by Pirate Irwin
Leclerc it was true couldn’t be held responsible for the rationing, nor the constant shortages and stoppages of electricity and water, which de Gaulle rightly, thought Lafarge, blamed on the communist dominated workers but was now failing to strike a chord with the people.
They in their turn would moan in the bakeries and the bars that if he could outwit the Americans and British in making himself the undisputed leader of France then surely he could handle a few hundred thousand union workers.
“Very Roman Empire,” said Lafarge laconically.
Lafarge thought Leclerc must be steaming at still being out in the Far East where he had been ordered to set things straight in France’s vast colony out there Indochina, which had only recently been reclaimed from the Japanese but there were rumblings of a strong independence movement getting ready to take on the French.
That would certainly take up a lot of Leclerc’s time and also of a former adversary of Lafarge’s Antoine De Cambedessus, who had vainly tried to unseat de Gaulle the year before, thinking foolishly he had Leclerc on board, and who had been stripped of his rank and banished to Indochina.
“Indeed and the score settling won’t stop there I’m told. Frenay is firmly in the General’s sights,” said Gerland, his badger like eyebrows moving up and down as if they had a life of their own.
Ah Frenay a heroic member of the Resistance to some a collaborator to others, for divulging information that was highly damaging although he protested it was more cock-up than intentional, and regarded by de Gaulle as a major irritant when he was trying to set up a unified Resistance movement during the war.
However, he had won some favour back and was in charge of the hugely challenging repatriation of prisoners of war – Lucien had been in one of the last batches to return as the vast majority had regained French territory by July -- and those living in France who had been deported. That would not be too demanding when it came to the Jews as most of those will have been exterminated thought Lafarge grimly, but there were hundreds of thousands of Frenchmen who had ‘volunteered’ to go to Germany and work (under the Service du Travail Obligatoires or STO) to fill the vacancies left by the Germans who had gone off to fight.
Prisoners like Lucien had got off lightly by being commandeered to work on a farm, the STO’s were generally sent to munitions factories and heavy industries, backbreaking and exhausting work on a paltry diet.
“I was under the impression that Frenay had done a pretty effective job in extremely chaotic and difficult circumstances,” said Lafarge.
Gerland nodded but held up his hand to notify Lafarge he wished to have the next word once he had finished his final mouthful of the kidneys.
Lafarge sipped at his wine, it was something to be treasured unlike the cognac he relied upon usually to get him through the working day and the night when his memories dominated and kept him awake, as he awaited no doubt more perceptive remarks from his friend.
“He certainly has but that is not the point Gaston. De Gaulle sees Leclerc and Frenay as rivals, I’m not sure he is correct, but they are certainly two men who can lay claim to playing almost as significant roles as he did in allowing France to regain some respect,” said Gerland dabbing at his full lips with his napkin after he had licked the remnants of the sauce from above them.
“No doubt he would have dealt with Jean Moulin in the same manner, had he lived the poor sod,” added Gerland referring to de Gaulle’s envoy sent to unify the Resistance but had been arrested, tortured and murdered.
Lafarge knew it was almost certain Moulin had been betrayed and Frenay had been no friend of his.
“Don’t you think this antipathy de Gaulle feels towards Frenay is because he suspects he had something to do with Moulin’s betrayal?” suggested Lafarge, who thought even with the discontent of the people neither Leclerc nor Frenay were stupid enough to think they could replace de Gaulle and they were young enough if they really had designs on running France to bide their time.
Gerland looked quizzically at Lafarge.
“I’d be careful Gaston that is a very sensitive subject to be talking about even with an old friend like me,” said Gerland, lowering his voice.
Lafarge wasn’t going to ruin the excellent lunch and the convivial atmosphere so he dropped the subject but only for now.
Gerland seemed ready as well to switch to more personal politically-linked and criminal matters.
“So you don’t think Bousquet and Laval were behind your father’s murder after all?” he asked, his voice returning to its old cordiality.
