A Great Reckoning (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #12)(77)

“Do you think, when I was speaking to Madame Gamache on the phone during our meeting at the academy, that I had to mention the map out loud?”

Charpentier’s eyes widened.

“You did it to lure me?”

“I know more about you than you realize.”

The comforting scents of the man were tugged away by the cold breeze that now blew between them.

And Hugo Charpentier started to perspire.

“I think we should get inside,” said Gamache. “Don’t you? They’ll be waiting for us.”





CHAPTER 25

The cadets were indeed waiting in the dining room of the B and B for Commander Gamache and Professor Charpentier.

Clara and Myrna had decided to join their houseguests, though not at the same table. They sat by the fireplace, and were finishing their French toast with bacon and maple syrup when Gamache paused to say hello. And to ask, “How did it go?”

“Last night?” asked Myrna. “Fine. I got under the sheets as soon as we got home. I think he got into his. I’m going to check for eyeholes. And a pointy hat.”

Armand grinned and grimaced at the same time. “I’m sorry about that.”

“Amelia’s a sweet girl,” said Clara. “Up at the crack of dawn this morning. Made her bed and even did some light housework before I got up. When I came down, she had the coffee already on.”

“Really?” both Armand and Myrna asked.

“No, of course not,” snapped Clara. “She told me to fuck off when I knocked on the door to wake her up, half an hour ago. Then she demanded coffee. It’s like living with a wolverine. Which reminds me, how’s Gracie?”

Armand gave her a thin smile.

“She’s fine.”

He left to join the cadets and Charpentier. The students were just finishing off their breakfasts and Gabri brought each of the men a café au lait.

“Do you want breakfast? I have blueberry crêpes, French toast, and Eggs Gabri.”

“Eggs Gabri?” asked Gamache. “That’s new.”

“I add a bit of lemon zest to the hollandaise.”

Armand thought about that, then smiled. “A little tart.”

“A little tart.” Gabri bowed with great dignity.

“I’ll have an Eggs Gabri, s’il vous pla?t,” said Armand.

“And you, monsieur?” Gabri asked Charpentier, who ordered blueberry crêpes with sausages and syrup.

“Professor Charpentier and I are returning to the academy,” Gamache said to the cadets. Across from him, Charpentier’s brows rose very slightly. “But when I come back tonight, I’d like a report on what you find out about the map.”

“Come on,” said Jacques. “It doesn’t matter, and you know it. I want to return to the academy. You can’t keep us here.”

He was glaring at the Commander, and the other three cadets turned to look, first at Jacques, then over to Gamache. Jacques had clearly never been a fan of the new commander, but now his scorn seemed to have reached new heights. Or depths.

Even Gabri, bringing Myrna and Clara a small cheese plate, paused and looked over, as did the women.

Myrna cocked her head slightly, puzzled.

“You could be right,” said Gamache as he put down his large mug. “The map might mean nothing. But then again, you could be wrong.”

“Don’t believe everything you think,” said Amelia.

“So now you’re on his side?” asked Jacques.

“Side?” said Amelia. “There aren’t sides.”

“Oh, don’t kid yourself,” said Jacques. “There’re always sides.”

“Enough,” said Gamache. It was the first time he’d raised his voice at them, and they immediately turned to look at him. “I’m tired of this childish behavior. You need to stop this sniping. You’re not in a schoolyard. You’re cadets in the S?reté Academy. You’ve been conscripted to help in a homicide investigation. Do you know how many cadets would love to be included? And you sneer at it? And want to leave? To pick up your marbles and go home? Because you haven’t been handed a piece of evidence dripping in blood? How do you know what’s important and what isn’t? If I don’t know, you certainly don’t.”

He stared at them, and one by one they lowered their eyes.

Even Jacques.

Over by the fireplace, Myrna and Clara exchanged glances.

There was unmistakable, and rare, anger in Armand’s voice. But below that they recognized something else. Gamache was afraid that these students weren’t taking this seriously enough. And in that error lay not just a failing grade, but a grave. Someone had killed, and they’d kill again.

“You don’t have the luxury of choosing when you’ll work, where you’ll work, and who you’ll work with. I’m your commander and I’ve assigned you to work together on the map. There is no debate, no argument. A murderer thrives on chaos, on creating divisions and diversions. Infighting is all those things. It divides the focus and saps the energy. You have to learn to get along. With everyone. Everyone.” He looked from one to the other to the other. “Everyone. Your lives will depend on it. Do you think those boys in those trenches fought each other?”