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    The Pucelle Connection: Genevieve Lenard, #6
    The Pucelle Connection: Genevieve Lenard, #6
    The Pucelle Connection: Genevieve Lenard, #6
    Ebook317 pages5 hours

    The Pucelle Connection: Genevieve Lenard, #6

    By Estelle Ryan

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    Mediaeval books. Murdered priests. Bioweapons.

    Renowned nonverbal communications expert Doctor Genevieve Lenard’s search for an international criminal is interrupted when her team receives an antique book. At first the book is dismissed—until they discover similar books gifted to people who are now dead.

    Genevieve’s inner strength is put to the ultimate test when someone close to her also falls victim to the vengeful actions of an unsound mind. Barely coping with the emotional maelstrom and her doubts about her own continued involvement in the team, she looks for connections between their original case, the books and the many suspicious deaths they uncover.

    But the cost might be too high for Genevieve as she rushes to stop the person set on destroying as many lives as possible.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherEstelle Ryan
    Release dateJan 5, 2015
    ISBN9781507032626
    The Pucelle Connection: Genevieve Lenard, #6

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    Reviews for The Pucelle Connection

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    • 5/5
      Series: Genevieve LenardGenevieve Lenard works in Strasbourg, France as a data analyst for a high end art insurance company. She is a high-functioning autistic though she generally describes herself as having a non-typical neural brain. She has studied psychology and is a reknown body language expert. She has become involved with Interpol and analyzing data and determining body language. Colin Frey is a art thief turned Interpol art locator. His friend Vinnie acts as Jenny’s bodyguard. Their friend Francine is a computer hacker/security specialist for several governments. Through Phillip Rosseau her employer she also works with Manny Millard also of Interpol, though he does not know that Colin is with Interpol, and calls him and Vinnie criminals. These 5 people have united to solve art crimes.The Gauguin Connection (Book 1)Introduces that characters of the series, Genevieve Lenard, Colin Frey, Vinnie, Francie, Manfred Millard and Phillip Rousseau. Genevieve Lenard (Jenny) is the centerpiece around who the others protect and help her with attaining the information she needs to find connections to art crimes. The case begins with the arrival of Manfred Millard, a friend of Phillip Rosseau her employer, asking Genevieve to search for stolen guns from an EU military warehouse. It leads Jenny to the murder of an artist and the suicide of her murderer a Russian. It gains traction as Jenny and Colin search for and learn of 13 other murders of artists. Colin is concerned for Jenny’s safety so Vinnie moves into Jenny’s apartment as her bodyguard. The investigation, relationships and team that results is fascinating. The suspense keeps the pages turning.
    • 4/5
      Loved the main character with her quirks and skills. The interplay between the key characters was interesting. Especially loved Vinnie.I loved the plot. However, the climatic scene where Genevieve goes off on her own seemed very out of character for her and cliche. Also it felt like some aspects of the mystery was left out unsolved and without a conclusion, may be the author decided to spin it off into another book...Looking forward to reading other books in this series.
    • 4/5
      I picked up the ebook as a freebie from bookbub without expecting much. I was quickly drawn in to the story and enjoyed the characters, though I kept drawing comparison between Genevieve Lenard and Temperance Brennan (the tv "Bones" rather than the book one). There was a nice blend of humor and tension throughout the book, and I was pleased to find that there is a series of 6 more books waiting.
    • 2/5
      Enter another ersatz Lisbeth Salander: she's good with computers! she's not good with people! she's also really tedious - precisely because her 'high functioning autism' is so accurately described. Well done, Ms Ryan, but sorry, this makes for dreadful reading.
    • 4/5
      I got this for free on Amazon.com. Despite having had no expectations of it, it kept my attention and I found it hard to put the book down. Genevieve Lenard was an intriguing and unusual heroine, with autism spectrum disorder, and Genevieve's detailed descriptions of her body-language-reading was fascinating. The characters were mostly likable and lovingly drawn, even though they weren't very complex. It wasn't too difficult to figure out who the villain must be from the point of view of literary device, but it was good to have the intrigue unraveled. Some of the writing (repetition of how Genevieve would have to keep reminding herself to explain her reasoning to others, her puzzlement with idioms, etc.) could get somewhat tedious, but on the other hand, that just illustrates how Genevieve's mind works. (I did note that, as one reviewer on Amazon pointed out, Genevieve's voice did slip sometimes into using idioms, despite her supposedly not being able to understand anything but literal use of language, but I didn't find it overly distracting.)I feel like I can say many critical things about it, but the bottom line is that I truly enjoyed reading this book, and am planning to get the 2nd in the series.
    • 4/5
      A unique main character with Aspergers makes the book interesting and better than a run of the mill mystery novel.
    • 5/5
      I read this on a Kindle app on my phone so didn't get to read steadily as I usually would. That didn't affect my enjoyment of the story. Written with interesting characters, descriptions and tension, it stayed with me in my mind till the next time I was able to pick it up.

