It was afternoon. Nicolas, Arthur and Raph were reunited in the precinct.
-We've figured out who Anaïs is. Our investigation team had found Pierre's mobile phone, which was a little crushed, hidden in some bushes near where he was found. Our forensic team managed to retrieve some information. She works as a cashier at a supermarket named Panier Plein near the Dandelion. We also tried to check her social networks, apparently she's a very private person. - informed Arthur and Nico to Raph.
-So… we're going to Panier Plein to interview her work mates. - answered Raphaëlle. Don't forget to check Pierre's bank account transactions. He got a great load of money recently.
-Alô Astrid!
-Alô Raphaëlle...
-I need to ask you something… would you be capable of going to a supermarket with me for investigation purposes?
-Raphaëlle… I've never gone to a supermarket before. I always do my shopping at Mr. Tanaka's shop on Mondays. Supermarkets are loud, bright and chaotic. I think it's not a good place for me. I can't bear all the sensory stimuli it provides. I'm not capable. - warned Astrid to Raphaëlle, when she was asking her to accompany her.
-Astrid… I've had an idea. The workers usually only go home much after the closing. They have some things to do. We wait for that hour. I promise it's much quieter without customers!
-I agree to go with you in those specified conditions, then.
-I'll pick you up tonight, at 9 PM in your house.
Raphaëlle and Astrid went together to Panier Plein. It was 10 PM, the street around was so silent, deserted. Some cars were parked sparsely at the parking lot. The documentalist was a little bit anxious, though. After all, it was a completely new situation for her. However, she confided enough in her friend to do it. A security guard approached them rightly after.
-What are you doing here? We're already closed! We aren't serving more for today. Our opening time ends at 9 PM.
-I'm from the Brigade Criminelle. Raphaëlle announced it while she was showing her police credentials. Someone in this supermarket is linked to a murder. The woman next to me is our criminalist. You should let us enter here. So, where's the manager of the store?
-Is right next to the store entrance. You have the customer service desk, ask our worker there.
-They headed to that place, when they found a little blonde girl doing some tasks on the computer.
-Bonne evening… We need to speak with your manager. We're from the Police. Where 's him?
-Follow me, please. He is in a room nearby.
The guy was sitting at a desk with his laptop, when the two detectives knocked on the door. He reluctantly opened it, being caught by surprise when he saw them. They didn't seem like employees.
-Who are you? It's not early...
-Sir… They are from the police, it was me who guided them to your office. They want you to answer some questions regarding a crime or something- clarified the blonde employee while Raphaëlle proved her job for the thousandth time that day.
-Yes, I'm Commander Coste. And the woman beside me is Astrid Nielsen, our team member. So, a young guy named Pierre was found dead, as you probably already know.
-Yes, I saw it in the news the other day…
And he was close to one of your employees… Anaïs Blaise. At least they exchanged messages. We figured out she works there.
-Actually… She's a former employee now. Resigned from her job last week. She said she didn't need that job anymore.
-And you know something more about her?
-She has worked here in the last nine months. Was one of our cashiers, and a good employee overall… never missed a work shift. Friendly, calm, never had fights with complicated customers...
-Yes… but you could maybe show us her work schedule, her days off, if you still have that information… It would be useful.
-Yeah, of course. We have our employees schedules, their days off, holidays registered in a database. I can send to you all the information we still have about her, including her address.
-Okay, many thanks… I appreciate your willingness to collaborate on our investigation.
-That's my duty, Commander. I only want justice for that poor boy. What I didn't know was that I was quite close to that situation. The world is small… one more thing I want to confide in you, it's a personal affair… nothing related to my job or hers. I saw that with my own eyes… gonna tell it. One of these days, I was smoking outside of the store, next to the parking area. It was evening, she was doing the closing time that day. She was leaving the store when a car picked her up… was another girl driving it. And when she sat down in the passenger's seat, they kissed each other, in the mouth. Probably they are a couple. The next day, I was so curious and asked who the girl was… she said I didn't have anything to do with it.
-And she was right, Monsieur… you were meddling into her private life. You're just her boss, not her best friend. At least, could you describe more or less her physical appearance?
-It was evening, the environment was a little dark, it's not easy to spot that… But for me she looked brunette, long hair, an oval face with a sharp jawline.
-Okay, many thanks again.
In the car, Raphaëlle and Astrid were discussing the interview with the manager.
-So… it was quite productive, Astrid. He gave a lot of crucial information to us. But something bothers me… he was so watchful, even asked her about a clearly private subject. I didn't like him, sounded a little bit nosy. I bet that the manager wanted to have something from her, or he has a fetish with lesbians, it's so common among straight men. Or both. Another thing, she was hooking up with a girl. Why was she talking too much with a guy, even more so because he was in love with her? That 's weird. - vented Raphaëlle.
-It is so unprofessional of the manager to ask that sort of personal questions to his workers. You are right, Raphaëlle. His competences concern the administration of the store. I don't know about the rest, you already know I'm not good at predicting other people's intentions. Actually, that's part of my autism. I only know that a man can be friends with a woman. She couldn't know he was in love with her if he hadn't said anything. It's based on pure logic.
