But words could hurt as much as blows.

“Where did the father go, to take up his new position?”

“Did I tell you that?” Walker was surprised. “North, I think. Staffordshire?”

“Has Constable Petty left for Hastings?”

“Half an hour ago.” He hesitated, and after a moment asked, “Is the killing over, do you think? We assumed, after Hopkins was taken into custody, that it was. Then Inspector Mickelson—it doesn’t make sense, does it?”

Which was precisely why the police had come for Rutledge, but he said nothing.

Walker added, “I did tell the others to take the same precautions as before. To be on the safe side.” He grinned. “Marshall called me an old woman. But his wife told me once it’s dark, he’s under her feet.”

“We’ll patrol the streets until Inspector Mickelson regains consciousness and can tell the police what happened. Did he call on the rector that night, before he was attacked? Or was it a coincidence that he encountered someone near the rectory?”

Walker shook his head. “Rector never mentioned it. I think he would have, under the circumstances.”

‘I’ll take the first four hours, as soon as it’s full dark.” It was the most dangerous time, based on the earlier killings. “I’ll come for you, shall I, when it’s your turn?”

Walker opened his mouth and then shut it again. “I’ll be awake. Good evening, sir,” he called finally as Rutledge was about to close the police station door behind him.

Hamish said as Rutledge was on his way to the hotel, “It would ha’ been best to give yon constable first watch. Or to share it. Ye’re no’ a trustworthy witness, ye ken that. The ithers will believe what he tells them, but no’ you.”

He’s older. Rutledge almost said the words aloud, stopping himself just in time. And not as fit.

“And what if there’s no trouble atall?”

I’ve wasted four hours of sleep.

He recalled his impression of Carl Hopkins. Whatever anger the man harbored, Rutledge couldn’t quite imagine him using a garrote. Physically, he could probably have managed it, but was there the strength of mind needed to kill four men with it?

“But ye havna’ seen him in a frenzy. Only despondent in yon cell.”

Which was a very good point. There had been three days between each of the murders, three days in which a man could whip himself into another killing temper.

“It willna’ be easy returning to the Yard,” Hamish warned, “if Mickelson doesna’ recover, and Hopkins is convicted.”

As he put out his hand to open the hotel door, Rutledge heard someone call his name. Turning, he saw that Tyrell Pierce was coming toward him. He paused and waited for the older man to catch him up.