Dark Fire

then reached out and snapped his fingers.

'The statements.'

I handed them to him. Forbizer read them though, his face expressionless, occasionally pausing to frown and check something. It was all a charade, I knew, he had already heard the story from Parsloe and there was no alternative but to release Elizabeth now. At length he laid down the statements, straightening them so the edges were all in line, and grunted.

'So she was innocent after all,' he said.

'Yes,' I replied.

'She should still have been pressed,' he said coldly. 'That was the correct sentence for a refusal to plead, that would have been justice.' He stroked his grey beard reflectively. 'I have been considering whether to sentence her to some more time in the Hole for her contempt of court.' He looked at Joseph, whom I saw pale. I could not suppress a frown; this was sheer cruelty, revenge for the pressure Barak had put on him. Forbizer shrugged. 'But I have a busy enough assize this morning without bringing her back into court. I will let her go. At least until the rest of her family are tried – she will need to be a witness then.'

'Thank you, your honour,' I said quietly.

Forbizer drew a paper to him and I saw an order of release had already been drawn. He signed it, his lip curling over his beard again in that revolting gesture of contempt, then flicked it across the table to me.

'There you are, Brother Shardlake.' I reached to take it but he placed two fingers on the edge. I looked into his eyes. They were cold and angry.

'Do not cross me again, Brother,' he said quietly, 'or, whatever political connections you might have, I shall make your life a very hell.' He lifted his fingers and I took the order, rose and bowed. We filed silently out of the room.

Outside, Parsloe shook his head wonderingly. 'You'd think he would be glad to see an injustice righted, a girl saved from a cruel death. But he's an odd fellow.'

'The arsehole didn't like having his authority overruled,' Barak said. He had sat down on a bench. He still looked weak and pale. I was glad to sit beside him.

'How overruled?' Parsloe frowned at us. 'And what did he mean by political connections?'

'Jesu knows,' I said hastily. 'Well, Master Parsloe, I am most grateful for your help. We must not keep you.'

The magistrate turned away. I gave Barak a look. 'You nearly had me in trouble there. Parsloe's an old gossip, if you'd told him you'd brought an order from Cromwell to save Elizabeth, that story would be on a hundred pamphlets by tomorrow and Forbizer would be making my life hell as he promised. Though he'll do his best to achieve that anyway if I ever come before him again,' I added gloomily.

'Not my fault lawyers are all such gossips. Besides, I'm knackered. I should be in bed.'

'But sir,' Joseph asked, frowning, 'what did he mean about political influence?'

I hesitated. But Joseph had a right to know, if anyone did. 'Barak and I have been involved in a – a case for Lord Cromwell. It was very important, that was why I had so little time to give Elizabeth. It was his influence made Forbizer grant Elizabeth that stay. But, please, you must tell no one.'

He nodded. 'I will not, sir.' He shook his head. 'The earl. God bless him, God bless all the reforms he has brought.'

I handed him the order. 'There, take that to Newgate and Elizabeth will be released. Would you like us to come with you?'

He smiled. 'This is something I would rather do alone, sir. If you do not mind.'

'I understand.'

Barak and I watched as he left the Bailey, the precious document held carefully in his hand.

'Well,' I said, 'it's all over. What do you want to do now? I must go to Lincoln's Inn, to catch up on business.' I studied him, realizing, now that the parting of our ways was near, that for all his innumerable annoying habits I should miss him.

'Might I come with you to Chancery Lane?' he asked diffidently. 'I won't be able to sleep again, or settle to anything, until I hear from the earl.'

'Very well. I feel the same.'

'I wish there was some news.'

'Maybe there is a letter at Lincoln's Inn. We should go and see.'

He studied me. 'You did want the earl to win, didn't you? Always you call him Cromwell, and with such an edge on your voice sometimes.'

'Yes. I didn't want him to have Greek Fire but I don't want him overthrown. Norfolk would be a worse master. So I'm not quite like Lady Honor, who doesn't much care either way.' I hesitated. 'I suspected her, you know, there in the warehouse. When they mentioned an aristocrat being behind all this. When Norfolk came in it was almost a relief.' I sighed. 'I wish I could have found the answer sooner. Saved some of those lives.'

'Two of us against those ravening beasts of Norfolk's? It's a wonder we're even alive. You should take more credit. For that and for bringing justice to Elizabeth.'

'Perhaps.'

We both looked round at the chilling sound of chains scraping along the floor. Another trail of ragged felons was led across the hall, dirty and trembling, accompanied by frowning constables. We smelt the gaol's reek as they passed, then the courthouse door closed behind them. We stood silently a moment. I thought of the hanging cart, of justice and injustice and how the two were not always easy to tell apart. Then we turned and went slowly out to the street, glad to be out of that place.

***

AT CHANCERY LANE there was no message from Cromwell. Skelly was at his copying, still peering painfully at his papers but with less of an anxious air now. Godfrey, though, was gone. I went into his office to find a pile of papers stacked neatly on his desk, a note addressed to me on top.

Please take custody of my cases, I know you will serve my clients well. I will send to you telling where to remit such fees as are due to me. Some friends and I are going to preach the Word of God in the towns, though we must take care of the magistrates; I had better not say where for now. Your brother, in the law and in Christ,

Godfrey Wheelwright

I sighed. 'So that's that,' I said. I looked through the cases. Everything was meticulously in order, notes left for me summarizing what needed to be done. Then I went through to the outer office. Barak was sitting looking out of the window, his face gloomy. I sat beside him; my legs were still tired. I felt a spurt of irritation at Cromwell for keeping us waiting. But Barak was right, we were small fry.

'That arsehole's here,' he said, nodding to where Stephen Bealknap was crossing the quadrangle. He looked tense, his thin shoulders hunched. He stopped at some noise, casting a fearful glance around him.

I laughed. 'Let us put him out of his misery.'

Barak accompanied me into the courtyard. Seeing us, Bealknap hastened over. 'Brother Shardlake, is there any news?' There was a look of appeal in the rogue's pale eyes.

'You need fear no more, Bealknap,' I said with a smile. 'The issue of Greek Fire is settled. You are quite safe.'

His shoulders relaxed and he sighed with relief. 'What happened?' he asked, his eyes suddenly eager with curiosity. 'Who was behind it alb Does Lord Cromwell have Greek Fire?'

I raised a hand. 'Those matters remain confidential, Brother. All I can say is that you may resume your normal life in safety.'

His eyes narrowed. 'And the case about my houses? You'll be dropping that now you know of Sir Richard's interest?' I reflected it had taken no more than a minute for Bealknap's predatory instincts to reassert themselves.

'Why, no,' I replied. 'I am still instructed by the Common Council. I shall be going to Chancery.' And Cromwell, I