It’s definitely one of the most fantasizing jobs. A profession full of intrigue and adventure that is omnipresent in literature, films and series. With quite a few clichés conveyed by Arsène Lupin, Sherlock Homes, Hercule Poirot and others. “I don’t wear a black raincoat or carry a gun and I don’t drive a Peugeot 504 convertible like Nestor Burma,” laughs Nicolas. Before opening his private detective agency in Rennes in 2021, this forty-year-old worked for fifteen years as a salesperson in the pharmaceutical industry. But just before Covid, the company that had just recruited him fired him without further explanation. He subsequently received other proposals from pharmaceutical players. “But the desire was no longer there,” he admits.
In search of a new professional project, Nicolas then remembered a “fascinating” meeting with a private detective ten years earlier. So he set off head on to take the plunge, heading to Paris to follow a year of training at the Higher School of Private Research Agents. “You don’t become a detective by snapping your fingers,” he says. It is a highly regulated profession and requires a diploma as well as approvals and a professional card to practice. »
Cases of infidelity but not only
Because in his missions, Nicolas obviously cannot do anything and he must always act within a legitimate and legal framework. “I can’t enter people’s homes or install a GPS beacon under a vehicle, for example,” explains the fine sleuth. This in no way takes away the exciting side of the investigations entrusted to him. “Every time I get a call, I never know what story is behind it,” he says. There are of course the great classics of the profession, namely infidelity cases with Madame who suspects Monsieur (or vice versa) of looking elsewhere. “But I don’t want to do just that,” he assures.
In almost 60% of cases, it is companies that use its services. This could be due to suspicions of unfair competition, a client file that disappears or abusive work stoppages. After having carefully prepared the file with his client, Nicolas then begins close surveillance of his target, tracking his every move. “When it concerns an employee, I can only monitor them during their working hours and outside their home,” explains Nicolas.
Long hours of surveillance, at night or in the rain
On foot, by car or by motorbike, the shadowing can last several hours. “It’s super tiring to watch someone, it takes up a lot of energy,” he assures. But through “tenacity and malice”, he very often brings back proof of the mistake committed in his nets. Sometimes with some funny cases like this man supposed to have both broken shoulders who he caught lifting dozens of bags of cement. Or this roofer on sick leave who he filmed working on a roof with the equipment from his company as a bonus. “It also happens that we cannot find fault, there are also honest people,” he smiles.
On the detective’s desk, there are also numerous family business files. Adulterers of course but also alimony or childcare. Each time with hours of surveillance, sometimes at night or in the rain. “It’s the somewhat thankless side of the job but we have no other choice but to adapt to our target,” says the Breton detective. And when the latter rears its ugly head, there’s no question of missing it. “At that moment, the adrenaline is building but you have to remain vigilant so as not to make mistakes and get burned,” assures Nicolas.
“You have to love people in this job”
But despite all his caution, it sometimes happens. “I did theater and it helps me a lot because I am able to invent a story on the spot to explain what I’m doing there if someone knocks on my door,” he reveals, without giving away all the details either. its secrets. In certain cases, he must also use the technique of unsilhouettement or the art of completely changing his profile using a wig or a pair of glasses.
“But if I’m too burned, I drop the matter completely or I pass it on to a colleague because I don’t want to put myself in danger,” warns Sherlock Holmes from Rennes, a bit of a vigilante at heart. “You have to love people in this profession anyway,” he believes. Because we sometimes have heavy files to deal with and some clients then see us as the last chance to help them. »