“No. Just—stay in touch.” His gaze went to the shop door as two women emerged, baskets in their hands, chatting together. Then he turned back to Rutledge. “I haven’t got much longer. I know that, and so does Rosemary. I expect that’s why she hasn’t sent me away.” He paused, staring down the road, as if he knew where it was leading. He didn’t look at Rutledge as he asked, “Will you come and see me, if I send for you? For Max’s sake?”

Rutledge thought he knew what Reginald was saying, that with Max gone, he felt the need of someone to be there at the end. For it was not a death he could ask Rosemary to watch.

“I give you my word I’ll try.”

Reginald nodded. “It’s no more than I expected. Thank you, Ian.” It was the only time he’d used Rutledge’s given name.

And then Rosemary Hume stepped out of the shop, and looked up to see Rutledge speaking to her houseguest. For an instant he thought she was about to turn away. Instead she gave him a cool greeting, and Rutledge asked how she was coping.

“I’ve had time to understand what happened to us, to Max and me,” she said. “If he didn’t care enough to go on living, if he couldn’t face me with the truth of his feelings, then our marriage was over.” She held out one hand, stripping off its glove. Her finger was bare of rings. “I intend to take him at his word, and go on with my own life as I see fit.” But as she turned to pass the basket filled with her purchases to Reginald, Rutledge caught the reflection of unshed tears in her eyes. Recovering, she said, “I thought you had pressing Yard business in Sussex.”

“It’s what took me to Wales. I’m returning to Sussex now.” He hesitated. “Rosemary—”

“Ian, no! Don’t make excuses for him.” She turned to Reginald, but before he could step out of the motorcar to turn the crank, Rutledge forestalled him.

“I’ll see to it.”

He did, and moved to one side. With a nod, she drove away.

Hamish said, “Ye canna’ talk to her. No’ until she’s at peace.”

“Yes,” Rutledge answered, returning to his own vehicle. “That’s true. At least Reginald has stayed with her. In the end, that may help her more than anything I could do or say.”