Bedford Square - Anne Perry [139]
“No.” White answered without hesitating to give the matter thought. “It would be quite misleading of me to allow you to think I will be well … I really cannot say that.” He swallowed. “In … in fairness to all concerned, the prosecution and the defense … you must replace me.” He looked at Theloneus with something like despair in his eyes.
Seeing the compassion in Theloneus’s face, Pitt expected him to relent, but he did not. Without a moment’s change in the gentleness in his eyes or his voice, he continued as if White had not spoken.
“I am sorry, my dear fellow. I must know the truth of this. You do indeed look as if you are suffering greatly, but you do not seem unwell, which is a different thing.”
White made as if to protest, but he could not find the words.
“If you have some ailment,” Theloneus went on, “then allow me to send for your physician. I know him well, and I have no doubt he will come to you within the hour.”
“Really!” White protested. “I am perfectly able to … to send for him myself, should I require his assistance. You take too much …” He half turned away, moving his arm ineffectually. “Please accept my word, Quade, and my apologies, and let the matter be. I have said all I have to.”
Theloneus remained where he was.
“I think not,” he said very quietly. “Perhaps I wrong you, and if so I am in your debt, but I think you are not ill in any medical sense, and even the Lord Chancellor would understand if—”
White wheeled around. “Are you threatening me?” he accused, his eyes hot and angry.
Theloneus did not even look surprised.
“Is somebody threatening you even though Cadell is dead?” he asked mildly.
What shred of color there was left White’s face. For several moments he did not speak, and neither Theloneus nor Pitt broke the silence.
“Are you sure Cadell was the blackmailer?” White said at last, his voice strained to cracking.
“He confessed,” Pitt said, speaking for the first time. “His note was exactly the same as the blackmail letters, and on the same white notepaper.”
“I want to believe that,” White said desperately. “Dear God, you don’t know how much I do ….”
Theloneus frowned. “Why do you find it so hard? Have you received another letter? Were you told to drop the Leadbetter case?”
White shook his head; there was a bitter laughter in him close to hysteria. “No … nothing to do with the Leadbetter case.” His voice cracked. “I simply can’t face it. I think I shall resign from the bench altogether. I cannot go on like this.” He held his hands out in front of him, palms down. They trembled very slightly. “But you are correct; I did receive another letter in the post this morning.”
“May I see it?” Pitt requested.
White gestured towards the fireplace. “I burnt it … in case Marguerite found it. But it was just the same as the others … threats … talks of ruin and pain, but nothing asked for.” Unconsciously, his hands clenched. “I cannot continue like this … I will not!” He looked from one to the other of them. “My wife is terrified. She has no idea what is wrong, but she cannot help but be aware that I am beside myself with worry. I have told her it is a case I am concerned with, but she will not believe that forever. She knows little of the ways of the world, but she is not a foolish woman, nor unobservant.” In spite of himself his voice softened. “And she cares for my welfare with the tenderest concern. The whole matter is beginning to affect her health also, and I cannot keep it from her indefinitely. She will begin to know I am lying, and that will make her even more afraid. She has always trusted me. It will destroy every shred of peace of mind she has.” He lifted his chin, and his shoulders stiffened. “You may enquire all you wish, Quade.