‘Gabrán was paying her attention until she made it clear that she was not interested in him. I warned my daughter not to encourage him.’
‘Daughters have rights once they reach the age of choice,’ Fidelma admonished him.
‘Daughters also have duties,’ replied the tanner angrily. ‘I had to chastise Beccnat when she spent nights away from home. Even to the end she refused to obey and those last three nights she spent away from home — well, I feared she would pay for it and she did. Gabrán was to blame.’
‘You are a stubborn man, Lesren,’ Accobrán broke in. ‘Gabrán was nowhere near here when your daughter died. No amount of accusations against Gabrán’s father will alter the fact that this can be proved by witnesses. And even with your prejudice, you cannot blame the deaths of Escrach and Ballgel on Gabrán. Why would he kill them and for what reason?’
‘To achieve what he has clearly done with you…to put you off his scent. To make it seem that there is a maniac at large here. I do not believe in maniacs. I will affirm it at every opportunity I am given. Gabrán killed my daughter.’
‘But why? For what reason would he have killed her? They were to marry.’ Fidelma’s voice was quiet but her question cut like a knife with its logic.
Lesren stared at her.
‘Why?’ he repeated slowly, as if the question were new to him.
Fidelma was firm. ‘He wanted to marry Beccnat. I have been told that your daughter was going to marry Gabrán in spite of your objections. What reason would he have to kill her?’
For a moment Lesren hesitated, seeming to gather his thoughts together.
‘Because,’ he said quietly, ‘some days before her body was found, she told me that she did not want to cause her mother and me any upset. She said that she was not going to many Gabrán. She said she had discovered that he was using her. She realised that he was not a suitable choice of husband. Then she went out and never came back. She went to tell Gabrán of her decision to break off her relationship. I know that he killed her because of it.’
Chapter Five
Fidelma had become aware of a woman who had approached them during this conversation and now stood quietly at Lesren’s side. It was evident that she had been attractive in her youth. Although grey now streaked the blackness of her hair, her light-coloured eyes, the fairness of the skin and the comeliness of her features were not diminished by age. However, she carried herself with a careworn air. Although Lesren made no attempt to introduce her, Fidelma knew instinctively who she was.
‘Are you the mother of Beccnat?’
‘I am Bébháil, Sister.’
Lesren turned with a sarcastic sneer towards his wife. ‘This is the king’s sister, woman. A dálaigh, come to snoop about Beccnat’s death.’
The woman blinked and hung her head. The thought crossed Fidelma’s mind that it was in shame at her husband’s boorishness.
‘You have heard your husband state that Beccnat had changed her mind about marrying Gabrán and went out a few nights before she was found dead with the intention of telling him so. Were you a witness to your daughter’s change of mind?’
The woman glanced nervously at her husband and then nodded hurriedly. Her eyes were suddenly tear-filled and she was clearly still distraught at the return of the memories.
‘So the girl told you both of her intention and then left?’
‘It is as my husband has said. I can say no more.’ The woman called Bébháil moved hurriedly to the bothán, closing the door behind her.
Lesren smiled bitterly.
‘Are you satisfied now, dálaigh?’ he sneered.
Fidelma returned his gaze with a stony expression. ‘Far from it. You are still forgetting one thing. Whether your daughter changed her mind or not, whether Gabrán had motive or not, Accobrán has stated that Gabrán was proved to have been twelve miles from here on the night of her death. But do not be concerned; I shall check that out. I shall satisfy myself of the facts.’
‘Do so, dálaigh. I am waiting for justice.’
‘Have no fear. Your wait for justice may not be long. I shall be returning here.’
Once they were out of earshot, Eadulf said quietly: ‘He was lying, I am sure of it. Lying ahout his daughter changing her mind. The wife was clearly frightened to say anything in front of him.’
‘I have no doubt that there was some tension between them,’ agreed Fidelma. She glanced at Accobrán in curiosity. ‘Does he really have such a hatred of Gabrán and his family? What about this fine imposed by Aolú on the boy’s father — Goll?’
The young tanist shrugged. It seemed a normal appendage to his speech.
‘There has been some enmity between Lesren and Goll for years. I would not have thought there was sufficient cause to bring it to this. Accusations of stealing are one thing, but of murder — triple murder — are something else.’
‘What do you know of this accusation that Gabrán’s father is a thief? Presumably this was the reason why a fine was imposed?’
Accobrán shrugged, ‘I know little about that. I have heard stories. For the truth you must consult Becc, for he was sitting in judgement with Brehon Aolú at the time.’
Fidelma paused thoughtfully. Then she said: ‘If we have time now, I would like a word with this Gabrán and his father.’
Accobrán glanced up at the sky. ‘It is past noon, Sister. I would advise that we return to the rath for refreshment. I understood that you also want to see Seachlann, the father of the victim Escrach, and go to the abbey too today. Becc told me that you wanted to meet the strangers there. Goll and Gabrán work the woods on the far side of the river. I doubt whether we will find them before nightfall if we are to fulfil all your wishes.’
Fidelma did not seem perturbed. ‘There is no immediate hurry. We will continue with the plan and if we cannot see Gabrán and Goll today, we will see them tomorrow. But since you remind me — what of Escrach? Was it true that Gabrán was having a relationship with her?’
Accobrán smiled easily. ‘She was an attractive girl. The Cinél na Áeda have a reputation for the attractiveness of their women. He was a healthy youth. It would not be surprising in this community. Marriage and children come along before youth is lost for ever.’
‘Yet you, I believe, are not married, tanist of the Cinél na Áeda,’ Fidelma pointed out.
Once again the young man’s features broke into a disarming smile. ‘Alas, I have spent many years away following the gods of war. A warrior would be wrong to take a wife, for many a widow is the outcome. I have only recently settled down to learn the duties that my cousin and our derbfhine have bestowed on me.’ The young tanist was suddenly thoughtful. ‘I suppose that you are not expecting anything serious to happen until the next full moon?’
Fidelma regarded him speculatively. ‘Do you believe that there will be another attack then?’
Accobrán’s handsome features twisted in a grimace. ‘What has happened three times can surely happen a fourth.’
‘So you share the belief of Liag that there is a lunatic abroad? That the killer is motivated to his deeds by the full of the moon?’
Accobrán pursed his lips in a cynical smile. ‘It is a more logical explanation than the story Lesren would have you believe. To be honest, I confess that I have little liking for Gabrán. He can be an arrogant youth at times. I do believe, however, that old Liag is right. What other explanation can there be?’
‘We have yet to hear Brocc’s reasons for accusing the strangers and have yet to hear what the strangers say in answer to them,’ pointed out Eadulf. ‘It is best not to draw a conclusion until we have gathered in all the evidence.’