Paparazzi - IV
The Imperial Suit, Hôtel Ritz
Repossi Jewelers
He called his dearest cousin Hussein Yassin who was living in Saudi Arabia. "We are very serious . . . we are going to get married, Cous".
Dodi’s voice was full of excitement and enthusiasm. Hussein wished him good luck. Dodi felt like he was on cloud nine. He slid the ring into his pocket and went to check if Diana was ready. By the time Dodi reached the Ritz salon, Diana was done with her hair and she was extremely happy to see him back. They had a casual chat and walked towards the dining table. For dinner, Dodi had initially booked Chez Benoit, a fashionable but cozy restaurant.
They had to abandon their attempt to go there because of the harassment by pursuing photographers. So, they returned to L’Hotel Ritz. The Espadon restaurant inside the Hotel Ritz was no exception. Dodi spotted half a dozen Paparazzi with their cameras.
“Honey, this isn’t a good idea. Let’s go back to our suite” He reckoned her
Diana was relieved when she heard Dodi say those words. She wanted to get away from the sight of paparazzi more than he did. On the way to their suit, Dodi informed his personal butler, to make arrangements for their dinner in their suite.
"Dinner à deux. And don’t forget the Vantage Champagne on ice. That’s how my lady likes it” He told the butler. Dodi still had the ring inside his coat pocket. They happily enjoyed their dinner and the drink.
David Spedding placed his men at all the important roads leading out from the Hotel for surveillance. He had booked the table close to the table where the couple were to have their dinner. But for some reason, Dodi abandoned the dinner plan. David waited patiently. He knew the couple were to get engaged in few days and this was his only chance. He sipped Château d'Yquem, a Bordeaux white wine. He tried hard to concentrate but was lost in his thoughts. He really wanted to break free but this operation wouldn’t allow him to do so. He placed the glass with the cold wine across his temple and tried to relax.
“I would like to make a toast gentlemen. To a Happy and Romantic life of Dodi and Diana and the wonderful photos and headlines they give us
Long live the couple!!!” a paparazzi made a toast and the other paparazzi sitting around the table had a mighty laugh. Ron Gallella laughed with the others
“So where are you from, Fletcher?” Someone asked him
“Well, I am from England” Ron Gallella replied and he cursed himself for telling them his real nationality
“Oh, from Lady Di’s land eh? Then you could tell us a lot about her” One big fat paparazzo asked him
Ron was happy when he saw the couple earlier that morning in the Hotel. From another Paparazzo, he learned that they’d come all the way from the US, as they suspected something big was to happen with the Dodi-Diana relationship.
Henri Paul, the Deputy Head of Security at the Hôtel Ritz was having a wonderful time at the restaurant. He had been with the Fayed Family for the past 11 years and Dodi Fayed usually engaged him, whenever he had any personal work in and around Paris. Henri was not only the security head, but a loyal and skillful chauffeur to Dodi Fayed. Dodi had earlier announced to him that he had planned to marry Diana soon and promised him a voluptuous hike and a promotion .
He enjoyed his bottle of Pernod Ricard, without caring the loud chattering of the paparazzi behind his back or the old but smart looking guy sitting and staring at him from the opposite table drinking his wine. Trevor Rees-Jones, Dodi’s bodyguard was approaching his table, but seemed to carry a worried face.
“Hey Paul. What in the name of god are you doing here? I’ve been looking for you everywhere” He pulled a chair. Henri gave a puzzled look at Trevor.
“The Boss is planning to leave to his pied-à-terre on the Arsene-Houssaye Street in couple of hours and he wants you to drive the car” He informed Paul.
It appeared that Henri Paul wasn’t much excited about the news, but it sure did excite the gentleman sitting opposite to his table and the paparazzi behind him
David Spedding smiled to himself. He knew Henri Paul was a double Agent working for the MI6 and some undisclosed Agency. Initially he thought of getting the information from Henri Paul about the movements of Dodi and Diana. But later he dumped the idea as he thought Henri might pass on the information to the other Agency as well that he had passed the information to the MI6. That could very well spoil their plans.
He was waiting patiently for some lead and felt this could be it. He got up from his table, took his glass and walked towards Henri Paul. “Would you mind if I sit here?” David asked him. Henri took one good look at David and said “Ofcourse, No. Please have a seat” Henri replied back but still looked puzzled. David broke the silence.
