‘Then I shall write to the King immediately, and ask him to put an end to the studium generale at Cambridge,’ said Bresley with a tired smile. ‘God knows, I could do with you.’
‘I am sure the bishop told you that I have been charged to investigate Aylmer’s death,’ said Michael. ‘Do you have any ideas regarding his killer?’
Bresley shook his head. ‘Although Aylmer’s appointment was unpopular with virtually every cleric in the minster. They interpreted it as a sign that Miller had started the process of invading their domain.’
‘I am told you side with Miller,’ said Michael.
‘I have attempted to befriend him, in the hope of reducing the animosity between the two factions. Some folk claim I betray my colleagues by taking such a stance, but they are wrong. Indeed, Miller’s company at dinner is invariably an ordeal. He is not mannerly, and I am obliged to endure spitting, teeth-wiping, nose-picking and belching in my quest for an end to the hostilities.’
‘So you did not mind Aylmer’s nomination as a Vicar Choral?’
‘On the contrary, I minded very much. While such a move could have ameliorated the trouble between Guild and Commonalty, in this case it would have made matters very much worse. Aylmer was debauched and dishonest, and would not have made a good deputy – although he probably would have fitted in with his new colleagues well enough, given time. Like attracts like, after all.’
‘Did anyone else object to him?’
‘The Guild, obviously. They also thought it was the Commonalty’s way of clawing into their territory. Kelby and Dalderby complained to the bishop, but Gynewell told them the decision belonged to the relevant canon. It is fortunate for your friend that he is a Suttone. Everyone likes the Suttones, and will forgive them a good deal.’
‘I understand you have voiced an opinion about the Hugh Chalice,’ said Michael, turning to another matter. ‘You are wary of its sanctity, unlike your bishop.’
The dean nodded unhappily. ‘Gynewell said he could feel the holiness emanating from it, but I could not. I still had the urge to … well, suffice to say that I think it is just a goblet.’
‘The urge to what?’ asked Bartholomew.
‘It does not matter. When – if – the real Hugh Chalice does come to Lincoln, I shall know it.’
Michael raised his eyebrows. ‘How?’
Bresley grabbed the monk’s arm suddenly. ‘Hell’s teeth! Look who is heading our way! I must bid you good morning, gentlemen, because I have no wish to talk to him this morning.’
Dean Bresley was gone before Michael could open his mouth to say he had not finished asking questions, and his place was taken by a grinning priest with freckles and an arrogant swagger. His clothes were of the finest quality, and he wore spurs on his boots, which sat oddly with his monastic attire. So did the sword that was concealed – but only barely – under his fur-lined cloak.
‘Brother Michael, I presume?’ he said, bowing. ‘I am John Tetford. You were kind enough to appoint me as your Vicar Choral. Did you like our singing? I was the solo tenor.’
‘Very nice,’ said Michael. ‘Why are you carrying that weapon in a church?’
‘Because I might meet Ravenser,’ replied Tetford, unabashed by the censure in Michael’s voice. ‘He is in here somewhere, and you will not want me run through before I can take up my duties.’
‘Why does Ravenser mean you harm?’ Michael’s expression was cold and angry, and Bartholomew saw that his first real foray into his new cathedral had left him far from impressed.
‘There was a misunderstanding over a lady,’ replied Tetford with a careless grin. ‘It will not happen again, not now I know what kind of man she allows in her bed. I have standards, you know.’
Michael eyed him balefully. ‘You confess to enjoying women now, as well as to harbouring violent feelings towards your fellow clerics?’
‘Self-protection, Brother. And I will not attack Ravenser unless he attacks me first. However, I shall cut back on the encounters with the fair sex, if it makes you happy.’
‘Yes, you will,’ said Michael sternly. ‘I have standards, too, and if I find you breaking any of the cathedral’s rules, I shall dismiss you and appoint another deputy.’
‘You can try,’ said Tetford insolently, ‘but I doubt my uncle will allow it.’
‘Your uncle?’ asked Bartholomew.
‘The Bishop of Ely,’ explained Tetford. ‘Well, he refers to me as his nephew – along with my several cousins – but the reality is that he has no siblings of his own, so I am sure you can guess the real nature of our relationship. He will not cast stones.’
‘De Lisle will not favour you for long if you bray about his youthful indiscretions,’ said Michael icily. ‘He is ambitious, and will not let a “nephew” stand in his way. So, behave yourself – unless you want to be branded a bastard, and prevented from holding any sort of office in the Church.’
Tetford turned sullen. ‘You are a tedious man. Uncle said you were fun, but I do not think I shall invite you to my alehouse of an evening. You can go somewhere boring and respectable instead, like the Swan.’
Michael tried not to gape. ‘You run a hostelry?’
‘The Tavern in the Close. It is a lively place, only ever frequented by clerics – and the occasional lady, of course. Gynewell and the dean keep trying to close it down, but they will never succeed. People enjoy it too much, even the dean, on occasion. Everyone needs fun from time to time.’
‘You have until next Sunday to mend your ways,’ said Michael, struggling to regain his composure. ‘You will shut the Tavern in the Close, resist female company, and decline strong drink. If you do not, I shall appoint another Vicar Choral. De Lisle will not object when he finds out why.’
‘He already knows my foibles, Brother,’ said Tetford smugly. ‘You and I can have a contest of wills if you like, but be warned that you will not win. You would do better concentrating on finding out who killed Aylmer. I assume Gynewell asked you to oblige him with an investigation? He told me at breakfast yesterday that he intended to do so.’
‘He told you?’ asked Michael in patent disbelief. ‘Why would he do that? He seems a decent man, and I do not see him wasting time in idle chatter with lowly Vicars Choral.’
Tetford did not seem offended by the insult, but his grin faded and his voice dropped to a murmur. ‘Do not tell my colleagues this, but I liked Aylmer – he was fun. So, I asked Gynewell what he planned to do about the murder. At the same time, I happened to mention what Uncle has told me about your investigative skills. You had better find Aylmer’s killer, Brother, or I will not be the only one disappointed.’
‘Is that so?’ asked Michael unmoved. ‘And who else will have me quaking in fear, pray? Gynewell certainly did not issue threats when he gave me this commission, and Bishop de Lisle is too far away to care whether I succeed or fail.’
‘I refer to Adam Miller. He and his Commonalty hold a lot of power in this town. You will not want to begin your new appointment by annoying them, and Aylmer was one of their number.’
‘Then how do you know they did not kill him?’ asked Michael. ‘A falling-out among thieves?’
‘They are not thieves,’ said Tetford, glancing quickly behind him, to see whether anyone had heard. ‘They call themselves merchants, so watch the name-calling, please. Langar sued the last man who referred to Miller as a felon, and the courts forced Kelby to pay an entire year’s profits to make reparation for the insult.’
‘Langar,’ mused Michael. ‘He is–’
‘I suppose you might have come across him, if you were in Cambridge two decades ago,’ interrupted Tetford before Michael could say what he knew. ‘He was a law-clerk at the castle there.’
Bartholomew was puzzled. ‘If I recall correctly, a clerk called Langar advised the Justice over the Shirlok case, and–’
Tetford flung out a hand to silence him, looking around in alarm. ‘Do not even whisper that name in Lincoln! Everyone knows that a man called Shirlok made untruthful allegations against Miller and some of his friends in Cambridge, and was hanged for it, but Miller is sensitive about the incident, even today. Not even his deadliest enemies dare mention it these days, and if you want to see your University again, I recommend you follow their example.’