The Hangman Read Free Page B

here, anyway? he asked himself.
    While the team searched Ellis’s room and car, Chief Inspector Gamache walked down the dirt road into the tiny village.
    Three Pines sat quietly in a valley, as though hiding from the world. And the world certainly seemed fooled.
    Old homes faced the village green, a round and very pretty park. Wood smoke rose from chimneys, and the fresh, clean air smelled a bit of maple logs.
    Three Pines was at peace.
    That reminded the chief inspector of the note he’d recently read. And of the man found hanging, like a late fall leaf, from a tree.
    “ I am tired ,” Gamache murmured as he walked into the gentle little village. “ But I am at peace .”

Chapter Six

    Chief Inspector Gamache warmed himself by the fire in the bistro. Around him, other customers drank hot chocolate and coffee and ate pastries. Fires roared in the fireplaces at both ends of the cozy room. Gamache took a sip of coffee and ate a pastry. The November cold had gotten into his bones even on the short walk, and he was only now warming up. He spared a moment to think of Inspector Beauvoir and the rest of the team, now on their hands and knees searching for clues at the Inn and Spa. Then he took a bite of the cream-filled pastry and turned his attention to the large man across from him.
    Gabri was one of the owners of both this bistro and the Bed and Breakfast across thevillage green. He was big, some might even say fat, though they would only say so if he couldn’t hear them. Gabri was a happy man, content with his quiet life in the quiet village.
    Around Gamache and Gabri, people were laughing and talking. Light danced off the shiny wood floors, and Gamache sank deeper into the large, comfortable armchair. Gabri sat on a faded sofa across from him and sipped tea.
    “It’s great to see you again, Chief Inspector,” said Gabri. “Just visiting?”
    “I wish. I’m afraid there’s been a death.” Gabri turned pale. “Here in Three Pines?” “In the forest. A man was found hanged.” Gabri sighed and shook his head. “Who was he? Someone we know?”
    “He was a guest at the Inn and Spa. His name was Ellis.”
    “First or last name?”
    “Last. His first name was Arthur.”
    Gabri thought, then shook his head again.
    Gamache brought out the photograph. He hated showing it. Making people look at the dead man’s face seemed like an assault. But he had no choice.
    Gabri looked quickly at the picture. “I know him.” He turned back to Gamache. “Didn’t catch his name, though. He came in here yesterday. Myrna!”
    A large black woman in a long, loose orange dress ambled over. She smiled when she saw the chief inspector. But her smile faded when she saw their serious faces.
    The chief inspector rose and bowed slightly.
    “Hello,” she said. “Here on business?”
    Gabri patted the seat next to him on the sofa, and she sat.
    “Has someone died?” She looked from Gamache to her friend Gabri.
    “A man was found hanging in the woods. That guy who came in yesterday. He had lunch here, then visited your store,” said Gabri.
    Myrna owned a bookstore next to the bistro. Her shop was a gathering place for villagers. They’d find a book, sit by her wood stove, enjoy a cup of strong tea, and read. She didn’t care if they actually bought the book. She just liked the company. And so did her customers.
    “The tall man? Quiet?” Myrna asked, and Gabri nodded.
    “Was he looking for a special book?” Chief Inspector Gamache asked.
    “As far as I know, he wasn’t looking for a book at all. He wanted to know about the village and the area.”
    “Just making conversation?” Gamache asked.
    “I thought so.”
    “But now?”
    “Now that I think about it, he seemed interested in whether this was a good place for young men to put down roots. His question seemed odd, since he wasn’t a young man,” said Myrna.
    “Funny,” Gabri jumped in. “He asked me the same question. Wanted to know if there were many young men