“Well, Eva and I have made a shockin’ discovery as well, Mr. H.  We’re on our way over to Christie’s now. It’s important we tell you and Mrs. H immediately in person.” 

“All right. Mrs. H and I will be waiting.” Jonathan hangs up the receiver. “Max said that he and Eva have made some kind of shocking discovery of their own. He says it is important to tell us in person.”

“What?!” Jennifer exclaims in shock. “Jonathan, something must have gone wrong in our scheme.  Charles must have been spying on us. If that is the case than Eva and Max are in danger,” she says with fear in her voice.

“Don’t worry, darling. I was way ahead of you after talking to Max. I could sense something was wrong by the sound of his voice. He sounded nervous and scared.” 

Jonathan picks up the car mobile phone and dials the number of the police.

A Street In Paris  

Max is driving the car just as Charles has been instructing him to. Charles is talking on the phone to the Prime Minister with his gun still at Max’s shoulder as Max takes a right onto Avenue Matignon.

“I have good news for you, sir. We’ve located Jonathan and Jennifer Hart. They’re at Christie’s, and they have all the evidence. Max found out that Peter hid them in an antique carved chess set that he auctioned off. We’re almost near the auction house now. Yes, sir. We’ll meet you there.” 

While Charles has been talking on the phone, he has taken his eyes off Max, distracted by the latest development in their race to get the incriminating evidence against them. Max uses this opportunity to gain the upper hand since they arrive at a stop light. Just as Charles is about to hang up the receiver, without warning, Max knocks the gun out of his hand with his elbow. Totally taken off guard and with the receiver now thrown onto the floor, he doesn’t have a chance to react as Max kicks him in the stomach with his foot, causing him unbearable pain. Charles is still aching from the kick, is now leaning against the door. Max turns around and hurls open the car door. 

“This is where you get off, mac,” Max tells him as he shoves Charles out of the car, pushing him onto the side of street. Max shuts the door just as the light turns green. Max takes up speed, driving to Christie’s Paris fast as possible before Alfred and Alicio get there. 

Front Entrance of Christie’s Paris Auction House A Few Minutes Later

Jonathan and Jennifer are waiting for Eva and Max to arrive.

“We had better put these documents, pictures, and cassettes into your purse for safe keeping, darling,” Jonathan says.

Jennifer takes the evidence and puts them inside her purse. Just as she zips her purse shut, a limousine pulls up across from them. The doors open, and Alfred and the prime minister get out. 

“We have company,” Jonathan remarks as the men approach them on his side of the car while Jonathan picks up the chess set from the back and holds it under his right arm. The prime minister motions for them to get out of the car. Jonathan and Jennifer give each other an uncomfortable glance as they open their doors and get out of the car. Jennifer walks up to her husband and the other two men. 

“Well, what do we owe the honor of your visit, Prime Minister?” Jonathan asks.

“Don’t play games with us, Monsieur Hart. You and your wife along with your servant have played enough of those already on us for one day,” he answers with annoyance and anger in his voice, but managing to compose himself. “Just hand over the evidence, and that’s an order.”

“Evidence?” Jonathan asks, pretending to be confused on what is going on. “We don’t have any evidence that we know of do we, darling?” he asks, turning to his wife.

“No, no,” she replies, smiling. “We don’t know what you’re even talking about. You must excuse us. My husband and I have an appointment with uh, a dentist. He broke a tooth during lunch eating a snail. Excuse me, I mean escargot. ”

Losing patience, Chevalier smacks Jennifer’s face as hard as possible. As Alfred is about to pull out a gun, Jonathan suddenly removes the chess set from underneath his arm and purposely drops the set aiming directly at the prime minister’s foot. The prime minister yells in pain and is distracted by what Jonathan had just done to him. Jonathan and Jennifer seize this opportunity and run away as quickly as possible to escape. The prime minister by now has picked up the chess set and opened both drawers to find them empty. They’ve been tricked again! This time the prime minster is furious. As the Harts reach near the end of another street in their attempt to get away, they see an American couple drive up to the side of the street on a motorcycle with a sidecar. Jonathan and Jennifer approach them as they get out.

