by Anne Perry
Markham was still talking to Trenchard.
“What was it you learned about Tariq el Abd that is relevant to the death of Lieutenant Lovat?” Markham said with a lift of curiosity, his eyes wide, seeing only his own victory, so close he could already taste it.
“I learned why he killed him,” Trenchard answered.
Pitt half rose to his feet. He had no clear idea what he was going to do, but he could not let this happen—the bloodshed would drown the whole of Egypt and ruin British India, Burma and beyond.
Trenchard saw him and turned toward him, and smiled.
“Tariq el Abd lost the whole of his family in a hideous—” he began.
There was a loud crack, and immediately another. Trenchard fell backwards and slid down onto the floor of the stand.
Pitt swung around just as the third crack sounded, and he saw Ferdinand Garrick’s head seem to explode as he fell, the revolver still in his hand.
The judge was paralyzed.
Markham’s legs folded underneath him, and he slipped down awkwardly.
Pitt walked forward, Narraway a pace behind. He went over to the witness stand where Trenchard was lying. Garrick had struck him through the head with both shots, blowing half his brain away. He had finally closed the last chapter of the massacre. Egypt and the East were safe.
Narraway looked at the body for a moment, then turned his back and stared towards the gallery, where everyone was moving away from Garrick, sprawled on the floor—except Vespasia. Oblivious of the blood on her gown, she knelt beside him and gently folded his hands. It was a pointless gesture, but it had a dignity, a peculiar respect, as if suddenly she had seen something of value in him, and a certain pity that was beyond judgments.
In the dock, Ryerson put out his hand and took Ayesha’s, it was all he could reach of her, but it was enough.
“I’ll see that Stephen Garrick is cared for,” Narraway said quietly. “I think we owe his father that.”
Pitt nodded, still looking at Vespasia. “It will be done,” he said with absolute conviction. “And Martin Garvie will watch over him.”
Narraway looked up at Ryerson, and something of the tension in his body softened and a burden inside him seemed to ease.
By Anne Perry
Published by The Ballantine Publishing Group
Featuring William Monk
The Face of a Stranger
A Dangerous Mourning
Defend and Betray
A Sudden, Fearful Death
The Sins of the Wolf
Cain His Brother
Weighed in the Balance
The Silent Cry
A Breach of Promise
The Twisted Root
Slaves of Obsession
Funeral in Blue
Death of a Stranger
Featuring Thomas and Charlotte Pitt
The Cater Street Hangman
Callander Square
Paragon Walk
Resurrection Row
Bluegate Fields
Rutland Place
Death in the Devil’s Acre
Cardington Crescent
Silence in Hanover Close
Bethlehem Road
Highgate Rise
Belgrave Square
Farriers’ Lane
The Hyde Park Headsman
Traitors Gate
Pentecost Alley
Ashworth Hall
Brunswick Gardens
Bedford Square
Half Moon Street
The Whitechapel Conspiracy
Southampton Row
Seven Dials
