The Last President- The Complete Trilogy

by Christophe Martinolli

  — You're not gonna tell us you have feelings for her. Not you, you're my hero, you can't do this to me!

  This discussion makes Ambre smile and she decides to record it on Erwan's phone, putting it on speakerphone.

  — Don't get excited, it's not the first or the last one that'll be on your desk.

  — Or underneath.

  Suddenly, the discussion and laughter ends abruptly when a third speaker arrives.

  — Okay, guys, this sucks. What's going on here? What are they waiting for to announce his death? Do they suspect something?

  Ambre wanted to surprise Dominique in the middle of a sexism session, but this last sentence piqued her curiosity. The three men then evoked the night of the President's heart attack in a covered way.

  — They're suspicious of something. Sure, if we move, we'll all get caught and they'll reinstate the death penalty just for us.

  — But fucking imagine, if he's not dead. If he wakes up, he might talk!

  — Keep your voice down, you shut up now. He's dead, I was there. He's dead, period. And they won't find anything.

  Dominique takes the floor again and calms everyone down:

  — There's no way they're gonna find out about this. It's undetectable, it's already gone from his body. It's a heart attack. That's all it is. The official announcement will come soon.

  Amber is feverish. She can't believe her ears, and her hands, and then her whole body, starting to shake. Suddenly, someone knocks on the door of the office where she is. She is startled. Surprised, she drops some files on the floor. It's just a confused cleaning lady apologizing, convinced that no one was there. But Dominique, who has heard the noise next door, looks at her colleagues very sternly.

  — It's crazy to talk about this here, now shut up!

  Dominique goes out into the corridor and sees the cleaning lady who doesn't close the door behind her.

  He opens the door and catches Amber putting away the files she dropped. She jumps again. Dominique immediately notices that she is nervous, he hugs her, kisses her, and starts to caress her buttocks, then puts his big paws on her breasts, but she refuses to go any further.

  — Dominic, not now... Here's the file you've been waiting for. I have to meet Erwan at the library, he's been waiting for me.

  She gives him a discreet kiss on the corner of her lips and slips away. Dominic doesn't say another word, and scrutinizes her, analyzes her.

  — What's up? You've never seen me before?

  — Nothing... You're still beautiful. When do we do this again?

  — When I decide to.

  While she is already in the corridor, and slamming her high heels on the floor, Dominique calls her back in a stern tone. Ambre stops abruptly, transfixed by fear but trying to hide it as best she can.

  He and his carnivorous smile hand Erwan's phone to her: she had forgotten it on her desk.

  — Thank you, that's nice.

  — Is something wrong?

  — You know that, with me nothing's right.

  The two employees then disembark in Dominique's office and look at the couple in the corridor.

  — Son of a bitch, the ass she's got.

  — Calm down, you'll never get her, she's a savage.

  — You're right, I prefer well-behaved girls, at least they don't say anything when you keep them on a leash...

  — Did you make the phone call here?

  — No... (Sighs)

  — Why is he off the hook then? ...Do you hear?

  — Yeah, he's a guy who whistles, so what?

  Panic-stricken, he runs into the office next door and surprises the cleaning woman with a whistle. Realizing that Ambre may have heard everything, they immediately report it to Dominique who was retracing his steps, alone.

  — Dark shit, why did you bring this up here, we're risking our lives!

  Dominique tries to catch up with Ambre who, feeling followed, starts walking faster. He's there. He's got it all figured out. He's going to question her until she cracks. We have to walk faster. Ambre starts trotting, she manages to escape from Dominique for a short moment and takes advantage of this moment to put the phone and its recording in Erwan's mailbox. She opens her compartment and grabs hers, strictly identical in visual appearance to Erwan's. Clever, she disappears into the crowd of the great hall of the Four Columns. Dominique and the two collaborators separate discreetly.

  Chapter 9

  Erwan, always studious behind his round glasses, looks at his Seven Friday watch, a gift from Claire for the happy news. It's a strange feeling. France is in a second state after the death of the President to whom he had the honour of personally handing over the results and he has that kind of happy smile that future dads cement on his face. When everything goes wrong, he feels at his best. Strange this feeling of floating above everything, of not being reached by anything. Except his instincts. It's as if he knew it in advance, he had intuition, and the barely veiled satisfaction of his accomplishment when it happened. Yet he never wanted the death of Laurent, whom he always considered a great head of state. And in fact, he will be, he has just made history. Perhaps this slap will allow France to bounce back higher. The French are capable of it - and he is part of this logic - however, they must be put up against the wall so that they give their best. A bit like him now. Erwan, while thinking about two thousand things at the same time is looking for a book on the shelves. He always compared a bookcase to a human brain, putting it away was like putting away your own brain. Finding what he's looking for is satisfying him.

  But once again, Erwan is lost in thought and doesn't see that the instant messaging software on his computer is warning him.

  It's Amber, she's calling for help, but on the screen there's hardly anything on display:

  From "Ambre Fontenoy":

  Are you there? Need you now!

