The Last President- The Complete Trilogy Read online

  — You must never forget who you have to serve.

  — Who?

  — Your heart, sir.

  Pierre almost comes running in, watches the old lady walk quietly away in the corridors.

  — Erwan, follow me to the library, please. Right now, please.

  Chapter 24

  Pierre and Erwan find themselves alone, in the middle of books and shelves. Erwan is angry. He doesn't believe for a second in Amber's suicide. It's a murder committed by Dominique!

  He's cracking up.

  We must find the perpetrators of this abominable crime!

  Pierre promises to do what he can, and snitches.

  — Erwan, I pulled your medical records. Forget the Assembly. I have a lot of respect for you. You'll do very well in the private sector. Find a job as a lobbyist for Total or EDF, but listen to me, stop everything now. Amber was unstable, she killed herself. You sound like those suburban kids who see conspiracies everywhere. It's time to quit. Call your wife. Meet her. I got her on the phone. She really needs you.

  — Did you get Claire on the phone?

  — Yeah, she's waiting for you.

  — There are even people from the Assembly who came to see her.

  — What?

  — Yeah, to make sure everything was okay, Erwan. Don't panic. Don't see the evil everywhere. Give me the phone back, the chipset is protected, it's government property.

  — Why do you want it back? Is that new? It's my phone.

  — Erwan, don't mess around.

  — ...Pierre, what are you looking at?

  — Nothing, stop raving. Erwan, take your chance. It's a mistake to want to denounce everything.

  — But who's talking about blowing the whistle?

  — But you!

  — I didn't say anything, Pierre... not you!

  — Erwan, just go away, that's all you need to know. Get the fuck out! All I know is that Charles Bonvoisin is wet, that's all. I didn't tell you anything.

  Chapter 25

  Charles Bonvoisin, the far-right MP is a man with a huge belly.

  He's standing up straight as an i. He didn't notice Erwan in a corner of the Column Hall. Erwan is staring at him, with his eyes filled with hatred, on which he crystallizes all his rage.

  At the end of the corridor, a team of journalists are waiting to interview the politicians. All the top media is there, standing quietly behind the security cordon. Erwan then reappears very close to Charles. He tries to keep control, he knows that a little could make him weaken.

  With an aplomb that surprises even him, he addresses the potbellied MP:

  — What really happened to Amber?

  — Who is it? What are you talking about? Who are you? Who are you?

  Erwan finally lets out his anger, his rage and throws a right hook in his face, which the member had not anticipated at all. Erwan screams, followed by a silence from the entire room, which is full:

  - You don't scare me!

  Charles doesn't ask for the rest and rests, but Erwan is more agile.

  Charles screams back.

  — Stop him, the man is crazy!

  Immediately the Republican Mobile Guards neutralized the madman, under the cameras of journalists from France 3, CNEWS, BFMTV, LCI and a few internationally accredited journalists. In addition to this, mobile phones, some of which are already broadcasting live on Periscope, Twitter or Facebook.

  Charles takes advantage of it. He's an actor. He plays the martyrs.

  In a corner of the room, a man is satisfied: it's Peter.

  Because he just saved her life.

  Charles had nothing to do with Amber's death. But it's the perfect alibi to keep him away from here.

  Erwan is arrested, but this is good news for him. He's on the news. It's his best insurance policy. He's gonna be honored by some people, become an icon for others... And maybe it'll save him... momentarily. Anonymously, his face is already on every channel. For everyone, he is the substratum of the extreme tension that reigns in France.

  The beginning perhaps, of the revolt, before the Revolution. The National Assembly is surrounded night and day by demonstrators, standing or sitting, peaceful or violent, armed or unarmed. The vacancy of power is fuelling all covetousness. Nature abhors a vacuum. The very old members of the Constitutional Council are practically invisible to the media, withdrawn, almost extinct in the face of the drama that is shaking France. These wise and trusted men are not up to the task, and they too are devastated by the tragedy.

  In reality, there is only one person who really holds the reins of power, because Michèle's hands are tied by the Constitution, and she is overly publicised. It's Mathieu Tordoli, using truncheons, tear gas bombs, grenades, and since yesterday, live ammunition... to defend the Invalides museum. Warning shots certainly... But everyone fears the worst now.

  The far right is fanning the flames, so is the far left.

  Charles, get down, smile.

  That young idiot made him win the battle of opinion.

  Chapter 26

  At the National Assembly security headquarters, Republican Guard gendarmes grabbed him and took Erwan to an office, took away his jacket and his personal belongings.

  Erwan is taken to another room to explain himself.

  The information is immediately forwarded to Michèle Desrivières, there is nothing. Yet Michèle, who watches Erwan on the video camera from her screen, doesn't respond and continues to drink her coffee tightly while she scrutinizes him. The order is given to intercept him outside as discreetly as possible, without making waves, and to make him talk.

  He knows something. He'll talk.

  But his sudden notoriety protects him.

  Release him.

  We need to find that recording.

