I tossed it to him short so he had to snatch for it, then turned towards the house. Madame Vaugeois was smoking on the terrace. She had the cigarette in her mouth, while her hands were busy pushing a lighter into the pack. I went back to the steps and thanked her for lunch. She kissed me on both cheeks. I told her that it had been really good to meet another Vaugeois. She was pleased at that. A little unsteady on her feet. She called me ‘cousin’ and said that I should come back anytime. I told her that I’d most likely go straight to the train station after speaking with the police.

Father Bousquet shook hands with a firm dry grip. His hand was large. It was a little like holding onto the blunt end of a baseball bat. An old one, like the bat Babe Ruth might have discarded after hitting a home run. A bat that was nicked and scarred. He gave the waiting cops a look. “If you need anything don’t hesitate to be in touch with Madame Vaugeois. She knows where to reach me. Not that I am difficult to find. I enjoyed meeting you.”

I said likewise, and meant it.

Grouse was tapping his finger on the car door. He was impatient, holding it open for me. His other hand rested at his waist. I saw the bulge of a service weapon beneath the leather jacket. The policeman looked at my canvas backpack and said again, “Is that all your stuff?”

I ignored him and climbed into the back seat and closed the door. Grouse got into the front. The driver gripped the passenger seat headrest and twisted around, reversing the car down the drive. He had light, short hair, was bearded, and smelled like stale tobacco. I said, “Grouse, you haven’t introduced me to your buddy.” Neither of them responded.

Brumaire retreated through the windshield. Madame Vaugeois stood a couple of steps above Father Bousquet. They were in conversation. I glanced at the gatekeeper’s house as we passed by. Daniel was stacking large stones from the wheelbarrow alongside the little cottage. I yawned, felt real sleepy all of a sudden. Must have been the wine. The car smelled like aloe-vera moisturizer. I figured it was what Grouse used to shine his head.

The bearded cop made a right after the bridge. We drove along the river for a while. The water was calm, like before. The sky was really threatening to rain. On the other side of the river I saw a large villa. Most of it was protected from view, but the roof and some of the top floor was visible. The house looked even more impressive than Brumaire. I estimated that it was geographically behind the Vaugeois house, maybe half a mile through the woods, on the same side of the river.