who served them could be persuaded or threatened to lie. The same would be true of any alibis the monks gave each other. I could question every single servant and monk in the place, but how long would that take and where would it get me? I suddenly felt helpless.
'So Gabriel saved you?' Prior Mortimus broke the silence.
'Yes, he did.'
'Why?' he asked. 'With respect, sir, why should he give his life for you?'
'Perhaps it is not so surprising. I think he had been led to believe his own life was of little worth.' I stared hard at the prior.
'Then I hope his act is helping him now at his judgement. He had many sins to weigh in the balance.'
'Perhaps not such great matters in God's eyes.'
There was a hesitant knock at the door, and the frightened face of a monk appeared.
'Pray pardon, there is a letter for the commissioner from Justice Copynger. The messenger says it is urgent.'
'Very well. Gentlemen, stay here for now. Mark, come with me.'
As we marched down the church we saw Gabriel's body had been removed; two of the servants were washing the flags; steam rose from the hot water as they swabbed away the blood. When we opened the door a sea of faces looked at us, monks and servants, all murmuring anxiously. Grey clouds of breath issued from fifty mouths. I saw Brother Athelstan, his eyes alight with curiosity, and Brother Septimus staring round in bewildered anxiety, wringing his hands. At the sight of us, Brother Jude called on the crowd to clear a way. We strode through them, led by the monk who had fetched us. At the gatehouse Bugge stood holding a letter, his sharp little eyes full of curiosity.
'The messenger said it was most urgent, Commissioner, I hope you'll forgive the interruption. Is it true Brother Gabriel's been killed in an accident in the church?'
'No, Master Bugge, it was no accident. He died saving my life from a murderer.' I took the letter and walked away, halting in the centre of the courtyard. I felt safer away from high walls just then.
'That'll be all over the precinct in an hour,' Mark said.
'Good. The time for secrecy is over.' I broke the seal and read the single sheet. I bit my lip anxiously.
'Copynger has begun his enquiries. He's ordered Sir Edward and another local landowner named in that book to attend him. Messages have come back saying they're cut off on their estates because of the snow, but if a messenger can get in they can get out, so he's sent for them again. This smacks of delaying tactics. These people have things to hide.'
'You could confront Brother Edwig now.'
'I don't want that slippery eel saying it was all just exercises and projections. I want to confront him with hard evidence. But I won't have it by tomorrow, or the day after – not at this rate.' I folded the letter. 'Mark, who could have known we were going to the church this morning? I told you by the pond. Remember I said we must go to the church.'
'Prior Mortimus was there, but he was walking away.'
'Perhaps he has sharp ears, like yours. The point is, no one else knew we were going. Assuming, that is, that someone did go up there to lie in wait for me.'
He thought. 'But how would anyone know you would come to rest just under those blocks of stone?'
'You're right. Oh God, I cannot think straight.' I kneaded my brow with my fingers. 'All right. What if our killer was up on that walkway for a different reason? What if he just took the opportunity to rid the world of me when I paused where I did?'
'But why would anyone go up there? There aren't even any works going on.'
'Who would know most about the works now Gabriel is dead?'
'Prior Mortimus is in charge of the daily running of the house.'
'I think I will talk to him.' I paused, folding the letter away. 'But first, Mark, there is something I must tell you.'
'Yes, sir.'
I looked at him seriously. 'That letter you took to Copynger about the land sales. I asked him also to find out if there were any boats going to London. It would take a week to cross the Weald in these snows, but after that letter of Jerome's I need to see Cromwell. It occurred to me there might be a boat going and there is; one is leaving on the afternoon tide with a cargo of hops. It should arrive in London in two days, returning the day after. If we're lucky with the weather I'll be away four days. I mustn't miss the chance. And I want you to stay here.'
'But should you leave now?'
I paced up and down. 'I have to take this opportunity. Remember, the king doesn't know what's been going on here. If Jerome got any other letters out and the king saw them, Cromwell could be in trouble. I don't want to go, but I must. And there's something else. Remember that sword?'
'The one in the pond?'
'It had a maker's mark. Swords like that are made to order. If I can find the maker, I should be able to find whom he made it for. And it's the only lead I have now.'
'Except to question Brother Edwig when we have evidence about the land sales.'
'Yes. You know, I cannot see Brother Edwig working with an accomplice. He seems too self-contained.'
Mark hesitated. 'Brother Guy could have killed Singleton. He's stringy, but looks fit enough, and he's tall.'
'He could, but why him particularly?'
'The hidden passage, sir. He could so easily have slipped away that night and gained access to the kitchen. He wouldn't have needed a key.'
I kneaded my brow again. 'Any of them could have done it. The evidence all points in different ways. I need more; I pray I find it in London. But I need a presence here; I want you to move into the abbot's house. Check the letters, keep an eye on what's happening.'
He gave me a sharp look. 'You want me away from Alice.'
'I want you safe away from the precincts, like old Dr Goodhaps. You can take his room, it's a finely appointed place for someone of your age to sit in state.' I sighed. 'And yes, I would prefer you away from Alice. I have spoken to her, I have told her that involvement with you could damage your prospects.'
'You had no right, sir,' he said with sudden vehemence. 'I have the right to decide my own path.'
'No, Mark, you do not. You have obligations, to your family and to your own future. I order you to move to the abbot's house.'
I saw ice in the wide blue eyes that had captivated poor Gabriel. 'I have seen you look lustfully after her yourself,' he said, and there was contempt in his voice.
'
He looked me up and down. 'You have no choice.'
I set my teeth. 'I should kick your arse out on the road for that. I wish I did not need you here while I am away, but I do. Well, are you going to do as I say?'
'I shall do all I can to help you catch the man who has killed these people. He should be hanged. But I make no promise for what I do afterwards, though you disown me utterly.' He took a deep breath. 'I am minded to ask Alice Fewterer for her hand.'
'Then I may have to disown you,' I replied quietly. 'By God's flesh I would not, but I cannot ask Lord Cromwell to take back a man married to a servant girl. That would be impossible.'
He did not answer. I knew in my heart that if it came to the worst, even after what he had said, I would take him as a clerk; find him and Alice a room in London. But I would not make it easy for him. I met his gaze with a look as steely as his own.
'Pack a bag for me,' I ordered curtly. 'And saddle Chancery. I think the road is clear enough to ride to town. I will see the prior now, then leave for London.' I walked away; I would have wished for his company in tackling Prior Mortimus, but after what had passed we were better apart.