Lafarge waited till the plates had been cleared and the waiter, very unlike the servers Lafarge was accustomed to especially Jean-Luc in being freshly-shaved and smartly –dressed in his penguin suit, had taken their order.
They decided to skip pudding and move straight to coffee and cigars. They were to be accompanied by an Armagnac for Gerland and Lafarge loyally stuck with cognac, though of a considerably better quality than his usual brand.
“I’m reluctant to give Bousquet and Laval a free ride on this one…..” began Lafarge before he was interrupted by Gerland.
“Come on Gaston at least give Laval a break he is going to die in two or three days! He’s a nasty son of a bitch but I think if you entertain doubts now about his culpability then give him the benefit of the doubt,” said Gerland.
Lafarge laughed heartily much to his friend’s surprise.
“Spoken like the supreme defence lawyer you are Henri! You always see the good in even the most evil bastards,” said Lafarge.
“No Gaston usually I see their bank accounts first and then I try to see if there is any good in them … a decent pay cheque does wonders in viewing ones client differently!” said Gerland chortling.
Lafarge raised his glass to him which had the unexpected but happy result in making the waiter think he was ordering another drink, despite considering the manner it was done as being terribly uncouth for such an establishment.
“Anyway Henri what I was going to go on and say, but was interrupted from doing so, is that I will interrogate Bousquet, Laval as you say if he was involved is immaterial as they won’t delay his execution for another trial.
“However, it is also true that facts I have uncovered suggest that the reason for my father’s death may date back further than some trivial rivalry within Vichy. I am still awaiting further details but I think I am going to have those suspicions confirmed.
“The good thing is that I am making progress. The bugger is that I have no idea who could be behind the killings. I know who the perpetrator was but he has disappeared into the ether. Until or unless we get a sighting or information on his movements I am pessimistic as to whether we will solve it.
“Imagine me the Chief Inspector being unable to solve his father’s own murder. That would give a psychologist or one of those pseuds a field day in reading or twisting whatever meaning they wished to into it,” he said dryly raising his eyes to the ceiling.
Gerland concurred but added: “I have every confidence you will find the murderer Gaston. Tenacity is one of your greatest strengths to the point of being a total pain in the ass if one is the defence lawyer!”
“I’ll take that as a compliment Henri, grudging as it was…” smiled Lafarge.
Gerland looked at his watch and exclaimed: “Jesus it is half past three! I have an appointment with a client in Fontainebleau at six. Ah well I’ll just have to test his patience and hope he is still willing to open his wallet.”
“Crikey you’re going to drive! Best to wear a surgical mask when you see him, otherwise he might die from the fumes,” said Lafarge.
Gerland grinned and waved his hands dismissively at Lafarge.
“We’re old friends and he is used to my ways. In any case I think it might be more of a sociable meeting and the reason for his calling me won’t turn out to be as serious as he says it is. I think he is very lonely and he needs the company,” said Gerland.
“Ah the legal tart with a hear
t, very touching Henri,” said Lafarge enjoying having a chance to poke fun at Gerland.
“Indeed Gaston. Now talking of lawyers, whilst this one sitting here is very fond of you there is another one who is shall we say a lot less keen on your remaining on this earth,” said Gerland.
Lafarge stiffened, the humour of the occasion now dispensed with. For this was what the lunch had been set up for, to discuss this very delicate subject of de Chastelain and himself.
“Very well I understand his wanting that, I would too if I thought that someone had set me up deliberately with a serial killer,” said Lafarge.
“However, that is not true. I did it with the most honest and genuine of intentions to ensure de Chastelain got away and did not fall into the hands of Bousquet.
“Little did I know that Doctor Petiot, the man my family and I trusted and respected as a good family doctor, was a demon profiting from people’s desire to escape the Nazis for different reasons.