-Well Astrid… when someone wants to dialogue so much with you, ask that type of questions, etcetera, they're probably flirting with you. They want to woo the other person, in order to have an intimate relationship. Actually it's good to have this conversation with you, you should learn that. I don't want you to be taken advantage of by someone shady. I'm your thimble, I have the responsibility of protecting and teaching you how the majority of the people are.
-Ah. It's about… bim bim?
-Yes, Astrid… it's it. Unfortunately, I suppose they never had that type of talk with you. I know how autistic people are infantilized, it's actually very dangerous to hide that information from you. It makes you even more vulnerable to sexual assault.
The commander was in love with Astrid, but she didn't want to be a jerk. She wanted the documentalist to know the basics about sexuality and consent. If not for her, it was for the blonde's safety. It was the most important, Astrid's happiness and security. So, she took the opportunity to start that necessary conversation, in a supermarket parking slot, in the evening.
-The bank was quite difficult in the start… we insisted with them and they eventually gave us the information we were requiring. Money was withdrawn from his account, one day after his disappearance. And the most startling aspect… a transfer was done to the Anais account.
-Let me complete… Blaise.
-There you go, Commander! She received money from him hours after he was seen with life for the last time. And yeah, there's the deposit. -said Nico while showing the bank extracts to Raphaelle.
Raph, Nico and Arthur went to the cashier's house. But when they arrived… It was empty. No one was there. She had run away. They got to find her as soon as possible. She was their number one suspect. After all, she was a friend of the victim, some of his money was sent to her bank account, and now she was also a fugitive. Was she with someone? Or did it all alone?
-I really doubt she could do it all alone. That's odd. - pointed out Nico.
-So, where's she? Maybe we could interview her neighbours, and post some "Wanted" signs… if someone has some information about her, please tell us something. - said Raphaëlle.
A middle-aged woman, neatly dressed, well combed blonde was arriving hurriedly at her home, when the Police intercepted her.
-Hello. Commander Coste from the Police. You live next to Anais Blaise. Do you know something about her?
-Why are you asking that? - frowned the neighbour.
-Your neighbour is suspected of murdering Pierre Bourlain.
-What? She was incapable of doing such a thing! She was a well-mannered girl. Always cheerful, helped out the community whenever she could! She even does volunteer work at your local kennel!
-Okay, okay. I understand now she loves animals. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean she also loves people. Well, she's our suspect and we have strong leads for that. She isn't home. So, since you live close, could you tell us her routine?
-Yes… She works at our local supermarket...
-We already know that - the Commander harshly interrupted.
-...but I didn't see her coming back from work last week. Actually, I have not seen her since three or four days ago. The last time I saw her she was getting in a car, it was early morning, probably 7 AM. Her girlfriend, a long haired brunette, was driving it. She's called Sylvie. At least I've heard her calling that.
-Okay… that's useful information.
-Wait… I overheard her speaking on the phone, the night before. I must admit it was somewhat a strange talk, I would say that it was rather inconsistent and bizarre.
-What do you mean by your last sentence?
-It sounded like a coded conversation…
-I know someone who may be brilliant decodifying it. Do you remember anything?
-She was asking her to don't forget to take her to the green fountain fields after they defeated their final boss. It was their time to enjoy the special prize. It's quite crazy. Looked like they were some fantasy characters boasting themselves, breaking away after they defeated their enemy.
-Green fountain? It reminds me… wait… a park more or less 5 km away from here. It has a characteristic fountain surrounded by a flower field. We should go there! - ordered Nico.
They thanked the woman and went there. Unsurprisingly, they found a girl who matched Anaïs description, with another girl! They were cuddled to each other over a picnic blanket.
-We are the Police. You're arrested for being suspects of Pierre's death.
The girlfriends obeyed without any resistance. They were taken to the precinct, where Raphaëlle interviewed both. Astrid was outside hearing it all.
-Yes… I murdered Pierre with my girlfriend. I faked romantic interest in him. I knew he had money, so me and Sylvie… planned everything.
After that, they were sent to a prison. Astrid and Raphaëlle left the building in direction to the Criminal Documentation.
-What a case, isn't it Astrid?
-Oui, it's quite surprising. Two romantic partners murdered a man because they wanted money. I can't understand it.
-Oh, people are capable of doing terrible things for money. They were greedy. And it's curious, two women doing that.
-I don't see any relevance in the fact they were two women. Character have no gender.
-Yes Astrid… but let's change the subject. I know it's not Monday… but I want you to dine in my house today. I know you don't like disruptions, but…
-Raphaëlle… You are a meaningful person for me, but I already have my day carefully planned. I can't change it unexpectedly. I know I've done it once, but it was an exception that is part of my routine now. So I am obliged to decline your invite. But I can dine with you next Monday, as usual. I am sorry.
-Don't be sorry. That's me who should apologize to you. I was a little bit unconscious and gross now. I can wait. -Raphaëlle said, at the same time she felt stabbed in the heart. But for love, she could make an effort.