Page 78 of French Escapade

Élodie

While Ken is at the hospital, I check my phone. There’s a message from the brass. Somehow, I feel they didn’t call to check if I’m doing okay. I also have several calls from my father. That’s unusual. Repeated calls are not his style.

I hesitate for a second and press the call-back button. He picks up on the second ring.

“Élodie?”

“Good morning, Daddy.”

He sighs. I hear him moving and closing a door. “For heaven’s sake, Élodie! Where are you?”

“In Saint-Tropez.”

“Where in Saint-Tropez?”

He sounds like I’m fifteen again, and he’s about to jump into a car to come pick me up.

“The hospital, if you really need to know.”

“At the hospital? Vivaudo told me you took one in the vest. How badly were you hurt?”

He sounds so worried. It’s silly, but I love the fact that he worries about me.

“We’re here to pick up Madison. That’s the young girl who was abducted by Arkady.”

“I see…”

The silence that follows is heavy. If I imagined for a second that I could avoid being reprimanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Cossa, I was seriously mistaken.

“Élodie … why did you get into this mess? You should have talked to your command. The police—”

I cut him short. “Papa, please don’t. You know the police would never have been able to react as quickly as we did.”

“You could have come to me, I could have…”

“This case didn’t fall under your jurisdiction. You helped a lot when you opened the door for us with the Saint-Tropez unit. And you know that if I had asked you for more, everyone would have said I can’t do anything without my father’s help, and that’s the last thing I need right now.”

“So you flew on your own and got yourself into serious trouble. Do you realize how mad your boss is? I know he’s already escalated the case, Élodie. This time, you’re not getting away with a slap on the wrist. It’s your job on the line.”

I take a big breath and answer:

“I know, Dad. The second I decided to help Ken find his sister, I knew I was taking a chance. I’m aware that, initially, I underestimated how serious the case was. But once I understood, I had to do something. I couldn’t possibly tell him that I had to let Arkady, or any scum like him, walk because of some red tape issue. We saved at least four girls, Papa!”

When he talks again, his voice is more tender. “I know. And if the military man in me has a hard time understanding your choices, I want you to know that your father is very proud of what you’ve done.”

There’s a tightness in my throat. He and I, we’re not very good at sharing our feelings. Those words are pure gold. “Thank you.”

“I just hope that those people, this American and his sister, appreciate the price you’re paying.”

I remember Ken holding me in his arms last night. The gratitude in his eyes, and how worried he was just after I took the bullet shot by Arkady. “They know.”

The second call I make is not as pleasant. My boss is very direct—I need to get my ass back to Cannes. Now.

So when Madison, Ken and Ted arrive, I tell them that I won’t be able to go to the gendarmerie with them. Madison says, “Why don’t you go back to Cannes with Ken? Ted and I can go together. We’ll meet again in a few hours.”

I protest. “No, it’s okay, I can manage on my own. It’s a meeting with my bosses. I don’t need an escort.”

Ken seems unhappy with my answer, but I know he wants to be with his sister. So I add, “You just got your brother back. Enjoy his company.”

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