Missing

"Bon apris-midi Mademoiselle. Est'ce que je pourrais vous aider?" asked Inspector Badeau, swiveling in his chair to welcome the visitor blowing in like a trade wind.

"I'm a Madame," she corrected, hurriedly flashing a large diamond. "I speak very little French. I mean, no hablo French", she said with concern evident on her face. "Do you hablas English?"

You don't speak much Spanish either, he thought, only slightly amused.

"Oui," he nodded. "I do speak English. Let’s begin again. How may I help you Madame?" The Inspector pulled a little black notebook from inside his suit jacket, preparing to jot down notes.

"I went to Carrefour Shopping Center an hour ago. When I returned, I found a note tacked to my front door. I thought nothing of it and I could not read it, but I assumed it advertised a new restaurant or store. But then,” she snuffled, "I recognized the organization's name that signed it....le... Front... pour... la... Liberation... well, something like that. I rushed to the garden where I last saw Emory...and..well...he was gone. Emory’s missing," she sobbed, while rummaging for a handkerchief.

"Do you have the note, Madame?" inquired the inspector, shuffling through papers, combing the desk for his reading glasses.

He reached for the folded sheet. "So, Madame, you are familiar with this Liberation Group?" he asked peering over his wire rims.

"Yes," she confirmed. "Three months, ago my husband's company in the States, sent him here..."

"To Le Visegne?" he asked, eyebrows raised.

"He works in Paris, and we chose to make Le Visegne our temporary home. Before coming to France, we did some sight-seeing and toured a quaint little spot…Graefenroda, Germany. While there, we fell in love with Eric and Emory and decided to make them our own," she said dabbing teary eyes, streaking mascara on her cheek. "One week after our arrival in France, Eric went missing. However, the Liberation returned him unharmed before we could even contact the authorities…”

“And this Liberation claimed responsibility?” he interrupted.

“Yes. They stuffed a note in his hand and left him on the front step,” she sobbed. “Can the Liberation be stopped?”

“The members must be very good at hiding their activities,” the Inspector mused. “Unless physical harm is done, the magistrates here will refuse to waste resources and investigate.”

Madame reached inside a sizable handbag and pulled out two stacks of American cash. "I am prepared to pay a $20,000 reward for the safe return of my beloved Emory.

Inspector Badeau focused his attention on the note and read its message. A slight smile curled on his lips.

“Inspector, I do not see how you can find this situation humorous,” she scolded, furrowing her brow.

"I’m sorry Madame, but according to this note, you have nothing to worry about. Allow me to read it to you: We have taken Emory but mean him no harm. Everyone deserves a day to be free from the constraints of home. You may find him at noon at Le Bosi de Vincennes Park. You may find him seated on a lakeside bench, observing rowers on the Saint Mande. Signed, le Front pour la Liberation des Nains de Jardin."

Madame's eyes flickered with hope. "I really should learn some French," she apologized. "You must think me a mess."

"Not at all Madame," he responded, glancing at his watch. "Please allow me to escort you to the park and we will retrieve Emory shortly.

**********

"Do you see him?" asked an anxious Madame.

Inspector Badeau scanned the lake's shoreline with binoculars. "The lake is large and there are many park benches... children everywhere...beautiful women…ah, yes, beautiful women...”

Madame thumped him with her bag. “Concentrate, please, Inspector.”

“Wait a minute,” he said, zooming in on a possibility. "I think I've spotted him. Red hat... yellow trousers..."

"Yes, that's him!" she celebrated. "Is he ok?"

"He appears to be fine,” he answered slipping the binoculars in a black leather case. “In fact, his smile charms me. He's directly across the lake,” he said pointing, “under that Elephant-Skinned Beech Tree."

"Oh thank you, Inspector," she said, hurrying to the car. "I will be so glad to get Emory home. " She paused to wipe her drippy nose. "Inspector, may I ask you a question?"

"Of course, Madame."

"What does," she peeked at the note again, "le... Front... pour...la... Liberation... des... Nains... de... Jardin...mean?" she asked, butchering the language.

"The English translation is 'Front for the Liberation of Garden Gnomes'."

"From now on we will keep Eric and Emory in our sun room," she stated, slipping into the passenger seat.

"A very wise decision Madame. Now, shall we secure Emory's safety?" he asked, turning on the ignition.

" Si,” she smiled broadly, “Let's."