‘In an alley.’ A muscle clenched in Kane’s jaw. ‘He had been beaten ferociously. They can’t say if he was still alive when the rats found him.’
Sadie stared at him in horror. ‘Rats? Oh my, oh my.’ She had a terror of any kind of rodent. ‘That’s terrible, just terrible. I mean, I know he was a wicked so-and-so, Mr Gregory, but to go like that . . . Well, it don’t bear thinking about.’
Kane stilled his tongue. He had had murder in his heart for the last four days, but someone had saved him the job.
After a moment, Sadie raised her eyes. ‘That’s what the Inspector has come to tell her?’
Kane nodded. ‘But he’s asked me to do the job and I want you present, Sadie. To tell you the truth, I have no idea how this latest news is going to affect her, but – but I’m worried.’
‘She’s not herself, that’s for sure,’ Sadie agreed, ‘but is it any wonder?’ They stared at each other helplessly for a moment. ‘The poor lamb, and her that wouldn’t hurt a fly. This has never been a happy house, Mr Gregory, but I don’t need to tell you that. You’ve got eyes in your head. But this, this is something beyond . . .’
When words failed her, Kane finished, ‘Beyond belief, Sadie. Most definitely beyond belief.’
‘I’ll be with you, sir, and you know I’ll look after her all right. She’ll get through this. She’s stronger than she looks – she’s had to be.’ Sadie was remembering the words Toby had shouted at Sophy the day he had punched her in the face – wicked words about Sophy’s mother. They might or might not be true, and she would never dream of mentioning it to the woman who had lifted her out of a life of drudgery and despair and brought her into an existence that was comfort itself; she didn’t even know if Sophy realised she had heard what Toby Shawe had said, but if it was true, it would explain a lot. Sophy never talked about her life before she came to London, never mentioned family or friends from that time. Yes, it would explain a lot.
Thinking that Sadie’s words related to the life Toby had led Sophy, Kane nodded again. ‘Yes, she’s strong, but this on top of Cat . . . well, it would be enough to turn the strongest person’s reason.’
‘She has her work, sir.’
Kane closed his mouth against the words in his mind. Her work. Always her work. Damn her work. He wanted her to lean on him, to look to him for comfort and sustenance, but of course it was not the time to say it. He drew in a deep breath which caused his waistcoat to expand then slowly sink back into place as he said quietly, ‘Quite so, and I know I can trust you to take care of her.’
Their eyes met for a moment in total understanding.
‘That you can, Mr Gregory. And all things pass. That’s what my old mother used to say and she was right. All things pass. There’ll come a day when all this will be behind her.’
He wanted, he needed to believe that. A grain of hope was better than no hope at all.
Sophy watched the Police Inspector leave the house from her vantage point at the bedroom window, one part of her mind noting how the sunshine lit up the bald spot on top of his head. He was a nice man, the Inspector. Stolid, fatherly.
Her gaze moved to the trees in the square opposite, their green leaves fluttering in the light breeze. All the May blossom had fallen now, the last of it blown away by the strong winds which had seen the month out. Today, though, the wind was simply a gentle caress as befitted a summer’s day in June. Her eyes followed a young nursemaid in her black and white uniform entering the square holding two small children by their hands. The little girls looked to be twins and were dressed in flouncy white dresses, straw bonnets sitting on their heads below which fair ringlets bounced as they walked.
She must write to Patience and congratulate her; she should have done it by return. Patience would expect that. And she should send her something for the baby; a bassinet perhaps? And some flowers for Patience.
She glanced at the tiny gold watch pinned to the front of her bodice and told herself she should go downstairs. Kane had arrived some time ago, a good half-hour before the Inspector. It was rude not to make the effort to see him. But still she continued to sit by the window as her tired mind took refuge in inconsequentials.
When Sadie knocked on the bedroom door and then popped her head round it, saying, ‘Mr Gregory’s here, ma’am, and I’ve done a light lunch for the pair of you,’ Sophy stood up resignedly. She didn’t allow herself to wonder why the Inspector had called, because to do so would pierce the protective bubble.
‘Thank you, Sadie. Would you tell him I’ll be down directly, please?’ she said, before smoothing her hair in the mirror.
Kane stood up as she entered the drawing room, coming across to take her hands as he said quietly, ‘How are you this morning?’
‘I am well.’