Read The Dream Killer of Paris for Free Online Page B

French gendarmerie.
    As we climbed the front steps, a short man of about sixty, whose hair and small goatee were as white as his skin, came to greet us. He was accompanied by a man who looked almost identical – same build, same pointed beard – but with slightly blonder hair, and twenty years younger. Behind him, a bald, plump individual was talking to a gendarme in the entrance hall.
    â€˜Superintendent Fourier I presume?’ said the pale man. ‘I’m Judge Breteuil and I’ve been appointed by the Versailles prosecutor’s studyto handle this sad affair. Let me introduce Monsieur Bezaine, my clerk. Oh, and this is Monsieur d’Arnouville, the prosecutor’s deputy, who was just leaving, and Second Lieutenant Rouzé, from the local gendarmerie.’
    He indicated the two men from the hall who, having seen us, had come out on to the steps to join us.
    â€˜Monsieur, let me thank you for sending a car to the station,’ said the superintendent to the examining magistrate.
    â€˜Monsieur Breteuil considered, quite rightly, that it was essential for you to reach the château as quickly as possible,’ the prosecutor’s deputy interjected with feigned politeness.
    â€˜It would certainly have been a pity if we’d lost our way.’
    â€˜I was given to understand this morning that the police were about to open a new investigation into the death of this Pierre Ducros,’ continued the deputy. ‘The press is so powerful nowadays it can influence the decisions of the Seine public prosecutor’s studyand the Préfecture!’
    â€˜I was under the impression that the Versailles prosecutor’ssudden volte-face was similarly influenced by the publication of a certain article.’
    â€˜If you’re alluding to the decision to open a judicial inquiry into the affair which brings us here, you’re wrong. The public prosecutor never intended to close the case and he does not allow himself to be dictated to by anyone, especially not journalists.’
    â€˜That is all to his credit.’
    â€˜One thing is certain – the police don’t need another scandal.’
    â€˜Neither does the justice system.’
    â€˜Oh! But we haven’t reached that point yet, gentlemen!’ the examining magistrate intervened, fearing that tensions were rising. ‘Before you arrived, Superintendent, we – the prosecutor’s deputy, Second Lieutenant Rouzé and myself – were discussing the article published in Paris-Soir . At the moment, the press is doing everything it can to create a scandal. By the way, do we know who this J.L. is?’
    â€˜His name is Jacques Lacroix. No one has seen him at the newspaper’s offices in Rue du Louvre or at his home since Tuesday. It’s a pity. I have a great deal to say to him. We’ll soon track him down though.’
    â€˜Would it be indiscreet to ask your opinion of the two deaths, Superintendent Fourier?’ asked the prosecutor’s deputy.
    â€˜Well, I’m only here to investigate the death of the poor Marquis! And my investigations are only just beginning. It would surely be more instructive to hear Monsieur Rouzé’s point of view since he’s been involved in the Brindillac case all along?’
    The gendarme opened his mouth to speak but Fourier had not finished and turned to me.
    â€˜By the way, allow me to introduce Monsieur Andrew Fowler Singleton. Monsieur Singleton and his associate, Monsieur Trelawney, who is currently detained in London, helped the French police with a case that was in the news last year.’
    â€˜Singleton! Trelawney! Yes, of course, I remember it well!’ exclaimed the examining magistrate. ‘Your names certainly made the papers at the time. I didn’t realise you were so young though.’
    After his initial enthusiasm, the magistrate’s face darkened, as he reflected that, all things considered, my presence would