Ellery was silent. She rested her head against the back of the chair. Her eyes were almost closed and her throat was strong and defenseless.
“You’re wondering why I told you that.”
Ellery nodded.
“I told you because you can’t understand why I’ve come to you unless you understand that first. Weren’t you wondering?”
“All right. Why have you come to me?”
“For appearance’s sake.”
Ellery stared. “You ask me to investigate a possible threat against your husband’s life, Mrs. Priam, for appearance’s sake?”
“You don’t believe me.”
“I do believe you. Nobody would invent such a reason!” Seating himself beside her, he took one of her hands. It was cool and secretive, and it remained perfectly lax in his. “You haven’t had much of a life.”
“What do you mean?”