‘Luke was all fretful, I could see. He says, “That madman Thomas tried to kill me! I only wanted a favour, and he tried to kill me! He would have, if he’d caught me!”
‘“Why? What did you say to him?” asks Robert.
‘“I told him I knew all about his scams with the merchant ships,” says Luke.’
‘“Everyone knows about that, though,” Robert says.
‘“Yes, but I told him I’d tell Ranulph about it.”
‘Then there was a rustling, and Luke thought it must be Thomas come back. He took to his heels. There was a little boat down the beach, and he ran to it, hopped in, and was off like the coward he was.’
‘And then,’ Baldwin prompted, ‘the real murderer appeared.’
‘Then William appeared.’
‘I do not believe it,’ Baldwin said sadly. ‘He appeared such a sympathetic fellow.’
Mariota looked at him sternly. ‘It is better for all if you stop and listen without jumping to conclusions. William appeared, spoke a few words with Robert, all perfectly polite, and then left after staring after Luke for some while. Robert by now had his boots off, and had set them about his neck. He went down to the water’s side, and as he stood there, entering the water with some nervousness, I heard another man. He gave a gasp, and I heard him say, “No!” like he was in pain, and then he ran forward. Robert heard him, and turned. He walked back up the sand to talk, never knowing he was talking to his murderer.’
‘Enough suspense! Who was it?’
‘He is always so courteous, isn’t he, the Prior? He waved Robert on in front of him, and then stabbed him, once, very quickly, like it was distasteful to him to be so close to the corpse. Then he threw the man down and watched while he died. As soon as Robert was dead, Cryspyn lifted his skirts and set off after Luke. And that was that.’
‘Cryspyn!’
‘I waited a while, wondering what to do, and then William came back. He almost tripped over Robert’s body, and swore to himself, but when he looked out to sea, he could see who was there. There was no hiding Cryspyn’s figure. So, William looks down again and sort of sighs. Then he walked off home. Me, I daren’t be found with something like your sword, so I threw it a ways into the sands, and then sat down and waited. I couldn’t go straight to Tedia’s, in case Cryspyn saw me. I didn’t want that. No, I sat and bided my time, and when he was over on St Nicholas, I went off as sharp as I could. Back home.’
‘I thank you for your time,’ Baldwin said, coldly angry. When Mariota looked up at him, he turned on his heel. She repelled him: this was a reaction against her words. Cryspyn had not seemed an evil man — the tale of his crime before being sent here was damning, certainly, but Baldwin felt sure that he must have served out a penance, and subsequently he had reached the status of Prior. That meant that Abbot Robert of Tavistock and Bishop Walter both trusted him enough. Yet now Mariota’s words had damned the man.
It was with a heavy heart that Baldwin made for the door, and only after he had left the building did he hear Mariota calling out sharply. Turning, he saw Tedia’s face in the doorway.
‘I …’ she faltered, glancing over her shoulder.
‘Tedia!’ Mariota called again, and this time there was more harshness in her tone.
Baldwin recognised that tone: it was the same as that which a handler might use, calling to his dog when the beast was about to launch himself after forbidden prey. There was command, but also pleading in the voice, as though Mariota was certain that Tedia would be lost forever unless she returned. Baldwin gave her a grin, and there was a lessening of tension in her face, but there was no time for more. Baldwin had to get back to the priory. With a wrench, he left her there and made his way back to speak to the Prior.
And although he didn’t glance back, he knew that she was there, waiting in the doorway, neither a part of Mariota’s tribe nor Baldwin’s. Stuck in a strange middle ground, unsure where she would finish. Hopeful that Baldwin could represent a new beginning for her, except Baldwin knew that he couldn’t. Tedia must find a new man.
His wife Jeanne was waiting for him, and just now Baldwin felt he had never missed her so much as he did this moment, lurching his way back up the lane towards the Priory where he must confront Cryspyn.
Chapter Thirty-Two
In the hall, Simon was sitting blearily at the fireside. He looked up as Baldwin entered. ‘I was wondering where you had gone,’ he said, and held out a jug to Baldwin.
‘I have had a most interesting talk with Mariota. She saw the murder,’ Baldwin said. As he spoke he saw the figure of Cryspyn approaching them. ‘Prior.’
‘My friend. I am glad to see you have returned. I was wondering where you might have gone.’
‘I was with a most interesting person who witnessed the death of Robert,’ Baldwin said.
‘Was it William?’ Simon asked.
‘No,’ Baldwin said, looking at the Prior.
Cryspyn had jumped as though startled. His face worked as the acid rose into his throat. In the past he had been able to eat the finest of foods and wines, but not now. He was forced now to suffer the most tedious of foods, which a physician had told him would work well for his humours, but nothing seemed to work for unpleasant shocks.
‘And did this person give you a name?’ he asked hoarsely.
‘Yes.’
‘Then perhaps you’d have the goodness to tell me?’ Cryspyn asked, his voice rising with his impatience.
Baldwin said nothing, but held Cryspyn’s gaze with a serious intensity.
The Prior tutted. ‘Come, now! Won’t you tell me?’
‘I had thought you would like to say. After all, Benefit of Clergy protects a man in Holy Orders.’
‘Benefit of …’ Cryspyn’s face paled. ‘My God! You don’t mean … William?’
Baldwin snapped irritably, ‘No, I do not! I mean you!’
‘Me?’ Cryspyn’s face fell. His eyes widened, his mouth gaped, and then he hiccupped. A hand flew to his mouth, and his face drew back into its normal expression of pain. ‘Is this a joke?’
‘I think you should have the goodness to confess, Prior. You were seen there.’
‘Sir Baldwin, you are the unsuspecting victim of a joke, surely a joke in bad taste.’
‘You deny killing the man?’
‘Of course I do.’
‘You were not there on the island?’
‘No. I wasn’t!’
Baldwin was confused, but then he thought he had a glimmering of understanding. Of course! The woman Mariota was protecting someone else. She had only mentioned Cryspyn to give herself time to warn him! ‘Prior, please accept my apologies.’
‘I suppose I must accept them, but only as a matter of politeness to a guest,’ he said pointedly as he thrust past Baldwin and stalked out.
Baldwin roused Simon from his partially drunken reverie. ‘Come with me. We need to talk.’
‘I think it’s better that we find a place to sleep.’
‘Not yet, old friend.’ Baldwin had Simon’s arm in a firm grip, and he manoeuvred him through the door and out, across the courtyard and through the gate. ‘I have been speaking to a woman who stated that she saw Cryspyn stabbing Robert. Since Cryspyn has denied the murder, this means that one of them is lying. If she is lying: why? She has convicted Cryspyn for no reason.’
‘She has reasons,’ Simon said. He closed his eyes and leaned back. ‘Perhaps it’s just that she dislikes him and made it up.’
‘She knew that I’d have to confront him. That means that she knew her lie would be found out, and probably quickly. Perhaps she meant to run straight to the guilty man and warn him.’
‘Who?’
‘There are only two men whom she would try to protect. She would not wish to protect any of the men from Ennor, I am sure of that. No, I think that it comes down to two: either David or William.’
‘Why David?’
‘Because he is of her tribe. This place is astonishingly tribal. David is of her family, and more than that, he is the leader. Thus she would be willing to serve him by lying to us. That, to me, makes much sense.’