At the base.
Marc, I found an apartment that looks really nice.
Really? Julian, you're the best. Where is it?
Not very far from here, so that would be ideal. We can go see it this evening.
How many rooms?
So guys, what are you up to?
Enzo! Perfect timing. Are you free tonight to go see an apartment?
Oh yes, of course.
Four rooms, elevator and parking. Does that work for you?
Yes! And within our budget too? You're a star, I can't stand living here anymore.
Okay, see you at 6 p.m. in the parking lot. I'll drive you.
*********
A week later, on the base.
Hello, my name is Hugo Petroci. I absolutely need to speak to Marc Monvallier, please, it's very urgent.
I'm sorry, sir, but you can't just come onto a military base like this.
Yes, I understand that, but it's really an emergency. It concerns his girlfriend… I think she's in danger. Please, contact him. He needs to come here as soon as possible.
Okay… don't move from here, I'll try to find him.
**********
Hello, you asked to see me?
Mr. Petroci is asking to speak with you, apparently it's an emergency.
Petroci? … Okay, thanks, I'll go see him.
Marc?
Yes.
I'm Hugo, the… uh…
I know who you are. I saw you together at the hospital. What the hell are you doing here? Are you out of your mind, coming to my workplace?
Listen, I'm sorry. I would never have done this if I weren't really worried about Catherine.
She hasn't spoken to me in months, she's your problem now, not mine!
No, that's exactly it. She hasn't answered in three days. She didn't go to work yesterday, and today no one has seen her either. I'm sure something serious is going on. You have to come.
But come where? What do you want me to do? You two had a fight, is that it? With Catherine, it's always the same. She sulks and then she comes back, don't worry about it. Come on, ciao.
Fuck, are you going to take me seriously, you asshole!
What? Who do you think you are? Get out of here and don't ever come back. Your couple drama is none of my business.
We're not a couple anymore, for starters. And I'm telling you again, something serious is happening with Catherine. We have to go to her place.
Then go.
I've never been to her place and I don't have the keys. Otherwise, don't you think I'd already be there, idiot? Why do you think I forced myself to come here? It was to get the keys, precisely, if you don't want to come.
The keys? I don't have them! She had the locks changed so I couldn't come into the apartment without her, so obviously she didn't give me a spare. Did you call Melanie, her best friend?
She doesn't have them either. And she can't reach her either.
You mean she's not answering Melanie either?
No. Do you believe me now when I say something serious is going on?
She must have given a spare to someone… knowing her. Peter! I'll ask Peter. Don't move, I'll be right back.
Hello?
Peter, do you have a spare set of Cathy's keys?
Which keys?
Her apartment keys! She must have given you a spare.
Why do you need them?
Peter, I'm very serious. Do you have a spare or not? Her… boyfriend is on the base, she hasn't answered her phone for three days and she hasn't gone to work. Something's wrong. We have to go check on her.
Where are you right now?
At the reception desk.
Okay, meet me in the parking lot, they're in my car.
************
In the car.
So, you've never been to her place?
No. Never. She never took me there, and I never asked to go either.
But… did you have a fight? What happened?
No, not at all. We ended our relationship about ten days ago, that's all. But since then, we were calling each other every day… and then suddenly, nothing. That's not normal.
Do you think something happened? Maybe at work? It's probably her bitch of a boss harassing her again.
No, she left. Things are much better on that front. She started enjoying going to work again.
Oh. I didn't know that.
There are a lot of things you don't know.
What's that supposed to mean? She hasn't spoken to me in months, so it's normal I don't know everything.
You haven't spoken to her in months either, I remind you.
And now you're lecturing me? Do I take care of your love life? Why did you break up, tell me?
… Because of you.
Because of me???
Catherine and I never planned to become a couple at all. It just happened. We were both unhappy and we found each other. That's it. We went through a hard time together to get back on our feet… but she's thinking about you. That's why she never let me into her apartment. Because it's yours too. And seeing me in your cocoon would have been too hard for her, I think.
We're here. Park right there in front.
*************
Catherine, it's Hugo and Marc. Please open the door.
Cathy, are you there?
On the floor… look…
Oh no… Cat'! Answer me, answer me!
Hello? Yes, we need an ambulance. An unconscious woman, twenty-four years old. There are medications next to her, they look like sleeping pills, and she may have taken alcohol as well. 110 Delcourt Avenue, fourth floor, left. The door is open.
Cathy… my God, what have you done…
Marc, the paramedics are on their way. She has a pulse, don't worry.
Why did you do this? Why???
Marc, they're coming. Put her on the couch so they can take care of her.
Why did she do this? I don't understand…
Look. There are papers. Maybe that can give us a clue.
Yes… you're right… Oh shit… it's my fault. It's because of me…