“I am told Tullius is from a poor family. To be honest, I am given to believe that his is a family known to the
“Tullius has long sought to dissociate himself from them. Abbot Miseno knows that.”
“Had the service started when you arrived here?”
“It had just begun. I was the last to arrive… apart from yourself.”
“The Gaulish seaman… had he already entered the church?” Fidelma asked.
The guard frowned.
“No. As a matter of fact, he came in just after I did but through the sacristy.”
“You came in through the main doors, then?”
“Of course.”
“How soon after everyone else did you enter the church?”
“Not very long. As I was approaching along the street, I saw Abbot Miseno outside the building. I saw him arguing with Father Cornelius. They were standing near the sacristy door as I passed. The Abbot turned in, then, after he had stood a moment or two, Father Cornelius followed.”
“Do you know what they were arguing about?”
The young soldier shook his head.
“Then you came into the
“A moment or so later. Father Cornelius was about to start the service, when he came in. We were halfway through the service when you yourself entered.”
“That will be all for the moment.”
Fidelma turned in deep thought and made her way to Abbot Miseno.
The Abbot watched her approach with impatience.
“We cannot afford to take long on this matter, Sister Fidelma. I had heard that you advocates of the Brehon Courts were quick at getting to the truth of the matter. If you cannot demonstrate who killed this foreign religieux, then it will reflect badly on that reputation.”
Fidelma smiled thinly.
“Perhaps it was in hope of that event that you so quickly suggested my involvement in this matter?”
Abbot Miseno flushed in annoyance.
“Do you suggest…?”
Fidelma made a dismissive gesture with her hand.
“Let us not waste time in rhetoric. Why were you arguing with Father Cornelius outside the sacristy?”
Miseno’s jaw clamped tightly.
“I had demanded his resignation from this office.”
“He refused to resign?”
“Yes.”
“And you came into the church through the sacristy? Did Father Cornelius follow you?”
“Yes. He had changed his vestments and suddenly came out of the sacristy, straight to me and tried to renew the argument. Luckily, Tullius rang the bell for the service to start. I had just told him that I would do everything in my power to see him relieved of his position.”
“Everything?”
Miseno’s eyes narrowed. “What do you imply?”
“How far would you go to have him removed?”
“I will not deign to answer that.”
“Silence often speaks as loudly as words. Why do you dislike Father Cornelius so much?”
“A priest who betrays the guiding principles of-”
“Cornelius says that you disapprove of him because he holds to the teachings of Pelagius. Many of us do. But you claim that it is not that but more personal matters that make him fit not to be priest here.”
“Why are you concentrating on Father Cornelius?” demanded Miseno. “Your task was to find out who poisoned the Gaulish re-ligieux. Surely you should be looking at the motives for his killing?”
“Answer my question, Abbot Miseno. There must have been a point when you approved Cornelius in this office.”
Miseno shrugged. “Yes. Three years ago I thought he was appropriate to the task and a conscientious priest. I do not mind admitting that. It has been during the last six months that I have had disturbing reports.”
Fidelma tugged thoughtfully at her lower lip.
“And where do these reports emanate from?”
Abbot Miseno frowned.
“I cannot tell you that. That would be a breach of confidence.”
“Did they come from a single source?”
Miseno’s expression was enough to confirm the thought.
Fidelma smiled without humor.
“I suspect the reports came from the deacon, Tullius.”
Abbot Miseno stirred uncomfortably. But he said nothing.
“Very well. I take the fact that you do not deny that as an affirmative.”
“All very well. So it was Tullius. As deacon it was his duty to inform me if anything was amiss.”
“And your task to verify that Tullius was giving you accurate information,” observed Fidelma. “Did you do so?”
Abbot Miseno raised an eyebrow. “Verify the reports?”
“I presume that you did not simply take Tullius at his word?”
“Why would I doubt him? Tullius is in the process of taking holy orders, under my supervision. I can trust the word of Tullius.”
“The word of someone currently seeking ordination, you mean? Such a person would not lie?”
“That’s right. Absolutely not. Of course they would not lie.”
“But a priest, already ordained, would lie? Therefore, you could not take Cornelius’s word? Surely there is a contradictory philosophy in this?”
“Of course I don’t mean that!” snapped Abbot Miseno.
“But that is what appears to be happening. You took Tullius’s word over that of Cornelius.”
“The accusation was that Cornelius had dishonored the priesthood by taking a mistress.”
“Talos suggests that Tullius takes male lovers. You indicate that you know of this. The conclusion therefore is that not only did you take the word of a deacon against a priest, but you preferred to condemn a man on the grounds that he had a female lover or mistress while supporting a young man who is said to have a male lover. Why is one to be condemned and the other to be accepted in your eyes?”
Abbot Miseno set his jaw firmly.
“I am not Tullius’s lover, if that is what you are implying. Tullius is under my patronage. He is my protege.”
“Are you retracting your claim that Tullius had a male lover?”
“You have spoken to the young
“Do you admit you are prejudiced in your judgment?”
“Are you saying that Tullius lied to me? If so, what proof do you have?”
“As much proof as you have to say that he told the truth.”
“Why should he lie to me?”
“You are about to ordain him. I suspect that you now intend him to replace Cornelius here?”
Abbot Miseno’s face showed that her guess was right.
“But what has this to do with the death of the Gaul?”
“Everything,” Fidelma assured him. “I think I am now ready to explain what happened.”
She turned and called everyone to come forward to the place before the altar.
“I can tell you why Docco, a visitor to this country and this city, died and by whose hand.” Her voice was cold and precise.
They appeared to surge forward, edging near to her with expectant expressions.
