Joe was just about to fall in with this convenient suggestion and make Lily an honorary relation when she decided to speak for herself. ‘I’m a colleague of the com-mander’s cousin Margery, Lady Dedham. A useful pair of hands. In attendance to save him some time. I know how to write shorthand.’
‘I say, Lil, do you really?’ Joe affected not to know. ‘She’s modest, you’ll find, Cassandra. She’s really here to put her sharp wits to our problem. Like you, she’s not comfortable with the story that’s been hacked together, though she has, as yet, only been able to form a judgement from the notes, of course. I thought you two could put your heads together and sift through the evidence again. Always assuming — and I assume a lot, I know — that you’re up to it …?’
A proviso that needed to be made, Joe thought. Under the veneer of calm and normality, he sensed that Cassandra Dedham was very near collapse. An admiral’s wife would be made of stern stuff, that was to be expected, but the woman had witnessed and played an active part in a tragedy and was still caught up in it. She was still dressed — though apparently oblivious of it — in the chiffon evening gown she had been wearing when her husband had died in her arms, only feet away from where they were standing. The dark green fabric was blotched with blood, the stains showing up as a black dappling from neck to hem. Her evening gloves were lying where she had dropped them on the hall table the previous night.
This wouldn’t do. Should he say something? How far could he presume on their acquaintance? Joe stepped forward, suddenly aware that Cassandra was becoming unsteady. Oh, what the hell! He seized her cold hands and passed an arm under her shoulders. ‘You haven’t slept. You haven’t even changed. Where’s the medico I left caring for you?’
‘No time. Statements, re-enactments for your people, Joe … Endless telephoning to be done. Peterson to arrange for… he’s doing well, they say … Hundreds of people to be informed … the press gathering. The king sent round an equerry and you can’t deal with one of those smooth young men in five minutes, you know. I sent the doctor away. He was all for giving me laudanum. If ever there was a time when I needed full possession of my faculties, this is it, I think you’d agree.’ The tension he felt in her slight form was alarming.
‘But who’s supporting you? You can’t manage without a man in the house. Surely …?’
‘Our sons are on their way. They’ve been at sea on a training ship all summer. Once John and Billy get here I can let go the reins. John’s seventeen now … man of the house … But no, you’re right, Joe,’ she said, replying to his unspoken thoughts, ‘the boys are very young still. I’ve alerted their older cousin Sebastian — Oliver’s nephew. Do you remember meeting him? Royal Flying Corps? He’ll rally round.’
Joe nodded, reassured by the mention of the friendly young airman he’d met in the admiral’s house the month before. ‘I do indeed. He fits the bill. Glad to hear he’s invited aboard. Where is he — down in Sussex?’
‘Yes. I phoned him as soon as I could. Dreadful thing to throw at the feet of a young fellow but I couldn’t think of anyone else. He’s completely au fait with Oliver’s affairs and that’s useful … I haven’t a clue. He offered at once to set off at the crack of dawn and drive down to Devon to pick up the boys and they’ll be here this afternoon. But until they all get here I shall have to manage. And I can. Truly, Joe.’
‘Nonsense!’ The commander glanced around him and squared his shoulders. He suddenly seemed to fill the hallway with his large masculine presence. A decision followed at once. ‘I shall stay and take over until the boys arrive.’