“What is your name, madame?” Henri asked, voice soft and tender.
The woman looked up at such a voice, and Jeanne cringed. The bruises on the woman"s face were dark and plentiful. The swelling on the right eye almost closed the lid, the one on her forehead rose in a large lump, and the one by her mouth still trickled blood where it split her lower lip in two places.
“I am Lenore.”
“Who did this to you?” Henri gently took the woman"s face by the chin, turning it this way and that to get a good look at the devastation.
“Who else?” The woman gave a sad half smile. “My husband.”
“Vanneau?” Gerard asked.
“Oui.”
Oui“Why?” Jeanne asked without thought. “Why did he hurt you so?”
“Because he can.” The woman turned to Jeanne as she answered. “He was…displeased and sought to release his disple
