Page 188 of The Grey Wolf

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“Why her?” asked Beauvoir.

“Because she’ll know how to shut it down, and she isn’t on shift. Whoever is going to poison the water would need to be on duty so no one would challenge them.”

“You just chose her at random.”

“Pretty much. But we have to trust someone.”

CHAPTER42

“Are you accusing me of being part of all this?” Sébastien was staring at Lacoste in amazement. “Whatever ‘this’ is.”

“I’m saying if these people”—she held up the clippings—“were murdered as a punishment and warning to Brother Robert, because he’d spoken to the Abbot, then only four people could have told the killers about that meeting. The Abbot, Brother Robert himself, Sister Irene, and you.”

She held his stare. Not giving ground.

“That’s insane.”

“And,” Lacoste continued as though he hadn’t spoken, “only one of you could have thrown Robert from the tower.”

Her stare turned into a glare. “I need to know what Robert told you. I need to know who in Washington confessed to him about the attack.”

Sébastien’s right hand, hidden by the folds of sackcloth, now appeared. In it was a knife he’d picked up off Brother Constantine’s table. It was short, but sharp.

8G.

“You’re sure about this?”

“Not at all,” said Gamache.

Beauvoir made a guttural sound but said nothing, just pressed the buzzer.

Again. And again.

“Who is it?” The voice was young. And both annoyed and worried.

“My name is Armand Gamache. I’m with the Sûreté.”

“It’s”—there was a pause—“past eleven. What do you want? Has something happened?” Now her voice had risen into full-blown fear.

“Not to your family, no. We need your help. Please, let us in.”

“Step back where I can see you.”

Gamache did, looking up into the camera.

“What do you need? Why’re you here?”

Time was ticking. No time now to be vague.

“There’s going to be an attack on Montréal’s drinking water. We need your help.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Would I be here if it was?” Gamache was getting angry. “You recognize me, you know you can trust me.”

“Maybe. But that fellow with you looks shifty.”

Another growl. Then silence.

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