Hodge
He really didn't feel like talking about it, but knew Julia would quiz him the moment he walked in the door. So he steeled himself for the painful conversation. As he stepped into their hotel room Julia sensed right away that all was not well with William. Dinner was already in place on the small table, but William took off his coat and hat, hanging them carefully and bypassed the meal, slumping onto the sofa. Much to his surprise she did not ask him what was bothering him. Instead she poured two glasses of Port handing one to him, then sitting beside him. Without saying a word Julia took his hand, drawing it to her lips. They sat in silence for some minutes.
At last Julia spoke. "Shall we eat?"
But William did not budge. At last he turned to gaze into her eyes. It wasn't going to be an interrogation by Julia but William's own voluntary offering that suddenly spewed from his mouth.
"I had to arrest Constable Hodge today...for murder, and Chief Constable Giles as well."
"Oh William!" Beyond that she was momentarily speechless.
She thought it best to let William lead this conversation as far or not as he wanted. As for William, he realized that he needed to talk whether he felt like it or not. So he continued.
"Julia, I've known Hodge for years. He's always been there, solid and reliable. Giles is Giles. Him I can believe anything about. But Hodge..."
"I'm so sorry , William. Are you sure about Constable Hodge."
"Oh yes. I have confessions from both men."
"What happened? Who was murdered?"
William spent the next half hour explaining the whole case to Julia.
"You had no choice, dear."
"Didn't I? Giles gave me his confession only after I gave him mine."
"Yours?"
"About Constance Gardner."
"You confessed? But you and the Inspector agreed to never speak of that again."
"I know. But it felt somehow relieving to finally tell him...that which he already knew."
"What will happen to you now? Your career?"
"I don't think anything. Giles just wanted my admission for his own sake. I don't think he'll say anything. Besides the official record still stands. It's Hodge I'm worried about. The Inspector spoke to the Crown prosecutor and he will probably only be charged with manslaughter, but..."
"But he will still go to jail, right?"
"Yes."
"And he's not a young man anymore."
"Julia, I feel so traitorous. He's one of us. How will he fare in prison? Policemen don't do well there."
"I don't think you can do anything more, unless you testify at his trial to his mostly good character, murder aside." She smiled wryly.
"There is a hot stone in the pit of my stomach. Shall I ever be able to continue in this work?"
"You have principles, William. You have the law. You will be alright...in time."
Julia pulled him close to her, drawing his head to her shoulder.
After hugging him tightly for a few moments she said, " Drink your Port and come to bed."
William silently nodded and obeyed, letting her lead him to their bedroom.