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Jules signaled to Merlin that were indeed not alone. Merlin held his head in his hands, the perfect pose of a befallen man. Jules’ face turned red, filled with the pugnacity that he injected in all his projects.
“I can explain everything.”
“I’m sure you can.”
The man, with a blasé reaction, folded his arms, flashlight balanced on the crook of his elbow, and leaned against the doorframe.
“Go ahead, I’m a curious person by nature.”
“It concerns a scientific experiment.”
The guard’s skeptical look convinced the professor that the truth was probably not the best explanation.
“I’m trying to find my son. He disappeared, you know, Cosmo, Cosmo Scientia. I’m a scientist, and I’m sure I can find evidence, some clues that the police didn’t notice. You understand, don’t you?”
“Jules! Why it’s you, Jules! Gosh, it’s been years. To think it would take something like this for us to run into each other, so sad. But I’m awfully happy to see, that’s for sure! You don’t mind if I hug you? Gosh, that’s just great! Oh yeah, hey pal, I’m really sorry about your kid.”
The guard didn’t wait for Jules’ permission to grab him in his arms, a hug strong enough to break several ribs. He wiped his forehead with a red scarf and continued to talk while Jules gave Merlin a dumbfounded look that went unnoticed by the guard.
“Of course you remember me, right?”
“I’m trying to remember...could you help me out?”
“René, René Petitbois. Come on, sure you do!”
The man was so insistent; the tenacity of those who believe no one has ever known anyone but them.
“We sat right next to each other all through elementary school. Well, almost. Towards the end, they changed my seat, and oddly enough my grades changed, too. Those were the good times, weren’t they?”
Rene punched his shoulder like a pseudo boxer who never made it inside the ring.
“So, Jules. I think I heard you got married, and me, I take care of this noble institution. I also work at the market, the one in town, you probably don’t know that.”
Finished with wiping down his forehead, he blew his nose, almost emotional.
“Oh wow. Your poor son. What a sad story. But tell me...”
He led Jules to a corner of the room away from Merlin, turning his back as if plotting against him.
“Why is this child murderer here with you? I mean, he’s dangerous, like he could hurt you. And I don’t trust him at all. Look how sneaky he looks. Hey, but don’t turn around. He might think we’re talking about him.”
“ But, uh—”
“—René.”
“Right, René. Sorry. What I was saying...Oh, yes, Merlin was here when the children disappeared. He knows more than anyone what happened.”
René nodded his head vigorously.
“Oh yeah, that’s for sure. And he knows how to make evidence disappear, did you think about that one? My job is on the line, here. Nobody’s supposed to be inside here. I’m not talking about you. I trust you, for sure. A friendship like ours, you know. But that guy over there, I don’t like him being here.”
“I believe he’s innocent. I know he is.”
“Oh, my poor Jules. Look at what the pain and suffering has done to you. It’s so sad, this whole story. And you, the one who was so smart.”
He continued his pitying tone.
“It’s OK. I’ll protect you. I’m going to stay right here and watch him, and believe me, I won’t take my eyes off him for a second. The least little move and he’s going down. He’ll be on his best behavior then, that guy.”
Horrified, Jules pulled away from him.
“That really won’t be necessary. I’m finished with what I wanted to do here. For the moment, at least. We’re on our way out.”
“OK, OK. But before—”
He came up to him again, but Jules moved away before he could hug him.
“Whenever you want to stop by, just let me know. We could go have a cup of coffee together one evening and talk up a storm. But stay away from this scary tall dude. Do it for me. I can tell he’s no good. I’m a real good judge of character, you know. Hey, I know a writer. He’s really famous and nice as can be, and gentle as a lamb[1]. You should see him when—”
“That’s nice, Rene, but it’s getting late. Another time, OK.”
They quickly dismantled and boxed up the equipment. René watched them and shook his head, not offering to help. He didn’t like seeing the two of them together and was sure that grief had led his old friend, Jules, astray. As he accompanied them to the door, he told old stories about the school that they barely paid attention to. Jules uttered something whenever he thought it was expected of him, though René hardly needed the encouragement.
Jules dropped Merlin off at his house and then drove around the town alone. He wasn’t in any hurry.
Their nocturnal experiment had been cut short. He was on the wrong trail. Some elements were missing, but he couldn’t figure out which ones. Why was it that Merlin could no longer cross over or even open the passageway? What was the most important part of alchemy, the place or the people? And Merlin who seemed so old.
Suddenly, Jules came to a halt, bumping and almost knocking over stray metal garbage cans next to the sidewalk. Youth was the missing element. His sons, his friends, even though they were handicapped, had something adults considered a virtue: the blessing of youth.
He headed back home feeling a bit uplifted. They would return to the classroom, but they wouldn’t be alone.
Meanwhile, Merlin had come home to find an unexpected visitor ensconced in the floral armchair in his study. (Merlin had rented the furnished home from a charming blue-haired lady who confided she’d met her young lover thanks to reupholstering this particular chair.) Cleverly hidden in the darkness and with his legs too short to touch the floor, the Duc sat waiting for Merlin’s return.
