A sudden, fearful death - Anne Perry [44]
But it was Kristian’s features, not Monk’s, which were in her mind.
“I appreciate it will be hard,” she said without hesitation. “But it is a hospital. I shall be there. I can observe things and tell you. And perhaps it would be more effective if we could get Hester a position there? She would see much that I would not, and indeed that Inspector Jeavis would not.”
“Callandra!” he interrupted. Calling her by her given name without her title was a familiarity—indeed, an arrogance—which she did not mind. If she had, she would have corrected him rapidly enough. It was the pain in his voice which chilled her.
“Hester has a gift for observation,” she carried on, disregarding him, Kristian’s face still vivid in her mind. “And she is as good as you are at piecing together information. She has an excellent understanding of human nature, nor is she afraid to pursue a cause.”
“In that case you will hardly need me.” He said it waspishly, but it was redeemed at the last instant by a flash of humor in his eyes.
She was spoiling her own case by pressing too hard.
“Perhaps I overstated it a trifle,” she conceded. “But she would certainly be an asset, and be able to observe those things you were not in a position to. Then she could report to you so you could make deductions and tell her what next to inquire into?”
“And if there is a murderer in this hospital of yours, have you considered what danger you might be putting her into? One nurse has already been killed,” he pointed out.
She saw in his face that he was aware of his own victory.
“No, I had not thought of that,” she confessed. “She would have to be most careful, and look without asking. Still, even so, she would be of invaluable assistance to you.”
“You speak as though I were going to take the case.”
“Am I mistaken?” This time it was her victory, and she also knew it.
Again the smile lit his face, showing an unaccustomed gentleness. “No, no you are not. I shall do what I can.”
“Thank you.” She felt a rush of relief which surprised her. “Did I mention it, John Evan is the sergeant assisting Jeavis?”
“No, you did not mention it, but I happened to know that he was working with Jeavis.”
“I thought you might. I am glad you are still keeping your friendship with him. He is an excellent young man.”
Monk smiled.
Callandra rose to her feet and he rose automatically also.
“Then you had better go and see Hester,” she instructed. “There is no time to be lost. I would do it myself, but you can tell her what you wish her to do for you better than I. You may tell her I shall use my influence to see that she obtains a position. They will be looking for someone to take poor Prudence Barrymore’s place.”
“I shall ask her,” he agreed, pulling a slight face. “I promise,” he added.
“Thank you. I shall arrange it all tomorrow.” And she went out of the door as he held it for her, and then through the front door into the warm evening street. Now that there was nothing more that she could do, she felt tired and extraordinarily sad. Her coach was waiting for her and she rode home in somber mood.
Hester received Monk with a surprise which she did not bother to conceal. She led him into the tiny front room and invited him to sit. She looked far less tired today; there was a vigor about her, a good color to her skin. Not for the first time he was aware of how intensely alive she was—not so much physically, but in the mind and in the will.
“This cannot be a social call,” she said with a slight smile of amusement. “Something has happened.” It was a statement, not a question.
He did not bother with prevarication.
“Callandra came to see me earlier this evening,” he began. “This morning there was a nurse murdered in the hospital where she is