“Excuse me,” Jonathan says. “We need to buy your motorcycle,” he tells the shocked couple as he takes out his wallet and hands them twenty dollars without thinking in their haste to get away. "We're in trouble."

“Well, thanks, mister,” he replies, puzzled as Jonathan rushes over to the motorcycle and hops on as Jennifer rushes into the sidecar.  As Jonathan starts the engine and speeds off, the young man looks at the cash seeing for the first time it is a twenty dollar bill. “Hey, come back!” he shouts. “I can’t take this! This is only twenty dollars you just gave me!”

Jonathan and Jennifer have just turned the corner of the street just as prime minister’s limousine catches up to them speeding after them. Jennifer looks behind and notices they are catching up.

“Jonathan,” she says.

“Hold on tight, darling,” he replies, calmly. “We’re going to take on more speed.” 

He increases the speed of the motorcycle while driving carefully and watching traffic as the limousine begins getting much further away from them. The limousine increases its speed as well chasing after the Harts. The chase continues. After twenty miles, Jonathan turns right onto Rue de Ponthieu. By now a police car has noticed what is happening, and speeds after the limousine and the Harts, turning on their siren. 

“Jonathan, we just picked up a policeman,” she informs her husband.

“Good. We could use all the help we can get,” he replies, seemingly unfazed.  As they continue their chase, Max and Eva pass them. 

“Max, we just passed Jonathan and Jennifer,” Eva says with worry and fear in her voice after witnessing Chevalier and Woburn chasing after them. 

Without hesitation, Max turns the car around and follows his employers. Miles ahead, the Harts turn left onto Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt with Eva, Max, and Alfred and Chevalier following them along with the police. By now another police car has joined the chase, sirens blazing.

 “We’re coming to the Eiffel Tower,” Jennifer remarks, stunned when the famous tower comes into view. 

Once on the traffic circle, they take the second exit onto Avenue Montaigne.  After a couple of turns, they come upon the Eiffel Tower. By now the prime minister and Alfred are only a couple of feet away from the Harts. The prime minister, who is sitting in the back seat of the limousine on the left, rolls down his window and suddenly begins firing shots at Jonathan and Jennifer who manage to avoid the shots. They finally reach the Eiffel Tower. With no other place to run, Jonathan and Jennifer quickly abandon their transportation, heading towards the Eiffel Tower.  After reaching the tower, they run up the steps leading to the very top. The prime minister’s limousine catches up to the motorcycle and comes to a stop with Chevalier rushing after the Harts. By now the police cars and Max and Eva have reached where the motorcycle is parked. At this point everyone who is walking near by can see the continuing chase at the tower. They stop to watch what is going on in complete and utter shock at what is happening. 

By now Jonathan and Jennifer have reached the second floor and are already out of breath. 

“Now I know how James Stewart must have felt in Vertigo,” Jennifer tells Jonathan as they continue running up the tower.

“That was set in San Francisco, darling.”

“I know.”

“At least Stewart didn’t have to climb up the Eiffel Tower.”

“True,” Jennifer replies. 

By now the prime minister is catching up to them as the Harts try to stay ahead of him. As they climb higher and higher, it is becoming more difficult to run. The same goes for Chevalier, but they keep climbing to the very top. As they near the third floor, they stop a few moments to catch their breath. As the prime minister catches up to them, the Harts continue on, determined to make it to the third and last level. After what seems like a lifetime, but actually thirty minutes the Harts and Chevalier reach the very top. By now they are helpless as there is no way to escape. Jonathan and Jennifer are now at the mercy of the prime minister.  They back away to the edge carefully as their enemy approaches them slowly and with a smile on his face.

"Well, Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, it seems for the first time you’re out of luck. You know this never would have had to happen if you just minded your own business and behaved like normal tourists,” Chevalier says, waving his gun at them.