  Chapter 10

  Amber needs help, she wants to scream, but tries to concentrate on her thumb movements. She had read something about Japanese women's thumbs being distorted by texting. Ambre's not doing so bad. She puts her smartphone away, looks up and sees Dominique's head. He goes after her again, like a predator. He's figured out she's figured it out. She doesn't like it. She hates it, it smells like fear, she's cold and hot at the same time. Her whole body is soaked in sweat. She wants to scream, but no one can help her, no one. The man chasing her has the power. Unmasked, terrified, she can't go towards him, all she thinks about is running away, but running away is signing the fact that she has heard everything, it's too late! Too many contradictions. Ambre is in a cold sweat, her legs are heavy, she feels like she's walking in slow motion, like in a bad dream. But yet she keeps walking, fast, clicking her heels in the long corridors. She passes through a small door and manages to escape from him again. Amber leads into a corridor at the back of the building, safe and sound.

  The lioness can finally rest, exhausted.

  In the race, she hurt her ankle. The animal is injured.

  When a hand comes to rest on his shoulder: it's Dominique.

  She pretends to be reassured, gets her best smile. A natural smile. An actress's smile, perfectly executed. Ambre is feline, she emanates a wild grace that drives the men around her crazy.

  Dominique questions him immediately.

  — Where are you running off to, looks like you're trying to run away from me?

  — An emergency, it's a good thing you're here so you don't have to worry.

  — An emergency? What emergency?

  — A family emergency.

  — Are you fucking kidding me? You have no sense of family! They'd barely recognize you!

  Dominique squeezes her wrist and contracts it until it hurts.

  — You're hurting me, stop, or I'll scream!

  — You won't scream, you're just like all the others, and I'll break you.

  She'd never met that look before. The mask just fell off.

  At that moment, a group of politicians pass in front of them, greeting them,
two smile, the other looks away, embarrassed. No words come out of Ambre's mouth, none, as if her mouth had been sewn up with nylon thread. She understands now, only now, all the girls who don't speak. She who was convinced that defending herself from a man was part of learning femininity. After all, they were just trying to steal kisses from her? She liked to repeat that a woman has to deal with this kind of situation with the assurance of those who know everything. Today she understands. They don't just want to steal kisses from her: they want to fuck her, that's all.

  These men are predators, who feed on weakness, spot the wounded, sick animal, decode invisible signs, flatter and attack, shamelessly.

  Dominique looks Amber firmly in the eyes, while grasping her hand vigorously. She can no longer move, he will close her jaw and devour her.

  The predator's phone is vibrating.

  He's calm and responsive.

  He's hesitating. His berserker look changes, softens.

  Dominique's face returns to its original shape. The tension fades. He releases his grip.

  — No, she didn't hear anything...

  Ambre says nothing, adds nothing, and delicately pushes Dominique's hand away. Throughout the entire manoeuvre, Ambre did not let go of her gaze for a single second. She can smell his breath, foul, worried.

  She leaves without turning around and leaves him alone, with his phone in his hand.

  Chapter 11

  Michèle Desrivières, in her crow-black suit, walks with a sure step in the Four Columns room and puts away her smartphone. It's new and she knows it. No one dares to stop her.

  It is attended by about 30 people, more than half of whom are journalists. Constitutionally, does she have the right to be there? The news channels go round and round, but that does not in any way prevent her stiletto heels from scratching the cold marble of the Assembly's large checkered corridors. Like a black lady, she has every right, that is her game. A young pawn chases after her and discreetly announces that the man she is looking for is in the library right now.

  Without a word to him, he understands that she is satisfied. It means he did a good job. She didn't turn around to thank him. He is a servant, a docile collaborator, like so many around her. Without her weak minds willing to do anything for a little glory and power, she wouldn't be here. But they need her too much, Michèle knows this, and loves their servitude. That's why the second circle is so important, it's an army of people ready to do anything for you: it's the best way to guard against plots. In other times, it was called the court effect.

  Without delay, she demands that her main security guard, a two-metre tall black-skinned colossus, leave her alone. He reminds her of his orders since his appointment as acting head of state...

  Michèle doesn't care, she's in charge.

  She walks into the library alone.

  — Yes, ma'am.

  No one can get in or out anymore.

  Chapter 12

  Dominic is feverish, waiting for Amber to come out of sight, for her to leave the Assembly.

  He recalls his collaborator, very nervous, and rots him of all names.

  — But why did you go and tell him that? You want to double-cross me? You want a promotion? You couldn't get Amber, so you come here to bust my balls?

  — Stop Domi. We're not in school now, when we do something stupid, we take responsibility. If Amber heard anything, she knows. And if that's true, you know the program.

  — That's right, you piece of shit! I know her, she won't say anything.

  — I don't give a shit. Do it or I'll personally put you on a rope.

  Dominic's hanging up. He looks around, like a hunted animal. He has let his prey escape, out of weakness for his beloved.