      Dr. Genvieve Lenard lives in a structured and logical world - by her choice. A high functioning Autistic person with the ability to deeply research and focus on very detailed information. Her job is insurance investigation on high dollar items, with an emphasis on reading and interpreting body language. Her world is computers, videos and a secure and private office to work in.

      When she is asked to take on the research of missing weapons as a favour to her boss, she finds her world turned upside down. Stolen guns, forged art work, dead artists are just some of what she discovers in her research. She also finds herself working with the type of people she has no tolerance for and in close proximity that is something she cannot tolerate.

      Tension, danger, humour are found in the story line to this first novel. Definitely a good read.
    • 4/5
      This book was entertaining. What got to me initially was the characters. If this were a movie I would totally see Jerri Ryan playing the role of Genevieve Lenard, the main character. I guess what I liked most is the interaction between the characters.

      However, quite frankly, this book was marketed incorrectly. What got me to pick it up was that that Genevieve was marketed as Autistic. It had very little of that. After a while, you were used to Genevieve's quirks as part of her nature. Her Autism was severely played down.

      Also, I felt that an opportunity was lost to describe the painter, Gauguin. Questions like, "what made Gauguin so unique?" "How could you tell an original from a forgery" were left unanswered. Kind of made me sad that the book didn't go into more detail in these areas.

