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“I take it you mean the federal government,” said Gamache.

“I think so, but I’m not sure. And if so, which one?”

“What do you mean?”

“In the Action Québec Bleu files, the ones in Madame Chalifoux’s office, I’ve found repeated references to FEDS and DC.”

“Washington?”

“I don’t think it’s the comics, do you?”

Both Ruth and Rosa snorted.

“It didn’t make sense since AQB never got money from the federal government,” Shona continued. “And certainly not from the Americans.”

“When Americans say ‘Feds,’” said Armand, “don’t they mean the FBI?”

“That’s my understanding,” said Ruth.

“I was talking to her.”

“Right.”

“Or the Federal Reserve,” added Armand. He leaned across the table, forgetting how filthy it was. Until his hand touched it.

But it was too late.

“The thing is, it’s not ‘the Feds,’ just ‘FEDS,’” said Shona. “And every reference to it is spelled with all caps.”

“You’ve obviously looked it up online,” said Armand.

“Obviously. Just what we’ve already said, but nothing with all caps.”

Armand sat back and, deep in thought, he reached for a thin paper napkin. As he tried to wipe the sticky stuff off his hands, all he managed to do was glue the paper to his palms.

“Are you done? Can we go to the Ritz?” asked Ruth.

“Non,” said Armand, studying the young woman across from him. “I think there’s more. Why did you want to meet?”

“Because of this.”

Shona placed a piece of paper in front of Gamache. He put on his reading glasses.

“What am I looking at?”

“Bank accounts. I said I wanted to write a piece on the lack of funding for AQB. Chalifoux gave me access to her applications for government funding and requests for private donations. I don’t think she realized that from there I could get deeper.”

“To see the funding and donations themselves,” said Gamache.

“Exactly. Look at the amounts. They’re huge. I can guarantee you none of this ever came to AQB. I think the organization is being used to launder money.”

Armand shook his head and gave one gruff laugh, though there was little actual amusement. Removing his glasses, he rubbed his eyes. “Incredible. I think you’ve found it. We’ve been looking into this.”

“What?” said Shona and Ruth in unison.

“How the bribes got to Marcus Lauzon. This must be it. They were funneled through AQB. And Charles Langlois found out.”

“And ‘DC’? What does that mean?” asked Shona.