Page 153 of A Better Man

There were, as he already knew from the last time he checked, no bars. No reception. Which was why he’d chosen a car with a radio connecting them to the station.

Now he stared at the handset. While beside him, Gamache stared out the window. Into the twilight. Through the trees to the lonely home and the single light at a single window.

Jean-Guy checked his phone again.

“That’s not true.”

“It is. The coroner just confirmed it. That baby was Carl’s.” Lacoste leaned forward. “A little girl. His daughter. Kinda makes you wonder, doesn’t it, Pauline?”

Pauline was silent, but Lacoste could see her mind whirring.

Superintendent Lacoste had another question for Pauline Vachon.

“Where were you on Saturday afternoon and evening?”

Homer knelt and put his face against the smelly old dog, rubbing him, mumbling to him, before standing back up.

“Armand called to say you were coming,” said Reine-Marie, standing at the door as Henri and Gracie ran out to greet the new arrivals. “I’m glad.”

She was freshly showered and had put on slacks and a soft sweater. She turned to Agent Cloutier. “I have soup and sandwiches in the kitchen. You must be hungry.”

She was. “Yes, please. Merci.”

As they entered the home, Homer stepped closer to Reine-Marie, looking at her face. Then he shook his head.

“I did that,” he said, pointing to the bruise. “I can’t believe it. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

“I do,” she said. “And I think you showed amazing restraint. I shouldn’t have tried to stop you. I’d have ripped the head off anyone who tried to stop me.”

If it had been Annie dragged from the river. Or Daniel. Or Armand. She’d have done far worse to anyone standing between her and them.

“Your room is waiting for you. Would you like to freshen up, then meet us in the kitchen?”

He nodded, and the two women watched as he slowly climbed the stairs. Followed, slowly, by Fred.

“Homer?” said Lysette, not sure what to do.

“I’ll be fine, Lysette.”

Even something as small as hearing him say her name thrilled her.

“Chief Inspector, this is Cameron.”

Beauvoir snatched the mouthpiece off its cradle and pressed the button. “Oui.”

Gamache turned to watch, holding Beauvoir’s eyes.

“We have the warrant for Tracey’s arrest.”

Beauvoir exhaled. They had it.

But he wanted more.

“Is Superintendent Lacoste still in the interview room?”

“Yes.”

“Tell her to call as soon as she comes out.” He went to replace the handset, but Gamache stopped him.