A Trick of the Light

André Castonguay walked slowly, deliberately across the village green.

Gamache had watched all this, and now his gaze shifted to François Marois. There was a look of weary sophistication on the art dealer’s face. He seemed almost bemused.

The Chief Inspector stepped off the terrasse and joined Marois, whose eyes hadn’t left the Morrow cottage, as though he expected it to do something worth witnessing. Then his look shifted to Castonguay, trudging up the dirt road.

“Poor André,” said Marois to Gamache. “That really wasn’t very nice of Fortin.”

“What wasn’t?” asked Gamache, also watching the gallery owner. Castonguay had stopped at the top of the hill, swayed a bit, then carried on. “It seemed to me Monsieur Castonguay was the one being abusive.”

“But he was provoked,” said Marois. “Fortin knew how André would react as soon as he sat at the table. And then—”

“Yes?”

“Well, ordering more drinks. Getting André drunk.”

“Did he know Monsieur Castonguay has a problem?”

“Daddy’s little problem?” Marois smiled, then shook his head. “It’s become an open secret. Most of the time he has it under control. Has to. But sometimes—”

He made an eloquent gesture with his hands.

Yes, thought Gamache. Sometimes—

“And then to actually tell André he was here to try to sign the Morrows. Fortin was just asking for trouble. Smug little man.”

“Aren’t you being a bit disingenuous?” Gamache asked. “After all, that’s the reason you’re here.”

Marois laughed. “Touché. But we were here first.”

“Are you telling me there’s a dibs system? There’s so much about the art world I didn’t know.”

“What I meant is that no one needs to tell me what great art is. I see it, I know it. Clara’s art is brilliant. I don’t need the Times, or Denis Fortin, or André Castonguay to tell me. But some people buy art with their ears and some with their eyes.”

“Does Denis Fortin need to be told?”

“In my opinion, yes.”

“And do you spread your opinion around? Is that why Fortin hates you?”

François Marois turned his complete attention to the Chief Inspector. His face was no longer a cipher. His astonishment was obvious.

“Hate me? I’m sure he doesn’t. We’re competitors, yes, often going after the same artists and buyers, and it can get pretty gruesome, but I think there’s a respect, a collegiality. And I keep my opinions to myself.”

“You told me,” said Gamache.

Marois hesitated. “You asked. Otherwise I would never have said anything.”

“Is Clara likely to sign with Fortin?”

“She might. Everyone loves a repentant sinner. And I’m sure he’s doing his mea culpas right now.”

“He already has,” said Gamache. “That’s how he got invited to the vernissage.”

“Ahhh,” nodded Marois. “I was wondering about that.” He looked troubled for the first time. Then, with an effort, his handsome face cleared. “Clara’s no fool. She’ll see through him. He didn’t know what he had with her before, and he still doesn’t understand her paintings. He’s worked hard to build up a reputation as cutting edge, but he isn’t. One false move, one bad show, and the whole thing will come crashing down. A reputation’s a fragile thing, as Fortin knows better than most.”

Marois motioned toward André Castonguay, almost at the inn. “Now, he’s less vulnerable. He has a number of clients and one big corporate account. Kelley Foods.”

“The baby food manufacturer?”

“Exactly. Huge corporate buyer. They invest heavily in art for their offices worldwide. Makes them seem less money grubbing and more sophisticated. And guess who finds them the art?”

It needed no answer. André Castonguay had plunged headlong into the doorway of the inn and spa. And disappeared.

“They’re fairly conservative, of course,” continued the dealer. “But then, so’s André.”

“If he’s so conservative why’s he interested in Clara Morrow’s work?”

“He’s not.”

“Peter?”

“I think so. This way he gets two for one. A painter whose work he can sell to Kelley Foods. Safe, conventional, respected. Nothing too daring or suggestive. But he’ll also get all sorts of publicity and legitimacy in picking up someone truly avante-garde. Clara Morrow. Never underestimate the power of greed, Chief Inspector. Or ego.”

“I’ll make a note of that, merci.” Gamache smiled and watched Marois follow Castonguay up the hill.

“Not with a club the heart is broken.”

Gamache turned toward the voice. Ruth was sitting on the bench, her back to him.

“Nor with a stone,” she said, apparently to thin air. “A whip so small you could not see it I have known.”

Gamache sat next to her.

“Emily Dickinson,” said Ruth, staring ahead of her.

“Armand Gamache,” said the Chief Inspector.

“Not me, you idiot. The poem.”

She turned angry eyes on him, only to find the Chief smiling. She gave one large guffaw.

“Not with a club the heart is broken,” repeated Gamache. It was familiar. Reminded him of something someone had recently said.