“Jonathan Goodfield” He stretched his hands. “Henri Paul” He shook back.
David tried to figure out what could be running in Henri’s mind at that moment.
“Why would a complete stranger like Jonathan come and sit in front of him and start a conversation” David thought this might be the one
“I’ve been watching you sitting here idle for the past couple of hours and thought would give you some company. I myself need one” David laughed to which Henri gave a wry smile
“What would someone as lonely as you be doing something very important than enjoying a drink all alone in a wonderful Saturday night as this” David tried to extend his conversation
“Stephen get me a Pernod Ricard please” He called up the Head waiter
“But Sir, you are under severe medication and this is the 2nd pint you are ordering” The waiter replied
“But Henri, could you drive your car with so much alcohol content in you?” David asked him
“Awe this is nothing. They allow 0.5 grams of alcohol in blood. A couple of beer or something above that would cause a problem. Not the Ricard” He replied David told Henri that he had something very important to do and took leave
David Spedding rushed back to his suite and gathered his men at the conference Room. He spread a detailed Paris road Map which he had bought earlier
“Are the cars ready for our operation, Jeanne?” David spoke. “Yes, commander” Jeanne replied
“Good” He acknowledged
“Dodi has planned to leave the Hotel in sometime from now. There are 2 possible ways to get to Dodi’s apartment from Hôtel Ritz. Head southwest on Place Vendôme toward Cour Vendôme. Turn right to stay on Place Vendôme. Continue onto Rue de Castiglione. Turn right at Rue de Rivoli. Continue onto Place de la Concorde. Turn right at Avenue des Champs-Elysées. Take a sharp right at the Rue Arsène Houssaye and he will reach the apartment. This is hardly 3 Kilometers from the Hotel and takes about 6 minutes to reach the apartment.
The second route, from the Hotel exit, heads southwest on Place Vendôme towards Cour Vendôme. A right turn from there leads to Rue de Castiglione. Again take a right at Rue de Rivoli. Continue on the Place de la Concorde for half a kilometer and then continue on the Voie Georges Pompidou for about a kilometer. Turn to the right to stay on Voie Georges Pompidou. Continue onto Cours Albert 1er from there. Take a slight right at the Place de l'Alma. Turn left to stay on Place de l'Alma. Turn right at Pont de l'Alma. This is a Tunnel and it takes maximum 8 minutes to reach. Now the catch here is we have 3 different routes from this Tunnel to the apartment – via Avenue Kléber, via Avenue d'Iéna and via Quai Branly and Avenue George V. The first one is the longest route of all the three, the second one slightly lesser than the first one and the third one the least among others.
So the second option covers 6.3Kms from the Hotel to the Apartment. It takes about 15-20 minutes under normal traffic. The first route is the busiest part of the city and it is suicidal to hit our Target. While the second route is less crowded and makes the job easier for us” David explained.
“So what do you think Jeanne-Pierre?” David asked Jeanne
“Dad it’s me Emad. I checked in sometime back and just wanted you to know about it” Dodi talked over the phone
…
“Well, No. I am not alone. Oh, Come on dad” He laughed wickedly
…
“Yes, she is here with me”
…
“No. She is having her hair done, Dad”
…
“Yeah. I’ve booked the dinner table. Bye Dad” He ended the call and slipped out of the Hotel quietly
************* *************
The £130,000 ring was sparkling and looked extremely beautiful. It was an emerald-cut diamond, surrounded by four smaller diamonds, set in a gold band. This was the ring Diana had selected earlier that morning. . "Dis-moi Oui!"was inscribed on the ring which merely translated to "Tell me yes!"
Dodi felt extremely happy looking at the ring. He paid the bill, thanked the Jeweller and left the Place.
************* *************
Dodi’s voice was full of excitement and enthusiasm. Hussein wished him good luck. Dodi felt like he was on cloud nine. He slid the ring into his pocket and went to check if Diana was ready. By the time Dodi reached the Ritz salon, Diana was done with her hair and she was extremely happy to see him back. They had a casual chat and walked towards the dining table. For dinner, Dodi had initially booked Chez Benoit, a fashionable but cozy restaurant.
