“Eavesdropping?” I ask, trying to keep it light.
André’s smile exposes his bright white teeth. He’s one of the few who appear truly sincere when he beams.
“You’ve gotten away with it,” he says, shaking his head in disbelief. “At least on their part.”
I rub my eyes with my hands.
“Not all of them,” I murmur.
André’s face tightens with a grimace.
“Finish reading the Hawtrey-Moore report, will you?”
The report. My heart skips a beat.
“Is that…? Also?”
“No,” he says, coughing. “The charges against you as an accomplice to the Dubois family still stand. Antonia hasn’tspoken out on the matter.”
“Oh.”
For a moment, I had my hopes up.
“But we’re working on it,” André reassures me. “The Dubois will get you out of this mess. You didn’t do anything.”
I didn’t do anything. Ha! I don’t think everyone feels that way. I know Eloïse Hawtrey-Moore doesn’t. I find it hard to believe she’s going to try to help me. And there’s little Enzo can do for me once the Garros matter is settled.
I keep my reservations to myself and, putting on my best smile, say, “I hope so.”
André puts on his coat and wraps a long scarf around his neck.
“If all goes well…” he begins. His gaze lingers on mine for a moment. “We’ll expect you at the office on January 7th.”
Oh, yes. I’m no longer invited to the company Christmas’s lunch. Public image issues, according to Sarah.
Fuck her.
“Don’t worry,” I say, saying goodbye.
“Merry Christmas, Vera.”
JANUARY, Enero, Janvier
Excerpt from Norman Plaskitt’s statement
Taken on Thursday, November 12 in Bordeaux, France
(Head of department Julie Ambers conducts the interrogation in collaboration with the Police. The accused, Norman Plaskitt, enters the room and sits down.)
JA: Norman Plaskitt. You are accused of the attempted murder of Eloïse Hawtrey-Moore on the night of Sunday, November 1, in the city of Bordeaux, and of illegal possession of a firearm. Correct?
NP: Yes.
JA: Please indicate what your relationship is with the Dubois family and what you were doing on the family property.
NP: I have always been friends with Laurent. For many years. Excuse me… I can’t say how long we’re talking about. I needed a steady job, and he gave it to me. Since then, I have been the family’s driver. I have travelled between France and the UK whenever they have needed me. It may have been… eight? Ten years?
JA: Were you working at the behest of Mr Dubois or of the whole family?
