Page 147

“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.”

“People have killed for a lot less.”

“Killed?” asked Arbour, and Beauvoir realized she didn’t know the whole story.

He told her about Alexander Plessner. About Stephen. About the upcoming board meeting.

By the time he stopped, Séverine Arbour was pale. “And you’ve now dragged me into it.”

“No, you were already in. If I found out about your snooping, they will, too. But if the issue is the mine in Patagonia, why are you so interested in Luxembourg?”

“How do you know I am?”

“I searched your files.”

“You what?”

“Look, let’s just assume you’re mad at me, I apologize, and you accept, okay? Let’s just skip to the important part. Luxembourg.”

Arbour glared at him and gave a curt nod. “Fine. Carole Gossette’s in charge of the Patagonia project. I’ve been digging and saw references to her and the Luxembourg funicular. But I can’t figure out the connection.”

“So Madame Gossette is involved?”

“Up to her neck, from what I can see. So much for your mentor.”

And my ability to spot wrongdoing, he thought. Still, if Madame Gossette was trying to hide what she and GHS were doing, why go all the way to Montréal to hire a senior cop, the former head of homicide for the Sûreté? Why not just go with someone dense and easily manipulated?

Though, come to think of it …

He put that uncomfortable thought out of his head.

Séverine Arbour was looking at Loiselle. “He works for GHS. Won’t he report back?”

“No. He’s with us.”

She nodded, but was deeply unhappy. Things were getting way out of control. Confusing. This was not at all what she’d signed up for.

* * *

“Mrs. McGillicuddy emailed me last night,” said Armand. “She should be awake now. Do you mind?”

“Non.”

He placed the call, pressing his phone to his ear in an effort to hear above the din of the restaurant. He said a few words, then listened.