Inktober 2025 - 26 - Puzzling

There is a man sitting in the great hall of the Musée d'Orsay, contemplating one of the many statues exhibited there, an air of serenity on his face.

"I'll be honest: I really didn't think I'd find you here, of all places," states a voice coming from behind his shoulder.

"Then how did you? Find me, I mean?" he asks without turning around.

"Facial recognition."

Wincing at his own confession of the underwhelming means employed, the newcomer sits down on the bench next to the man he has come to see.

"I also never thought we'd end up meeting in broad daylight," he adds.

"The fact you have it in your head that I only visit museums at night truly illustrates how little you understand me, Detective."

"I've been chasing you for years. I'd like to think I have so level of understanding of your behaviour."

"And yet…"

"Why let yourself be caught now, if you don't mind my asking?"

"I have been caught up to, not caught, yet. And the reason I have let you come to me is because it has dawned on me that you have no appreciation for the art, which means you also have no appreciation for the chase I am leading you on."

"So you wish to school me, is that it?"

"I used to, but I'm afraid you may very well be a lost cause."

"You are awfully calm and confident, for a man about to get arrested. We have the place surrounded."

"I would expect nothing less. However, what would the charges against me be, exactly?"

"Art theft, obviously."

"Would they, though?"

"Don't play coy. We have footage of you in dozens of museums and galleries around the world. Even in a few jewellery stores."

"I have never broken into any of them. I have never damaged any property. And more importantly, I have never stolen anything."

"Stealing a guard's key card is against the law."

"Please! I always return it before their next shift."

"That is not the point! And you were never supposed to be in any of those places at those times. You moved exhibits around, for pity's sake!"

"That happened once! And the curator should have been ashamed of herself anyway. I did her a favour."

For the first time, the takes his eyes of the sculpture in front of them. He looks genuinely angry at that curator.

"We have proof it was you who took those paintings from that private collection, a few years back."

"All pieces were returned in a better state than I had found them, so it doesn't qualify as stealing. And for the record, I did try to convince the owner that I would do the restoration for free, but he wouldn't budge, and I simply could not let them go uncared for for any longer than they already had."

To that statement, the Detective scoffs. He then starts shaking his head, realising this man is impossible to reason with.

"I'll give you one thing: maybe I don't understand you indeed."