Revelation ms-4

by C. J. Sansom

  'What?'

  I saw disgust in Harsnet's look. 'An atheist,' he said. 'A man who denies God.'

  Chapter Ten

  HARSNET LEFT ME at the river, where I caught a wherry back to Temple Stairs and walked up to Lincoln's Inn. The fierce anger I felt after the inquest had been replaced by sober fear; as I thought of the mighty men in that room my stomach twisted and knotted with anxiety. Yet I told myself that at least this time there was no ambiguity, we were all clearly on the same side in wanting this killer caught.

  It was a relief to find Barak in chambers, working at his desk beside young Skelly. I inclined my head to Barak that he should follow me to my room. Skelly looked at us through the glasses he wore for his weak sight, his expression sad. I guessed he felt excluded, left out of the events whirling round Lincoln's Inn. Well, he was safer out of it all.

  I told Barak all that had transpired at Lambeth Palace. I had expected him to show pleasure at the prospect of some excitement, but he heard me in silence and then sat frowning. 'That Thomas Seymour's a dangerous character,' he said. 'Lord Cromwell distrusted him and blocked his advancement, though he respected his brother.'

  'His romantic interest in Catherine Parr complicates matters.'

  'He's known as an indiscreet woman-chaser. Sounds like an indiscreet man is the last thing this business needs, if Cranmer's keeping this from the King.'

  'I know. But I am bound to assist them, I promised Dorothy.' I looked at him. 'But you do not need to be involved if you do not wish,' I said. 'There is no reason for you to place yourself in danger.'

  'No,' he said. 'I'll help.' But he still looked uneasy. 'Though I don't understand any of it. One man killed as your friend is strange enough, but two?

  'Could the killer be mad? Someone who conceived a wild hatred for Roger and that doctor, perhaps developed a belief they had wronged him?'

  'A mad person couldn't have organized and carried through something like these murders.'

  'No. The killer tricked Roger cleverly with those letters. Maybe did something similar with the doctor. Took them to a lonely spot, drugged them somehow, then carried them to the fountain and the tidal pool, and slit their throats.' I shuddered.

  'That time you disturbed an intruder near the Elliards' lodgings, maybe he was looking over Gatehouse Court? Preparing the way.'

  'That would mean he was unfamiliar with Lincoln's Inn. Yet he knew enough about the law to fake a solicitor's letter for Roger, and enough about medicine to be able to make dwale.' I shook my head. It occurred to me that if I had come out from Roger and Dorothy's a little earlier that night I might have encountered the killer. Would he have killed me too, lest I identify him later?

  'I don't understand how this arsehole got to know them,' Barak said. 'And he must have done.'

  'Yes. And who could possibly have hated Roger enough to make that ghastly display in the fountain?' I looked at him seriously. 'It was a display, wasn't it? He was meant to be found like that, in a public place. And by the sound of it, Dr Gurney too.'

  Barak nodded slowly. 'I came across some strange things when I worked for Lord Cromwell, some grim things. But I never heard of anything like this before, never.'

  'Nor I.' We said nothing for a moment, then I roused myself. 'Come, we do not know enough yet to speculate. We must think of practical steps.'

  'All right. Where do we start?'

  'First I am going to prepare a list of Roger's clients and acquaintances, to see if he had any in common with Dr Gurney. I will go across now and speak to Roger's clerk, and to Dorothy. How was she on the journey back?'

  'Quiet. But you could see she was upset at how the inquest went.'

  'Yes.' I sighed. 'I must be careful how much I tell her. I should like you to come with me to meet the man who found the doctor's body, out by the river. Harsnet is arranging it.'

  'What's Harsnet like on closer acquaintance?'

  'One of the pure Bible-men, I think. But his feet are on the ground. Clever, efficient.' Something struck me. 'But many coroners are not. And we are at the junction of four coroners' jurisdictions — Surrey, Kent, Middlesex and London. I think Harsnet should check there have been no other killings like this in the other jurisdictions. I'll suggest it to him.'

  'Gib Rooke said a cottar had been killed horribly.'

  'Not in the same way as Roger, or he would have said. But it might be worth talking to him. Good idea. Thank you, Barak,' I added encouragingly. 'See how you help me?'

