Page 155
“Yes.”
“I hope she knows a good hiding place,” said Gamache. “What is it?”
The Minister was looking perplexed. “I find it hard to believe she’d help you, of all people.”
“Why do you say that?” asked Gamache.
“You obviously don’t know who she is.”
“Manon Payette.”
“Like many Québécoise whose first name is Marie, she goes by her middle name, Manon. And Payette’s her mother’s last name. She didn’t want anyone to know who she is. Didn’t want preferential treatment. She was my Chief of Staff, but after the poison scandal, Woodford transferred her to his office, where he could offer her some protection.”
“From whom? Who is she?” asked Isabelle.
“Marie Lauzon.”
“Merde. Marcus Lauzon’s daughter.” Isabelle turned to Gamache. “The one you arrested for manslaughter years ago. Her father got her off and never forgave you. Tried to ruin you.”
“Not just me.” Armand wondered if they knew what Lauzon had done to Daniel.
His eyes narrowed as he quickly tried to see what this might mean. It was clearly not good news. But just how bad would it prove to be?
Though one thing was not debatable.
“We need to get out of here,” he said.
“Agreed. If you’re right, they’ll need to silence you too. I suspect the only reason they haven’t is because of that video. But something will happen to you, it has to.”
The Minister now seemed to believe them about Woodford. She looked at all three, and something dawned on her. “Huh. You knew when you arrived there was a chance you’d be the first victims of a covert war.”
“Not the first. The first was a young biologist murdered on a street in Montréal,” said Gamache. “But yes, we discussed that possibility.”
Giselle Trudel went to the door and asked the head guard to join them.
Shona looked at Lacoste, who was looking at Gamache, who was staring at the Minister of Defense, who turned to the guard.
“Arrest them.”
CHAPTER 30
The car crested the hill, then began its slow descent into Three Pines, passing the bench with its inscription.
Surprised by Joy.
Then, below that, the Marilynne Robinson paraphrase: May you be a brave man in a brave country.
It was as though the bench were a gatekeeper, etching the words into itself as enchantments. With its tattooed incantations, it stood guard over this tiny Québec village not found on any map.
As their vehicle rounded the village green and passed the three immense pines, Jean-Guy hoped and prayed they would not be followed and found. Not just for their sake, but for the sakes of everyone who’d found refuge there from a world not always kind. Who’d been surprised by joy when they realized Three Pines wasn’t just a haven, it was home.
As he parked, he knew the biggest hurdle was going to be convincing Reine-Marie to let Marcus Lauzon into her home. Though, as it turned out, that was not a problem.
“I’m sorry, Minister, but from what I’ve seen these people have done nothing wrong.”
The RCMP guard in full gear had closed the door behind her, and now cradled her carbine across her chest. She looked uncomfortable.
It was not easy to refuse a direct order.
