Massimo became conscious that he was struggling to hold her gaze. He’d watched her cuddle her son for a long time, whispering words into his ear that only the two of them could hear. He’d waited patiently for her to take him to the bathroom and wash him. He’d listened to her singing tender songs to him. Viola had taken care of the child that Lucas Ebran still partly was. She had only come back downstairs once she’d tucked him safely into bed.

“I’m sorry,” was all Massimo could muster. “I’m sure it’ll all work out for the best.”

The look she gave him seemed to say that there was no point in lying: she no longer believed in anything good, anything that didn’t cause her pain.

“My son hasn’t been well since the day he had to clean up his father’s blood from this floor, Inspector. He’s sick right here,” she said, tapping her forehead, “but he’s no monster. But you treated him like one, waving your guns about when you came here looking for him.”

“It was our duty to investigate . . .”

She made a face at him that suggested she didn’t think it mattered anymore. Massimo suspected that what had upset her most was to have suffered yet another blow to her dignity.

“I’ve come to talk about something you said yesterday about the inhabitants of this valley,” he said.

“Yes, I remember. I tend to start shouting when I’m afraid. It’s a weakness.”

“I apologize if I scared you.”

She left his apology unanswered.

“You said you came here for the secrets.”

“Yes. I was surprised to hear you talk about illegitimate children. You’re all pious people in this valley, aren’t you?”

She flicked her hand in a gesture of irritation, sending all the preachers, the saints, and their ilk to hell.

“The more they show their face in church, the more they sin,” she said.

“I visited the convent in Rail,” Massimo told her. “I saw the wheel. A troubling story.”

The woman nodded.

“It’s not the worst thing about this place, you know. Our little valley has plenty of sins to hide,” she said. “They like to think people have forgotten by now, but I can’t help but laugh when I come across them on the street.”

“Come across whom?”

“The nuns.”

Massimo leaned forward.

“The nuns have a secret to hide?” he said, wanting to be sure he’d understood her.

She gave him a sly grin, the smile of someone who knew a lot more than they let on. She picked up a cookie from the plate and began to chew on it.

“Clandestine liaisons,” she said. “That’s what we’re talking about.”

Massimo’s excitement vanished. He wasn’t interested in this particular piece of information. He picked up a biscuit too, and bit into it.

Viola’s smile widened.