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‘God, Hazel,’ said Myrna ‘Has anyone spoken to her today?’

‘I called,’ said Clara, looking at the platter, but not really hungry ‘Spoke to Sophie Hazel was too upset to speak’

‘Hazel and Madeleine were close?’ Gamache asked

‘Best friends,’ said Olivier ‘Since high school They lived together’

‘Not as lovers,’ said Gabri ‘Well, not as far as I know’

‘Don’t be absurd, of course they’re not lovers,’ said Myrna ‘Men They think if two grooether and show affection they’re lesbians’

‘It’s true,’ said Gabri, ‘everyone makes that assuive you’

‘Was Madeleine Favreau ever heavy?’

Gamache’s question was so unexpected he was h he’d spoken Russian

‘Fat, you mean?’ Gabri asked ‘I don’t think so’

The others shook their heads

‘But she hadn’t lived here all that long, you know,’ said Peter ‘What would you say? Five years?’

‘About that,’ Clara agreed ‘But she fit in ilican Church Woroaned ‘Merde She was supposed to take over this summer Nohat ah not, he had to admit, quite as much as Madeleine herself

‘Pauvre Gabri,’ said Olivier ‘A personal tragedy’

‘Well, you try running the ACW Talk about murder,’ he said to Gamache ‘Maybe Hazel’ll do it? You think?’

‘No I don’t "tink",’ said Olivier ‘And you’d better not ask her now’

‘Is it possible someone else was in that house?’ Gamache asked ‘Most of you heard sounds’

Clara, Myrna and Gabri were quiet then, reodly noises

‘What do you believe, Clara?’ Gamache asked