The Madness of Crowds--A Novel by Louise Penny

Author:Louise Penny
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

* * *

In the basement of the Inn and Spa, Armand and Jean-Guy were consulting.

“Forensics came to the same conclusion we did,” said Beauvoir. “The murder weapon was a log, cut for firewood. Agents are looking for the weapon in the woods.”

“I just had a word with them. To be honest, I doubt they’ll find it. I think it was thrown onto the bonfire. Billy Williams had doused the flames to embers, but the young man who discovered the body—”

“Jacques Brodeur,” said Beauvoir.

“—said when he threw the stick into the bonfire, there were flames. Now, the wind had picked up and it’s possible there were embers under the ash and they came back to life, but I think they were helped along.”

“By the murder weapon,” said Beauvoir.

When Isabelle arrived back a few minutes later, she told them about the interview with Alphonse Tardif.

“It all fits,” she said. “So we can at least put that to bed.”

“Yes,” said Gamache.

One less investigation, one less complication, was always good. But—

“Is something bothering you, Isabelle?”

“It just seemed a bit too easy. Alphonse Tardif didn’t have to say anything. He sure didn’t have to confess. We have no proof. If he’d just sat quietly listening to his lawyer, we’d have had to let him go.”

“Maybe he wanted to confess,” said Beauvoir. “Some do.”

“Maybe.”

“But?” said Beauvoir.

“I don’t know. It just seemed too quick, too pat. And when I showed him the video, he got really angry, like it was all a surprise.”

“It was. He wasn’t there,” said Beauvoir.

“No, he said he was angry at himself, but I think he was furious at his brother, for doing it. That’s what it seemed like to me.”

“What’re you thinking?” asked Gamache.

“Nothing really. I suppose they’re exactly what they seem. Two local guys who got caught up in something. Who didn’t think it through.”

“Do you think they meant to kill her?” asked Beauvoir.

“Well, I’ve charged him with being an accessory to attempted murder, but I’m not so sure. I wish we had a clearer video.”

“Let’s keep looking for one,” said Gamache. “In the meantime, we have an actual murder. Let’s concentrate on that.”

“So far we’ve been assuming that Abigail Robinson was the intended victim last night,” said Jean-Guy. “But I think we need to consider that maybe she wasn’t.”

“But who’d want to kill Debbie Schneider?”

“Maybe they didn’t. There is another possibility.” Beauvoir looked from one to the other. Waiting to see if they saw it. “Chancellor Roberge. She holds a senior position at the University. Someone could have a grievance against her or the University. A professor or student, or a worker who was fired.”

“But no one knew she’d be at the party,” said Lacoste.

“Exactly. This murder wasn’t premeditated, we know that. So someone there sees the Chancellor and snaps.”

“You’re saying this might have nothing to do with Professor Robinson and her studies.”

“I’m saying it’s possible,” said Jean-Guy. “But there’s another possibility. A fairly obvious one.”

Gamache nodded. He’d thought of that too. It was the most obvious solution. “Colette Roberge killed Debbie Schneider while on their walk.

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