I nodded. He stepped back and made space for the other two. The woman extended a hand. “Inspector Martaud. Research and Intervention police.” I shook it. The giant just stood behind her. Martaud was tall and thin and had a lined face, gray hair and steel-gray eyes. She was a striking woman and resembled a bird of prey. The guy with her was a giant. A muscular beast with a mop of blond hair He wore a bulging polo shirt and very tight jeans. Martaud carried a file folder. She smiled at me. “This is Caro.”

The big guy called Caro put a laptop on the table and then sat down. As if he’d done enough standing for the day. He barely fit in the office chair. Rigalle pulled a chair back into the corner, like an observer.

Martaud was still on her feet. “I’m sorry that we had to disturb you. I’d just like to ask you a few questions if you don’t mind. And we will take your formal statement.” Martaud put the file down on the table and took a chair. She looked at me and something occurred to her. “Just to be clear. You’re not accused of anything. This has to do with the incident this morning.”

“Did someone die?” I asked.

She looked up from the file. “Why do you ask that?”

“No reason really.”

“I’m not at liberty to release potentially sensitive information because the investigation is open, but it has to do with the report that you gave to the municipal police earlier. If you just answer a few questions, that will be all that is required and you will be on your way.” She put her hands on the table and examined my stuff. She looked thoughtful. “Let’s put your belongings back.”

I thought Martaud was offering to do it for me, but I was wrong. She looked at me. The giant was squeezed into his chair behind her and to the side. I didn’t fuss. Just put my stuff back. Brought the pack around to my side of the table. She said, “According to the notes, this morning, you claimed to have successfully repelled an attack by three men.”

“Lucky I guess.”

Martaud gave a cynical laugh. “Yes, very lucky, as according to your report one of them was armed with a bladed weapon.”

“Correct.”

She said, “Are you trained to deal with three attackers, Monsieur Keeler?”

“I’ve had military training.”

Martaud shook her head as if this were a miracle. Looked at the other guy. “Military training.” Caro the giant nodded in mock gravity. She leaned back in her chair and said, “The American military.” The municipal police director, Rigalle, had a pained expression on his face as he ran fingers through his mustache.

“That’s correct.”

Rigalle leaned forward. “In what capacity did you serve, Mister Keeler?”

“322nd Special Tactics Squadron out of Mildenhall, UK.”