Page 79 of Miss Wolcott’s Ghost

Charles had to compose himself before answering. When he did, his voice was soft but steady. “I honestly don’t know. But it wouldn’t be great. Brian is seen as the guiding force of the company.”

“Seen, but that’s not necessarily the reality. He’s been gone for months, and Réunion has continued just fine. In fact, I believe you’ve brought in some innovations.”

“Brian signed off on them before his latest trip.” As Armand looked around the Victorian office, he wondered if that was true. There had been more than a slight hint of defensiveness in Charles’s tone. Gamache also knew now that it was definitely in Charles Fillmore’s best interest to hide the fact his brother was missing. Perhaps even dead.

Had the second-in-command grown weary of being number two? Charles Fillmore would be far from the first person tired of playing underling to a sibling.

“There’s another office I’d like to see,” said Gamache. “Jeanette Bouchard’s.”

“Who?”

“One of your investigators.”

“Why?”

“Her name has come up.”

Charles waited for more, but when it was clear that was all the Chief Inspector was going to say, he spoke to his assistant, who found Bouchard’s office two floors down.

Gamache met briefly with the agents who’d arrived to search Brian Fillmore’s office to explain the situation.

They had no warrant. They had no proof the dead man was Brian Fillmore, or that Réunion was involved in any way.

They were there by the good graces of Charles Fillmore.

“Be careful. Be respectful.” He dropped his voice. “Be thorough.”

Then he handed what he’d collected to the senior officer.

“For DNA.”

“D’accord, patron.”

Turning to Charles Fillmore, he said, “I’m going to ask you to provide a DNA sample too. Just to be able to eliminate you.”

“Eliminate me as what?”

“A suspect.” No use pretending otherwise.

That surprised Charles, but he agreed. One of the team took a swab of his mouth.

As they made their way to the elevators, Armand asked, “Is your brother in a relationship?”

“Not that I know of. You’re wondering about this Jeanette person, aren’t you.”

“Just a question.”

“I doubt Brian would date anyone in the office.”

“But you’re not sure?”

“I guess not.”

One of the warrants he’d applied for was for Brian Fillmore’s home. That might prove more telling. Or not. Again, the killer had a jump on them, spanning many months. It was a wide chasm for Gamache and his team to cross.

At the floor where the Réunion investigators worked, Armand spoke to another assistant.

“Is Madame Bouchard in?”