Chapter 4
The subordinate officer entered, with a tentative, "Inspector?" He seemed quite surprised at my being there, and I wondered if Javert had mentioned me whatsoever, let alone discussed me to his superiors.
"Yes?" Javert, whether acting or not, sounded quite annoyed at having been intruded – he seems to take a secret joy in arguing. "Well? What do you want?" A silent, nervous glance from the young man, before he was startled by Javert saying sharply, "Out with it, boy!"
"Monsieur Inspector, the Commandant would like to talk to you." The boy looked at me. "Bring her as well."
"Very well," replied Javert curtly. "Move aside."
We passed the boy too slowly for my tastes. I could see the displeasure in his eyes, even if he stood upright and respectful as the Inspector passed him by. I realized that it wasn't the Inspector the boy disliked – it was me.
"Enter," said a voice from behind the door. Javert opened it without hesitation and ushered me in roughly, but without losing any of his composure. The man really has a way of making himself look like Justice itself. The Commandant looked at the two of us without batting an eye. How many times, exactly, did the Inspector bring in new kids off the street? Is that why the snob-nosed kid looked so peeved, because he isn't Javert's favourite anymore?
Well he didn't have to worry. The way Javert was manhandling me I could tell I wasn't his most preferred either.
"Monsieur Commandant, why is it that we were called down here, if I may be so bold as to ask?" I gaped at him. Wasn't he a subordinate to this guy? Speaking so openly – just who is this man?
"I'll overlook that boldness, Javert. I called you down here because I would like to know what business she has here," pointing to me, "and in that," motioning to my uniform.
"I need someone other than myself who knows the streets of this city, but most importantly, someone whose face won't be recognized as mine is."
"I understand," started the Commandant slowly, looking as though he was pondering deeply as he looked me over. His intense stare was beginning to make me uncomfortable. "However, you could have asked Luc or Jean-Richard. They are knowledgeable about the streets as well."
"They are too young," replied Javert matter-of-factly. I wondered if the boy that called us down was one of the two mentioned, and if so, which one he was.
"She is young as well," said the superior officer.
"She is hardened – those boys have not seen the things they will when they are older, the things they have to see, and I believe that they are too sensitive mentally, and will not be able to handle it." He took a sidelong glance to me before adding, "Especially on a daily basis." His jaw tightened as he looked at his commanding officer. "Besides," he said, "she knows the street in a criminal's perspective, which will prove quite useful."
The Commandant raised his eyebrow as he switched his gaze from the ridiculously out-spoken Javert to me. I was ready to strangle the Inspector.
"I have lived my life on the street – I know the ins and outs of every corner." I glared at Javert as I added, "I do not know if that gives me the eyes of a criminal, but as long as I am useful, it is fine with me."
Javert looked down at me, and I couldn't tell what his eyes were saying, so I looked back to the Commandant.
The superior officer sighed, exasperated. "Fine, Javert, do what you want. You are the most useful man on this team, as much as it begrudges me to admit it. Besides, you have the authority to hire new candidates. Just see to it this one stays out of trouble."
"I thank you, sir. Will that be all?"
"Yes. Go, both of you. And you," he murmured, staring me down with suddenly frigid eyes, "be careful."
"I'll make sure she's on her best behaviour," said Javert, and I was surprised at the black undertone that was laced in his deep voice. We left quickly, and Javert brought me outside.
"I really wish that man would keep his prejudices to himself," said Javert darkly.
I didn't have to ask what he meant. I felt bad that Javert had to suffer that – I could understand why he hated me, even if the reasons were warped in logic. But Javert had never done anything wrong, at least in the eyes of the Law.
"I am sorry that you have to have that kind of person as your superior officer."
Javert looked down at me, his eyebrows raised. I kept his gaze for a while, but he turned away and fixed his hat. "Yes, well, such things are to be expected," he replied curtly, and began walking. I had to jog to catch up – that man has long legs!
I skipped over to his side. I couldn't suppress the strange smile I felt all of a sudden I needed to show. Javert looked down at me, and raised his thick eyebrow again. "What are you smiling about?"
"I don't know," I said, a joy welling inside me. I think it was the fact no one looked at me with disgust as I walked down the street. "This uniform does strange things, doesn't it?"
Javert's eyes widened only a fraction. He turned his head from me and kept looking forward. "If you say so," he muttered.
I grinned back at him. The air was fresh, and the smell of bread wafting in the air made feel comforted. I could not feel bad today.