The Statement by Brian Moore Read Free Book Online Page B

sixties. In the Vichy years he was also responsible, time and time again, for the dispatch to Germany of Jewish death trains.’
    ‘Hard to believe, isn’t it?’ Roux said.
    ‘Not really. All three of these men had excellent lawyers. They didn’t hide themselves like Brossard. They didn’t need to. They came forward, maintaining a discreet silence as the charges of a crime against humanity were read out to them. They were then allowed to go free, pending a time when their cases would be tried. I believe that, unless we find Brossard and bring him to trial, none of these big fish will ever have to appear before the courts. But if Brossard is sentenced, public opinion can be mobilized to demand that they also be tried. And he must be tried! If he is, I suspect we’ll find out that over the years presidents, prime ministers, cardinals, judges and prefects of police have all been part of this conspiracy. And unless the whole truth is brought out into the open it will for ever be a stain on the conscience of our country.’
    Judge Livi leaned back and sighed. ‘I’m sorry, Colonel. I know that sounds like a courtroom speech, but it’s what I believe.’
    Roux looked at her and smiled. ‘I’m glad you do, Madame. I believe it too.’
    ‘So, we’re together on this?’
    ‘Of course. I’ve already started my investigation. This afternoon I leave for Caunes, in the Languedoc.’
    ‘Caunes?’
    ‘Monsignor Maurice Le Moyne is living there, in retirement. He was Brossard’s great champion. It was partly, if not largely, through his efforts that the famous pardon was procured.’
    ‘Le Moyne,’ Judge Livi said. ‘But why should he help you? Or do you have something else in mind?’
    ‘The charge of the crime against humanity has been laid by a Jewish group, under the direction of Serge Klarsfeld, the lawyer who found Klaus Barbie and brought him to trial. They are actively searching for Brossard. The Simon Wiesenthal Centre, which is, as you know, the most successful and wide-ranging Nazi-hunting group, is also intensifying its efforts to find him. These are law-abiding groups who will act in a law-abiding manner. But there seems to be another group involved. The DST, which monitors terrorist activities, has intercepted two telephone conversations which reveal that what seems to be a Jewish commando is plotting to assassinate Brossard, because they believe he will never be brought to trial. If that’s true, we’ve got to act quickly.’
    ‘Interesting,’ Judge Livi said. ‘Why wasn’t I told about this?’
    ‘The DST is a branch of the National Police. They don’t want to see the gendarmerie succeed where they’ve failed.’
    ‘So they didn’t inform you, either?’
    ‘No. But we have our sources. And if there is a Jewish commando trying to kill Brossard, I can use that information to convince his clerical friends that we are the least dangerous of his pursuers. Brossard himself may not be swayed by such an argument. But Monsignor Le Moyne? I think it’s worth a try.’
    ‘And when do you leave for Caunes?’
    ‘I have a flight to Montpellier at three o’clock.’
    ‘Then, perhaps we can have lunch together before you go?’
    ‘That would be a pleasure, Madame.’

4
    Nowadays, Monsignor Le Moyne was obliged to wait for lifts. He had been offered one by Jean Marie Bouchard, a winegrower who had business in Carcassonne. It was a chance to see Roger Dufour, an old schoolfriend, a lawyer en retraite and living there. Four days in Carcassonne: it had been a pleasant change from the medieval silence of Caunes. Not that he had any desire to live again in cities. He had, he sometimes thought, two sides to his nature, each perched like an angel on his shoulders. On the left was the dark angel, ambitious, fond of the trappings of the Lyon archbishopric, the pleasant meals, the good wine, the Renault 25 at the door, the attention one received when announced as Private Secretary to the Cardinal. He had served