      Otherwise, I feel that if you are a people person and are fascinated as to why people of any nature interact with one another, this is a good book to pick up.
    • 4/5
      Highly entertaining and endearing characters, I hope they go on to many more adventures. Glad I already have number 2!
    • 3/5
      This was a light read which I didn't take at all seriously. In fact, in many ways it reads like a script for a TV series of the light hearted crime sort such as "Castle". I liked the characters even if their reality is dubious. It was OK.
    • 3/5
      A friend recommended this highly. Among other attributes, she said it was humorous.I didn't find much amusing about it. I don't see how one can find the autistic subject "funny." Beyond this characterization, the plot itself was boring to a person (like I) with a short attention span. Delving into computers to chase the trails of stolen guns, stolen art, and missing artists became boring after a while. So why did I stick with it? Except when the same issue was played repeatedly, I enjoyed the character growth. Since there are 6 more books in the series, I'll probably read a couple more.
    • 5/5
      I loved this book, it had me hooked from page 1. The main character has high-functioning Autism. Because of her extraordinary ability to read non-verbal communication she works for an art insurance company in their fraud detection department. Despite her lack of social skills, she excels at her job. Unwillingly, she becomes involved in the investigation of the brutal murder of an art student.The characters were believable and intriguing, the plot was involved and fast-paced, there were twists and turns, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I can't wait to read the next one.
    • 3/5
      I enjoyed this book; however, it was way too long because around page 325 I wanted it to be over. The heroine has a form of Aspergers and retreats into herself playing Mozart in her mind when she feels stressed. She's sort of a blend of Hercule Poirot, Monk and Sheldon Cooper. She works for a company that insures valuables and is looking into stolen art which brings a "cat burglar" into her home who's looking into the death of artists. Of course he very handsome, tolerant, and gentle with her because of her condition. Because of a lack of socialization skills, she reads people (that was explained numerous times) and is able to tell who's lying.
    • 4/5
      I applaud the author's choice to use a woman with highly functional autism as her lead character. The team she allows to build around her, a law enforcement detective, criminals, a hacker and her mentor at the art insurance organization she works in, introduces us to different individual characteristics that make for very interesting study. The science of body and facial language is liberally shared in this thriller and provides interesting side bars to the story. Genevieve Lenard, highly skilled in reading facial and body language, lover of lists and with the ability to find patterns in behavior and events, is called in to help solve the mystery behind the murder of an unidentified female with a piece of canvas identified as a Gauguin painting, a dead Russian who died shouting an apparently insensible riddle and stolen military weapons. I don't know enough about autism to know if a person who has been thus diagnosed would so easily be able to master control over some of her coping mechanisms. In this case, our protagonist, at the beginning of the story, needs to write out Mozart compositions on music sheets in order to calm herself down, but over the course of a matter of days, she appears to no longer need that familiar coping mechanism but has managed to switched to just imagining writing the scores in her mind in order to calm herself down. It's an interesting and entertaining thriller, not least because of the interplay between the characters and I'm looking forward to following this series.
    • 4/5
      I read this book after reading the Dante Connection - which I thought was amazing. This first book in the series was helpful that it gave the initial introduction to the characters that I read about in the second installment. I thought that was a real plus.However, I do not think that this book was on par with the Dante Connection. While this book was better than average (I rate it only 3.5 stars), it was a bit of a let down. I do recommend this book simply because you should be wildly impressed by the next one in the series. I am up in the air regarding the next book in the series. I do like the characters, and the author is skilled. However, I am not sure that I am willing to shell out $5.99 if it is only on par with this book. I will have to check out the reviews across a number of sites.
    • 3/5
      Anyone who has watched episodes of television series like Bones or Monk, or who has seen the movie Temple Grandin is going to have a bit of insight into the fascinating character of Dr. Genevieve Lenard. Lenard may have a very high IQ, and she may be extremely successful at what she does, but it is due to her finding someone who is willing to deal with her on her own terms and special needs. Social interaction is not Lenard's thing; to do her best work, she needs to keep herself at a distance, and distance is certainly not what she's allowed in The Gauguin Connection.Author Estelle Ryan does an excellent job in portraying her quirky, prickly, and nervous main character, although in the first third of the book Ryan does become very repetitive in cataloging facial muscles and Lenard's habits. The first person narrative works well in getting the reader into the mind of this unusual woman.The author also does a fine job in bringing the reader into the shadowy world of art forgery and art fraud-- from the scruffy apartments of the forgers to the glittering world of the wealthy whose preferred palette is that of theft and deception. Ryan also creates a real sense of fear and danger in a scene when Lenard is faced with three of the men she is trying to find.The book is filled with unusual, interesting characters, and I learned much about how people with high-functioning Autism learn to cope and contribute. The shadowy side of the art world that we see was also informative and conveyed a true sense of danger; however, there were a couple of things that felt a bit uncoordinated. I've already mentioned the repetitive elements as Ryan set up her main character, and the other awkwardness I felt has much to do with the setting. This book supposedly takes place in Strasbourg, France, but-- other than a rare mention of a medieval street or tower-- The Gauguin Connection feels as though it could be set just about anywhere in the world. In addition, the characters all sound American, although they're not. I have to admit that my mind's eye and ear missed those bits of authenticity. Even though I felt the lack of these elements, what is there-- a fascinating main character and a whale of a good story-- has me wanting to read more about Dr. Genevieve Lenard.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed reading this book.Excitement and Action from an unlikely Heroine but somewhat pedantic in some of the long winded extemporations within the script not to mention the extensive use of Latin Human AnatomicalTerminology....Yawn inducing...just like this review I'm sorry to say.
    • 4/5
      Dr Genevieve Lenard is an art crime investigator. She has Asperger's, but is high functioning and has the uncanny ability to fluently read other people's body language. In this mystery thriller, stolen art and stolen warfare seem to overlap. The characters are great, the plot moves well and Genevieve is unintentionally very funny. I am really looking forward to the second in the series! (If you want a longer, funnier review, go read Richard's. I think it is his fault I read this.)
    • 5/5
