Felicite Found Read Online Free Page A

head with a boulder the size of a small house.
    Pierre introduced Luc to the doctor and then said, “How’s she doing?”
    Before the doctor could say a word, Pierre’s mom rushed toward him, her brown hair bouncing up and down from its tousled pony-tail. “You’re all right!” She sighed, patting his arms in a way that suggested she was trying to make sure he didn’t have any broken bones. Her eyes glided over his body, scrutinizing every square inch. “Why didn’t you call me straight away?”
    “I’m totally fine. Promise.” He looked at the doctor, knowing his secret was out—he’d lied.
    “You could have been killed.” She sniffled, brushing her eyes.
    He took her into a hug. His mom’s head fit perfectly under his chin. “I’m sorry.”
    “You better be. I don’t even know what could’ve possessed you to jump into the Seine. Why, Pierre? Why?” She stepped away from him, lacing her arms across her chest and biting her quivering lip.
    Luc’s mom must not have relayed all that had happened this morning. Pierre shot a glaring you’re-an-idiot look at Luc for most likely getting the entire story wrong. “No, no. I saw some girl jump into the river. I saved her. That’s what happened.”
    “Oh, okay.” All her worry faded from her eyes, her shoulders relaxed, and a slight smile spread across her lips. “That was very brave of you, but you better call me next time something like this happens. You know how I worry.” She glanced around the room. “Where is she? How is she?”
    The doctor spoke before Pierre could answer. “Madame Rousseaux, is it?”
    “Yes, that’s correct.” She offered him the customary kisses on both of his cheeks. “But you can call me Hélène. How is she?”
    “She’s shaken up—” Mid-sentence, two police lieutenants booming voices echoed from down the hall. They asked for Doctor DePaul. With a pointed finger, the nurse directed them in our direction.
    The lieutenants marched over, heavy boots thudding on the tile. “Are you Doctor DePaul?”
    “Yes, Lieutenants, thank you for coming. This is the young man I told you about, Pierre Rousseaux. He risked his life to save the girl I called you about.” He gazed at Pierre with bright eyes and patted him on the shoulder like a proud father.
    “That was a nice thing you did for her,” the taller of the two lieutenants remarked in a deep, guttural voice while shaking Pierre’s hand in a tight grip. “I’m Lieutenant LaRoche. This is my partner Lieutenant Lambert. What happened this morning?”
    Pierre went over the details of the morning’s events, leaving nothing out. He hoped when he became a police lieutenant people would be as meticulous as this. Pride puffed in his chest. The light as air feeling drained him of tiredness and any worries.
    “Well done and thank you. I think that’s all we need from you. Please fill out this form.” Lieutenant LaRoche pulled off a white piece of paper from his clipboard and handed it over. “We’ll contact you if you can help us anymore.”
    Pierre accepted the form. “But I want to make sure she’s okay. I just can’t leave, you know?”
    “We understand, but you’ve done everything you can. We’ll take it from here,” Lieutenant Lambert—a tall, stocky man answered. He turned his attention to the doctor.
    “No, I’m not leaving. I have to see this through.” Heat filled his face and his fingers tingled from his outburst. “I mean, I wouldn’t feel right about leaving. She has no one right now.”
    “You can stay, Pierre,” Lieutenant Lambert responded and rubbed his chin.
    “Actually,” Doctor DePaul nodded to the examination room, his stethoscope bobbing around his neck, “the girl keeps asking for you, Pierre. Maybe it would be a good idea for you to stay for a while.”
    “She keeps asking for you?” Hélène’s hands rested on her hips while she tapped her foot on the ground. “I thought you didn’t know her.”
    “I swear I’ve never seen