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"Why do you think I’d know?"

"Because I agree with you You knew her better than anyone Better than she knew herself You knew her secrets, and now you’re going to tell me"

SEVENTEEN

"Helloooo," called Clara "Bonjour"

She could hear voices, shouts But they seeh on TV Then they stopped and there was silence The place felt eh she knew it probably wasn’t

She advanced a little further into the old railway station, past the shiny red fire truck, past their equipment Clara saw her own helmet and boots Everyone in Three Pines was a member of the volunteer fire department And Ruth Zardo was the chief, since she alone was ration Given a choice between Ruth and a burning building,

"Oui, âllo?"

Aaround the truck, saw Inspector Beauvoir at a desk looking in her direction

He sreeted her with a kiss on both cheeks

"Come, sit What can I do for you?" he asked

His etic But Clara had still been shocked to see hiard, tired Thin even for the aliry h At least, like everyone else, she knew the words, the story But Clara realized she didn’t really "know" Could never know

"I ca in the swivel chair beside Beauvoir’s

"Froht

"From you" She saw this and was happy she hadn’t told hi Gamache was because he wasn’t alone And Beauvoir was

"Coffee?" Jean Guy gestured toward a full pot already brewed

"I’d love one, thanks"

They got up and poured coffees into chipped whiteNewtons, then sat back down