The Devil's Cave: A Bruno Courrèges Investigation (Bruno Chief of Police 5)

theft would be launched against him. I have had the book fingerprinted, sir, and his fingerprints are not to be found. However, the fingerprints of a young woman in the employ of the château were found, identified from her previous arrest record. That supports the Chief of Police’s statement that the woman in question called at his home and deliberately left the copy of the book in an attempt to incriminate him. Here is the Chief of Police’s statement, taken by me last night, and my own statement, sir.’
    Jules laid the slim folder on the desk and with a sharp glance at the old lady who was now leaning heavily on Foucher’s arm, the
Procureur
began reading the statements.
    ‘What’s this about a previous arrest?’ Madame de la Gorce interjected. ‘They must be in it together.’
    ‘Were you aware that this young woman in your employ, Eugénie Ballotin, had taken this book, Madame?’ the
Procureur
asked.
    ‘Absolutely not.’
    ‘Then who is responsible for what seems to be an attempt to incriminate the Chief of Police?’
    The old woman looked up in appeal to Foucher, who said smoothly, ‘There has evidently been a complete misunderstanding and Madame de la Gorce wishes to withdraw her statement and apologize to the Chief of Police and to you,
Monsieur le Procureur
, and is grateful for the book’s safe return.’
    ‘Not good enough,’ said the
Procureur
. ‘Where is this Mademoiselle Ballotin? I want her brought here now. And for what was she arrested in the past?’
    Sergeant Jules coughed discreetly, leaned forward and murmured into his ear.
    ‘
Mon Dieu
,’ said the
Procureur
. ‘I thought she was supposed to be a nurse.’
    ‘Apparently not,’ Bruno interrupted. ‘There is no record of her having any nursing qualification, which is a matter of great concern to Dr Stern of our medical centre, who fears that the Red Countess is not receiving any proper medical attention. Dr Stern also tells me that after inquiries in the Paris hospitals Mademoiselle Ballotin’s claim that a Parisian doctor was treating the Red Countess for Alzheimer’s disease turns out to be untrue. Furthermore, no local doctor can be found who has seen her. Dr Stern wishes to be allowed to see the patient and I filed an inquiry into the relevant legal requirements with your duty clerk this morning, sir.’
    The
Procureur
looked startled, and then grave as he thought about the implications of someone as well known as the Red Countess being denied medical care.
    ‘Madame de la Gorce, is your sister in
tutelle
?’
    Again, Foucher answered for her. ‘No, she is not. We believed from the qualifications Mademoiselle Ballotin presented that we had competent medical attention.’
    ‘Then you will have no objection to my insistence that Dr Stern be allowed to examine the patient and make a recommendation to me.’
    ‘Madame de la Gorce would like to consult her own legal and medical advisers, but of course that medical report would be available to you,’ Foucher said.
    ‘Are you a lawyer?’ the
Procureur
demanded. Foucher shook his head. ‘Then please don’t answer for your employer. In fact, I think you’d be most usefully employed getting a chair for Madame de la Gorce.’
    She looked frail as she took her seat, but her eyes were bright and they glared at Bruno with malice before she composed herself to turn a polite face to the
Procureur
. Standing behind her, half-screened by the back of the chair, Foucher was looking down and appeared to be doing something with his hands.
    ‘Excuse me, sir,’ said Bruno, stepping forward and closing his hand over the mobile phone on which Foucher was tapping out a text message. ‘Did you authorize this Monsieur to use his phone?’ he asked the
Procureur
.
    ‘Certainly not,’ came the reply. ‘Take it off him.’ The
Procureur
turned to Madame de la Gorce, his voice cold. ‘You may bring in whatever other medical expert you choose, but I want Dr Stern to visit the Countess and I want a medical report on my desk by Thursday morning so I can take a decision before the Easter weekend. If there is a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Iwill apply for your sister to be placed in
tutelle
, with a professional
tuteur
, since I’m not satisfied with the arrangements made by her family. Do you understand?’
    ‘Yes, and my own lawyers will contest that,’ she replied, with a glance at Foucher behind her.
    ‘That is your right. However, I give you notice that I shall investigate further