Come As You Are

“Please fasten your seat belts and put your trays in the upper position.” The Air France stewardess smiled and passed Gabriel’s comfortable chair in the business class.  Already in decent, Gabriel could already see the city of Paris down on earth and he recalls the last days full of action.

After Stricker’s offer he took some mouthfuls of “Angel’s share” and then took the challenge. There was not much to add and so Gabriel left the building and was taken home by the big limousine, which was waiting in front of the building. What an interesting man and a great offer: Have you ever been asked to hunt a lost treasure? This was something, Gabriel remembered as a childish dream some decades ago.

He was sure about his decision in the next morning, when a bike messenger rang the bell and brought a package including a business class ticket to Paris, a mobile and a credit card with instructions: “As my assistant told me, you should start your research in Reims, the important ecclestical center in times of Charlesmagne. The credit card belongs to an account with about 1 Mio Euro – if you find the Olifant, you may take what’s left on it. Otherwise all the money will go back to me. A specialist for arts and history will wait for you in Paris to help you in the next days. If you have any questions, please use the mobile to contact me. There is only one number in the contact list. Have fun and good luck!”

 As usual, masses crowded the airport and everyone seemed to be in a hurry – either to get the plane in due time or to get away from this place of no relaxation. In the pickup zone Gabriel spotted dozens of drivers, standing there with bored faces and holding signs with logos and names on it. One of them should be there for him. He was pushed from behind and angry glances as he was standing in the middle of the way out of the leaving area.

“Bon jour, Mr. Gabriel.” He turned around and looked at a young lady. “I am Eve and Mr. Stricker told me to pick you up here as we will have a mission to accomplish here in France.”

Time seemed to vanish into eternity as Gabriel saw Eve’s big blue eyes, her dark long hair and some hours later he was able to answer: “Oh. So you are the expert in Arts and History? I expected someone older.” She smiled amused: “This will happen in a few years. So far you have to deal with me. Is this all your luggage? Let’s get to your hotel and later on I can tell you about the things I already have found out.”

Gabriel grabbed his bag and followed her to the exit. Eve checked a cab and they took the ride to the city of Paris. During the ride Eve started to talk, asking some questions about Gabriel. He sensed some unease as it became a kind of interrogation and Eve did not appear happy about his presence here. After some monosyllabic answers he drummed up the courage and started speaking: “Sorry to interrupt you – but is there any problem with me here? I did get a great offer to have some good time and an adventure with your help in the beginning, but now I do have the feeling that I am wrong here.” Eve starred at him and chewed her lip. Silence filled the air and the driver suddenly focused deeply on his way to downtown.

She faintly sighed. “I have to beg your pardon. Till yesterday I thought, this would be my own adventure, my own trip to success something great. Then Stricker called and a happy world broke down. I thought, my researches till today have been quite good but then he told me that you are going to take over and I felt that he lost his trust in me. That’s why I am some kind of angry and despaired. This has nothing to do with you personally, do you understand?” She looked at him and Gabriel noticed some wet spots in her eyes. They shimmered suspicious dark blue now and her incisors bit in her bottom lip.

He nodded and looked out of the window to see the landscape passing by. She could see that he thought about something and a strange idea furrowed his brow. “So you think, you could find the object by yourself? You know which one I mean?” She nodded. “Ok then. Why shouldn’t we do this together? Stricker told me to feel free and gain every help I need. I don’t know that I am going to take someone’s adventure away and I don’t want to steal your walk on the wild side. Let me put it in this way: Partners?” “Partners”, she repeated and the smile was like a sunrise on her face. Outside the clouds disappeared and Paris was getting back it’s bright colours.

They stopped at the Place Verdôme in front of the Ritz Hotel. While Gabriel got out of the car and gazed at the old great building, the doorman grabbed his bags and Eve paid the cab driver. He was astounded about the obvious extravagance as he stepped up the stairs and entered the hall. Eve accompanied him to the front desk and asked the concierge in fluent french about the keys for two rooms. One she handed over to Gabriel: “Your number is 307, my room is next to yours. Should we meet at eight for dinner? There is a great restaurant nearby with a great view on the Louvre.” “Sure. Sounds great and we should celebrate our partnership or so.” She smiled again and whispered as she left the elevator: “Thanks.”