Officer Cassel, this case will be investigated by a special team that has been assembled for Minister Savreux’s unfortunate death. You are to hand over all information to me and move on to the next case.”
Observing everyone in the room was a fascinating study. Nikki had made herself as small as possible, hugging her coffee mug to her chest. I knew she would not say a word. Francine was pouting and playing with the pendant of her necklace, drawing attention to her cleavage. Why she was trying to distract Henri, I did not know. Vinnie was leaning back in his chair, watching Manny and Henri through narrowed eyes, and Phillip was his usual professional self. From the body language around the table, it was clear something important was taking place. Something that Manny was taking control of, and everyone was allowing Manny to lead. I was not going to interfere. It was far too educational to watch.
Colin came back into the room and sat down next to me. He looked at Manny, as if to start an argument, but changed his mind and looked at Vinnie. The gesture was subtle, but Vinnie rubbed his index finger vertically over his lips, telling Colin not to speak.
“Why should we just sit back on this investigation?” Manny said with adequate conviction, presenting the requisite protest at having a case taken away from him. “As you know, we are still looking for Dukwicz, so it’s not like we’re lying on our laurels all day here. But since there aren’t any new leads in Dukwicz’s case, we might as well take this one.”
“This is a direct order, Manny.”
“From who?”
“Whom,” I said before I could stop myself. Manny glared at me.
“Who gave that order, Henri? President Godard? You know that we only answer to him.”
“And you know that just like you work in a team here, we also work in a team. The president has full knowledge of any and all meetings I have with you, as well as the meetings you have with Antoine Lefebvre.”
Antoine Lefebvre was the Minister of Justice. Because he presided over the running of the court system, and also supervised the prosecution service, Manny’d had a few meetings with him. I had never met him, but had heard that he was an exceptionally intelligent man. Other words used to describe him were shrewd, cunning and unflappable. He was one of the few officials to ever be involved in our cases. He took an interest since the majority of our cases were at a level most prosecutors didn’t function at. He had been a great support, making sure to appoint the best prosecutor to each of our cases. He was also a friend of President Godard’s.
“You still haven’t answered my question,” Manny said.
“This order comes from President Godard at the request of Monsieur Lefebvre. Another, much more important, event has taken place that will need your attention and expertise.” Henri paused. People did that to build anticipation towards the apex of their anecdote or announcement. “This morning at seventeen minutes past five, a thief broke into the Jean Monnet Museum and stole art to the value of thirteen million euro.”
“What museum is that?” Vinnie asked.
Henri raised his chin a bit higher to look down at Vinnie. “Jean Omer Marie Gabriel Monnet is considered to be one of the founding fathers of the European Union. He was a political economist and diplomat, regarded by many as the chief architect of unity in Europe. This museum was founded in his memory for the great things he’d done for France and Europe.”
“You’re shitting me. With a name like that?” Vinnie chuckled. “Poor sucker.”
“What did they steal?” Phillip asked. The corners of his mouth were turned down, as it was every time he heard of an art heist. He called it a nightmare to even think about this happening.
“A Caravaggio, a Renoir, a Klimt and a Picasso. They always go for the Picassos. All in all there were six pieces stolen. Not the biggest heist in history, but it happened on our front door.
Observing everyone in the room was a fascinating study. Nikki had made herself as small as possible, hugging her coffee mug to her chest. I knew she would not say a word. Francine was pouting and playing with the pendant of her necklace, drawing attention to her cleavage. Why she was trying to distract Henri, I did not know. Vinnie was leaning back in his chair, watching Manny and Henri through narrowed eyes, and Phillip was his usual professional self. From the body language around the table, it was clear something important was taking place. Something that Manny was taking control of, and everyone was allowing Manny to lead. I was not going to interfere. It was far too educational to watch.
Colin came back into the room and sat down next to me. He looked at Manny, as if to start an argument, but changed his mind and looked at Vinnie. The gesture was subtle, but Vinnie rubbed his index finger vertically over his lips, telling Colin not to speak.
“Why should we just sit back on this investigation?” Manny said with adequate conviction, presenting the requisite protest at having a case taken away from him. “As you know, we are still looking for Dukwicz, so it’s not like we’re lying on our laurels all day here. But since there aren’t any new leads in Dukwicz’s case, we might as well take this one.”
“This is a direct order, Manny.”
“From who?”
“Whom,” I said before I could stop myself. Manny glared at me.
“Who gave that order, Henri? President Godard? You know that we only answer to him.”
“And you know that just like you work in a team here, we also work in a team. The president has full knowledge of any and all meetings I have with you, as well as the meetings you have with Antoine Lefebvre.”
Antoine Lefebvre was the Minister of Justice. Because he presided over the running of the court system, and also supervised the prosecution service, Manny’d had a few meetings with him. I had never met him, but had heard that he was an exceptionally intelligent man. Other words used to describe him were shrewd, cunning and unflappable. He was one of the few officials to ever be involved in our cases. He took an interest since the majority of our cases were at a level most prosecutors didn’t function at. He had been a great support, making sure to appoint the best prosecutor to each of our cases. He was also a friend of President Godard’s.
“You still haven’t answered my question,” Manny said.
“This order comes from President Godard at the request of Monsieur Lefebvre. Another, much more important, event has taken place that will need your attention and expertise.” Henri paused. People did that to build anticipation towards the apex of their anecdote or announcement. “This morning at seventeen minutes past five, a thief broke into the Jean Monnet Museum and stole art to the value of thirteen million euro.”
“What museum is that?” Vinnie asked.
Henri raised his chin a bit higher to look down at Vinnie. “Jean Omer Marie Gabriel Monnet is considered to be one of the founding fathers of the European Union. He was a political economist and diplomat, regarded by many as the chief architect of unity in Europe. This museum was founded in his memory for the great things he’d done for France and Europe.”
“You’re shitting me. With a name like that?” Vinnie chuckled. “Poor sucker.”
“What did they steal?” Phillip asked. The corners of his mouth were turned down, as it was every time he heard of an art heist. He called it a nightmare to even think about this happening.
“A Caravaggio, a Renoir, a Klimt and a Picasso. They always go for the Picassos. All in all there were six pieces stolen. Not the biggest heist in history, but it happened on our front door.
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