The minister, who did not appear to know the Lepages, did his best. He spoke of Laurent’s kindness, his gentleness, his innocence.

“Who exactly are we burying?” Gabri whispered, as they got down once again to pray.

Laurent’s father was invited to the front by the minister. Al walked up, dressed in an ill-fitting black suit, his hair pulled back tightly, his beard combed. He held a guitar and sat on a chair set out for him.

The guitar rested on his lap, ready. But Al just sat there, staring at the mourners. Unable to move. And then, helped by Evie, he returned to his seat in the front pew.

The interment, in the cemetery above Three Pines, was private. Just Evelyn and Alan Lepage, the minister and the people from the funeral home.

In the church basement, Laurent’s teachers, classmates, neighborhood children picked at food brought by the villagers.

“Can I speak with you, patron?” asked Jean-Guy.

“What is it?” asked Armand when he and Jean-Guy had stepped a few paces from the group.

“We’ve gone over it and over it. There’s no evidence it was anything other than an accident.”

Beauvoir studied the large man in front of him, trying to read his face. Was there relief there? Yes. But there was also something else.

“You’re still troubled,” said Jean-Guy. “I can show you our findings.”

“No need,” said Gamache. “Merci. I appreciate it.”

“But do you believe it?”

Gamache nodded slowly. “I do.” Then he did something Beauvoir did not expect. He smiled. “Seems Laurent wasn’t the only one with a vivid imagination. Seeing things that aren’t there.”

“You’re not going to report an alien invasion now, are you?”

“Well, now that you mention it…”

Gamache tilted his head toward the buffet and Beauvoir smiled.

Ruth was pouring something from a flask into her waxed cup of punch.

“Merci, Jean-Guy. I appreciate what you’ve done.”

“Thank Lacoste. She approved it and even put a team on it. The boy died in an accident, patron. He fell off his bike.”

Once again Gamache nodded. They walked back to the others, passing Antoinette and Brian on the way.

Brian said hello, but Antoinette turned away.

“Still mad, I see,” said Jean-Guy.

“And it’s only getting worse.”

“What’re you two talking about?” asked Reine-Marie, as Armand and Jean-Guy rejoined her.

“Antoinette,” said Jean-Guy.

“She looked at me with loathing,” said Myrna.

“Me too,” said Gabri, walking over with a plate filled with apple pie while Olivier’s was stacked with quinoa, cilantro, and apple salad.

“Play not going well?” asked Jean-Guy.

“Once they found out who wrote it, most of the other actors also quit,” said Gabri. “I think Antoinette was genuinely surprised.”

Myrna was looking at Antoinette and shaking her head. “She really doesn’t seem to understand why anyone would be upset.”

“So the play’s canceled?” asked Jean-Guy.