William Monk 08 - The Silent Cry

front of Evan and sat on the bed between them, taking Rhys’s hands in her own and turning him to look at her.
    “Did you do it, Rhys?” she demanded, pulling his arms, hurting him to break the spell.
    He looked at her. He made a choking sound in his throat almost like a laugh, the tears spilled over his cheeks and he shook his head, a little at first, then more and more violently till he was thrashing from side to side, still making the desperate, tearing sounds in his throat.
    Hester stood up and faced Evan.
    “All right, Sergeant, you have fulfilled your duty. Mr. Duff has heard your charge, and he has told you he is not guilty. If you wish to wait for Dr. Wade to confirm that he is too ill to be moved, you may do so downstairs, perhaps in the morning room. Mrs. Duff may also need to be alone …”
    “It will not be necessary to wait.”
    Evan swung around to find Corridon Wade behind him looking exhausted, hollow-cheeked but absolutely unflinching.
    “Good evening, Dr. Wade.”
    “Hardly,” Wade said dryly. “I have been fearing this would happen, but now that it has, I must inform you officially, in my capacity as Rhys’s physician, that he is not well enough to be moved. If you do so you may jeopardize not only his recovery but possibly even his life. And I must remind you that you have made a charge but you have not yet proved it. Before the law he is still an innocent man.”
    “I know that, Dr. Wade,” Evan answered calmly. “I have no intention of forcing the issue. I shall leave a constable on duty outside the house. I came only to inform Mr. Duff of the charge, not to attempt to take him into custody.”
    Wade relaxed a little. “Good. Good. I’m sorry if I was a little hasty. You must understand it is extremely distressing for me on a personal level, as well as professionally. I have been a friend of the family for many years. I feel their tragedies very keenly.”
    “I know that,” Evan conceded. “I wish my errand were something other.”
    “I’m sure.” Wade nodded, then walked past Evan into the room, glancing at Hester with a look of quick appreciation. “Thank you, Miss Latterly, for your part. I am sure you have been of great strength. I shall remain with Rhys for a while, to make sure the shock of this has not affected him too seriously.Perhaps you would be good enough to be of what comfort you may to Mrs. Duff. I shall be down very shortly.”
    “Yes, of course,” Hester agreed, and instantly shepherded Evan out of the room and down the stairs.
    “I’m sorry, Hester,” Evan said, going down behind her. “There really is no alternative. The proof is overwhelming.”
    “I know,” she answered without turning. “William told me.” She was stiff, holding herself upright with an effort, as if once she let go she might never find the strength to regain her composure. She crossed the hallway and went into the withdrawing room without knocking.
    Inside, Sylvestra was sitting on the sofa near the fire, and Monk was standing in the middle of the carpet. Neither of them had been speaking at that moment.
    Sylvestra looked at Hester, her eyes terrified, questioning.
    “Dr. Wade is with him,” Hester said in answer. “He is distressed, of course, but he is not in any danger. And naturally he will remain here.” Her voice dropped. “I asked him if he was guilty, and he shook his head vehemently.”
    “But …” Sylvestra stammered. “But …” She looked at Monk, then at Evan, behind Hester.
    “That is not helpful, Hester,” Monk said sharply.
    Sylvestra looked bemused. Her hands moved as if to grasp at something, and closed on air. Her body was rigid and she moved jerkily, increasingly close to hysteria. At this very moment, her need was greater than Rhys’s.
    Hester went over to her and touched her, taking her arms.
    “There is nothing we can do tonight, but in the morning we must plan ahead. The charge has been made. It must be answered, whatever that answer is. Mr. Monk is a private agent of enquiry. There may yet be more to discover, and naturally you will employ the best legal counsel you can. Just now you must keep up your strength. No doubt Dr. Wade will tell his sister, but I will tell Mrs. Kynaston, if you would find that easier.”
    “I … don’t know …” Sylvestra was shaking violently and her skin was cold where Hester held her.
    Evan moved uncomfortably. He should not be witnessing this agony. His task was completed here. This was an