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“Interesting,” Descartes roup than you did”

“You think that’s who he faxed in Charlotte about the bones?”

“Peut-être Maybe so It’s a good place to start”

“What about the London and Ro there?”

He shrugged “Other people he wanted to know about the age of the bones But which people, and why? Sais pas—don’t know” He selected a crimson strawberry from the plate and popped it into histhe strawberry, and an appreciative smile dawned across his face “Ah, délicieuse,” he breathed “The food and wine in Provence are so wonderful If I weren’t living on a policeman’s salary, I would love it here” He cast a swift, wistful look around the garden and at the lovely buildings Then, to my astonishment, he took a croissant from the platter, wrapped it in a napkin, and slipped it into his jacket pocket Seeing the expression one him? I did neither, and after a pause he continued “Perhaps, Docteur, you can help us find out who he was faxing If you are willing”

“Me? Help how? Does it require erous?”

“Illegal, no Immoral, also no” He smiled “Sorry if that disappoints you”

“You didn’t say it’s not dangerous, Inspector I’ that means it is?”

He held out a hand and waggled it “Perhaps”

“Does ‘perhaps’ mean ‘definitely’?”

“You can say no, of course”

“You think someone killed Stefan for the bones?”

“Unless so your assistant”

I hadn’t expected that I felt the blood rush to ht have just stepped into a trap Did Descartes still consider me a suspect? If so, had uilty? I was too angry to care “Look, Inspector, I knohat you think — Miranda’s personal life is fair ga up dirt on Miranda, the answer’s no; you’re on your own”

He seemed surprised byironic I forgot you were sensitive about that” Was he being sincere? There was no way to tell “Of course the ets this report”—with his right index finger he pointed to the paper in er “A few hours after that, he’s dead” He held up his other index finger, then brought the two fingers together “They are connected How?” He tapped his temple “I think he tries to sell the bones I think he has three potential buyers — three fishes on the line And one of the fishes kills him”

“So, cherchez le squelette,” I reminded him “Find the skeleton, you’ll find the killer”

“Maybe” He drained his cup and studied the sludge in the bottom “Yes, maybe he takes the bones to a rendezvous at the chapel, and the buyer kills hiuess about what had happened “But I think not” I looked at hi! — and take the bones, sure, it makes sense But crucify hiht? A way that’s slow and painful? Maybe to try to get infor You see?” I nodded; there was logic to that He held up the finger yet again “Also, why search his apartment, if you already have what you want?”

“Maybe to make sure there’s no evidence at the apartment, no paper trail for the police to follow?”

“Non,” he scoffed “Whoever searched that apart for the bones Of this I feel certain”

“So what do you do now, Inspector?”

“I ask you to contact the three fishes”

“Me? Why?”

“To offer the bones for sale”

“But I don’t have the bones,” I pointed out

“A“You pretend to have the clear

“Why don’t you pretend to have them, Inspector?”