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“Yes, my lord. Thank you.”
As soon as Rathbone was in his chambers he wrote a note to Runcorn, telling him that he required him to testify when the court resumed the following morning. What small chance they had of success depended upon it. He told Runcorn he would string it out as long as possible, for which he apologized, but he had little else, except Dinah herself, unless Monk had found something more to give shape to another suspect the jury could believe in. He would at least raise the subject of the syringe, and the far deeper and more terrible addiction it led to.
As soon as he had sent the messenger with the letter folded in an envelope, and sealed with wax, he wondered if he had said too much.
He went home tired, but unable to rest.
In the morning Rathbone took a hansom to the court, exhausted and worried. He did not even know if Runcorn would be there, and he had no excuses to offer. Not that he believed Pendock would accept any, however valid. He did not know for certain if Runcorn had even received his note. He had sent it to his home, in case he did not call in to the police station. But perhaps Runcorn had returned home late, tired, and had not even looked at any letters.
The traffic was jammed at Ludgate Circus, with shoppers, friends exchanging well wishes, celebrators beginning Christmas early, calling out cheerfully to one another.
Rathbone banged on the front of the hansom to attract the driver’s attention.
“Can’t you find a way around this? I have to be in court in the Old Bailey!” he demanded.
“Doin’ my best, sir,” the cabby answered. “It’s nearly Christmas!”
Rathbone bit back the answer that rose to his lips. It was not the man’s fault and being rude would only make matters worse. Why had there been no answer from Runcorn? What on earth was he going to say to the court if the man did not appear? Who else could he call at short notice? He would look totally incompetent. His face burned at the thought of it.
Perhaps he should have sent the note to the police station after all.
Then the hansom stopped again. All around there were vehicles of one sort or another, drivers shouting, laughing, demanding right-of-way.
He was too impatient to wait any longer. It was only a short walk along Ludgate Hill to the Old Bailey. The huge dome of St. Paul’s rose into the winter sky ahead of him and the Central Criminal Court to his left, Newgate Prison just beyond. He lunged out of the cab, pushing a handful of coins at the driver, and began to walk rapidly, then to run along the pavement.
He raced up the steps and almost bumped into Runcorn just inside the doors. Why was he so overwhelmingly relieved? He should have trusted the man. There was no time or opportunity to speak to him now. It was his own fault for being late. Coniston was standing a few yards away, and Pendock was coming down the hallway. If he attempted to confer with Runcorn, he would look as if he were uncertain about what evidence Runcorn had to offer. That was a gift he could not offer Coniston.
Fifteen minutes later he was behind his table. His notes were in front of him, a letter from Runcorn on the top. He tore it open and read the few lines.
Dear Sir Oliver,
All ready. Been looking into a few other things of interest. Don’t know for certain, but I think Mrs. Monk has been looking for the doctor.
Runcorn
Again Rathbone blamed himself for lacking in trust.
“Please call your witness, Sir Oliver,” Pendock ordered. His voice gravelly, a little tight, as if he also had slept little.
“I call Superintendent Runcorn of the Blackheath Police,” Rathbone replied.
Runcorn came in, watched by every eye in the room as he walked past the gallery. He was an imposing figure: burly, exuding confidence. He took the oath and stood upright waiting for the questions. His hands were by his sides: no clinging to the railing for him.
Rathbone cleared his throat. “Superintendent, you are in command of the police in the Blackheath area, are you not?”
“Yes, sir,” Runcorn said gravely.
“Were you called out when the body of Joel Lambourn was discovered on One Tree Hill in Greenwich Park nearly three months ago?”
“Yes, sir. Dr. Lambourn was a noted and much-admired figure in the area. Because of his importance, the investigation into his death was extended to include my force in Blackheath.”
Coniston rose to his feet. “My lord, we have already heard about Dr. Lambourn’s death in some detail, and the accused’s reaction to it. I fail to see what Mr. Runcorn can add to what has already been said. My learned friend is desperate and wasting the court’s time. If it will help, the prosecution will accede to the facts as already presented.”
Rathbone would see Runcorn’s testimony barred before he had even begun. He interrupted before Pendock could speak.
“Since it was presented by the prosecution, my lord, it is really meaningless to say that they accede to it.”
“It is wasting the court’s time to hear it again,” Pendock snapped. “If you have nothing new to add, Sir Oliver, I sympathize with your predicament, but it is not my place to indulge it. Mr. Coniston’s point is well taken.” He turned to Coniston. “Mr.-”
