Past Imperfect

fabricating purely to collect the reward offered. The coin shop provided that last vital link.

The coin brought originally from Italy by Jean-Luc's father, passed to Christian, then Duclos' car and the garage worker… the trail finally ended in a musty basement in Limoges with an aged coin shop proprietor leafing through dusty files. Somehow appropriate.

And then suddenly everything was in rapid motion: line taps, statements and notaries, a frantic flurry of paperwork crossing Corbeix’ desk, the strands spun wide weeks ago now fast pulling in. Everything converging. Dominic drew a slow breath, trying to ease his jaded nerves. Aware that even now as he sat with Corbeix and Roudele, over a hundred miles away in Marseille, Bennacer and his men would be bursting into Aurillet's office…

'I really can't help you. I'm sorry, I wish I could.'

'Oh, but I think you can.' Bennacer had arranged the three most incriminating conversations in a loop so that they ran in succession. He pressed play and sat closely observing Aurillet's expression.

The only other person in the small interview room was Moudeux, a lumbering DI who Aurillet had been handcuffed to in the back of a black Citreon on the way down to the precinct. A head taller than Aurillet, Moudeux had spent much of the journey jibing: 'You into bondage, are you? I understand you guys sometimes sample the merchandize. Do you test the boys yourself? What do you do, put these on them?' Moudeux raised the handcuffs. 'I suppose with an ugly shit like you, they'd come in useful. Stop them getting away.'

Aurillet had stayed silent throughout. The first few questions from Bennacer he met with blank denials, and now Moudeux stayed silent, just contemplated Aurillet with his slow, doleful eyes and smiled menacingly. As the tape ran, Aurillet looked nervously down at the table. Aurillet looked faintly puzzled as the Duclos segment came on; unlike the other two, children weren't mentioned. Just a name: Bernard.

'… Fine. Look forward to seeing you.'

Bennacer stopped the tape. 'So. We've got you clearly on supply of under age children and your connection with Alain Duclos. What we want to know is how far your association goes back with Duclos. All the details.'

'I don't understand. Why are you so interested in him?'

'It concerns another investigation we're running. You're not the main focus here. What we're mainly concerned about is your involvement with Duclos. The wheres and whens of you supplying him with young boys through the years.'

Aurillet shook his head. 'Young boys?' He laughed nervously. 'That Marcus is crazy. Twelve and thirteen. He knows I never take them that young — but he keeps trying his luck. Keeps phoning.'

Bennacer stared at him blandly. 'I don't have time to sit here while your credibility and my patience are stretched. We know you trade in under age boys. But as I said, you are not — I repeat not — our main interest. Duclos is.' Bennacer exhaled. 'So let's try again. Once more: Duclos and young boys. What do you know?'

Aurillet contemplated his shoes. Then the tape machine. 'It's awkward. I'm not sure where all of this will lead. I might incriminate myself. I don't think I should say anything without my lawyer present.'

Bennacer lifted his eyes to the ceiling. Strained effort to keep his voice calm: 'That's your prerogative. If that's your wish, then I'm afraid there is really nothing more for us to discuss at this juncture. I'm going to break this interview for ten minutes and leave you to decide fully. If when I return your decision is still the same, then you'll be held over until your lawyer's arrival.' Bennacer faced the mike. 'Interview suspended at three-eighteen p.m.'

Bennacer stopped the tape. Aurillet's eyes followed Bennacer to the door, darting back briefly to Moudeux: a 'surely you're not leaving me alone with him' look.

Moudeux smiled. He reached over and touched Aurillet's hand. 'Don't worry, I'll keep you company.'

Aurillet recoiled sharply, pulled his hand away. The door shut.

Bennacer stayed out of the room for sixteen minutes. When he returned, Aurillet's expression was strained, haunted. He got the impression that there had been silence between Aurillet and Moudeux for several minutes. Aurillet had reached his decision a while ago.

'Okay. I agree to help. What is it you want to know about Duclos?'

Bennacer started the tape. He didn't ask what had happened while he was out to make Aurillet change his mind. Moudeux smug smile told him that everything had gone more or less according to their earlier plan.

'Was Aurillet difficult?'

'No, not too bad. There was a sticky moment where he wanted to see his lawyer. But I left him with one of my DIs, Moudeux, for a moment to contemplate the error of his ways. Moudeux explained the relative advantages of him co-operating.'

'Official or unofficial? Was it recorded as part of the interview?' Dominic asked.

'No. When I left the room I stopped the tape. I don't think I'd like any of Moudeux' usual vernacular recorded officially. But thankfully he usually doesn't have to say much. He dwarfs most people and he's got this great smile. Makes Jack Nicholson look like Mother Teresa.'

Dominic laughed, swirled the whisky in its tumbler. Bennacer's call had come through on his mobile fifteen minutes after the session with Roudele, while he was still in Corbeix’ office going through final notes. Corbeix had taken a bottle of Southern Comfort from his deskside cabinet and poured them both a third tumbler full. Interim celebration: the successful conclusion to one stage, salut to the stage ahead.

Dominic signed off and filled in the details for Corbeix on Bennacer's call. 'I've asked him to fax over a copy of the statement to both our offices once it's typed up. 'Should come through in an hour or so.'

Corbeix raised his glass. 'Another piece in place.'

They sat silently drinking for a second. Dominic was exhausted. He felt somehow awkward, at a loose end. With the past weeks of hectic activity, it felt strange that now there was nothing left for him to do. Now it all rested with Corbeix. 'When would you hope to file and get a warrant?'

'Let's see.' Corbeix flicked through some papers. 'I checked MEP's timetables the other day. I don't want to serve in Brussels — administrative nightmare. The next time Duclos is in Strasbourg is in nine days. I'll need six in any case to finish up paperwork and advise an examining magistrate. So — third or fourth of May.'

'I'd like to be there when he's arrested.'

'You don't have to. Two Strasbourg Judicial police will go, serve, and transport will be arranged for Duclos back to Aix.'

'I'd still like to be there.' Dominic smiled. 'Outside of the press, it's been quite a while since I've seen Alain Duclos. I was but a young gendarme. Should be quite nostalgic.'

'I know it's been a long time for you.' Corbeix grimaced as he swallowed another shot: pain and sympathy. 'Are you sure you'll be okay accompanying?'

'I'm not going to slug Duclos on the Parliament steps, if that's what you mean. As tempting as it might be.' Dominic shrugged, his smile subsiding. Thoughtful. 'So much of this has been dealt with from a distance. Often it’s felt intangible, unreal. I need something physical to end the process. The warrant being served, the handcuffs being slapped on, the expression on Duclos' face. Then I'll know: we've got him! Right now I still have to pinch myself that it's all over.'

And I'm only just starting, Corbeix thought. But it wasn't the moment to remind Fornier of the difficulties ahead. That Duclos' heavyweight lawyers would bombard the case from so many angles, he'd hardly be given time to draw breath. Hopefully he'd shored upon all their main areas of vulnerability, but what if he'd overlooked something? One footfault and Duclos could walk after the first few instruction hearings. 'Well, at least there's nothing more for you to do now for nine days. Probably you can do with the rest. You look tired.' A grimace that this time went awry. For someone with MS, bold comment. Ironic. He looked down and away as he remembered his own plight, the fact that he probably wouldn't even have enough energy to see the case through.

'Yes. Eight days of sleep. One day of pure bliss. After thirty years on this one case, I daresay I deserve it. Salut!'

Dominic leant forward and they clinked glasses.

But beyond Corbeix' smile, Dominic could read the strong shadow of uncertainty. His own sense of