Page 69 of The Grey Wolf
“I don’t honestly know. Is it possible it’s a biological weapon?”
“Could be. Might be chemical. Even nuclear. Might be nothing.”
“Never nothing,” he said.
Both veterans knew that, at any given moment, hundreds of plots by international and domestic terrorists were at various stages of gestation.
“Is there a reason you mention bioweapons, Armand?”
Instead of answering, he said, “I hear there’s a new boss at GAC.”
“You’ve heard?” he said. “Of course you’ve heard. Hasn’t been announced yet, but yes, Marcus Lauzon has been given that portfolio by the PM. He’s been acting head for almost a year now.”
“What do you think of that?” He tried to keep his tone neutral.
“I think it’s both worrisome and good, like most things politicians do. Worrisome because I think Monsieur Lauzon is an opportunist, and doesn’t give a shit about the Canadian people, or even his party.”
“He’s already the Deputy PM,” said Gamache. “And holds Environment. Now, with this new responsibility—”
“His power is almost limitless.”
“And the good?”
“Well, when power’s concentrated in one hand, it’s easier to monitor for abuse. But also, on a more macro front, the environment and foreign affairs are becoming more closely aligned. It’s quite a strategic move on the part of a Prime Minister elected to act on climate change.”
“But why would the PM give it to Lauzon?” asked Gamache. Theof all peoplewas implied.
“I learned early on not to try to figure out why politicians do anything. Circles within circles. Their logic, such as it is, is tortured. You know that.”
“What worries me is the other part of the portfolio. International trade is more and more connected to international terrorism. And domestic too, for that matter. A way to funnel money from one country to another. From one entity to another.”
“Very true, Chief Inspector. I see you’ve been reading your briefing notes.”
“I keep them in the bathroom. Money laundering, getting funds to where they need to be through legitimate businesses. A complexinternational organization, with ambitions to disrupt, needs a lot of money. Lauzon is now in charge of monitoring, even policing, that flow of money.”
Gamache raised his brows and waited for his companion to say something.
Lavigne pushed his muffin aside and leaned across the table.
“You knew all this before coming here. That’s not why you wanted to meet. Come on, Armand, I haven’t got all day. Tell me.” He paused and studied him, then threw himself back in the chair. “My God. You’re trying to decide if you trust me. Twenty years we’ve worked together. You invited me here and now suddenly you’re not sure?”
He was right.
This was the moment for hisbeau risque. The leap of faith. Armand Gamache knew he and his core group of trusted officers couldn’t investigate on their own. At the very least, after seeing Jeanne Caron on the tape, he knew he needed someone on the federal side. If a player as powerful as the Deputy PM was involved, he needed powerful help.
He needed David Lavigne, the leading expert on domestic and international terrorism, who also had a seat on the GAC committee.
But the same thing that made him a perfect choice to help in the investigation also made him the perfect choice to be recruited by whoever was behind this. Caron? Lauzon?
Was this man in one of those circles? Was he part of the inner circle?
Could he be turned? Could he be trusted?
All the way up in the car, Gamache had agonized over this. Hoping he’d know when he saw him. Spoke to him. Hoping some instinct would kick in. So far, he’d met with two senior cops, top Sûreté officers, and dismissed them both as suspicious. How would he feel about Lavigne?
“Do you remember when Idola was born?” he said.
“Your granddaughter. Of course I do.” He was clearly puzzled by this aside.
