Chapter 3: 'Dr. Geoffrey Norwich enters the scene'.
Two days have passed and the station looks as clean as new.
Rarely before has Inspector Poole gone to such great lengths to try to make a good impression.
Camille believes that Dr Geoffrey Norwich's lectures are one of the few good memories Richard has of his time at Cambridge.
Richard is going through his plan for security at the island's Nature Park for the third time, point by point, so that he can deal with any objections Professor Norwich may have.
Chief, I think he's here," Dwayne announces, "accompanied by Commissioner Patterson and a younger man stiffer than a stick.
Fidel rises from the table and surveys the scene.
'That's right. That must be Mr. Norwich's assistant.'
Camille has also risen. The writer seems to be someone with a great capacity for abstraction, perhaps too much. It seems to her that this man doesn't seem to do very well in the heat and says so.
He'll have to learn to acclimatize if he wants to endure an outdoor activity like the theme walk. Says Richard.
'That's true, Richard. If I were you I'd fix him a cool glass of water. It seems to me that the heat doesn't agree with him at all.'
Richard hurries over to the little fridge.
It's normal, Camille, it took me two years to learn to acclimatize to this climate. And yet...' Richard soon changes his speech at the warning glance of his wife, "Of course, with you and the children by my side I don't even remember the heat."
So they are all on their feet when the Commissioner, Doctor Norwich and his assistant appear at the entrance to the small and efficient Saint Marie police station.
Camille, when she sees Richard, the only parallel she can think of is that the hot band has come to town and he is the crazy fan dying to get an autograph.
She prepares more glasses of water for the Commissioner and the assistant.
Officers,' Patterson greets everyone present, 'may I present our celebrity, Professor Geoffrey Norwich. He is accompanied by his assistant and personal secretary James Porter. Professor, Mr. Porter, may I introduce Detective Inspector Richard Poole, Detective Sergeant and also the Inspector's wife, Camille Poole, Sergeant Fidel Best and Constable Dwayne Myers.'
Camille is the first to speak:
'Please sit here,' she points to the only available chairs next to her husband's desk.
Camille has to guide Professor/Dr. Norwich. He seems a little distracted.
He is a well-preserved man in his 50s, although his gaze is too reserved or opaque. Camille knows that her husband is reserved, but she can see his intelligence and passion in his eyes at certain times: at work and outside work.
Perhaps she is not objective after all. She remembers that soon after she began to treat and get to know her now-husband, she realizes that she glimpsed something inside him that she has adored and loved ever since, something that others don't usually know about him.
As she will not allow anyone to see him this way. Especially women! She shrugs her shoulders as if justifying her stance. The Richard she loves is hers alone. It is the only way to protect him.
Obviously not so in Norwich's case, he seems to be too distracted. Camille is of the opinion that English geniuses can become too withdrawn, thank goodness she has duly taken care of her own English genius!
The Inspector, after shaking hands with Porter and the doctor, can't help but notice Norwich's slightly sick look. He would put it down to the journey and the extreme heat, but the assistant, Mr. Porter, seems perfectly fine.
In fact, it is usually Porter who answers all the questions almost without waiting for the professor to answer them. He looks like an eagle.
Richard can't help but feel slightly disappointed with Professor Norwich. This man doesn't look like the excited and intelligent speaker who gave the talk in Cambridge a few years ago.
Fidel strikes up a light conversation with James Porter and Dwayne, after greeting them without shaking their hands, he goes to his table to continue his work, always smiling.
Intellectuals bore him, he can't help it!
Inspector Poole,' continues Commissioner Patterson, 'I trust I leave my guests in good hands. They are here for you to explain to them how the activity that has brought them to the island will be conducted and how security will work. When they are finished...' then Patterson looks at Camille, '... I would ask that they be taken to the hotel without delay. They will need their rest today. Besides, you're dining with my wife and me tonight. And... by the way, Mr. Norwich prefers to be called by the title of professor. We have already had some trouble on the way here explaining that Dr. Norwich was not a famous medical doctor.'
'That will be done, sir,' Camille confirms. 'By the way, won't we have the pleasure of meeting your wife, Professor?' addressing the professor directly.
It's the only moment when Norwich seems to have some life in him. He smiles and replies with some apparent exhaustion, but with much more life than before.
She's at the hotel sorting everything out. I've got loads of papers and books. Jade is a gem, literally. I don't know what I'd do without her.'
Camille smiles. Now she begins to like the professor. But he is clearly not feeling well. And, frankly, the professor's assistant is too much overbearing and pushy.
'My husband and I, Inspector Poole, will not be able to attend. But I think your wife would very much enjoy dinner with Commissioner Patterson's wife. I realize she may be tired, but I would pray that you could persuade her. We are very hospitable at Saint Marie.'
'Of course, Mrs. Poole or Sergeant, I don't know what to call you. I shall do so. I'm afraid I'm the one who's not well.'
Richard jumps into the conversation and asks him:
'Have you taken anything from here that hasn't been good for you? Maybe you've got a virus. I had a fever not too many years ago and didn't feel well at all.'
'The professor is just tired, Inspector Poole. He already takes his own medication.' Porter is all smiles, but Richard already has some more information. Richard will also be an eagle with the assistant.
'Very well then, if you don't mind, let's start with what brought you to the island. My team and I won't take long to brief you on our security operation for Professor Norwich's book launch. This way, please.'
Selwyn Patterson decides to leave the station, and Richard's briefing begins, detailing what he and his team have prepared.
Several times the Inspector has to repeat his explanation to Norwich. He can't help thinking that the professor should go to a doctor in Saint Marie. At least his assistant is taking note of everything and is asking the relevant questions.
Not that that particularly satisfies Richard.
As everything seems to be in order and it doesn't look like there will be many complications, in half an hour the Saint Marie police team finishes the paperwork.
Everyone gets up to say goodbye and Camille is already getting ready to take the professor and Porter to the hotel when Richard almost runs up to the door where Fidel and Dwayne are already saying goodbye to ask her for something he's been wanting ever since he found out his idol was coming to the island.
Camille looks at him amused, Richard looks like a teenager with a notebook and pen about to ask for an autograph, but he astonishes his wife.
Professor, I have one or two of your books at my house, would you mind coming with your wife to my house around eleven o'clock tomorrow morning to sign those copies for me? I've been talking a lot to my wife... to the Sergeant here and we'd like to have a chat with you and your wife. You don't need to bring anything. We'd also like to introduce you to our children.
DS Camille Bordey is not easily fooled, Richard is hiding something. She decides to support him.
'Nothing serious. Tomorrow my husband and I are off in the morning and we don't have another free day. And our twins, a boy and a girl, make it very difficult for us to get out of the house to see you.'
Norwich looks pleased. Rarely does he meet such an enthusiastic fan of his books. He is not feeling well, but answers.
'Of course we'll come, Detectives. Who's going to take us there?'
Porter steps forward, but Dwayne, guessing something is going on, narrowly beats him to it.
'Mr. Porter is already meeting Fidel at the station tomorrow to go over the whole operation. I'll pick you and your wife up at the hotel and take you to the Poole's house.'
Fidel adds: 'I am looking forward to convincing Mr. Porter of some improvements that I am thinking of right now. I will of course discuss them with my superior,' Fidel points out to Richard, 'later this afternoon before I speak to your assistant, Professor. I think he'll be very interested.
And so everything is arranged to the liking of almost everyone.