Page 83 of Dark Tide Rising (William Monk 22)

“Where Mr. Doyle is the manager?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Did you see her yourself?”

“No. But her information led us to examine the bank’s records more closely, and to make inquiries about the manager, Mr. Doyle.” He half expected Rathbone to object, but perhaps he was going to make more of this in his cross-questioning, or leave it until his defense. He would use it when he believed it would make the strongest impression on the jury. Was not Monk even now desperately searching for some thread that would lead him finally to Doyle, and possibly Doyle to some other enemy of Exeter’s? “It was the only other reasonable line of suspicion we had.”

“Yes, Mr. Doyle,” Ravenswood agreed. “Miss Franken worked closely with him, I believe?”

“Yes, apparently.”

“And what else was she able to show you?”

“Nothing. Commander Monk went to keep a second appointment with her and discovered her body in the river. Washed up, close to the Greenwich Pier.”

“Did you see it, Mr. Hooper?” Ravenswood did not express any pity in words, but it filled his face.

“No, sir. Commander Monk called the local police.”

“That would be Superintendent Runcorn?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Have you continued to pursue the case since then?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And found anything of value?”

“No, sir.”

“Thank you, Mr. Hooper. Please remain there. Sir Oliver may have questions for you.”

Rathbone stood, walked out in front of the witness stand, and looked up at Hooper. “Just a few questions about your observations, Mr. Hooper. The facts seem to be remarkably few. You have worked closely with Commander Monk for several years, have you not?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And do you have a high respect for him?”

“The best officer I’ve ever worked with, sir.” He could say that honestly. Monk was not perfect, but then a perfect man would not have understood the frailties of other men’s natures, the foibles of their judgments, nor would he have understood those who through carelessness or greed fell into evil ways. He would not have been much good as a detective, or as a friend.

“Does he often make mistakes in judgment, either of men or of events?”

“Very seldom. Sometimes the evidence looks the other way, and it takes us a long time to understand it.”

“You sound very certain of

that.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Where is Mr. Monk now? I’ve not seen him in court.”

“No, sir. He’s still out hunting for the facts that will prove Mr. Exeter’s innocence.”

“He still believes Mr. Exeter is innocent?” Rathbone affected surprise. “Do you?”

“Yes, sir. We both do.”