““Wyatt arrived at the house shortly after Sara and Andrew got home. They were in the sitting room with Verna when his hansom drew up outside. Even before Matson opened the door and they heard his voice, Verna seemed to know who it was. She had been sober, quiet. But now her face lit up and there was a glow about her, a warmth in her eyes, that Andrew had not often seen there before. “My dear,” she said when he came in. “How are you?” he said, going directly to her and taking her hands. They remained that way for a moment, he standing in front of her and holding her hands and Verna staring up at him. At first both of them seemed content with that, merely looking at one another. Then Verna smiled. “Is that all the greeting I get?” she asked. “Would anything more be proper?” “Quite proper.” Bending down, Wyatt kissed her and again they looked long and searchingly at one another before he straightened up. “Good evening, Sara. Good evening, Andrew,” he said with deliberately excessive formality. “I trust you are both well.” “We are,” said Sara, smiling. “You’re staying for dinner, aren’t you?” said Verna. “I’d very much like to.” “Good.” She rang for Matson, asked him to tell Mrs. Simmonds that, as they had hoped, Inspector Wyatt would be staying for dinner.””
