32The news that Maron was headed to Paris to see Esmé Ridding alone did not shock Paul-Henri, since from the beginning of the case Maron had shut him out at every turn. He had hoped his mother’s bit of gossip about the baron and Esmé would be useful enough to make Maron less selfish and allow him into the process even if only for consultation. But no, Paul-Henri was sent out to find lost dogs and lost husbands with dementia until he thought he would die of boredom.
At least Maron was away and Paul-Henri was captain of the ship for two whole days. He performed a thorough cleaning of the station and checked his uniform, making sure buttons were polished and creases pressed perfectly. And then, because he didn’t know what else to do, he went out and walked the streets like Maron usually did,
