The Dressmaker Murder: A Gabrielle Boucher Mystery by Phillip L. Wray

Author:Phillip L. Wray [Wray, Phillip L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wheellock Publishing
Published: 2023-12-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter V

Gabrielle sat with Madame Hebert in the kitchen after their dinner that evening. She excitedly shared what she had learned and seen that day. When Gabrielle finished her tale, Madame Hebert asked, “What does all this mean?”

The brightness in Gabrielle’s eyes dimmed a bit. “I’m not sure. But something is going on. I know Arnauld has some secret, and he was willing to kill to keep it from being revealed.”

“And the money, that makes no sense,” the apothecary said. “Unless he was returning a payment. Maybe he couldn’t complete a dress that had been paid for.”

Gabrielle slumped back in her chair, raising her palms up. “I don’t know. It doesn’t make sense.” Charles often quoted some writer who was famous for saying “What do I know?” She always thought it was a silly saying, but now, it came to her. What do I know? She had to admit, not very much. She felt like she was seeing a pile of cut material without knowing how to assemble them into a wearable dress.

Wait! She thought back through the facts of the investigation that she did know. One thing stuck in her mind: the fair apprentice taking two gold coins out of the purse he was carrying and then delivering what was left in it. Was it a fee the apprentice was owed, or was it something else?

“You’re thinking of something, chérie,” Madame Hebert observed.

“I’m thinking of a lot,” Gabrielle said. “But, in particular, I’m thinking about the fact the apprentice pocketed some of the coins he was delivering.”

Madame Hebert laughed lightly. “My dear, there is no mystery into what the apprentice was doing. He was delivering a payment along with the dress and decided to steal a little of it for himself.”

“How does that help us?” asked Gabrielle. “He is not the killer.”

“Gabrielle, what you witnessed gives you an opportunity,” said the apothecary. “Did you ever see a worker in the village where you grew up lift something heavy by placing a lever under it and pushing down?”

“Of course. Every time a wagon lost a wheel, something like that had to be done,” Gabrielle said.

“Voilà.”

“Voilà what?” Gabrielle leaned forward, her voice nearly a plea. “I don’t understand.”

“Those coins are your leverage. Use your knowledge of them to apply pressure to the apprentice and see where that gets you.”

“But . . .”

“Remember, ‘Qui ose, gagne,’” said Madame Hebert.

Gabrielle went to bed that evening with three thoughts: How could she best use what she’d seen as leverage against the apprentice? And if she dared, would she truly win? And why, over time, did everyone who came in contact with him start speaking like Charles?

* * *

The following morning, Gabrielle was up early and took it upon herself to make breakfast for madame and her housekeeper. She sliced a half loaf of grainy bread and set it out with cheese and eggs.

When Madame Hebert appeared from her room, her eyes ran across what for them was a feast. “Someone’s been busy early.”

Gabrielle smiled broadly.

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