A murder investigation, he reminded me, was not part of my job here. Once again he was right. But once again I didn’t like it. I told myself to mind my own business. The Hammond murder had nothing to do with me. I had the next day off, and I was determined to enjoy it. I slept in. When I got up, I thought about going for a run but figured it was already too hot. I did a hundred laps in the pool instead. Then I prepared myself a nice breakfast of omelet and fresh fruit. I put the food on a tray and carried it down to the garden. As I ate, my mind wandered to Marie Hammond and Alphonse. I speared a juicy slice of mango. When we’d first arrived, no one had so much as hinted that Alphonse was causing trouble with Marie. Later, Hammond “remembered.” As did Nicholas. Nicholas, I was pretty sure, had been primed on what to say before our return visit. Still, that didn’t mean it wasn’t true. Alphonse seemed like a timid old guy. But after all my years as a cop, I knew better than to judge anyone by appearance.
