“A man was found hanging in the woods. That guy who came in yesterday. He had lunch here, then visited your store,” said Gabri.

Myrna owned a bookstore next to the bistro. Her shop was a gathering place for villagers. They’d find a book, sit by her wood stove, enjoy a cup of strong tea, and read. She didn’t care if they actually bought the book. She just liked the company. And so did her customers.

“The tall man? Quiet?” Myrna asked, and Gabri nodded.

“Was he looking for a special book?” Chief Inspector Gamache asked.

“As far as I know, he wasn’t looking for a book at all. He wanted to know about the village and the area.”

“Just making conversation?” Gamache asked.

“I thought so.”

“But now?”

“Now that I think about it, he seemed interested in whether this was a good place for young men to put down roots. His question seemed odd, since he wasn’t a young man,” said Myrna.

“Funny,” Gabri jumped in. “He asked me the same question. Wanted to know if there were many young men around. Aside from me, though, I couldn’t think of any.”

Both Gamache and Myrna looked at Gabri. He was many things, but young wasn’t one of them.

“It must be nice to live in your head, my dear.” Myrna smiled.

“It is, you know,” agreed Gabri. “In my head I’m young and slim and very rich.”

“You are, for sure,” said Chief Inspector Gamache. He knew that Gabri and Myrna were very rich indeed, rich in the things that matter. In friendships and laughter, in kindness and company.

People rich in money might belong at the Inn and Spa, but those rich in other ways belonged in the tiny village of Three Pines. Here, kindness was the real currency.

“But there are a lot of young men around,” said Gamache, accepting a refill of coffee from the waiter, who was a young man.

“True, but I think he was asking about people moving here, not born here,” said Gabri.

“I thought the same thing,” said Myrna. “I asked if he had anyone in mind, his son, maybe.”

“What did he say?”

“It was strange. He seemed to be about to say something, but then he shook his head and left.”

Gamache turned to Gabri. “Do you have anyone staying at the Bed and Breakfast?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact. A woman arrived a couple of days ago, and then last night a fellow showed up.”

“With reservations?”

“Well, the woman called ahead but the man just arrived. Took a room for a couple of days.”

“Did you tell Mr. Ellis about him?” Gamache asked.

“Well, no. He hadn’t shown up yet.”

“Poor man,” said Myrna at last. “Killing himself.”

“Can’t say I blame him,” said Gabri, looking out the window at the dreary, cold day. “Depressing weather, and worse to come.”