When he heard the jingling of keys, Joe sat up and turned to see Guard Dawson escorting Dubois back into their cell. He immediately scanned Dubois’s face for any sign of violence, but couldn’t see any.
Dawson shoved Dubois inside and sneered. “Here’s your wife back,” he said, laughing. He shook his head and stepped out, looking at them through the bars. “You both disgust me.” He spat to the side and walked away.
Joe had spent the last hour going over the words he’d say to Dubois, to reassure him. But the words failed him now. “Cooke told you?”
Dubois went to the water basin and filled a cup. His hand was steady. He drank. “Well, I suppose that settles it,” he said, with his back to Joe.
Joe stared at his shoulders, at the nap of his hair. So then, Dubois had decided to be strong and br