      The Gauguin Connection: A Genevieve Lenard Novel (Volume 1) by Estelle Ryan is the first in a mystery series about insurance investigator Genevieve Lenard. Genevieve is a world renowned expert in nonverbal communication which comes in handy in her job: she's a human lie-detector. Her ability to understand non-verbal communication also helps her manage in her everyday life since she also happens to have high functioning Autism. She lives an independent life, managing her quirks and anxieties with familiar routines. All that is thrown into chaos when she is asked to look into the murder of a young artist. Soon the case becomes even more complicated and Genevieve is thrust into the world of international art fraud and a criminal conspiracy. Even more frightening is the prospect of new people in her life and friendship.I enjoyed this book very much. Genevieve's voice is different and refreshing. Viewing the world through her eyes is enlightening. In some ways she reminded me of Turing Hopper, the artificial intelligence detective character in Donna Andrew's mystery series. Genevieve is brilliant, and understands so much about her fellow humans and their motivations. Yet emotional human interactions are also a mystery to her. The background of art fraud and international crime was well researched. All the characters that enter Genevieve's life are interesting and funny. A highly enjoyable and promising start to a mystery series.
    • 4/5
      Six-word review: Autism heightens investigator's unusual sleuthing skills.Extended review:Here are the notes I jotted down right after finishing the book, a month ago now. I'm afraid I no longer remember what I had in mind when I wrote "magnetism." I enjoyed the story well enough, and I'll probably read the next in the series, but this is as far as I feel like exerting myself right now for the sake of this review.entertaining chasecomplex plot--lost track a few timesinteresting charactersmagnetismenticing ambiguity of relationshipsmaddeningly repetitive like Connie Willis--we get it--her traits, such as taking things literally--themes like male territorialityMonk on overdrivecontradictioncan learn 3 languages but can't master a glossary of English slang and idiomson one page she doesn't understand a remark and on another she uses it herself (what?)I did give it three and a half stars at the time, which is a solid "okay" in my book.(Kindle version)
    • 4/5
      I received this book as part of a LibraryThing Member Giveaway. I really enjoyed this book. The main character, Dr. Genevieve Lenard is a high-functioning autistic. Seeing the world through her eyes and learning how she copes is fascinating for me. I have worked with autistic children, and I loved the insight into her character. I also loved the explanation of how she reads body language. I found that very informative, as that is something that has always interested me. The other characters were well-written and fun, especially their interactions with each other. The plot was complicated, and I would have liked a summation at the end of the story of all the connections, especially between the art crimes and the stolen arms, as I didn't think that connection was explained clearly enough. I will be reading the next installment in this series with pleasure.
    • 3/5
      Genevieve Lenard is a high-functioning autistic (or something like that) with a deeply-schooled expertise in 'reading' people by their involuntary reactions and body language. Most of the time she can work in her own specially designed room at an insurance firm, analyzing video to detect fraud without actually having to be in contact with other people. But her boss is asked to help solve a problem involving art fraud and theft, and as the problem expands into arms theft, serial murder and international intrigue, Genevieve comes in contact, literally, with more people than she ever imagined she could put up with.As a mystery plot, pretty good. Lots of interesting links between disparate parts of the problem are fodder for our heroine's pattern recognition skills. The characters are a little far-fetched, but not annoyingly so.What is really annoying is how many times the author reminds us of her heroine's peculiar view of the world and of language. Genevieve may be trapped in a very literal mindset, but she is old enough and schooled enough to recognize far more idioms than she does. The first-person narration allows us to learn how she views and copes with the world, but the often excruciating details of her thinking are reiterated too far into the book. And the romantic setup is rather far-fetched.The book is the first in a series. I'm hoping the author will get past the introductory tics and simplify so that we can enjoy a good plot without tripping over the meme too many times.
    • 5/5
      I won a copy of this book from Libray Thing's Membership Giveaway program and I'm glad I entered the contest. This book has it all: fascinating characters, a unique plot, and an intelligent writing style. I didn't want to close my reader and read it quickly. I don't read a lot of mysteries but a detective, or in this case, art fraud investigator, who is a high functioning autistic and world expert at interpreting physical communication is certainly distinctive, and probably unique. Highly recommended.
    • 5/5
      Fascinating characters! Interesting eye opener to the world of art.
    • 5/5
      What fun! Art forgeries, murders and stolen weapons. I originally picked this book because the author has the same (uncommon) name as I do. But Genevieve, the intrepid autistic investigator pulled me in.
    • 4/5
      Dr Genevieve Lenard is an expert in non-verbal communication works for an insurance company. Where she is involved in a case of the murder of a young artist. Leading to stolen guns, art forgeries and some interesting characters.
      Look forward to reading more.
    • 5/5
      This is an exciting first work from the Geneviève Lenard series and I will definitely read the other books in this series as well.Geneviève works in a renowned insurance company. She specializes in reading body language. Even she hardly dares to trust people because she is autistic. Her boss has the greatest understanding and gives her a free hand and respects her comfort zone. But suddenly she has to find out for the European secret service why young art students are murdered and why more than a thousand confiscated weapons have disappeared. If she could do all of this from her safe office or 'safe' home, it would not be a problem. Unfortunately, she has to leave her comfort zone much too quickly. On the one hand, two men step into her life to protect and support her, on the other hand, the bad guys also threaten her life.
    • 4/5
      Estelle Ryan is a delightful new author for me. I really enjoyed her writing in the first Genevieve Lenard series of a conspiracy for forged art, corruption in international policing with good-guys versus the baddies. The protagonist, Genevieve, is a highly intelligent young woman coping with some level of autism. I know very little about the autism spectrum, so cannot evaluate whether it was accurately portrayed. However, the story seemed totally feasible from that point of view and Ryan made the situation sympathetic and 'Jenny' a very engaging character.The supporting cast were well drawn, fully 3-dimensional people. The crisp writing allowed the plot to proceed smoothly and not overwhelm the story with too much superfluous detail. That detail did threaten on occasion, but the action led to enough suspense to make it work out.Lost a star because the dénouement was wrapped up all too quickly and lost sensible momentum with Genevieve foolishly following the main criminals and leaving her protective companions with no idea where she had gone. It was entirely unrealistic that she wasn't killed outright.Despite this criticism, the next book in this rather unique series is on my list of "next immediate reading".
    • 5/5
      I think the low rating were left by neurotypicals, I enjoyed it
    • 4/5
      Doctor Genevieve Lenard is a mix of fictional characters Sherlock Holmes and Temperance Brennan and real life Temple Grandin thrown into the mix—she is a brilliant world renowned expert in non-verbal communication; or as one of the other characters calls her Dr. Face-Reader. Genevieve struggles with autism spectrum disorder, which manifests in ways that make it difficult for her to interact with people. She doesn’t get popular lingo, and if her possessions aren’t perfectly placed or someone encroaches on her space she gets upset and her mind takes her to a safe place for a time out. She works for an exclusive Insurance Company and when her boss brings her into a case involving a young murdered artist, a painting by Gauguin insured by their company, and stolen guns she finds herself being surrounded by strangers and put into dangerous situations. 4 stars for book one of Estelle Ryan’s new series. I especially loved the humorous bits of dialogue between the Doctor and the people she’s teamed up with to solve this mystery. I read this on Kindle.

