The Provence Puzzle: An Inspector Damiot Mystery(40)

“Can you tell me anything about Savord’s relationship with the Jarlaud girl?” Damiot asked.

“I know nothing about that. Although I have heard, of course, that Lisette had—relationships—with many men in Courville.”

“And you, Monsieur? Did you have a relationship with her?” He glanced away and saw that the last of the villagers had departed. The priest, hesitating at the portal, was observing him with undisguised curiosity. Hearing a deep sigh from Sibilat, Damiot faced him again. “Well, Monsieur?”

“Several times. My mother doesn’t suspect. She thinks I never knew Lisette. Has no idea that I used to take her in my truck to other towns so that we could go to a cinema without being recognized…”

“Where did you sleep with her?”

“In the back of the truck, usually. We would park on a side road or in some field. But I always had to be home before midnight or my mother would ask questions. Lisette’s parents never cared what time she got in.”

“You’re a grown man, yet your mother treats you like a child.”

“If only my mother had died, instead of my father. Poor man! She always told him what to do. Watched him, every minute!”

“You were seen recently talking to Lisette Jarlaud, here in the square. Apparently quarreling with her.”

“Lisette waited for me in the square. Many times! When she saw my truck parked. Usually to ask for money…”

“Would you give it to her?”

“If I had it. I felt sorry for her. Two small children to support.”

“What about the other girl? The one found in that field.”

“Annie Deffous…”

“You know her name!”

“I was afraid to tell the local gendarmes when they questioned me. Didn’t want to get involved. But when I learned that you had come from Paris, I knew I would have to tell you.”

“Where did you know this Deffous girl?”

“When I lived in Toulon.”

“Toulon?” He watched the priest go, finally, into the church.

“Before I came to Courville. Annie worked there in some shop, as a bookkeeper.”

“What sort of shop?”

“She never told me.”

“Where did you first meet her?”

“When I was walking one evening on the Quai Stalingrad.”

“And after that?”

“Many different places. She never said where she lived or anything like that. Whether or not she had a family…”

“How did you arrange to meet?”

“She would tell me when she would be free and where I could pick her up in my car. Usually some street corner. I would take her to a restaurant for dinner, and afterward to one of the waterfront hotels.”

“Didn’t your mother suspect?”

“My father was alive then and she was more concerned about him. Anyway, I always told her I was spending the night with a friend from medical school.”

“How long ago was this?”

“The summer before my father died. Three years ago.”

“Why did you stop seeing the Deffous girl?”

“She told me she was pregnant.”

“Your child?”

“Annie swore that it wasn’t. Said she knew who the father was and he had agreed to pay for everything. Told me she was in love with him and she wouldn’t be able to meet me any more.”

“Did you try to see her after that?”

“Why should I? Matter of fact, I was glad we were finished.”

“Why?”

Sibilat shrugged. “I was never in love with Annie. Never intended to marry her. She was as demanding as my mother. Telling me where she wanted to go for dinner, which movie to see.”

“You never saw Annie Deffous again?”

“Not until she turned up in Courville. Came into my shop…”

“When was this?”

“The day before her body was found.”

“Your mother saw her?”

“Fortunately, she was busy in the kitchen. I built a new kitchen in the back purposely, so I could have a few hours’ peace every day without having to hear my mother’s voice. Annie showed up when my mother was cooking dinner. Mon Dieu! If I hadn’t been there that afternoon, they would have met.”

“What did the Deffous girl want with you?”

“Nothing, really. She had noticed our sign—Sibilat Fleurs—as she drove into the village. I’d told her many times that I wanted to open a florist shop. So she stopped, and there I was!”

“What did she tell you?”

“We only talked for a moment because I was afraid my mother would hear our voices. Annie said that she’d come here to see a friend.”

“Someone in the village?”

“She never told me that, but she implied the person had money.”

“Man or woman?”

“From the way she talked it had to be a man.”

“What, exactly, did she say?”

“Only that she was seeing somebody about money he owed her.”

“A man who owed her money…”

“She had taken time off from her job to drive up here. She wouldn’t know how long she’d be in Courville until after she contacted her friend. Asked me about a cheap place to stay, and I suggested that motel behind the town hall. But when I phoned in the evening, she wasn’t there. Her body was found next morning. I had no idea at first that the dead girl was Annie. I can tell you, Monsieur Inspecteur, it was a shock when they asked everyone to try and identify the body. Fortunately there were several of us lined up, and nobody noticed that I recognized her. I told them I’d never seen her before. I swear, Monsieur, I didn’t kill Annie.”