They had to abandon their attempt to go there because of the harassment by pursuing photographers. So, they returned to L’Hotel Ritz. The Espadon restaurant inside the Hotel Ritz was no exception. Dodi spotted half a dozen Paparazzi with their cameras.
“Honey, this isn’t a good idea. Let’s go back to our suite” He reckoned her
Diana was relieved when she heard Dodi say those words. She wanted to get away from the sight of paparazzi more than he did. On the way to their suit, Dodi informed his personal butler, to make arrangements for their dinner in their suite.
"Dinner à deux. And don’t forget the Vantage Champagne on ice. That’s how my lady likes it” He told the butler. Dodi still had the ring inside his coat pocket. They happily enjoyed their dinner and the drink.
“Are we going to stay here for the night, Honey?” Diana asked him
“No sweetheart. We are going to our Apartment” He replied
“That would be great. I want to spend some quality time with you. Just you and me. Alone!!! This Hotel is not giving me the privacy I want” She replied
“Don’t worry sweetheart. Our Apartment is on the Arsene-Houssaye Street, en route to the Arc de Triomphe, just few miles off the Champs d’Elysses. I promise you tonight will be the most memorable night of your life” He told her and kissed her forehead gently
************* *************
David Spedding placed his men at all the important roads leading out from the Hotel for surveillance. He had booked the table close to the table where the couple were to have their dinner. But for some reason, Dodi abandoned the dinner plan. David waited patiently. He knew the couple were to get engaged in few days and this was his only chance. He sipped Château d'Yquem, a Bordeaux white wine. He tried hard to concentrate but was lost in his thoughts. He really wanted to break free but this operation wouldn’t allow him to do so. He placed the glass with the cold wine across his temple and tried to relax.
************* *************
“I would like to make a toast gentlemen. To a Happy and Romantic life of Dodi and Diana and the wonderful photos and headlines they give us
Long live the couple!!!” a paparazzi made a toast and the other paparazzi sitting around the table had a mighty laugh. Ron Gallella laughed with the others
“So where are you from, Fletcher?” Someone asked him
“Well, I am from England” Ron Gallella replied and he cursed himself for telling them his real nationality
“Oh, from Lady Di’s land eh? Then you could tell us a lot about her” One big fat paparazzo asked him
“Well, yes. Ofcourse” Ron laughed
Ron was happy when he saw the couple earlier that morning in the Hotel. From another Paparazzo, he learned that they’d come all the way from the US, as they suspected something big was to happen with the Dodi-Diana relationship.
************* *************
Hôtel Ritz
30th August 1997
9:35 P.M
Henri Paul, the Deputy Head of Security at the Hôtel Ritz was having a wonderful time at the restaurant. He had been with the Fayed Family for the past 11 years and Dodi Fayed usually engaged him, whenever he had any personal work in and around Paris. Henri was not only the security head, but a loyal and skillful chauffeur to Dodi Fayed. Dodi had earlier announced to him that he had planned to marry Diana soon and promised him a voluptuous hike and a promotion .
He enjoyed his bottle of Pernod Ricard, without caring the loud chattering of the paparazzi behind his back or the old but smart looking guy sitting and staring at him from the opposite table drinking his wine. Trevor Rees-Jones, Dodi’s bodyguard was approaching his table, but seemed to carry a worried face.
“Hey Paul. What in the name of god are you doing here? I’ve been looking for you everywhere” He pulled a chair. Henri gave a puzzled look at Trevor.
“The Boss is planning to leave to his pied-à-terre on the Arsene-Houssaye Street in couple of hours and he wants you to drive the car” He informed Paul.
It appeared that Henri Paul wasn’t much excited about the news, but it sure did excite the gentleman sitting opposite to his table and the paparazzi behind him
************* *************
David Spedding smiled to himself. He knew Henri Paul was a double Agent working for the MI6 and some undisclosed Agency. Initially he thought of getting the information from Henri Paul about the movements of Dodi and Diana. But later he dumped the idea as he thought Henri might pass on the information to the other Agency as well that he had passed the information to the MI6. That could very well spoil their plans.
He was waiting patiently for some lead and felt this could be it. He got up from his table, took his glass and walked towards Henri Paul. “Would you mind if I sit here?” David asked him. Henri took one good look at David and said “Ofcourse, No. Please have a seat” Henri replied back but still looked puzzled. David broke the silence.
