All the Devils Are Here(89)

“No. He’s not involved.”

“Bon,” she said. “What do you think they’ll do next?”

Armand had been considering that. What would he do? What would Claude Dussault do?

He thought about Stephen. About the files buried in the archives. He thought about the Lutetia.

“I think they’ll try to place someone close to us. Get someone into our inner circle.”

“But how could they do that?”

“We’re alone,” said Xavier Loiselle, as he, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, and Séverine Arbour made their way around the circular platform.

“What do you mean, we’re alone?” demanded Arbour, looking at the crowd. Thinner than usual for a Sunday, but then the low cloud and occasional drizzle had turned many off.

“What he means is, no one followed us,” said Beauvoir.

“Why would they? What’s this about?”

“I think you know. And now I want you to tell me.”

She lifted her chin and stared him in the eyes. “Are you threatening me?”

“Not at all. In fact, I’ve decided to trust you. I think you’ve found something out, something about the Luxembourg project, and I want to know what it is.”

“What makes you think something’s going on, never mind that I know anything?”

“Your behavior Friday. You came into my office, uninvited, and started asking questions about the funicular project. Why?”

“Why did you change the subject?”

“Did I?”

“You know you did. From Luxembourg to the Patagonia project,” she said. “What do you know about that?”

“Patagonia?” Was she changing the subject now? “Nothing. It’s a water treatment plant.”

Now she was openly staring at him. “It’s a mine.”

“It was a mine. It was found to be the source of the pollution, so GHS bought it and closed it down. That would solve the contamination problem for the communities downriver.”

“So why’s a plant still necessary?”

“To be safe.”

“Really? How long have you been in private industry? Since when do they do things to be extra safe?”

“What’re you saying, Séverine? You need to be absolutely clear. Tell me.”

“Have you looked at the equipment going to Chile, and what’s being shipped back?”

“No. Why would I? And even if I did, I wouldn’t know what’s needed.”

“Well, I do. There’s mining equipment mixed in with gear for the treatment plant.”

Beauvoir noticed Loiselle turn very slightly toward the elevator. And the stairs.

Had he seen something? Sensed something?

Beauvoir had brought them to the top of the Eiffel Tower so they wouldn’t be overheard. They were now far too high up, and there were far too many people, for anyone to eavesdrop. Even drones would have a hard time getting up this high, certainly without being spotted.

And if anyone was following them, they’d be mighty conspicuous on the small platform.

They were safe. Unless, Beauvoir thought as he watched Loiselle, they’d brought the threat with them.

“They reopened the mine five years ago,” said Madame Arbour.

“Why?”

“Have you ever heard of rare earth minerals?”

“No.”

“Well, that’s what they found when they tested to see what pollution they’d have to treat. In the tailings GHS found evidence of a rare earth mineral.”

“And that’s an important find?”

“Well, yes. Why do you think they’re called rare earth minerals? Because they’re rare.” Beauvoir knew that tone. The “numbnuts,” while not said, was implied. “But, more than that, they’re versatile. Different ones are used for different things.”

“Like?”

“Like batteries and cell phones, magnets. Some next-generation telecommunications, I think.”

“What kind did they find in the Patagonia mine?”

“I don’t know. I’ve tried to get the water samples, but I can’t find them.”

“But if there was something that valuable in the mine,” said Beauvoir, “why was it abandoned?”

“The original owners were mining silver. When it tapped out, they walked away, not realizing what else was in there.”

“So then GHS buys the mine to close it, but discovers these rare earth minerals. Why hide it?”

“You really are thick, aren’t you.”

“Just tell me.”

“It’s obviously not that they’ve found a rare earth mineral,” she said. “It’s what they’re doing with it.”

Beauvoir felt himself get very still. Very alert. “What could they be doing with it? Can it be used in weaponry? Munitions?”

“Not that I know of. Unless they’ve come up with a new use, it’s all fairly benign.”

“You mentioned next-generation telecommunications.”

“True, but again, not illegal.”

“But it could be worth billions?” asked Beauvoir.

“If it works, yes, and if that’s the type they found.”