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It felt fresh and light and welco receptionist asked

"We were looking for two of your guests Messieurs Marois and Castonguay"

"They’re in the living rooht

The two Sûreté officers knew perfectly here it was, having been in it many times before But they let the receptionist do her job

After offering them coffee, which was declined, she left the rooht with floor-to-ceiling s looking down on the village below A log fire was laid, but not lit and flowers sat in vases on occasional tables The room was both n They’d done a syrand old ruin into the twenty-first century

"Bonjour" François Marois rose from one of the Eames chairs and put down a copy of that day’s Le Devoir

André Castonguay looked over fro the New York Times He too rose as the two officers entered the room

Ga spoken with hie But the other uay stood and Ga the night before His face was puffy, and ruddy from tiny broken blood vessels in his nose and cheeks

"I hadn’t expected to see you here," said Gah greeting a fellow guest

"Nor I you," said Marois "André, this is Chief Inspector Gamache, of the Sûreté du Québec Do you know uay?"

"Only by reputation A very good reputation The Galerie Castonguay is renowned You represent solad you think so, Chief Inspector," said Castonguay