25Glad for a reason to be out of the station while the chief was in, Paul-Henri made his way over to Dr. Vernay’s office, working his way down the list of guests at the Valettes’ dinner. He stopped briefly on the doorstep to check his uniform, brushed a bit of lint off his sleeve, and knocked on the door.
Robinette Vernay, rosy-cheeked and bursting with good health, opened the door and ushered him inside. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Officer,” she said, surprising Paul-Henri. “You do look in woeful shape. I’m afraid the doctor is with a patient at the moment, can you wait for just a bit? Is there anything in the meantime I can do to make you more comfortable?”
Paul-Henri did not know what to say. He yanked down the hem of his coat and lifted his chest. “I’m not sure what you mean,” he said. “I am
