Rachel wanted to come here with me this morning, Sophia thought. If only I had brought her here, we could have saved her. She sobbed aloud. Her stomach hurt.
"May God rot all of them with leprosy," said Tilia. She hugged Francesca hard, and then stood up.
"I must go to my house."
Going back to Tilia's would not help Rachel, Sophia thought. They had probably lost her forever. Despair dragged her down. Rachel, Rachel! What were they doing to her?
"First David is arrested. Now this," she said, tears running steadily down her cheeks.
I had trusted Daoud to foresee danger and guide us through it, Sophia thought. And now Daoud—
She still did not know whether Daoud was safe, or even still alive. Would the contessa be able to stop whatever was being done to Daoud? That had been quite enough to be terrified about.
Francesca's tear-reddened eyes widened. "David has been arrested?" Something in her tone told Sophia there had been something between Francesca and David.
Of course, she told herself. Did you think the man slept alone until you gave yourself to him?
She and Francesca shared some of the same grief. Sophia wanted to console her.