“De Chastelain was allowed to live because Petiot told me, before he was executed, that it was due to his being brought to him by me because he liked my family! The perverted reasoning of a serial killer!” said Lafarge, who feared he would have to delve into the mind of another one sooner than he wished.
“Well if that is the case you just explain it like you did to me and everything should be fine on that score. Petiot what an amazing story murdering all those people within sight of Gestapo Head Quarters! It is barely credible and gives a lie to German efficiency,” said Gerland.
“I wonder if it was more than just a coincidence he acted with such impunity with the Gestapo so close by. Some people claim he belonged in a lunatic asylum and not at the guillotine. But he behaved with a cold logic and both his planning and execution were those of a man who was in possession of his faculties,” said Lafarge.
Gerland sniffed and ordered one last Armagnac.
“Well I think we are better off without him, as indeed we are to be rid of the Gestapo. I don’t think that part of our past needs to be raked over, as so much else is these days,” said Gerland.
Lafarge agreed wholeheartedly with Gerland on that score but it was clear some like de Chastelain would not let go and that was potentially a major irritant to the Chief Inspector.
“So where is de Chastelain? Is he somewhere where I can speak to him and clear this matter up once and for all?” asked Lafarge.
Gerland shook his head.
“No. Pierre-Yves isn’t of a mind to come back quite yet. I get letters from him from time to time and the last one, which was from Istanbul, he suggested that he was almost ready to return.
“The Petiot affair I think you can lay to rest easily enough. However, he is still convinced you had something to do with the death of Marguerite Suchet,” said Gerland shooting Lafarge one of his trademark accusatory looks he reserved for the Chief Inspector and his colleagues when they were in the court room testifying.
Lafarge feared as much that de Chastelain fingered him for the murder of the actress who had been the lawyer’s girlfriend at one point before ditching him for an Abwehr colonel. Yes he was correct in his suspicions but there was no evidence to point in his direction, and all the other people who could have proved damaging to Lafarge had been taken care of by the Chief Inspector.
“Well he has only what his instinct tells him and nothing more. I can’t convince him otherwise, save that the couple responsible are now dead thanks to me,” said Lafarge sounding more confident than he felt because he feared de Chastelain was of such a mind he might dole out his own justice if he couldn’t get satisfaction in court.
Gerland pursed his lips and pouted. He leant forward as far as he could, restricted by his generous girth, and beckoned for Lafarge to do the same.
“That is true Gaston and again the world is a better place I’m sure without Colonel von Dirlinger and the lesbian maid Mathilde. However, I must ask you did you have anything to do with Marguerite Suchet’s death?” he asked in a whisper.
Lafarge kept his eyes fixed on Gerland’s: “No.”
Gerland looked relieved and leant back. He drained his glass and intimated Lafarge should too and asked for the bill, retrieving from his wallet a wad of cash Lafarge could only hope to earn in a couple of years and paid the entirety of it, adding a generous tip to boot.
He laughed when he saw Lafarge’s expression and waved away the Chief Inspector’s protests at not being able to contribute.
“Your family thanks largely to you Gaston, have provided me with plenty of business down the years, sadly of late more a case of me acting for members of the Lafarge clan. One day perhaps you will need me again and that will be pay back enough,” he said.
“Of course you could interpret this as a bribe! Your superiors might take that view. Top defence lawyer takes leading detective out for lunch in expensive restaurant so what does he want in return? Highly confidential information, secret files to be passed to him? Ha ha I would love to see their over-taxed brains trying to work that out,” he added with a belly laugh.
Lafarge laughed too, for he could just imagine Luizet and Pinault’s consternation if they discovered him lunching with one of their biggest adversaries and critics. However, he was confident enough they knew he would be the last detective to allow himself to be compromised in such a manner.
Nevertheless reflecting on Gerland’s remark later after they had gone their separate ways – the lawyer off in jolly mood to Fontainebleau and the detective for a stroll round the Palais Royale and thence to The Tuileries -- Lafarge posed himself the question whether underneath the belly laugh did there lie an implicit threat.
