A Great Reckoning (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #12)(31)

“Why was it made?” asked Huifen.

“And that’s the third secret this map has yet to give up,” said Gamache. “What’s its purpose?”

The map had seemed almost laughable when they’d first seen it hanging on the wall of the Commander’s rooms, but now it was ripe with intrigue.

“It’s sort of nice that Three Pines isn’t on any official map,” Reine-Marie admitted. “It means we won’t be disturbed.”

“Too late,” said Amelia, gesturing to Ruth.

Armand said nothing, remembering the glow on the hill.

Someone had found them.

“So where did the map come from?” asked Amelia, breaking eye contact with the crazy old lady.

Throughout dinner, the kitchen had been filled with the scents of cinnamon and brown sugar, mingling and mixing with the earthy aroma of the boeuf bourguignon and rolls.

Now Armand got up and brought something out of the oven, and the fragrance became even more pronounced.

Taking off the oven mitts, he turned to Amelia.

“It was a gift from the person who found it. He could see how much I’d admired it.”

“Olivier didn’t find it,” snapped Ruth. “I did.”

They were the first words she’d spoken, besides the “Fuck off” to Huifen when she’d tried to help the frail old woman to the table.

“True,” said Reine-Marie. “But it belongs to Olivier. Not sure if you noticed the bistro when you arrived. He and his partner Gabri own it.”

“But where did he find it?” asked Amelia. “It wasn’t drawn yesterday, it must’ve been lying around for years.”

“It was in a wall,” said Ruth. She too had broken eye contact and was looking down at the copy of the painting on the pine table.

The duck, however, continued to glare at Amelia, winning the contest.

“It’d been walled up,” said Ruth.

“What?” asked Nathaniel. “Why?”

“Why?” asked the Commander, putting bowls of warm apple and raspberry crisp with melting Coaticook vanilla ice cream in front of them. “That’s a very good question.”

He could tell by their faces that the cadets were beginning to appreciate that an investigation wasn’t linear. It was like the map, with contour lines and winding roads. And obstacles. And every now and then you came across something completely unexpected.

“Why put a map into a wall?” Gamache asked.

“It was waiting,” said Ruth.

“Now, Ruth,” said Reine-Marie. “Don’t play mind games with our young guests.”

“It’s no game. There’s something strange about that map. I feel it. And I know you do too.”

She’d spoken to Armand. After he gave a curt nod, the old woman turned to Amelia, resuming the staring contest.

“And so do you.”

“I feel nothing. None of this matters. It’s an exercise,” said Amelia. “An assignment. Nothing more. And not even a very interesting one.”

“Then why’re you here?” asked Ruth, struggling to her feet. This time no one helped her. She walked to the door, followed by Armand.

“Some things disappear for a reason, Armand,” she said, then turned back to the cadets at the table. So young. Trying to be unmoved by this creepy old woman. But their wide eyes betrayed them.

“You asked what the map was waiting for. Maybe it was waiting for you,” said Ruth. “You found the village, maybe that’s enough. Maybe you should stop now. Sneak home and pray you’ll never know/the hell where youth and laughter go.”

“Now there’s a woman who knows an exit line,” said Huifen as Ruth left. Even Amelia laughed. Though she expected to see her breath in the suddenly chill air.

Through the kitchen window, they saw Commander Gamache supporting Ruth, keeping her upright on the icy road. He cradled the duck close to his body to keep it warm.

“Alzheimer’s?” asked Huifen.

Reine-Marie shook her head. “Poetry.”

*

“Bonne nuit,” said Armand when Ruth had opened her unlocked door and he’d handed Rosa back to her.

“Yeah, right,” said Ruth, moving to close the door in his face.

“Wait,” said Armand, putting out a gloved hand to stop the door. “Why did you just quote Siegfried Sassoon?”

“Why do I say anything? It’s anyone’s guess really.”

And then she did close the door and he walked back home, pausing to marvel at the stars. Many of which no longer existed. Just their light.

His gaze dropped to the village. That did, and did not, exist.

The map had been walled up. To become part of the building. To act as insulation, protection. Helping to keep the cold winds at bay.

But it had been removed, and the cold winds were howling, were baying, again.

He pulled his coat tighter around him, and as he passed the kitchen windows of his home, he stopped and looked in. Reine-Marie had her chin on her hand and was listening to the cadets. She was so beautiful. And they were so young.

*

The Gamaches invited the cadets to stay the night, and while Reine-Marie got them fresh pajamas and toothbrushes, Armand called the academy to let them know not to worry about the students.