I'm reading a book in French called Le Prince de la Coke. I stumbled upon news of this explosive second book while exploring YouTube. There was a link to a name I hadn't encountered for nearly 10 years. Out of curiosity and almost shock I watched several videos of my ex-boyfriend Gérard being interviewed by journalists, lawyers and Radio and TV presenters.
It turns out that all the crazy stories he had told me were true. Indeed he really had been a notorious French (and elsewhere) gangster. He was a top drug trafficker, specialising in cocaine to the rich and famous, the right-hand man for Marseille-based godfather Gaetan Zampa, a bank robber/hitman until he was arrested in 1986. Gérard has spent a total of 18 years behind bars in various countries and escaped three times but, as his interviews reveal, it wasn't always so bad. Being such an important gangster he had access to everything he wanted in France. Holland had been his crime university. He put his years in prison in various countries to good use learning languages, accounting, passing exams and writing.
Gérard had shown me drafts of his books and poems in 2010 but at the time was too afraid of assassination if he published them so I advised him to leave the manuscripts with his lawyer. With the passage of time and deaths of many of those he had dealings with, such as corrupt politicians, the elite, intellectuals, businessmen, music celebrities etc he has less to fear though he has recently received threats. His protection, he says, is that if anything was to happen to him the proof would be exposed and that would be very bad for the perpetrators. He supplied the likes of the French equivalent of Jeffrey Epstein, former French President Chirac, Mick Jagger, Johnny Hallyday, Yves Saint Laurent, Robert Stigwood, dealing with the Vatican, to name only a few. He is staunchily against child sex trafficking and pedophilia and is trying to raise awareness of the extent of this activity. His book alludes to a member of the British Royal Family. We can guess who. He detests the hypocrisy of politicians, has some revenge as a motivation, and maybe he is looking for some sort of redemption because his crimes are many.
As I watched and listened to the videos I was transported back to our time together which had its highs and lows. Highs because he was super intelligent, handsome and charming and could be down-to-earth, helping me put up curtains with his electric drill, helping me find a winter coat, and going grocery shopping together but he also had angry moods, fear of the cops, a revolver handy, and irrational behaviour, and that's why I did not remain in the relationship. He had been very open with me about his really bad past but had a good side too and that's the one I mostly enjoyed with him.
His first book 'Dealer to the Whole of Paris' was published in 2018 and has sold out. This second book chronicles his life, lifting the lid on his famous coke clients and his work with the DEA. He had told me he was retired from the women, the champagne, the drugs. I gave him the benefit of the doubt; he was no longer young, but I was a little dubious when he tried to give me a fur coat and jewellery. I was also a bit perturbed at le Chesnay shopping centre as he encountered guys who were almost kissing his hand like Michael Corleone in the godfather. He admits he spent a large part of his life as an amoral and immoral creature. I wonder what happened between 2010 and now? Has he been back in prison? If so for what, at his age? Did he go back for the watch in a Belgian jail after our breakup and get incarcerated as a public enemy? His wikipedia entry is incomplete and poorly translated.
Now 74 years old, he prefers to write and has married the ex-wife of a prominent cop. I contacted him recently to offer congratulations on his publishing success, imagining he would never remember me, but he did, replying it would be impossible to forget a lovely creature such as me. He asked about earthquakes in Christchurch and was it safe there now? He gave me his mobile number in case I am ever near Paris. I'd love to have a catchup one day. I have a great many questions. I have never forgotten him and in a corner of my mind I have a soft spot for him - the ultimate really bad boy.
Note: You may ask why on earth I would I have a relationship with someone who has done so many bad things? The pre-2010 me would think the same, but you see I was utterly alone on the other side of the planet. I had lost my country, my language, my home and job, my relationships and all my belongings from 55 years. No friends or family. There was only NOW. I was looking at a fresh, blank page and the chance to have new and richer experiences. My work colleagues, who had met him, said give him a chance if he treats you well, so I did, until the sudden, bizarre and shocking end of our relationship. My spirit is far more open to possibilities these days. In fact the worst life for me would be a mundane one. That is intolerable to me now and a constant risk now that I am back in NZ. So, my life is richer and has been more exciting with colourful international characters like Gérard in it.
Photos are from my private collection 2010.
For a chronology of our relationship see links below or read my book:
https://francesbigadventure.blogspot.com/20 10/11/disappointing-and-disastrous-weekend.htmlTo see Gerard in action with the media this year see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_Nf-GwU1Eo
He has other books in the pipeline including one about the assassination of a previous King of Morocco.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment
I welcome your comments, contributions and feedback.