And now there was another child on the way. They’d told both sets of parents at supper on Good Friday and there’d been a roar of excitement. Her father had brought out champagne and Armand had rushed off to the store to get her some non-alcoholic apple cider and they’d toasted their great good fortune.
While they waited for their order Armand put his hand on his son’s arm and guided him a little way into the pavilion, away from any onlookers. He reached into his Barbour jacket and handed Daniel an envelope.
‘Dad, I don’t need it,’ Daniel whispered.
‘Please take it.’
Daniel slipped it into his own coat. ‘Thank you.’
Son hugged father, like Easter Island megaliths come together.
But Gamache hadn’t moved far enough away. Someone was watching.
Roslyn and Florence had joined another young family and Daniel wandered over while Gamache subsided onto the bench again, handing his wife her coffee and picking up his paper. Reine-Marie had disappeared into the front section of La Presse. It was unusual for her not to greet him, but he knew that both of them often got caught up in reading. Henri was asleep in the sunlight at his feet and sipping his coffee he watched the people stroll by.
It was an exquisite day.
After a few minutes Reine-Marie lowered the newspaper. Her face was troubled. Frightened almost.
‘What is it?’ Gamache reached over and put his large hand on her forearm, searching her eyes.
‘Did you read the paper?’
‘Just the book section so far, why?’
‘Is it possible to be scared to death?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Apparently someone has been. Frightened to death.’
‘Mais, c’est horrible.’
‘In Three Pines.’ Reine-Marie searched his face. ‘In the old Hadley house.’
Armand Gamache paled.