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Abigail was staring at her hands gripping each other in her lap. “I forgot.”
They all imagined Debbie Schneider, alone in the dark and cold. Waiting for a friend who’d forgotten her.
“Was there anyone else out there?” Gamache asked.
“Just some older kids. I think they were drinking in the woods.”
“What did you do then?”
“I came inside.”
“What time was that?”
“I think it was a few minutes before midnight. The TV was on and tuned to Bye Bye.”
“I didn’t see you,” said Gamache.
“No. You two were out at the bonfire by then. I decided it was so close to midnight, I might as well stay. I went outside briefly to see the fireworks, then came in here. I always find the company of books soothing.”
“Why did you need to be soothed?” Gamache asked.
“Couldn’t you feel the tension, the animosity in that room? And it wasn’t just aimed at Abigail. Debbie and I also felt it. Guilt by association. I just wanted to relax for a few minutes before going out to find Abigail and Debbie and heading home.”
“When did you leave the room?” Gamache asked.
“When I heard the commotion. I guess about ten past midnight.”
“Not before?”
“No. I was only here for a few minutes.”
Gamache noted the pile of split logs by the hearth. “Was a fire lit?”
“Yes. I was cold, so I put another couple of logs on.”
“What were you reading?”
She smiled. “Does it matter?”
“It might.”
“It’s over there.” She looked toward a table beside the wing chair closest to the fireplace.
Gamache got to his feet and walked over. Picking up the book, he raised his brows.
It was one he knew. He’d found the same obscure old volume among his parents’ collection. It was now in his bookcase at home, though he’d never read it.
He turned to her and she answered his unasked question.
“Extraordinary Popular Delusions,” she said, holding his eyes, “and the Madness of Crowds. You see, Chief Inspector, I was here.”
He brought the book back with him, crossing his legs and balancing it on his knee. “Did you see Madame Schneider at the fireworks?”
“No. But I wasn’t really looking. I was watching the display.”
“Did you see Professor Robinson?” He nodded toward Abigail, who’d lapsed into silence.
“No, but again, I was looking up into the sky. A beautiful display. Then we all came back inside and I came in here.”
