“Of course,” Julia opened the library door, and Dr. Lewis twisted around in his armchair. “Richard’s come for a consultation, Grandfather.” Julia perched on the armrest. “Fire away.”
“Will Mrs. FitzGerald recover? I asked the surgeon, not expecting an ironclad guarantee,” Tennant said. “But Sir Godfrey Fellows refused to hazard any sort of answer.”
As Julia considered, her grandfather said, “We’re a cautious lot. Doctors with knighthoods are the worst.”
“One can’t be certain, of course,” Julia said, “but I’m optimistic.”
“May I give Sir Richard a reason?”
“Infection is the greatest danger, and the doctor and nurse charged with her care took every precaution. When I arrived, I found Doctor Rennie spraying down the room with carbolic solution.”
“Thank you for a straightforward answer.”
“What’s your second question?”
“Can you confirm the location of Mrs. FitzGerald’s wound?”
“Yes, I watched the nurse dress it. The bullet struck the upper front of her left shoulder.”
“That’s what Sir Godfrey said, but I must be certain. It’s surprising, given the position of the shooter.”
“Do you know where the gunman stood?”
Tennant nodded and handed her Louise’s sketch. “He fired from a point forward of the walkers and to the right.”
Julia studied the drawing. “The shot looks impossible. Princess Louise is blocking it.”
“The princess bent over the baby carriage just as the sniper fired.”
“Then Mrs. FitzGerald may not have been the shooter’s target. I’d wondered.”
Dr. Lewis asked, “Have you any news about the gunman?”
“We believe his name is Patrick McGrath.”
“An Irishman,” Doctor Lewis said.
“And a Fenian.”
Julia sighed. “More flames to fan.”
“Something else will be in all the morning newspapers to add to the fire,” Tennant said. “Earlier in the week, a gunman in Australia shot Prince Alfred.”
“Good God,” Dr. Lewis said.
“Not fatally, but the shooter is an Irish nationalist.” Tennant pulled out his watch. “Now, I’ll let you get back to head wounds andThe Lancet.”
Julia followed him to the front door. “I spoke to Susan Styles at the hospital. Thank goodness she and Princess Louise took quick action.”
“They kept cool heads in the crisis.”
“I’m not surprised. On Sunday, I had lunch with Susan at her new flat. I had hoped to return the invitation and ask her to Grandfather’s Wednesday dinner party. But she’s been called to Windsor Castle.” Julia shrugged. “Just as well, perhaps.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I had thought of asking Sir Lionel, as well. But the man is so charming that it’s easy to forget he’s a suspect. Mixing friendship with murder is probably a mistake.”
Tennant said with a trace of bitterness, “An error I made.”
