Monsieur Pamplemousse on the Spot Read Online Free PDF Page B

a table where he has a good view of all that is going on around him … we begin to wonder. Alain thought you were from Michelin, but then we found you had Pirelli tyres on your car, so that was out. Edouard was all for Gault Millau – especially when you called for a second helping of Omble. It was the dog that bothered me. It didn’t fit. No one from a guide, I reasoned, would bring a dog. Now I understand. He is your … assistant?’
    Monsieur Pamplemousse nodded. ‘We are rarely parted. He has been instrumental in helping me reach some of my most memorable decisions.’ In culinary terms it was true; it was hard to picture being without Pommes Frites. He wondered what Albert Parfait would say if he knew their true identity. That would give him cause to perspire.
    He’d had no idea he’d been the centre of so much attention. He must be more careful in future. Perhaps at the next quarterly meeting he would put forward the suggestion that all Inspectors should be accompanied by a suitable companion. There might even be a pool of ‘suitable companions’ for all occasions. That would bring a flush to Madame Grante’s cheeks.
    ‘If you need to bring him inside – if there are important trails to follow – please do. I rely on your discretion. It wouldn’t do for the other guests to think you are a favoured customer.’
    ‘Rest assured, Monsieur Parfait, neither Pommes Frites nor I will abuse your trust. As for trails, time alone will tell, but we will try and keep them to a minimum. I gather the local police have not yet been informed?’
    ‘Thankfully, no. We do not want their great boots tramping all over the hotel. It would be bad for the ambience. This way is much better. With luck, no one need ever know.’
    Monsieur Pamplemousse forebore to say that without a large measure of good luck everyone would know. It would be in all the journaux.
    ‘When did you last see your son?’
    ‘This morning at around eight o’clock. When I returned from the market in Thonon. He said he was planning to visit a supplier up in the mountains. There is a monastery where they make Fruits du vieux garçon – the fruits of the confirmed bachelor. The name always appealed to Jean-Claude.’
    ‘He went by car? There have been no reports of an accident … a breakdown perhaps?’
    ‘He would have done – it is a long journey, but his car is still in the garage. He must have changed his mind.’
    ‘Then he can’t have gone far. Unless he went somewhere by train and got delayed. Where is the nearest station?’
    ‘Evian. I have enquired there. No one has seen him.’
    ‘Can you think of any reason why he would disappear? Anything that would take him away from home without telling anyone?’
    Again there was a slight, barely perceptible hesitation. ‘What reason could there possibly be?’
    He wasn’t answering the question, but Monsieur Pamplemousse decided to try another tack. ‘He lives on the premises?’
    ‘All my sons do. Alain, Edouard and Gilbert are married and they live in separate houses in the grounds. Jean-Claude and I both have apartments in the main building.’
    ‘And he had no worries?’
    ‘None that I know of. He is not one to talk about his problems anyway. Life for him is for living. He is always bouncing back for more.’
    ‘And it has never happened before?’
    ‘He has his work. He is a professional. He would not wish to let others down.’
    ‘May I see his apartment?’
    ‘If you think it will help.’
    ‘At this stage anything will help.’
    ‘I will have you shown there.’ Monsieur Parfait took a firm grasp of his stick and glanced at a clock on his desk. ‘If you will forgive me I will leave you to your own devices. In my profession one also has to be something of an actor. There is a performance to be put on every evening, not once, but several times over. The customers will be expecting me to make my rounds.’
    ‘I am told that later this week you have one of your more difficult