***
A few hours later it was firmly at the back of his mind as he and Aimee sat in the Madeleine Theatre preparing to watch the film sensation not just of that year but of many years ‘Les Enfants du Paradis’ directed by Marcel Carne and starring Arletty, who had been having problems with the authorities since the Liberation over her affair with a German officer.
Lafarge had been quite pleased with himself as his walk had taken him past the theatre and he had thought the outing would provide a welcome distraction to Aimee, besides being an actress herself she could indulge in some catty comments afterwards if she so wished.
He had been keen to see it ever since it had come out in March, primarily because he was intrigued as to what all the fuss was about as it had taken just under two years to make and had been filmed in pretty tough conditions for the cast and crew in Nice and then subsequently in Paris.
Aimee was a bit hesitant to start with at venturing out and sitting among a crowd – she said she’d had trouble even walking in a crowded street and it was one of the consequences of her time at Ravensbruck – but Lafarge persuaded her saying if she found it hard then they could always get up and leave.
The cinema was a sellout – Carne ever the innovator had insisted cinemagoers pre-book their tickets which was unheard of – and the audience settled down in anticipation of watching what had been generally classed as a ‘masterpiece’ but also content to be in the relative warmth of the cinema, a nice contrast to their largely unheated apartments.
A shortage of coal – incomprehensible to the urbanites of Paris given the large mines only hours away near the northern city of Lens -- and logs meant many went without. They had to improvise and make do by adding extra clothes, that of course if they had them.
Lafarge patted Aimee’s knee and squeezed her hand to reassure her. She smiled nervously and stared straight ahead as if she was afraid to catch anyone’s eye – another consequence from the camp as she and her fellow inmates had been forbidden from looking any of the guards in the eye – and looked relieved when the lights went down.
The traditional Pathe news reel rolled first of course, the cockerel crowing, and Lafarge held his breath hoping there would be no footage of the camps, although now the images were more about the trial in Nuremberg of the 20 plus men regarded as the major war criminals.
Most of t
hem were unrecognizable to Lafarge, and he thought that went for most of the spectators, except the rather thinner figure of Goering, who was now the band leader with Himmler and Goebbels following their leader’s example in taking their own lives and mystery surrounded the fate of Bormann, who was being tried in absentia.
The booming portentous voiceover passed on to the next item in a slightly lighter tone as images flashed up of ‘our returning heroes who had been among the last to be liberated from the evil grip of Nazi Germany’ and being greeted by a beaming Frenay at the Gare du Nord. Lafarge sat up sharply when he saw that one of those having his hand shaken by Frenay, as he went down the line, was Lucien.
Rochedebois looked more haggard than he recalled when he had turned up at his father and Antoinette’s apartment. His clothes too appeared different but that could have just been the black and white image playing funny games with his eyes. In any case it quickly moved on to another subject entirely, that of how the farming communities of Normandy were rebuilding their lives and livelihoods over a year after D Day.
He must have dozed off at that point, a combination of his lunch finally catching up with him and one too many cows appearing on the screen, because he received a sharp dig in his ribs from Aimee as the opening credits rolled on the feature itself.
He whispered a thank you in her ear and promised he would do his best to remain awake. However, he knew that was going to be quite a challenge as the film was three hours long, without an intermission. Luckily he had a full hip flask which could sustain him and a packet of cigarettes.
However, he should not have worried because it was indeed a masterpiece, beautifully made and with superb performances. Arletty was bewitching, although her magic had not worked on the committee she had gone up before about collaborating because of her affair with a high-up Luftwaffe officer and she had been banned from Paris for three years.
There was no hint of the difficulties the production had experienced and the only time boos rang out were for the one scene that survived of the notorious collaborator Robert Le Vigan, who had been replaced in the film by Pierre Renoir after he fled to Sigmaringen.