Obscure Intentions

by Anthony J Harrison

  As Detective Benoit was heading towards the armory, her partner was standing in the office of his friend and senior officer, Captain Duval. Awkward silence grew as Captain Duval read the preliminary report of Hakim Talib’s escape from Il d’If.

  “Tell me, Claude. Do you think Detective Benoit’s actions were justified?”

  Claude blinked and drew in a deep breath. “I’m not sure, Captain. I wasn’t present at the time she took those actions against gang liberating our suspect,” he replied. “It would be unfair for me to speculate on whether her actions were justified or not.” His hands twitched by his side.

  “And, what of your actions at the detention center, huh, Claude? Do you wish to explain just how you would account for drugging a suspect to gain information?” Duval asked. “The senior medical technician is preparing to file a grievance against you.”

  The officer’s shoulders sank perceptively at the reprimand from his friend. Claude knew Julien couldn’t condone his conduct at the citadel earlier in the day. But he also felt the captain would accept his actions to try to gain some information on how the suspects learned of their operations.

  “Damn it, Julien, someone told those people what was going on out at the facility,” Claude exclaimed. “They identified how many security and medical members there were on the shift. Hell, they even learned the exact number of men versus women.”

  “Calm down, Claude,” the senior officer replied. “I’m well aware we’ve got someone supplying information to the gangs outside this building,” he sighed, collapsing into his chair. “We started looking closer at the problem when you and Benoit caught the drug dealer with the surveillance photo. Since then, we’ve narrowed it down to three possible suspects.”

  Claude pulled the chair away from the desk before sitting down. “I’m sorry, Julien. I’m just so… frustrated I guess at not making any headway. It’s all coming to a head and I’m afraid it’s going to get out of hand.”

  “You mean with Benoit?”

  “It’s not just Geneviève. It’s the drug trafficking, the abduction attempts, everything. But yes, her conduct too. Something's going on in her head she’s not telling me,” Claude said. “It’s something from her past; I’m just not sure what’s triggered her current state of mind that’s all.”

  “And aren’t you doing the same thing? You’re suppressing your emotions of losing Nadine in every bottle of wine you drink,” Julien said, confirming what he already perceived of his friend. “You need to finish grieving and then move on, for your own good.”

  “Are you telling me to forget her?”

  “No, I’m not,” Julien said. “You’ll never be able to forget the life you had with her. But you do need to realize she’s gone and move on yourself. You’ll find another woman to spend your days with; and trust me, you would not be tarnishing the memory of Nadine if you did.”

  “Enough about my personal life, Julien. What about…?” Claude said before being interrupted by the buzzing of the intercom.

  “Yes, Patrice, what is it?”

  “Detective Benoit is here to meet you and Captain Lemieux.”

  “Send her in, please,” Captain Duval replied.

  Geneviève made her way into the office, her once confident stride now a slow shuffle. “I understand you wanted to see me, sir.”

  “Have a seat, Detective,” he replied, gesturing to the empty chair next to Captain Lemieux. “The two of you have had a very busy day, haven’t you?” He hoped his smile didn’t come across as forced as he felt it.

  “It wasn’t my most memorable one,” Geneviève replied, looking towards the officer but not making eye contact with him. “I allowed my desire to see the suspect punished to overcome my judgement.” She absentmindedly swept a few strands of hair from her face. “It almost cost the department two fine officers in the process.”

  Claude sat quietly. He realized it was important for his partner to confess to her poor performance if she ever wanted to become better. Peeking at his friend Julien, he could see the senior officer sitting patiently as Geneviève recounted her actions.

  “For the record, Captain Georges said your actions, though unorthodox, did not differ from those of any new team member,” Captain Duval said. “He was also pleased with your ability to function under fire.”

  “Nonetheless, what you did today also tampered with his plans to incorporate other departments into his team activities. However, you must remember, Detective Benoit, Cormier and Lavigne underwent months of training together. They learned through sheer repetition to trust each other and respond to the others’ actions. Another officer, even with the best intentions, might jeopardize their roles.”

  “I’m not sure I understand, Captain,” she said.

  “Between the increases in drug trafficking and the activities by several of the gangs, Captain Georges had submitted a proposal," the captain said. "It wanted greater participation of Drug Intervention Team and Gang Enforcement Task Force members when the SWAT teams were called in,” Duval said. “But your… shall we say... enthusiasm during today’s action has him questioning his proposal.”.

  “I don’t think today could be used as the sole reason to discount his proposal, Captain,” Claude said, defending his partner. “You recognize sometimes it’s impulsive action getting the results we want in various instances.”

  “Yes, I do, Captain Lemieux. But Detective Benoit’s example today didn’t net those results, did they?” the senior officer answered back. “The suspect was freed and we’re left with only an empty warehouse for the effort.”

  “Where does that leave me?”

  Both of the senior officers exchanged a glance before Captain Duval spoke. “It leaves you with two days of administrative leave,” he said softly, sliding a slip of paper towards Geneviève. “And I expect you to take every minute of it away from the station. With the arrest of the two Italians, you should be safe returning to your apartment.”

  “I’ll give you a ride when you’re ready,” Claude said, leaving the office.