“Jonathan Goodfield” He stretched his hands. “Henri Paul” He shook back.
David tried to figure out what could be running in Henri’s mind at that moment.
“Why would a complete stranger like Jonathan come and sit in front of him and start a conversation” David thought this might be the one
“I’ve been watching you sitting here idle for the past couple of hours and thought would give you some company. I myself need one” David laughed to which Henri gave a wry smile
“What would someone as lonely as you be doing something very important than enjoying a drink all alone in a wonderful Saturday night as this” David tried to extend his conversation
“My boss wants me to drive him down to his apartment. He has high regards for me. I can’t turn him down, can I John?” Henri asked him
“Probably not” He replied
Three days ago I successfully passed the annual pilot's physical examination. The examination included a test for addiction towards alcohol. So I gave up drinking for some time and was under severe medication. Today my Boss announced me a promotion and a hike. I wanted to celebrate this with my family. But, my work won’t let me leave and here I am enjoying my dinner all alone” Henri replied
“Stephen get me a Pernod Ricard please” He called up the Head waiter
“But Sir, you are under severe medication and this is the 2nd pint you are ordering” The waiter replied
“Thanks for your care Stephen. But, could you please get that for me? It’s the second and the last” He smiled
“But Henri, could you drive your car with so much alcohol content in you?” David asked him
“Awe this is nothing. They allow 0.5 grams of alcohol in blood. A couple of beer or something above that would cause a problem. Not the Ricard” He replied David told Henri that he had something very important to do and took leave
************* *************
David Spedding rushed back to his suite and gathered his men at the conference Room. He spread a detailed Paris road Map which he had bought earlier
“Are the cars ready for our operation, Jeanne?” David spoke. “Yes, commander” Jeanne replied
“Good” He acknowledged
“Dodi has planned to leave the Hotel in sometime from now. There are 2 possible ways to get to Dodi’s apartment from Hôtel Ritz. Head southwest on Place Vendôme toward Cour Vendôme. Turn right to stay on Place Vendôme. Continue onto Rue de Castiglione. Turn right at Rue de Rivoli. Continue onto Place de la Concorde. Turn right at Avenue des Champs-Elysées. Take a sharp right at the Rue Arsène Houssaye and he will reach the apartment. This is hardly 3 Kilometers from the Hotel and takes about 6 minutes to reach the apartment.
The second route, from the Hotel exit, heads southwest on Place Vendôme towards Cour Vendôme. A right turn from there leads to Rue de Castiglione. Again take a right at Rue de Rivoli. Continue on the Place de la Concorde for half a kilometer and then continue on the Voie Georges Pompidou for about a kilometer. Turn to the right to stay on Voie Georges Pompidou. Continue onto Cours Albert 1er from there. Take a slight right at the Place de l'Alma. Turn left to stay on Place de l'Alma. Turn right at Pont de l'Alma. This is a Tunnel and it takes maximum 8 minutes to reach. Now the catch here is we have 3 different routes from this Tunnel to the apartment – via Avenue Kléber, via Avenue d'Iéna and via Quai Branly and Avenue George V. The first one is the longest route of all the three, the second one slightly lesser than the first one and the third one the least among others.
So the second option covers 6.3Kms from the Hotel to the Apartment. It takes about 15-20 minutes under normal traffic. The first route is the busiest part of the city and it is suicidal to hit our Target. While the second route is less crowded and makes the job easier for us” David explained.
“So what do you think Jeanne-Pierre?” David asked Jeanne
“Whatever you explained is clear to us. But in my opinion no professional driver would choose the second route. This is a very long route and why should someone choose this if there is a short one? The sad thing is the second route is the easiest and safest where we can hit our target” Jeanne poured his thoughts
“We will make him take that route” David replied
“Very well. I could think of one particular location where we can nail our target with minimum risks” Jeanne replied
“And that would be?” David looked at him curiously
“Right Here!!! He circled a particular point in the map, which read Pont de l'Alma”
Reference:
Dinner à deux – Dinner for two
Pernod Ricard – An alcoholic drink
Place Vendôme- Famous square where Hôtel Ritz is located
pied-à-terre – This is a temporary second residence, either for part of the year or part of the work week, by a person of some means
*************TO BE CONTINUED *************
posted by Mathan @ 3:56 PM
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