The same elements, a similar intelligence to sift through them, and yet Javertâs conclusions were miles apart from the mayorâs. If heâd known, the fact would have been unsurprising. As little as he knew about Madeleine, he at least knew they must hold vastly different views of the world. The question was moot on his salary, but Javert would never have given out alms with an ease like breathing as the mayor did. And he doled out kindness with the same open-handed foolishness.
Still, that wasnât evidence that would stand up in the courts, just among the reasons Javert distrusted him. For now he was protected by his position. The inspector was reluctant to oppose any authority, even one he disliked. âOf course youâre allowed. But is it advisable? As you say, you are the mayor. There are those who could wish you harm, and this town only has one inspector. I cannot be everywhere at once.â An admission of vulnerability, almostâ delivered though with stark frankness, without a waver in his gaze. Any criticism of the mayorâs allocation of funds was deeply buried. âYou should be more cautious.â A precise choice of words. He could have said careful, but that was not something Madeleine lacked except perhaps in this instance.
Now that was a strange question. It caught Javert sideways. He blinked, once. âNo. At this hour I am on patrol and must be alert.â This was a small town, but no doubt there was someone who would rather he were gone. Besides, how else would he know what was happening? He couldnât take the time to admire the scenery even if he found any of it worthy of admiration.
Perhaps he had been wrong in the assumption that Javert even took time to appreciate the world around him. Well--it would be difficult to appreciate the worldâs beauty from such a black and white point of view, after all, wouldnât it? As Valjean thought on the matter, the likelihood that the inspector indulged in such things was less so than he initially assumed.Â
The mayor only half listened to the other manâs words. He knew that there were those with ill intent on these streets. Still, he kept the presence of the law to a minimum here. Both his annoyance at the injustices done in the name of the law as well as his paranoia of being found out saw to that.Â
âI understand, monsieur. Perhaps I have been lacking in my sense of caution as of late. As youâve stated, you canât be everywhere at once and there are those that would have ill intent towards me on these streets. Iâm sure you have your work cut out for you without having to dwell on a possible attack on the mayor in addition to other responsibilities,â Jean Valjean gave a small pause and then spoke rather curtly toward Javert, âWhich makes me wonder why youâre spending time during patrol of the town speaking to its mayor when there are surely better uses of your time.âÂ