The doctor was visibly embarrassed, and Bruno resisted the temptation to grin.
But its the murder they are interested in, Gelletreau said.
I cant talk about that, Doctor, not with you, said Bruno, as Gigi came to
nuzzle his leg. Automatically, he reached down to scratch behind his dogs ears.
Yes, yes, I understand that. I just wanted you to know that I strongly,
thoroughly believe him to be innocent of this crime. Hes my son, and Im bound
to say that, but I believe it with all my heart and soul. Theres no cruelty in
the boy, Bruno, you know that. You have known him long enough.
Bruno nodded. He had known young Richard since he was little more than a
toddler, taught him to hold a tennis racquet, and then how to serve and hit a
ball with topspin. Richard was a careful player rather than an aggressive one,
and if Bruno were any judge of human nature, he doubted the lad had anything of
the killer about him. But who knew what people could do under the sway of drugs
or passion or political fervour?
Have you seen Richard?
They gave us ten minutes with him, just us and our lawyer. The Mayor
recommended some bright young fellow called Dumesnier from Périgueux so we
engaged him. Apparently they didnt even have to let us see him, but the lawyer
fixed it. They let us give him a change of clothes, after they searched every
seam, he said heavily. Hes terrified and ashamed and confused. You can
imagine. But he says he knows nothing of the killing. And he keeps on asking
after that damn Jacqueline. Hes besotted with her.
His first girlfriend, said Bruno, with understanding.
Shes his first lover, his first sex, and shes a pretty little thing. Pure
poison, but certainly pretty. Hes seventeen this week, you know. You remember
how we were at that age, all those hormones raging. Shes all he can think
about. Hes infatuated.
I understand.
Can you tell them that? Gelletreau asked eagerly. Can you speak for him, just
to explain that? I know you arent running this business, Bruno, but theyll
listen to you.
Doctor, sit down, and let me get you a glass. Its hot and I need a beer and
you can join me. He steered Gelletreau to one of the green plastic chairs on
his terrace and went inside to get two cans from the refrigerator and two
glasses. When he emerged he was surprised to see the doctor drawing on a yellow
Gitane.
You made me give those things up, Bruno said, pouring the beers.
I know, I know. I havent smoked in years, but you know how it is.
They raised their glasses to one another and drank in silence.
You have made it very pleasant here, Bruno.
You said that when you were here last year for the barbecue, Doctor. I think
youre changing the subject. Let me try to answer what you said before. Bruno
put his glass down and leaned forward, his elbows on the green table.
Im not really part of the case, he began. Its a matter for the Police
Nationale, but they consult me whenever they want some local knowledge. I
havent seen all the evidence. I havent seen the full forensic report on the
murder, or on the house where Richard was arrested, and they probably wont show
them to me. But I can tell you that the detective running the investigation is a
decent sort and hell go with the evidence. In a case like this, hell want to
be sure that the evidence is very clear before he makes any recommendation to
the Jugemagistrat. I wouldnt be surprised if they send some ambitious hotshot
down from Paris because of the politics that are mixed up in this affair. This
is the sort of case that can make or break a career, and the Juge-magistrat will
want to be very certain before he lays formal charges. If Richard is innocent,
Im very confident that hell be cleared.
The Mayor just told me the same thing.
Well, hes right. And you have to concentrate on being a support for your wife
and family, and for Richard. Youve got a good lawyer, which is the most
important thing at this stage. Other than that, what you have to focus on is
telling Richard you love him and believe in him. He needs that right now.
Gelletreau nodded. Well give him all the support we can, you know that, but
the question I keep asking myself is whether I really know my son as I thought I
did. I cant get this dreadful Front National business out of my head. We had no
idea he was getting involved like that. He never showed any interest in
politics.
It may have been the girl who drew him in. Thats one of the things the
detectives are looking at. Theyll get to the bottom of it, Doctor. And I dont
know about you, but at that age if my first lover had been a raging Commie Id
have carried a red flag and marched wherever she asked me to. Bruno emptied his
glass. Another beer?
No thanks. I havent finished this one. And you dont want to have a second
after being out in this sun. Gelletreau managed a wan smile. Thats your
doctor speaking.
Theres one more thing. Bruno twirled his empty glass, wondering how best to
put this. Youd better start thinking about what to do if and when hes cleared
and released. It wouldnt be a good idea to keep him at school locally. It would
be difficult, with the gossip and the relatives of the old man. You should send
him away to stay with a relative or think about a boarding school; maybe even
send him abroad where he can make a fresh start and put all this behind him.
Perhaps you could even suggest that he goes into the military for a while. It
did me no harm, and it would be the kind of clean break the boy will need.
It did me no harm either, although I just did three years as a medical orderly
in West Africa, enough to save me a year of medical school. But I dont think
the boy is cut out for that kind of life, that kind of discipline. Maybe thats
the problem, said the doctor with a sigh. Still, he respects the military. He
said how could anyone think he would kill someone whod won a Croix de Guerre.
But getting him out of here when all this is done is a good thought, Bruno.
Thanks for the advice.
As the good doctor drove away, Bruno began to wonder how on earth the boy had
known about the Croix de Guerre
CHAPTER
13
Less than an hour later, with the sun sinking fast and the heat easing so that
he had donned a T-shirt, Bruno was watering the garden when he heard another
vehicle lumbering up the track. He turned, just in time to catch a glimpse of a
strange car and some unknown young man with short hair staring intently at the
track. Then the hedge rose again and blocked his view. He emptied the watering
can and turned again, at which point he recognised the car. It was Inspector
Isabelle in her unmarked car; her short hair had fooled him. She got out, waved,
and opened the rear door to bring out a supermarket bag.
Hi, Bruno. I came to invite you to supper, unless you have plans.
It looks like you made the plans already, Isabelle, he said, coming forward to
push the enthusiastic Gigi out of the way and kiss the young woman on both
cheeks. She was looking carefree and casual and distinctly appealing in her
jeans and red polo shirt, with a brown leather jacket slung loosely over her
shoulders. In her trainers, she stood just a fraction below his height.
Pâté, beefsteak, baguette and cheese, she said, standing back to brandish her
bag. Thats what
J-J
said you liked to eat. And wine, of course. What a