  Taking the paper from the desk, Geneviève stood before answering. “I understand your concerns, Captain Duval. I’ll do my best to return with a clearer focus for the task at hand.” Closing the door behind her, she swiped her hand across her face, wiping away the tears from her cheek.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  The ride to her apartment was done in silence. Geneviève sat in the front seat, stone-like, her body succumbing to the lack of adrenaline and willingness to act as it should. Navigating through traffic, Claude stole a glance towards his partner every few seconds, knowing what she’d been exposed to, but afraid to broach the subject lest he cause more anguish and despair.

  “Stop!” Geneviève screamed.

  The sudden and abrupt show of emotion scared the detective enough he slammed on the brakes, nearly causing a collision with the driver behind him. “What the hell?” Claude stammered. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

  “I need a few things,” she said, jumping out of the car.

  Claude looked around and recognized her scream had him stopping in front of the small market near her apartment. He deftly pulled the police strobe from its holder, affixing it to the hood while the drivers behind him showed their displeasure through honking horns and colorful language.

  As her partner dealt with the motorists, Geneviève snatched a small basket and roamed the aisles, selecting various food items from the shelves. As she turned the corner, she stumbled into a handsome gentleman who was also shopping, nearly causing the pair to fall to the floor.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said, grasping the man’s arm. Looking at his face, Geneviève realized she’d seen the man recently. “Excuse me, but don't I know you?”

  Julien LeBlanc stared at the officer, working hard to suppress his emotions at coming face-to-face with the woman responsible for shooting his friend Louis Clement. The woman he’d seen in the store from a month ago was now gone. The one before him today appeared
tired and disheveled, her hair a matted down tussle, and her black fatigues dirtied and stained.

  “If you did, it must have been from another life,” he quipped. “But we met a month or so ago while shopping, I believe.”.

  “That’s right,” she said. “You were picking up a few things to tend to your friend’s wound from an accident. How is your friend doing these days?”

  “He’s doing better,” the former Legionnaire replied. “At least well enough to get back to work.” He struggled to keep his outer demeanor neutral as he peered into his basket. “If you don’t mind, I need to finish getting a few things. I’m having a guest over for dinner and I don’t want to keep her waiting.”

  “Oh, of course,” Geneviève said, dismissing Julien while noticing Claude enter the market.

  “Are you almost done?” he asked, letting Julien slide past him in the aisle.

  “Just a few more items,” she said, following the young man at the checkout counter. “You don’t have to stay. I’m just around the corner, you know?”

  “I know, but I want to make sure you’re ok,” Claude replied, seeing her check out the other man. “Do you know him from somewhere, Geneviève?”

  “Just from around here. I’ve seen him once or twice before,” she answered, walking towards the cooler for some milk. I never told Claude this was the man I suspected might have been connected to Louis Clement when I first met him, she told herself.

  Having made her purchases, Geneviève and Claude were soon trudging up the stairs to her apartment, Claude dutifully carrying the groceries while she thumbed through the mail she’d collected upon entering the building. Unlocking the door, she led Claude to the kitchen so he could unburden himself from the bags.

  “Thank you, Claude,” she said, giving her partner a brief hug.

  “Are you going to be all right?” he asked, looking around the apartment.

  “I’ll be fine. I just need a few days to figure things out that’s all,” Geneviève said, putting away the items she bought. “The two Italians are detained. So, I’ve no need to worry about being abducted, do I?”

  “Only if we go on the assumption they were the only ones making an attempt,” Claude said. “And Captain Soucy hasn’t been able to confirm if the Corsican families are involved or not.”

  “Are you concerned Khalid may try something more drastic?” she asked, taking a bottle of wine from the cupboard. “Today certainly wasn’t what he intended to see done, don’t you agree?” she asked between struggling with the bottle and the opener.

  “Give me that before you ruin it,” Claude said, taking the wine and corkscrew from her. With a deft touch, he skillfully removed the cork and poured out two glasses. “He’s still a concern. If what you said about the woman dying along with several of his men, Khalid will no doubt want some form of revenge.”

  “It wouldn’t surprise me if he did,” Geneviève said, sitting at the small table. “But if today was any indication, it would appear he is rather haphazard in doing anything.”

  Claude sipped the wine, letting it swirl in his mouth as he savored the sweetness of the grapes. “Where did you find this?” he asked, holding the glass up.

  “Jules, the market owner has a brother in the Rhone Valley who produces several varieties each season,” she replied, holding the glass to the light. “He’s becoming well known for his Viognier blends like this one.”

  Setting his glass down, Claude looked at the young woman. “Where do we go from here?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You and me. We can’t keep secrets from each other, not if I need to trust you with my life at some point,” Claude said. “You’ve mentioned being concerned about me and the same holds true for you, Geneviève,” the detective added. “I’m as concerned for you and the things haunting you from your past, too.”

  Geneviève sat silent, knowing Claude was asking her to divulge things she fought hard to suppress. “If there were things you need to know, I would tell you,” she lied. “And if I wasn’t mentally able to handle the job, I wouldn’t be assigned to your team, now would I?”