  Erwan is out again, to his surprise. He leaves the Assembly, goes to the steps of the Palace with an antique look. In front of him, a large crowd. Dozens of CRS trucks barricade the square. Cameras recognize him, track him with a telephoto lens. He decides to go out the other way.

  Erwan has never felt so lonely and sad.

  We gave him his phone back.

  It's vibrating in his pocket.

  It's Dominic.

  — Erwan, I can't take it anymore.

  — Fucking bastard! Confess!

  — I'm as sad as you are. I owe you the truth. If you want to know everything, agree to meet me.

  Dominique wants to see him "at a gate in Paris". Erwan has to take a taxi, he will be safe there, and be ready when he confirms the appointment.

  It's a trap, but who can we trust?

  Chapter 27

  Erwan calls Claire back at the hospital. She's fine and the baby's fine. The gases are harmless, but she has decided to accept to rest somewhere else than Paris, she doesn't want to go home. Her mother will come to get her and they will go to their family home in the hinterland of Nice. From there, she will be able to look for the villa of their dreams.

  — Vence, start with Vence.

  — If you want, that's a good idea.

  — The view is superb, if you find a house under the baou of Saint-Jeannet.

  — I'll just stop by the apartment tonight and pick up a few things...

  Erwan promises to be there, he will certainly join her this weekend, and asks her to book a flight for him.

  Tonight they'll be together, the three of them, away from it all.

  It'll all be over.

  But first, he has something important to do.

  — I love you, my cuddly toy. I'll be waiting for you.

  — Yeah, I'm doing my best. I gotta go. I got another call.

  Erwan skillfully navigates on his phone and switches to the other channel: it's Dominique.

  — Throw your phone away, damn it! What the hell are you doing?! They set him up! Go to the Americans' apartment, pick up the phone in exactly fifteen minutes.

  Erwan is running, hang up. After a moment's hesitation, he opens the window.

  — Sir
, what are you doing? I've got the air conditioning on.

  Erwan throws his cell phone out the cab window and closes it. The driver from Martinique laughs heartily:

  — Everything's disposable these days! People are crazy!

  Erwan orders the taxi to change destination immediately. He takes out the keys to Amber's apartment on loan to the Americans, which he kept in his pocket.

  The two Yankee friends were about to leave, negotiating with the caretaker who didn't want to keep the keys.

  - Mademoiselle Ambre would be very angry! And don't pretend you don't understand, very hungry Miss Amber!

  Erwan rushes into the furnished apartment. There is internet, a Mac, a bed and some kitchen utensils.

  Erwan takes advantage of this moment of calm.

  Even depersonalized for the rental, everything reminds him of Amber, even the smell, which is crazy when he thinks about it. But he doesn't have time to feel sorry for himself. Instinctively he looks at the handset that Dominique ordered him to pick up.

  The phone's ringing!

  He's jumping even though he was expecting it. Feverish, Erwan grabs the IP terminal connected to the internet box. This router phone "isn't tapped yet", Dominique has changed location, and will meet him at Porte de Pantin in twenty minutes! In the apartment, Erwan picks up a pre-stamped Chronopost envelope. Neither one nor two, he writes a letter describing the precise place that contains the proof of the plot in the envelope, the penguin cuddly toy of his future child, and marks the address on the back: Journal Le Monde, for the strictly personal attention of the DG.

  On his way out, he discreetly gives the envelope to the concierge, along with a bunch of other mail to post, and asks her to do it for Amber.

  Erwan is dropped off by taxi at the place indicated by Dominique, in a car wash at Porte de Pantin. France 3's TV report on the dispute that broke out between Erwan and Charles, the extreme right-wing politician, is broadcast in a loop.

  Erwan goes to the bathroom. The saleswoman didn't recognize him.

  Suddenly, a hand sticks to his mouth, it's impossible to scream!

  Then, this one loosens its grip, Erwan is tetanized. No words come out of his mouth. He could be killed without saying anything.

  The thought frightens him.

  So he's hoping it'll be quick and painless.

  But nothing's happening.

  He recognizes Dominique who mimes him to shut his mouth. He does so, waves with his hands to make him understand that microphones are hidden in his jacket, miming him to undress, to exchange his clothes for his own and to come out after him.

  Dominique discovers a microphone and shows it to him, holding it with his fingertips.

  Erwan takes out his black moleskin notebook and communicates in writing. It's bubbling, he wants to know the truth about Amber's death!

  He writes that Amber "committed suicide because of him! "».

  Dominic says "no" with his head.

  Erwan ends up writing, resigned: "She was murdered? "».

  Dominic nods his head.

  The politician seems sincerely affected by remorse, he "could do nothing" to save Amber. To prove to her that he cared about her, he decided to "honour her by helping the man she considered her brother, whom she never knew.

  Erwan says nothing, he has tears in his eyes, and he lets himself go. He takes Dominique's clothes. The exchange of clothes takes place between the two men. Dominique gives him an envelope of instructions, in which he finds a digital music player and a TGV ticket to Normandy.

