Page 103 of Revenge in a Cold River (William Monk 21)

“That, and a deed for land on the American River where there had been much gold found,” she added.

“I see.”

“Proof of death,” she said, choking on her own words. The tears were now sliding down her cheeks. “And proof of payment for the act.”

“And someone’s guilt?” he asked.

The room was so still Beata could hear her own breathing.

“Yes. It was found in the belongings of a dead man. His name was Belknap. The man my husband, Aaron Clive, was with at the time of the murder of Piers, forty miles away.”

“Are you saying that Mr. Belknap killed Piers Astley, and Aaron Clive lied to protect him?” Rathbone said incredulously.

“No…you fool!” she cried out in desperation. “He lied to protect Aaron! Belknap was committing a robbery miles away, as he was justly accused at the time! Aaron lied, saying he was with Belknap, supposedly to protect him. But it was actually so Belknap could protect Aaron! I only learned of it when Fin Gillander brought me the news that Belknap was dead, and he had the shirt Piers was wearing when he was shot, which he had found and kept as evidence, plus the deed for the land that Aaron gave him, for his silence.”

“Yes,” Rathbone said very quietly. “I see. He kept it to safeguard his own life?”

“Yes!”

Rathbone turned to Wingfield. “I think that settles an old crime and a present tragedy. You can do nothing about the murder of Piers Astley, except clear all others of blame. What you do about Mr. McNab is your own affair. The Board of Customs will no doubt wish to question him regarding the sabotaging of the Thames River Police operation against the gunrunners, and the resulting death of Mr. Orme. But I trust you will now withdraw your charge against Commander Monk in the unfortunate drowning of Mr. Pettifer, who seems to have been an unsavory character, willingly misled by his superior, and drowned in spite of Monk’s efforts to save him.”

Lyndon was nodding slowly.

In the jury box all the men began to relax. A couple even smiled.

Around the gallery there was a sigh as tension was let slip. There were rustles of movement.

Wingfield rose to his feet.

“The Crown wishes to withdraw its case against William Monk, my lord. The other matters I would like to take under advisement, if the court pleases.”

“Indeed,” Mr. Justice Lyndon agreed. “The court does please.” He looked up toward the dock. “Commander Monk, you are free to go.”

Beata sat motionless, letting tears of relief fill her eyes and slip down her cheeks. She looked across at Rathbone and found that he was already looking at her.

IT WAS DARK WHEN Monk awoke. For an instant he did not know where he was. He heard the banging somewhere below him. It sounded like someone trying to force a door. Fool. No one broke out of this kind of prison.

Then he realized he was warm, and the stench of soiled bodies and human waste was not there. The air smelled sweet.

He was at home! Hester was beside him. It wasn’t a dream; he was definitely awake—wasn’t he? Or was this an illusion, and he was going to seem to waken again and again, until he really awoke to reality, and find he was still in prison?

The banging on the door was still going on.

Hester stirred. It must have been the first night for ages that she had slept properly, but it penetrated even the depth of her sleep.

Monk heard feet on the stairs, light and rapid. Then he remembered. Scuff had been home last night, to celebrate.

The banging stopped. Scuff must have let someone in. Monk lay without moving. If the whole of London was on fire, tonight he did not care. His head ached; in fact his whole body ached. He could sleep all night and all the next day. Perhaps he would.

There was a sharp rap on the door.

“What is it?” Monk asked quietly, turning up the gaslight.

Scuff came in, wearing a nightshirt with a blanket around his shoulders. He was almost as tall as Monk now.

“Mr. Gillander’s here,” he replied. “He says can we come and help him. Clive has taken Miriam and he’s gone out to sea. Mr. Gillander says he’ll take her to France, or maybe he’ll just dump her overboard.”

Monk was instantly awake. He slid out of bed as Hester sat up, awake now, too.

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