She nodded. “Those women are free to take their infants with them or to put them up for adoption or foster care. Most choose to do that if they haven’t acquired any way to take care of themselves whilst in here.”

“It’s one woman in particular we’re interested in. Manon Vinet, a French woman who might have come here about six years ago.”

Mrs. Maltings straightened as if with rigorous intent to protect the hospital’s information. “I can’t discuss individual patients, Inspector. For that you’d have to speak to the doctor who was in charge at the time.”

“Who is—?”

“Was. Dr. Park. Dr. Howe Park.”

“So, may I speak to him?”

“Dr. Park has retired. He lives in St. Just.”

“In Cornwall?”

“Yes.” Her mouth tightened as if even that disclosure made her unhappy.

“Well, can you give me his address? His phone number?”

She seemed doubtful even as to that. “I believe I have that information in my office.”

As they walked toward that office, Jury tried to loosen her up by commenting on Summerston’s and the designer’s superb taste as he looked again at the well-appointed rooms they passed.

Tom said, “Gerald Summerston appears to have thought of everything.”

Loosen up she did, almost glowing with approval. “Indeed he did. And so very generously supplied the funds to carry out these thoughts. The kindest person I think I’ve ever known.”

“The soul of it,” said Jury.

“Indeed.”

29

“You was to take me to the Mucky Duck later,” said Carole-anne Palutski on the following day. She was busy adding fake gems to her fingernails. There were tiny bits arranged on Jury’s coffee table.

“Sorry. We’ll do that when I come back.” Jury was stuffing a few items into an overnight bag. “Shouldn’t you be at work at the Starrdust?”

“Andrew gave me the afternoon off.” She studied the various fake bits on the table.

“Why? So you could enamel your nails?” He tossed in his shaving kit.

She ignored that and went on with her own line: “I don’t see why you have to go to Paris. You could just ring this person and ask your questions over the phone.”

“Because I’d be far more likely to get answers if I’m there in person.”

“Why? Because of your looks and charm?”

The furthest thing from Jury’s mind. He’d been thinking of human nature. But he went along with Carole-anne. “Of course.”

“Well, you don’t have them.”

“Thanks.”

“Or that much of them.” She corrected herself and her little fingernail, on which she repositioned some bit of ruby. “So you’d just as well pick up the phone and ask your questions that way.” She held out her hand to inspect the installation. “It makes Mrs. W. nervous when you’re gone for overnight.”

Meaning it made Carole-anne nervous.