He put down the pen. “Then you must let me have a few days to look again at the file, and then to decide how best to go about this problem. I don’t have the authority to open this case myself. And it won’t do you much good to make enemies-for you will if you begin to annoy my own superiors, or Mr. Cutter. It’s to your advantage and mine to proceed with caution. Have you spoken to the barrister who defended your husband?”

“I’ve got no money. He won’t give me the time of day.”

“I make no promises, mind you. But I give you my word that I’ll do my best. If I can satisfy myself that there’s just cause to reopen the case, I’ll tell you so and give you the name of someone at the Home Office who will listen to you.”

“And if you can’t?” she asked suspiciously.

“Then you’re free to speak to anyone else here at the Yard.”

“That’s fair. I never asked more.” There was a gleam of gratification in her dark eyes. “I’ve waited this long. A few more days won’t matter, will they?”

5

After Rutledge had seen Mrs. Shaw into a cab, he sat in his chair and stared out the window at the bare branches of trees that stood out stark and almost pleading against the colorless sky.

He couldn’t have been wrong about Ben Shaw…

And yet he had been badly shaken by that locket, and Mrs. Shaw’s ferocious defense of her husband’s innocence had rung with conviction. If he had been so certain of the man’s guilt before, how had that altered so easily?

Hamish said, “Your wits are scattered, man, ye’re no’ thinking clearly!”

What if he had been wrong Hamish said, “It isna’ the end of the world-”

Rutledge retorted angrily, “It was a man’s life. You weren’t there-”

Hamish agreed readily. “I was safe in Scotland then, and alive.. ..” After a moment he added, “She willna’ be put off.”