Chapter 70

“I have a radio,” Christophe said quietly. Those were his first words to Joe since they’d entered the room over an hour ago. “Would you like to listen to Jack Benny?” He made a move to rise.

But Joe put a hand on his shoulder. “What happens if the lady finds out I live here with you?”

The house belonged to a widow. It was badly neglected, but the rooms were cheap.

Christophe leaned back and slipped the cigarette out of Joe’s fingers. He sucked on it, then blew the smoke out slowly through his nose. “I don’t know, but I gave the old bat four months of rent in advance. She shouldn’t give me any trouble.”

“Who else lives here?”

Christophe stared down at the cigarette burning in his long fingers. “A few other men. One is slightly psychotic. Hébert, his name is. Used to be a professor of some sort. He screams a lot. Walks up and down the hall sometimes. You’ll hear him.”