Dark Fire

'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 all 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 gambled, would not stand in my way. He owed me too much.

Bealknap drew himself up, frowning. 'You would take a fellow barrister to court! That is dishonourable – I shall make sure it is known. Brother, you do not need to do this,' he added in sudden exasperation. 'The system works to all our advantage and there is much gold to be made with little effort if one chooses the easy path.'

I thought of those hovels, the people made to use that stinking cesspit, the neighbouring houses spoiled. And all the houses like it, mushrooming all over London from the shells of the old monasteries.

'You are a son of sin and death, Bealknap,' I said. 'And I shall fight you every way I can.'

I turned as Barak nudged my arm. A man was running towards us from the gate, red-faced. It was Joseph. He reached us and stopped, taking deep whooping breaths. I felt a terrible apprehension.

'Elizabeth –' I asked.

He shook his head. 'She is safe at my lodgings. But in the City, I heard –'

'What?'

He took a shuddering breath. 'Lord Cromwell has fallen!'

'What!'

'It has just been announced. He was arrested at the council table early this morning, for treason. He is taken to the Tower. They say his goods have been seized, you know what that means.'

'Attainder,' I said. My lips felt heavy, bloodless. 'He'll be condemned unheard.'

'They say the Duke of Norfolk himself ripped the seal of office from his neck. Arrested at the council table itself! All his associates are being arrested too, Wyatt's been taken!'

I took Joseph's shoulder and led him away. Bealknap stood goggle-eyed for a moment, then turned and hastened to the hall to spread the news.

'I thought you should know at once, sir.' Joseph said. 'After what you told me this morning, I thought – you may be in danger –'

I turned to Barak. 'But our message! Grey said he had it. It should be Norfolk that's arrested –'

'Master Grey?' Joseph asked. 'The earl's secretary?'

'Yes. What of him?'

'They're saying he's turned his coat, given evidence against the earl. Half his people have. And no one stood in his favour at the council, not even Cranmer.' He clenched his fists. 'The rogues.'

'Grey!' Barak whispered. 'The bastard. He never even gave the message to Hanfold. It was him all along, feeding news of our doings to our enemies.'

'I've known Grey years.' I laughed bitterly. 'I thought it couldn't possibly be him, but oh, Barak, when we were wondering who was working against us we should have thought of someone at the court, someone in that great cesspit.' I leaned against the wall, overcome. 'We've failed after all. And Norfolk's won.'

Barak looked at me intently. 'And we're in the shit.'

Chapter Forty-seven

'ARE YOU QUITE SURE of this?' I asked Joseph. My heart was racing almost as hard as when I had taken the poison.

'Yes. It was the talk of the streets when I left Newgate.' He bit his lip. 'It is terrible.'

'What was the mood?'

'Most seemed pleased, saying they were glad the earl had gone. After all he has done for true religion. But others were frightened, wondering what would happen now.'

'Any word of the Duke of Norfolk?'

'No, none.'

I looked at Barak. 'So he hasn't been given Cromwell's place, or not yet.'

'Treason,' Joseph said incredulously. 'What could that mean, treason? No one could have served the king more faithfully –'

'It's just an excuse,' I said bitterly. 'An excuse to get him out of the way, bundle him into the Tower. If he's attainted before parliament there won't need to be a trial.'

'He's fallen off the tightrope of the king's pleasure at last,' Barak said, more slowly and seriously than I had ever heard him speak. 'He always feared he would. But he didn't see the end coming; in the end that little shit Grey saw how the wind was blowing more clearly than my master.' He looked at me seriously. His face was pale, he was shocked, but he kept a clear mind. 'We have to get out of here,' he said quickly, 'both of us. If they're arresting the earl's associates, it would be the ideal opportunity for Norfolk to put us out of the way before we tell any tales.'