[NS] Signor Ferrari

"London had come up with a plan to deliver a large shipment of weapons to the Resistance through the port of Casablanca," Captain Renault explained. "They would send in an expert to handle the operation, but before he got there, Berger was to make some preparations."

"That's assuming he is in the Resistance," Rick pointed out.

"Yes," Captain Renault conceded, "That's assuming he is... When he approached local fishermen and such, some of them already supplemented their income by getting Ferrari's black market goods ashore from ships anchored outside the harbor. Naturally they would have mentioned Berger's offer to Ferrari.... So, Ferrari approached Berger with the proposal that he had everything needed to bring contraband ashore already in place. Why not just give the job to him?"

"However," Captain Renault continued, "Berger told Ferrari that would not be possible as London was sending their own man down."

Rick cocked his head, somewhat skeptical of Renault's story, "That was rather talkative of Berger."

"Not really," Captain Renault replied, "The Resistance and the Black Market often have overlapping interests. Their motivations differ... financial versus," and here Captain Renault made an 'air quotes' gesture. "Patriotic... but the goals are the same."

"It was a simple matter for Ferrari to stake out the docks and the airport," Captain Renault pointed out the ease of finding something when you know where to look. "Berger's man was seen making contact with a new arrival... Which.... was that man's **** warrant."

"By killing him then," the Prefect of Police expanded on the foundations of his case, "Ferrari knew it would be too late for London to find and send out a replacement. And the idea worked.... The morning after the operative was slain, Ferrari made his 'sales pitch' again."

"Which explains why the passport was left behind," Rick commented.

"Exactly. Proof that Berger needed a replacement. However," Captain Renault shrugged, "When Berger reported the **** to London via short-wave, they cancelled the operation."

Rick nodded, "Makes sense. The 'hit' proved that security had already been breached, so they were unwilling to risk such a large investment in such an uncertain situation."

"That's it in a nutshell," Captain Renault validated Rick's answer. "Ferrari wound up still not getting the job .... And here is the kicker."

Rick leaned forward to hear the final chapter in the story.

"The female assassin has a brother who is in the Resistance," Captain Renault disclosed, "She gave her fee to him, who in turn..."

"Gave it to the Resistance," Rick ventured. When Captain Renault nodded a 'yes', Rick chuckled. "So not only did Ferrari not get the job, he was out of the money he shelled out to try to get the job. And the money would up in the Resistance's coffers."

Rick had to laugh at that.