And the dogs began to howl.
Simon entered the inn with a sense of genuine relief. It felt like a tiny sanctuary, away from the terrible noise outside. Seeing Meg had unsettled him, but the howling of the hounds had given him the willies, especially when he saw Aylmer bristle. Only when he was inside and could breathe the smoky atmosphere, see the light flickering on the walls from the candles and fire, did he feel safe.
Baldwin was behind him, his teeth shining as he grinned. ‘You aren’t imagining that William of Newburgh’s stories could be true, are you?’
‘It’s all very well you talking smugly about superstitions and foolishness, but I tell you, ghosts exist, and many live on the moors,’ Simon said hotly. Christ, he needed a drink.
The knight smiled and did not argue with his friend, but instead called to the taverner and demanded wine. ‘And where is the good Coroner?’
‘He has been asked to visit the Purveyor, sir. At the Reeve’s house,’ William said.
‘Husband, I am glad to find you here again,’ Jeanne said, entering behind him.
‘My love.’ Baldwin was about to greet her more warmly when he saw the other woman with her.
‘This is Nicole, Baldwin, wife to the man Thomas Garde.’
‘I have met your husband,’ Baldwin nodded.
‘You helped save him from being arrested, my Lord, and I am grateful,’ Nicole said, bowing nervously. She had never spoken to a King’s Officer before, and it was daunting. ‘He paid his fine.’
‘I am glad to hear it.’
‘But Baldwin, the Reeve has had him arrested again,’ Jeanne said impatiently. ‘This time for participating in a fight with his brother.’
‘Is this true?’
‘Yes, sir. Alexander had him thrown in gaol as soon as he could. He says Thomas tried to kill Ivo, but my husband would not attack anyone without being provoked.’
‘Good Heavens! Where is this fool Ivo?’ Baldwin demanded.
Taverner muttered something about the stables, and was sent to find him.
‘There is something else,’ Jeanne said. ‘This woman says that Aline was pregnant when she disappeared.’
‘A girl so young? She was only eleven or so!’ Simon burst out with all the anger of fatherhood.
Jeanne kept her gaze fixed upon her husband. ‘Nicole thinks that Aline had no boyfriends.’
‘What are you trying to say?’ Baldwin asked, holding up a hand to stem Simon’s outrage.
‘That this peasant Swetricus has regularly slept with his daughters, and when he got Aline pregnant, he shut her up in the only way he knew.’
Baldwin frowned. ‘If that were so, Jeanne, why should he kill the other girls? It is surely no coincidence that Denise and Mary and Emma were killed as well.’
‘There is one last thing. Ivo Bel was here when all the deaths occurred.’
‘How do you know? The first two girls died before the Gardes came here, so Thomas said,’ Simon interrupted.
‘It was Ivo who told us about their deaths,’ Nicole replied. ‘That was before he insulted me and tried to steal me from my husband.’
It was then that Ivo entered with Taverner, and he overheard her last words. ‘I did nothing of the kind!’ he spluttered angrily, his voice still thick and nasal. ‘I have only ever behaved in an honourable manner to you, woman!’
Simon felt his mood lighten to see what a hammering Ivo had received. ‘One man did that to you?’
‘I warned you, didn’t I? Tom’s rages are ferocious. You should be careful when he is angry, Bailiff.’
‘Enough!’ Baldwin said sharply. ‘We are not here to bicker, Bel. We are here to learn what you did to make your brother react so.’
‘He has wanted me ever since he first met me,’ Nicole said.
‘Rubbish. I am happily married,’ he scoffed.
Simon peered at him. ‘Really? Have you forgotten that it was only this morning that you told me you regretted marrying your pig of a wife, and praising the “lovely thing”, your brother’s wife Nicole?’
‘I said that?’
‘By the river this morning.’
‘No, Bailiff, you are mistaken. I could never desire a poor creature like this.’
Ivo threw out a hand to indicate Nicole, but he had misjudged the distance. His hand caught her about the eye, and with a startled cry, she snapped her head away. Then it was Ivo’s turn to squeak as he became aware of Simon’s sword blade at his throat.
