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Toussaint nodded. Knowing, of course, what it said.
While Gamache could not be made Chief Superintendent, Isabelle Lacoste could.
Toussaint picked up the envelope, tore it open, and read. Then she looked across the table at Isabelle Lacoste. Perplexed at first, then realization growing.
“You must be kidding.”
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
“We need to go,” said Annie. “They’ve almost finished boarding.”
Armand’s Sûreté credentials had gotten him and Reine-Marie past security. They stood with Annie and Jean-Guy by the gate at Trudeau International Airport.
Honoré was in Reine-Marie’s arms while Armand and Jean-Guy struggled with the travel stroller.
“Here,” said Reine-Marie. She handed the child to Annie, walked over to them, pressed a button, lifted some nylon, and up it folded.
The two men nodded to each other, Laurel and Hardy style.
Hm, hm, hm.
“Can I leave him here and bring you to Paris, Maman?”
“Oh, don’t ask me twice,” said Reine-Marie, taking Honoré back.
Dropping her face to his hair, she took a deep breath, then handed him to his grandfather.
The Air Canada representative approached. “I’m sorry, but we’re closing the gate.”
“Merci,” said Annie, and looked at her father.
“See you soon, buddy,” Armand whispered to the tired child, almost asleep in his arms. “You’ll love Paris. What an adventure you’ll have. And you’ll see your cousins Florence and Zora.”
He held Honoré in the pocket of his shoulder, resting his cheek on the little head, for a moment. Then he kissed his forehead and whispered, “I love you.”
The boy put his small hand on his grandfather’s large one. Holding it there.
“Dad?” said Annie, putting out her arms.
Armand handed Honoré back to his mother.
“Before I go, I want to give you this,” said Jean-Guy, holding out an envelope.
“Money?” asked Armand, as he took it.
Jean-Guy laughed. “Non. A name. The person I’m recommending as your second-in-command.”
“Hope they’re better than your last one,” said Armand.
“Hard to be worse,” agreed Jean-Guy. “It is, of course, your decision.”
“Does this person know?”
“They applied. And yes, they do know about the recommendation.” He nodded to the envelope. “I used one of the things you taught me, when making my decision about your second-in-command.”
“You mean the four statements that lead to wisdom?” asked Armand.
Jean-Guy shook his head.
