The Methods of Maigret ( PDFDrive )

to her apron strings and that is why he has acquired the character of a girl rather
than a man. At his age she still treats him like a child. He can do nothing without
her permission.”
“Does he like women?”
“He’s more afraid of them. I mean in general. He’s not keen, you know. He’s
never had good health. He spends his time looking after himself, taking his
drugs, reading medical books.”
“What else is there, Ginette?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why have you come here today?”
“But I’ve told you.”
“No.”
“I thought you would wonder about Émile and his mother.”
“Explain.”
“You aren’t like the other detectives, but even so! When something fishy
happens, it’s always people of a certain type that are suspected.”
“And you want to tell me that Monsieur Émile has nothing to do with
Marcel’s death?”
“I wanted to explain to you…”
“Explain what?”
“We remained good friends, Marcel and me, but there was no question of
living together. He no longer thought about that. I don’t think he even wanted it.
Do you understand? He was enjoying the kind of life he had made for himself.
He no longer had any relations with the underworld. Look! I saw Charlot just
now…”
“You know him?”
“I met him here several times. We even ate occasionally at the same table. He
found girls for me.”
“Were you expecting him to be at Porquerolles today?”
“No. I swear I’m speaking the truth. It’s your way of putting questions that
upsets me. Before, you trusted me. You were even a little sorry for me. It’s true I
have no longer anything to be sorry about, have I? I don’t even have T.B. any
longer!”
“Do you make a lot of money?”
“Not so much as you might think. Justine is very mean. So is her son. I don’t