  'Glad I help someone,' he said gloomily.

  I hesitated, then said, 'Is that aimed at Tamasin?'

  He shrugged. 'She's been complaining I go out too much. I won't be told where I can and can't go by a woman.'

  'Maybe she worries about who you might be seeing.' I ventured.

  'She'd do better to stop her complaining and mopishness. Then her company might be worth cultivating.'

  'She is still suffering the loss of the child, Barak,' I said quietly. 'As I think you are. Surely that is something you could share?'

  I saw from the anger that leaped into his face that I had gone too far. 'That's our business,' he said roughly. 'If you are going across to see Mistress Elliard, sir, remember Adam Kite's parents will be here at three.' With that, he turned and left the room.

  As I WALKED ACROSS Gatehouse Court I got curious looks from the passing lawyers. News of the adjourned inquest would have been brought by the jurors, some of whom had seen me leave with Harsnet and Seymour. Well, their curiosity would have to go unsatisfied. I went into Roger's chambers and greeted his clerk.

  'Good day, Bartlett,' I said. 'How are things here?'

  'We're coping, sir,' he replied in his Bristol burr. 'Mistress Elliard has asked me to arrange the funeral. Can the body be released now?'

  'Yes. The coroner has approved it.'

  'And there's two cases in court this week.'

  I bit my lip. I would have little enough time for my own work now, let alone Roger's. 'I think we must pass his cases on,' I said. 'To barristers we can trust to pay for work Roger has already done. I can give you some names.'

  'And I will chase them and see they do pay, sir.'

  'Thank you.' I smiled gratefully.

  'Master Elliard was always good to me. He was a fine man.' The clerk blinked back tears.

  'Yes, he was.' I hesitated. 'But a lawyer always makes enemies. Could there possibly have been someone, a client perhaps, or even a lawyer he had bested, who might have taken against him?'

  'I can't think of anyone, sir. No one at all. Everyone liked Master Elliard, sir.'

  'I know. But can you make me a list of all the clients and lawyers he had professional dealings with since he came back from Bristol; Can you have that for me by this evening;'

  'I'll set to it, sir.' He hesitated. 'If I may ask, what is to happen now; The inquest was adjourned, they say.'

  'There is to be an investigation, and I am part of it. That is all I can say now, Bartlett. That list may help.' I looked at his honest face. 'What will you do now; Go back to Bristol;'

  'I'd as soon stay in London, all my family are with me here.'

  'Then I'll see if I can get you a job in another chambers when Roger's work is wound up.'

  His face lit up. 'Thank you. You - you are a good man, sir.'

  'I hope so, Bartlett. Though not all would agree.'

  I MOUNTED the stairs to the rooms above. Old Elias answered my knock and bowed me in. He still looked stricken. Margaret came out of the parlour. 'How is your mistress?' I asked in a whisper.

  'Quiet, sir. She was so angry after that hearing I thought she'd break down, but she hasn't. She's sitting in her usual place by the fire.' She hesitated. 'She's been hoping you would bring news.'

  'Thank you, Margaret. I will go to her.' I noticed the girl's full cheeks were pale. The servants' lives had been turned upside down too, their futures suddenly uncertain.

  Dorothy was sitting in her chair under the frieze. She looked up and ventured a smile, but he
r white face was tight with anger.

  'What happened?' she asked. 'Why did you go off with that coroner?'

  'To discuss the investigation. There will be one, Dorothy, and I will be part of it. I promise you. And I will get the body released tomorrow. You can arrange the funeral.'

  She stared at me intently. 'If they know he was murdered, why that — performance?'

  'Politics. I may not say more. I wish I could.'

  Her eyes widened. 'Dear God. But Roger had naught to do with politics. He despised all courtiers.'

  'I know. But there must be some link to — this political matter. I have undertaken to help find it.'

  'Undertaken to whom, Matthew?'

  'Cranmer. And I have already told you more than I should.'

  'But you hate politics as much as Roger did. You have said so often.'

  'But working with these people is the only way I can ensure Roger's killer is found. They and I want the same thing.' I hesitated. 'I will be working with Coroner Harsnet.'

  'That man. The way he tried to twist things.'

