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“I said arrest them, Captain Pinsent,” demanded the Minister of Defense. “This is a matter of public security! You saw what they did.”

“I saw her”—the officer nodded toward Shona—“behaving like a journalist, which she is. And I saw him raising his voice. If everyone who shouted in Parliament was arrested, the place would be empty. And she”—now she turned to Lacoste—“took a hit. From my rifle. And for that I am sorry, and ashamed.”

“It could have been far worse,” said Isabelle. “You pulled your blow.”

“It should never have happened. No, Minister. Enough. I will not arrest them.”

The RCMP officer raised her head in defiance.

The Minister of Defense glared at her, then turned to Shona, who bumped into the Chief Inspector as she backed away. Her eyes were wide with fear.

“It’s a shame you weren’t able to record that,” the Minister said to Shona, smiling.

“What?” said Shona.

“What’s happening?” asked Captain Pinsent, looking from one to the other.

“You passed the decency test,” said the Minister. “We need to get them out of here. What do you suggest?”

“Me?” said Captain Pinsent, trying to catch up with what just happened. “A minute ago you wanted me to arrest them, now you want me to help them escape? Refusing to arrest them is one thing, aiding and abetting an escape is another.”

“You said yourself, we’re not criminals. We haven’t been arrested. We’re detained against our will, illegally,” said Gamache. “It’s not a question of abetting. We’re free to leave.”

“Even if that’s true, sir, we’re on lockdown. I can’t even leave.” She looked at them all before landing on Trudel. “Madame Minister, you need to tell me what’s happening.”

“I’m sorry, there isn’t time.”

“You need to trust us,” said Gamache.

She was the commander of the unit, in a leadership position. It would have taken her years to get there. The Chief Inspector was aware they were asking her to throw all that away. To not just lose her job, but perhaps even be prosecuted.

She was also aware of that.

The moment stretched on.

“I know who you are,” she finally said. Not to Gamache, but to Isabelle Lacoste. “I’ve followed your career. Do you promise that you’re not planning any harm?”

It seemed both a hugely naïve and perfectly appropriate question.

“I promise.”

“Okay. Okay.” She seemed to be convincing herself.

“Pinsent’s your name?” said Gamache. The RCMP officer nodded. “Captain Pinsent, we need our phones, and Inspector Lacoste needs her firearm.”

There was silence. That last request might’ve been an ask too far, but after considering, Pinsent nodded.

“I can escort you to the front door. We’ll probably make it that far without being questioned. Most of those on duty are my people.”

“‘Most’? ‘Probably’?” said Shona. “What happens if we are stopped?”

The officers exchanged a look.

“We’ll need a distraction,” said Lacoste. “Nothing alarming, just something to draw attention away. Give us a chance to get to the door, at least.”

“I’ll do it,” said the Minister of Defense. “I can fake a heart attack or stroke.”

“I doubt they’d fall for that twice,” said Lacoste.