    Book preview

    The Pucelle Connection - Estelle Ryan

    Acknowledgements

    ––––––––

    Most authors would tell you that writing is an isolating and lonely profession. I don’t experience that. I am honoured to have the love, interest and unconditional support of amazing people. They pull me back into reality, make me laugh and definitely make me feel loved.

    As always, Charlene, for your love and support. Linette, for always being there. Moeks, for being a pillar. Anna, for your support. R.J. Locksley for your astute editing. Julie, Kamila, Jola, Ania S, Alta, Krystina and Maggie for your continued interest and support. Jane, for your continued love and support.

    A very special thank you to all the wonderful readers who have contacted me and who keep in touch through Facebook – thank you. Every email, every comment touches me deeply and is more appreciated that I can ever express.

    Dedicated

    ––––––––

    To Ania B

    Chapter ONE

    ––––––––

    This looks like an original Pucelle. Colin frowned as he turned the antique-looking book over. The moment Phillip had shown him the small book, Colin had covered his hands in his scarf and touched the book with reverence. There are very few of his illuminated manuscripts on display. Even fewer artists would ever consider forging his works. Especially a book of hours. Where did you get this?

    It was a gift. My boss, Phillip Rousseau, straightened his shoulders in response to Colin’s accusatory stare. You should know better than to look at me like that, Colin.

    Colin Frey was a member of our team working on art crimes and other cases selected by the president of France. He was also a thief working for Interpol. And he was my romantic partner. His expression was contrite as he briefly closed his eyes and nodded. My apologies. This is just... it’s unexpected.

    We were standing in our team room in the offices of Rousseau & Rousseau, Phillip’s high-end insurance company in Strasbourg. It was three minutes past eight in the morning and as usual we were first in the office. Like many non-neurotypicals, I followed a routine every day and it was very important to me. It made me feel safe. It made me feel that everything was under control. I knew this was an illusion, but since I could control my routine, I insisted on it.

    I understood that neurotypicals didn’t have the same obsessive needs and I didn’t expect punctuality from the rest of the team. Yet Colin insisted on driving to work with me every morning. He said it was no problem for him to fall in with my schedule. It was becoming a problem for me. He was becoming part of my routine and I dreaded the day he would be late. I didn’t expect my reaction to be favourable.

    I shifted the strap of my handbag still slung over my shoulder. Phillip hadn’t given us time to settle in my viewing room. The moment we’d stepped into the team room, he’d been there, holding the book in cotton-gloved hands.

    Who gave the book to you? I took my handbag from my shoulder and keyed my code into the glass door to my viewing room. I needed to finish my routine. The door whooshed open and I walked in, knowing the two men would follow me.

    It was sent by a new client, Phillip said. "Why they would send me a gift is beyond me. They are our clients. We are supposed to be sending them gifts."

    Good morning, all you beautiful people. Francine walked into my room. Today, she was wearing black leather pants, a white silk shirt and a lot of gold jewellery. Instead of looking tawdry, the four different chains around her neck, hoop earrings and noisy bracelets added a flamboyant finish to her outfit. She was one of the top hackers in the world, our team’s IT expert and called herself my ‘bestest’ friend. She was also notoriously curious. What are you looking at? Something fabulous?

    Colin lifted the book. An illuminated Gothic manuscript.

    Ooh! She stood closer and stared at the book. Gothic like with vampires, black makeup and The Cure?

    Colin laughed. No. Gothic like the mediaeval age just before the Renaissance period.

    Pah. She waved one hand, bracelets jingling. Not as exciting.

    Looking for another scandal, supermodel? Colonel Manfred Millard asked from the team room. He was the only law enforcement member of our team and, according to Francine, had a dry British sense of humour. Since my brain processed everything literally, I didn’t understand humour and didn’t know if Francine’s assessment was correct. I didn’t consider him comical. He dropped his coat on his desk and walked into my room. It was beginning to feel very crowded. This was why I preferred we had our meetings in the team room. There was a large round table and the room was two and half times the size of mine.

    The soundproof viewing room was supposed to be exclusively my domain where I watched footage of interviews with clients and suspects. Analysing their nonverbal cues, looking for inconsistencies was not only my forte, but it gave me great pleasure. In the last two and a half years, I’d given up any hopes of being left alone for hours on end, losing myself in these activities. Nowadays, I’d become accustomed to constantly being interrupted by my team.

    Hey, you handsome beast. Francine blew Manny a kiss. I’m hoping you will make a scandal with me. We can rock each other’s worlds and make headlines at the same time.

    Manny waved his forefinger at her. One day. One day your big talk is going to come back and bite you in the...

    In my sexy tush? Ooh, I didn’t know you were into that. She pretended to shiver.

    Manny sighed heavily, pointed at the book and looked at me. What’s happening here, Doc?

    Phillip received a book from a client. Colin thinks it is an original Pucelle. Francine thinks Gothic art has some connection to vampires. I looked at Francine, my brow furrowed. You’re far too intelligent to entertain the silliness of vampires. Someone as well-read as you should know the myth comes from folklore, ignorance about the human body’s decomposition process and mass hysteria.

    But they’re sexy.

