34

Applause and cheers rang out. The enthusiasm was evident. Everyone saluted their boss and his legendary intuition.

“A crime of passion. It’s so banal in the end,” Captain Plassard said.

“Ah, but is it?” Nico replied. “Samuel Cassian set out to redefine the limits of art and archaeology. But look what he dug up. Not only his son’s remains, but also secrets that had been hidden for far too long. Now that they’ve been exposed, maybe all those who suffered because of Jean-Baptiste’s disappearance can make peace with what happened and create better lives for themselves. That’s not so banal, Franck.”

In the midst of all the exuberance, a smiling face appeared in the doorway. It was Caroline. She made her way to him.

“Anya’s operation went beautifully, and she’s in recovery,” Caroline whispered in his ear. “We were there when she woke up, and she wants to see you as soon as you can get to the hospital. I wanted to tell you in person, and I promised that I would drag you there, although I know I won’t have to.”

“Thank you. My God, thank you.”

He took her in his arms and waved to his men. They understood that his mother was okay.

“She’ll leave the hospital in eight days. And it looks like you’ve just closed your case. I’m so happy for you. You’ve been burying yourself in your work. Now maybe you can come up for air.”

Nico would be able to collect material evidence over the next few days: how Mercier was able to attract his prey, the knife he used to stab them, the hammer he had probably saved like a relic… Maybe even the old souvenirs of his life with Jean-Baptiste.

“Boss?” Commander Charlotte Maurin called out. “I’d like to introduce you to someone.”

She led him into the hallway. Nico didn’t let go of Caroline’s hand.

A young woman was waiting under the lit sign—like the ones at a train station—that announced the Criminal Investigation Division.

“Chief, please meet Élodie.”

With a radiant smile, she shook the chief’s hand and then Caroline’s.

“Élodie is my fiancée,” Commander Maurin said.

“It’s a pleasure, Élodie. Welcome to La Crim’,” Nico said. “Have Charlotte show you around. But before she does that, I just have just one thing to ask: please take good care of our commander here.”

“I will,” Elodie said.

Nico said good-bye to the pair and took Caroline down the narrow corridor to his office, where he could finally take her in his arms. And just as he was moving closer to breathe in her scent, a Jay-Z cover of “I’d Do Anything” popped into his head. Dimitri had been listening to it a few days earlier. Rap wasn’t exactly Nico’s genre, but the sentiment was spot-on.

“May I have this dance, ma’am?” he said as he opened his arms to her. She stepped into them and put her cheek next to his. Nico began humming. Yes, he’d do anything—everything—for her.