‘I don’t believe you should be overly concerned by that,’ Sam said. ‘It is only a matter of hours since she was found. Unwillingness to talk about what happened should be expected. It will be some time before she feels safe enough to let go.’

‘I’m sure you’re right, Professor. I am just passing on the information that I have been given. Naturally, I am hoping for something concrete that will incriminate Grove. I don’t want that man to get away with anything, anything at all. He avoided prison once before because of lack of evidence. I don’t want that happening again.’ Fenner leaned closer to the fire and held out a hand to the heat. Will noticed that it was white and slender. ‘I don’t know how you feel about this, Mr Stonebridge, but it has been suggested that as soon as we can allow it, the child should be sent home to Canada. Her own doctor believes she should be reintegrated into the family environment as soon as possible. Captain Fauve has agreed to accept a permanent post in Saskatchewan so as to give her the stability that she will need.’

‘That is one hell of a lot to ask of the Fauves when she’s not even their own flesh and blood,’ Will said.

‘No one is asking it of them, Mr Stonebridge. They have offered it freely. Are you objecting?’ The gaze wrapped its icy cloak around him.

‘No, of course not. It’s just that, well, she is all I have left of my sister. In fact, Sophie is all I have left of my entire family. Maybe I hoped that she would want to stay here — not now, not after everything that has happened, of course. I just . . .’

‘I think you know that your niece will never set foot on this fen again, don’t you? Something here has petrified her, and all I can hope is that Canada is far enough away for her to be able to forget it.’

‘Whatever is best for Sophie. That is all I want,’ Will said weakly.

‘Good. Now I need to go. And I’m glad to see the flood stopped short of Holland House.’

Will wasn’t so sure. He was starting to wish that the North Sea tide had swept it off the fens.

The car purred off. Will returned to the living room, massaging his arm. The pain was radiating in short sharp bursts right down to his fingers. ‘I have to turn in, guys. I’ve had enough for today. Help yourselves to another brandy. I’m going to take one up with me.’

The doctor nodded. ‘Please. I don’t think I’ll need any rocking, but perhaps the cognac will help soothe my overactive brain.’

‘I think it would take morphine to soothe mine,’ muttered Will.