The Madness of Crowds

The next day, Annie, Jean-Guy’s wife and Gamache’s daughter, is excited to meet Haniya, although the men warn her that Haniya isn’t a friendly person.

Gamache is summoned to meet with Otto Pascal, the president of the university, and Colette Roberge. Jean-Guy and Lacoste question Monsieur Viau about building access. Viau explains that no one had accessed the building for weeks but confirms that a recent visitor was Tardif. However, Tardif was never alone in the auditorium: If someone planted a gun, Tardif must have had an accomplice. Meanwhile, in his meeting with President Pascal and Colette, Gamache explains the need to learn who rented the space to Abigail for her lecture.

Colette arranges to speak with Gamache privately; she admits that she made the arrangements for Abigail Robinson to speak at the university after Abigail reached out and said that she would be in the area. Gamache wonders, “if the purpose of her trip wasn’t the lecture, and it wasn’t to see you, then why was she coming here?” (184). Colette concedes that she now regrets arranging the lecture and not explaining this context to Gamache. Abigail and Debbie Schneider are now staying in Colette’s home, and Gamache warns her that this could be dangerous.