The Night at the Crossroads by Georges Simenon

he’ll pull through. The first wound is the more serious one. He must have received it early in the afternoon, if not late this morning. A bullet from a Browning fired point-blank into the
back. Absolutely point-blank! I even think it possible that the muzzle of the weapon was right against the flesh. The victim made a sudden movement, deflecting the shot, so the ribs are basically all that were hit. Bruises on the shoulder, the arms, some scratches on the hands and knees –
these must have occurred at the same time …’
    â€˜And the other bullet?’
    â€˜The shoulder blade is shattered. He must be seen to by a surgeon tomorrow. I can give you the address of a clinic in Paris … There is one in the area, but if the wounded man can afford it, I recommend Paris.’
    â€˜Was he able to get about after the first incident?’
    â€˜Probably … No vital organ was hit … It would have been a question of stamina, of will-power. Although I do fear that he’ll have a stiff shoulder for the rest of his life.’
    The police had found nothing out in the grounds, but they had taken up positions so as to be ready for a thorough search at first light.
    Maigret then went to check on Andersen, who was relieved to see him.
    â€˜Else?’
    â€˜In her bedroom, I’ve already told you twice.’
    â€˜Why …’
    Always that morbid anxiety, betrayed by the man’s twitching face and by his every glance.
    â€˜Do you know of any enemies you might have?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜Don’t upset yourself. Simply tell me how you got shot that first time. Go slowly … Take it easy …’
    â€˜I was on my way to Dumas and Son …’
    â€˜You didn’t get there.’
    â€˜I tried! At the Porte d’Orléans, a man signalled to me to pull over.’
    Andersen asked for some water and drained a large glass, then looked up at the ceiling and continued.
    â€˜He told me he was a policeman. He even showed me a card, which I didn’t really look at. He ordered me to drive across Paris and take the road to Compiègne, claiming that I was going to be brought face to face with a witness. He got
into the passenger seat beside me.’
    â€˜What did he look like?’
    â€˜Tall, wearing a grey fedora. Shortly before Compiègne, the main road goes through a forest. At a turning, I felt a violent impact on my back … A hand grabbed the steering wheel from me while I was pushed out of the car. I
lost consciousness. I came to in the roadside ditch. The car was gone.’
    â€˜What time was it?’
    â€˜Perhaps eleven in the morning … I’m not sure. The clock in my car doesn’t work. I walked into the forest, to recover from the shock and have time to think. I was having dizzy spells … I heard trains going
by … Finally I came to a small station. By five o’clock I was in Paris, where I got a room. There I took care of myself, brushed off my clothes … And I came here.’
    â€˜In secret …’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜I don’t know.’
    â€˜Did you meet anyone?’
    â€˜No! I avoided the main road and came in through the grounds … Just as I reached the front steps, the shot rang out … I’d like to see Else.’
    â€˜Do you know that someone has tried to poison her?’
    Maigret was completely unprepared for Andersen’s reaction to his words. The wounded man sat up all by himself, stared eagerly at the inspector and stammered, ‘Really?’
    He seemed overjoyed, released from a nightmare.
    â€˜Oh! I want to see her!’
    Maigret went out into the hall to fetch Else, who was in her room, lying on the divan with empty eyes. Lucas was watching her sullenly.
    â€˜Would you come with me?’
    â€˜What did he say?’
    She was still frightened, uncertain.