The judge leading investigations into the Jackal’s past says that he is simply manipulating Coutant-Peyre; the head of the Paris bar association believes she must stop defending him; her parents and first husband are dismayed; she had a hard time placating two of her three sons.

placate (v) : cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of [syn: pacify, lenify, conciliate, assuage, appease, mollify, gentle, gruntle] – source: Crimes and passion: Even in prison the playboy terrorist Carlos the Jackal exerts a deadly charm over women