Page 67 of Where the Snakes Sleep

“I am sorry it occurred.”

“It’s fine. I’m fine.”

He hums, then asks lightly, “Have you eaten? I will make us something.”

I watch him silently for a few minutes as he opens cupboards, sets a large pot on the stove, and prepares ingredients.

It’s not until he’s almost done that the question that has been sitting heavily in my chest finally claws its way out. “Who is Henri Voclain?”

Camille stops, his fingers tightening around the spoon in his hand. “You already know who he is.”

“I know what you’ve told me.”

“And what did I tell you?”

“That he was a doctor. That Alberte met him when he was twenty-one and started working for him. That they moved down here and Henri had some giant research estate.”

“Yes. Le Mas Voclain.”

“And today, someone broke into the cottage, obviously was searching for something specific instead of stealing expensive shit, and when the police asked you about it, you immediately said Henri’s name.”

Camille’s face becomes unreadable.

“So I’m asking again. Who the fuck is Henri Voclain?”

He looks toward the kitchen doorway. For a second I think he’s going to tell me we can discuss it later. If he does, I may stab him.

“Do you have a more specific question?” he asks carefully, turning back to his stew.

I narrow my eyes. “I spoke with a guy in the village this morning.”

“Name?”

“I didn’t get it.”

“Description?”

I huff. “Are you seriously doing suspect identification right now?”

“No.”

“Yes, you are.”

“Describe him.”

I sigh. “Old. White hair. Skinny. Cane. Very French.”

Camille throws me a flat look over his shoulder. “That describes half the men in this region.”

“He had a tan?” I offer.

“Laisse tomber,” he scoffs. Just forget it. “What did he say?”

“He said he knew Alberte when he was younger. Then I asked if he knew Henri too, and he didn’t seem to like that question. He said there were rumors about my grandfather and Henri.”

Camille says nothing, instead getting dishes to serve his stew on.

“You know, don’t you? Is that what you meant when you said that there are many reasons to follow someone?”