Suddenly comes the voice of Inspector Michelot shouting orders through a bullhorn.

“PRIME MINISTER, THIS IS INSPECTOR MICHELOT OF THE POLICE! GIVE YOURSELF UP AND SURRENDER! OR YOU'LL BE SHOT! YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW MORE MINUTES TO DECIDE, MONSIEUR! I SUGGEST YOU TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT AND COME DOWN FROM THE TOWER NOW!"

Desperate and without thinking rationally, Chevalier grabs Jonathan and Jennifer around their neck. He pushes them toward the front edge of the tower so everyone below can see he has a hold of them. He points the gun at the Harts’ heads.

“DROP YOUR GUNS OR I’LL SHOOT JONATHAN HART AND HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE NOW! I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO LOSE!” Chevalier shouts back.

Jennifer has just finished getting ready for bed. She comes into their bedroom from the bathroom in her night gown to find the entire suite almost in darkness.

“Darling?” she asks, puzzled at what is going on. “Jonathan, where are you? Jonathan, are you here?”

She walks into the living room. Suddenly there is a knock at the door. 

“Who is it?” she asks.

The door opens. Jonathan and Max dance their way in with Freeway walking in ahead of them into the suite as Jonathan switches on a lamp. He and Max are dressed in top hats and tails costume as they carry a black cane. Max is carrying a cassette player which he places on a table near the door. Jennifer is about to ask what is going on when Max closes the door behind them and switches on the cassette player which instantly starts the instrumental music to an old fashioned song, “Puttin’ On The Ritz.” Jonathan and Max bursts into song and dance with their canes imitating Fred Astaire’s dance steps as Jennifer and Freeway watch.

“Have you seen the well-to-do, up and down Park Avenue

On that famous thoroughfare, with their noses in the air

High hats and Arrow collars, white spats and lots of dollars

Spending every dime, for a wonderful time.

If you're blue and you don't know where to go to

Why don't you go where fashion sits

Puttin' on the ritz

Different types who wear a day coat, pants with stripes

And cutaway coat, perfect fits

Puttin' on the ritz

Dressed up like a million dollar trouper

Trying mighty hard to look like Gary Cooper (super duper)

Come let's mix where Rockefellers walk with sticks

Or "umbrellas" in their mitts

Puttin' on the ritz

If you're blue and you don't know where to go to

Why don't you go where fashion sits

Puttin’ on the ritz

Puttin’ on the ritz

Puttin’ on the ritz.”

Jonathan and Max throw their top hats and canes into the air as they catch their hats and canes with their hands. The instrumental music comes to a stop, and Jennifer who has been watching this number being performed the entire time with amazement and amusement, bursts into applauds.

“Thank you!” Max and Jonathan both say as they take a bow. Freeway has become bored by the number halfway and is now yawning.

“Well, at least only one member of our audience found our routine boring,”Jonathan replies, smiling.

“You can’t count on a pup to know good entertainment, Mr. H,” Max tells him, smiling. “Come on, Freeway. Let’s give Mr. and Mrs. H some privacy. It is their anniversary after all,” he says as he picks up the dog and carries him out of the suite, shutting the door on his way out.

“Oh, darling, that was such a wonderful surprise,” Jennifer tells her husband as he approaches her. “I needed a good laugh and some fun after the last two days.”

“Which is exactly why Max and I performed our little number,” Jonathan replies with a smile as he drops the cane and hat onto the coffee table.

They walk into their bedroom together, their arms wrapped around each other’s shoulder.

“Happy anniversary, darling,” Jonathan tells her seductively, embracing her.

“Happy anniversary, darling,” Jennifer tells her husband, seductively. They end up in a such passionate kiss that they find themselves walking towards the foot of the bed. They are so engrossed in their romantic moment, they fail to realize they are backing into the bed. As they land on the bed on their backs, they are knocked out of their kiss which results in them laughing. Never the less, Jonathan once again embraces her and kisses her, closing their eyes as they enjoy the first real romantic moment and alone together time since they landed in Paris.