Page 162 of Miss Wolcott’s Ghost

“I’m beginning to suspect this is far too easy,” said Armand. Still, he continued to read through the list, though nothing else quite caught the professor’s interest like the periwinkle.

“There’s one that isn’t on the folly, but I wonder what you know about it. It’s called Miss Wolcott’s Ghost.”

That brought another hoot of amusement from the professor, this one so loud others looked over.

“How wonderful. I’m going to have to dig a little deeper into Daisy Wolcott. But no, that one means nothing to me. Though, actually.” His face went blank again. Armand now realized it meant his companion’s brain was hard at work. “Isn’t that the invasive weed she dropped in those gardens?”

“It is.”

“Ha, I actually thought that was a myth. But from what I remember of the story, they dug it all out. And a good thing too. So much damage is done by species brought here by well-meaning travelers or even scientists. Look at grey squirrels and quagga mussels, then there’s—”

“Yes. But it seems Miss Wolcott is back.” Armand saw Professor Agrawal’s brows draw together in concern.

“Where, here?”

“Not as far as I know. We’ve found it in Québec.”

“Well, that’s okay then.”

Okay if it overruns Québec, as long as this “fair and pleasant land” is spared, thought Armand. Without surprise.

“Is it that bad?”

“I don’t know. I’d have to see a sample. But don’t bring it here,” he added quickly. “I’ll come to you, if need be.”

“So.” Armand clicked his phone closed. “The plant names cut into the folly are all well-known.”

“Yes. If Miss Wolcott found those and brought them back thinking they were new, well, she was mistaken.”

“Could they have been new back then?”

Agrawal took a long swig of beer and thought, before nodding. “The Madagascar periwinkle, certainly. And the possible medicinal properties of the others wouldn’t have been appreciated a century ago. But all of them have been closely studied since then.”

“So, her documents would have no value now.”

“Perhaps as a curiosity. Like finding old maps. Interesting but of no practical value. In fact, often misleading.”

Armand finished his beer and declined dessert, as did Comeau, who’d simply moved his fish and chips around on the plate.

“It’s been a long day. I think it’s time we got some sleep.” Armand handed his credit card to the server and said to charge whatever his guest wanted.

Then he shook hands with the professor. “Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.”

“I don’t think I was much help.”

“More than you know.”

On their way through the narrow streets to the inn, Gamache said to Comeau, “What struck you about that conversation?”

“That he knew the meaning of all the names on the folly.”

Yes. That too, thought the head of homicide. But there was something the emeritus professor didn’t know but should have.

“I also wonder, Chief—”

Gamache let the “Chief” ride this time.

“—if maybe what Clybourne and Morrow were looking for weren’t her documents, but the seed. If it really is all that invasive, then maybe the plant could be a weapon.”