Read Online The Adventures of Mademoiselle Mac 2-Book Bundle by Christopher Ward - Free Book Online Page A

“But how? How do you lift a statue from the Place de la Bastille and erase it with people all around?”
    â€œRight now we can only say when, mon ami ,” answered Magritte as he nodded calmly and lit his pipe before continuing. “At a certain time every day in this part of the city, as the sun drops low on the boulevards, casting what I think of as a surreal glow over the city, the glare is such that it causes a few moments of blindness. Pedestrians stop and shield their eyes. It’s why there are so many late afternoon accidents in the Place de la Bastille, you see.”
    I wanted to add that it might have something to do with the terrible drivers, but I didn’t want Rudee and Dizzy to take it personally.
    â€œIf you will excuse me, I wish to consult with my technicians; they’re dusting for fingerprints in the bistros surrounding the square.”
    As Magritte departed, Dizzy was already impersonating him, steepling his fingers and saying, “I’m considering every possibility.”
    Rudee was too disgusted to be amused. They were exchanging theories when I saw a small group of girls surrounding a woman waving her hands like she was fighting off a swarm of bees. Mademoiselle Lesage! I pushed through the group and put my arm over our sobbing tour guide’s shoulders. She looked up long enough to register who was consoling her as Penelope fired off a half-dozen photos.
    â€œAh, Mac, I thought we’d lost you. I am so distraught. The golden figure represents the spirit of freedom, and the Bastille is the most sacred of historical locations in all of Paris because of its connection to the Revolution....” At this, she broke down and was unable to continue.
    â€œYes, Mademoiselle Lesage, I share your moment of misery, but we must soldier on in these trying times.” Penelope gave a mock serious salute over Mademoiselle Lesage’s shoulder. “Perhaps it would be best for us to return to the residence to contemplate in solitude this devastating loss.”
    Mme Lesage nodded sadly and half-heartedly gathered up the girls. Penelope came over and said quietly, “Well done, Mac. We’ll probably head for Café de Flore in St. Germain once Lesage is safely out of sight. We used the fire escape last night. Any chance of you joining us for a chocolate chaude ? The clafouti is magnifique. No almonds in sight.”
    â€œI’ll definitely try,” I replied, but Penelope wasn’t buying it. “Look, if you can cover for me, I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
    â€œ D’accord , ‘Mystery Girl,’ but this better be worth it, or you owe me a lifetime of tea parties, teen fashion shows, and pastry-making classes.”
    I nodded reluctantly. “Maybe we’ll even play princesses like we used to,” she added with a little too much enthusiasm. “Just kidding. Okay, get out of here before Lesage retires that handkerchief.”
    I eased back into the crowd, noticing lights and a TV camera, and made my way closer. I was stunned to see our favourite windblown reporter interviewing Luc Fiat. “But Monsieur Fiat, aren’t these symbols of all that is light and right with Paris? How will this affect the mayor’s campaign?”
    He was slick, I had to give him that. With a little shrug and a patronizing smile, he oozed confidence. “You know, Louise ... and by the way, I love what you’ve done with your hair, it’s so natural and windblown ... we Parisians are not so easily disheartened. The sun will come up tomorrow, hopefully, and we will carry on as we have always done. Yes, it’s true, the loss of these beautiful golden symbols does take some of the glow from our hearts, but isn’t that what electric lights are for?”
    He chuckled greasily, and Louise seemed uncertain how to take this. Fiat went on, “But, seriousement , you know the smiles will be just as warm and the fireworks just as