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two policemen in the cool of their air-conditioned car and plunged again into the tropical steam bath. Once he’d crossed the sidewalk, he was delighted to find that the building’s lobby was also air-conditioned. The concierge told him where to go, pointing with a dirty finger to the elevator door. The French embassy occupied the third floor, and the ambassador, Jean-Pierre Delmont, had a huge air-conditioned office that looked out on the sea.
    He was a tall, gaunt man with silvery hair. He wore an expensive suit with custom-made Italian shoes, a tasteful silk tie, and a crocodile-leather belt. He came up to Mallock to shake his hand. His smile smelled of shaving soap, tobacco, and cologne. At the end of his arm, like a bouquet, his hand with slender, frequently manicured fingers. Mallock shook it with his big paw.
Another pampered desk jockey
, he thought.
    But he was wrong.
    Watch out, Commander Mallock
, Amédée whispered,
it’s not a crime to have an ugly or a handsome face, the great river of acrimony flows over the shallows of “bitterness.”
    In fact, Ambassador Delmont knew his trade well and practiced it perfectly. After the usual courtesies—polite inquiries as to how his trip had been, “You must be tired after such a voyage, Superintendent,” initial commentaries and advice concerning the climate, flattering remarks on Mallock’s fame, etc.—Delmont had the excellent idea of suggesting that they have some Lagavulin: two inches of it in a glass filled with ice cubes. The diplomat hardly had his whiskey in his hand before he got to down to business:
    â€œI think you’ve understood the situation as well as I have. The immediate repatriation to France is explained and justified chiefly by the state of Manuel’s health. He is not in danger of dying, but here, on this marvelous island, the longer your ‘stay’ in a hospital, the greater the chance that you’ll stay there permanently. Sepsis is as common here as flu is at home. That said, the carelessness of their medical system and the obvious incompetence of their doctors are the last arguments to give if you want to get somewhere with the Dominican authorities. They get angry at the smallest perceived slight. Let’s just say that their insular sensitivity is as stupid as our European arrogance.”
    Mallock smiled with approval.
    â€œHere, like everywhere, whites and natives are not prepared to speak openly to each other, Superintendent. And fortunately, because otherwise, what would I be doing here? So you’ll have to indulge in a little flattery and smile more than you initially planned, if you don’t find that too unbearable?”
    Even though he was a professional diplomat, the man went to the heart of the matter with great clarity and without the slightest dissimulation. Fine, Mallock would do the same.
    â€œI get the message regarding repatriation, but I’d also like to be able to gather the maximum amount of information in preparation for the trial.”
    Delmont set his empty glass down on the table. “It seems there’s no doubt about Manu’s guilt, and I’m sorry about that. He himself admitted the facts in my presence, and there are seven witnesses, three of which are credible.”
    The affectionate use of the diminutive “Manu” made Mallock think that the diplomat had taken his job seriously. He must have met with Manuel Gemoni several times. Delmont continued:
    â€œSo, for your investigation I hope you will verify the most important points, interrogate the witnesses, but proceed no further once you’ve covered the essence of the case. The local authorities could dig in their heels and Manuel would be lost. I’ve seen that happen almost every day, and with two bullets in his body, I can tell you that he won’t long survive the not-very-hospitable hospitality of their hospital.”
    Delmont had his own peculiar sense of humor.