  Ambre sets foot in the Parisian jungle street.

  Now she knows that she is not safe anywhere, and doesn't dare to go back to the library where she could find help from Erwan. But she tries to call him back.

  It's hot. The clouds are low. The heat wave's going on forever. The dogs are sticking their tongues out.

  Suddenly, a woman asks him for directions on her bicycle, she approaches her. She's a pretty Parisian woman, she's wearing a white linen dress that lets her underwear show through. She seems to come straight out of the 50's with her slightly pinched smile, her impeccable blond bun, and her tennis player's visor. The kind of annoying woman who never sweats, who has the soft skin of a newborn baby, who has a fair tanned complexion, and who looks fresh in all circumstances. Her blue eyes as deep as the ocean trouble Ambre, who stammers a few words. Then everything goes very fast, something stings Ambre on the arm.

  — What did you do to me?

  Then she collapses.

  The pretty blonde on the bike catches up with her, a hot black sedan pulls up. You can see the Republican badge on the windshield.

  Amber's just been abducted.

  Just like that, the simplest way in the world. In full view of everyone, in the heart of Paris, under the sun and the weary gaze of barely astonished passers-by, busy with their ordinary thoughts: don't forget to bring some bread, well-baked if possible, don't forget to register your daughter for the dance. Ah, yes, and seeing this series, what was the title again?

  Chapter 13

  Michèle Desrivières gets a phone call. She presses the midnight blue tile on her Windows Phone, picks it up. A monotone voice resounds.

  — It's all right, ma'am, we found her.

  She sketches a grin on the corner of her lips, which comes to wrinkle her face with white wax. Michèle is motionless in her crow's suit. She scans and turns her head towards the only person working in this immense and magnificent place.

  He didn't see her, too focused on his work.

  Michèle addresses Erwan, in a dry and severe tone.

  He takes off his headphones, turns around, very surprised to see her alone and here... Erwan tries to keep a good face. Michèle walks towards him. She knows his first name.

  — Erwan, never lose your republican ideals.

  He smiles politely, wondering why she is addressing him, without saying hello, like a ghost. But Michèle stands there watching him, without saying anything, then lets go.

  — Your sacred sense of work reminds me of your grandfather.

  Erwan is taken aback to learn that she knew her grandfather, a Breton cabinetmaker. But why her, why now?

  — He was not only a renowned cabinetmaker, he was a man of honour who did not hesitate to save my mother during the second world war from American soldiers who wanted to rape her.

  Erwan knew this dark family history, but he was far from suspecting that she was an ancestor of Michèle Desrivières. Genealogy reveals many mysteries of synchronicity.

  — Erwan, your best allies can betray you, that is the lesson of this sad story. If there's anything you need, let me know.

  Then she walks away as she came, in the dark meanderings of the library. Was it an apparition? A hallucination? Erwan finds himself alone, once again, among the seven hundred thousand books in the Assembly library.

  Chapter 14

  A little later, Pierre joined Erwan who confided to him that he had spoken with the President. But Pierre didn't see anything, he was too busy. He did not hear about the President's visit, even though she has to ask permission for any incursion into the Palais Bourbon. As President, the Constitution guarantees the strict separation of powers... in theory only. In any case, he was certain to find him here.

  Has he heard from Ambre, because Dominique is looking everywhere for his parliamentary assistant?

  — No, I haven't even turned on my cell phone or checked my email. I've been working on your case all day...

  — Exactly, look, it'll be fine like this. Take the afternoon, enjoy your little wife, it won't take long...

  — But the vote of confidence of the new President of the National Assembly is tonight!

  — Everything is frozen, parliamentary business is adjourned, it's national mourning, the President is officially dead, it means te
chnical unemployment, so please take advantage of it and get the hell out. Take a vacation, it'll be good for you and the kid. You told me about a house down south. It's time to go there.

  — Wait, freeze, so Michèle Desrivières has two jobs?

  — In theory yes...

  — Pierre, it doesn't smell good.

  — Erwan, you're young, and I've seen others, you can trust. Everybody knows her, and three days of mourning won't turn France into a dictatorship... Come on... Come on...

  Pierre slips away and greets him with a paternalistic gesture.

  Erwan reluctantly puts his stuff away and only now realizes that Ambre tried to reach her on his PC when he shut it down, but she's "offline" on instant messaging. He needs his phone back. Where is she hiding? Why did she need him? For her apartment that she's renting to American "friends"? Yeah, that must be it. They changed their minds, they're staying longer, city hall came by, they made too much noise last night...

  Erwan, stop.

  Stop thinking, you're polluting your head.

  Where is she?

  Chapter 15

  Amber sees nothing, she lies in the dark on her side, she screams, but the gag that surrounds her prevents her from expressing herself.

  Where is she?

  Apparently, in the trunk of a moving car, she can hear the wheels spinning. It's long, it's hard, her ankle hurts like hell. The car slows down, she gets shaken and drives as if it was going up a steep hill, she bumps into the metal wall, right on the archway.