One Green Bottle (Magali Rousseau mystery series Book 1)
Page 32
‘But surely something…’ Charlotte looked confused. ‘There has to be some sort of trial.’
‘Oh, yes, if not civil, then penal. The Republic versus Madame Perle.’ He announced it like the title of a play.
Charlotte stared at him for a moment, then lowered her head, fingers rubbing her brow.
‘And the penalty?’ said Magali.
‘Involuntary manslaughter? Anything up to five years. And with an aggravating circumstance, seven.’ Seeing her look of shock, he reached out a hand, reassuring. ‘It’s unlikely to come to that. Could just be a hefty fine. I’ve had to say, of course, that your friend was phoning, which means that ultimately the responsibility is hers.’ Charlotte being absent, hunched in wretchedness, he spoke to Magali instead. ‘But there are mitigating circumstances.’ He glanced down at the statement. ‘It was dark, the victim was barely visible… No markings on the road. She was driving slowly... Vehicle in good condition... Tested negative for alcohol or other substances, no previous convictions, driving or otherwise.’ He looked up, this time at Charlotte. ‘And of course the fact that the victim, you say, ran out in front of the car.’
Charlotte nodded energetically. ‘Really suddenly. I mean, I hardly had time –’
‘Yes, I’ve got it all down.’ He flashed a brief smile. ‘So all that could help. I say “could” because it might be argued that given the conditions, there was all the more need to be paying full attention. From what I hear, phoning at the wheel’s become a bit of an issue in the Metropole. Out here, who knows? It’s the first case of its kind. The Prosecutor might even decide to let it go. Unlikely, but it’s his prerogative. The ball’s in his court, so we’ll see.’ He paused, waiting for a reaction. ‘Any other questions?’
Charlotte swallowed and shook her head. ‘I don’t think so.’
He passed the statement over. ‘Read it carefully before signing. It’s important you agree with what’s written, so now is the time to change anything you think is inaccurate.’
The Captain glanced at Magali as Charlotte began reading. He was more relaxed now than when they’d entered, as if with the signing of the statement, a first, tricky hurdle was overcome. He gave Magali a pleasant nod, then took out his phone and consulted it for messages.
Satisfied, he allowed himself a touch of sociability. ‘Planning on staying long?’
‘Three weeks. Well, until this happened... I suppose we’ll have to wait now.’
‘Assuming he prosecutes, we’ll see what the magistrate says. Probably ask you to stay in Mayotte – well, your friend, anyway – but you never know. With sufficient guarantees, there’s a chance she’ll be able to return to the Metropole. Might be wanting to, after yesterday’s little rampage.’
‘No!’ Charlotte intervened with vehemence. ‘I have to see this out. I can’t just bunk off like that.’
‘It could be months before a trial,’ said Malo.
‘At least till everything’s clearer,’ Charlotte mumbled, eyes returning to the statement.
From what Magali had seen, clarity wasn’t a word you’d associate with Mayotte. No one appeared to know why the French were even there, let alone what the future would bring. ‘A rampage indeed,’ she said. ‘The neighbour said something about a street party. How could it degenerate like that?’
‘Moulidi, to be exact. A religious dance. The Muslims come out in the street and celebrate. It wasn’t the moulidi itself that degenerated, it took place a few days ago. They’d asked for permission and obtained it, so they were in their rights. But it got pretty rowdy and... Well, someone complained, threatened to sue them for disturbing the peace. That’s what sparked it all off.’
‘Well, whoever complained got more than they bargained for, I’d say.’
Charlotte made a clicking sound – she was having trouble concentrating. It took her a long time to read the statement and at one point she put her finger on the page to help her focus on the words. Finally she got to the end, then ran her eyes over it again before saying, ‘I swerved. I mean, I did try to avoid her. That’s why I went off the road.’
Malo nodded and turned to his computer. ‘Right. I’ll add a sentence to that effect.’
‘The point is it would have been hard to avoid her even if I hadn’t been phoning.’
Malo shot a quick glance at her and continued typing. ‘That’s an interpretation, not a fact. A point to take up with your lawyer.’ He read out the sentence he’d added and asked for her approval. ‘Anything else?’
Charlotte looked across at Magali and shook her head.
Malo printed out the statement again. ‘I’d advise you to be careful over the next few days, not venture out too much. I don’t think there’ll be any trouble, but once it gets out what happened, you never know how they’ll react.’
Charlotte caught her breath. ‘What, you mean they’ll come after me? Lynch me?’
He waved it away, smiling at her reaction. ‘They won’t be baying for blood, no. But tensions being what they are, there could be some hostility. It’s best not to show yourself too much.’
Charlotte was silent for a while. The word hostility circled in the air like a nasty insect. ‘Of course,’ she said eventually. She took up the pen to sign.
At which point, Magali put out a hand to stop her. ‘Just one question,’ she said, feeling her heart beat faster – she was going to appear foolish. ‘I know it can’t go in the statement, but out of curiosity, what if Charlotte doesn’t actually think she killed her?’
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Acknowledgements:
Madeleine – this book could never have been written without your patience and understanding. Thank you.
To Emily and Malcolm, thank you for always believing in me, and for your generous and helpful advice.
I would like to thank everyone who reviewed and commented on the book, and helped to make it what it is. Special thanks to Marlin and Sheila, and to Renee – your support and encouragement were a great source of motivation.
Thank you, Audrey, for your excellent editing and advice (not to mention your generosity) – I am alone responsible for any remaining infelicities.