Inspired by Johan Barthold Jongkind (1819-1891) – Cliffs of Etretat (June 16, 1857) – Water color / Black stone – 7,08 x 9,37 inch

” Shortly before 4.30 pm yesterday, a man who was on the cliff of Etretat at the level of the Golf has fallen. His body was recovered on the foreshore by a water rescue team of firefighters. In the case of a violent death, the body of the deceased, a 57-year-old man, was left at the disposal of the gendarmerie for the usual findings. A witness of the scene must be heard by the military to determine whether it is an accident or a voluntary act. “.*

Jules is sitting on a wobbly chair. He does not dare move, afraid of making too much noise and getting noticed. He hates that. A man, certainly high-ranking refering to the medals hanging on his uniform, stands in front of him and asks him in a firm and no reply tone to follow him straight away in his office . Jules carrys out the order.

So begins an intense interrogation. Short, specific questions follow one another. Jules says one thing and on the next question something else. He is completely shaken, lost. It is true that he did not take his medication this morning before leaving home. His mother reminded him at least three times before his second coffee. But he forgets. Old memories are fine. Though. Deep in thought, Jules does not answer the last three questions. The soldier starts to scream but the man sitting in front of him, empty eyes don’t get it, probably. He went a little too hard, too fast, too far. He goes out to get a colleague to help him recover “his bullshit” as he always says, once it’s too late. But this time, it’s different. Is it his look, the tone of his voice, his way of wiggling on the chair, his right leg that … he can not say but this guy, he has been interrogating for more than three hours now, is hiding something. He is sure of it. What is a 57-year-old guy, still living at his mother’s house, without a pet, doing on the cliffs? He says he does not know the victim? They are neighbors since kindergarten and have been to school together until they graduate. They may be best friends ever …

“I pushed him, he pissed me off,” Jules finally gave up.

*Source : Paris Normandie / Brèves, published on 2017/9/22