Death and Transfiguration

Chapter 33

"I've found some...new evidence," Pascal explained. "It could be a lead, but I need to talk to Bertrand Sylvestre again to corroborate my findings."

"What's the new evidence?" I asked as the two of us walked down Rue Michel-le-Comte.

"I'm afraid that's confidential information."

"Come on, Miss Pascal. You can trust me."

"You can't trust anyone in this line of work, Miss Brackenborough," Pascal said. "The evidence I found has to remain secret for now. If this information gets out, it could be disastrous."

"Have you told the police about it yet?"

"Of course not. They've never taken this case seriously," Pascal said. "I'm planning to investigate on my own, and if my suspicions are correct, I'll go to the proper authorities, but for now...I cannot allow someone to get hurt simply because of what I found. I have to ensure that this is more than just a coincidence."

"So why do you need to talk to Sylvestre?"

"I already said. I need to talk to him to make sure that the information I've found is true. I'm afraid I can't tell you any more than that."

I wasn't exactly satisfied with Pascal's answer, but nevertheless, I didn't try to think too hard about it. After all, what was the point in obsessing over this? Either Pascal would solve the case, or she wouldn't, and if she wasn't giving me any information, there wasn't much I could do to help her.

When we got to Sylvestre's house, Miss Pascal immediately struck up a conversation with Mr. Sylvestre, while I went to help get Sophie and Jean-Luc ready for school. I tried to eavesdrop on Pascal and Sylvestre, but it didn't seem like they were saying anything of interest. Their conversation was nothing but small talk, but for some strange reason, Sylvestre was fascinated by the private eye, and when Pascal suggested meeting up for dinner again, Sylvestre was quick to invite her over.

As soon as she was gone, Sylvestre turned to me and said, "Miss Brackenborough, is there any chance you could stay for dinner again?"

"Why?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

"Miss Dupont is coming over again."

"Miss Dupont?"

"She was here a few months ago, shortly after Lajoie died. I'm sure you'll recognize her when you see her again."

"Do I have to stay?" I asked. "I already made plans for this afternoon."

"What plans?"

I blushed, and I quickly realized that I couldn't tell Bertrand Sylvestre the truth. There was no way that he would understand. "I'm going out for coffee with a friend," I explained.

"A friend?" Sylvestre said with a chuckle. "What's his name?"

"Lé..." I said, but before I could say the second syllable, I caught myself. I had to be careful - surely, Sylvestre would hate me if he knew that I fancied women - or more accurately, one woman in particular. "Léandre," I said with a smile, desperately hoping that Sylvestre would believe my lie.

"Léandre," Sylvestre repeated. "A lovely name, isn't it?"

I nodded and then asked, "Can I see him before dinner?"

"I don't know how much time you'll have. Miss Dupont scheduled an early dinner for tonight."

I sighed and then said, "I'll send her...him...I'll send him a telegram to let him know."

Sylvestre left for the conservatory soon afterwards, and after I dropped Sophie and Jean-Luc off at school, I rushed to the telegraph office, and I sent Léa a telegram.