Chapter 20The closer it gets to Christmas, the happier people become. They enjoy banter and bartering, shopping for gifts and gastronomy, smiling and even singing as they go about their business. Everyone is cheerful, it seems – everyone except me. I mope, I moan, and I wearily drag myself around because I can't get the answers I need and it's driving me mad. I think that nothing can get any worse, then suddenly and unexpectedly, it does. We receive a call from Monsieur Falandry. Marcel puts him through.
“Bonjour, bonjour, am I speaking to the senior officer?”
“Bonjour, Monsieur,” I say. “Can I help you?” My heart is pounding in my chest. Does Falandry know something? Has Gregory Armand given him the answers that elude me?
“Pardon, Madame,” he says politely, “but I asked to speak to the
