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Bringing out the card, he offered it to Tracey, who pushed his head forward and read.
“It says here you’re Chief Superintendent.”
“My new card hasn’t arrived.”
“So you were the big boss, but not anymore?”
Tracey was more with-it than Gamache had given him credit for. Replacing the card, Gamache shrugged and smiled.
“I messed up. It happens.”
He looked at Tracey now with a slightly conspiratorial gaze. Wanting Tracey to try to guess what he could possibly have done to warrant such a demotion.
Gamache knew what a man like Tracey would naturally assume.
It would have to be something illegal. Almost certainly brutal. If Tracey thought Cameron was threatening, just wait for it …
So now Tracey was well and truly confused.
Gamache’s manner was courteous, calm. But he intimated he was capable of something else.
“What do you want?” demanded Tracey.
“Do you know what I’d really like?”
“What?”
“Water. And to use your phone.”
“What?”
“Do you mind?” asked Gamache.
It appeared such a reasonable, though random, request that Tracey was struck dumb for a moment.
“There’s a hose over there.” He gestured to the side of the barn. “I’ll bring the phone out. Make your call, then leave.”
“Merci. I’m most grateful.”
Everyone in the farmyard was now staring at Gamache with open astonishment, including the donkeys. But human behavior often astonished them.
“Are you okay, patron?” asked Cameron when Tracey left.
He’d walked over to the Chief and scanned him for blood, concerned he might have hit his head on a rock in one of the many falls as they’d made their way, slipping and sliding, up the hill.
“How would you have had me handle this?” Gamache asked as they walked over to the hose. “Grab the pitchfork and beat him with it?”
Cameron flushed. It was, actually, exactly what he’d expected. And would have done.
Gamache gestured to the others to take the water first.
“You could’ve demanded to see Vivienne,” said Cloutier, reaching for the hose.
“I did ask.”
“Ask, yes, but couldn’t you have pushed harder?”
“To what end? Do you know what he’d have done? Run us off his property, and he’d have had every right. We have no warrant.” Gamache glanced behind him to make sure Tracey wasn’t approaching. Then he lowered his voice.