‘If you so much as look at her again, Bel, I’ll shave your throat closer than ever before, you miserable dog’s turd! You slithering little worm! If nothing else, that action convinces me that you were lying. Weren’t you?’
Ivo felt the wall at his back, but his eyes were fixed with appalled fear on the solid steel blade that pricked at his Adam’s apple. He was convinced that he could feel the sharpness of the point puncturing his neck, and dared not swallow lest he stab himself in the process. ‘Um hmm.’
Simon withdrew the sword slightly. ‘Did you desire your sister-in-law here?’
‘I admit that I find her attractive.’
‘You told me this morning that your brother was a berserker when roused. Did you set him up to have him arrested?’
‘I may have taunted him a little.’
Nicole spat out, ‘He said I had slept with him three times! My daughter heard him.’
Baldwin joined Simon. His face was calm, but there was a look in his eyes that Bel didn’t like. ‘Is this true, Bel? Did you tell the husband that you had cuckolded him?’
‘I may have said something like that in the heat of the moment.’
‘In that case, you are lucky to have got away so lightly. Bel, you are an unnatural fellow. I will demand that you be amerced to appear in the next court to answer for your dishonesty. I shall also offer to appear in that court to see you convicted. Do you understand me?’
‘Yes, Sir Baldwin.’
‘Is it also true that you sold pork to Athelhard the brother of Meg just before he died?’
‘I did that in good faith. I never expected that someone else would think he had killed a child. Why should I? I sold it to him before anyone knew Denise was hurt and–’
‘Where did you get it from?’
Ivo grew pensive. ‘Ah well, it was a long time ago.’ As Simon pushed the blade forward, he jerked his head back. ‘It was some meat given as a gift to the Prioress at Canonsleigh,’ he said rapidly. ‘I stole it, all right?’
‘Leave my sight, wretch. You make me want to puke!’ Baldwin said contemptuously. ‘I shall be writing to Canonsleigh. I recommend you don’t bother returning there!’
While Bel scampered from the room, his terrified gaze on Simon’s sword, Baldwin smacked his balled fist into his palm. ‘The useless bastard!’
Nicole shivered. She was wearing a light cloak which Jeanne had lent her, but tonight she could not get warm, not with her man in gaol. ‘My Lord, what about my husband? Please, Sir Knight! I cannot sleep knowing that my man is locked away in a cell fearing what the morning might bring to him. He could die in there, and if I didn’t do all I could to have him released, I should be a poor wife indeed.’
She had thrown herself at Baldwin’s feet, and he nodded, fully in sympathy.
‘Yes, I quite agree,’ he said, his anger not yet gone. ‘We shall go and speak to the Reeve immediately.’
The noise of the dogs was getting on Coroner Roger’s nerves. He had stood outside the Reeve’s house for some while before entering, gazing towards the cemetery, trying to work out what had made them start this confounded howling, but he couldn’t see anything.
He had heard of such things before, baying at the moon for no reason, but he hadn’t experienced it and there was an odd edge to the dogs’ voices, an edge he didn’t like. There must be a full moon, he thought, but when he glanced upwards, the moon was hidden behind a single cloud. It looked as though it was illuminated from within by a pure white light, and was so beautiful that he had t
o stop and stare at it, delighting in the shadings within the cloud. At one moment he was almost sure that he saw a face in it, but then the face was gone, and instead he was confronted by the moon, whose clear brilliance put the stars to shame.
Reluctantly he trailed into the hall, where the Reeve sat at his table, the Purveyor a short distance from him.
‘This man just tried to bribe me,’ Sir Laurence said cheerfully. ‘I appeal him before you, Coroner, so that you can witness my evidence.’
‘It’s not true,’ Alexander said wearily. ‘But you want your scapegoat, so go on and arrest me. I’m past caring.’
He was sitting with his arms on the table, his eyes downcast. Roger thought he looked the picture of a man who had lost everything.
‘Bring me a seat,’ the Coroner snarled at Vin, who was leaning against the wall. Roger sat, grunting with the pain, and then cast a look at Alexander.
There was a spark of defiance remaining in the man, Roger noted. Laurence hadn’t quite broken his spirit.
