Chief Inspector Maigret Visits London by Margaret de Rohan Page B

Inspector Scott was making some mental notes of his own. I wonder if he does freelance work, he was thinking: he’s a hundred times better than any of the blasted shrinks we use at Scotland Yard!
    And strange to tell, Nicole didn’t seem to be too concerned with their earlier deception. She was just relieved that there were people on her side now, and that some effort would be made to find Serge.
    But what David Wainwright didn’t reveal to anyone was that the recent changes in Serge’s behaviour that Nicole had described: the sudden mood swings, the spontaneous, unusual violence, and the terrible headaches, might be an indication of one of three things:
    An untreated medical condition, like an aggressive brain tumour;
    Serious, prolonged drug use;
    Or an acute, undiagnosed, mental illness.
    There was a fourthpossibility, but his brain shied away from that like a horse confronted by a fence he instinctively knows is too high to jump. He had experienced the fourth alternative several times in his ministry, and he knew the emotional toll it took on everyone involved, him included. It was the unending conflict between Good and Evil which usually destroyed those who recklessly involved themselves in the dark side of life. And which, as he had already discovered, could result in total madness.
    In other words, the question his mind was forcing him to confront was this: had Serge Vachon turned his back on the Lord God Almighty. And was he now a disciple of the devil?
    Later that day, David Wainwright let himself quietly into a side door of St Luke’s Church, and fell on his knees in front of the altar. And there he prayed, with all the fervour of which his soul was capable, that what he feared was not true.

Chapter Ten
    â€˜Georges, I’d be grateful if you’d accompany Nic… er Madame Vachon to her home now,’ Chief Inspector Maigret said as they were leaving the vicarage.
    â€˜There’s no need for that, Philippe,’ Nicole said. ‘I feel better now, and I might do some shopping on the way. I’ll be fine.’
    â€˜I’m sure you would be, but I wonder if you would let Inspector Martin have a look around your home. It’s possible he might find a clue as to where your husband is now. One of Chief Inspector Scott’s men will come later to take his description, and other details. A photo would also help if you have one.’
    â€˜Oh, I see. Well, in that case, let him come with me. He’s welcome to look wherever he likes, if you think it will help. And yes, I have a photo of Serge. It might be a few years old, but it’s still a good likeness.’
    â€˜
Bon
. I’m sure his time with you will be well spent.’ ‘What do you want me to do after I’ve finished, sir?’ Georges Martin asked.
    â€˜How about you do a little reconnoitre around the area to see what you can find out? Maybe drop in to some of the local watering-holes with Serge Vachon’s photo to see if anyone knows him.’
    â€˜Okay Chief. And after I’ve done that?’
    â€˜I’ll call you when I’m finished at Scotland Yard. It will probably take about an hour to tie up some… er loose ends there.’
    â€˜It’s red tape, Georges. It’s what I call Uncle Tom Cobley and all business,’ Megan whispered, ‘just in case everything goes pear-shaped and either Scotland Yard or
Police Nationale
ends up in the brown stuff.’
    â€˜Comment ,
Megan? ’
    â€˜
Merde
, Georges. In the proverbial
merde
! ’
    â€˜In
la mer
, Inspector,’ Father Wainwright said helpfully, ‘isn’t
that
what you meant, Megan?’
    â€˜Yes, of course, David, in
la mer ,
’ Megan managed to say before she and Georges Martin began laughing.
    Georges continued chuckling to himself as he and Nicole walked down the side street leading to Elgin Avenue. And he was still smiling when they reached the intersection where they would