Free The Two-Penny Bar by Georges Simenon Page A

the Essonne mills. There’s cement on the main road from La Ferté to Arpajon.’
    They had pinned down one thing. The car had definitely passed through there. The experts took away a few other objects to examine more closely in the laboratory.
    Maigret checked off all the towns and villages within the circle on the map, and rang round the relevant police stations and municipal offices.
    At four o’clock, he left his office intending to interrogate Victor, whom he had not seen since the previous day and who was now held in the temporary cell at the foot of the stairs at the police headquarters. As he descended the stairs,
however, he had an idea. He returned to his office and telephoned the accountant of Basso’s firm.
    â€˜Hello! Police! Could you tell me the name of your bank? … The Banque du Nord, Boulevard Haussmann. Thank you.’
    He had himself driven to the bank, where he asked to see the manager. Five minutes later, Maigret had another lead in his inquiry. At ten o’clock that morning, James had cashed a cheque for 300,000 francs drawn up by Marcel Basso.
    The cheque was dated four days previously.
    â€˜Boss, the guy downstairs wants to see you. Says he has something important to tell you.’
    Maigret walked ponderously downstairs and entered the cell, where Victor was sitting on a bench, leaning on the table with his head in his hands.
    â€˜I’m listening.’
    The prisoner stood up briskly. He had a cunning look on his face. Shifting from one foot to the other, he said:
    â€˜You haven’t found anything yet, have you?’
    â€˜Still pursuing our inquiries.’
    â€˜See, you haven’t found anything yet. I’m not stupid … Anyway, last night I had a bit of a think.’
    â€˜You’ve decided to talk?’
    â€˜Hold on! We need to reach an understanding. I don’t know if Lenoir talked or not. If he did, he didn’t tell you everything. Without me, you won’t get anywhere. That’s a fact. You’re stuck, and you’re
going to stay that way. So, this is what I’ve got to say. Information like that’s got to be worth something. Got to be worth a lot. Let’s say I went and found the murderer and told him I was going to tell the police everything. Don’t you think he’d cough up
whatever I asked for?’
    Victor had that triumphant look of the underdog who suddenly finds himself in a position of power. All his life the police had hassled him, and now he felt that he had the upper hand. He was strutting around looking very pleased with himself.
    â€˜So there it is. Why would I talk? Why would I harm someone who hasn’t done me any wrong? You think you can put me away for vagrancy? You’re forgetting mylung. They’ll send me to a hospital, then to a
sanatorium.’
    Maigret looked at him steadily, but didn’t say a word.
    â€˜How’s about 30,000 francs? It’s not a lot. Just enough to see me through to the end, which can’t be long now. Thirty grand – what’s a piddling amount like that to the government?’
    He imagined he already had the money in his hands. He was exultant. He was interrupted by a coughing fit, which brought tears to his eyes, but they were like tears of triumph. Wasn’t he smart? Wasn’t he in the driving seat?
    â€˜That’s my final offer. Thirty thousand francs and I tell you everything. You’ll get your man. There’ll be a promotion in it for you. You’ll have your name in the papers. Otherwise, nothing! You can do what you like
with me. Just remember, it all took place six years ago, and there were only two witnesses: Lenoir, who won’t be saying any more, and yours truly …’
    â€˜Is that it?’ asked Maigret, who had remained standing the whole time.
    â€˜You think it’s too much?’
    Victor felt a pang of disquiet at Maigret’s calm, inscrutable reaction.
    â€˜I’m not scared