The King's Evil

'Anyone in particular?'

'Not that I can think of at the moment.'

'I will need some names, Henry.'

'Well, do not come to me,' said the other. 'Solomon Creech is your man. He could give you a full list of Sir Ambrose's enemies.'

'He refuses to do so.'

'You've already spoken to him?'

'I had to tell him the news.'

Henry bridled. 'You mean, you kept me waiting while you went off to that lawyer? I am your brother, Christopher. Your sibling. Your closest blood relation. Damnation! You should have come to me first!'

'Mr Creech had to be informed. Only he can make decisions about the future of the house.'

'What future? That house will only have a past now.' He turned away and pouted. 'I feel slighted, Christopher. I have been sick with worry yet you kept me in suspense while you trotted off to Solomon Creech.'

'I also had to make a sworn statement before the magistrate.'

'Your brother should have been your first port of call.'

'That is a matter of opinion.'

'You know mine.'

'Yes, Henry,' said Christopher, clicking his tongue, 'and I am sorry if I offended you. It was not deliberate. The facts of the case are these. Sir Ambrose has been murdered. Solomon Creech flew into a panic when I told him and more or less drove me out of his office. He gave me no assistance at all. The wretch would not even undertake to inform Sir Ambrose's family.'

'But they must be told.'

'I will come to them in due course. Let us return to these enemies. You say that Sir Ambrose had several of them?'

'Of course. He was a politician. Such men always have enemies. And he was a very successful merchant. His rivals hated him. Look among them for the most likely killer.'

'Where do I start?'

'I have told you. With his lawyer.'

'Forget him, Henry. Answer me this. When you and Sir Ambrose were together, did he ever express fear that his life was under threat?'

'Never.'

'Are you sure?'

'Quite sure. Sir Ambrose was a brave man. Nothing frightened him. He had such a wonderful lust for life. That is what drew us together. I have never known anyone with such appetites. He will be missed.' He shook his head and rolled his eyes. 'Oh, he will indeed be missed. There are many establishments in this city where his passing will be mourned.'

'Let us turn to his politics.'

'He was a man of some influence.'

'Which party did he follow?'

'He was a close associate of Lord Ashley.'

'The Chancellor of the Exchequer? I had not realised that Sir Ambrose moved in such exalted circles. Was he seen at Court?'

'From time to time.'

'Would his position have aroused envy among rivals?'

'Envy, spite and rancour.'

'Could you name some of those rivals?'

'Not while my head is spinning like this. Good gracious, man!' he exclaimed, glaring at his brother. 'I am in agony. I have just been told that a cherished friend of mine has been stabbed to death in a cellar. You cannot expect me to sit here calmly and talk about his political rivals. Besides,' he added, 'why should you want to know? It is not your business to hunt down the killer.'

'I am making it my business, Henry.'

'Why?'

'Because I owe it to Sir Ambrose,' said Christopher earnestly. 'He gave me hope where anybody else would have offered rejection. And yes, perhaps my ambitions have now run aground but that is no reason to forget what Sir Ambrose Northcott did for me. The least that I can do in return is to search for the fiend who murdered him. And the least you can do, Henry, is to help me.'

'But I do not see how.'

'Begin with that list. Reflect on it at your leisure. When you are ready, write down the name of any political opponent with whom Sir Ambrose clashed. Or any other person with whom he fell out. Will you do that for me, please?' He shook his brother's arm. 'Henry?' 'I will try.'

'Excellent!'

'But I will make no promises.'

'Do you have access to Lord Ashley?'

'Not directly but I have friends who do.'

'Use them to question him on this matter. Lord Ashley will have information about Sir Ambrose that could prove crucial. If they were close, I am sure that the Chancellor will be distressed to lose him.'

Henry stiffened. 'And what about me? I am even more distressed. You do not realise what this means to your brother, Christopher. I put years into that friendship with Sir Ambrose. He opened doors for me.'

'I will need to peep inside some of them.'

'Not now, not now. Please! Pester me no further.'

'One last request.'

'What is it?'

'I will need Sir Ambrose's address.'

'In Westminster?'

'No, Henry, in Kent. That is where his family live. You mentioned a daughter. That means he has a wife and, perhaps, other children. It is cruel to keep this news from them any longer. Where will I find them?'

'You? It is not your responsibility, Christopher.'

'Do you volunteer to take it on?'

'How can I?' said Henry, getting to his feet. 'I have far too much to do to go riding off to Sevenoaks.'

'Is that where his home is?'

'Near there. A few miles to the east. It is a full day's ride even for such an accomplished horseman as yourself.'

'Have you ever been there?'

'No, but Sir Ambrose often spoke about the onerous journey.'

'What is the name of the house?'

Henry Redmayne needed some time to grope in his memory.

'Well?' prompted Christopher.

'Head for the village of Shipbourne.' 'And the house?'

'Priestfield Place.'

Jonathan Bale had a busy morning. It was hours before he was able to slip back to Addle Hill. Sarah was in the kitchen, slicing up vegetables with a knife before dropping the pieces into a large pot. He took off his coat. When she caught sight of it, she got up anxiously from the stool.

'There is blood on it,' she said in alarm.

'Calm down, my love.'

'Have you been wounded?'