Chapter 2: 'An official breakfast with a bit of magic.'

'Dr Geoffrey Norwich? What does he cure? Wasn't he a writer I personally find deadly dull? I'd rather play "Clue"' Asks Dwayne.

The poor Dwayne still remembered his experience with that board game almost bitterly. He adores the Chief but there are still things...

Richard sighs heavily.

It's been two days since he and Camille talked about the news in the paper of the writer's visit that the island is going to do a themed walkabout on.

Indeed Commissioner Patterson has tasked all of them, Sergeant Fidel Best, DS Camille Poole, Constable Dwayne Myers and DI Richard Poole, to provide security for the event.

And they are all having breakfast at Richard and Camille's house with some very happy Poole children having visitors.

At that comment more than one looks at him in disbelief.

He's not a doctor who cures, Dwayne. It's an honorary degree, like an "honoris causa" given to eminent people. He's a doctor of philosophy. Although it may not seem like it to you, we are being visited by someone very important. Someone who also takes the trouble to teach children his knowledge in a fun, entertaining and, yes, even magical way. He is convinced that philosophy is necessary in schools'.

Camille squeezes his arm with her hand in an affectionate way. The children begin to smile in a charming way.

They understand, Richard. We all do. And you're quite right. Dwayne will understand once he sees how this activity works.'

Dwayne is very hesitant. Little Camille smiles at him as she raises her arms for Uncle Dwayne to take pick her up. Little Richard just smiles sheepishly at him.

Dwayne stands up and comments to the girl's parents:

'I'm sorry, but everywhere I go, the ladies are clamouring for me. I'm going to take the kids to play on the beach for a minute, they're getting bored and I can understand that!'

'Chief, he adores the children and the children adore him. Rosie considers him her favourite uncle, although... well... I think my daughter considers you her favourite uncle too.' Fidel comments, understanding Dwayne's attitude. An attitude that, of course, in no way detracts from Dwaynes police worthiness.

Fidel scratches his head, thinking that his daughter is already starting to be a bit of a troublemaker.

Camille laughs:

'Don't worry, Fidel. She's a little woman and she's already learned that she gets a lot more presents the more favourite uncles she has.'

Richard sighs looking at Camille.

'Fidel, women are a losing battle for us. Let's get back to finalizing the security details so we can start work at the station. Don't worry, Rosie will never be let down by her Uncle Richard. She's adorable and... I was the second one to hold that little femme fatale in my arms!'

Fidel smiles, and when he sees Dwayne running after Richard and Camille's children, he realizes that the children at the station will never lack for someone to protect them.

Camille, this time Juliet and I have thought of you to be the godmother of whoever comes next. We're expecting another one. One at a time, that is. I promised Juliet that she could tell you in person, but...'

Camille stands up and embraces Fidel effusively. Richard's smile follows the scene. He says to his officer:

'Congratulations, Fidel. I hope Juliet and the baby are doing well.'

Fidel tries to answer him with Camille still glued to him.

'Thank you, sir, they are perfectly fine.'

Camille breaks away from him and asks:

'This time you'll want to know who's coming in advance! I don't want to wait so long to find out.'

'Camille, they will do what they want. Although perhaps it would be much better to know so that we have more time to prepare everything...' Richard reproaches her tenderly.

Fidel replies proudly:

'It would be convenient. But this baby is already wanted whatever it is. By the way, wouldn't it be convenient to talk to that writer so there are no surprises?'

Fidel tries to leave aside for the moment the question of whether he and Juliet want to know the sex of the baby beforehand. He's talked enough about it...

Camille asks him a little confused:

'What do you mean, Fidel?'

If it is true that this theme ride is a bit special, that means that modifications will have to be made on the ground and that will influence security. And the reverse is also true - security could have an unwanted influence on what the writer has planned.'

Richard makes notes in his notebook and comments:

'Yes, sometimes Dr Geoffrey Norwich, the writer, can be very special. At the end of the day it all comes out of his head and he has to understand that he may have to compromise on something. I'll talk to him.

Camille suggests to her husband, eating a cold croissant:

'If he doesn't want to meet in a public place, you can bring him here, Richard. That way he doesn't have to suffer the harassment of his admirers...'

Richard laughs at his wife's veiled mockery:

'Always so considerate. I'll talk to him about that too. But you have to know that he will be... harassed in a way. The Saint-Marie people don't always care what someone is famous for. It's enough for them to make his life miserable.'

Camille then looks at him fixedly and says:

'I think you know a lot about him and I also think it's about time Fidel and I knew something about this Norwich. Was he your professor at Cambridge or something? We need to know. Take it as a case.'

Fidel has also taken out a small notebook, newer than his superior's, waiting for his answer.

Richard stands up, glances at Dwayne, who is making his children laugh and continues calmly as he looks in the direction of the beach.

He's a bit eccentric. He gave us some talks in Cambridge, talks in which I've already commented that I was practically the only one interested. He's a respected intellectual, he knows what he's talking about, but sometimes he might seem to believe too much in fairies.' He turns and looks at Camille: 'Like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. On the one hand he created the most impressive rational mind of all time and on the other...' he raises his hand and waves it absentmindedly.

Go on, Richard,' Camille encourages him.

'I think he needed something totally opposite to the rational, as if he needed to escape so much control, as if he needed unpredictability, something like... magic. He was convinced that there was a possibility that something like that was hidden behind the mythologies of every country, of every region.

Fidel comments:

'It has always been said that myths have a real basis.'

'True,' corroborates Camille, 'even if that real basis makes up only something like 10% and the rest let's say serves to embellish the story or...'

to serve historical purposes appropriate to the time in which these stories were launched'. Richard finishes staring into infinity and sits back down at his place at the breakfast table. He picks up his toast, takes a bite and continues: 'at that time I was rather rational, as I am now, but... after seeing how my life has changed since I set foot on this island, I am somehow more open to such things, although...' he shrugs and continues speaking: 'I'm sorry to say I still need a motive, a means and an opportunity.' Richard concludes his lecture.

'At least, we don't need more planning to deal with this event. Sir, I'm ready now, if you want, we can take the kids to the nursery and wait for you at the station.'

Camille answers in place of her husband.

Thank you very much, Fidel. Richard and I still have to pick all this up and I can see that the children would have no problem going with you. Another day we'll look after Rosie and... whoever comes next!'

And Fidel thought she'd forgotten all about it. Juliet is going to kill him. If she finds out that Camille knows about the second pregnancy before she has told her...