The Resistance Man (Bruno Chief of Police 6)

flight to Bordeaux the consulate had booked for him and flown into Bergerac instead. And he added that he’d come straight to Bruno’s office from the airport and had not even checked in to his hotel.
    The thought nagged at him, so he called the security office at the airport where Marco, one of the shift chiefs, had been in his class at the Police Academy. Bruno asked about the inbound flights from Britain on Friday morning. There had been none. He asked Marco to check if there were any records last week of a Brian Fullerton arriving. He heard the sound of a keyboard being tapped.
    ‘Nothing on the computer,’ said Marco. ‘Want me to check other airports? It’s all on the same database now. Here he is, flew into Bordeaux Monday last week on British Airways from London Gatwick. Open return.’
    ‘Thanks, Marco. You’re sure it was Monday? Could there be any mistake?’
    ‘No, this comes from the airline boarding lists. If they’re not on the flight they’re not listed.’
    Monday last week was the day before his brother was murdered. Why was Brian flying in then? And why had he misledhim? Brian had flown into Bordeaux. Edouard was in Bordeaux and his Jaguar had been caught by a speed camera returning from Périgueux to Bordeaux on the evening Brian’s brother was killed. And one thing that Brian, Edouard and Paul had in common was that they were all directors of Francis’s company. But this couldn’t be about inheritance; Francis’s will put everything in trust for Brian’s children.
    Was he sure about that? Hadn’t he asked Isabelle and J-J and even Crimson if there was some way to check Francis’s will? Suddenly he remembered Pamela telling him that unlike France, under English law you could leave your property to anyone you chose. If Francis was planning to leave his property elsewhere that could be a motive for murder.
    As he reached for the phone at his belt, he felt it vibrate.
    ‘Bruno, it’s J-J. On my way, I’ll be with you in ten minutes or so. The Brigadier just rang me. They can’t get a hostage rescue team here before tomorrow morning and he suggests we use the
Mobiles
. He’s not too bothered about taking Murcoing alive and we can have them here in ninety minutes. What do you say?’
    ‘If they go in guns blazing, there’s always a risk to the hostages. Is the Brigadier ready for that?’
    ‘He says he is. But that kind of operation has to be authorized by a minister and we don’t have one. That’s the problem.’
    ‘We’ll talk it through when you get here.’
    He saw headlights coming around the bend from St Denis and stepped into the middle of the road to flag down the vehicle. It was the Gendarmerie van, Françoise at the wheel and Sergeant Jules beside her, with the ambulance following close behind. He was just advising Jules where to post his men when his phone vibrated yet again. It was the Mayor.
    ‘Bruno, it’s time to call Paul Murcoing again.’
    ‘Thanks, sir. Any developments?’
    ‘Everything’s fine. Roberte is handling the phones and Jacqueline is looking after Florence’s children. I’ll call if anything happens. Isabelle rang, asking for news.’
    ‘Could you call her back and ask if she had any reply from England about Francis Fullerton’s will?’
    ‘Very well, but you’d better phone Paul.’
    From his address book Bruno tapped Crimson’s home number. It was picked up at once, as though Paul had been standing by the phone.
    ‘It’s Bruno. Your conditions have been relayed to the proper authorities but there’s a problem. If you turn on the TV or radio you’ll realize this is no trick. The interior minister has just resigned for personal reasons. Normally that’s the man who would have to make a decision about your conditions but right now the post is vacant.’
    There was a silence as if a hand had been placed over the mouthpiece at the other end. Bruno could hear faintly the sound of a female voice, high and angry, Paul’s sister. Then Paul spoke, trying to sound calm but not succeeding. ‘There must be a deputy or an acting minister.’
    ‘Yes, but without lawful authority. We’re trying to get this clarified and I’ve asked my Mayor whether this can go to the Elysée and the President can make a decision. Can I ring you back as soon as I hear anything?’
    ‘Where are you now?’
    ‘Near the house and there’s just me, so far. A couple of Gendarmes are setting up a roadblock to keep other traffic away. We’re waiting for