Chapter 55

 

They found a café a block away and sat outside, each ordering a beer. Burke thought this post-interview drink was becoming a ritual for him and his colleagues.

Burke replayed his interview with the flics for Tessier who seemed to hang on every word. When he was done, Burke waited for his colleague to say something, but Tessier kept quiet, clearly digesting what he’d been told.

“No thoughts?” Burke finally asked.

“I’m curious about where our friend Mateo Ochoa’s involvement ends in this case and when Interpol’s begins. It seems to me they have different goals, maybe even competing goals.”

Burke smiled to himself. Tessier sounded more confident than the last time they’d been together. He wasn’t cocky, just more self-assured and Burke wondered what had triggered the change before deciding Tessier’s involvement in the tumultuous Vuelta had to be the cause.

Then Burke returned to Tessier’s comments, thought for a few moments and said: “Ochoa doesn’t strike me as someone who gives up easily on something. He’s going to push and probe as much as he can.”

And right at that moment, Burke had an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. The same places, the same faces, the same questions and topics. The same anxiety and exasperation, too.

It was time to move on.

“So, Jules, how’s life treating you?” he said, eager to discuss anything but the food-fraud case.

Tessier’s face brightened. “I can’t complain. I’ve been promoted to senior researcher which means I’m getting involved in all kinds of challenging projects.”

“Where are you based?”

“Lyon.”

Lyon wasn’t Burke’s favourite city. It was too sprawling and a little too edgy despite the city’s leaders changing Lyon’s look with massive murals decorating downtown buildings. But it definitely represented a career boost for Tessier.

“And what about Monique Chan?”

Tessier smiled widely. “She’s in Lyon, too, but not as an intern. She’s been given a reporter’s job so she’s all over the various media platforms – and she’s doing great.”

Burke saw pride in Tessier’s face. “Do you see her much at work?”

Tessier blushed and Burke knew the answer.

“We’ve started to see each other,” Tessier said.

“That’s great,” Burke said. “Monique is a terrific person.”

Tessier smiled. “And if you’re wondering about Suzanne Godard, she’s been promoted as well.”

Burke was enjoying the good news. The courtroom, the Spanish police and the déjà vu were slipping into the background.

“It’s just a shame that we profited by what happened to Colin Bothwick and Monsieur López,” Tessier said.

A shadow appeared and both men looked up to see Mateo Ochoa standing above them.

“May I join you gentlemen?” the Spaniard asked in French.

Burke and Tessier exchanged a look of surprise. When Tessier didn’t say anything, Burke motioned for the flic to take the spare chair at the table. He couldn’t believe Ochoa was just passing by and wanted to visit. The flic was up to something and Burke was curious to know what, especially after being dismissed by Ochoa a few minutes before. The Vuelta was back as a topic.

A moment later the server showed up and Ochoa ordered a coffee.

“I see you’re both surprised to see me here,” Ochoa said, glancing at both men and then settling on Burke’s face. “Well, I wanted to have a little chat away from curious eyes.”

Burke thought Ochoa was talking about his police colleagues. Or maybe just a couple of them in particular. But if he was to guess, Burke thought it was the Interpol agent.

“What do you want to talk about?” Burke said.

“About a couple of matters.”

“Such as?”

“Well, I want to start by asking you both to do me a favour.”