    I recognised Francine’s body language and facial expressions. She was baiting me. It gave her inexplicable pleasure to fluster me with her outrageous theories and beliefs in inanities. Colin bumped me with his shoulder, his smile soft. He enjoyed that the team was teasing me. I knew this indicated their affection. Yet after two years, I still wasn’t comfortable with it. No. No. I’m not being drawn into this. Tease Manny. He enjoys it. I’m not going to get into another debate with you. Not today.

    I do not enjoy supermodel’s pestering. Even though the corners of Manny’s mouth were turned down, his other micro-expressions belied his outrage.

    You do. I pointed to his eyes. When Francine teases you, your eyes widen which is a sign of pleasure, your pupils dilate which is a sign—

    Can we analyse this book, missy? Manny only called me ‘missy’ when I’d done something irksome.

    I thought about what I’d said, but couldn’t find the reason his nostrils were flaring, Francine looked surprised and Colin was laughing. I returned to the neutral topic. I will need to know more about this book to analyse it.

    Frey can start by telling us who this Tucelle was.

    Pucelle. I bit down hard to prevent myself from berating Manny for getting another name wrong. He was baiting me. Just like Francine.

    Jean Pucelle was possibly the most prominent artist of the first half of the fourteenth century. Colin’s posture straightened. He loved talking about art. His distinctive style influenced the future of French illuminations.

    And an illumination is what? Manny lifted one eyebrow, his lips pulling to one side in a half-sneer. Intellectual enlightenment?

    Colin closed his eyes and sighed. Oh, you ignorant old man. Gothic-era illuminated manuscripts were Bibles, books of hours and psalters. Later on, the production of such works included more secular books like chronicles and other works of literature.

    And how were they illuminated? Manny moved his hand in a rolling motion, hurrying Colin along.

    Like this. Colin carefully opened the book and lifted it for us to see. See how the text is decorated, especially the first letter of the paragraph? This one also has marginalia, borders and miniature illustrations to accompany the writing. In the strictest definition, illuminated manuscripts are only those decorated with silver or gold. But today, this term is used for all decorated or illustrated manuscripts.

    And this book is suspicious why? Manny reached for the book, but Colin pulled it closer to him, glaring at Manny.

    You don’t touch an antique book with your bare hands. The pages are fragile.

    "Bon giorno! Vinnie’s greeting boomed from the team room. What y’all doing in there?"

    Out! I motioned everyone out with my hands. If we’re having a team meeting, we should have it in the team room. Out. Go.

    No one reacted to my annoyed tone. Instead they filed out of my room and took their usual places at the round table. Vinnie played an important role in our team with his connections in the crime world. When he wasn’t helping us, he was maintaining his reputation as a ruthless criminal. But that was not the man I knew. Sharing an apartment with us, Vinnie was light-hearted, protective and had taken complete control of my kitchen. Now, he was unpacking pastries onto a plate, listening as Colin filled him in. Colin sat down next to me, reverently handling the leather-bound book.

    Someone gave you a mediaeval book as a thank you? Vinnie nodded slowly. I’d have gone with a bottle of rum.

    Who is the client? Manny’s attempt to make the question sound nonchalant failed. The concern was evident in his voice and on his face.

    ZDP.

    Who are they? What do they do?

    They’re an investment brokerage company. Phillip took the cotton gloves off and placed them on the table. It’s an old company, established by the current owner’s grandfather ninety years ago. It survived the Second World War and numerous depressions and is still going strong.

    What is Rousseau & Rousseau insuring? Their assets? Investments? Francine asked.

    Their art. The pieces in their head office alone amount up to over nineteen million euro. Phillip stopped as Tim, his assistant, entered the room with a tray filled with steaming coffee mugs.

    Tim placed the tray next to the plate of pastries and glared at Vinnie. These are not better than the ones I get.

    Dude, your little pastries are for metrosexuals. These pastries are for real men. Vinnie pushed an entire éclair in his mouth. I shuddered.

    You’re an unsophisticated lug. Tim sniffed, turned on his heel and left the room.

    Why is this book suspicious? Manny asked, his teeth clenched. He took his mug of milky tea from the tray. I don’t want to ask every question fifteen times, Frey.

    It’s not the book per se, Colin said absently. He carefully turned another page, his eyes narrowing as he brought the book closer to inspect something that had caught his interest.

    It’s odd that a client sends us a gift, Phillip said. Not unheard of, just odd.

    So there’s nothing to be concerned about then. Manny slouched in his chair. Why all the excitement so early in the morning? Before my tea no less.

    I wouldn’t say it’s nothing to be concerned about, handsome. Francine turned to Phillip. You said that the book was sent by ZDP. Right?

    Yes.

    Well? Did anyone check it for electronics? She lowered her voice. We know that the CIA, FSB and many other alphabet agencies have devices small enough to hide in the pages of a book. They could be listening to us right now.

    Again with your conspiracy theories? Manny slouched deeper into his chair. Not everyone is out to get you, supermodel.

    She leaned closer to Manny. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not there.

