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Clara thought she might throw up, and Annie looked light-headed.
Roslyn, on the other hand, was leaning forward, taking in every word.
“Did you see anyone hanging around the building in the last week or so?” asked Isabelle.
“I thought you caught the gunman,” said Monsieur Viau.
“We have,” said Jean-Guy. “We just need to make sure no one else was involved.”
As he said that he watched Monsieur Viau for any reaction. A slight change in skin tone, in breathing. A sprint for the door.
But the caretaker was just listening.
“Did anyone set up an appointment to see the place in the last couple of weeks?” Beauvoir asked. “Were there any workers? Repairs?”
“Not a worker, but some fellow came by. Wanted to hold a fundraising dance and had heard this place was cheap.”
“Did you ever leave him alone?” Lacoste asked.
“No.”
“Did you take him anywhere else in the building?”
“No. Just here.”
“Could he have hidden anything without you seeing?” asked Beauvoir.
Monsieur Viau considered, then shook his head. “No. I was with him the whole time. I’d have noticed that.”
“Is this the man?”
Isabelle showed him their photo of Édouard Tardif.
As Monsieur Viau studied it, the blood drained from his face. “Oui.” He looked up at them. “I let the gunman in?”
“You couldn’t have known,” said Isabelle. “Did he rent the place?”
“You’ll have to ask someone in Administration about that.”
“The Chief’s over there now,” said Beauvoir, taking out his phone. “Meeting with the President and Chancellor.”
“Lucky man,” said Viau.
“I’ll see if he can get the information.” As he sent off the text, Lacoste turned back to the caretaker.
“Just to be clear, this man you met here was alone?”
“Oui.”
“You’re sure?”
Now Viau hesitated. “Well, I didn’t see anyone else, but I suppose someone could have been with him. Waiting outside.”
“You unlocked the door when this man arrived,” said Isabelle. “Could someone else have come in after him, without you seeing?”
Viau considered, then nodded. “Yes, I guess so.”
Lacoste and Beauvoir looked at each other.
