The Brutal Telling

Even though Gabri assures Olivier that his bistro won’t suffer because the village loves him, Olivier believes he should shut down his business. Gabri suggests that they befriend the Gilberts, which infuriates Olivier. He tells Gabri that the police will be contacting his father.

Jean Guy tells Gamache that the Gilberts did not use varathane in the reconstruction and remodeling of their house—ruling the house out as the scene of the murder. Clotilde Poirier tells the detectives that despite her children’s antipathy for Olivier, she appreciates him because he saw value in her old belongings and gave her enough money to refurnish her house. Next, Jean Guy and Gamache visit Clotilde’s oldest son, Claude, who has a record of petty crimes. Claude is angry but clearly never leaves his couch. Meanwhile, Marc meets his new horses and is annoyed that they’re not strong. Dominique explains that she saved them from the slaughterhouse. Marc wonders if his decision to start anew has changed him like he thought it would.

The homicide investigation team review their information: They still don’t know the identities of the murderer and victim, why the victim was murdered, where he was murdered, and why his body was moved to the bistro.