32Maron had dragged his feet about letting Ben and Molly into the mayor’s house for a look around, which was no surprise to Ben. He was was well aware of Maron’s ambivalent feelings toward their involvement, fearing the former chief might find some clue that the gendarmes had missed. So it was Saturday before it was arranged. Monsour met the team of Dufort and Sutton at 1 rue Malbec at seven o’clock, saying he would return in an hour to lock up again.
“Thanks for coming over, we appreciate it,” said Ben. “Got any tidbits you’d like to let fall?” he asked with a grin, mostly just to see Monsour stiffen with resentment, which he promptly did.
“You of all people—”
“I know, I know, just joking with you,” said Ben, putting his hand on the glossy green front door and giving it a push. Monsour
