Noelle continued to visit Paris once a month to see Christian Barbet. Barbet had
established a liaison with a private detective agency in Washington, and there was a
constant stream of reports on Larry Douglas. Cautiously testing Noelle, the little detective
had offered to send the reports to her in Athens, but she told him that she preferred picking
them up in person. Barbet had nodded his head slyly and said in a conspiratorial tone, “I
understand, Miss Page.” So she did not want Constantin Demiris to know about her
interest in Larry Douglas. The possibilities for blackmail staggered Barbet’s mind.
“You have been most helpful, Monsieur Barbet,” Noelle said, “and most discreet.”
He smiled unctuously. “Thank you, Miss Page. My business depends on discretion.”
“Exactly,” Noelle replied, “I know you are discreet because Constantin Demiris has
never mentioned your name to me. The day he does, I will ask him to destroy you.” Her
tone was pleasant and conversational, but the effect was like a bombshell.
Monsieur Barbet stared at Noelle for a long, shocked moment, licking his lips. He
scratched his crotch nervously and stammered, “I—I assure you, Mademoiselle, that I
would n—never…”
“I’m sure you won’t,” Noelle said and departed.
On the commercial plane taking her back to Greece, Noelle read the confidential
report in the sealed manila envelope.
ACME SECURITY AGENCY
1402 “D” Street
Washington, D.C.
Reference: #2-179-210 February 2, 1946
Dear Monsieur Barbet:
One of our operatives spoke to a contact in the personnel office at Pan Am:
Subject is regarded as a skilled combat pilot, but they question whether he is
disciplined enough to work out satisfactorily within a large, structured organization.
Subject’s personal life-style follows the same pattern as in our previous reports.
We have followed him to the apartments of various women whom he had picked up,
where he remained for periods of from one hour to as long as five hours, and we
presume that he is having a series of casual sexual relations with these women.
(Names and addresses are on file if you wish them.)
In view of the Subject’s new employment, it is possible that this pattern may
change. We will follow up on this per your request.
Please find our bill enclosed.
Very truly yours,
R. Ruttenberg,