“Damn,” he said, giving her the book. “Something to read while you wait.”

But when Lucy sat down, she didn’t open the book. Her mind was busy going over the interview. Money laundering? Could it be possible? All indications were that Chef Larry was involved in the black market. Could he also be operating a money-laundering scheme? And had they, and perhaps even Norah, been drawn in? The more she thought about it, the more anxious she got, and when Bill emerged, much sooner than she had expected, she jumped on him.

“What did he ask you?” she demanded.

“Nothing much. Just name and address, occupation, that sort of thing.”

“Really?” she asked, surprised, as they stepped out of the notorious building and into the weak Paris sunshine.

“Yeah,” said Bill, exhaling a big sigh. “But even so, it was pretty stressful. Let’s find a café. I’m wicked thirsty.”

“I feel like we’re being set up,” muttered Lucy as they headed for the café on the corner. “Lapointe was asking me about money laundering. I think he’s on the wrong track. Norah would never be involved in something like that.”

“Beer, see voo play,” he said to the waiter, who was hovering inside the door.

“Deux bières, s’il vous plaît,” said Lucy, holding up two fingers as they settled themselves at a window table. At home she’d never think of drinking beer in the middle of the morning, but in Paris . . . Well, she noticed, there was plenty of company in the café, and they certainly weren’t all drinking coffee.

Lucy was still working on her beer when Sid and Sue joined them, having seen them through the window.

“Has Lapointe questioned you?” asked Bill. “Are you done already?”

“Yeah. He only asked a couple of questions,” said Sue. “He asked about the trip and the cooking school. I told him Chef Larry wasn’t much of a teacher.”

“Didn’t you tell Lapointe about the wine and gourmet goods?” asked Lucy.

“No, I didn’t,” said Sue. “As far as I know, that was all on the up-and-up.”

Lucy shook her head. “You should have told him.”

“Why didn’t you tell him?” asked Sue, challenging Lucy.

“I should have,” admitted Lucy. “The truth is, he didn’t give me a chance.”

“Lapointe gave Lucy a hard time,” said Bill. “She was in there for quite a while.”

“He just asked me about our address, confirmed the information on my passport,” said Sid. “That was it.”

“You do have an honest face,” said Sue, reaching across the table and stroking his cheek.

Sue had just finished her coffee when Ted and Pam arrived and joined the group.

“How did it go?” asked Lucy.

“Much better than I expected,” said Ted. “Richard warned me that the French police can be pretty hard-nosed, but all Lapointe wanted was basic stuff, name and address, stuff like that.”