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“Twice? You mean Senator Walls—?”

“I’m sure he’ll make a full and speedy recovery,” said Gamache. “No. I’ll lead them away. They’ll follow me. They’ll be curious, but not alarmed. Besides, I know my way around these buildings.”

Isabelle stared at him, trying to decide if that was true.

“Where will we rendezvous?” she asked.

Gamache thought. “Under the first bridge across the canal.”

That was where his parents had told him to go should he get separated from them. They would find him. They promised.

“D’accord,” said Lacoste.

The Minister of Defense looked at her phone. “Shit, I’m supposed to be in a cabinet meeting. It’s about to start.”

“Go,” said Gamache.

“If you need help…”

“You’ve done your part.”

“Okay, but I’m sure I could do a convincing heart attack. I’m not that far off.”

“Perhaps another time,” said Armand. “Merci.”

She opened the door and peered out. “There’re two assistants at their desks and two RCMP guards.”

“My people,” said Captain Pinsent. “I’ll reassign them.”

“And I’ll get rid of the assistants,” said the Minister.

They both left. Less than a minute later Captain Pinsent returned. “Follow me.”

Once in the anteroom, Gamache looked at the door into the PM’s office. He was tempted to go in and rifle the desk, knowing Woodford would be in the cabinet meeting. But there was no time for that.

He reached for the door into the main hallway, but Pinsent stopped him.

“There’re other guards out there, not under my command.”

Gamache nodded. “I understand.” He looked at Lacoste and Shona. “You know what to do.”

“Meet you under the bridge,” said Shona.

Isabelle held Armand’s eyes and nodded. Knowing he meant more than the rendezvous, should all this go terribly wrong.

“When you leave, head to the right,” said Pinsent.

“Aye, aye, Captain,” said Gamache. He saw Lacoste’s eyes open in genuine amusement. And she saw his genuine delight. Who knew the phrase would finally come in handy?

With that, he opened the door and strolled out as though he owned the place. As though he not only belonged but was in charge.

About twenty paces on he turned and saw the guards looking at him, perplexed. Then one of them called, “Stop there, please, sir.”

He did not.

Reine-Marie ran out onto the porch to meet them, followed by Clara, Myrna, and Ruth.

“Jean-Guy, where’s Armand? Is he all right? Is Isabelle?”