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Gilles looked at Beauvoir for a moment ‘One day I’ll tell you, but not just now I don’t think you’ll believe me so it’d be a waste of your time and mine But one day, if I think you won’t s, I’ll tell you what the trees are saying’

Inspector Beauvoir was surprised to find his own feelings were hurt He wanted this man to trust hiht He thought it was bullshit Maybe

‘Can you tell me about Madeleine Favreau?’

Sandon stooped and picked up a stick Beauvoir expected him to break it and worry it in his leather hands, but instead he just held it as one ht hold a sood ords, Inspector She was like that’ He pointed the stick into the woods Beauvoir looked over and saw sunlight glowing on light green buds and falling on the golden autumn leaves There was no need for words

‘She was new to this area,’ said Beauvoir

‘Only cao Lived with Hazel Smyth’

‘Were they lovers, do you think?’

‘Hazel and Madeleine?’ This see, idea for Sandon He frowned and considered it ‘Might have been Madeleine was full of love People like that souish between men and women I know they loved each other, if that’s what youelse’

‘I do And you’re saying it wouldn’t surprise you?’

‘No, but only because I think Madeleine loved a lot of people’

‘Including Monsieur Béliveau?’

‘I think if she felt anything for that o, you know And now Madeleine dies’

The rage boiled up and out of the man so quickly Beauvoir wasn’t prepared for it Sandon looked as if he wanted to hit soely, his fists clenched, tears running from his eyes Beauvoir could see the calculation in his mind Tree or man, tree or man Which one would he smash?