William Monk 06 - Cain His Brother

wanted to tell her that his initial suspicions seemed less and less likely, but to do so he would have to tell her what they were, and he was not prepared to do that.
    “I have been to Mr. Stonefield’s place of business,” he began. “Only briefly, as yet, but I can see nothing out of order. I shall return when Mr. Arbuthnot is present and see what more he can tell me.”
    “I doubt there will be anything,” she said sadly. “Poor Mr. Arbuthnot is as confused as I. Of course, he does not know what I do of Caleb.” Her mouth tightened, and she turned half away towards the very small fire glimmering in the hearth. “It is something I prefer not to make public, unless I am left no alternative whatever. One does not like to air one’s family tragedies for all to know. Poor Angus tried to keep it as discreet as he could, and I don’t believe his friends or colleagues were aware.” She lifted one shoulder very slightly in a gesture of despair. “It is most embarrassing that one’s relatives are … criminal.” She looked back at him as if it had been a kind of relief to her to speak the truth aloud. Perhaps she saw a shred of incredulity in his eyes.
    “I do not blame you for finding it hard to believe, Mr. Monk, that two brothers could be so different. I found it hard myself. I used to fear Angus had conceived some jealousy or fancy which made him see his brother in such a light. But a little investigation will show you that far frompainting Caleb black, Angus was, if anything, too kind in his judgment.”
    He did not doubt her sincerity, but he still held his reservations as to what Caleb Stonefield might really be like … probably no more than a rake or a gambler, someone Angus did not wish to bring to his charming and comfortable home, perhaps least of all leave in the company of his wife. If Caleb were a womanizer, he could never resist trying to awaken in this woman the fires which might so easily lie nascent beneath her proper exterior. Monk himself could feel the temptation. There was a richness in her mouth, a daring in her eyes, and strength in the angle at which she carried her head.
    “Why do you believe your brother-in-law might have harmed your husband, Mrs. Stonefield?” he said aloud. “After all the long years of relationship between them, and your husband’s loyalty, why should he now hate so deeply as to commit violence against him? What has changed?”
    “Nothing that I know,” she said unhappily, staring now at the fire. There was no doubt in her voice, no lessening of the emotion.
    “Did your husband threaten him in any way, financially or professionally?” Monk went on. “Is it likely that he became aware of some misdemeanor, or even crime, that Caleb may have been involved with? And if he did, would he have reported it?”
    Her eyes flickered up quickly, meeting his with sudden light. “I don’t know, Mr. Monk. You must think me very vague, and most uncharitable to a man I don’t even know. Of course what you suggest is possible. Caleb lives in a way which would make it likely he is involved in many crimes. But it is not that which causes my fear.”
    Had she said anything else he would have known she lied. He had seen the spark of realization in her eyes, and the doubt.
    “What is it?” he said with a gentleness unusual to him.
    “I wish I could tell you more precisely,” she answeredwith a tiny, self-deprecating smile. Then she looked up at him and her expression was startlingly intense. “My husband was not a cowardly man, Mr. Monk, neither morally nor physically, but he lived in dread of his brother. For all that he pitied him, and tried all the years I have known him to bridge the gulf between them, he was deeply afraid.”
    Monk waited for her to continue.
    She looked into the distances within her own mind. “I have seen the change come over his face when he spoke of Caleb, how his eyes darkened and his mouth showed lines of pain.” She took a deep breath and he could see that she was shaking very slightly, as if mastering a deep shock within herself. “I am not exaggerating, Mr. Monk. Please believe me, Caleb is both evil and dangerous. My worst fear is that his hatred has finally driven him mad and he has killed Angus. Of course, I hope he is alive … and yet I am terrified it is already too late. My heart tells me one thing, and my mind another.” At last she looked at him, her eyes wide and direct. “I need to know. Please leave no effort