  'That was to get the case adjourned, out of the public gaze. For what it is worth, I do not think he enjoyed deceiving you.'

  She looked at me with sad, exhausted eyes. 'What if I free you from your promise to find Roger's killer, Matthew? I know you fear those great men, as anyone should with any sense.'

  I smiled sadly. 'I have promised Cranmer, Dorothy. It is out of our hands now.'

  'I am become a burden,' she said flatly. 'As a middle-aged woman alone will always be.'

  I leaned forward and ventured to take her hand. 'No, Dorothy. You are a strong woman. Just now it is all too much to bear, I know, but you will regain your strength. In time.'

  'I have heard people say that when a loved one has died they feel them near in spirit. I have been sitting here waiting, hoping, but — there is nothing. I feel only that Roger is gone, ripped out of all existence.'

  'Time, Dorothy, you will need time to grieve.'

  'I have years of empty time now.'

  I felt my heart clench at her suffering. 'Dorothy,' I said quietly, 'there is something I must ask you. This is not the best time, but it is urgent. We need to see if Roger and — this other man who died — knew anyone in common. Bartlett is preparing a list of professional contacts. Can you make me a list of anyone else he knew? Any non- lawyer friends—'

  'We had none. The law was Roger's life.'

  'Then tradesmen, his barber, his tailor. Your servants - have you dismissed any recently?'

  'No. There is no one.'

  'Anyway, a list may help.'

  'Then I will prepare it now,' she said.

  I got Margaret to fetch some paper, and Dorothy sat thinking, then wrote down the names of everyone Roger had known in London. She passed the list to me.

  'That is them all,' she said.

  I looked at it. 'Good, that will help.'

  'Anything else I can help with, come at any time. The funeral must wait till next week. Samuel will be here from Bristol, I have had a letter. And afterwards, Matthew, come and eat with us. Let us sit and remember Roger then, in peace.'

  'I shall be glad to.'

  I HASTENED BACK across Gatehouse Court to my chambers, for it was now near three o'clock. I was hungry, I had missed lunch. Among those passing to and fro I saw, at a little distance, Bealknap. He was walking slowly, his long thin body hunched and stooped. Feeling eyes upon him he turned, gave me a look of concentrated fury, and walked on. I thought, Roger may not have had an enemy, but I have, all the more now. I dismissed the wretched man from my mind.

  Daniel and Minnie Kite were waiting in my outer office. Meaphon sat beside them in his cassock, frowning. Today he held a copy of the New Testament in his lap. 'Good day,' I said to Daniel and Minnie, pointedly ignoring Meaphon.

  'I have had word from the Requests Office,' Skelly called over from his desk. 'Master Kite's hearing will be on the fourth of April.' He handed me a paper. I looked at it as I led the Kites and Meaphon into my office.

  'Good news,' I said, when all were seated. 'My request to have Adam's care supervised by the court, and his fees remitted, will be heard in nine days. And I have arranged for the doctor I spoke of to attend him. On Friday. I will go too.'

  'We saw Adam yesterday,' Daniel Kite said. 'He is no better.'

  'He spoke to me,' Minnie said. 'It was the first time my son spoke to me since they put him in that place. And do you know what he said: He said he could smell the fire, feel the sharp pricks of the devil's imps scratching at his arms. It was only lice, he is crawling with them, but that is what he made of it.' She shook her head, setting her lips into a tight line, trying not to cry.

  'Minnie,' Daniel said.

  'This is why I do not want him released from the Bedlam till there is some sign of a cure,' I said gently. 'He could get into deadly trouble. If his welfare is taken care of he is better there for now. Not all the keepers are bad.' I thought again of the kindly woman Ellen and her strange statement that she could never leave the Bedlam. I glanced at Meaphon, expecting opposition, but to my surprise he nodded, patting his thick hair.

  'Perhaps, after all, that is best. The papist wolves are abroad once more. Honest preachers have been arrested, one was paraded as a heretic only yesterday.'

  'I saw,' I said.

  'But if I could be allowed to spend time with Adam, if I could try again to persuade him to accept that he can and will be saved—'

  'We should see what the doctor says,' I said, temporizing.

