Page 61 of French Escapade

Élodie

Andrea drops us at the Saint-Tropez Gendarmerie and leaves. The headquarters are no longer located in the building made famous by the Louis de Funès movies, a few steps from the Place des Lices.

I walk in, surrounded by the three men. Already impressed by my team, the man on front-desk duty seems equally mesmerized and terrified by my father’s name. Lieutenant-Colonel Cossa’s reputation goes a long way.

We’re escorted to the office of the major, a sad grey room filled with piles of files. “Mademoiselle Cossa!” says a chubby man in his forties. “I’m so happy to meet you! I’m major Vivaudo.”

His enthusiasm is a bit over the top, but he seems nice enough. I won’t hold it against him. He makes us sit after giving each of us a strong handshake.

“So, what brings you to Saint-Tropez?” he asks. “Your father already gave me some information, but I would like to get your input to figure out how I can help you.”

I make a detailed presentation of the facts of the case, explaining Madison’s disappearance, the elements gathered by Ken and Jimmy, and then our joint investigation in Cannes. I tell him what went down last night. So many things happened, I can’t believe I’ve been on this case for barely more than twenty-four hours.

The major listens and pays attention. I’m the main speaker. Ken cuts in now and then to add a detail, and Jimmy and Ted remain quiet.

“Okay,” the major says. “So, you think that the crew ofle Freloncould have some information you need?”

“Yes, they could at least confirm if the two guests were indeed Arkady Oushkin and Madison.”

The gendarme pushes back in his armchair and stares into the distance as if deep in thought. A few seconds later, he sighs and says, “I don’t need to tell you, mademoiselle Cossa, that I have no legal authority to board that boat without a warrant, especially since it flies a foreign flag. And I can’t get a warrant, since we do not have any evidence that Arkady Oushkin set foot on that ship. Even if I could, the process of getting a warrant would cost you precious time, several hours, probably. The only thing I can suggest is to try to get your information during a routine inspection. I called the maritime brigade before you arrived. Around here, we live in a very small world. We all know each other. The captain seems to be a straight shooter who is well liked. Yet, given who he works for now, it’s reasonable to assume that he has learned to look away when needed. He’s retired Navy.”

Jimmy makes a derogatory sound. The antagonism between the various divisions of the military are not just a French thing. Ken shoots him a deadly look. The Major continues as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

“I believe it’s better off to start by being amicable. Asking him to come here wouldn’t work in our favor. It’s better to go there for a friendly conversation.

“We’ll see how this goes, and, if needed, I could become a little … annoying. Even the most fastidious captains have something to hide. With a little luck, he’ll choose talking to us over recounting each life jacket and distress flare on his ship.”

“If this is going to be a casual conversation, would you mind if we went with you?” Ken asks politely, but his tone makes it clear that a negative answer wouldn’t be welcome.

The Major frowns, so I cut in.

“Madison’s brother is also a member of the U.S. military. You know how it is … maybe it could help, make it easier for the captain to open up.”

“If he’s more openminded about the other military branches than your friend,” the major says sardonically.

He looks at Jimmy, who attempts to shrink into his chair. He fails miserably. No surprise there. It’s hard to vanish when you’re that tall. The gendarme continues staring at each of the three men in turn.

“I usually don’t think it’s a good idea to bring civilians along, which is what you are in this country. But, given the exceptional nature of the situation, I’ll agree to it. After all, it’s not even an official mission.”

“Thank you. We appreciate the gesture,” Ken answers at once.

“Maybe it would be better if Jimmy and I stayed behind,” says Ted. “A crowd can only create tension. We’ll put a mike on Ken. That way, we can start working on any information you get right away.”

Ken nods, and the major frowns once more.

“Who are you again?” he asks Ted.

“I run a private security company,” the American says, offering a nice-looking black business card.

Vivaudo takes it and stares at it. “I see. I understand where you’re coming from.”

He then looks at him very seriously. “You can play with your sophisticated modes of transportation and your electronic toys as much as you want, but there’s two things you need to remember. First, in this town, I’m the authority. I don’t want any waves—not even a light ripple. Second, if anything goes wrong because you didn’t listen, I don’t know you, I never met you, and I never gave you any green light.”

Ted nods and answers, “Roger that.”

“Now that we are on the same page, I suggest we go directly to the harbor.”

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