Chapter Forty-Five
The words seemed to strike Reid with the force of a battle-ax. He rocked back in his chair. His lips parted, but no words came out.
“Dead?” Letty said sharply. “How?”
“Shot himself in the head.” Houghton put two fingers to his temple. “The constable was called away not half an hour ago. Him and the doctor both.”
“Are you certain it was Colonel Cuthbertson?”
“Yes.”
“And he’s definitely dead?”
“Yes.”
Letty looked at Reid. The blood had drained from his face. He seemed stunned speechless.
“Sir?” Houghton said. “Are you all right?”
Reid shoved his chair back and stood. “Cuthbertson’s dead?”
“Yes, sir.”
Reid’s eyes seemed to burn in his pale face. Letty pushed back her own chair and stood. “Icarus?”
If he heard her, he gave no sign of it. He looked through her as
