CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVEThe upstairs corridors of the plaza always reminded Ash of the Ritz in Paris.
He pressed the button beside the door and heard a discreet buzzer respond inside.
No sound of footsteps before the door was opened by a short middle-aged man in a tan summer suit, white shirt and patterned brown silk tie.
“Ah, Monsieur Hendrie! Welcome...” He stepped aside for Ash to enter. “Maitre Madura has been looking forward to this moment.”
“And I, to meeting him.”
“I am Jean Clair.” Leading him across the small foyer. “Le Maitre’s assistant. We always stay here because the Plaza is quiet and like a corner of his beloved France in the heart of New York.” He flung open an inner door. “Here he is, cher Maitre! Monsieur Hendrie...”
Ash went into the handsome sitting room as a man in a
