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The atmosphere in Mrs. Peddar’s room felt heavy with uncertainty the moment I entered. Miss Moore, usually quick to greet me warmly, now stood behind the table, her face turned away. There was an air of doubt, hesitation, even shame about her posture—a stark contrast to her usual openness.

Miss Adair sat with her hands resting on her knee, displaying a similar uncertainty. Mrs. Peddar, leaning against her sideboard, nervously played with the fringe of her apron. The room seemed to vibrate with tension, making it uncomfortable for any of us to make eye contact.

Breaking the uneasy silence took effort. “Miss Moore, I think it’s best if you go home with Miss Adair right away.”

“Go home? Where is my home? I should know, and I do remember more now, but—I can’t seem to find it.”

“Forget about that for now. Miss Adair will take care of you. Put your hat on and let’s get going. We don’t have much time,” I urged, mindful of Inspector Symonds potentially changing his stance downstairs.

Miss Moore remained motionless, her gaze fixed on the floor, lines of distress creasing her forehead. “Do you think—I—killed that man?”

“I’m certain you didn’t,” I reassured her.

She looked up at me, relief evident in her eyes. “You’re sure? How do you know?”

“My own judgment. I’ve spoken with your brother and learned about your reasons for visiting Edwin Lawrence. I understand the strain you were under, and how a little more pressure could have been overwhelming. But I’m convinced you didn’t do anything shameful during that time.”

“But she thinks I did, and so does she,” Miss Moore gestured to Miss Adair and Mrs. Peddar.

“You’re mistaken. Miss Adair knows you well enough not to believe such a thing.”

“But she does believe it. Don’t you?” Miss Moore turned to Miss Adair.

In response, Miss Adair buried her face in her hands, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Bessie!” she sobbed.

I was taken aback. “You see? And she believes it too. And that inspector, he thinks so; he wanted to detain me. Will he—detain me?”

She posed the question with a faint gasp, a mix of loneliness and terror evident in her voice, touching me deeply. Trying to sound confident, though I wasn’t entirely sure, I replied, “The police often make mistakes. In cases like this, they’d lock up anyone they could. Before you leave, there’s something I need to ask—was anyone else in that room besides you and Edwin Lawrence?”

“Yes—you were there.”

“Me?”

She said it so matter-of-factly that it hit me like a sledgehammer. “Yes, you were there. When I saw you in bed, in the moonlight, I felt like I’d seen your face before, and I’ve been thinking that ever since; now I remember—you were there. Don’t you remember coming into the room?”

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She spoke with a sudden burst of excitement. Mrs. Peddar reacted strongly to her words.

“You’re being wicked, saying such things after all he’s done for you! Next, you’ll say I was there.”

I tried to calm Mrs. Peddar down. “Easy, Mrs. Peddar. I’m not entirely convinced Miss Moore is wrong. I had dreams too. I dreamt I was in Edwin Lawrence’s room, witnessing his murder; whether it was real or a dream, I can’t say. But what I saw was like a vague reflection.”

“Did you see me?”

“I’m not sure. I saw someone who I now think was you.”

“Did you see It?”

“It?”

“The creature—the awful thing!”

“My vision was hazy; it felt like a nightmare, but I sensed a sinister presence in the room. What was this thing?”

“I don’t know; I can’t think. I’m scared to even try! It’s the one who did it all.”

“Wasn’t it some kind of wild animal? It sounded like one, or was that just my imagination?”

“The terrifying noise! I’ve been hearing it constantly. I hear it now. Can’t you hear it?”

“There’s nothing, just your imagination. But was there anyone else besides you, Edwin Lawrence, and me?”

“There was another man.”

“Was he Lawrence’s brother?”

“I’m not sure; I can’t quite remember. But if I saw him again, I’d recognize him, like I recognize you.”

“Did they argue, the two men?”

She shook her head.

“It might all come back to me eventually, piece by piece, but not yet. But you were there, and you saw I didn’t kill him?”

“What I saw is still a blur, just like with you. But I’m certain you didn’t kill him, as certain as the sky above us.”

“I’m so relieved. You’ve made me so happy.”

“It doesn’t take much to make you happy.”

“What’s your name?”

“You’ve heard it before. I’m John Ferguson.”

“John!” Her tone softened, reverting to her former self. She leaned closer, seeking comfort. My heart raced. “Why do I feel safe around you? The closer I am to you, the safer I feel.”

“May you always feel safe near me.”

“My belief is that I always will. I believe I always will.”

She looked at me intensely, and I struggled not to embrace her. When I spoke, it was clumsy, with awkward words.

“The situation is more complicated than I thought. It’s bringing us together. Maybe it’s meant to be, that our lives draw closer under this shadow. I’m content with that.” I paused, waiting for her response; she remained silent but placed her hand on my arm, causing me to tremble. “Don’t let yourself be troubled by fears. Your heart and hands are pure. I know. Look up, there’s hope! Your innocence will be clear to the world and to yourself. You doubt yourself the most.”

“I did doubt, but I feel better now. I don’t doubt at all when you’re near. I wonder why?”

“I wonder too. But now, there are things I must do. You need to go. Mrs. Peddar, where’s Miss Moore’s hat?”

Mrs. Peddar fetched the hat, and as she put it on, Miss Adair approached me.

“What’s going on between you two? Have you known each other forever, or did you just meet last night?”

“That’s a question for the philosophers. It feels like I’ve known her forever.”

“And has she known you?”

“There’s one thing you mustn’t think—don’t think she had any part in what happened.”

“But it’s all so overwhelming! It hit me out of nowhere. What am I supposed to think after what she said and did in that room?”

“You have to believe she’s as innocent as can be.”

“But what am I supposed to believe? It seems like both of you were there. I have no doubt the man deserved what he got; if she didn’t do it, did you?”

“God forbid!”

Miss Moore had her hat on, then noticed something.

“I had a cloak. I’m sure I had one. Where is it?”

“Forget about the cloak; it’s warm today, you won’t need it.”

I caught Miss Adair’s glance; she remembered what I said about the condition of that cloak, suspicion evident in her eyes. I turned to Mrs. Peddar.

“We won’t use the main entrance. Is there another way?”

“There’s a service lift and service stairs.”

“Perfect, show us.”

We took the servants’ staircase, exited through a back door into a side street, without anyone stopping us. I saw the two girls into a cab. As they drove off and disappeared around the corner, I felt a void in my life.