    Let’s check this sucker. Vinnie got up, disappeared into my viewing room and returned with a small handheld device.

    Where did you get that? My tone might have been a bit too harsh, but he had just come from my viewing room. My sacred space. Did you store that in my room? It’s my room. Not your office.

    Vinnie chuckled. I put it in Colin’s desk drawer, Jen-girl. I would never dream of invading your space.

    Oh. I didn’t know what else to say.

    Hold it up for me, dude. Vinnie waited until Colin lifted the book. He used the device as a wand and ran it around the book, spending extra time on the spine. No one spoke. After a second sweep, Vinnie straightened. Nope. Nothing that can transmit or that has any power.

    That thing accurate, criminal? Manny nodded at the device in Vinnie’s hand.

    Better than any of the toys the agencies have. Vinnie lifted his chin. I’m not telling you where I got this. Just be happy that I can clear these two rooms of bugs any time.

    If you didn’t get as defensive as a teenage girl, I was going to ask how often you scan these rooms.

    Oh. Sorry. Vinnie shrugged. I sweep both rooms every morning.

    Good.

    Hmm. Colin turned another page. His expression was no longer one of appreciation and focus, but rather of concern.

    What? I leaned a bit closer. He was on the last two pages of the book. The text was slightly faded, the pages yellowed from age. Each page had five lines written in ornate letters. The rest of the pages were filled with lavish drawings. What appeared to be religious icons were coloured with rich blues and reds, with shades of yellow, pink and turquoise. I was so busy appreciating the intricate art of the written text that it took a few seconds to register that something was out of place. I see it.

    What are you two talking about? Manny leaned forward.

    This isn’t Latin. Colin turned back two pages and pointed to the text. Until this, the whole book is in Latin, as was usual for these books during that time. He turned to the next page. The last three pages are not Latin.

    What is it then? Phillip put his coffee mug on the table.

    I leaned even closer and frowned. It... it looks like a code.

    A code? Manny glared at the book. Does that mean the book is forged?

    Most definitely. Colin put the book on the table. "It took only a few pages to see that it is a brilliant forgery. Whoever did this has an amazing skill. He used the correct type of parchment from that era. The text is in exactly the same style as Pucelle’s original book of hours, Jeanne d’Evreux. The burnished gold dots, the rinceaux, this floral motif around the border, everything is as if Pucelle had come back to life and done this book again. The person who did this has mastered not only a unique skill, but also the ability to make an exact copy of Pucelle’s work."

    Let me see. Phillip put his gloves back on and took the book from Colin. He chose random pages in the book, went to the last three pages and checked another few pages in the rest of the book. Most peculiar.

    You see it? Colin asked.

    Yes. I think Genevieve is correct. Phillip narrowed his eyes. These are Latin letters, but I think some of them might be Roman numerals.

    A book cipher? It had been my first thought. Book ciphers replaced the original words of the message or text with the location of the words from the book being used, the key book.

    Phillip looked up. You would know best. Codes are not my forte.

    Are you people sure it’s not some strange language? Manny’s gaze went from me to Colin and back to me. Just because you don’t recognise it doesn’t mean it is a code.

    Colin shook his head. I can’t speak many languages, not like Jenny, but I recognise most modern and a few ancient languages.

    I nodded. It’s true. I surmise it is a skill connected to his forging abilities.

    Thank you, love. Something in Colin’s tone alerted me that his thanks was not one hundred percent sincere.

    Let me get this straight. Manny placed both hands on the table. This is a gift from a new client. It is a forgery of some antique Gothic book with three pages in the back that don’t fit.

    Give Millard a prize. Colin smiled when Manny scowled at him.

    I still think it is suspicious and should be treated as a danger to us all. Francine looked down her nose at Manny. And don’t tell me I’m being paranoid. A bit of paranoia can save lives.

    I agree. Pack that book up. I’m sending it to the labs for tests.

    Francine’s eyes widened and she slapped both hands on her chest. Be still, my beating heart. Grumpy has just agreed with me.

    Manny ignored her. He lowered his chin, his expression without any of the usual bantering. Take photos of all the pages, Doc. But wear gloves. I’ll get it to the lab to be tested and you and the thief can uncrypt the code.

    Uncrypt isn’t a word. I closed my eyes and nodded. We’ll take the photos.

    Have you thanked this client for their gift? Manny asked Phillip.

    Not yet. It was delivered a few minutes before Colin and Genevieve came in.

    Hmm. Manny took a sip of his tea. Phone them. Thank them for this marvellous gift and all that BS they need to hear.

    Phillip lifted one eyebrow. And why should I use all that... BS?

    If they didn’t send this, they won’t know what you’re talking about. Vinnie took the last croissant from the plate. If they sent it, you might be able to wrangle some more info from them.

    Manny acknowledged Vinnie with a single nod. Either way, we might get more info on this book.

    I’ll phone them as soon as we’re done here.