  “No, I guess you wouldn’t,” Claude said. He could see in her expression she wasn’t ready to let him in on her past. “Get some rest these next two days. I’ll expect you to be ready to tackle the ship owners when you return,” he added as he stood from the table. Walking to the door, he glanced over his shoulder at her. “Don’t forget to lock the door.” He winked, exiting the apartment.

  ***

  Moments after entering his apartment, Julien grabbed his cell phone, dialing the number for the office of Papillion Transport and his friend Louis. “Come on, answer the damn phone,” he stammered, pacing the front room. After the fifth ring, he heard a familiar voice, but it wasn’t Louis.

  “Bonjour, mon ami,” Hector Pichon answered in his typical jovialness.

  “Hector? Where’s Louis?”

  “He’s busy at the moment,” Hector replied. “Speaking of which, where are you right now?”

  “I’m at my apartment.”

  “Hold on, here’s Louis for you,” he said, passing the phone to its owner. “It’s Julien for you.”

  “Julien, what’s the problem?” Louis asked.

  “I just came across the police woman again. In the market near my apartment,” he said.

  “Do you think she recognized you?”

  “Yes, she mentioned meeting me when I was buying supplies to fix your wounds,” Julien said. “Nonetheless, she was also the one following Claudette from the other day too.” He circled his lounge chair as he spoke. “But I don’t believe she put the two encounters together.”

  Louis sat at his desk recounting the other day. He noticed the detective following the receptionist and recognized her as the same officer who placed two bullets into him two months ago. “So, she didn’t mention seeing you on the street? Some police detective she is not recalling you from your last run in with her.”

  “Louis, according to Carbone, the Algerians are offering 250,000 euros for her abduction,” Julien said. “It wouldn’t take much to try grabbing her ourselves, and we could use the money.”

  “It’s tempting,” he said. “But Gregory doesn’t want to bring attention to our activity so soon after the incident with the British. And I know he doesn’t want to exchange pleasantries with Khalid.”

  Hector sat opposite Louis, listening to half the conversation using the tip of his knife to scrape the underside of his fingernails. “Who is Khalid?” he asked, flipping the knife in his hands.

  Louis shook his head at Hector while trying to listen to Julien’s rant about kidnapping the officer. Preparing to reply, Louis was interrupted by Gregory entering the office along with the fourth member of Papillion in Pasqual Sequin.

  “Who is this guy Khalid?” Hector asked, turning to Gregory.

  “Why do you ask?”

  “Louis was mentioning to Julien you don’t want to do business with him, that’s all.”

  “Is Julien the one Louis is talking with,” Gregory said, sitting at the table.

  “Yes. They’re discussing some detective Julien wants to kidnap and turn over to the Algerians,” Hector answered. “There’s a hefty fee for her too. What’s the deal with this Khalid, anyway?”

  “He’s the drug supplier Nazim made arrangements with working out of Algiers,” Gregory said. “And he’s connected with a Moroccan who arranged for the chemist to alter the hashish for Nazim as well. I found out this Moroccan is known for public executions when his people make mistakes.”

  “Sounds like the folks in the rain forests,” Pasqual said, joining the conversation.

  “He’s a lot worse from what I’ve learned,” Gregory said as Louis finished his call with Julien.

  “Julien’s on his way over. Who are we talking about now?” Louis asked.

  “Khalid’s source in Morocco,” Gregory replied. “I was just mentioning to Hector how he’s known to execute members of his syndicate in public. A
nd he went so far as to boil one unfortunate soul in oil when he found out he talked with the police.”

  Before continuing the discussion, Gregory’s phone chirped with a text message. Opening the file, he saw it was from Claire. ‘Important you contact me, altercation at center,’ it read. Letting out a sigh, he went to his desk, pulling out a separate cell phone and selecting a number on the screen. “Suggests our information got to Khalid quicker than I thought,” he said.

  Getting out his cell phone, Gregory scrolled through the list of numbers until he found Claire’s and selected it. Standing by for her to answer, he walked over to the window facing the harbor. Off in the distance, the outcropping which held Chateau Il d’If created a void in the glistening water. Without the aid of binoculars, Gregory had no way of seeing the number of boats surrounding the citadel.

  “Bonjour, how can I help you, messier?”

  Hearing his sister-in-law come on the line, Gregory asked if she could talk freely.

  “The reception is not great here; let me call you back in a minute or so,” Claire replied. “Julia, I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She left their office in the police station and stepped outside the building in the rear. Claire pulled a cigarette and lighter from her coat before redialing Gregory’s number.

  “Hello?”

  “Gregory, there was an attempt to free your colleague from Il d’If today,” she said. “Both SWAT teams were deployed to subdue the group. They somehow were able to gain access and free him,” she said, lighting her cigarette.

  “Did they detain any of the kidnappers?”

  “Yes, several were arrested, and at least three were killed,” she said, taking a drag on her cigarette. Looking about, she was wary of someone overhearing their conversation. Stepping away from the building, she strolled between several police cars.

  “When do you think you’ll learn names of those arrested?”

  “Tomorrow at the latest,” Claire replied, stubbing out the cigarette on a car’s bumper. “Why do you want to know?”