He was right. Alexander could feel the anger simmering within him, but was determined to keep it concealed. He could achieve nothing by losing his temper. Not that it was very difficult to appear tired. For the first time in his life he was experiencing the bone-deep, numbing fear that came from the knowledge that he was lost. He could not persuade anyone of his innocence.
‘You deny trying to bribe me?’ Sir Laurence asked in his deceptively hearty way.
‘I did not offer. You demanded. You made it plain you wanted money to leave us alone.’
‘Is that what you heard?’ Sir Laurence asked Drogo, who stood scowling at the wall behind Alexander.
‘This is ridiculous,’ Reeve Alexander said. ‘I’m not stupid. I wouldn’t say such a thing. You think that I have never dealt with a King’s official before? How many stewards or Reeves would address a stranger and immediately offer a bribe in front of witnesses without first finding out more about the man? If you want to arrest me, do so, but don’t insult my intelligence or try my patience with this foolishness.’
The Coroner studied him. It was always worse when men denied their guilt. If the Reeve was to fight the matter, it would be a lengthy case, and ultimately he would probably submit or confess. Men always did eventually.
Reeve Alexander saw his expression in the dim light of the room, and sighed. There was no defence against the killing of the Purveyor. Drogo certainly wouldn’t protect him. No one would. The truth didn’t matter to anyone. Everybody demanded justice, he sneered to himself, but most people wouldn’t recognise it if it came up and smacked them on the jaw. Justice was always flawed. The only thing that mattered was that justice could be witnessed – and that meant that he could go hang. It was ironic, really. He had been willing to sacrifice Thomas for the same reason. The man would have been a good suspect. He fitted the vill’s prejudice perfectly: arresting him for the murders would be so much easier than trying to arrest someone who was from the vill itself.
Damn those hounds! They were making enough noise to raise the dead, he thought inconsequentially.
‘Alexander, I would speak with you for a moment.’
Baldwin’s firm and displeased voice broke into his thoughts and when he looked up he found himself being studied not only by Baldwin and his dog, but also by Simon and Nicole in the doorway.
Sir Laurence clearly thought that the interruption was intended to release his prisoner, and he moved to the wall, his war hammer in his hand. Immediately Aylmer growled deep in his throat.
Baldwin called to the dog, but his eyes went to Alexander, then to the Coroner. ‘It would appear that we are breaking into a meeting. I apologise for that. Roger, would you mind if I spoke to the Reeve for a moment?’
Coroner Roger grinned and pointed his staff at Sir Laurence, introducing him.
On hearing that Baldwin was a Keeper, the other knight relaxed visibly. ‘I am glad to meet you, Sir Baldwin. How may I serve you?’
‘I came here to demand the release of this woman’s husband,’ Baldwin said, snapping his fingers to his dog.
‘I can’t just release him. He attacked his brother with a staff and tried to kill him,’ Alexander objected.
‘Ivo confesses to taunting Thomas in an attempt to have him gaoled. He wanted Nicole here for his own.’
Alexander waited for the knight to expose the bribe Ivo had given him, and was relieved that Ivo had apparently not mentioned it. ‘He has no money to free himself.’
‘How much would it cost?’
‘At least six pennies to keep the Peace and swear to present himself in court.’
‘I shall pay it for him. Now order his release.’
‘I can’t until the money…’
‘Do you suggest that I would offer money and then renege?’ Baldwin asked silkily.
Alexander shrugged and shouted for a servant. When a thin, fearful-looking man appeared, the Reeve snapped at him to set Thomas free and bring him to the hall.
They were all silent as they waited. Nicole stood with her head averted from all the men in the room, nervously clasping her hands before her breast like a woman who was herself condemned and awaiting the arrival of the rope, but when her man appeared, drawn and anxious, she gave a short sob and flung herself at him.
‘You have Sir Baldwin to thank for your freedom, Thomas. Now piss off and leave us in peace. I’ll want you to appear before the next court, but until then, keep out of my sight,’ Alexander rasped.
‘No! Wait,’ Baldwin commanded. ‘I want an end to this. Thomas, you fought with your brother today?’
