Dog Will Have His Day Read Online Free PDF

Paquelin I wanted to see.’
    ‘What nationality are you?’
    ‘I beg your pardon?’
    ‘Bloody hell, are you French?’
    Kehlweiler spread his arms evasively.
    ‘Could be, Lieutenant Ferrière, it’s quite possible.’
    Now was the moment to bring out ‘lieutenant’.
    The inspector leaned forward.
    ‘You know my name?’
    The chief inspector opened the door quietly, with aggressive calm. He was a small man and Kehlweiler took immediate advantage of that to stand up. Louis was about one metre ninety, and it often helped.
    ‘Please get rid of him, sir,’ said Ferrière, ‘but you may need to check him out first. This guy knows my name, he’s playing games.’
    ‘What did you come in here for? Lunch?’
    There was something about the chief inspector’s eyes that seemed to hint that he might not greatly appreciate the doings of his boss. Kehlweiler decided it was worth taking the chance.
    ‘No, I’ve got something for Paquelin, to do with pigs’ trotters. Do you get on with Paquelin? I find him a bit severe, a bit prejudiced.’
    The other man hesitated briefly.
    ‘Follow me,’ he said.
    ‘Not so fast,’ said Kelhweiler, ‘I have this damaged knee.’
    Louis picked up his bag, and they went to the first floor; the chief inspector closed the door.
    ‘Did you know Adamsberg?’ Louis asked, putting Bufo on a chair. ‘Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg? The casual one? The untidy cop who sniffs things out by intuition.’
    The inspector nodded.
    ‘Are you Lanquetot? Captain Yves Lanquetot? Am I right?’
    ‘Where are you from?’ asked Lanquetot defensively.
    ‘The Rhine.’
    ‘And that’s a toad? A common toad?’
    ‘It’s a pleasure to meet someone who knows about toads. Do you have one?’
    ‘Not exactly . . . Well, in the country, near the doorstep, we have one living there.’
    ‘And you talk to him?’
    The inspector hesitated.
    ‘Now and then,’ he said.
    ‘Nothing wrong with that. Bufo and I have great chats. He’s nice. A bit slow but you can’t expect him to change the world now, can you?’
    Lanquetot sighed. He wasn’t sure what to do. If he sent this individual and his toad packing, he was taking a risk, because Louis seemed to know a lot. Keeping him in his office would obviously be pointless, it was Paquelin he wanted to see. And if he didn’t get to see him, he might go on causing mayhem and scattering crumbs all over the station. But if he sent him through to Paquelin with his pigs’ trotters story, that would be taking a risk too, and a good chance he’d get torn off a strip himself. Unless this guy was aiming to put Paquelin on the spot, in which case it could be worth it, rather pleasing in fact. Lanquetot looked up.
    ‘You’re not finishing your sandwich?’
    ‘I’m waiting till I’m with Paquelin, it’s a strategic weapon. Obviously you can’t use it all the time, you have to be hungry. It’s called keeping your powder dry.’
    ‘And your name is? Your real name, I mean.’
    Kehlweiler looked appraisingly at the chief inspector. If this man hadn’t changed, if he was still as Adamsberg had described him, it was OK to go ahead. But sometimes if the boss is strict, other people get the same way and change their spots. Kehlweiler decided to trust the face.
    ‘Kehlweiler,’ he answered. ‘Louis Kehlweiler. Here’s my ID.’
    Lanquetot nodded. Yes, he recognised the name.
    ‘And what do you want with Paquelin?’
    ‘I’m hoping he’ll take early retirement. I want to make him an offer which he will refuse. If he accepts, well, that’ll be the worse for me. But if he refuses, which I’m counting on, I’ll handle it myself. And if this affair gets me anywhere, he’ll be in trouble for neglecting to follow up a potential crime lead.’
    Lanquetot was still hesitating.
    ‘You needn’t be implicated,’ said Louis. ‘All I’m asking you to do is get me in to see him, and then look blank. If you could be present during our conversation, that would provide a