A Rule Against Murder

The Gamaches have decided that Reine-Marie will go to Three Pines during the investigation rather than returning to their home in Montreal. After she says goodbye to everyone, she returns to Gamache, who is on the phone with Daniel. Gamache is explaining to Daniel that he doesn’t think it is a good idea to burden their child with the name Honoré; Daniel gets angry and hangs up, but Gamache tells himself that he did the right thing.

Before he and Reine-Marie can talk about it, however, Beauvoir arrives. When Beauvoir goes into the kitchen to ask Pierre about their electrical capacity, he meets Chef Veronique. He feels a familiarity and comfort that he cannot explain, but she doesn’t seem to reciprocate this feeling. He also finds Pierre in a confrontation with Elliot. He asks Elliot about Julia’s death, but the young man stomps away. Pierre reflects that he will have to fire Elliot after the investigation is over, and Beauvoir, viewing the scene, wonders if Pierre is controlled or weak. When Gamache and Beauvoir drive Reine-Marie to Three Pines, Beauvoir tells them about his reaction to Chef Veronique—every time he thinks of her, he feels calm, which he doesn’t understand.