‘I didn’t want to, but he made me, insulting me and my wife until I saw red. I couldn’t help it. You know me, Reeve. I’ve never got into fights before, have I? I’m not the sort to resort to my fists after a drink. Drogo and his Foresters are often quarrelling with other men in the tavern, and Samson always used to brawl, but nobody has ever suggested that I was violent, have they?’
‘Why should your brother want to provoke you into fighting?’ Roger asked.
‘He wants my wife. If he could have me hanged, he could take her,’ Thomas explained.
‘Your own brother would do that?’
‘He’s wanted Nicole since the day he met her.’
Baldwin said, ‘Thomas, I think your brother will leave you alone now. You have broken his head and he has confessed to us. Perhaps you have knocked some sense into him. Anyway, he has gone.’
‘I never want to see him again.’
The couple made as if to leave, but Baldwin’s soft voice stopped them.
‘One last thing. Thomas, you have been accused of murder, and you have been gaoled because of a fight which was not your fault. Why? What have you done to deserve this?’
‘Ask him,’ Thomas said disdainfully, jerking his head at the Reeve. ‘He’s been hunting me down for no reason.’
‘Rubbish!’
‘You tried to have me arrested – twice now. And why? Just because I wasn’t born here in Sticklepath. The men of my own vill have had me thrown into gaol, they would have had me accused of murder and hanged, just to protect their friends here. They hate me not because I am a danger, but merely to serve their own interests. Why, Reeve, eh? What have I ever done to you?’ There were tears in his eyes now, tears of frustration and incomprehension.
It was Simon who answered, speaking with the weary air of a man who has witnessed injustice before. ‘That’s just the point, Thomas. You are an outsider. You didn’t merit protection, not in his eyes, because you weren’t a friend he’d grown up with.’
‘Is this true?’ Baldwin demanded, facing Alexander. ‘You sought this man’s imprisonment to protect your vill?’
‘And what better motivation could there be? It would have proved that we don’t tolerate murderers here, it would have explained things neatly! And without staining the character of the people and the vill itself. Thomas is a stranger here. A foreigner.’
‘Oh yes, and I came from the north, didn�
��t I?’
‘What does that mean?’ Baldwin asked.
Simon sighed. ‘Everyone knows that only bad luck comes from the north.’
‘Oh!’ Baldwin sneered. ‘More superstition.’
The Reeve said, ‘Who else could I arrest? There was no one in Sticklepath who could do such a terrible thing as killing the girls and eating them.’
Vin heard his words and could not help but glance at Drogo. The Forester had been in the area with every fresh body discovered, and he never seemed to suffer from hunger, not even at the height of the famine. As the thought occurred Drogo’s cold eyes met his, and Vincent looked away. Drogo made a bad enemy.
There had been silence after Alexander’s words, but now Nicole ducked her head and spoke to Baldwin with her head lowered as though fearful, her eyes avoiding the knight’s.
‘Sir, there is one man I have heard who might have been guilty. The Reeve himself.’
‘How dare you!’ Alexander said, his voice growing in volume as the anger flared in his breast. He felt as though his chest must burst with rage. ‘You accuse me?’
‘Speak!’ Baldwin said.
‘It was Ivo who told me. He said that he had a hold over the Reeve because of something he had seen many years ago – that the Reeve had killed a man, and Ivo had seen him.’
‘That’s a lie! I didn’t kill the Purveyor!’
‘That’s not what Ivo said,’ Nicole said firmly. ‘You passed the blame to my poor Thomas to protect yourself.’
‘How did you hear of his guilt?’ the Coroner asked her.
‘Ivo told me that if I would leave my husband, he would see to it that the Reeve would not support Thomas but would declare our marriage annulled.’
‘The Reeve doesn’t have that power,’ Simon grunted.
‘That may not prevent an arrogant shit like Ivo from telling it to the woman he hankers after,’ Coroner Roger pointed out. ‘Many a man will promise the target of his affections that black is white if it gives him an opportunity to lie with her.’
Sir Laurence said, ‘Wonderful! Reeve, you are a man of enterprise and determination! To throw all suspicion onto other men so swiftly, that is the act of a genius.’
The Sticklepath Strangler aktm-12 Page 28
