Chapter 287 - James and Zeng

Pellian, France.

Perched on a cliff about 18km North of Nice on French Riviera, exists a pedestrian only town that lacks souvenir stands, fancy restaurants, old bakeries, and shops as that of the main cities in France. Until today James and Zeng were not even aware there exists such a place in France despite they have been to the country hundreds of times.

Steep stairs, low passageways, cobblestone streets, and half-timbered building, it carries a medieval charm. The beauty and the views were just specular and worth taking a look on every step. But the two men had turned a blind eye to the untouched beauty and were scouring the streets in search of someone. 

Something James had picked from Evan's computer table turned up as an importance evidence that was now helping them find the missing pieces of the puzzle. 

An old photograph it was. If Evan had kept it under the keyboard, it must be important to him, and judging by the crumbled edges and yellow tint, he must have touched it a lot.

In the black-and-white photograph Evan was barely three or four years old, gently embraced in the arms of a woman standing near Eiffel tower. In old times when digital cameras were not a thing, the photographs were taken by film cameras which had brown reels.

And one can find many cameramen snapping photographs near Eiffel Tower. James knew he was calling a blind shot, but to try his luck he used his resources in France to check if the photograph was snapped by one such photographer as getting a personal camera was expensive at that time. He used the address mentioned at the back of the photograph.

Voila. The photograph really came from one such men. Since developing photographs from films was not an instant process, the photographs were normally sent to the address through post. To James luck, he got the address on which the photograph was sent.

However, upon reaching he found it was an old apartment in Paris, now occupied by someone else. And to his shock, Evan had come there before inquiring about the same. But why? Why was Evan trying to inquire about himself? Does he too not know something himself? 

Just when James thought he won't get anything here, Zeng came to the rescue. Zeng had used his contacts in the racing circle to inquire about the Ricci family and the woman in the photograph. 

Since Evan had brutally murdered the entire Ricci family, there must be some connection between the two. It turned out the woman in the pic was Evan's mother, youngest daughter of the Ricci family.

Evan's mother had fallen in love with a man much lower in standards to the Ricci family status when she was barely seventeen. As the family opposed the union, she eloped with her lover. The family patriarch disowned his daughter for bringing disgrace to the family.

However, things didn't stop here. Legally she was still a Ricci, entitled to get an equal share in property as that of her two elder siblings. Giving a share to the one who brought disgrace to the family was not acceptable to other siblings, and they got their sister's house burned down with her family locked in.

"How did you know all this?" James asked Zeng. His mind was in chaos hearing the story, already there were questions and now many more popped up. He glanced at the beautiful scenery and sighed.

Zeng passed folder with newspaper clippings to James, "It was in news at that time. All five members were charred to death, alive. Everyone knew who did that, but Ricci family bought evidences, and suppressed the case. A month later the case was closed in the name of fire caused by short circuit."

"But that didn't answer my question,"

"Before coming here I hired a private detective. Besides why do you think I didn't come to the hotel for two days?" Zeng glanced at his phone, the google maps pointed at left. He gestured the same to James.

"I thought you went for a hook--"

"Shut up, you dirty mind. Who do you take me for?'' Zeng scowled, "I and my friends went for drag racing with the so-called rich brats of the city. I later grabbed the opportunity and inquired about Ricci's over drinks. Men, I tell you--" he turned to James, "--they are better gossipers than women."

"Ha, no one can beat me and Susu in gossips. We can gossip about dogs even." James slapped his hand in the air. "Anyway, are you sure we can get any information from this one? Because Evan definitely survived that fire. But how? Was there any other survivor?"

"Let's ask her. Hope she will answer our questions. At least some. She was a servant to Evan's family when they died in fire. Since Ricci family is not around anymore, she doesn't have anyone to fear..... Go down that way,"

They stopped at the doors of an old house. The address Zeng got from a private detective was this. James knocked twice and waited. 

A man opened a small opening build in the door and questioned. 

Before Zeng could say, James stepped on his toe to silence him. "Hi, we are tourists and lost our way. Can you please help us to the nearest bus stand or a place to spend the night? I will appreciate a glass of water."

"Ask next door." The man answered rudely.

"I told you," Zeng interrupted, taking James by surprise, "I told you people of France are rude and they never help anyone. You see that? I shouldn't have listened to you and have come here. We are stuck in this God-damn place now. Damn, I will do anything to get me out of here. I have a race tomorrow and millions of dollars are at stake. " Zeng raised his wrist, revealing the expensive watch and gold bracelet.

The man shut the door on their face.

"..."

"..."

James burst into a peel of laughter. "Do you think you can entice these villagers with money? Hahaha.... silly man,"

"Do you have a better idea?"