The Flinck Connection (Book 4) (Genevieve Lenard) by Estelle Ryan

Francine.”
    “Aw, come on, girlfriend. A political scandal? This is so up my alley and far too much fun to not go there.”
    “Doc is right. We need more information. What do we know about this No Secrets law nonsense?”
    “It is to stop government officials from embezzling money.” Francine was up to date with most political developments. She had to be to build her elaborate conspiracy theories. “President Godard has been after this since he got serious about politics.”
    “That was ten years ago.”
    “Right you are, handsome man.” Francine winked at Manny. “He didn’t want a repeat of all those politicians in the seventies and eighties using their positions to steal gazillions from the government and from taxpayers. When he became president two years ago, a lot of people got really nervous that he now had the power to force officials to be more accountable and trustworthy.”
    “And this is actually about to happen?” Manny shook his head. “I’m yet to see a transparent government.”
    “Ooh, I really hope President Godard gets his way. The scandals coming out will be more delicious than those in the nineties.” Francine shivered with excitement. “I love that the president’s wife is pushing for this as well. She’s my hero. Smart and beautiful. She still practices as a neurosurgeon, she helps her husband in her official capacity and she’s a patron of the Libreville Dignity Foundation.”
    “I know that name. Wait a moment.” I looked through my notes until I found the relevant page. I straightened in my chair and blinked a few times. “Minister Claude Savreux was one of the founders of this charity.”
    “Bloody hell. Is this a coincidence? What do you know about this charity, supermodel?”
    “Not much. I only know about the president’s wife’s involvement. She became a patron of this charity nine years ago. They have done some amazing work, especially for Gabonese women in France and the local women in Gabon. They’re especially involved in education and health, helping these women to get the basics of both.”
    It was silent in the team room for a few seconds. Manny looked at Colin. “Would you care to enlighten us now about your mystery phone call and whatever the curator told you that made you think you know who stole the art this morning?”
    “Dude!” Vinnie punched Colin on the arm. “You know who did this?”
    “I have a suspicion, and I think it’s better if I show you. Do we have the security videos from the Jean Monnet Museum yet?”
    “I’ll check,” Francine went to her computer and smiled after a few seconds. “It’s on the system.”
    “Good. Give me a few minutes.” Colin ignored Manny’s complaints and walked to Francine. “I’m going to need your help finding another video as well.”
    After five minutes I realised it was going to take longer than another one of Colin’s inaccurate estimations of a ‘few minutes’. I went to my viewing room to organise my thoughts on my notepad. Writing things down helped me to process information.

Chapter SIX
     
     
     
    “Jenny?” It was only when Colin touched my arm that I looked up. “Are you okay?”
    I followed his glance to the paper on my desk and frowned. Instead of writing down notes about the case, I had taken out empty music sheets and had started writing Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet in A major. The need to write music occurred mostly when I was severely stressed, hence my surprise. I didn’t consider myself particularly troubled at present. But I had to admit the disorganised state of these cases could very well be the cause of my mental distress.
    I had only written a page and a half. It would’ve taken me around twenty minutes. I looked back up at Colin. “Why did you take so long?”
    “It took Francine a bit longer than expected to find the other video.” Colin was sitting next to me in his desk chair. I hadn’t heard him pull it closer. A week after everyone had moved into the team