    Good. Now tell me how we’re doing with that list of companies. Manny was talking about a case that we’d been following up on for the last four months. In summer, one of our investigations had brought Laurence Gasquet to our attention. He’d had contacts in Interpol, which had allowed him to conduct illegal and highly unethical business for more than a decade. The crime that had crossed our desks still affected my sleep.

    His Interpol accomplices had been tried and were serving long sentences. Gasquet was still at large. The last four months we had been looking into his corporate security business in the hopes of finding him. We had not found him yet, but weekly we uncovered new bank accounts where he’d been funnelling money.

    Since we hadn’t found a client list anywhere, we’d been working our way through his many bank accounts to find his customers. Tracing payments into every account we discovered gave us new clients to investigate. Some had contracted Gasquet’s security services for a few weeks, some for months. Some had shown many questionable business activities, some were completely legal in all their dealings. Francine had demonstrated the level of her skills by scrutinising each of Gasquet’s bank accounts and finding links to more accounts which led us to more companies who had employed Gasquet.

    We found another two clients yesterday. Francine placed her empty mug on the table. One of those was a data storage service. They hired Gasquet three years ago to run a systems security check. And went bankrupt last year.

    Anything interesting about that company?

    Nah. Francine’s shoulders dropped. No scandal there. They were too small-time anyway.

    I watched as Francine bit her bottom lip and pinched the skin under her chin. A very telling nonverbal cue. You found something that is causing you concern.

    Is it the second client? Manny asked.

    No. Francine shook her head. No, they are an online clothing store. They specialise in designer pants for larger women. Their contract with Gasquet was for a project that lasted three months. I have their contact details.

    I’ll speak to them today. Manny straightened out of his slouch. Now tell us what is worrying you, supermodel.

    An hour ago, I found another bank account.

    We’re now up to what? Eight? Vinnie made a rude noise. That ass has more bank accounts than you have shoes.

    Francine laughed. Impossible, Vinnie. He cannot have a hundred and seventy-three bank accounts.

    Bloody hell, woman. Manny’s corrugator supercilii muscle pulled his eyebrows together. Nobody needs that many shoes.

    Say that again and I’ll never make you my grammy’s Brazilian cookies. She glared at Manny until he waved her on. "At the risk of Genevieve shouting at me for speculating, I’m going to say that I think we’ve cut off most of Gasquet’s funds. But the account I found yesterday has twenty-seven thousand euro in it. Well, it had twenty-seven thousand euro in it."

    He withdrew money? I asked.

    Where? Manny asked.

    Francine swallowed. From ATM’s in Saint-Dizier, Void-Vacon and then Saverne.

    "That’s en route from Paris to Strasbourg. My heart rate increased. He’s coming here?"

    We don’t know if he’s even left Strasbourg, love. Colin took my hand between both of his.

    The flare of excitement about the book of hours and the possible book cipher diminished, replaced by dread. Despite the time passed, I didn’t feel prepared for another close encounter with a man as ruthless and, to use Francine’s word, evil as Gasquet. How did you find this bank account?

    By seeing what looks like double payments. I don’t know how else to describe it. So far, I’ve found two such transactions. Both were cash deposits and are untraceable. She swiped her tablet screen and bank statements appeared on the large screen against the wall. This is the transaction history for May two years ago for two of Gasquet’s accounts. Look at the third of this month.

    Ten and a half thousand euro was deposited into the first account. Four days later, twenty-one thousand euro was paid into the second account. Exactly double the amount. I wondered what this meant. If it had any meaning.

    Francine tapped on her tablet and new bank statements appeared. These are two other accounts. The statements are from August last year.

    On the seventh, eight thousand euro deposited, five days later sixteen thousand in the other account. Manny scratched his jaw. Strange.

    Have you found more? I asked.

    No. She shook her head. I’ve just discovered this.

    We need to look for more such transactions.

    Francine looked at her watch. I’ve gotta go out for a while. I’ll get back to this as soon as I return.

    Where are you going? Manny asked. You should be here. Working.

    She lifted one eyebrow. I’m taking Caelan some clothes I found online. He’s going to love the three shirts. They’re all the same style, but have different buttons.

    Francine was talking about the young man who had helped us find some of Gasquet’s illegal activities in the last case. Typical of someone on the autistic spectrum, he was socially unskilled and not well adjusted to society. In the last five months, Manny and Francine had made a point of visiting him, making sure he was looking after himself. Manny didn’t like anyone knowing about it, but his micro-expressions revealed that he liked Caelan.

    He’s not going to like the buttons, Manny said.

    He is. I asked him and even showed him the shirts online.

    Oh. Manny pulled his shoulders back. I’ll come with you.

    Immediately they started arguing about whose car to take and who was to drive. I had also been spending time with Caelan. Most times, he came to visit me in my viewing room and we would talk. He was a highly intelligent teenager and I hoped to encourage him to start a university course within the next two years. Emotionally, he was not ready for it.

    I returned my thoughts to the case that had brought Caelan to us. The four transactions might be a pattern that I’d missed in the months of looking through these documents.

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