  Dominique is not long in coming out of the laundromat under the appearance of Erwan, he goes out, the microphone button on Erwan's jacket will be used as bait.

  The real Erwan sneaks in from the outside, passes under the ring road and runs on foot to the nearest metro station.

  No one's seen him.

  Meanwhile, Dominique takes his car, a beautiful sedan with a Republic badge. On the ring road, he is caught by a speeding car, the chase begins, he leaves Paris by the northern highway, a helicopter of the gendarmerie also follows them from afar. The car follows him, Dominique gets out through a slip road, finds himself isolated and ends up stopping on the hard shoulder. Officers get out, the cornered MP also gets out and gets his head slammed violently against his sedan. He can feel the black heat of the hood on his cheek. The officers give the signal, it's the wrong fish!

  He's a traitor.

  Dominic's cooked. He's kidnapped and taken away.

  The helicopter's turning around.

  Chapter 28

  Erwan walks alone. He promised Claire he'd join her. She promised she would wait for him. But the best thing is that she doesn't know anything. He'll find her as soon as he can, he swears to the one who drew this world. Erwan is Catholic by culture, he sometimes prays quite regularly, and even visits a few churches, but is not a practising Catholic. When he was chaplain, the sisters told him that he would never be alone. However, now he would need help.

  Arriving in Normandy by train, after taking a bus and walking a little, he left civilization and took a coastal path, which runs along the grey cliffs, swept by the incessant wind.

  With his walkman over his ears, he listens attentively to Dominique's instructions.

  — Don't forget yourself, don't use credit cards, phone or internet, and don't talk to anyone. Play dead, don't go into the Nice hinterland, they're already there. You'll hurt your family, you'll hurt Claire, and you don't want that. As I speak to you, I'm probably being found suicided, with handwritten letters announcing my scheduled death. Reporters will find people I hate to tell them I had something dark inside of me. The others will be surprised, but one is always surprised by a suicide, I didn't send any signs, I was a bon vivant, who likes good flesh. You're listening to a ghost. I've done some shit, but believe it or not, I blame myself. Amber, I loved her, I really did. I know you loved her like a sister. So I want you to protect yourself. Protect yourself, they're too powerful. They can incense you one day and drag you through the mud the next. Protect yourself and your family. That's all that matters. Good luck.

  Around him is the bare, wild nature, where no human seems to have passed for a long time. Erwan, continues his walk on the way to the customs officers, to a small isolated house. Erwan is greeted by a lonely, affable, bearded man. He was waiting for him. His thatched house is perfectly tidy. He even made coffee. He's an acquaintance of Dominic's.

  — All I know is I'm not supposed to say anything.

  — All right, I'm good with that.

  — And that I have to protect you, and not ask questions.

  — Well that's fine with me too," Erwan replies again with his usual little smile.

  But this "friend" has not heard from the member, and he seems very worried.

  As soon as he arrives at the gîte, Erwan puts on the coffee, goes upstairs and collapses on his bed, tired. He can finally rest. The sheets smell nice and clean.

  It's quiet everywhere.

  Erwan is drinking a glass of water next to him.

  He lost consciousness immediately.

  Chapter 29

  Wednesday 11th May

  When he wakes up, he opens his eyes and sees only the midnight blue line of the horizon.

  The sky is overcast.

  He's standing on the edge of a cliff, facing the sea.

  A hooded officer behind him doesn't move a millimetre and watches him. The man from the lodge is there too, standing back.

  — I apologize! They were here before...

  Grey waves crashing against black rocks.

  In a dark Republic sedan, a man in an anthracite suit waves his gloved hand. The hooded man instantly releases the pressure. In reality, it was a woman. But his grip was so strong, he thought it was that of a hound. Appearances are deceiving. But the devil is in the details, he can see a few blond hairs on his black outfit, and guess blue eyes behind his balaclava.

  Erwan turns around, the man in the car in the suit positions himself at the edg
e of the cliff, like Erwan. He introduces himself as the director of the foreign secret service, and reassures him that he means him no harm. Neither does his colleague.

  He confesses.

  — We've made a lot of mistakes, but there's never been a perfect mission. This is what we rightly or wrongly call the "human factor". I misjudged you. You're a lot stronger than we thought. But there's not much left to do. You don't have a choice. You have to give up your life, your name, your surname, abandon the Metropolis, your wife, and your future child. I can offer you a position in aerospace, for as long as it takes.

  He shows a microscopic object, which he holds with his gloved fingertips.

  — That little snitch saved your life. The shirt button is out of fashion, it was a dissident service... We do better than those traitors! Lucky for you...

  A thousand questions are racing through Erwan's head. Who is he really dealing with?

  He wants to know why he risked his life, why didn't they protect him better since he knew everything from the beginning?

  But the one and only word that comes out of his mouth is:

  — I hid the evidence of the conspiracy, you'll never find it.

  The man laughs, loudly.

  He then pulls out a black flash drive, "this? "».

  Erwan does not let himself be intimidated.

  — You're lying!