  'Doctors,' he said contemptuously. 'What if he is possessed; That is my fear, more and more.'

  'What if they report to the Privy Council that you have been there:' Minnie spoke up. 'What if they have spies there, and they report you are preaching doctrine they do not approve:'

  Meaphon shook his head. 'I should do what I can to save Adam.' He gripped the Testament in his hands tightly, like an icon, a talisman.

  'My wife is right.' Daniel spoke up. 'Were Adam to leave he might — do something dangerous. And he is in no fit state to choose martyrdom.' He looked at me. 'We shall see what the doctor says. That is what we must do next.' He looked at Meaphon.

  'Am I to meet with uncertain heart in my own congregation that I may not go and pray with him:' Meaphon asked bitterly. This time both Daniel and Minnie met his gaze, though both reddened.

  'I will tell you what the doctor says,' I told them, rising. I felt an unprofessional degree of pleasure at their defiance of Meaphon, despite his raising again the dread idea of possession. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

  Chapter Eleven

  THE FOLLOWING DAY a letter arrived from Harsnet. It came by a fast rider from Whitehall, reminding me that the coroner commanded sizeable resources. He asked me to meet him by the Southwark bear pits at eight the next morning.

  I set off early on Friday to ride through the city to London Bridge, where I had arranged to meet Barak. Though I had slept I felt tired, weighed down, as I had since Roger's death. There was a cool breeze and high clouds scudded rapidly across the blue sky. I saw a patch of budding crocuses had appeared in a grassy corner by Newgate Market under the great shadow of St Paul's.

  There were few people about as yet, and as I walked down the Shambles, avoiding the butcher's offal in the piss-channel in the middle of the road, my attention was drawn by the sound of a scuffle. On the corner of Bladder Lane a burly man in a bloodstained apron was struggling with three London constables. A plump woman in a smock had hold of the arm of one of them and was trying to pull him off. Three small children ran howling and screaming around the adults' feet. As I watched, the constable shook himself free and pushed the goodwife over. She landed in a filthy puddle, skirts billowing and the wings of her coif hanging loose. The children ran to her, yelling.

  'Now come quietly,' one of the constables shouted at the man, who ceased struggling and allowed himself to be manhandled away. I hesitated, then went to the woman, who was rising s
lowly to her feet, covered in filth, the children milling around her.

  Are you all right, madam?'

  She gave me a suspicious look. 'I'm not hurt.'

  'What happened?'

  'They say my husband was selling meat in Lent, they're taking him to Bishop Bonner.' She looked at my robe. 'A lawyer won't help if they prosecute him, and we've no money anyway. You must seek trade elsewhere!' And with that she limped into a shop followed by the children. One of them, emboldened by his mother's tone, looked round and shouted 'Crookback' at me as she shepherded them in.

  I walked on, angry for I had only wished to help. But if her husband was guilty, he might face the rope. I remembered what Cranmer had said about Bonner working to crush the reformers.

  Barak was waiting at London Bridge. He looked bright and alert, no sign of a hangover today, and he greeted me cheerfully enough. He had put on his sword, I saw.

  'Well, let's see what awaits us over the river,' he said with a touch of his old swagger.

  'Some answers, I hope.'

  We walked across London Bridge to the Southwark waterfront where Harsnet was to meet us. He was already there, wearing a coat lined with marten fur over his lawyer's robe, looking every inch the royal official. I saw that he had donned sturdy riding boots in anticipation of walking through the tidal mud.

  Harsnet was staring up to where the great circular structure of the bear-baiting ring reared over the rooftops. He turned to us with a sombre expression on his face.

  'Good day, Master Shardlake. And you are Barak, yes.' Barak bowed to him. Harsnet looked up at the bear ring again, and sighed. 'Is it not sad that we make merry with the bleeding miseries of those poor harmless beasts?'

  'Harmless?' Barak said, looking at me. He was recalling the time I had been attacked and nearly killed by an escaped bear. But in fact I agreed with Harsnet.

  'Yes,' I said. 'It is a cruel sport. I never go.'

  He nodded approvingly. 'Did you bring the list of those known to Master Elliard?'

  I produced the list from my coat. 'Master Elliard's wife and clerk helped me. They knew of none who wished him harm.'