Paris Noir - Aurelien Masson [42]
I drop Marco off in front of his house. He left rue de Fé-camp for a more upscale apartment on rue Montgallet. He thanks me again. “That’s your last word, about Dumont? You don’t want to work for him?” “No! Absolutely not.” “Maybe you’re right.” And he adds: “How does it feel, sleeping with his wife?” “What?” “You know what I said.” “What are you talking about? You on the vice squad?” “One day, people are going to find out about it.” “So what?” “Dumont’s not softhearted. He’s going to fuck you up, and his wife too.” “He’ll never know.” “That’s what you think. I know, and I didn’t have to try. G’night!” He slams the door. I really have to leave this city. ASAP. Before things turn nasty.
13.
Noon. Valerie’s waiting for me. She wants to talk. Not at her place. In some out-of-the-way café. I take my sister’s car. The fatigue from the night before still weighing on me. I go in. I look around for Valerie.
[He walks in. She’s sitting at a table. He comes over.]
HIM: What's up?
HER: I had to see you. Last night I spoke to my husband.
HIM: What?
HER: I told him I was having an affair with someone.
HIM: You didn't!
HER: What else could I do? He thought I was acting strange. He would have tried to find out and he would have succeeded. He came back pretty late. I waited until it was 1 in the morning. He looked as if something was bothering him. I drank two glasses of cognac to get up the courage. And I told him everything. I didn't tell him who you were. He insisted, he threatened me, he yelled. Luckily, our little girl woke up. He calmed down.
HIM: And then?
HER: I told him I was going away with you.
HIM: With me?
HER: Remember when I was telling you about the only possible answer for our future? The answer wasn't what you thought. I'm not staying. I'm leaving. I'm leaving because it's the only thing to do, even though I know it's not something good for me, or for you. I want to spend the next days, the next weeks far away from here, with you.
[He walks over and puts his arms around her.]
I take her in my arms. I’m almost crushing her. I know she’s right, we’re lost, but it’s too late for us to give each other up.
HIM: What about your daughter?
HER: My mother knows about it. She's going to take her for a while.
HIM: How're we going to do this?
HER: I packed some things. Just two bags.
HIM: We run away like thieves?
HER: We're stealing love, and we'll be punished for it.
HIM: Come on!
[He grabs her by the hand and they exit.]
I drive her to the station. Gare de Lyon. I tell her I need an hour, max. The time to go back to the house, get my things, explain everything to my mother, and return to her. She tells me she’ll wait for me at the Train Bleu. I take the car and drive back to the house. I know I’m seeing the neighborhood for the last time.
14.
Inside the building. Up the stairs four by four. The door. The living room. I explain things to Mom. “They just called me. I’ve got to go back to the garage. An emergency. The boss is in the hospital.” “You’re leaving me?” “Not for long, this time.” “You’ll be back soon?” “I promise.” Does she believe me? I walk quickly into my bedroom. I cram my stuff into my bag. A last look around this bedroom. Goodbye. I kiss Mom. “I’m going down there with Sophie’s car. I’ll leave it in the parking lot of the station and I’ll mail the keys.” She sniffs. Goodbye.
I run down the stairs. Into the hallway. Marco’s there. “What the hell are you doing?” “I was waiting for you.” “Why? You got more problems?” “I think you’re doing something really dumb with Dumont.” “Me?” “Yeah. He’s not happy.” “He sent you over here.” “You have to give back what you took from